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Category: Hair Care

How to Get Perfectly Wavy Hair and At-Home Spiral Curls by Marco Santini

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Marco Santini pictured on the right (in blue)

Marco Santini is the co-founder of Ion Studio, and he has been in the beauty industry since 1986 (that’s the year I was born!). Ion Studio recently opened up in 2008, and it is Manhattan’s first green salon–it used recycled and eco-friendly building materials and it is powered by wind.

“There is magic behind a good haircut,” says Marco of the switch. “Very few things can make a person feel as beautiful and confident, and I have yet to find something more rewarding than styling.”

Marco shared these awesome how-tos on getting the best curls at home for Temptalia readers:

Hair How-to: Waves

To create Botticelli waves, prep damp hair with a product like Davines Defining Texturizer to help hold the curl. Dry hair completely. Facing the mirror, hold a one inch medium-sized curling iron with the tip of the iron facing down. Take large sections and twist hair around the iron, rolling the sections of hair perfectly down to the end. Hold each section around the iron for 20 seconds. After each section, use a mild hairspray like Davines Defining Invisible Hairspray. When all of the sections are complete, use a soft brush to brush out the curls. This will soften curls, achieving a more natural wave.

Hair How-to: Spiral Curls

To create spiral curls, make sure to have hair pins close by. Separate hair in large sections from the hairline at the neck to the middle of the ear and from temple to temple. Hold the curling iron with the tip facing upwards towards your head, take a small piece of hair from one of the sections. Use the blade of the iron to hold the hair in place while you wrap each section around the iron. Let the hair set on the iron for 20 seconds. When it is done, keep the curl intact by pinning the section close to the scalp. Repeat this technique until all sections are complete. When you’re finished with all of the sections, remove the pins. Run your fingers through the tights spirals to loosen them up. Flip your head upside down while shaking the curls. This will add volume to the top and defined spiral curls throughout the head.

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Lush Retread Conditioner — Perhaps as a Hair Treatment

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Lush Retread Conditioner ($22.35 for 8.4 fl. oz.)

I’m usually a big fan of Lush products, but this product left me wanting more. I found that this conditioner didn’t work as well as conditioners I’ve tried in the past (AG Hair, Herbal Essences, etc.), but what dismayed me is I felt like I needed to use quite a bit in order to cover all the hair I wanted to condition. I feel like if I used this as my regular conditioner, I’d probably go through the jar in a month–and I have shorter hair now! I think the problem I have with it is I can’t “work it in.” It just feels like it stays put wherever it first comes in contact with my hair, so I can’t spread it or work it through my hair at all.

The scent of Retread is an organic-floral kind of scent. There’s that more traditional organic scent (though not nauseating), but you can sniff a little perfume-y floral-ness to it, as well. The scent does linger a bit in the hair after rinsing the product out, and it’s one of those smells you either love, can put up with, or just hate. Since it lingers, you’ll want to try to do a sniff-test before you bring it home with you! (I was mostly indifferent, personally!)

I do feel this product is better suited as a leave-in conditioner or a hair mask worn for five minutes or so outside of the shower with damp-to-almost-dry hair. I think wrapped up in plastic, it will condition better. Since it would be used more as a treatment than part of your day-to-day routine, it would also allow you to stretch the product out over time and get more value out of it.

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AG Hair Cosmetics DV8 Texture Spray Review

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AG Hair Cosmetics dv8 texture spray ($20.00) is a spray designed to define, texturize, and style hair without giving you build-up at the end. I like to spray it on damp to dry hair to help add texture and make my hair look more “piece-y.” What’s great about this product is you can spray it into your roots, blow dry, and then you’ll see some nice volume and definition. You can also just use it to keep your hair a little more “in place.”

Trust me, I’m lazy in the morning. I’m even lazier because I spend most of my day blogging in my home or going to school, so there’s just few occasions where I need to get dressed to the nines. I’ve grown accustomed to lazing around, playing with the puppy, and the like, so any product that can multi-task I get excited over. This is why dv8 is so exciting, because it’s very much like a pomade, but it’s in a spray formula. It can do so much in so little time, and you don’t have to get pomade all over your hands either.

Use this to help cut back the time you spent getting ready in the New Year — it launches in North America January 1st, 2009.

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Frederic Fekkai Spray On Hair Crystals for Festive Holiday Hair

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Frederic Fekkai Spray On Hair Crystals ($18.50) is sophisticated glitter for your hair. Launched at a perfect time when holiday parties abound, this product is a fun and flirty foray into hair glitter. If you’re wary of glitter in the hair, the particles are very fine and lightweight–not like craftstore glitter in the least. I don’t find that this product gunks up my hair or acts like a hair spray (doesn’t give me any hold really…), which is a plus, in my book. I’d hate it if it made my hair hard and crunchy!

It took some experimentation to really get the product to work for me. You can’t just do short spritzes, you have to press and hold and let it mist all over your hair, then release. When I did short spritzes, you could hardly see any glitter. It made a huge difference to hold it down and apply in a single hold. I really liked the result — it was this soft mist of fine crystals all over my hair. Very festive! If it was fashionable (and you know, super inexpensive) to go around with hair glitter everyday, I would so be there.

Each bottle contains 45+ uses according to the bottle packaging, which is good, I suppose. I really don’t know what to expect in terms of usage, and I’m sure it’ll vary from person to person depending on how much you use in each setting. It comes in three shades (champagne, copper, and bronze) — and you’re probably best off going with the one opposite your natural hair color. I have both copper and bronze, and I do like them–I think I prefer copper just a tad more. For me, it really works because of the soft brown-red tones in my hair. I gotta return one of them (I think it’s bronze), because the spray nozzle stopped functioning after about four or five usages 🙁 But I’ll be exchanging it for a new one, rather than returning it altogether.

My biggest beef with this product is the scent.  IT STINKS!  It only stinks when you’re spraying it–which is this scent of chemicals up the wazoo–so the scent doesn’t linger in your hair or anything.  I think I might not be used to hair products, because maybe if I was, I wouldn’t be so adverse to this.  Like I said, though, the scent is only when you’re initially spraying it on your hair and then it is gone.

Anyone else try this? What’d you think?

P.S. — No photos, because this doesn’t photograph well.  I tried on about four different occasions to no avail! Sorry! 🙁

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Holiday Hair in a Hurry: David John Shares His Best Tips

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Stylist David John shares these three quick and easy styles for fabulous holiday hair in minutes!

Stand apart from the sleek stands of seasons past by adding some curls! Run a large barrel curling iron through hair and create a strong side part. Spray each section with hairspray before curling to create a crisper curl. Not only does this protect hair from heat, but also makes for a sexy, retro glam look.

Go for the gusto and treat yourself to a clip-on hair extension! Available in Sally’s Beauty, choose a color that matches your own or have your own hair dyed to match. Clip in the back for added length/fullness. Wear curly, straight, in a sleek high ponytail or chic low bun. Extensions are easy, breezy, versatile and fun!

Glam up your ponytail. Super sexy and playful, simply create a side part and brush hair back with hair spray. Ponytail should be medium to low height and secured. Take small piece of hair and wrap about rubber band to conceal. Fasten with bobby pin or sparkly barrette for an elegant twist.

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Harry Josh on Getting Holiday Hair!

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Legendary stylist and John Frieda Collection Creative Consultant Harry Josh tells you how to achieve—and hold—fabulously festive holiday hair:

Cocktail Party

Start the night out right with a chic chignon to complement your cocktail dress. “Before stepping out of the shower or towel-drying hair, squeeze out excess water then coat wet hair with a generous amount of Frizz-Ease Original Serum to prevent hair from frizzing as it dries,” says Josh. “Next, create a defined side part and blow dry hair with a flat paddle brush. Don’t worry about getting hair super straight—this style is supposed to have a little shape and volume. Once hair is dry, pull back into a loose side bun and secure using a clip or bobby pins, not a hair band. Spritz gathered hair with Sheer Blonde Crystal Clear Hairspray and smooth your palms over the hair’s surface to tame flyaways.”

Dinner Party

Take your hair from chic chignon to show-stopping pony in the time it takes to refill your cocktail with a little touch-up of Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum. “Shake hair loose and flip it over, quickly bringing it together on the top of your head,” recommends Josh. “Secure hair using a loose band or clip, then place a drop of Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum in palms and run through your pony for a smooth finish. The serum adds definition and shine to the natural wave created by the chignon. Keep hair frizz-free throughout the night with a spray of Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray.”

Late Night Party

Take a break between parties to let your hair down for the night. “Loose waves are a perfect late-night look—holiday hair doesn’t always have to be an updo,” Josh advises. “Wrap individual sections of hair around your finger, starting with the under-layers, and spritz lightly with Luxurious Volume All-Out Hold™ Hairspray to create waves and boost body on the go. The spray provides all-night hold and major volume for no-fuss, fabulous style.”

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