i find myself illustrating more and more hair these days. i mean bigger and bigger. i think my frustration is battling to let loose. i want big moving waves that bounce with every step i take. tresses that take a life of their own whenever i nod my head.
Read the rest of this entry »
as we reach mid-year, let’s take a look at some of the most popular styles in the hair front.
1. the quiff
seen on the runways of oscar de la renta, max mara and l.a.m.b. among others, the new quiff, an exaggerated height that challenges elvis presley’s hair to a battle of blow-outs, is the new updo. take it from the many celebs who have embraced this hairstyle. it has redefined our use of holding products.
continuation to this.
when we moved to fiji, one of the things i had to adjust to was how most people took haircut for granted. not to say that people took their hair in general for granted. in fact, many of them obsess over it: they dye, highlight, perm, fix into cornrows, braids, dreadlocks more frequently than i know pinays do. but haircut in particular doesn’t seem as big a deal as what i am more accustomed to.
so if i can’t find the time to experiment with different hair stylists, i decided, what the heck, might as well jump into the bandwagon. besides, this is the immediate solution to my hair’s volume problem. a good old fashioned perm. and i mean not digital.
warning: this post contains self-indulgent photos.
it is no secret that i am a stickler to habits. and that includes hair stylists (i wrote in a previous entry about my search for a hair stylist to whom i can remain loyal). i have been a very avid customer of basement salon since 2007, a few times in rockwell and a ton of other times in shangri-la.
my stylist of choice is cris in shang because he never lets me down. when i always thought my stick straight hair would never account for anything more than a droopy mass of sad, pathetic boredom, which lived years and years and years as a one-length plain heap of lifelessness that fell unhappily below my shoulders with renegade baby hair always escaping from unexpected places, he was able to provide structure and gave it natural body and volume. i was very hesitant to try layers and bangs for reasons stated in the same previous entry above, but i’m glad i trusted someone who obviously knew better.
no products, blow out or camera tricks in the “after” photos! just an expert haircut and air dry c/o our trusty electric fan!
before:
… bob hairstyle, that is.
i’ve been contemplating on shearing my hair short because i’ve just been too lazy on the upkeep. as i looked around online for short hairstyles, i saw an interesting piece on the history of the bob. and how tough a time did the bob go through in history? according to the article: Preachers warned parishioners that “a bobbed woman is a disgraced woman.â€Â Men divorced their wives over bobbed hair.
yes, i’m still at it. it’s a new decade, but i still have my old obsessions. the maddening search for the best volumizing hair product. i’ve tried everything from gugo to rogaine. while each product in this spectrum have certain advantages, no one product has singularly nailed it for me (e.g., gugo is great, but it’s messy. rogaine worked when i needed hair regrowth bouncing back from an illness, but once i had all my healthy hair back, it did nothing for volume).
pussycat dolls on each other's hair... in a good way.
hair thickening product is my holy grail.
so i scoured the wonderful world of the wide web for the best volumizing products on the e-market. and i found some very promising… well, promises.
the best thing about modern volumizing products? they don’t only create the illusion of thick hair, they actually increase the diameter of each hair strand. or at least they claim so…
jf lazartigue hair volume tonique
jean-francois lazartigue is a leading hair treatment professional in france. having created numerous innovative products that combine beauty and science, his brand sounds like something a doctor prescribes that a beautician’s advice. which i like a lot.
product claims: Hair Volume Tonic hardens and increases the diameter of each hair as it dries by coating it with a clear film… * Synthetic resin protects and gives body and resilience * Cystein gel reinforces the keratin chain (the backbone of the hair) * Chitin, a protective and antistatic agent extracted from seas shells, acts as a substitute for natural keratin * Light silicone oil gives shine and makes untangling easier.
visit j.f. lazartigue.
nick chavez plump n’ thick leave-in thickening creme
i am not a fan of leave-in creme formula. they tend to get greasy, make your scalp feel humid and weigh hair down like a bunch of bricks, but this seems like a wonderful exception. from beverly hills hairstylist to the stars, nick chavez. he introduced a line of volumizing hair treatments called “plump n’ thick”, a brand name that sounds so fleshy and juicy, you want to bite into it.
product claims: Nick Chavez’ Leave-In Thickening Creme Conditioner is a truly unique conditioner for all hair types that maximizes your hair’s body and fullness creating richer, thicker, fatter hair. Special thickening agents have been added to super hydrate and expand the cuticle.
visit nick chavez.
phytovolume actif maximizing volume spray
phyto brand from paris has been a long-time celeb favorite, phytovolume actif being one of the best-loved. its founder, patrick ales, was hairstylist to such classic beauties as jacqueline kennedy and catherine deneuve. today, his hair products pride themselves in using only the most effective natural ingredients that help maintain the health of hair.
product claims: Volumizer Spray with Keratin amino acids. Phytovolume Actif coats the hair and helps increase the diameter of each strand, thus giving the hair overall extra body. It also helps hold your hair style.
visit phyto.
jonathan product create volume thickening foam
i am partial to joanathan product because a) i used to watch blow-out and i think he’s a great salon manager and b) jonathan antin is robin antin’s brother which consequently got him involved in the styling of the pussycat dolls. and don’t they all have smoking hot, thick and bouncy hair? see photo above.
product claims: Create Volume uses a rich sugar foam to boost volume while lemongrass essential water adds shine and provides antioxidant protection. Sweet almond protein encourages strength and health, botanical extracts nourish, thermal and UV filters prevent damage and color loss and anti-humectant technology ensures gorgeous style in any weather.
visit jonathan product.
with the technology now in haircare, bad hair days ought to be a thing of the past. that is, if we could get our hands on these products…
i don’t think the timing could have been any better to enjoy a beauty day at the ricky reyes one-on-one salon in frontera verde. i was having a terribly hectic and nerve-wracking week, i needed the pampering and the relaxation in a salon more than anything in the world.
ricky reyes, beauty expert and entrepreneur extraordinaire, got beauty bloggers together to spend time in his salon for a beauty day where we enjoyed hours of nothing but indulgent treatments and pampering experiences.
we had the choice of many extensive treatments from his exclusive salon menu and we can choose as many as we wanted, as much as we can handle.
some of the services available. for a more comprehensive list, you can visit their website or the salon nearest you.
i chose the hair booster, a hair spa specifically formulated for treatment of falling hair (i have mentioned in a previous entry how i’ve been trying to address my hair fall problem).
the hair booster uses special treatments that contain malunggay, chock-full of calcium and other beneficial elements, known best for properties that promote growth and strength. along with the special mixtures, the service employs a thorough scalp massage and a specialized brushing technique to encourage good blood circulation.
a creamy mentholated substance is applied to the scalp and massaged thoroughly
the first of two creams used for the hair booster treatment
special brushing technique involving two oval shaped brushes.
jill of kikay exchange had the hair manicure, highlights and a haircut. keep posted on www.kikay.exchange.ph for reviews on these services!
hair manicure sounds threatening... but its benefits will make you want to go for it!
hair treatment was applied meant to clean hair of impurities and make it sleek and shiny
while our hair absorbed the treatments, we were invited to join ricky reyes himself for lunch in the salon. so for the first time, i was able to take part in a lunch table with people in hair masks, towel turbans, hair color and so on.
we all had lunch looking like this
in good looking company: lunch with ricky reyes and other bloggers all in hair treatments
our hair were rinsed and blow dried after lunch. others had more treatments and haircuts.
haircut by ricky reyes
preparing for highlights. strands of hair are pulled through small holes in this plastic cap.
bleach is applied to lighten the exposed hair strands.
the hair booster made my hair softer, more full-bodied and bouncier. hair strands were de-clumped (for lack of a better term) and flyaways were minimized.
it was great hair day!
every girl could use a beauty day like we did! visit your nearest ricky reyes salon to indulge yourself in these fabulous hair treatments.
just minutes after i give our flat a thorough scrub down, i find my hair all over the place again. no matter how many times the broom or the mop runs across the floor, the place is always mottled with hair. it’s so mind-boggling… how could they mysteriously reappear like that?
i can’t even talk about the bathroom drain and my hairbrush without getting baffled and frustrated. and when i get up in the morning, the pillow gets a random pattern of twisting and swirling hair.
photo from www.dietspan.com
i have hair fall problem.
experts say it is normal to lose 20 to 100 hair strands per day. it only becomes a problem if you are losing hair faster than it regrows.
as we all know, prevention is better than cure, so i read around to determine the probable causes of my hair fall. here are the causes i found:
of the reasons i found, i think i qualify for stress and poor diet. i guess the best thing to do is eat right and get rid of my stressors. if unavoidable (like my job! and junk food i can’t resist!), i think i have to incorporate more nutrients in my diet, learn how to be more positive and find more ways to relax after a hard day’s work. maybe i’m due for a weekend getaway… heck, a week-long getaway! with lots of delicious, nutritious food!
once damage has been done and hair fall has occurred, avoiding or treating the cause may cease the problem, but it will not accelerate regrowth. so if you have hair fall problems like me, here are a few things you can do to promote regrowth or strengthen hair in order to prevent further loss or breakage:
more reason to eat yogurt everyday! photo from www.thedailygreen.com
in addition, here are the most popular remedies that can help bring your hair back to its natural fullness:
aloe vera is one tried and tested self-remedy. photo from www.indonesialogue.com
going back to one of the things you should avoid to prevent further hair loss, here’s something very interesting i learned about hairstyling and hair loss: putting your hair up in a polytail too often or wearing it too tight can lead to a condition called traction alopecia (others call it tension alopecia).
you see, pulling your hair into rubber ties or into weaves, cornrows, braids or rollers can loosen them from their follicular roots. at its early stages, alopecia is reversible, but if the hair tension occurs too frequently, follicular scarring takes place and hair loss becomes permanent.
so does this mean you should just avoid wearing a ponytail or styling hair in tight braids altogether? not really. you can still wear your weaves or rock your cornrows, just don’t do it too often. after a day or two of updo, maybe let your hair down next.
is this sad news for ladies who are required by work to wear a ponytail everyday? don’t fret, you can still ponytail your long hair, just don’t pull it up too tight.
a ponytail is sleek and classy, but don't wear it too often. or if you have to everyday, don't pull your hair too tight. photo from www.ultimahair.com
i am a shampoo and conditioner whore. washing hair is perhaps the most luxurious daily habit. i like getting shampooed a salon better than getting a full body massage in a spa. is that weird?
i buy shampoos and conditioners in quantities that can clean all the hair in annie’s and oliver’s orphanages combined. as i am not afraid to try new products to clean and detangle hair, i have amassed a collection quite big, many of them i hardly even use. so family members end up pilfering them from me.
if you have fine hair and are constantly on the look-out for the best hair care products, here’s an excerpt you from best shampoos and conditioners for all hair types, a useful article i found in the beauty section of about.com:
Fine, oily, or limp hair Fine hair is most susceptible to looking ‘oily’ and can get this way after only one day. Opt for clear shampoos and stay away from the creamy ones that were made for your curlier sisters. You want a gentle shampoo marked for daily or frequent washing. The secret fine hair shampoo lies in a bodybuilding ingredient called panthenol. Hair experts swear that panthenol penetrates the hair cuticle making each strand thicker. Another tip: Use a dry shampoo or talcum powder between washings. Not only will the powder soak up oils, but it adds body as well. Extra tip: Consider using a spray conditioner. They tend to be more light-weight and therefore don’t weigh the hair down. Also, unless your hair is extra-oily, there’s no need to ‘rinse and repeat.’ One shampoo will do you. You don’t have to lather twice.
Conditioners: Not all limp-haired ladies need conditioners. If you find you can easily comb out hair after washings without a conditioner you can skip it. Conditioners are good for combing out fine hair. Just don’t let the product touch your scalp. Massage a light-weight conditioner from mid-shaft down and no need to leave it on for long. If you have extremely greasy hair, look for the oil-absorbing tea-tree oil in your conditioner.
in a previous entry, i mentioned my ongoing battle with limp hair and how hair boutique helped address that. limp hair can be trouble for a shampoo and conditioner whore since it cannot be subjected to decadent experiences like moisturizers and heat treatments. so i was happy to find these body boosting products in local stores:
clairol herbal essences body envy
remember the herbal essences tv commercial where a lady goes “oooohh” and “aaaaahh” and “yes, yes, yes!” while washing her hair? i’m almost like that. the first thing i like about the shampoo and conditioner are their fragrances: not too light, not overpowering, just the right amount of clean scent. this is best for flat, oily hair because the shampoo is clear rather than creamy, thus more effective against grease.
dove volume therapy shampoo and conditioner
dove volume therapy is the closest i can get to luxurious moisture and creamy texture. with their trademark “weightless moisture”, dove promises soft hair without pulling it down. i like this one best as it seems to separate each strand of hair, so a significant reduction in clumping is immediately felt. even my co-worker who liked running fingers through long hair said my hair felt different, she even recommended it to her sisters.
garnier fructis body boost shampoo and conditioner
my latest shampoo and conditioner discovery is garnier fructis. i didn’t know they also had a fantastic line of hair care products until my mother-in-law gave me a bottle of shampoo. like herbal essences, the clear shampoo is best for getting rid of oil. i believe the conditioner uses the same kind of “weightless moisture” technology as dove, so it doesn’t clump nor pull hair down either.
also remember, if your hair is extra oily, “rinse and repeat” may be a good mantra; lathering twice can make a significant difference.
addendum to the entry posted yesterday. answers to some frequently asked questions about tokyo p.o.s.h.
here's denise in japan, where she got the idea for tokyo posh. this is her natural hair.
What is the difference between Tokyo POSH and traditional hand woven/ glued/ tied hair extensions done at the salon?
Tokyo POSH is very easy to use, you don’t need to come to the store to attach it. They are attached with clips, so its very easy to put on, remove or adjust.
What is the difference between Tokyo POSH and the clip on hair extensions already available in the market today?
The clip-on hair extensions available in Manila today usually come in sets of 6-12 clips. Unlike Tokyo POSH, these clip-on hair extensions take so much time and extremely difficult especially for women who do not really know how to fix their own hair. One hair style comes just in one piece, with several clips attached to it.
How long will they last?
Tokyo POSH can last you years as long as you know how to take good care of them.
How many colors do you have?
We usually have 5-7 colors per style. Colors available are perfect for Asian skin tones. We are also up-to-date with hair coloring trends so our products aren’t your usual brown and black. Some of our pieces even have hi-lights on them!
here she is with long, wavy locks. notice how the extensions blend well with her real hair?
How often should I wash it?
Washing depends on how often you use it. If you use it everyday, it is advisable to wash it once a week.
What is it made of?
The fiber comes from Japan and is made from high quality kanekalon fibers. They are the best quality fiber for synthetic hair extensions, they look and feel natural. Unlike the common synthetic fibers we see in the market today, Tokyo POSH doesn’t easily tangle and the luster is very much close to the gorgeous sheen of natural hair.
Do you have hair extensions made of human hair?
The owner personally favors synthetic hair extensions as compared to human hair. To get human hair is not only unhygienic but also very complicated. Recently, due to the demand for hair extensions made of human hair, news of illegal and unethical ways of acquiring human hair from countries such as India, are now very common and Tokyo POSH, directly or indirectly would not like to have any participation in acts like these.
Any tips on how I can blend Tokyo POSH with my natural hair?
If you purchased curly/ wavy hair, we suggest that you also iron curl the visible top part of your hair. If you’re lazy, put your hair in a half pony and tie with a cute clip. This way the gap between your real hair and the hair extensions are not very obvious.
Which kind of haircut is perfect for Tokyo POSH?
The perfect cut is medium length or at least chin length with layers. The layers will help blend the extensions thus making the difference between your hair extensions and your real hair noticeable.
If you have long hair, and you would like to use medium length bob hair extensions, again, shorter layers at the top will help you achieve a more natural look.
here she has a long ponytail extension. wouldn't you just want to switch hairstyles as often as this?
Can I style the hair extensions by myself?
Yes you can style it yourself; you can braid or tie it too. However, for the non-heat resistant hair extensions, you can not iron curl/ straighten the hair, in other words you can not apply any forms of heat.
Can I color it?
Sorry, you can’t. You can have your hair color fit the hair extensions, just bring it to your favorite salon and ask your stylist to copy it.
Can I cut it?
Yes you can, It is advisable that you have it done professionally. You can have it cut at the store too. It is advisable to cut the hair extensions with shorter layers if you have short hair so the gap between your real hair and the hair extensions will not be noticeable.
Do you deliver?
Yes we do, by air 21, but we usually charge a delivery fee, depending on your location.
What else can we expect from Tokyo POSH?
We will be offering new products such as heat resistant and hand woven hair extensions come August of 2009.
photos lifted from tokyoposh.multiply.com
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