Sexy Holiday Style for Any Hair Type

Everyone wants sexy, voluminous hair this holiday season. Naturally, the same techniques and products will not work on all textures and types. The experts at our Hair & Beauty Tips Center share their secrets on how to look hot even when it’s cold out. Just find your hair type below and start the holidays off with a sexy new look!

For STRAIGHT, THICK HAIR try …

Volumizing: Thick hair has a tendency to get weighed down. To preserve body and movement, use a volume enhancing spray at the roots. Try the ISH I Love My Hair Styling Spray, safe to use with heated appliances in the next step.

Heat-styling: Curl 1-inch sections of hair using a ceramic curling iron to avoid dull strands. Hold the iron vertically and curl away from the face towards the scalp. Pin each section against the scalp using bobby pins. After hair has cooled, remove the bobby pins and lightly run fingers through curls to separate and create sensual waves.

A Light-Hold Plus Shine: Sexy hair is not stiff, so be sure to use a finishing spray that allows for plenty of movement. Try a formula that contains silk particles, such as Biosilk Finishing Spray, for a soft-natural looking shine.

For FINE HAIR try …

A Blow-dry Technique: Blow-dry clean hair half way then flip head over. Spritz with a light volumizing spray at the roots, such as TIGI Catwalk Root Boost. If a styling tool will be used, be sure to use a heat-safe spray like the ISH I Love My Hair Styling Spray.

Teasing: Backcomb around the nape of the neck and around the crown for added body.

Adding Shine: Using a shine enhancing spray not only makes hair look naturally healthy and sexy, but also fights frizz.

For CORSE HAIR try …

A Double-Duty Iron: If hair has not been chemically relaxed, use an iron with dual functions like the FHI Flat Iron. Because the FHI Flat Iron is entirely ceramic, it can be used to curl and straighten. Simply twist the appliance while pulling it down through small sections of hair. For a video demonstration, check out the FHIheat.com website.

Extensions: With extensions, anyone can add fullness and length to hair that may be lacking. Professionals can match the color and texture to the client’s natural hair and create multiple sexy looks, straight or curly. Micro-rings are a new type of extension attachment that does not use any damaging glues or bonds.

A Conditioning Treatment: Coarse hair also tends to be dry and loses luster especially after styling. To combat parched locks, prep hair with a moisture infusing treatment such as the ISH Ionic Rescue One-Minute Treatment. This product reacts with heat, actually melting pure jojoba into the hair shaft.

With these simple tips and tricks, you’re sure to turn heads this holiday season!

If you would like to receive the latest hair and beauty tips from me, please be sure to sign up for my mailing list by sending an email to kristenbeauty@gmail.com

Tourmaline: The Secret Ingredient to a Smooth Finish for Heat-Styled Hair

Once believed to possess Singhalese magical powers, Tourmaline has since revolutionized the professional hair industry with its ability to produce glossy heat-styled strands in a minimal amount of time.

Tourmaline is an Egyptian multi-colored gemstone once thought to signify stability in love and friendship. It is used in some water filtration systems, but only recently has it been realized as a powerful cosmetic ingredient. These unique stones omit a strong negative charge, which bonds with hair’s positive charge, removing static.

The most effective hair dryers contain Tourmaline heaters, reducing drying time by 70%. These are a professional favorite because of the quick results. High-end salons and stylists use only Tourmaline dryers to achieve truly frizz-free locks. For regularly heat-styled hair, use the T3 Tourmaline Evolution Hair Dryer to get the best blow-dry at home.

Tourmaline technology is also incorporated into styling tools, such as flat irons and curling irons. As with dryers, styling time is significantly reduced due to concentration of negative ions. Because a complementary bond forms by applying tool to hair, natural oils are locked in, leaving hair softer and shinier. In addition, the plates generate FIR (Far Infrared Rays), eliminating static and frizz. Tourmaline styling tools are usually over the average consumer price range, but Cavion Pro released a dual purpose iron , providing “more bang for your buck.” One appliance creates both sleekness and waves with a smooth finish every time.

It is highly recommended for those with dry or chemically-treated hair to prep strands for protection against heat-styling. Added moisture is then locked in by using any Tourmaline appliance. Use a deep conditioner, such as the ISH Ionic Rescue One-Minute Treatment to enforce the ionic sealing process.

If you would like to receive the latest hair and beauty tips from me, please be sure to sign up for my mailing list by sending an email to kristenbeauty@gmail.com

5 Essentials for Naturally Beautiful Hair

While the harmful effects of pesticides on fresh produce and other foods are clear, many overlook the potential dangers in using synthetic beauty products. There are thousands of pores on the human scalp. As the body’s largest organ, skin is the typical vehicle everyday toxins use to invade the body. According to Mount Sinai, the skin absorbs up to 60% of beauty product ingredients into the bloodstream, possibly accumulating in organs and metabolizing through the system. Fortunately, many manufacturers in the last few years are addressing this concern by creating natural hair products.

Using organic shampoos, conditioners, and styling agents assist in restoring harmony and balance. The absence of artificial ingredients allows hair to adjust naturally, resulting in truly healthy strands. The following components are essential for achieving hair that radiates with natural beauty:

1. Vitamins: Taking a daily multi-vitamin not only prolongs life but also increases quality of life. These effects are noticeable in the body, both internally and externally; the same is true for your hair. Many manufacturers, such as MOP (Modern Organic Products), realize the positive effects of vitamins applied externally onto the hair. A nutrient rich example is the MOP C-system Reconstructing Treatment . It heals dried ends with a citrus-infused vitamin blend to replenish lost moisture, reviving strength and shine.

2. Jojoba: Extracted from a Mexican seed-bearing shrub, Jojoba oil is an extremely valuable cosmetic lubricant. It is the natural element most identical to oil found on human skin and hair, thus its high demand. Jojoba is found in many products, such as the entire line by ISH Ionic Rescue, featured on Leapingbunny.org as a manufacturer against animal-testing. These shampoos, treatments, and conditioners actually contain crystallized jojoba in the form of HRC (Hair Renewal Crystals). With heat, the HRC are infused into the hair shaft, restoring shine to dull strands. Furthermore, ISH Ionic Rescue also carries a Color Lock Shampoo, which contains other moisture-rich, brightening ingredients like coconut oil and chamomile.

3. Sap and Moss: Who knew plants and hair were related? Apparently Aveda did when they realized moss was the key component in retaining moisture to Icelandic plants. After further studies, they also found tree sap to be the main distributor of nutrients. By analyzing plants thriving in their natural environment, Aveda translated these processes into their own hair product formulas, creating the Sap Moss Shampoo and Conditioner.

4. Kukui Nut Oil: From the Hawaiian tropics, Kukui Nut Oil was a local secret until Paul Brown created his line of island-inspired hair products. The Polynesian ingredient to attaining naturally sleek strands is the linoleic fatty acid extracted from Kukui Nuts. Paul Brown’s formula is non-greasy and replaces moisture content naturally without removing any hair color.

5. Rice: The most chemical-laden hair products are those intended for hold and style. Over 80% of sprays and gels contain alcohol as a main ingredient. In addition, many products contain plastic polymers that build up on the hair, requiring more than a simple shampooing to remove. ISH Rescue created its first 100% natural I Love My Hair Styling Spray as a solution to the damaging chemical effects. The holding element is derived from rice starch, therefore safe to use with heated styling tools.

Ensure products are completely free of impurities and synthetics by reading ingredients carefully.

If you would like to receive the latest hair and beauty tips from me, please be sure to sign up for my mailing list by sending an email to kristenbeauty@gmail.com

3 Steps to Perfect, Touchable Curls for Any Hair Type

Tired of stick straight strands? Why not liberate your locks by adding curl? Everyone can achieve tousled, luxurious waves regardless of hair’s innate tendencies. With the correct products and tools, perfect ringlets are just three steps away.

1. Wash and Condition: Many shampoos and conditioners promise to instantly curl naturally straight hair. Although they do aid in enhancing hair’s natural wave, a “wash ‘n curl” affect is not produced by these products alone. Rather, it is best to use a shampoo and conditioner that promotes curls, facilitating the styling process. Start by washing the hair with a specially formulated shampoo, such as Matrix Curl Life Shampoo . Make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid build-up. Follow up with the accompanying conditioner, Matrix Curl Life Conditioner. For normal to oily hair, only apply conditioner to the ends. If hair is dry, condition the scalp lightly. Any residue will add weight, reducing body and volume.

2. Dry: Towel-dry hair and spritz a curl-defining spray, such as Tigi Uptight Curl Maker Spray. For a free-flowing daytime look, simply run fingers lightly through hair, shaking hands side-to-side to separate waves. If strands begin to frizz, rub a styling crème like Halo Styling Curl Enhancing Crème to smooth fly-aways. To achieve Drew Barrymore’s (above) cute and controlled ringlets, an extra step is involved. After spritzing the curl-defining spray, blow-dry hair until completely dry. It is important to remove all dampness; otherwise curls will deflate during the next step. Avoid frizziness by using a tourmaline dryer, which utilizes ionic technology and cuts drying time by 70%.

3. Curl: Use a ceramic spring iron to achieve polished curls. The CHI Turbo Round Ceramic Curling Irons are superb and available in various sizes from ½” to 1 ½”. For a more economical choice, try the Helen of Troy Hot Tools Ceramic Titanium Spring Iron. Drew’s curls (above) were achieved using a ¾” barrel. Begin by dividing hair into five parts (bottom, middle left/right, top left/right), working with one part at a time. Starting with the bottom, taking a 1”-1 ½” lock of hair and clamp the iron in the middle. Holding the iron vertically (so that the top of the barrel points upward), curl hair towards the scalp. Once iron reaches the scalp, pull gently, wrapping the end- half of the hair onto the iron. Wait a few seconds and release the iron, pulling it downwards vertically. Curling hair from the middle vertically, rather than at the end horizontally, prevents rabbi-type waves. Repeat the process until all five sections are complete. When finished, run fingers lightly through hair to separate. If hair appears dull due to heat styling, add shine with a defining crème, such as Matrix Biolage Curl Defining Crème.

If you would like to receive the latest hair and beauty tips from me, please be sure to sign up for my mailing list by sending an email to kristenbeauty@gmail.com