Why Haircuts Are So Expensive

Kendra Aarhus is About.com's Guide to Women's Hairstyles. She's an actual hairstylist which puts her in an elite league all of her own, because while I write about hair and hairstyling, I don't actually do it, except my own of course. Kendra does, so she can weigh in on all the nitty-gritty questions you might have about your own hair. Check out her Website here.

This week, Kendra writes about a fascinating topic: "Why are Haircuts so Expensive." I just had to share her article with you guys because there seems to be a bit of backlash out there towards tipping salon owners. One of the most commented upon blog posts on my site is "Weigh In: I'm a Salon Owner & My Clients Don't Tip." Many of the commenters are actually furious times have changed and they are expected to tip a shop owner and stylists in general. I figure, if you know how much it costs to run a salon, maybe you'd change your mind.

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How to Fill in Sparse Eyebrows

One of my pet peeves is bad eyebrows. I mean unruly brows, brows that need to be tweezed (stray hairs growing all over the place) and too-thin brows. As we age, our brow growth slows down so you may find you need to pencil in sparse spots. For details on how to properly do this, see "How to Fill in Sparse Eyebrows."

More on brows:

• I Overplucked My Eyebrows. What Can I Do?
• How To Shape Your Eyebrows
• Should You Splurge or Save on Tweezers?

Image: Stone for Getty Images

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Holiday Hair: Pinned Back

Actress Debbie Matenopoulos

Actress Debbie Matenopoulos

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

I love this look for a holiday party and it's super easy to do.

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Michelle Obama Hair

The primaries were an exhausting time for the Obamas. This part of the presidential election took a whopping 18 months and kept the family apart for long stretches of time as the candidate campaigned throughout the country.

Although this has nothing to do with hair or makeup, I love this part of Obama's "Open Letter" to his daughters written after the election:

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey. (Read the full letter).

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Yes, Please: Stash Studio's Black Bison Clutch

I fell in love with Stash Studio's bags at first glance. I went to college with Cheryl Schulke (also known as "Stash"), who handcrafts bags and clutches out of her family's century-old mattress factory in the Texas countryside. When Cheryl posted images on Facebook, I thought, "These babies belong in posh boutiques here in Manhattan." Which is why I'm telling you about Cheryl now, before Barneys or Saks finds her.

I'm a sucker for stories and Stash has a good one. Texas girl uses vintage hand tools and boot-making equipment to turn gorgeous hides into even more gorgeous bags. According to Cheryl's Website, she's constructed more than 250 bags with her own hands. And that was just in 2010. She does this in her grandparents' factory, which she, her husband, her dad, her daughter and a host of other friends and family recently and painstakingly refurbished into the amazing space it is today. They even host "killer acoustic concerts" and art shows within the factory walls. I love it so much this gives me another reason to hightail it out of New York and back to my Texas roots.

This black bison bag pictured here is one of my favorites. It's $249 on the Stash Studios Website. Read more about Cheryl and her work on her personal Website. If you contact her, tell her you heard about her on About.com.

Image: Black Bison clutch by Stash Studios

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Golden Globes Hair

Golden Globes 'Worst': Beyonce

Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce

Credit: Photo by Paul Fenton/ZUMA Press

Beyonce makes a fatal beauty flaw here: She's gone overboard with the extensions. As we've said time and time again, very few women can get away with hair down past their boobs. As we see here, even very expensive fake hair can look unhealthy. Now Jennifer Hudson, while not a 'best' certainly looks fine. No complaints here.

Hair Styles -- Photos of Most Popular Hair Styles

• 2012 Hair: 20 Hot Hairstyles for 2012
• The 10 Hottest Hairstyles of 2011
• Celebrity Hairstyles
• Angela Bassett: Short-short, very boyish
• Angelina Jolie: Long, brown with just a bit of wave in it

Julyne Derrick
Beauty Guide

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Photo Galleries of Gorgeous Long Hairstyles

Long hair will always be popular and while long hair is flattering on most face shapes, if you have a long or thin face consider a cut with bangs, which can mask a large forehead while visually "widening" your face.

Long hair can be tricky depending on your hair texture. It works wonderfully on curly hair, because the length weighs down the curl. Just make sure to get layers cut in so your hair has definition and doesn't look like an upside down Christmas tree. If you have fine hair, don't grow hair too long or your hair could appear lifeless. Ask your stylist to cut in long layers to give hair body. Wavy hair is a wonderful texture for long hair. You can get choppy layers or wear your hair all one length and curl the ends as Kate Middleton does.

Check out these photo galleries for inspiration:

• Photos of long, beachy waves
• Photos of long, straight hairstyles
• Long hairstyles with bangs
• Long, curly hairstyles

Image: Sofia Vergara by Alberto E. Rodriguez, Getty Images

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William & Kate US Visit

Catherine's Red Scarf and Blue Trench Coat

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

Getty Images

Catherine wears a bright red scarf and a blue trench coat as she waves to Prince William. William was taking part in helicopter maneuvers called 'water birding' across Dalvay lake on July 4, 2011, in Charlottetown, Canada.

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