Happy Halloween

"The freaks come out at night yeah, the freaks come out at night"

Aging Hair - Over Worked Hair

There's a proverb in the beauty industry that hair-care trends follow skin-care trends, and now anti-aging and renewal has started turning up on shampoos, conditioners. Besides being trendy there is a real reason that hair-care companies are choosing to bring age-protective products to the market. We are tormenting our hair like never before with all the heat curling, drying, flattening, chemical treaments and styling aids we have today to create our hairstyles and combine that with chronological aging and increased environmental pollutants and we have a plague of thirsty, brittle, and worn "old " hair. Fact; anyone older than 30 will at some point experience thinner hair”, experts say 50% of women lose their hair due to hormonal changes, other benefactors can be weight-loss, immune-system imbalances, trauma and stress, other 50% is due to over processing their hair with chemicals, men have their own issues of thinning.

However age is not the only contributing factor to thinning hair, I have also seen hair color and chemical strengtheners destroy hair, and my motto is ‘hair can only take so much’. So how often should we color to preserve the quality of our hair? I don’t think thinning out hair is entirely based on the frequency of hair coloring but the products used, the peroxide volumes, incorrect applications, color on top of color every few weeks, and you will see a 20 year old with broken thinning hair. And it is the responsibility of the hairdresser to help and maintain healthy lustrous hair, with the correct approaches with tinting, highlighting, bleaching and or straightening, giving client’s efficient timelines for how often we get our color done and prescribing a homecare maintenance program to follow.

A prime example of how hair thins out is; blonde hair going brown then wants blonde highlights then wants to go back blonde and then wants to be blonder, all this within 3 to 6 months and your hair will end up possibly 30 to 50% finer guaranteed. I cannot count how many times I have sent my clients home because they wanted quick spontaneous changes knowing that they and their hair would be unhappy or came in with ¼ inch roots and wanted highlights every few weeks, and if a hairdresser doesn’t have enough experience to know the possible results will most likely do it to please, or worse for ‘the cash’, and continuing with these types of visits will inevitably produce weaker breakable hair, results thinner finer hair.

The trick at any age with hair is, prep, cleanse, nourish scalp and hair, cut regularly, color hair wisely and realistically, use organically derived products without harsh debilitating side-effects particularly in hair color, this is an easy and logical way to hold on to our hair longer.

My recommended product line
Aveda

America's Next Top Model Joins the Blackface Bandwagon

Hey Glamazons,


A Glamazon reader brought to my attention that in last night's episode of America's Next Top Model, Tyra Banks painted a white and Asian contestant black for their photo shoot. According to the Huffington Post:


"...in last night's episode, Tyra crossed the fine line from tasteless over to offensive when she put the remaining six contestants in ethnic garb and gave them biracial identities."
Tyra shot these six contestants in a sugarcane field in Hawaii, culturally significant because as she puts it, people traveled from different places to work there and procreated to develop blended races. In reference to the ethnic garb, Tyra explained that the clothes chosen aren't accurate representations of the way certain cultures dress, but merely "a fashion interpretation." Hmm. Does creativity negate the need for historical accuracy? Does it justify cultural insensitivity? Interesting...







Given my and lot of your heated reactions to another "fashion interpretation," the French Vogue Blackface photo shoot, I was sure that Tyra's photo shoot would be met with just as much hostility. Until I read another comment about the fact that Tyra has painted white and black contestants with Asian features for ANTM Cycle 3's shoot in Tokyo. See photos below.









I wonder if Asian, and specifically Japanese, women watching the show felt the same kind of outrage that many of our black readers did...or is this practice specifically hurtful to us given the sensitive history of blackface?


What do you think? Are the images from the ANTM photo shoot as offensive as that from French Vogue? Why or why not? Why was there an outrage among black women (and men) for the French Vogue photoshoot while the Asian population remained largely silent about the ANTM photo shoot? What's the line between art and racism? Does it differ depending on the race being "interpreted"?


Discuss.


Kisses,


Coutura






Photos: The CW. antmc3.blogspot.com

Model Hair Spotlight #5

Jacquetta Wheeler You might not know the name but if you follow the runways, and print ads you know the face. Yes another British aristocrat discovered on the streets of London by Mario Testino and by the age of 17 she had graced the covers of all the european vogues, by 19 the fashion industry declared her the 'Model of the Millennium'. For the past decade Jacquetta has also been one of the few rebel models who loves to change her hair and hair color, paving the way in defying the traditional standards in the modeling world (models don’t change their hair). After taking a year off in 2008 and coming back this year as one of the faces for Gucci and walking down some of the springs 2010 runway shows sporting her blonder tresses, Jacquetta remains as one of the Super Models of this decade to watch for constant reinventions with her hair and color.


"She is one of the greatest models working today. Her face is like a Roman vase - not a standard beauty , but a modern anti-beauty." Karl Lagerfeld

Hair Product Spotlight: Tool #1

Aveda Brilliant Damage Control



This is a fantastic product not only to be used at home as a pre-styling tool to protect your hair from the hazards of heat elements such as blow drying, curling irons, flat irons and natural elements such has winter and sun damage but as well as a great pre-color tool. There are a few staples of product tools I use with my work and one has been for some time now Aveda’s Brilliant Damage Control. I absolutely love this product and I use it everyday on my clients, here I have listed a few way’s I use damage control .




Tints; once I have applied the hair color onto the roots and let it process half way I spray damage control to the rest of the hair and then comb through the color to the ends, this helps combing the hair color through easier which makes for a even saturation and application.

Highlights; before I begin I will spray the already pre-existing highlighted hair, this is a fantastic way to protect the hair from the possibility of overlapping which does occur with repeated highlights protecting the hair from weakening.

Fine Hair; this is one of the best products to recommend for those individuals that no matter what they use on their hair they still have the struggle with tangles.




For all hair types
Protects against thermal damage
Reduces breakage from combing
Helps protect against UV damage

Hair Accessories For FW/09

There was a time that only brides would add ornaments to the hair such as tiaras and fancy jewelled pins, this season we are seeing some great hair accessories coming from the runways like leather bun covers, leather ponytail gripes, feathers, hair broaches, flowers, small ornate hats and colored bobby pins which all look fabulous. And using hair accessories is perhaps one of the best ways to dress up a look and add interest. Today adding a touch of bling to the hair is a hot trend even a single bobby pin placed on a fringe (bang) creates a mood to the hair and whether it’s for the office or an evening out this is one sure inexpensive way to add some chic into anyone’s style. So go through your grandmas jewellery or an old school beauty supply store see what you can find and start accessorizing your hair.

The Truth About Weave Part II: I'm Never Giving It Up

When it comes to weave, I'm in L-O-V-E. There's nothing that you can do (or say) to convince me otherwise.
Growing up in the tiny town of Marshall, TX, there really wasn't much to do. So, if I wasn't reading or a book or practicing on the piano (yeah, I was a nerd) I was creating new styles for my hair. I didn't have a perm and would get my hair pressed with a hot comb by my mother or grandmother. (Because of this, I've had my scalp and the tips of my ears burned so much that it hardly hurts when any type of heat is directly applied to my scalp. I don't know if that's sad or funny lol). I begged to no avail for a perm, but my mother would just simply say that I didn't need one and promptly ignore me. It seemed (to me) that all the girls with perms could do more with their hair; including adding in weave. Plus, I didn't know how to even add in the weave; because all of the girls that had it would go to the beauty shop. (Another place that my mother never let me go to unless it was a special occasion and even then I was closely monitored.) Needless to say, I learned how to use a curling iron very quickly and would create hair looks that I thought was cool. From curls to crimps, I rocked 'em all. However, I still longed for weave; and not because I wanted the "long Barbie hair like a white girl" but because I wanted to be able to change up my look and hair color. To me, changing up my hair look was like a way of putting on a new costume. One day I could be a sexy pinup girl with long, tousled tresses and the next I could be a vixen with a short pixi cut. Alas, this was all in my dreams. So, I figured that I'd make these transformations once I got to college.
By the time I got to college, the most weave I would wear would be braids. (Simply because I was in the marching band (yeah, I started out as a music major before switching over to journalism) and it was easier to not have to worry about doing my hair). I still didn't have a perm, but I longed for the professional weave that the movie stars were wearing. But, I was even broker than I am now, so it was out of the question for me to spend so much money on weave when I had books to buy and "perfectly fine hair" anyways. (Well, that coming from my family and ex-boyfriend.) So, I kinda let my weave dreams go for awhile.
Then, I moved to NY and it was literally everywhere and I just had to have it! So I did and quickly became obsessed. I would wear it long for a couple of months. Then, rock a cute bob with colored streaks. Oh the possibilities!
Much like Coutura, it's not like I'm unhappy with my own hair. It's just that why bother trying to create these glam looks with my own hair, when I can just add in this hair and look amazing?! Weave doesn't have to be a bad thing and I really think that's it gotten a bad rap for no reason. I don't always wear it (I have a cute, blonde, weaveless bob right now); but I don't see anything wrong with adding in a track or two...(or three or four) as I (or my hairstylist, the amazing Tracy Washington!) sees fit. I'm always down to try new hair looks. From cuts to coloring, I've pretty much done it all. I currently have a cut, color and Brazilian (which I blogged about in previous entry). And there's no way you could be my man and hate on my weave. I will always wear it and (since it's professionally done) you can run your fingers through it and it won't fall out or bite you. I love the freedom it gives me to change up my look and I wouldn't have it any other way. Check out the many looks that I've had over the past couple of years with extensions. As long as it looks dope, who cares?!
xo
Ferocia







Here's my real hair.....





Long and curled...

Long and straight....





Rockin' a bob w/colored pieces.

Hairdresser Spotlight #1

Guido Palau






Guido Palau is arguably one of the world's most influential hairstylist both in editorial and runway, and has been so for more than a decade. He creates the catwalk looks for such major players as, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Calvin Klein, Versace, Alberta Ferretti, Miu Miu, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, and Balenciaga and many more including his incredible creations for ad campaigns print work. And what you may not know is just like clothes the designers set the trends and we wear them, so does the hair and beauty, a modern up-style (up-do) is taken from the runways as is the latest hottest lip color and becomes most of the time mainstream.
Guido Palau is one of my favorites, he is an inspiration to many of us in the beauty industry, we take ideas from the likes of Palau and what’s on the runway’s and create variations and interpretations for the clients in the salon. A hairdressers-dresser with the creative ability to make women look powerful yet soft and for this season and many to come I am sure we will be seeing many more trend setting shapes, cuts, colors from Guido Palau.

NEW! Vanessa and Angela Simmons Launch Clothing Line

Angela and Vanessa Simmons are bringing the glitz and glam of the Los Angeles' VIP party scene to your closet. As the Glamazons reported during NYFW, the moguls behind Pastry Kicks are designing a high-end clothing and footwear line via People Magazine. It's only right that Vanessa and Angela, offspring of the family responsible for Baby Phat and Phat Farm, expand their own sneaker brand to clothing and footwear.


Vanessa gave me the scoop about her clothing line and modeled one of her designs at Mary J. Blige's Gucci for FFAWN event. Check out her skirt below:







The Pastry blog also posted a pic of this dress and heels as a peak of what to come. Love the shoes!









"The pieces are just so original and so outside of the box of what anyone is doing," Vanessa shared with People Magazine. If these looks are any indication, the line will indeed be fresh, high-fashion and VIP party-friendly. The sisters plan to launch a series of heels and flats at Macy's this holiday season.


Discuss: do you like the pieces from Pastry VIP? Will you wear it when the collection hits stores?


Kisses,


Coutura


Photos: Pastrykicks.com

Hairdressers Note

Hair color can be that marvellous magic wand that instantly transforms dull hair into splendid color that sparkles and shines, it can also instantly erase years off one’s overall look by covering grey, it can add body to fine hair and literally change a personality. Time has not lessened the power of hair color but increased with record sales and today hair color is not only used as an accessory but a necessity for many and I am thrilled, as I have seen for many years’s hair color uplift someone’s spirits and build confidence not only from the outside but from the most important part the inside-out.

Being in the service industry to me is an honour, I sometimes sit and think, “Wow I get paid for my passion” how grateful am I?’HUGE’. Giving gratitude to the clients that sit in my chair is through my work and the Desired End Results, a customized look with a personal experience with their hairdresser that all individuals seek, making someone feel special. A hairdressers job is labour intense, standing on the feet for hours on end , missing lunch, the pressure of being on time with every client, being alert and fast when something doesn’t seem right with the color and most important to be up and energetic when all you want to do is lay down cause your back is hurting. And yet we continue through all the adversities that come with this job because there is passion, passion for the art and having a servant’s heart and making someone’s day is worth every challenge.

The Truth About Weave Part I

Hey Glamazons!


Ever since Chris Rock called us out in the documentary, "Good Hair," everyone has been discussing why weaves are...well, horrible. Men are complaining that they can't run their fingers through weaved heads without hitting the tracks or "speed bumps," or "choo-choo's" as they call it. Women are applauding celebs like Kandi from Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta for wearing their own hair while side-eyeing her castmate, Nene's weaved haircut.


In fact, on our magazine's website, commenters talked about weaves like they were for bald-headed misfits that secretly hate themselves. Like the natural hair on weave-wearer's heads is so nappy, thin and sparse, the only way we can get out of bed and face the public is if we put some poor Indian woman's hair on our heads. Not true!


On behalf of weave lovers everywhere, Ferocia and I are doing a two-part post breaking down myths about being weave-a-licious---and proving that it's not a bad thing.


-MYTH: Only women with short or no hair wear weaves.


I recently had a weaved bob (see below), took it out last night and wore my real hair to work the following day.



My hair in a (weaved) bob





My real hair after I took the weave out




Everyone---from men to multicultural women---had the same question:


"If your real hair is long and healthy, why do you wear a weave?"


Huh?


I thought such ignorant concepts about weave disappeared in the 90's, but maybe I'm wrong. No longer are weaves the saving grace for people with no hair.


In my opinion, it's old news that women with flowing beautiful hair down their back (and even white women...hello Khloe Kardashian! (If you don't believe it, watch her segment on Wendy Williams where she talks about putting a bobby pin on her track) are wearing weaves for a number of reasons. Let's name a few:


(1) To try a new color or cut without committing. I wanted to rock the asymmetric bob trend without cutting my real hair and having to suffer through that awkward stage as the hair grows back. I also wanted to energize my look with a sexy new honey blonde color. A weave allowed me to experiment with cut and color...and take it out as soon as I was over it (for me, this is a two week span). Genius! A lot of celebrities---from Rihanna to Mary J. Blige---wear weaves for just that reason.










(2) Some weaves are easier to maintain than real hair. As I prepared to travel to Southern Spain this summer (most amazing trip...ever! btw), I knew I would want to swim in the ocean everyday. Instead of wearing my real hair, which would entail me washing, blow-drying and flat-ironing daily, I wore a weave that could withstand daily trips to the beach.


(3) To add texture and volume to your real hair. Many women just sew in a few tracks of weave (of the same length or shorter) to make their own hair fuller. Run your hands across the scalps of your favorite famous Hollywood starlet and I guarantee you'll find one or two tracks in the center or bottom to give her that glamourous red-carpet volume.







(4) To give your real hair a break. Curling and flat-ironing your real hair takes a tremendous toll. Many women circumvent this by applying heat to style weaves while their real hair remains safe from harm.


Sure, weave has its share of setbacks. For example, sometimes, your scalp just needs to breathe which is why it's good to rock your hair out every couple of months.


Also, sewn-in weaves can cause breakage by tugging at your real hair in cornrows. For this reason, when getting a sewn-in weave, it's important to avoid braiding the hair so tight that the weave pulls at your real hair. My hairstylist even braids synthetic hair into my cornrows so the tracks don't strain my real hair as much.


One complaint that isn't a setback? That men "can't run their fingers through weave." Trust: I wouldn't let you touch my hair, real or weaved, anyway. =)




Discuss: What's your opinion on weaves?


Kisses,


Coutura

NEW!! Jean Paul Gaultier for Target

Hey Glamazons!


As Ferocia's told you a million times before, we do a lot of squealing in the Fashion & Beauty department. Today's squeal of enthusiasm and unparalleled excitement is brought to you by the latest retail giant/designer collaboration: Jean Paul Gaultier!!! This, glamazons, is a HUGE deal.


Jean Paul Gaultier needs no introduction but here's some brief background info: The French designer's innovative, dramatic designs catapulted him from designing for his mother and grandmother to fashion royalty. Some of his most famous creations include corsets for men in 1997 and the lingerie-over-your-clothes trend which Madonna brought to the mainstream in her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour.


Gaultier often credits the street fashions of the youth in London and New York as the inspiration behind his edgy designs. His muse for the Target collection? "Jean Paul Gaultier for Target pays tribute to the American woman, celebrating the forces of style both past and present in American pop culture," the retailer said.


I'm dying. If Madonna or even Rihanna are the "forces of style" behind these designs, Gaultier will surely deliver a collection that is everything. Here are the deets:


Jean Paul Gaultier for Target will hit 250 Target stores and Target.com on March 7. It will be available through April 11.







Check out some faves from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2010 collection below and let me know if you'll be shopping his collection for Target.


Kisses,


Coutura