In New York, tipping has gone overboard. We're supposed to tip the super, anyone who brings anything to our door, the coffee barista, the guy at the deli, the hair washer AND the stylist, the cab driver and the doorman. With the holidays, it gets even more complicated. We're now supposed to throw in a few more bucks when getting our nails done. Sigh. But what about the hairstylist? Find out if you owe your regular stylist a holiday tip.
Earlier this week About.com's skincare expert Jen Adkins wrote me about the oil that everyone seems to be buzzing about, Argan Oil. Here's what she had to say:
I'm an argan oil addict. It has done amazing things to my skin and once I got over the fact that I was applying oil to my face, which tends to break out, I saw that my skin drank it in. I wrote about argan oil last week.
Here's the link to Jen's article on argan oil benefits to the hair, skin and body. After reading her article, consider me sold. I can't wait to try this stuff, especially considering other women I respect have told me about it as well (see my interview with Manhattan's guru to the under-35 set, Gabrielle Bernstein, who swears by argan oil from Arganica).
Image: Shea Terra Organics Argan Face And Body Oil
According to NYC salon owner Eva Scrivo in her book, "Eva Scrivo on Beauty," the bob originated during World War I as women joined the workforce and no longer had time for pin curls and straightening irons. "Cropped hair became of badge of freedom, rebellion, and independence for working women who had also just gained the right to vote," Scrivo writes.
So who can wear the bob? Anyone with a nice jawline and neck will look good in a bob. If you have a round face, a long bob is a better option for you (see below). As for hair texture, bobs work best on thin to medium hair. If you have curly hair, a bob will turn into a triangle on you, unless you get layers cut in and the ends texturized and if you have fine hair, ask your stylist for a "graduated bob," which are stacked layers that give hair needed body and height at the crown.
Get the scoop on the hottest short hairstyles for 2011.
More essential reading:
It's the week of Christmas and surely you have a few parties to attend to. Smokey eyes are always a sure bet for looking fabulous whether the party is casual or formal. Jazz your smokey eyes up with a bit of sparkly eyeshadow (lay off the shimmer, though, if you are older and have wrinkles, shimmer only highlights them more) or powder as Reese Witherspoon does here.
Find out how to get smokey eyes.
Secrets to how to make eyes look bigger.
Plus, how to make up eyes in 8 steps.
Photo of Reese Witherspoon by Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Michelle Obama Looking Hot, Hot, Hot in a Silk Sheath
Senator Barack Obama and his wife Michelle arrive at the 36th NAACP Image Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 19, 2005 in Los Angeles, California
Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesOK, check out this smoking hot picture of Michelle Obama in 2005. Next to her, Barack Obama looks like a stiff senator who's meeting Miss America for the first time. Love this photo!
More on this hairstyle:
Looking for your signature summer perfume? We've rounded up ten fragrances that will keep you smelling fabulous all season.
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As cool, crisp, and comfortable as a just-washed tee, this airy scent could become your summer wardrobe staple. The fragrance blends citrusy bergamot, crisp aldehydes, and fluffy cotton flower to create a fresh and simple scent that captures the appeal of the iconic plain white tee. Warm musk, sheer amber, and vetiver in the base add a comforting, familiar warmth.
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Inspired by the magical world of a mermaid's undersea playground, this limited-edition fragrance by Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers brand is a very wearable floral-chypre, touched by a hint of the ocean. Top notes of tart apple and water lily mingle with a feminine heart of delicate freesia and pink peony flowers, over a warm and sensual amber-musk base. Energic and pretty, and the bottle is divinely cute!
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This new, limited-edition floral fragrance was inspired by Victoria Beckham's glamourous summer fashion style. Fresh water lily and freesia are layered over an exotic heart of jasmine, Madonna lily and frangipani, with base notes of vetiver, vanilla and musk creating depth. Modern and elegant, this perfume can take you from day to night.
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This fresh and cheerful fragrance is like your favorite accessory. That is, it goes with everything you own, and it makes you feel put together when you wear it. Top notes of reed stems and wild mint mingle with freshwater florals and peach, creating a scent that’s bright, feminine and clean. Wear it with confidence this summer from the office to brunch with friends.
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Created by legendary perfumer Jacques Polge, Chance Eau Fraiche is a breezy, feminine scent that's perfect for summertime. This floral-chypre blend features top notes of citruses and cedar, over a heart of pink pepper, water hyacinth and jasmine, and an amber-patchouli-musk base. Fresh and airy, with the perfect amount of sweetness to balance its woody aromas, this modern-classic Chanel fragrance could become your go-to summer scent.
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This summertime favorite delights the nose with fresh fruits, light florals, and soft woods. Granny Smith apple gives the scent its signature sparkle, while heart notes of rose and jasmine deliver that feminine touch. The perfume's dry-down is warm and woody, with just the right dose of musk for romance. It's a great pick for summer dates.
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Created to celebrate the goodness and energy of the sun, Sunflowers is an inspired choice for summertime wear. This upbeat scent blends melon and peach with jasmine and tea rose, over a soft chypre base, creating a bright and happy aroma. Fresh and fruity, this is a fabulous mood-boosting fragrance to spritz on first thing in the morning.
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Sparkly as a litchee martini, this playful fruity-floral embodies the youthful, adventurous spirit of the Burberry Brit brand. Bursting open with citrus, litchi and pineapple notes, the scent deepens into an alluring floral heart, with creamy woods in the base adding depth. Girlish and light, this is a pretty, subtle floral scent for summer.
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The latest perfume from Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Collection is a gorgeous green floral blend. Opening notes of citrus fruits and green tea vapors evoke the line's signature, crisp feel, while an exotic floral heart adds mystery. Chypre and spices in the base give the scent a satisfying depth. This is a great fragrance for summertime office-wear.
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Refreshing and youthfully sweet, this iconic oceanic-floral scent melds top notes of ozone and water lily with tropical fruits and berries. The effect is sparkling and bright, very evocative of summertime at the beach. The water-drop shaped bottle will look pretty on your vanity, too.
The New Yorker magazine recently republished an interview with the Obamas done back in 1996. At the time they were a young married couple living in Chicago, contemplating his interest in politics and her interest in starting a family. Barack Obama's comments on Michelle are telling, almost 13 years later:
BARACK OBAMA: All my life, I have been stitching together a family, through stories or memories or friends or ideas. Michelle has had a very different background—very stable, two-parent family, mother at home, brother and dog, living in the same house all their lives. We represent two strands of family life in this country—the strand that is very stable and solid, and then the strand that is breaking out of the constraints of traditional families, travelling, separated, mobile. I think there was that strand in me of imagining what it would be like to have a stable, solid, secure family life.
I also love this quote from Craig Robinson, Michelle's brother, on Barack Obama:
"We were all worried about, ‘Oh, my god my sister's never going to get married because each guy she's meet, she's gonna chew him up, spit him out. So I was thinking, Barack says one wrong thing and she's going to jettison him."
If you are interested in natural, organic beauty products, consider investing in Bare Escentuals' Firming Eye Treatment. Sue Costello, my resident organic skincare and makeup reviewer, just posted a very positive review of this product and while she admits it's not a miracle-maker, it's pretty close to it. See her review here.
My friends are the eco-conscious sort and the one beauty question I get from them is what natural, organic skincare products can I recommend. Enter in Sue Costello, the absolute perfect person to try out and review natural, organic skincare, makeup and hair products. Sue tries out all sorts of cosmetics for this site and only writes about the stuff she finds that work and works well. Sue recently tried out model-and-actress-turned-cosmetics-maven Josie Maran's Argan Sun Protection for the Body and liked it enough to give it an excellent review (read it here).
What I love about Josie Maran is she's really dedicated to finding products that are good for the body and the environment. If you can relate to that, this might be the sunscreen for you.
Image:Josie Maran Argan Sun Protection for Body
More tips to avoid "cake face":
Infused with the tangy essence of citrus fruits, these perfumes are a lively and energetic bunch. Well-suited to daytime wear, they are just the thing to wake you up in the morning before you've had that second cup of coffee.
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This fresh and summery scent is a fabulous staple for your perfume wardrobe. Mandarin orange and pink grapefruit blend with crisp floral notes for an airy, feminine fragrance. Throw it on for work and get smiles in the elevator.
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Like Burberry’s iconic trench coat, this scent goes with everything. Sparkling nectarine and green sap are layered over floral notes for a fragrance that’s fun, modern and youthful.
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This refreshing scent is a great wake-you-upper. Strong top notes of grapefruit and tangerine announce the perfume, which mellows over time into a fresh linen scent. Wear it to the Laundromat and strike up a conversation with that cute neighbour of yours.
Amazon.com
One of the first successful unisex fragrances, CK One awakens the senses with notes of papaya, pineapple, lemon and floral notes, over a base accord of green tea. A refreshing, clean scent that’s light enough to wear to breakfast.
Amazon.com
This fragrance starts off clean and fresh, but deepens into something more complex. The top note of salty citrus accord is layered over musky base notes, giving this scent a feminine and spicy finish. A great pick for a daytime date.
Question: My Stylist Puts Me Under Heat When I Get Color, Is This OK?
It seems like hair color is at the tip of every woman's tongue. Because I get tons of hair color questions from my clients in the salon and visitors to my blog, I decided to post a few of the frequently asked questions concerning hair color along with my answers.
Question: When I am getting highlights and the hairstylist puts me under heat, what does that do?
Bleach is used when highlighting hair. Generally, it may be a powdered bleach mixed with 10-, 20-, 30- or 40-volume peroxide. The bigger the number the peroxide the stronger it is.
Did you know that if a bowl of bleach is mixed it has a life of a couple of hours or more? In other words, when I do highlights on a client and there is leftover bleach, I can use it on a client 2 hours later. It may need a little refreshing, but my point is that it has a long life. If bleach is applied well, it will stay moist up to one hour and will lift for the entire time.
So do we all have to go under the dryer? NO! Is it bad for your hair? YES!! I believe bleach + heat = breakage (most times). All the heat does is speed up the process, that's all.
Because it's difficult to know if the hair has had enough heat (in terms of the strength of the hair), especially if the color is not light enough, it's easy to use too much heat. Then, after your hair is blow dried, all of a sudden you have a sea of "fly aways" at the top of the head. If you are a salon blond you know what I mean.
When I highlight clients, the only times I use heat is if it's healthy, virgin, black hair, which is very hard to lift; or if I did a Baliage and after 30-45 minutes, the bleach is drying out. Then, I would use five minutes or so of gentle heat. But only when I have too.
I have all the time in the world. You, the client, should know that you have the choice between fast processing time or healthy hair.
Extra tip If you have fine, dry hair and you see the heat coming, my advice is to grab your purse and RUN!
Antonio Gonzales is a stylist with Eva Scrivo salon in New York City. Get more hairstyling tips at Antonio's Website, http://hairbyantonio.blogspot.com/.
