Archive for the ‘Hair’ Category

A Big Shout Out

Monday, October 26th, 2009

VIDALknighted

CONGRATULATIONS VIDAL!!! Vidal Sassoon received A Commander of the British Empire Medal from the Queen of England!

I am so happy for him and feel so proud that he was honored for all his hardwork. Without him, who knows where I would be with hair?

Hat’s off to you! Thank you so much Vidal!!

Michael Gordon of BB fame is putting the final touches on his documentary about Vidal. How extraordinary that he and Vidal were in England, visiting the orphanage and neighborhoods where Vidal grew up, and he gets called upon by the Queen to be knighted, simultaneously at the end of filming! Incredible! Want to see the movie!!

Style in a Jiffy

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Fishtail-BraidIn a hurry? Need to go out and look cute and maxed out on the third day of your blowout, but have no time? Here’s a quick fix:

BRAIDS. Braids are spectacular, anyway you look at it, to dress up your locks, especially, if you feel your hair is a bit dirty. You can fishtail, regular or french braid it. Do all your hair, pieces around your face, or one on the side. The combinations and possibilities are endless. With the resurgence of Boho-chic, messy is good, so don’t be scared to try it for the first time.

Couple the braids with beads, feathers, leaher straps, or fresh flowers to dress up your look! Check out my gallery or go to Thy Mai Facebook fan page and check out the Green Party for Apartment 3 for inspiration!

That Wet Look

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

Slick PonytailGrooming CremeBb Grooming Creme was specifically created to achieve the hot, slick, “wet” look. Back in the day, before hair products were masterfully conceived, hair stylists used Lubriderm lotion in the hair to achieve the effect.

Slick EdAlthough, the pale blue coloring of the packaging is to pay homage to this classic brand of lotion, Grooming Creme is good for your hair and will moisturize, without the build-up that body lotion would leave.

You can use this in your hair whether it be wet or dry. The more product you use, the stronger the look and heavier if applied to dry hair.slick blowdry

Set in the product for optimal, sleek hair, by blow drying, after applying it to wet hair. It is good for moisturizing and adding shine for medium to thick hair that is coarse. It may be too heavy for fine hair.

Maintain Some Control…

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Bb defrizzIt’s raining. It’s pouring. The old hair is roaring–literally, like a lion’s main, because we can’t control the frizz!
Just add a drop of Bb DeFrizz in with whatever you are using to style your hair, to help your hair from giving into the moisture. rainy day This silicone-based product is very strong, so remember that more isn’t necessarily better.

Use it wet to have your curls stay together after air drying or add it to your straightening balm to make the blowout last longer. Maximize your effort!

A, B, C, D, elemeno Zinc

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

vitaminsIt starts from the inside. Healthy organs mean a healthy body, which radiates in our hair and skin.

Taking a multi-vitamin is a good way to ensure that you make up for what you might have missed in your diet. (Eating seaweed, I heard, helps you have hot hair.) But here’s a quick summary on the ones that are good for our hair, skin and nails!

Omega-3’s really help your hair and nails grow thicker, faster and shinier.

Vitamin D and Vitamin E are great for your skin.

Now (Ladies only) if you’re really, trying to grow your hair out fast as possible, take the Prenatal Vitamins. Folic acid is great for you, in general. (Yes, you can take it, even if you’re not trying to get pregnant.)

A Side Note: I’ve been really benefiting from taking probiotics. With the years adding up, it’s been harder to digest certain foods and I’ve even gotten allergic to some of my favorite vegetables, but taking this makes me feel closer to “normal.”

Somewhere in the Middle…

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Davines Invisible PasteDavines Defining Invisible Paste has squeezed itself into a fine, little niche in the product world. While the BB Sumo products, serve their definitive purposes, there are still moments where we need something just in the middle. A product that is not too matte, not too shiny, has hold, but you can run your fingers through, makes it piece-y but still full, etc.
Well, my dear friends, this paste is “just riiiiiight”…(Sigh of Content)…

The invisible paste is, also, water-soluble. Think of a “soft” finish.

Let’s Just Freshen Up

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Ok, so you’ve decided to heed my advice and wash every other day–but you’re petrified about looking greasy at your roots or smelling like scalp. Blegh!Klorane

Klorane Dry Shampoo is the best one that I have ever used. It doesn’t get as messy as the colored ones and dries up quick and easy, while acting as a volume booster. It doesn’t have too strong of a smell and helps neutralize odor.

Quick tip: if you feel as if it looks a bit powdery, just comb it with a brush or fingers to help the product absorb. Also, great to freshen up your fringe i.e. bangs!

Sumo What? Sumo Who?

Monday, October 5th, 2009

sumotechSumoTech is both UNIQUE and brilliant. Bumble and Bumble have managed to create the most intense hybrid hair product. It serves as a paste that is malleable enough to style, but hardens to hold up the hair or seperate the textured ends. It has a matte finish and doesn’t get all gross and flaky. You can reactivate the product by adding a little water and touch up your do throughout the day! David is here to show us how it’s done. For mid-length to long hair, it is great to give you that “piece-y” look when applied to ends.david-beckham

To use SumoTech, just put a dime to quarter-sized amount in the palm of your hand and rub it in your palms until it becomes translucent. If you have short hair, apply in a back and forth motion all around your whole head and use your fingers to shape your style. Mid-length to long-haired peeps can just rub down from the mid-shaft to ends and use fingers to seperate the strands.

sumowax SumoWax is for those who want a more sleek, retro and shiny look. It has great hold! Bumble and Bumble took a huge interest in researching the wax that the Japanese use for making wigs for the Sumo wrestlers. It took them a long time to develop a great product (that wasn’t offensive to our nostrils), so that you can have James Dean’s look without the harsh pomade in your hair.James Dean 1

To use Sumo Wax, point a dryer over the top of the wax to melt it a bit. When you see the top layer soften, quickly put the product in your hair, remembering to make sure all your hair is covered. Using a comb will help shape your style. I have a male client, who doesn’t own a dryer, and puts it in the microwave. Whatever works, just don’t pop it in with the metal lid!

Shampoo Tip: Both products are water-soluble. To have a more effective scrub-down, apply the shampoo while your hair is still dry. Work it through as best you can before you wet it. You can use a little more shampoo, if you need to–the product will come off faster, even if you haven’t washed it for a few days. Water, sometimes, can act as a barrier between the shampoo and product.

Styling Tip: When applying product, always start with the back of your head. That way, if you err in putting too much, it’s in the back, not right in front. We can let “Something About Mary” keep that scene!

Dirty Little Secret

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Smoking VimaThe scene:

It’s fall. Time for some of us to change our color to something shinier, darker and richer. Alas, we have some grays near our hairline that need to be covered too! (Gasp)

Phew!…They are covered–but Ugh! so is our skin from the dye. No matter how much our stylist uses that fancy color remover, there might be a slight stain. But, we’ve got to go somewhere tonite, where we will be filmed/photographed. Women, we may panic, but for men, this just can’t transpire for fear of a mental breakdown to the admission of coloring your hair!

The solution:

There is an old school trick that has been used in the industry forever to get models/actors camera-ready after a quick image change: Rubbing CIGARETTE ASH on the stain will help remove it. For our more elegant clients, use a rose petal to apply the ash and hide the cigarette tray from plain sight.

No one needs to know you had a touch up. It’s just between you and your stylist, because, we, ladies and gentlemen never kiss and tell.

Breathe In… Breathe Out…

Thursday, October 1st, 2009

Sachie meditatingTaking moments to compose ourselves and have quiet time throughout the day can really calm our nerves–perhaps, that is part of the allure of “cigarette” breaks. But that’s definitely not good for you!

I had underestimated the healing power of stretching and breathing but have a new appreciation of it.

Too much stress not only affects your health, but your hair too. Alopecia can occur, thinning of the cuticle, dullness, etc. (If all else fails, tap into our Vanity, right? Works for me.)Sachie pose
Since, I quit smoking-thank you again Vanity- and am too much of a spaz, I need an activity to help me concentrate on my breath.

Enter Yoga–Sachie's Yoga Pose I’m not talking about yoga where “My Cobra pose looks better than yours” occurs, but the nice, gentle, healing one. I take private lessons on Anusara Yoga with Sachie. I was hit in a car accident, two years ago, head-on, by a speeding drunk driver and developed a limp from being out of alignment. Sachie takes her time to know my trouble areas and encourages me to work at my own pace. Phew! No more gangsta lean for me. Bring on the Laboutins!

Moral of the story: Breathing & Excercise Gives You Great Hair and Health. Yay!
Sachie teaches Monday and Wednesday NIGHTS at City Yoga, Tuesday and Thursday DAYS at Urth Yoga. Contact me if you’d like her info for private lessons! Yes, it’s her in the pics.