Holiday Gift Guide

Aveda's Shimmer giftset. These two lip glosses are spectacular in person. Himalayan Snow and Nepali Berry, and at only $18 for both you can't really go wrong.

Aveda's Relief giftset. This is my favorite giftset every year. I absolutely love both the hand relief and foot relief. And hello, travel sizes! $52 will get you all four bottles.

Awapuhi Deluxe giftset. This giftset is a steal. It comes with full size bottles of the Paul Mitchell Awapuhi shampoo, keratin cream rinse, styling treatment oil, and the hydrocream whip. Basically everything you need in your beauty bag. $68.40 for this bad boy.

Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth. This flat iron is always, always on someone's wish list. Let this year be the year they get it. $180. Totally worth it.

Elchim 2001 Pro Blowdryer. Some people have a hard time spending $140 on a blowdryer. But why I ask you? It's as, if not more, important than your flat iron. Maybe it's time to give it to yourself. 

What is on your wish list this year?

Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde

Being a blonde is hard. You're always teetering on a fine line of white and yellow, brassy and gold. Yeah it looks fantastic when you leave the salon, but then you wash it, and you sit in front of the mirror wondering if the color could really change after just one shampoo. (Take it from a redhead, yes it can.)

Working at a hair salon totally has it's perks. We got shipped the new Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde line to try out before it hit the shelves. And let me tell you, we totally geeked out. Okay, maybe "geeked out" can only be used to describe me. but we were all pretty excited. It's out for everyone now, so take a look at the new line.

Two shampoos, a conditioner, and a repair treatment all designed with blondes in mind. How awesome?

Platinum Blonde Shampoo: Don't be alarmed. It's purple. But without going into some extensive color theory that I don't really know a whole lot about....purple neutralizes that brassy tone in your blonde. Hooray! Plus it softens strands and adds shine. So win, win.

Forever Blonde Shampoo: Different from the Platinum Blonde shampoo in that it's a daily shampoo, and it's not purple. But it does keep your blonde hair light and shiny. It's packed full of protein to help combat the damage made from bleach.

Forever Blonde Conditioner: An everyday conditioner that helps seal the cuticle, leaving your hair smooth and shiny. And just like its shampoo sibling, it also has lots of protein in it.

Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair: Smoothes, straightens, and replenishes depleted hair. It also has a lot of natural ingredients to help hydrate your thirsty hair.



You're geeking out now, aren't you?

BB Creams: What are They?

There's been a lot of talk on the market about a new product simply called BB Cream. What does the BB stand for you ask? Well...

BB originally stood for blemish balm, but has since become to be known as beauty balm. The product has been around for a while, dating back to the 1950s where it was designed by a German dermatologist for post-laser treatments. But the skincare-meets-makeup product rose to fame in Asia, where it was named "the secret of Korean actresses." BB cream then, of course, made its way over to the Western world.

The product comes in a variety of formulas, but the basic gist is that it is an all-in-one stop. I hate layering cream after cream on my face in the morning, mainly because as soon as I step outside it's just going to melt off, or at least it feels that way. So now, I throw that BB on and I'm good. I'm not having to do four different steps. Sunscreen, moisturize, anti-aging, foundation. It's pretty fantastic.

There are a couple of different companies that offer BB cream, from Dr. Jart (the one that I use) to Dior. But I'm super excited to say that jane iredale is coming out with one this summer. As the leader in skincare makeup, I'm excited to see how awesome their product will be. Because let's face it? It's going to be awesome.

Do you use BB cream? Which one? Tell me in the comments below!


photo, info: wikipedia

Clip-In Extensions

I've been seeing a whole lot of clip-in extensions  in the salon these days. Prom season is just finishing and prom girls love to wear them. And why not? It's a great way to get the (long) style you want without years of waiting.

But I've also noticed some other things about clip-in extensions that I thought I would share.

• There are bunch of different types: synthetic, human hair, tracks, head pieces, etc. Make sure you know which one would be best for you.
• Make sure you know the difference between synthetic and human hair. Synthetic means that you can't color or put any heat on it. So basically they are come as they are. Whereas on human hair you can color or style it.
• If you buy human hair, bring it to your sylist and ask them to color match. Obviously, you want to buy the one that is the closest to your hair color first. 
• If you have thick hair, take into account how much hair your actually getting. For myself, one package of track extensions wouldn't be enough, but something like a head piece probably would be. 
• Make an appointment with your stylist to have them show you how to put them in! It can be tricky the first couple of times if you don't know what you're doing.

Clip-in extensions over all are pretty cool. They have huge pros and not very many cons. So I say...go for it!

Have you tried clip-in extensions? What brand? How did you like them?

Nioxin/Rogaine: Does it Really Work?

This post has been a long time in the making. In fact, over 90 days in the making. Here's how it went...

My boss, and one of the On Stage owners, was losing some of his hair...just a teeny bit, but we wanted to do something about it. So we came up with this experiment. Combine the use of Nioxin and Rogaine for 90 days. See what happens.

Products used: We put Marty on the whole Nioxin system. Shampoo, conditioner, and the treatment. He used all of it once a day. He bought the 5% Rogaine and used it twice a day.

Well...here are the results of said experiment.

**just a small disclaimer. Neither one of these companies suggests that you use their product in conjunction with other products.


Day 1

Day 30

We started to get excited at this point. You can clearly see that there is new hair growth. But we didn't want to get our hopes up just yet.

Day 60

By this point we were pretty much hopping up and down chanting, "It's working!" Okay...I was hopping up and down chanting. Everyone else was laughing. 

Day 90

I was pretty impressed that it worked so well. So impressed that I got my brother on the same "experiment" and it is working well for him too. Maybe it's not longer an experiment and just fact. Who knows. 

Just in case you need to see it again...

If you decided to try this experiment, send me your before and after photos to Cassidy@onstagehairdesign.com and maybe I'll post them to the blog!

Professional Products at Drugstores: Are They Real?

I've done a lot of research on this topic and I've find an answer:

yes and no.


It's called diversion, and there's a long explanation as to what that means but I want to give you the shortened version. Basically, a diverted product is one that has made its way from the manufacturer into the gray market, then finally hits the shelves of the drug stores.

It's not necessarily illegal, at least, it isn't for the drugstores. Someone along the way broke their contract with the manufacturer which could leave them in trouble with the law.

It definitely isn't safe. Diverted products, since they are not guaranteed (check out the back of most professional products to see the warning), don't have to be held to the same standards as the ones on the shelves at your salon. Most of the time they are expired and moldy, but there have been some products found that are completely different from what the bottle is advertising, creating a hazardous product for your hair and general health.

So stay away. Not only are the diverted products harmful to you, but they are devaluing the professionalism of the product and the industry. Don't buy diverted products or return the ones you've already bought.


Have you ever bought a diverted product? Did you even know there was a difference? Tell him in the comments below.

Hairspray Lingo: The Words You Need to Know

At any given time, we probably have more than 20 different types of hairspray in the salon. Granted, that is different brands and different holds, but that still amounts to 20 different cans that you're looking at saying, "which one?"

It took me a long time to find my perfect hairspray (it's Paul Mitchell Hold Me Tight) but now that I have, I hardly ever buy anything else. It just took a lot of reading labels and trials and errors to get me there.

Luckily for you guys, you've got me. After reading this post you'll (hopefully) be able to know exactly which hairspray you need when you go into the salon.

Strengths
Hairspray typically comes in three different strengths:

• Light

You light hold hairsprays are best for looks that don't require much hold, like straight hair or round brushed hair. Sebastian's Shaper Zero Gravity is a brushable lightweight hairspray. 

• Medium

Medium hairsprays are for your slightly more complicated looks. Loose curls or waves, half ups, pony tails, etc. Aveda's Brilliant is a medium hold.

• Strong

Strong hairsprays, also known as finishing sprays, are for things that really need that extra hold. Curls, updos, wedding styles. I love a finishing spray to tame my frizzies in an updo. Hold Me Tight is a strong hold finishing spray.

 Other terms:

• flexible-- typically when a hairspray says flexible it means that after it is sprayed, there is still time to manipulate your hair into the shape you want. 
• brushable-- brushable means just that, you can brush it

Does that help your indecision? Or do you just want to go buy them all like I do? 

What is your favorite hairspray? Tell me in the comments below!

Giveaway Winner: Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF

It's time for the winner! Yay!

Congratulations Sharon R! Email me at cassidy@onstagehairdesign.com :)

Giveaway: Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF

It's almost summertime and that means it's almost SUNmertime. And while everyone should wear sunscreen all year round (skin cancer doesn't discriminate against season, y'all), it's especially important to wear it during the summer when you're out by the pool or the ocean.

And if you're like me, when you lay out you don't want to wear your entire face worth of makeup. However, you don't necessarily want to go naked. Jane Iredale's Powder Me SPF is the perfect solution.

It's a powder sunscreen formula that you dab on your face. It comes in two different colors, tanned or translucent, but it provides just the slightest amount of coverage. Perfect for poolside.

Also, in case you were wondering, that's the Skin Cancer Foundation's seal of approval! Yay for preventative care! 

To enter this giveaway, all you have to do in leave a comment below telling me your favorite SUNmertime activity. Then Tuesday, I'll randomly draw a winner. 

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Color Safe VS Color Saver Shampoo

In one corner we've got "Color Safe", weighing in at a impressive 8.4 ounces.

In the other corner we've got "Color Saver", weighing in at an unbelievable 33.8 ounces!

Who will win? Read on to find out.

Color Safe

Color Safe! In fact, the whole Sebastian line is color safe!

You hear a lot of talk about whether or not a shampoo is "color safe". Well, at least I hear that a lot. But then again, I work in a hair salon. So what exactly does color safe mean?

Well, it pretty much means exactly that. The shampoo that you've picked up is safe to use on your color. Meaning, it won't strip out the color that your stylist worked so hard to put, or more importantly, the color that you just spent all that money on. Remember a long time ago I talked about clarifying shampoos? Those my friends are, for the most part, not color safe. Because they're stripping your hair of whatever impurities it has in it, and poof! out comes your color with it.

So if you have colored hair, you always want to make sure that your shampoo is color safe.

Now, what makes it a color saver? I'm so glad you asked.


Color Saver

Color Conserve, see it's right in the name

A color saver shampoo is different. It is specifically designed to preserve the color that is in your hair. There are a ton of color saver shampoos out there, and chances are your favorite brand makes one. The best part about them is that they're easy to spot. Most of the time the word "color" is in the name. Easy as pie.


How to choose:
Here's what I ask color clients: what is your biggest concern? If they answer, "my color" (that's me!) then I give them a color saver. If they say moisture, volume, shine, or anything else other than color, I give them a color safe shampoo.

priorities people, priorities. 




What is your favorite color safe or color saver shampoo?

How To Tuesday: Cover Up a Pimple

Isn't that the worst? When you know you've got somewhere important to be and you wake up and bam! pimple. There's no denying it. It happens to us all.

Now using a little concealor and covering it up might be a no brainer to some of us. But I thought the same thing about braiding and yet I still meet people who don't know how to do it. So here we are, with a tutorial...which I, myself, find very educational.

The trick ladies, or gentlemen, is to find a concealor that has an ance treatment in it. For example, Murad Acne Spot Treatment has a dash of salicylic acid in it to zap that pimple up, plus it adds some nice coverage. Pretty much a miracle in a tube.




What kind of tutorials would you like to see next month? Tell me in the comments below!

Product Cocktails

Remember that time I talked about using too much product? Today I'm kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum, because I want to tell you about product cocktails.

What's a product cocktail you ask? Why, let me tell you!

product cocktail [prod-uhkt kok-teyl] noun: any various sort of mixed products, consisting typically of one or more hair products mixed with another hair product.

Need something simpler than my fancy, made-up definition? Basically a product cocktail is just as it sounds, when you mix two or more products together in your hair. Because let's face it, one product is just never enough, nor is just one pair of shoes. The key is discovering what products to mix. 

Mixology 101:

• light hold mousse + straightening cream = the perfect round brush combo
• curl enhancer + anti-frizz cream + gel = perfect curly hair cocktail
• heat protectant + hair spray + shine serum = your curling iron's best friend

Those are just a few combinations. There are thousands out there I'm sure, but just be aware that some products don't mix well together. So if you get any clumping, color change, or just weirdness in general, ask your hair care professional about it. Or just ask your stylist in the first place. Chances are they used a cocktail on your hair and can recommend the perfect one for you.

Currently I'm loving Aveda's Smooth Infusion Style Prep-Smoother and Glossing Straightener. They come from the same line and practically scream, mix me! What are your favorite products to mix together?

It's Giveaway Time!

I've decided to start giving away some loot here on the blog. I know, how nice of me right? Well...you can thank the Powers That Be for it. They like you to be happy just as much as I like you to be happy. 

So here's what you can win:

1 of 3 Sebastian Color Ignite conditioner for single toned hair. Meaning, if you have highlights, then this product isn't for you.

The Color Ignite system is designed specifically for colored hair. The Sebastian website says, "Micro-bubble conditioner whips the shine on single tone color for even-surface color shine and long-lasting vibrancy." Pretty cool right? 

So here's how you win it:

1. Leave a comment below telling me what your favorite Sebastian product is. 
2. Receive an extra entry if you become a follower of this blog.
3. Receive a third entry if you like us on Facebook. 

Then, on Tuesday, I will draw three winners. 

May the odds be ever in your favor. 

Liquids, and Creams, and Pencils, Oh My!

I'm talking about eyeliners of course. There are about a thousand different brands of eyeliners out there and in the brands there are about a thousand different types of eyeliners. Okay, I exaggerate. There are pretty much only three different types of eyeliners.

Pencil Liner

First up. Pencil liner. This is definitely the most common type of liner there is.

pros: easy to use; lots of different colors and brands

cons: sometimes it doesn't show up as dark as other types; unless sharpened, not a perfect line

Liquid Liner

Ah liquid liner. How I love you.

pros: clean, crisp lines; great for winged out or cat eyes

cons: can be messy; need a steady hand

Cream Liner

Cream eyeliner: the next best thing since sliced bread.

pros: lasts all day; easy to smudge; can be applied very dark

cons: very difficult to apply; not very portable messy; easy to smudge

Of course, there are other things you can use as eyeliner. Eyeshadow for example. But these are the three basic liners. Each one is great for different look. So don't worry if you have all three on hand. I won't call you a hoarder.

Which type is your favorite?

Too Much Protein Can Be Bad For Your Hair

That, my friends, is not a tree branch. I know it looks like one that a ninja snapped in half, but nope. It is a piece of damaged hair under a microscope. 

Stylists talk a lot about how to get healthy hair. I talk a lot about how to get healthy hair. But to achieve it, you need to know that there is a healthy balance between damaged and damaged. Ahh yes. Sounds confusing, but you'll understand in a moment. 

Your hair is made up of protein, specially one called keratin. Your hair, just like the muscles in your body, need protein to become strong and healthy. Which is why you see a lot of hair products that say, "made with protein". If you're using one of these, then good for you! Your on your way to healthy hair.

But here's where that other damaged plays in. Using too much protein can start to make your hair dry and brittle, causing it to break. Starting to understand now? 

Too little=bad

Too much=bad

If you've hit that "too much" point, here's what you need to do.

1. Use a really good clarifying shampoo. Just trying to condition the dryness out won't work because there is a building up of protein in your hair. You have to clean it out.
2. Then use a really good conditioner. Clarifying shampoos leave your hair dry, so you need to put that moisture back in. But stay away from one with protein in it. 

photo 1

The Brazilian Blowout

The Brazilian Blowout has been out for a while, but there are still some people who don't know about it or who are on the fence about it. So here's what you need to know.

The Brazilian Blowout is a smoothing treatment that, according to the website, actually improves the condition of the hair by creating a protective protein layer around the hair shaft to eliminate frizz and smooth the cuticle.

Now, I've seen the Brazilian Blowout firsthand. The girls in the before and after photos haven't sat for hours while a stylist meticulously blow-dried and flat ironed their hair. The hair actually looks like that after the treatment with just a simple blow dry. 

Don't get me wrong. You do have to sit for hours. The treatment takes a while because you have to be shampooed, then the product is combed through your hair, then you're blow-dried, flat ironed, washed, and blow-dried and flat ironed again. You can see if you have a lot of hair like I do how it could take a while. 

But afterwards, you've got sleek, frizz-free hair that lasts for many weeks! If you ask me, it's well worth the sitting time. 

The blowout is really a revolutionary process in my opinion. It isn't permanent, so your natural curl will come back after so many weeks. Plus it doesn't damage the hair in anyways. In fact, since you'll use your flat iron a lot less often, you could almost say that the blowout helps your hair. Like I've said before, it is isn't permanent, why not try it?

If you have questions about the blowout, how it works or what is in it, ask your hair care professional. 

Have you had the Brazilian Blowout? Tell us how you liked it in the comments below! 

 

Men's Products

It's easy to get caught up in thinking about products just for women, but the truth is a lot of products out there can really be used for both men and women. Yes, it's also true that there are lines out there made specifically for men--like Paul Mitchell's new Mitch line--but hey, what's a world where things are only black and white and never gray?

"Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand/ That I might touch that"...hair. 

So men out there. Here are a couple of things to know about the products that you're putting in your hair, or about the ones that you should be.

First and foremost, shampoo and conditioner. It seems pretty simple, but I've know some guys with super short hair that use the same soap on their hair that they do on their body. I can tell you that their scalp wasn't very happy at them. Happy hair=happy scalp, which in turn means no flakes on your shirt.

Mitch Double Hitter: the man's one stop shop

Then it can get a bit complicated with creams, pomades, hairsprays, waxes, muds, fibers, and the like. Though they may vary in name they are all styling products.

Choose your weapon wisely. 

Each different styling product can offer you a variety of looks from messy, just-rolled-out-of-bed-look to a sleek finish. Talk with your stylist to decide which one will work best on your hair.

So men, the lesson of the day is that it's okay to use products. In fact, it's encouraged. Just look at Mr. Dempsey up there.

And women, don't shy away from men's products just because they are men's products. Depending on what type of cut and hair you have, they could work just as good.


Class dismissed.


photo 1

The Perfect Stocking

I love Christmas. I love Hanukkah. Basically I just love the winter holidays. They mean laughter and lights, singing really loud, and the new season of Doctor Who. The only thing that would make it better would be snow. But as I've said before, Texas isn't quite known for its white Christmases.

If only!

But one of the best parts about Christmas is the Christmas stocking. My mom always know exactly what to put in it for me. But in case you don't, here's Cassidy's guide to stocking stuffing.

1. Lip Gloss: Aveda's Nourish-mint Rehydrating Lip Gloss. The color goes on your lips looking almost exactly like it does in the tube. And really, how often does that actually happen?
2. Gift cards: These are probably the best thing to put into a stocking. For an adult that is. I get giftcards for every member of my family to stuff with.
3. Travel size lotions: Aveda Hand Relief. This stuff will save your hand's lives. Seriously. It works miracles.  
4. Nail Polish: OPI. You can't really go wrong.
5. Magazine Subscriptions: I love magazines. For a while I was loving reading them on my Nook Color, but now I'm all about buying the actual magazine again. It's a dying industry that I would like to save. Plus, who can refuse 24 magazines for $12.00? Not me.
6. Candy: No stocking is complete without a bit of candy.

Stocking stuff should be small and cheap. That's the way of the stocking.

Stockings roasting over an open fire...

What is your favorite item in a stocking?



Photo 1, Photo 2