Never mind diamonds. Ponytails are really a girl’s best friend. Long, short, messy, clean, high, low – the list goes on – but how about creating a bubble effect in your pony? The "it" bubble ponytail was be seen on Blake Lively at the Met Gala as well as on the runway during this year’s Valentino show. With a little help from Redken Celebrity Hairstylist, Jenny Balding, we got the scoop on how to get the look. From runway to red carpet and now, to real way... because who doesn't want to look like Blake Lively?
- Smooth hair into a ponytail and secure tightly with a hairband
- Brush the ponytail to make sure there is a sleek smooth surface
- Start at the base, brush backwards underneath the pony, and tease it out to create a puffy texture
- Use a small hairband and starting at the bottom of the tail, tie all the way up to create desired amount of “bubbles”
Depending on what you're wearing or how you do your makeup, this bubble ponytails can be edgy or sophisticated. If you're blonde like me, try using black hair ties for an edgy look and clear for a more polished style. A brunette like Jeannine, or any other hair color, using clear elastics or ones that match your hair color are best.
If you jumped on the ombre bandwagon last year and are ready for the next best thing, you may want to consider hanging tight. Last week I met with David Stanko, Redken's Haircolor Consultant, to freshen up my color for fall and according to him, ombre is here to stay.
In case you're not familiar, ombre means shading and with hair color its typically darker roots that fade into lighter ends (light the celebs hair color in the photo above). "The truth is, no matter how over ombre I am, none of my clients are," Stanko commented. Remember back when Drew Barrymore stepped out on the red carpet rocking intense ombre? That was a nightmare, but ombre was born. Since then, the look has definitely softened and become more gradual. We now have celebs like Jessica Biel, Mila Kunis and Alexa Chung to thank for keeping the trend alive over a year later.
The New York Public Library isn't just for book worms - it's where Ports 1961 showcased their Spring 2012 collection. I think the library first received major fashion cred thanks to Sex and the City. Before I dish on the backstage beauty I wanted to say thank you to Jeannine for letting be in her shoes for a week! It was so great being a part of SS 2012 NYFW and most of all being able to share my experiences with you!
black bob wigs inspired by the Sassoon movie. Of course just a simple wig for a Betsey Johnson show wasn't enough, so the team spray painted a dust of gold around a lace pattern to add a fresh fun feel. To keep the wig looking shiny as the models walked the runway, Gray used Redken Shine Flash 02.
in the fall. It's a tarnished greenish gold.
Backstage at Rag & Bone the inspiration was urban eskimo. Loose braids sporatically placed throughout the hair that "look as if a girl did them herself as she day dreams about her boyfriend" were paired with windswept skin and rosy lips.
The Redken lead stylist didn't want the braids to look too perfect. Each model had two that were secured with a clear hair band and then pulled out a bit to make them looser.
Gucci Westman was the lead makeup artist for Revlon and leaned on a new Revlon compact that comes out in October to complete the look. It featured a quad of what looked like a mix of lipsticks and eyeshadows. The lipstick was used not only on some of the models' lips to make them pinker, but also on the eye lids to create more texture.
Backstage at Cynthia Rowley I taped a video for the Style Coalition interviewing the lead hairstylist with Redken, Rita Marmor. As soon as it's posted I'll put it up so you can all see it. I absolutely love doing on camera work!
The makeup was hot. It was perfect for going out late night in the city. I got the scoop from Charlotte Willer, the lead makeup artist with Maybelline on the inspiration and how-to get the look. The perfect skin is compromised of 50% powder and 50% foundation. The main focal point were the eyes. The key to achieving the sexiness a was outlining the eye on the top and bottom on the outside and inside of the eye and blending it with the finger. Spiky lashes were a must and they were created with layers of Maybelline Falsies Mascara.
There’s nothing in the world that compares to a Betsey Johnson show. It is a true spectacle, and I was lucky to have the chance to attend her latest runway presentation. The vivacious designer always goes over the top, and her Spring/Summer 2011 collection consisted of her signature crazy neons and clashing patterns.
The inspiration behind the collection was simply taking a bike ride through New York City. Sarah Lucero, the lead makeup artist for Stila said, “The look is optimistic, happy, and colorful.” Lucero wanted a “bright, bold green eye” and accomplished it by wetting Fiji Palette no. 5 eyeshadow and painting it on like a thick paint splotch. To complete the face she used a hot pink hue on the cheek and Caprice Long Wear Liquid Lip Color (another bold pink) on the pout.
Nonie Creme, the Founder and Creative Director for Butter London of 
Beach chic sums up Mara Hoffman's Spring/Summer 2011 collection and the hair and makeup effortlessly complimented the style. Fedoras, sunglasses, bright patterns, dewy skin and bohemian hair were spotted on the catwalk at Pier 59 studio.
"Even though they're all wearing the same look, the model's are all so racially diverse, they bring their own individuality it," stated Lottie, Makeup Forever's lead makeup artist. She kept it clean using Makeup Forever's HD Foundation and Sculpting Kit around the cheeks and left the lips natural. The secret to a dewy complexion? The beauty blender!
Three different hair 'do's were created on the 15 models by Martin-Christopher Harper for Redken and Cutler. The inspiration: A woman on the Caymen Islands just coming from a leisurely day at the beach. It was a look we can all relate to, very organic. From texturized high buns to buns at the nape of the neck and loose waves all of the women had the same theme. The key to mastering the beachy look is texture, texture, texture. Try Cutler Volumizing Specializing Spray and mist it from your root to mid shaft and blow dry directly over your head from the front with your hands.
Inspired by Cameron Diaz's hair color on the August cover of Harper's Bazaar, BeautySweetSpot reader, Adrienne, underwent a makeover with Redken Color Consultant, David Stanko at the 
Shape & Prep
End Result
When I met with Angelo David Salon’s Artistic Director, Meaghan Frayne, I vented to her about the giant toll that this summer’s heat wave took on my thick, frizz-prone hair. (It doesn’t quite measure up to Snooki’s pouf, but still…). She suggested a hydration treatment to repair my dry and damaged locks-- and from there, I let this hair guru lead the way.
After using a slew of Pureology's hydrating shampoos and conditioner's Meghan dusted my ends (not as extreme as getting a trim, for all of you haircut phobes), then the fun began. I wanted to try a different kind of blowout, so Meaghan gave me a modified version of pin curls that is perfect for smoothing frizz and maintaining body. She divided my hair into four sections in the front and back, and in a downward motion applied Redken’s Velvet Gelatine, which gives hair a fabric-like texture. For added moisture, she applied Redken’s Sheer Straight cream. For each section of hair, she blow-dried it straight and... smooth and then clipped it into a pin curl (by simply rolling the section of hair around itself with fingers and securing the end with a clip).
