How to Rock Dirty Hair

Did you know that people with thick hair should only be washing their hair 2-3 times a week? Even if you have fine hair, a wash every other day is the right amount. While this may be what’s healthy for your hair, it can sometimes result in undone, messy looking styles. I spoke with Stylist, Jan Marie Arteca who works at the Jeff Chastain Parlor in NYC, about the best ways to wear your hair, well, dirty.

Mistakes: 

One of the biggest mistakes women make when sporting dirty hair? “Wearing a center part,” says Arteca. This kind of part attracts can reveal an oily scalp. Another major mistake that I myself am also guilty of, is not brushing your hair.  I know I think it sometimes makes my hair look messy chic. When in reality, it just looks messy.

Products: 

The obvious product choice for dirty hair is dry shampoo. It can save your hair for a day or two longer. Arteca recommends Serge Normant Dry Shampoo. Texturizing spray also works like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.

Style:

“The thicker the hair, the more options you have to style it,” explains Arteca. This ranges from anything from curls to braids. For finer hair, she recommends deep side part ponytails, buns, or any sort of braid. I personally like to pull my hair into a side braid when my hair goes a day or two unwashed. Braids keep my texture from looking greasy and with it to the side I avoid a too-sleek part. Hair accessories are also a major help. A headband can cover up almost the dirtiest of looks.

Also keep in mind that dirtier hair is easier to style than slick clean hair. If you’ve been dying to sport some beach waves, curl it when it’s a day or two dirty and shake out for a waved look that’ll stay in.

Safe After Hurricane Sandy: Survival Essentials

How is everyone?  So sorry I haven't been updating as frequently.  All of the dry shampoo and cleansing towelettes in the world couldn't have prepared me for what Hurricane Sandy brought on this week.  And that sounds shallow.  We got lucky.  Joe and  I live on the third story of a doorman building  in midtown by the East River and watched as the water rushed across 1st Ave. and up to our apartment on Monday night.  We've been without power and water, but I found wifi for a minute at a friend's office.  Here's what I really needed when the lights went out and water shut off to survive and keep myself from going stir crazy: Candles, Flashlight & Backup Batteries

The scariest part is walking out of our apartment and into the hallway where there are no windows and then down the staircase to get outside.  A flashlight is a must.  And of course, backup batteries.  I love candles and have a ton of them in our place, but never intended to use them all at the same time.  My favorites include: Voluspa and Paddy Wax.

Water

Not only do you need gallons of water to drink, but you need to fill your bathtub and any pitchers and water bottles you have with water prior to a possible emergency to use to brush your teeth, wash up and flush the toilet with.  This is essential.

Second (Third, Fourth...) Day Beauty Products

Since morning after hair takes on a new meaning, I recommend placing it in the chicest braid or bun possible and relying heavily on Oscar Blandi's Volumizing Dry Shampoo.  You can work it at the roots to give them a little lift and soak up any oil.  Each night, brush it out, sleep in a bun and do it again in the morning.  Brushing it out is key so it doesn't get matted day after day.  Of course, don't forget cleansing towelettes and a body mist.

Games

I can't tell you the last time I played a board game because I'm so consumed with the web, but challenging Joe to Scrabble has been one of the highlights of having no power.  Make sure you have at least a deck of cards handy.  It can kill hours in the dark.

Wine

I don't think I need to explain myself here.

Blankets

It gets cold!  I haven't seen one New Yorker actually dressed since the storm happened.  It's too cold.  Without heat, people here are less judgmental.  Believe it or not it seems like everyone is living in leggings, sweaters and baseball caps (to hide the hair). Make sure you have blankets to snuggle under.

Things That Make Me Go... WOW... Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo

As a frequent user of dry shampoo I've tried and tested them all.  Too stiff, too white, too chalky and the list of issues goes on especially for someone like me with fine, dark hair.  It should come as no surprise that I found my favorite, but of course as soon as I was getting comfortable I was thrown for a loop.  A package came last week introducing me to a new one, Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo. First and foremost, it smells good!  Not like a good hair product, but fresh. Exactly how you'd want your hair to smell if you needed to use dry shampoo.  It sprays out clear, which is key so you don't have to worry about trying to blend in what looks like baby powder on your roots and bottom line – it really works.  Oil is absorbed from your roots and it provides the right amount of texture for styling.

The keratin addition helps to smooth your hair and keep more manageable as you style.  I sometimes blast my roots with dry shampoo even after I wash and blow dry my hair just for the added texture.  This one is perfect for that.  You can find it at drugstores for under $5.