Recently in Hair Category

I heard about this Save our Style Wet and Dry Ceramic Tourmaline Iron from someone who works with the Valery Joseph Salon in NYC and at first I was a little bit skeptical. It's a flat iron that dries and straightens hair simultaneously basically eliminating the need for a blow dryer. Could this be safe for hair!? Apparently yes! The device is supposedly better for your hair than using a blow dryer which the makers say uses an excessive amount of unnecessary heat which overly dries hair causing it to split. The Wet-To-Dry Flat Iron dries and straightens instantaneously without any of that unnecessary over-styling and over-heating. Of course some people use the blow dryer as a styling tool, but since I don't this is basically a 2-for-1 time saving gadget for me! To boot the iron comes with a mini-sized travel version of the regular iron! Also, there are two settings -- low (250F-300F) for fine, damages, or chemically relaxed hair and High (300F-400F) for normal, colored, highlighted, or coarse hair. The iron is auto-set to 355F, but it's super-easy to adjust. Just one note -- steam comes out from vents but don't worry! That's what protects your hair from over-heating:) The Mini and regular Wet-to-Dry Flat Iron set retails for $199 and you can get it at either of the two Valery Joseph Salons or by calling them-- Valery Joseph Salon location and numbers: 1044 Madison Avenue, (212) 517-2333 820 Madison Avenue, (217) 517-7377

Great hair is always something to be thankful for which is why I think Frederic Fekkai's Coiff Celebration of Style ($30) and the Frederic Fekkai Spray On Hair Crystals ($18.50) both make great gifts/stocking stuffers this holiday season! First off the packaging of the Fekkai products is always tops -- everything from the logo to the colors is simple and understated, but distinctive and elegant. The gift box is a limited edition one and given how many of us travel during the holiday season it's super convenient that everything in it is travel-size. Plus, the three products in the set are varied so you'll have the keys to straight, tousled, and curly hair with --
- 1.5 oz Anti-Frizz Crème (my fave out of the three! Do yourself a favor and get this one for yourself in full-size -- unbelievably lightweight and so quick and easy you just put it on your hair when it's damp and it's the best preventative measure against frizz!), 1.5 oz Ironless Straightening Balm, and 1.0 oz Finishing Crème. Lastly, Frederic Fekkai's Spray On Hair Crystals -- I'm usually fairly hairspray averse because of the stiffness, but this one actually gives you hold while allowing movement and none of that gross, clumpy-ness. This isn't news to anyone who uses the Frederic Fekkai Hold hairspray though, so what makes it a great holiday gift you ask? It sprays hair crystals and slight color for wonderful shimmer:) I love champagne (who doesn't, right!?), but it also comes in copper, and bronze!

Peter Som, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Lanvin from style.com

I went to a discussion led by Redken's Creative Consultant Guido who styled more than 30 shows including Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton during fashion week!! A busy, busy man he told me had just finished wrapping the Prada campaign. When asked about an over-arching hair trend he said that this year everything was very "anti-red carpet" and that the trends he spotted mostly fell into one of these four categories -- a softly deconstructed look (ponytails, knots and casual half-ponytails with satin-matte finishes -- Peter Som, for example), glam hair accessories paired with modern styles (Guido suggests adding a black headband, a jaunty fedora or anything that adds a pop of color -- take a cue from the Ralph Lauren show), clean lines and easy updoes (Guido says that this season a lot of hair was kept away from the face with no bangs or stray pieces like in the Lanvin collection). Lastly, the middle part makes a comeback as seen in Versace among others.

I've written about Yes to Carrots before. I think it's such a fun line of eco-friendly products and best of all it's affordable so no matter your income level there's no guilt involved. Yes to Carrots is aimed at the those with Dry to Normal skin, but they recently came out with two new lines -- Yes to Cucumbers and Yes to Tomatoes which are aimed at those with Normal to Sensitive skin (Cucumbers), and those with Oily/Combination skin (Tomatoes). All of the lines offer a variety of skin, face, body, and hair care products all of which are formulated with organic fruits and vegetables along with 26 minerals and they're all Paraben-free. I've used a bunch of products from their line and there are a few that stand-out for me. I love the Yes To Cucumbers Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel ($14.99), for when my eyes are puffy and red from a bad reaction to makeup or a lack of sleep, and the Yes To Carrots Hair and Scalp Mud Mask ($12.99), is amazing -- way better than the much pricier one from Ojon ($55) that I was using before! Also I love the smell of the Yes To Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner ($7.99) and it takes very little for it to be effective, though since my hair is highlighted, when I use it I always follow it with a spritz of Fluide Chroma Riche from Kerastase (leave-in conditioner, $34). For a list of places where you can check-out the "Yes" line for yourself click here!

I attended an event hosted by Kerastase to unveil their New Specifique collection that will be available beginning November 10th and I have to say it was refreshing to see that all the Kerastase representatives had great hair! It seems like it would be obvious, but I can't even name the number of events I've been to where people talk about how great a hair product or a skin product is and you look at them and can't possibly believe it. That said, the way Kerastase was discussed kind of made me think of my doctor when she gives me a prescription! Each product has a specific purpose meant to target a particular problem. Personally I didn't need to be convinced I've written about their products before and they're one of the few lines where I can find products that tackle my oily scalp while maintaining my color and moisturizing  my ends. That said Beauty Snob Tina didn't have the best experience with one product she used to tackle her damaged her, so I'm curious to hear what people think! The new Specifique line is specifically targeted to those with scalp concerns -- dandruff, oily scalp, or thinning hair. We were all given samples and I just started using the Bain Densitive GL for thinning hair ($39) and while I haven't used it long enough to see if my hair does in fact look fuller, I can say that like with the Chroma Riche line your hair is just soo much more manageable the next day. Jump for the full rundown of their new line and for what you can get now!                                                         

I am not sure why this is called the Super Skinny Serum because it doesn't have anything to do with being skinny or getting skinny. What it does is make your hair smooth and frizz free, which is almost as good (but not quite). I don't always have time to blow out my hair but the problem is when I don't, my hair looks a mess with straggly ends. My stylist used this Super Skinny Serum on me and I have not lived without it since. It is also great to use when I am using a blow dryer to flat iron to style my hair because it keeps everything tight and smooth and moist. One pump is all it takes, it is oil-like so it may appear to be greasy but it does not go on oily or greasy and it certainly does not look that way on the hair. It gives it such gloss and shine that no matter how my hair is styled (or not), it looks like I put some care into to instead of a disheveled mess. I also have a really great cut now so I can get away with a wash and go, but still - NEVER without a pump of this stuff! At DrugStore.com for $15.99.

The French have such an effortlessly chic aura about them so the key to fitting in for me is always having my hair look effortlessly coiffed. This Large Round Brush from Frederick Fekkai ($65), was my savior when I was in Paris last week! The extra large round brush is made of 100% natural boar bristles and has an over-sized 3.5 diameter making it great for styling shoulder length to long hair. There's also a three-point handle so it makes styling that much eaiser -- basically your hair ends up not only looking effortlessly-chic, but being that way as well:) If you're looking for some straightening tips, Fekkai suggests positioning the brush underneath sections of hair beginning at the root and then drying and with air flowing downward, pulling the brush to the ends until all sections are dry. To get super smooth styles set your hair with a blast of cold air from the dryer which makes the hair shiny and helps it look smooth and feathery. Also, as you may know, Fekkai hails from the famed Dessange Paris Salons. I first discovered the salons when I was in St. Tropez admiring a hotel guest's highlights. She told me that she got them done at the Dessange nearby -- I immediately made an appointment. Since, I've been getting my hair cut and highlighted at one of their salons every time I travel to France (they have salons all over) -- you can literally walk into any one of their salons and no matter what stylist you get your hair will look great (though I have to say I always just get a trim, never a real cut). No salon in NYC that I have been to has delivered so consistently. On a side note, if you're under 25, ask for their special rates!

Being in the pool and ocean all summer has made my hair dry and though it's not damaged, I fear it is a mere matter of time. So I am testing out different brands to see how my hair responds. This week I am testing out Kerastase-- a brand long known for luxury haircare (though the parent company is L'Oreal, and I've always wondered how different it is from its drugstore counterpart). I got the Kerastase Creme Richesse because I was told it was the best of the bunch. After using it for a week, my hair doesn't feel healed, it just feels heavy and greasy. So disappointing considering all that I've heard and read about the line. Soleil Sun Exposed at Kerastase.com.

What measures are you taking to reverse the damage to your hair from surf and sun?

   
In 1999, Betsey Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer. After surgery and 33 radiation treatments, she became an advocate in the fight against the disease, making public appearances, participating in numerous fund raising events and creating one-of-a-kind items that have been auctioned-off to raise funds for various charities.

One of my favorite brands actively helping the fight against breast cancer is Verikira Naturals. Unlike so many other brands that only do something special in the month of October, Verikira does their part all year round donating 10% of each sale of the Pink Grapefruit Collection to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation no matter what month you purchase it in. The Pink Grapefruit Collection consists of a sulfate and paraben-free shampoo ($28), certified organic conditioner ($28), and certified organic lotion ($22). All are available in $10, 2oz travel sizes as well. Love the smell - very refreshing and just the right amount of citrus in the scent. The best part is that both men and women can use it :-) Check the line out here!

We were invited to go backstage at Derek Lam last week and of course jumped at the chance to see the action behind the scenes. The show was off tents (many of the shows we attended were away from Bryant Park which made it very difficult for us to stick to our schedule; uptown, downtown, we spent hours each day in cabs!) at the Waterfront on 12th Ave, way west if you want to know and way far but it was Derek so who are we to complain? It did not help that the day started with torrential rain which we got caught in but at least we were lucky with cabs and though soaked, we arrived in time to watch Orlando Pita work his magic on the girls. Derek was inspired by a short bob haircut and wanted all the girls to have the same sleek do but chopping off a dozen of the hottest models' hair was not an option so Orlando created the bob look with a few spritz of T3 products and a lot of imagination. (Jump for more!)