How To Create A Side Chignon, Plus A Giveaway

I love wearing my hair down with texture or as it was called in my last holiday hair how to video, "bends," but a chic chignon is always a good option for upcoming holiday parties.  After all, I don't think there's anything sexier than showing off your neck and décolletage.  Here's an easy how-to from Dove along with a giveaway worth $380 that'll help you achieve the perfect party hairstyle.  Good luck!

1. PREP: Wash your hair with Dove® Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner to help nurture damaged strands and smooth out your hair
2. DRY: Blow dry your hair, using your fingers to separate sections
3. CURL: Spray Dove® Style+Care Thermal Replenishment Spray on 3-inch sections of your hair and wrap them around a 2-inch curling iron
4. SEPARATE: Rake a dime-size amount of Dove® Style+Care Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum through your hair to break up the waves and add shine
5. LOOP & SECURE: Pull your hair back and braid it.  Run a bobby pin through the elastic at the base of the braid, loop it up and secure it messily with the bobby pin.  Allow pieces to fall out.
6. FINISH:Finish the look with Dove® Style+Care™ Strength & Shine Extra Hold Hairspray

All Dove products are available at Walmart.

Giveaway!

1. Create your own Dove holiday inspired look and upload photo of it on Instagram with the hashtag #doveholiday. 
2. Then, leave a comment underneath this blog post with a link to your Instagram post and two winners will be chosen at random from the comments on this blog post on January 1st!  Good luck!

Two winners will receive:

• Dove products (all the products featured in our how-tos): $60
• Chi Straightening Iron,  $100
• Conair Infinit Pro Curl Secret Curling Iron, $100
• BARBAR Blowdryer, $120

*This post is sponsored by Lunchbox, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Celeb Stylist, Mark Townsend on Achieving Sexy Hair

Last month I posted about an exciting project I was working on with celebrity stylist, Mark Townsend for Dove®.  To put things into perspective, sitting in his chair is as exciting as a fashion enthusiast shopping in your fave celeb stylist’s closet.  In the video above, Mark gives me tips on how to go about growing my hair out for my wedding and shows me how to create sexy bends.

Throughout my time with him filming, there was a lot of laughs, but even more gossip!  Of course, we'll save that for another time, but what you should know is that I realized that whenever I style my hair or even go for a blowout I know now that I want "bends" and not loose waves, which is something I was always able to visualize, but never knew how to describe.  If you're seeking a more edgy style, then this is for you, too.

Also, like I mentioned in my previous post, I'm really into the Dove® Style+Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse. My hair is really fine so it's difficult to find products that don't weigh it down.  Mousse is a must-have foundation product for me whether I'm leaving my hair straight or bending it.  This one is lightweight and gives it playful bounce.

*This is a sponsored post by Dove® and the Style Coalition, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Emmy Beauty Trend: Short Styles

Short hair swept the Emmys last night!  Anyone notice the trend? When speaking to my blogger friends last week, many of them predicted lobs on the red carpet, but what was interesting was the way they were styled.  January Jones and Christina Hendrix  sported old-Hollywood waves, while Elizabeth Moss, Lena Dunham and Michelle Dockery opted for straight, sleek strands. But it was Claire Danes, who had everyone talking thanks to her faux bob.  Have long hair, but want to rock the trend? Here's how: To elongate her neck and show off her Armani Prive gown, Claire's stylist, Peter Butler decided to go for a short faux bob.  First, he applied mousse to her damp hair to help add texture and blow dried.  Next, he gave her a low side part and used a large-barreled curling iron to curl her hair inward, which also helped to smooth out her hair’s texture. Then, created two small pin curls at the nape of her neck and combed the top of her hair down and under, pinning as needed into the base.   To finish her look, he tucked the hair on the left side of Claire's head behind her ear and spritzing Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm Hold Hairspray for hold. 

Here's a video I created about how to get the faux bob look, in case you're still a bit confused.  It's easier than you think!

3 Steps to Kate Middleton's Half Up, Half Down 'Do

You've heard the news by now, Kate Middleton is preggers!  To celebrate, let's discuss our envy for her full, rich, shiny hair.  Yes, I'm assuming you're jealous of it too.  I got the scoop from Edward Tricomi, Co-Owner of Warren-Tricomi Salons in NYC on the secret behind her mirror-like shine and how to recreate her sophisticated half up, half down 'do that's perfect for holiday parties. “Lady Kate kills it with this, taking a look that is sophisticated yet surprisingly simple to create. The off-center pin curls are unexpected, innovative and original," states Tricomi.  "To get her shine, I recommend using a hair glaze to bring out the shine and richness of your color."

1. After blowdrying smooth, curl large sections of your hair with a 1 1/2" iron all around your head to create a soft bounce.
2. Divide your hair into two sections from ear to ear across the back of your head and brush the top section straight back.
3. Take the hair from your temple and pull it away from your face, twirling it into a pin curl in the back and secure it with bobby pins that match your hair color.  Repeat on the other side.

How to Style Your Hair According to Fall's Hottest Fashion Trends

While I focus on beauty, like any girl, I'm obsessed with fashion and love flirting with trends! This seasons black and white prints, leather whether faux or real, baroque black and gold embellishment and of course oxblood are right up my alley.  I love how oxblood is new simply because of the name... let's face it, we've all been wearing maroon for quite some time, oxblood is sexy maroon.  I spoke with Sebastian Stylist, Anthony Cole, who worked backstage the Alice + Olivia fall fashion show amongst others to get the scoop on how to style your hair to compliment fall fashion trends.

Touches of Leather

Leather is a subtle yet exciting addition to any outfit. Whether it’s gloves, pants, a skirt or the sleeves on your top - it will be everywhere this fall.  According to Cole, “When you’re wearing leather it gives you an excuse to sex up the hair.  Go for messy waves.”

Bold, Colorful Statements

This fall, don't shy away from color.  Mix and match your brights for the perfect bold statement. One way to stand out from the crowd is with a colorful coat. “When transitioning from summer to fall, coats are constantly coming on and off. I recommend putting hair up to avoid any tugging, says Cole.  Try a high chic bun.

Military Tactics

Camo jackets and cargo pants made their way down the runway once again. Cole has the breakdown on how to wear a classic hair style to offset this tough look.  "I always like a look that's clean and sleek," he says.  Here's the how to:

1.      Blow dry the hair using a round brush for added volume.

2.       Then, separate into two horizontal sections, one from the top of the head to the recession and one from under the crown and take the hair from under the crown and slick the sides back into a tight ponytail using Sebastian Professional Shine Crafter Wax.

3.       Take the remainder of the hair on top and spritz Sebastian Professional Shaper Zero Gravity to the roots, backcombing  to create a low pompadour.

4.       While backcombing the top portion of the hair, take one of the longer pieces from the top and wrap it around the low ponytail and secure with a pin for a chic updo.

Get the Look: The Secret to Mila Kunis's Sleek, Sexy Strands at the 'Ted' Premiere

I have to admit, I can't wait to see the movie Ted.  I, (along with most men), love Mila Kunis and would go see it just because she's in it, but the talking teddy bear kinda has me wanting to see it too.  Not going to lie... Last week Ted premiered in Hollywood at the Chinese Theatre and Mila looked gorge along side Mark Wahlberg donning a structured, black Christian Dior dress.  Her hair however, was the show stopper.   I couldn't help but envy Mila's healthy looking, smooth, shiny strands!  Jealous!!! I spoke with the creator of her silky 'do, Frederic Fekkai Celebrity Stylist, Adir Abergel, who explained the inspiration behind the sleek, sophisticated look was the modern lines of Mila's dress.

He dried her hair with a flat, paddle brush using Fekkai Coiff Ironless Straightening Balm.  After blowing it out, he ran a flat iron through the ends only to ensure they were smooth.  Constantly running a straightening iron from your roots to your ends will only damage your hair and take any shine out of it.  This part of her style was crucial.  After the sleekness was conquered, he teased the top of Mila's hair to boost her volume.

How To Get Kim Kardashian's Loose Waves

Play the Qwiki: How to Get Kim Kardashian Waves

Check out more of my beauty how to's on Qwiki!

Oribe Talks Scarlett Johansson's Vogue Cover Look

There's one word to describe Scarlett Johansson on the cover on May Vogue: Stunning (yes, with a capital "S").  I chatted with Oribe, her on set hairstylist and friend to find out what it was like to work with one of the sexiest women alive and how to get those even sexier, Hollywood waves he created throughout the two day shoot in at a theater downtown in LA (at the same place "The Artist" was shot).  I always try, but somehow end up with separated pieces.  This interview will surely put an end to that nonsense!

How was her hair before you started?

The color of Scarlett’s hair was really beautiful.  She had finished shooting “The Avengers” and had gone back to being blonde.  The length of her hair was perfect and it was this amazing clean blonde.   She looked great, I love her blonde.

How did you come up with the look?

Absolutely, I’ll always collaborate with photographer and the stylist.  For this shoot, the inspiration was “Bringing Up Baby,” a classic movie with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.  It’s hysterical and really chic, so we were going for a late 30’s glamorous look.  It was an amazing shoot, I loved it.

 Did Scarlett have any preferences? 

Scarlett is a very smart, intelligent girl, and I always love to get her opinion.  I’m sure she helped me tailor the style to make it work for her face.  She’s very open and loves to look great.

How did you use hot rollers on Scarlett to start creating the wave?

I did the set with small hot rollers almost like a regular set. I divided hair into 2 inch sections, set it in a finger wave with a part.  The rollers went in before makeup and I left them throughout the makeup process. Afterwards I took them out, brushed hair flat and put clips in until Scarlett was dressed.  Finally, I took them out, brushed through the curls and misted hair with my Impermèable Anti-Humidity Spray.

What type of brush did you use to brush through her curls to achieve the wave? 

Always use a Mason Pearson Mixed Bristle Brush.  It glides through the hair really well for a smooth texture and brushing the curls will help them to look less contrived.  I think the result is beautiful, glamorous and reminiscent of the style of movie stars from the 30’s 40’s.

Expert Tips on How to Get the Perfect Blowout

Earlier this month I attended a press dinner to celebrate the launch of John Frieda's new products with Celebrity Stylist, Harry Josh at 632 Below in NYC.  I was really excited to see Harry Josh, because him and I go way back, as he was one of the first celebrity stylists to blowout my hair six years ago (and it hasn't looked better since).  At the time, he was working a ton with Lindsay Lohan and was going to do her hair immediately after mine in the suite next door at the Hotel Gansevoort.  These days, his clients include Ashley Olsen, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda Seyfried to name a few.  Here are his tips on how to get the perfect blowout. “Taking the time to do it correcting may be an extra ten minutes, but you’ll have gorgeous hair at least 24 hours. It’s not worth rushing it," Josh states.

Step One: Prep

Take note of your hairs weakness and apply a styling product onto clean, damp hair prior to blowing it out.  Since my hair is super fine and flat, it needs help in the volume category so I like using a root lifter, specifically L'Oreal EverStyle Volume Lifting Spray.  If you have frizzy hair, John Frieda has their ever-so-fab Frizz Ease and if that was too heavy for you, they just launched Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control, which may be your new BFF.  I'm also insane about using heat protectant sprays to help prevent damage and just started using their Full Repair Style Revival, which protects, but also aids in the styling process.

Step Two: Submiss it with Heat

Using a boar bristle brush for sleekness, take your hair in 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections and blow dry.  Make sure to keep your blow dryer pointed down at your roots and follow the brush to the ends.  "Don’t rush, you’ll spend just as much time going back over your hair if you don’t blow it out carefully from the start, and you’ll be styling the same pieces over and over again , which is prime time for breakage," Josh explains.

Step Three: Add Finishing Touches

Depending on your hair type, apply a small amount of the appropriate styling products to finish off your 'do.  You may use a tiny bit of serum to finish the smoothing process, but since my hair is so fine I like using a shine spray.  My favorite of the moment is Redken 02 Shine Flash, because it's really light weight, yet it does smooth down any frizzies.

Get the Look: Lea Michele's SAG Awards Sexy, Swept Hair in 5 Simple Steps

Whether you're a fan of Lea Michele or not, you had to be a fan of her SAG Awards look as I thought she totally recovered from her Globes catastrophe!  I was honored to talk to her makeup artists immediately after her prep last night about what she would look like on the red carpet and now I have the scoop on her sexy, smooth hair from her stylist, Mark Townsend for Dove. Like her makeup artist, Melanie Inglessis said, "To compliment Lea's Versace gown, we wanted the look to be soft and sexy," Townsend commented.  He gave her touchable blowout with sexy front pieces that swept over her face.

1. Start with a large dollop of mousse on damp hair and blow dry with a round brush.  Townsend used Dove Style+Care Nourishing Amplifier Mousse.

2. Once blow dried, take a dime sized amount of serum like Dove Frizz-Free Shine Cream-Serum (available March 1st) and work it through the hair for shine and separation.  Tip: Warm it up between your palms before spreading it through your locks to warm it up for better distribution.

3. Pull your hair into a loose bun and finish getting ready.  This will give your hair a natural, loose wave.

4. To give it a second day look, spray a beach spray like Oribe Apres Beach Spray all over and shake it out.

5.  Finish with a lightweight styling spray.

3 Hot Red Carpet Hair Break Downs

You already know that Nicole Richie's hair was my fave.  How chic was that pony? Redic! But I have to share three more styles created by Stylist, Chris McMillian for Wella that can't go unnoticed.  Here are the step-by-step how to's and my friend's at DailyMakeover are giving away a ton of Wella products that will help you recreate the looks so check out their site.

To Get The Look: First, apply Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse to wet hair, then use your hands to shape your hair while it air dries. Once dry, lift up your roots and blow dry upward to create extra lift at the crown. Then, apply Wella Professionals Mirror Polish for a glossy finish and to help smooth hair into shape. Add a simple black headband with a jeweled brooch to give this retro look a modern spin. Push bangs to the side where the jewel is positioned for a heavy fringe effect.

To Get The Look: The trick to creating a soft, flattering updo to is to first create a lot of volume. Butler used Wella Professionals Extra Volume Mousse on damp hair, then blow dryed it. Next, curl hair with a large barrel curling iron for extra volume, then pull hair back into a high pony and wrap it into a tight knot. (Danes' look was only secured with TWO hair pins!) Lastly, comb back hair with fingers, coated with Wella Professionals Mirror Polish Shine Serumfor a soft sheen. Spritz with Wella Professionals Stay Essential hairspray for a hold that will last all night.

To Get The Look: Rough dry hair to manipulate and emphasize natural texture. Then, mist hair with Wella Professionals Thermal Image Heat Protection Spray to protect it from thermal heat while also adding texture. Use a 1-inch flat iron on hair to create soft S formations and add a natural wave texture. Finish with a mist of Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Spray.

Get the Look: Selena Gomez's AMA Hair Style in 5 Simple Steps

Selena Gomez's whole look was by far my favorite at the American Music Awards on Sunday night.  She showed off her curves in a low-cut, satin Armani gown, wore a pop of peach on her lips and glamourized her eyes with tons of mascara and silver eyeshadow.  Her hair however, was a show stopper.  Tresemme Celebrity Stylist, John D., was behind the look and filled me in on how to get it in five simple steps. How-to:

1. Towel dry clean hair and comb Tresemme 24 Hour Body Mousse through your strands for even distribution.

2. Create a deep side part over the arch of your brow and blow dry smooth with a round brush.

3. Take the front sections of your hair on both sides and curl them in one inch sections using a one inch barrel.

4. Curl the bangs away from your face and continue curling the rest of your hair horizontally.

5. After curls cool, spritz a boar bristle brush with a finishing spray and brush the curls gently until they fall into a nice wave pattern.

The Secret Behind Kate Middleton's Lust-Worthy Hair

America's obsession with Kate Middleton may have begun with the fantasy of the Royal Wedding, but thanks to the celebrity status we've given her it's here to stay.  I agree, the princess is quite a fashion icon and I admire her grace and poise, but something I've always envied are her shiny, volumnious locks.  Her hair is gorgeous and despite rumors of extensions, it's all real and I know her secret. Kate's Secrets:

1. Velcro Rollers

Her long time hair dresser, Richard Ward, uses the least amount of heat styling possible when giving her blow outs.  That's right – no curling irons needed. Instead, after blowing out her hair, he uses Velcro rollers to add major volume and oomph.  (Note: He does sometimes use a curling iron on the ends for big events, but most of the time her trick is the Velcro rollers.)

2. Rich Color

Ward also keeps Kate's color super rich.  The richer the color, the more shine it will give off.  When color begins to loose it's luster, instead of coloring again, opt for a color glaze instead. This will up your shine factor and deepen your color for longer without the use of harsh chemicals.  With less color treatments, your hair will be healthier.

"How Kate wears her hair typifies how you should be wearing your hair today," Ward told E!.  "It's a very natural look and gleams with health."

Having healthy hair is the foundation to great hair.  I'd say 99% of Hollywood has extensions, so it's great to see someone with covetable locks that doesn't!

Beat Frizz All Winter Long

Hate me for saying this, but my hair never gets frizzy.  Static?  Yes.  Frizz?  Never.   Maybe because it's so super fine and straight and never does anything!  However, I know many of you battle with frizz especially during the wintertime so I spoke with Herbal Essences Celebrity Stylist, Charles Baker Strahan to find out what causes frizz and how to prevent it all season long. Truth is, the fix is simple. "Cold weather and artificial heat can cause the hair to become dry and more likely to frizz and create static," states Strahan.  This is easier to control if your hair is healthy to begin with, but if it's dry or damaged, you have some work to do as dry hair tries to pull moisture from the air to compensate for what it's lacking.

To combat frizz and static all season long you need to make sure your hair is full of moisture. "This is important for all hair types as people with fine to medium hair often overlook hydration," Strahan comments.  He recommends to begin in the shower using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that won't weigh your hair down like Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner and then following with a light-weight leave in conditioner daily.  "Just a little bit goes a long way."

Celebs Prove Ombre Hair is More than A Trend

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.

Ombre style has also found its way into makeup trends and nail art. Chanel uses the concept of ombre to sell their latest cream based shadows and the Sephora nail art bar offers ombre effects as a new twist on a French manicure.

Spotted: Jessica Szohr's Bob Styles, Get the Look!

Yes, I spotted Gossip Girl's Jessica Szohr out and about during New York Fashion Week with a mid length bob.  Even though I caught glimpse of her before Herve Leger, she also attended several other shows like Marchesa and I got the 411 on her bob transformations from Pureology Colour Ambassador, Ruth Roche, who worked with Jessica throughout the week. "Since Jessica still has some length to her bob it leaves her with a lot of styling options," commented Roche.

To achieve smooth bob (as seen at Herve Leger), all Roche did was blow dry Jessica's hair with a round brush, but shine serum was the key to creating smoothness and adding a bit of separation.  She used Pureology Colour Stylist Cuticle Polisher.  I use this too and just place a small amount in my hands, rub them together to warm it up (so it distributes well) and then rub on my ends for added smoothness.

To get a more texturized look like the style Jessica rocked at the Marchesa show, Roche blow dried her hair and then used a 1 1/2 inch curling iron to randomly curl sections of her hair inwards and outwards.  The trick to this 'do was to leave the iron in longer on some sections than others and pulling other curls out a bit so the curls were all different.  In the end, the loose waves were texturized with a lot of movement.

Nicole Richie's Updo in 5 Simple Steps

Besides being completely obsessed with Nicole Richie's style, my jaw practically dropped when I saw this pic of her from last nights Charlotte Ronson beauty launch event.  I've always been a huge fan of her hair styles and as a matter of fact, I just showed a pic of her old side bangs (again) to my stylist when I went in for a trim.  To find out how to get the look, I spoke with her stylist of the night, Andy Lecompte of Wella Professionals. 1. Dry your hair and flat iron in sections to smooth any fly aways and make it all pin straight.

2. Next, pull the top of your hair up and away in to a mo-hawk and let it fall forward and separate as you secure the rest into a super high pony at the crown of your head.

3. Hit the mo-hawk section of your hair with a blowdryer and allow it to part naturally falling over the ponytail you just created.

4. Wrap each section on either side of the part around the pony tail elastic and secure with bobby pins.

5. Smooth fly aways and finish with a shine spray like Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray.

Get Emma Stone's Sexy Waves in 3 Simple Steps

Last week, Emma Stone made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote her latest film, The Help. While, Emma confessed on-air to being a natural blonde, I was more curious about finding out the secret behind her texturized waves. Being that I have pin straight, fine hair (since it's dark and straight people often think I'm Asian from behind – it's that straight), I'm always looking for ways to wear it so it looks fuller and sexier.  Emma's waves may be the answer.  To get the how-to, I spoke with her stylist, Tommy Buckett of Oribe Hair Care, who created the 'do for her David Letterman appearance.  You're welcome!

1. After blow drying, take 2" sections of your hair and wrap around a curling iron to create soft waves.  I like using Remington's TStudio Pearl Ceramic Professional Styling Wand, because it doesn't have a clamp.

2. Once your whole head is curled, take a dollop of styling cream like Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream in your hands and use it to separate your curls towards the ends. This is step is key.

3. Finish with a texturizing spray like L'Oreal Texture Infinium 4 Hairspray for added lift and body.

Teen Choice Awards Trend Report: Sleek 'Do's

The 13th annual Teen Choice Awards were held last night in Los Angeles, CA and while most of the young starlettes including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and of course Kim and Kourtney Kardashian looked radiant on the blue carpet, I couldn't help but admire the sleek, straight, glossy locks of Ashley Greene, Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively. "Modern, sleek hair is so hot at the moment," exclaims celeb stylist (and the genius behind Ashley Greene's strands) Ted Gibson.

Here's a breakdown on how-to get the look:

1. Spritz a blow drying prep spray like Blow Heat is On Dry Protective Styling Mist onto damp hair and part it exactly where you'd like it to lay.

2. Blow dry with a flat brush, and apply a frizz controlling lotion like Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion from mid-shaft to ends.

3. Flat iron in one to two inch sections all around your head and finish with a light-weight hairspray for a bit of control.

The Scoop on Emma Watson's New "Pixie" Styles

For the International premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 11 in the beginning of July, Emma Watson debuted a longer pixie cut, (well her stylist, Rodney Cutler, is calling it a graduated bob, but that's besides the point), either way I thought looked super sexy!  He gave me the scoop on this 'do's new direction. "The inspiration behind the look was from the Louise Brooks era, but modernized," Cutler said.  "Layers in the interior and feathered bangs in the front to draw an outline of attention to a strong silhouette."

Since short hair can get boring, Cutler made sure to change up Emma's length, texture and color to give her variety. With this style, she can go messy and sexy or sleek and polished, which is exactly what he did for her International and NYC Harry Potter premieres.

For the International premiere in London, Redken Root Lifter, flat ironed pieces and a touch of height made up the sultry, messy look.  However for the NYC premiere, Cutler wanted Emma to make more of a fashion statement and combined a slick low side part, smoothing serum and Cutler Shine Tattoo for a smooth finish.