Rock the Look: Chic Blunt Bangs

Long, face-framing fringe is in for spring and stars like Jennifer Hudson and Sandra Bullock are embracing the trend. As perpetual style chameleons, celebrities often go for bangs as a simple way to transform their look without a drastic change to their existing haircut. This bold statement look is dramatic, impactful and easy to achieve with a few scissor snips.

To Rock the Look, go for brow-grazing bangs that are slightly tapered at the corners. This way you can wear them down or sweep them to the side to quickly change up the style.

Celebrity hairstylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso, who has worked with A-listers like Anne Hathaway, Abbie Cornish and Kristen Bell, offers his tips on how to style your bang look:

“Bangs are a great way to update your look without sacrificing length off your ends,” said Mancuso. “The addition of thick, blunt fringe immediately draws focus to your eyes and emphasizes your bone structure.”

PREP:
· Start by applying Nexxus Thermal Volume Volumizing Heat Protection Mousse directly to damp hair to create body and protect strands from the damaging effects of heat styling.
· Press mousse into hair from roots to ends for all-over volume and textured hold making sure to include the bang area.

STYLE:
· Pin bangs to the side and create a middle part. Then use a large round brush to blow dry the rest of your hair.
· Make sure bangs are still damp before styling. If they have dried a bit, mist them with water prior to blow drying. This will ensure there are no unwanted kinks in the bangs and also help set the style.
· Curl bangs over the round brush and blow dry on low, bending ends slightly under for a flattering, face-framing shape.
· Release the rest of hair from the hair tie.

FINISH:
· Place the round brush under the bangs and lightly mist hair with Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Design and Finishing Mist for flexible hold and glossy shine.
· Roll the brush slightly under as you remove it from the bangs to smooth hair.

Waves + Bangs

I love this picture of Tyra Banks sporting heavy bangs and waves. It is such a Spring 2011 Hair Trend! In order to recreate this look you can do it a few different ways, separate the bangs from the rest of your hair and blow dry it straight out. For the rest you can choose to use heat or do it without.

With Heat:

Use a curling iron or a round heat barrel, take small pieces of your hair and wrap it around the curling iron. The key is to take different sized pieces of hair and wrap them different ways around the curling iron barrel. Doing it like this will ensure that your waves look natural.

Without Heat:

Personally, bantu knot outs do not work on wet hair so I would have to start with dry hair and use a leave in spray to dampen the hair. Once the hair is damp I create little buns all over and once it's dry I remove the buns and waves are in place. Just like when I use use heat, I create different sized buns to create more natural looking waves.

Pixie Cut: Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton has resurfaced at the celebration for the new WE tv series "Braxton Family Values" at The London Hotel on April 6, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. Her amazing hair 'do stole the show. You can re-create the look if you have a relaxed pixie or wavy natural hair using Aveda Light Elements texturizing cream and shaping wax on freshly washed and conditioned hair. Use both products together to create a piece-y texture.

Rock the Look: Adrienne Bailon in NYC

Actress and singer Adrienne Bailon was spotted shopping in Manhattan looking sun-kissed and carefree. Recreate her beauty glow by using the tips and products below, straight from the hair and makeup pros who created it: Lancôme artist Ewa Szwed and Hair Rules Founder Dickey.

For her makeup, Adrienne wanted a very "J-Lo" inspired look—in other words: glowy, sun-kissed skin. To achieve this, Ewa utilized a warm palette of colors, a few lash flares, and sumptuous lips.

For her hair, Adrienne wanted to achieve an "intentionally undone" look, messy but still sleek, which is a perfect style for a shopping excursion.

Rock the Look:

For her skin the following products were used:
Teint Miracle Foundation
Ageless Minérale Powder
Maquicomplet Concealer in Dore
Tropiques Minérale Bronzer in Natural Copper

Her brows where then shaded in with:
Le Crayon Poudre in Taupe
Color Design Eyeshadow in Filigree (to highlight brow bone)

EYES:
Hypnose Drama in Excessive Black (3 coats)
Individual Lash Flares
Le Crayon Khol in Black Ebony (smudged in upper and lower lash line)
Color Design 5-Pan Shadow & Liner Palettes in Coral Crush & Bronze Amour

CHEEKS:
Blush Subtil in Cappucine (for contouring)
Color Design Eyeshadow in Filigree (to highlight cheek bone)
Blush Subtil in Shimmer Pink Pool

LIPS:
Le Lipstique in Sheer Natural
L’Absolu Rouge Lipcolor in Rich Cashmere
Color Fever Gloss in Flushed Rose

HAIR:
Hair Rules Blow Out Your Waves (pre-heat styling)

Using a cool setting on the blowdryer, Dickey removed 80% of the water from Adrienne's hair. "When you're working with someone like Adrienne, who has beautiful hair but has to change color frequently for various roles, it's important to always remember that the health of the hair is paramount. By gently taking out the water before heat styling, we're doing less damage." Next Dickey used a warm flat iron to smooth hair out to achieve a soft look, but one that still had movement. He finished with a medium barrel curling iron, wrapping small sections at random, to add to the "piecy" and undone look that Adrienne wanted.

Tips for a bad haircut

So what do you do if you find yourself in a similar situation? Celeb hair expert, Philip B, has got some great tips to help a girl in need!

“You got a haircut that you really, REALLY regret? We've all been there. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ease the growing-out process:

1) Experiment with styling products to enhance your hair's texture and movement. Pink's hair is so flat that it's making her face look heavier than it is. A short, Jean Seberg crop like this looks far more flattering when you muss it up and make it a little spiky and crazy. This automatically makes your face look a little more angular, and gives your style a waiflike, gamine feel. I'd use the Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist to give the hair lots of lift and some Philip B Jet Set Hair Spray to spike it up and lend some firmness.

2) Condition your hair like crazy! If your hair looks super shiny and healthy, that's what people will notice, not the bad haircut.

3) Invest in some hair accessories like thin black headbands and some sparkly clips to give your style some direction and draw the eye away from the haircut beneath! I love the look of a smart short haircut with the bangs swept to the side and held with a pretty little bobby pin. At the moment, I'm really into the ones that are embellished with tiny fruits or birds: They're so adorable and French-girl chic!”

Rihanna Snatches off the Wig

Well, well, well ... Someone has snatched off their wig or at least it appears so. Rihanna sported a short red 'do at the Country Music Awards. At first I thought she may have stepped out sans the weaves and wigs, but on closer look it might just be a short red wig. **Shrugs** Either way, work it GIRL! I Love Rihanna

Rock the Look: AnnaSophia @ Kids Choice Awards 2011

The beautiful AnnaSophia Robb of Soul Surfer looked perfectly natural and boho-chic on the orange carpet. As the buzz of her film, Soul Surfer (debuting this Friday, April 8th) continues to grow, AnnaSophia knew all eyes would be on her. To ensure her locks looked perfect, she turned to Jenny Cho, Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist for the big night.

Cho pulled inspiration from AnnaSophia's gown, “Her sequence dress had this beautiful Native American print that I loved, so I wanted to play off that and make her hair look bohemian and natural.”

1. Apply Suave Professionals Captivating Curls Whipped Cream Mousse on damp hair and diffuse. To create volume, flip hair upside down and tilt head from side to side and diffuse until hair is dry.

2. Gently section off the hair from ear to ear without disturbing the diffused dried waves too much. With a 1 ½ inch curling iron, pick random pieces and give it a good bend, leaving the ends out. Mist the strands with Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray for shine, hold and protection before you curl. Stretch out the curl for a loose effect while the section is still hot. Work it all the way to the front in the same manner.

3. To add that extra bounce and sexiness, apply Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo on the roots, then spray a few mists all over for even texture.

4. Flip hair over, add a few strokes of Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Spray to add that glistening glow and shake up the roots. Flip hair back and mist a little hairspray all over to hold the volume.

5. Take a strand from one side of the front hairline and twist the section, lifting hair from the crown area. Secure the twisted section with two bobby pins, criss-crossing them and secure in place. Finally, let the rest of the hair down to hide the pins for a Bohemian beachy texture.

This is vacation hair if I've ever seen it! Will you be recreating this look?

Get Hilary Duff's new hair color

Hilary Duff was spotted rocking some bangs and guess what? She's back to blonde hair, but this blonde is beautiful. It has dimension, depth, and shine. Tracey Cunningham, Redken Creative Consultant for Color and Celebrity Colorist gave Hillary those lustful locks.

To achieve this color, Tracey applied Redken Color Gels 8AB Stardust mixed with 8NA Mojave at the base and then applied 10nA Silk around the hairline. She then used Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner and finished by highlighting Hillary’s hair with Redken Up to 7 De-Dusted lightener and finished with Shades EQ OOO Crystal Clear.

Redken Color Gels feature the Select Dye System which contains 100% oxidative, UV-stable, long-lasting dyes for holding power and resistance to fading. Wheat proteins and avocado oil add strength and condition, keeping hair shiny and healthy-looking.
Redken Up to 7 De-dusted lightener Lifts hair up to 7 levels while providing predictable, extra light results with no added fragrance.

Shades EQ is a demi-permanent color which provides healthy, shiny results, incredible conditioning with an amazing number of mixing possibilities. Shades EQ is used as a glaze, color refresher, and also color correction. Ingredients include acidic pH; no lift, non-ammonia formula; long-lasting colorants; wheat amino acids, and silicon.

Remember to use a haircare regimen to protect your haircolor – Tracey recommends Redken Color Extend line which includes:
Color Extend Shampoo
Color Extend Conditioner
Color Extend Rich Recovery
Color Extend Total Recharge
Color Extend Shine Enrich

Tamera Mowry @ 42nd NAACP Image Awards Pre-Show Gala

Tamera Mowry stepped out at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards Pre-Show Gala rocking a beautiful sequined black mini-dress and a fabulous shoulder length 'do. She rocked minimal looking makeup, with a light pink lip. But her hair stole the show!

January Jones @ Unknown Premiere

Over the weekend I visited my local Cinema Suites and reclined in lazy boy recliners, snacked on mozzarella sticks and enjoyed a drink all while watching the movie Unknown, which I thoroughly enjoyed by the way.

At the premiere of Unknown January Jones broke out of her typical 'old hollywood' style and rocked a Alexander McQueen dress with an bold red lip and asymmetrical hairstyle. Jenny Cho, Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist, created the hairstyle.

“We’ve all seen January Jones look stunning with beautiful retro hair styles so for this event, my vision was to do something as interesting and edgy as her Alexander McQueen dress. To compliment the strong military vibe, I wanted her to have a modern toughness to her hair but still have a sexy edge” says Jenny Cho, Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist.

1. With a tail comb, section off the top of hair. Using the arch of the eyebrow as a guide, make a “V” shape to the other side for a deep side part. Leave this section for later.

2. Layer Suave Professionals Sleek Anti-Frizz Cream and Volumizing Root Boost Spray on hair for texture and grip. Use a flat brush like the Mason Pearson and blow dry hair, directing it back and down for a chignon. Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo is essential for this particular step!

3. To put hair up in a chignon, make another “V” section in the back center of the head, keeping the sides clipped away. Tease hair in a horizontal section starting from the top of the “V”. Concentrate on the roots and mist Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Lightweight Hold Hairspray to keep teased sections in place. Brush this teased section down and make it flat to the head. Twist section and pin away.

4. Tease the sides, taking vertical sections and following the step above. Gently brush one side to the center back. Twist from the nape and secure with bobby pins linking them upwards together. Do the same on the other side but for this side, use “U” shaped pins for light grip so you don't disturb the shape.

5. Once the chignon is in place, take the top section down and blow dry layering a little more anti-frizz cream and volumizing root boost spray to the direction where you want the hair to stay.

6. Mist hairspray on this section and flat iron. Finish look with dry shampoo for extra texture.

Spring 2011 Hair Trend: Blunt Bangs + Long Bob

Rose Byrne debuted a new hairstyle at the amFAR Gala and it seems to be quite a trend for Spring 2011. Harry Josh, celebrity stylist and John Frieda Consultant worked with Rose to decide on her new look. She wanted to make a dramatic change, but not alter the length too much. Harry intentionally left the bangs super long, almost too long. A "French Chic" look a la Jane Birkin. Keep in mind that highlights don't look good with a heavy fringe, so Harry gave Rose a deep, golden caramel color that looks super healthy and shiny.

Image Credit

Mya has also been spotted out with a similar look, featuring super dark tresses and thick bangs.

Songstress, Leonia Lewis has also been spotted wearing some heavy duty bangs, but to switch things up she's sporting her bangs with super long hair. I'm not sure I'm crazy about the bangs with such long hair, what do you think?

Rock the Look: Gwyneth Paltrow at 2011 Grammy's

The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards took center stage with Gwyneth Paltrow's "Wild Bohemian" look created by celebrity hairstylist David Babaii. This might just be my own opinion, but I don't think Gwyneth can look "wild", no matter how hard she tries. Even with the "wild bohemian" hair, wild Christian Louboutin Futura multi-colored stiletto bootie Christian Louboutin Heels (which are to DIE for), and the wild pink earrings, she didn't look WILD to me. Cee-lo was WILD, extra WILD but Gwen? No.

To achieve the look, David Babaii always starts with clean fresh hair. The clean canvas theory remains his mantra for every red carpet look. David began by applying Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment and gently massaging into the hair. The Pequi Oil Treatment is used prior to blow drying to deliver silky and shiny hair. With the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Ionic Blow Dryer, David rough dried the hair for texture and volume. Next, he created a center part and began taking random sections wrapping only the center portion of some of the strands (leaving the top and ends free) around a 1" curling iron. Alternating stands were wrapped around the curling iron, leaving only the very tips free. This was done to create uneven curl patterns. Once the strand cooled, David ran his fingers up the strand creating a "fanning effect". To finish, he added additional Couture Colur Pequi Oil Treatment to his hands and tousled the waves for added volume, texture and hold.

The Christian Louboutin Futura multi-colored stiletto bootie is to DIE for, no?

Jenna Ushkowitz Proves You Can Curl Asian Hair

Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist, Theodore Leaf, created Jenna Ushkowitz’s sexy beach waves at the 2011 Grammy Awards. “I was excited to give Jenna something fun and young for her Grammy hairstyle to go with her sexy dress. The bands of her dress had such great texture so I created her beachy wild hair to echo it!” said Theodore Leaf, Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist.

Follow Theodore’s simple steps on recreating Jenna’s look:

1. Cleanse hair with Suave Professionals Aloe + Ginseng Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner to give hair a little volume before styling.

2. Apply wave spray to the mid-shaft and ends and apply Suave Professionals Volumizing Mousse to the roots.

3. Starting at the bottom, wrap and twist small sections of hair and clip them into a pin curl.

4. Next, diffuse the hair to dry without blowing it around too much. When the hair is 75% dry, release the clips and finish diffusing.

5. To create the underpinning in the back, make three ponytails and pin them underneath each other.

6. Finish the look by detailing with an Enzo Milano cone iron to keep the waves soft, and spray a mist of Suave Professionals Touchable Finish Extra Hold Hairspray to keep style in place all night long.

Rock the Look: Jada Pinkett Smith Braid-out at 2011 Grammys

Celebrity hairstylist Marcia Hamilton created Jada Pinkett Smith's look for the 2011 Grammy Awards.

To achieve this look, Marcia began by using White Sands Vegan Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. She gently towel dried the hair and then sprayed on The Fix from White Sands from roots to ends.

Next, she sectioned the hair vertically from the center of the forehead to the nape. Each section was cornrowed straight back again from the forehead to the nape. The hair was allowed to dry thoroughly using the IT&LY HAIRFASHION Ionic Blow Dryer.

When the hair was completely dry, Marcia applied IT&LY Pure Water Drops to her hands and then gently undid the cornrows.

When all the hair was loose, Marcia had Jada flip her head down and over for dramatic volume. To finish, she added additional Pure Water Drops to her hands and fingers combing hair into place.

Style Tip: Can't cornrow? Plait hair instead!

Grammy 2011 Hair Looks: Monica & Rihanna

Motions Celebrity Hair Stylist Ursula Stephen is the go-to for fierce and fabulous styles and this year’s Grammy Awards was no exception. Styling the tresses of her regular clients Rihanna and Monica, Ursula created stunning Red Carpet looks. Check out her tips on how to get these sought-after styles.

“When Rihanna and I collaborate, we are always searching to recreate her image through her hair. First, I looked for a new red color and brought a variety of options to try but ultimately felt this one really stood out as the best. Since we’ve recently done a lot of texture and length, we wanted to mix it up. While we talked about going shorter I wanted to try something a little newer on her than the sleek bob that you are used to seeing. As I began to cut, I realized a mid-length look was the route to go and a sexified, tousled, bouncy bob would look amazing. It’s kind of the opposite of the larger curls and length we’ve done recently. As far as bobs go, it’s a heavier look, not a lot of layers, just big, bouncy and sexy!”

Get Rihanna’s Look:
Apply Motions Light Hold Working Spritz to provide control, but allows you to continue to work with heat tools.
Use a big curling iron to bevel the hair. “Bevel” is where to you use the curling iron in a similar way to a straightening iron. Don't “click, click, click,” the iron down, but rather run it through the hair, smoothing it down and then curling the ends. Beveling the hair adds a bodiful curl, not too big and not too tight.
Pin the big round curls up and allow hair to cool, adding more body.
Let the hair down, again applying Motions Light Hold Working Spritz, and let the curls fall where they will. Help to style with your fingers so that the curls frame the face.
Finish by liberally spraying Motions Hold & Shine Styling Spray all over to lock in the look and add a glossy brilliance.

“Monica was wearing an origami inspired dress, so I wanted the hair to have some contrast and shape. Her hairstyle is one that can be reworked on a daily basis and is easy to have fun with.”

Get Monica’s Look:
Start by premoisturizing the hair. Motions Oil Moisturizer Lotion makes wrapping and molding the hair easy.
Comb the hair out and apply Motions Light Hold Working Spritz all over.
Separate the hair into small sections and curl with a small set iron. By curling each section in different directions, it creates drama and life. “Right away the hair stands up on edge.”
Take a dime size Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade, mix in a serum, and run hands together.
Push the product all the way through the hair, shaping it to your content using the pomade.
For added lift and dramatic effect, tease the roots at the crown of the head with a comb.
Keep hair in place by finishing with Motions Hold & Shine Styling Spray.

Bria Murphy for Dark & Lovely

I've been patiently waiting for the Dark & Lovely ads featuring Eddie Murphy's daughter Bria to grow on me and sadly they haven't. While Miss Bria is a beautiful girl, the outfit choice is suspect and her hair doesn't even look nice. Correct me if I'm wrong but it's this supposed to be an ad for a hair care company? At least make the hair look nice and healthy, sure it's shiny but look closer at those ends. Right now I'm giving Dark & Lovely the side eye.

Willow Smith Made Me Do It

To all the mothers out there and to all the soon to be mothers, would you allow your daughter to rock this hairstyle complete with multicolor weave to her 5th grade class? Well apparently, a mother in Edenton did just that, claiming that her daughter was inspired by Willow Smith. The end result? The young girl was kicked out of her class because her hair was "distracting" to the other students and placed in a class with the "bad" kids.

I think someone forgot to remind that mom that Willow Smith is a celebrity and those hairstyles were for photo shoots, music video shoots, and celebrity appearances... not for school.

Source

Weigh in - What do you think?

Angela Simmons Two-Tone Blonde Hair

When I first saw the Twitpics that Angela Simmons posted showing off her new hair color, I have to admit I didn't like it one bit. It looked super blonde and you really couldn't tell that it wasn't all blonde and that it was instead two toned.

Now that she's been spotted out dressed up, makeup done, and hair done - I LIKE it! It's not like Angela hasn't had light hair before (Angela back in 2007 below)... this is just even lighter.

Perfect the Ballerina Bun

Celebrity Hairstylist Kevin Mancuso, who has worked with A-listers like Natalie Portman, Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Naomi Watts and Taylor Swift, offers his tips for achieving the perfect, ballerina bun:

“Natalie’s look in the movie is starkly dramatic, and, while gorgeous on screen, may be too severe in real life.” said Mancuso. “Make the ballerina bun your own by playing with different heights and varying degrees of tightness until you find the look that is most flattering.”

PREP:
· This style works best on second-day hair. The natural oils from your scalp act as a natural smoothing agent and help this sleek style stay in place. So skip the shampoo today.
· Slightly dampen hair and run a dime-size amount of Nexxus Sleek Finish Frizz Taming Silkening Lotion to lock-out frizz and flyaways.

STYLE:
· Brush hair neatly back off your face and secure in a high ponytail right where you want the bun to be.
· Comb through the ponytail to eliminate any frizz and then twist the tail portion into a tight rope and wrap around the ponytail base.
· Tuck ends in and use bobby pins to secure.

FINISH:
· Lightly spray the bun and surrounding hair with a strong hold hairspray like Nexxus Maxximum Super Hold Styling & Finishing Mist.

Zoe Saldana Makes Waves

Zoe Saldana has traded in her long locks for some super sexy shiny waves that are slightly longer than shoulder length when straight.

The amount of shine is CRAZY! Her hair looks really healthy! Recreate this look with a roller set, if you need more curl add some pin curls in before you shower and do your makeup. Once you remove the pin curls add some sheen spray to amp up the shine level. My favorite sheen spray? Cream of Nature Argan Oil Replenishing Sheen Spray. Not a fan of sheen sprays? Try a serum like Ojon Shine and Protect Glossing Mist.