Behind the Look: Jenny Cho

Welcome to “Behind the Look” – a new feature that showcases the talent behind the looks we love – the real celebrities in my eyes.  

Stylist Jenny Cho works regularly with leading ladies including Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Garner.  Not only should you read this interview to get to know her, but also because her best piece of advice is to, "Keep it dirty."  My kind of girl!  Enjoy!

Describe the most exciting project you’ve worked on lately.

It seems like every project is as exciting as the last one so it's hard for me pick just one!

What’s your beauty philosophy?

Be your own kind of beautiful.

What are the top five must-haves in your kit and why? 

Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray – I love this hairspray because it locks in style without leaving hair stiff or crunchy.

Suave Professionals Natural Infusion All Day Body Leave -In Foam with Seaweed – Effortless waves is one of my favorite styles and this leave-in foam helps you get it. I’ll usually apply this foam to towel-dried hair before blowing it dry for added volume and movement.

Harry Josh Pro Tools Flat Iron – It’s important to invest in a good hair dryer and straightener, and Harry Josh makes excellent ones.

Hot Tools 2-inch Curling Iron – I can do almost anything with this iron, whether it’s beachy or wavy hair, adding body, or giving a slight bend.

Ibiza CX1 Brush – I'm really loving this brush right now. It's amazing for detailing hair.

Have you discovered any new products lately that you find impressive? I'm seriously so impressed and in love with the new Suave Professionals products for 2015, but you’ll have to wait till January! Lots of exciting innovations to come!

Spill your best beauty advice. Keep it dirty. Don't wash your hair every day; second-day hair is always better for styling. Second-day hair doesn’t have to mean greasy though!

What’s the one tip or trick that you think all women should know?

One tip that every woman should know is having gorgeous hair is healthy hair. Keep your hair in good condition by using weekly deep conditioning treatments and follow up with regular trims. It doesn't have to be every 6-8 weeks, but you can tell when your hair doesn't behave and move the right way. That's when you know you need to put a little life back into that hair of yours, and get to the salon!

You can follow Jenny Cho on Instagram and Twitter to see all of her work.

Summer Haircare Problems Solved, Today on Twitter

During this time of year, chances are thanks to the sun, chlorine and salt water, your hair definitely needs a bit of extra TLC.  Today at 1pm EST, join me on Twitter as I'll be answering all of your summer haircare questions and giving away three Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oils, plus $20 Walmart gift cards. Deemed a 'miracle oil' in the beauty industry, moroccan argan oil has both, skin and haircare benefits.  Suave Professionals Moroccan Infusion Styling Oil is created with moroccan argan oil, which is able to penetrate your hair shaft to hydrate and gives incredible shine. Plus, it's lightweight.  The Moroccan Infusion line is great for coarse or super dry hair and the best part, it's budget friendly.  You can find it at Walmart.

See you at 1pm EST on Twitter!  Use #shinechallenge!

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

Amanda Seyfried's Hair Stylist Hints at Her Oscars Red Carpet Look

I just got off the phone with Amanda Seyfried's hair stylist, Jenny Cho, who was busy running around "fine tuning her kit" for Oscar day.  Besides working with Amanda, she's also doing Jennifer Gardner's hair on Sunday.  Eagerly awaiting the red carpet, I got the scoop from Amanda's long time stylist about what we will be seeing on Sunday and her styling must-haves. After working with Amanda for about five years, Cho says, "When we get ready for an event like this it’s magical because everything comes together from the dress to the shoes to the makeup and the hair and there’s a moment where magic happens."

Being part of the Oscars this year is extra special as Les Miserables was nominated for Best Picture, so of course, eyes will be on her!  As a tease to her dress, Cho explained it has aspects to it that are new for Amanda, hinting at the shape.

"On each red carpet event I want my clients to look their best and in doing so, sometimes hair or makeup have to sit back," she explains.  However when I asked what would take center stage this Sunday, she simply stated, "Let's just say Amanda's wearing the whole look, it's not wearing her."

As for fine tuning her stylist kit, Cho's go-to products to create the Oscar-worthy style on Sunday will be Suave Professional Moroccan Infusion Aragan Styling Oil and their Lightweight Hairspray.  The oil is a complete must-have, because it will be used from start to finish.  First, on Amanda's damp hair to prep before a blow dry.  "It helps me glide through it and allows me to start her hairstyle in the right direction," Cho explains.  Then, as a finishing touch at the end to add shine and smooth fly aways.

Back to School Must Haves from My Intern, Who's Really Going Back to School

My roommate Julia and I know from personal experience that when in a college mind-set we do not spend our money the smartest ways possible. We're only 19 we'd rather spend on dinner before we're sure that we've used every last drop of toothpaste.  From our experience, stocking up on the essentials before going back to school can help, this way you're not pushing your personal hygiene to the bottom of your priorities list towards the end of the semester when money runs low.  Here are some back to school rules and must haves that are worth stocking up on, no BS. Wipe away the evidence with facial wipes.

You have ten minutes until class all the way on the other side of campus.  If you just jump out of bed and go, everyone will see your smudged mascara and eyeliner and wonder why you wore so much makeup to stay in and finish The Sound and the Fury.  Good news is, it only takes about thirty seconds to wipe makeup off your face before bed.  Besides not looking like a stay out, you're skin will thank you.  Our must haves? Neutrogena's Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit, $5.97 at Walmart.

Avoid monthly salon visits with at-home solutions.

Along with toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner is another item that I am sure to squeeze every last drop out of.  Around two bottles can last you the entire semester. Not only do I stock up on these at the beginning of the semester to save money, but having the right products also saves me money at the salon.  I like John Frieda's Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.49 each.  They keep my color vibrant throughout the semester.  Don't worry, they're not biased towards just blonds either.  They have Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner that brings out natural highlights and creates shine with a high-gloss finish.  It never hurts to have a fresh salon look through the semester without stepping foot in one.

Preserve your blow out, thanks dry shampoo!

Dry shampoo is new to me this year when I became more in-the-know of beauty products, but now that I've experienced it, it's going to be a must have for me this upcoming semester. My thin hair can look greasy throughout a long day, and this product can prevent that worn down look.  It also adds lift and texture for restyling, which is a great way to keep a fresh look through classes, coffees, campus errands and even into the next day.  The best part, Suave's Dry Shampoo is only $2.60 at Target.

Keep facial hair in control by investing in good tweezers.

Ok, so you don't need more then one of these but tweezers keep you from avoiding the monthly eyebrow waxes or threading sessions.  All you need to do is keep up with your eyebrows and tweeze them when you start to see hairs that don't belong through the semester. Then, when your home, you can go and get them cleaned up and reshaped. Although they are on the pricier end, Mac's Slanted Tweezers, $33 are my favorite and the easiest to use.

Avoid bad breath, because you never know... with minty gloss.

We all know that guy in class with the bad breath all too well. We also know that kid who is smacking their gum through your entire final exam.  There's a simpler, classier way to keep fresh breath.  Try a mint lip blam or gloss.  C.O. Bigelow has lip glosses that freshens breath. They have flavors that range from Vanilla Mint to Mango Mimosa and you can get them on their website for $7.50. I suggest buying a few of these, because they will go fast and when you run out you won't think it's that important to get new ones, but it is.

Get Nicole Richie's Golden Globes Hair in 5 Simple Steps

As I mentioned in a previous post, Nicole Richie was one of my absolute favorite looks of the night.  I always love her style and no matter what way she wears them, she has the best bangs!  I still bring a photo of her side bangs to my stylist every time I get them trimmed.  I spoke with her Golden Globes stylist, Jenny Cho for Suave on how to get her red carpet 'do. 1. Start with clean, dry hair and spritz dry shampoo like Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo directly into the roots on the crown of your head and in the front.  Refresh your blowout with your hairdryer and a round brush working the dry shampoo into the hair to create texture.

2. Section off the hair around the crown of your head and tease it to create volume and clip it aside.

3. Use a half boar bristle, half nylon brush to smooth out your hair on the sides and back of your head pulling it back and securing it into a ponytail.

4. Take a side section and wrap it around the ponytail, securing with a bobby pin. Take the opposite side and do the same to cover the elastic.

5. Finally, take the teased crown section that you set aside and lightly smooth it back with a brush over the ponytail.  Secure with bobby pins.

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.

Brooke Burke Dishes Her Guilty Pleasures

Last week around 3pm I was anxiously awaiting a call from Brooke Burke.  At 3:03 my phone rang and an apologetic Brooke immediately placed me on hold so she could quiet the kids.  The California based mother of four, model and co-host of Dancing with the Stars has landed herself yet another gig – a partnership with Suave, encouraging women to indulge in themselves without feeling guilty.  Hey, why not? You wear so many hats, what's your favorite and how do you do it all?

Family comes first always.  I love what I do.  I'm so blessed to host DWTS, love blogging and find Modern Mom very therapeutic, but all of that is the icing on the cake beyond my family.  I feel all of my jobs compliment each other so I can do it all.

Do you have any advice for young entrepreneurs?

Yes, set reasonable goals.  Write a bucket list of everything you want to accomplish.  I believe every woman should dream and have aspirations, but after writing your list start chipping away at them.

You always look stunning on DWTS.  What's your secret?

Less is more for me, but I love Cellceuticals, topical vitamin C's, a good gloss and mascara.

Have you always been into fitness?  What's the secret behind your beach body?

I do Pilates Plus, eat very healthy and believe in small, smart meals.  I've always been into fitness and have learned what works for my body and lifestyle.  It's all about taking out time for yourself, too.  As a mother, others come first, but you can't lose your sense of self.

How does that relate to your partnership with Suave?

That's why I was excited to partner with Suave.  Their campaign is all about "me time," which can be just ten minutes a day, even just enjoying your simple shower and making it luxurious with one of their body washes.  I make sure to take time out for myself to do things like work out.  It's all about being organized and making the time.

(You can visit the Suave Facebook page to enter their Smart Splurge Contest).

What's your guiltiest pleasure?

Cooking is my ultimate escape.  I love going to farmers markets and making salsas and sauces.  It's theraputic.  With four children and a family of six, the kitchen is my conference room.  I drink wine, red is my favorite, and light candles.

Uplifting Spring Scents

The sense of smell is so powerful it can alter and enhance your mood.  Scent alone can trigger emotion, bliss and memory.  Surround yourself this spring by fragrances that are instantly uplifting. Here are some of my top finds: Suave Naturals Mango Mandarin Refreshing Body Wash, $3.49 at drugstores

Start in the shower.  "When you wake up in the morning, your mind is at its most free to be emotionally transported by scent," remarked Dr. Rachel Hertz.

Bond No. 9 High Line, $220 at Bond No. 9 Boutiques

Spritz on a floral.  With notes of purple love grass, bergamot, red-leaf rose, Lady Jane tulips and musk, this light fragrance is a spring go-to.  Named after the NYC High Line that runs from the Meat Packing District to 34th Street and allows NYers to escape from the hustle and bustle, it'll make you feel like you've escaped your busy day.

Crabtree and Evelyn India Hicks Island Living Casuarina Scented Candle, $35 at Crabtree-evelyn.com

Create your own paradise.  This tropical candle brings the scent of the islands to you.  Create the atmosphere you desire no matter where you are.  Burn time: 45 hours.