How To Tuesday: Set Your Curls

Sorry for the absence of posting the last week or so. I've had the flu. It was my first time getting it, and somehow it felt like a right of passage.

Me: Have you ever had the flu?
Random person: Uhh...no.
Me: Then you're not a proper adult.


Now back to your regularly scheduled how to post.


The women of the 40s and 50s were like superheroes. First of all, do you know how hard it is to cook in flats, much less heels? It's hard I tell you. But these ladies not only did everything around their house, they did it looking flawless. And they looked flawless because they probably set their curls every single day.

I woke up a little bit early the other day to prepare for this tutorial. I was thinking, how much extra time could it take for me to set my curls? Well...an almost late to work amount of time. So those housewives were waking up early, looking flawless, and cooking dinner. Superheroes. 




Here's what you need:

• Alligator Clips, double or single pronged

Double pronged

single pronged

• Curling iron
• Hair spray

Here's what you do:

• Curl your hair like normal, but when you pull the curling iron out of your hair, twist your hair up to the scalp in the shape of the curl you just made. You should have a circle on your head
• Use an alligator clip to pin the curl to your head. Try to weave the clip through the curl so that you don't crease your hair. 
• Do this for your entire head

That's me! 50s superhero style

• Hairspray
• Let it sit. I suggest putting your makeup on, getting dressed, or eating breakfast during the time.
• Pull it out, and you're done! 

You may wonder what the advantage of setting your curls is...

Well, allowing them to cool while in the shape of the perfect curl will help them stay longer. If you have a lot of problem with your curls falling out before the end of the day, then you should try this for sure. 

Also, setting your curls gives you a completely different look than allowing them to fall the second you take out your iron. It's a fun change in the world of monotony. 

Do you set your curls? Or maybe you have a different method than this? Tell me in the comments below!

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?

March Spotlight Stylist: Ali Boman

When I think of up and coming artists at On Stage, I automatically add Ali Boman to that list. Why? Because in the short amount of time that she has worked at On Stage, she has made her from from a stylist's assistant to an Associate and now a Stylist. That's a lot of work and a lot of passion.

And boy do her clients love her! She stays constantly booked and always has a full wait list. That's how you know she's as good I as I say she is.

But hair isn't the only thing that Ali is passionate about. Once you meet her, you'll fall instantly in love with her quirky personality, her unique style, and her ability to go weeks without washing her hair. (gross? no. jealous? yes.)

You need to meet Ali. Like right now.

How long have you been in the industry? And at On Stage?

I've been licensed for a little over 5 years, but have only been actively doing hair going on 3 years. I've been at On Stage for just over a year.

What is your favorite part about your job?

Everything! I love all of my clients and enjoy spending time with them. I love creative colors and cuts, correctional color...I love it all!

How would you describe your personal style?

Fashion forward and very unique.

Who inspires you?

God and everyday people who do the little things that go unnoticed and who go above and beyond.

What are your specialties?

I am a well rounded stylist, but the things that excite me are creative looks whether that be updos, color, cut, or even color correction.

Have you taken any special classes?

Creative color placement, precision cutting with Redken, an updo class, and lots of little classes throughout the years. 

Do you have a personal mission statement?

I am a believer that success comes from within and my attitude determines how successful I will be. I try to motivate and inspire people to reach their potential and see the best within themselves. 

There you go people. Remember her name. 

Want to make an appointment with Ali? Call (281)259-1222. 

Ask Alzy: Frizzy Frenzy

My hair is ALWAYS frizzy...I feel no product in the world could tame it! It's frizzy when it's straight, curly (natural), or up in a pony tail :(

Dear Frizzy Frenzy,

You are not alone my friend.

Frizzy hair is caused when it is lacking moisture and oil. In humid climates, or even hot showers, the cuticle (the outer layer of your hair strand) opens and allows moisture to reach the cortex. The steam and hot water opens the cuticle, but it never gets closed. You can rinse your hair with cool water to close the cuticle, and also refrain from towel drying your hair which roughens up each strand.

There are a few things your can try: 

• ring out excess water instead of roughly towel drying 
• get regular haircuts
• use a leave-in conditioner or other moisturizing/anti-frizz products
• run a dryer sheet over your hair when dry and straight to reduce static that your hair is reacting to from in the air

You can always come in and talk to your stylist about these options or maybe even a different one that would work better for you!

Hope that helps!

As always,

Alzy


Do you have a question for Alzy? Send it to askalzy@gmail.com


photo 1

How To Tuesday: Men's Styling

I do a lot of tutorials on things that are primarily for women. Okay, let's be realistic, I do every tutorial on things that are primarily for women. Well...look at me shaking things up.

Today's tutorial comes from the experts over at Aveda. Never heard of Aveda? Well basically they're a company that sells products for skin, hair, and your other beauty needs. But the kicker: They use as many organic compounds as possible when they make their products. All their products have this nice nature smell. Pretty cool right?


Plus, I like a man to smell outdoorsy.






So all you men out there...tell me, what kind of tutorials would you like to see for your lovely XY selves. Nerd humor...too much?

Friday Link Love 3/2/2012

• I think we can all agree that I'll post anything 90s related, therefore, 48 pictures that perfectly capture the 90s. 
• Those of you following the Sex and the City prequel will be excited to know they've cast the young Carrie Bradshaw. 
• This video of a man on crutches dancing makes my heart sing. Don't let anything keep you from doing what you love. 
• YES! YES! YES! Thank you R29. Why they love The Hunger Games' Katniss (and why she kicks Bella's butt). Strong females, ladies!
• 7 ways to look beautiful without makeup. I bet you a million dollars one of them is confidence. 
• Adult acne is real and it is something that a lot of adults are suffering from. You're not alone. 
• Although award season has come to a close, that doesn't mean you still can't steal celebrity secrets for the red carpet. I bet we could find a way to use them in our everyday lives. 
• Related: the 30 best Oscar dresses of all time. Did your favorite make the cut?
• The worst part about a DIY manicure is the mess I make around my nails, but here's a great way to clean up easily!
• The Luck Mag how-to page is almost as good as ours. almost. 
• My goal in life: the perfect red lip. 
• These 54 uses for binder clips blew my mind, especially #27
• Something we all need sometimes: banish a bad mood in 15 minutes.
• I'm guilty of it, but The Soapbox explains why we shouldn't snark on Angelina Jolie's thin body, and I kind of agree with her.  
• Filed under celebrities being awesome: 16 celebrity photobombs.
• Need another site to waste some time? Attack of the cute. There goes your productivity.  
• Cuteness not your thing? Try this one.
•  R29 shows you how to spruce up your jeans and tees. 
• Sometimes I need these 33 ways to remind me to stay creative.
• Oh my goodness, this site is fantasticly hilarious. 
• That little spot of fat underneath the belly button that will never seem to go away is super annoying. Hopefully some of these workouts can help with that. 

What did you see online this week?

Good Hair Day, Every Day

When I flip through the pages of celebrity magazines, all I can think is, "does she really look that good everyday?" And then I cry myself to sleep, because, yeah, she probably does look that good everyday.

Then I snap back to reality and remember that all those celebrities have full time hair and makeup artists to make them look that way and I think, "HA! When I look good, it's because I did it all by myself!" Small wins, my friends, small wins.

As you get older I think that you learn tricks to have a good hair day everyday. Granted, of course there are always days when your hair just doesn't want to do anything, we'll just call those the dark days.

dark days for sure

Here are your steps to success:

• The biggest tip I can give you is to work with what you've got. If you're hair is just laying flat, then pull it back in a sleek pony. If you can't seem to get rid of that sleepy-head-bump (an actual term, thank you) then curl your hair and wear it big. Don't try to force your hair into something, instead let your hair guide you. 
• Figure out your best shampoo cycle. I always shampoo at night, then wear it for two whole days before I wash again. For example: I wash on Monday, wear on Tuesday and Wednesday, then wash on Wednesday night. I love the way my hair looks after I sleep on it, but maybe you don't. So wash it in the morning instead. 
• Try new techniques or ways to wear it. The other day I was playing with a coworkers hair and pulled it back into this super simple updo. She said she didn't think she looked good in an updo, but totally changed her mind after I showed her how it could look. There are a thousand tutorials online for different things to do. You can check out our tutorials here. 
• Own it. That is pretty much with everything. Remember that time Bjork wore a swan dress to the Academy Awards? Well it was a bit out there, but she owned it. So if you've got messy bed-head, then own your messy bed-head girl!

So try some of these things out next time you look in the mirror and think, oh no, not one of those days.