The Hair Book - blog about hair tips, tricks and styles

Aisle Style

Jen Laing — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:03:27 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of J. Crew

J. Crew’s delicate crystal comb adds the perfect finishing touch to any wedding day style—whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid or guest.

Bring on the Rain

Jen Laing — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:30:59 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of Oribe

Today’s rain has us thinking about humidity, and more specifically, how to prevent it from ruining our hair—not to mention the pricey blowout it was treated to. Oribe’s Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray turned out to be just the thing to save our styles. The vitamin-enriched formula is actually good for the hair, protecting it against free radical damage and boosting shine while shielding strands from dampness-inducing frizz. The upshot? Our blowout made it through a wet Monday totally unscathed, which makes us and our pocketbooks very happy, indeed!

The Art of the Nail

Jen Laing — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:04:14 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of OPI

If you’ve always wanted to experiment with nail art, but were deterred by the investment of both time and money, then Pure Lacquer Nail Apps by OPI are for you. Available in 14 different styles and both shimmer and cream finishes (at left, two of our favorites), the pre-cut nail strips deliver the look of intricate nail art in an easy to apply appliqué. “Nail art has become increasingly popular, with both consumers and trained professionals,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Pure Lacquer Nail Apps provide the perfect way to get a one-of-a-kind look that simply cannot be replicated by hand. Each nail strip is made of 100% real nail lacquer for a flawless final look with easy application.” Each pack contains 16 strips in sizes appropriate for fingers and toes. Apply them at home or visit a Regis salon for a treatment complete with a Gel Color Top Coat for a long lasting look. Either way the effect is edgy and unique.

Trending: Dark Lips

Jen Laing — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:05:48 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of Pür Minerals

One noteworthy trend from this week’s Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala in New York City: deep, dark lips, as seen on Kate Bosworth, Lana Del Rey and Rooney Mara, to name a few. Get the look with Pür Minerals Mineral Shea Butter Lipstick in Black Amethyst (a rich matte plum color). When it comes to super dark shades, precision is important, so apply this color with a lip brush. Then, top with clear gloss for a shiny finish.

Vidal Sassoon

Jen Laing — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:12:45 +0000

Photo:© Moises De Pena / Retna Ltd.

Vidal Sassoon, the visionary hairstylist who died yesterday at age 84, revolutionized women’s hairstyling by freeing women from looks that depended on curlers, hair dryers and stiff hairsprays and giving them styles created with little more than a pair of scissors. His signature cuts were geometric, edgy—and touchable. “He changed the way everyone looked at hair,” said Grace Coddington, the creative director of American Vogue, said in an interview with The New York Times on Wednesday. “Before Sassoon, it was all back-combing and lacquer; the whole thing was to make it high and artificial. Suddenly you could put your fingers through your hair!” Among his iconic looks were the wedge bob, the five-point-cut (a bowl-like style featuring five distinct points) and a boyish pixie he created for Mia Farrow in the 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby. He was also one of the first stylists to launch an eponymous product line (along with a catchy tag line: If you don’t look good, we don’t look good.”). It’s fair to say his impact on the hair industry was profound and the effects of it will be felt (and enjoyed) for generations to come.

Cult fave: Redken for Men loose ends

Jen Laing — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:09:16 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of Redken

Redken for Men loose ends liquid pomade easy-to-use, non-sticky styler wins points for giving guys’ hair added definition, frizz-control and superb shine. “Loose ends is a great product for those with a little length in their hair who want some definition but without weight,” says Jenny Balding, Redken For Men Consultant. “It also works very well as an anti-frizz product on curly or wavy hair, and very importantly, it’s easy for my clients to apply themselves!” That said, you don’t have to by a dude to appreciate it. Plenty of women (this writer included) have “borrowed” it in a pinch—to fab results every time!

Best Tressed: Mary-Kate Olsen

Jen Laing — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:46:23 +0000

Photo: © Joe Stevens / Retna Ltd.

At last night’s MET Ball in New York City, actress-turned-designer Mary-Kate Olsen paired a black draped dress by The Row (her line with sis, Ashley) with this rumpled, wavy-textured updo. Celebrity haristylist Charley Brown created the look using products by Wella Professionals. Here, his how-tos for recreating the do:
1. Start by washing the hair with Wella Professionals Brilliance Shampoo and Wella Professionals Enrich Treatment Mask to restore the health of the hair.
2. Coat wet hair with Wella Professionals Stay Brilliant Color Protecting Lotion, then blow dry using a diffuser for maximum texture.
3. Once dry, separate the hair into four equal triangle-shaped sections.
4. Mix Wella Professionals Create Character Texturizing Spray with Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Hairspray in palms and pat the cocktail down each section of hair.
5. Shake out each section for maximum volume before crossing all sections to the top point, twisting and folding all of the hair into a knotted bun secured with pins.
6. Rub the silhouette of the hairline to bring out the baby hairs and intentional flyaways (this creates that fuzzy, romantic halo effect).
7. Finish with Wella Professionals Stay Firm Finishing Spray to keep all those soft hairs and loose locks in place.

Mother’s Day Tress Treat

Jen Laing — Tue, 08 May 2012 01:54:03 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of Regis

Mother’s Day is less than a week away. Our advice: Treat yourself to some serious pampering by booking a color service at you local Regis Salon. All this month, that color treatment comes with a free (yes, free!) Biolage Cera-Repair service. The pro-favorite, salon-only service is available in three formulations: Hydrathérapie for extra conditioning, Fortethérapie for extra strengthening or Colorcarethérapie for a balance of conditioning and strengthening benefits. No matter which add-on is deemed right for you, the results will be the same: Fabulously healthy, touchably soft, vibrantly colored hair. Now that’s something every mom deserves.

OPI’s Mouse in the House

Jen Laing — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:36:40 +0000

You don’t have to be a ‘Toon fan to love OPI’s upcoming (in June) Vintage Minnie Mouse collection. The four-shade lineup includes Nothin’ Mousie ’bout It (a heart glitter confetti pink), I’m All Ears (a magenta shimmer), If You Moust You Moust (a super-pretty crème pink) and The Color of Minnie (a flirty frosted red). Like all OPI polishes, the “Minnies” are DBP-, Toluene- and Formaldehyde-free and come with the company’s ProWide Brush for a flawless application. Best of all, each of the shades is irresistibly pretty, playful—and a perfect pick for spring and summer tips!

Real Life Road Test: Repair Your Hair

TheHairBook — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:28:48 +0000

Photo: Courtesy of The Hair Book

Beauty blogger Stevie Wilson, of LA-Story.com, visits a Regis Salon and shares her experiences:

“My dry, frazzled hair needed a miracle. I visited the Regis Salon at Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, CA, for help. Jenna Gray, the salon manager, had the perfect prescription: A salon deep conditioning treatment. Jenna shampooed my hair, applied the conditioning mixture and put me under the hood dryer for 30 minutes. As Jenna rinsed off the conditioner, I could feel the difference immediately: Silky, tangle-free hair! Jenna blew dry my hair with a round brush, creating shiny, beachy waves with bounce. I may have walked in a forlorn waif, but I walked out looking like a goddess!”

SPECIAL OFFER: From May 1-31, 2012, get a free Matrix Cera Repair conditioning treatment with any color service at all Regis Salons. Enter your zip code in the box at the top of this page to find a salon near you. To book an appointment at the Regis Salon at Los Cerritos Center, call (562) 860-6555.