Beat the Heat with Braids

When it's super hot outside the last thing I want is my hair on my neck, back, and shoulders. Bohemian braids are a great way to keep cool and still look great, plus this style works on both relaxed and natural hair.

VO5 has provided the how to for this easy to do Bohemian inspired braided updo.

1. Work in Perfect Hold Styling Mousse dry hair.

2. Section off a 1-inch section from the front of the hair line and create a French braid from one ear to the other, tucking in the ends with a bobby pin

3. Section off another 1-inch section behind the original French braid and create another French braid in the opposite direction, tuck the ends in with a bobby pin

4. Create a bun with the remaining hair and finish with Perfect Hold Styling Hairspray

Selita Ebanks New Hair Do

So it looks like Selita Ebanks switched up her hair style again! That Carol's Daughter Monoi Hair Collection must be really good because this is a totally different color than what we saw at that event and we all know how harsh hair color can be.

Now, you all know I hated that red bob she was wearing about a month ago but this color and style I love!

How about you?

Keri Hilson @ Women of the Year Glamour Awards

Keri Hilson is one of those celebs you love to see out and about because you wonder what they will be wearing, how their hair will look, and what makeup look they will be rocking. For the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Central London, Keri showed up with a very blonde bob with a heavy bang and some strange side tail.

One thing I did love was her jewel toned eye makeup. It looked fantastic against her tanned up skin.

What do you think? Do you love the look?

Selita Ebanks Red Cropped Bob

Selita Ebanks stepped out at the Carol's Daughters big event for their new Monoi Hair Care Collection sporting a cropped red bob. I've waited and waited to post my thoughts about her new 'do because I thought I'd give the new style time to grow on me and alas it hasn't. I know a lot of people think she has a strange look, but I think she's beautiful and should keep her hair off of her face. This face does not need bangs!

Do you see the image of her in the background on the billboard with the loose flowing wavy texture? Well, that is the exact hair style that I love her with. The new look is edgy and daring, but I'm not a fan.

Cassie, on the other hand, shaved the other half of her head and I just love the look. Her entire face looked amazing at the event. She really has the perfect canvas for a look, right? Who would have thought the shaved sides would look great for this long?

I read online somewhere that Cassie said she usually wears her hair in it's natural state (curly) when she's just hanging out but doesn't like for people to see it. I couldn't help but think to myself, Girl Please! We've seen it before, back in the day when you used to model for Delia's.... Ladies, do you remember that?

I think Solange stole the show in her laid back yellow pants suit and big afro. She just kills anything she wears, I love this chick!

AHS asks: What do you guys think about the new 'do?

Demi Moore + Philip Treacy Head Piece @ MET Gala 2011

Duffy for Frederic Fekkai styled the locks of Demi Moore and it looks like Demi Moore was late for the Royal Wedding with that Philip Treacy Head Dress.

THE LOOK: A juxtaposed style; up but down

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: On wet hair, Duffy applied Fekkai Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse throughout and blow-dried the hair giving the roots volume. He then let the hair fall into it’s natural part and curled the hair with a 1’ barrel curling iron, using special technique to give it a broken look. Next, he applied Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray and teased the hair with a wide tooth comb to break the curls and created 3 sections in the hair. He then took the left and right section and tied the hair as if you were tying a knot in a shoe lace to create two separate knots. Then, to refine the shape he bobby pinned the knotted pieces and the middle section together and secured with Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray to finish the look.

PRODUCTS ALL BY FEKKAI: Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse ($24), Fekkai Coiff™ Océanique Tousled Wave Spray ($24)

Jessica Alba @ MET Gala 2011

Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai tended to the tresses of Jessica Alba for the 2011 MET Ball.

THE INSPIRATION: Campora was inspired by the shimmery lines

THE LOOK: An edgy up-do with soft texture

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: On wet hair, Campora applied Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip throughout the head and blow-dried with a round brush. Using his fingers, he pulled the hair back securing at the crown of the head. Then he rolled the hair fastening with bobby pins. He then wrapped one piece of hair around the bottom of the rolled ponytail to add sophistication to the edgy style. Next, he embellished the hair by adding an accessory and left a few front pieces to maintain a soft texture. He finished by spraying the hair with Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray for all night hold.

THE PRODUCTS ALL BY FEKKAI: Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Volume™ Styling Whip ($24), Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray ($24)

Penelope Cruz @ MET Gala

Renato Campora for Frederic Fekkai created tousled tresses for Penelope Cruz for the MET Gala.

INSPIRATION: A modernized Sophia Loren; a super chic do

THE LOOK: A side part, full of volume and texture

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Campora applied Fekkai Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse throughout and then formed a side part. He then used a ½ inch curling iron, pinning the up to let it cool. Once cooled, he took the hair out of the bobby pins and brushed the hair using the Fekkai Classic Brush to form the shape. To set the look, he sprayed Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray.

PRODUCTS ALL BY FEKKAI: Coiff™ Strong Hold Volume Mousse ($24), Fekkai Classic Brush ($95) Fekkai Coiff™ Sheer Hold Hairspray ($24)

Gisele Bundchen @ MET Gala 2011

John Frieda Global Creative Consultant Harry Josh styles Gisele Bundchen for the 2011 New York Met Ball. While the tousled beach wave look has ruled the red carpet as of late, Harry Josh opted for a classic Old Hollywood-inspired style for Bundchen at the Met Ball this year. Although Giselle's hair is already luminous and healthy, Josh began with John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist before blow drying to protect her tresses from the heat and seal the cuticles for flawlessly shiny waves.

Josh started by blow drying Gisele’s hair, curling each piece carefully and setting it to keep the shape. The curls were then brushed out to create a soft and sleek wave throughout. John Frieda Full Repair Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer was used which weightlessly smoothes flyaways for a polished red carpet look. “I wanted to go for a sleek, sophisticated style for Gisele this year. The Met Ball is fashions biggest night and I thought this was the perfect look to complement the evening. The John Frieda Touch-Up Flyaway Tamer will keep her photographer ready all night.”

Rock the Look: A Glam Blow Out

For Spring I love flow-y beautiful hair, the experts at blow, the new york blow dry bar, are here providing tips for a fresh Glamourous Blow Out. What makes it glam? The understated retro look, picture perfect for date nights or spring weddings.

1. Apply a golf ball-sized amount of blowPro Body by Blow to damp hair and divide hair into 5 sections using duck bill clips

2. Dry each section with a large round brush. On the final pass for each piece switch the hair dryer to the cool setting to lock in the style and minimize frizz and fly-aways

3. Set hair with hot rollers. After hair has cooled gently break the curls with a brush

4. Work in a dime-sized amount of blowPro Weather Girl for a smooth finish and to keep humidity concerns at bay

Rock the Look: 60s-inspired bouffant

Have a special occasion for get ready for this Spring? Reese Witherspoon’s ‘60s-inspired bouffant is gorgeous for special nights out. The experts over at blow, the New York blow dry bar will help you Rock The Look!

1. Apply 2 golf ball-sized amounts of blowPro Body by Blow into towel-dried hair

2. Blow dry using a medium round brush

3. Using a fine-toothed comb tease hair at the crown

4. Gather the top section of hair into a half up ‘do and secure with a bungee, be careful not to flatten the cushion of volume.

5. Using an embellished comb pin the base of the pony into the center of the cushion

6. Finish with blowPro Blow Out Spray

Or try the look with a low ponytail!

Rock the Look: Loose Waves

Mila Kunis’ laid back waves are polished and ideal to stand out as effortless chic both day and night. The experts at blow, the new york blow dry bar help you rock the look!

1. Work blowPro Body by Blow into damp hair and blow dry hair using a round brush

2. Use a 1½ - inch curling iron create loose curls. As you pull the curling iron out of each section gently pull to stretch the curl into waves

3. Warm up a dime-sized amount of blowPro Mane Tame in your hands and gently rake fingers through hair to break up the waves

4. Finish with blowPro Blow Out Spray

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!