On Target - Daily Makeover, Part II

With the inauguration coming up soon, I figured it would be time to focus some attention on First Lady Michelle Obama. There's much buzz about potential dress choices for her, but what about hair?

I played around with Daily Makeover for awhile again and came to a few conclusions. The First Lady looks best with warmer colors, and doesn't seem like a long hair type of gal. Here's a few looks I think she can pull off. I didn't touch her makeup (obviously) and used the best picture I could find. It's not perfect but still interesting!

The Original

Blondes Having More Fun

The Oprah

Short & Sassy

On Target - Daily Makeover

So my buds over at DailyMakeover.com have hooked me up with a premium account. It's taken me a few weeks but I've finally started playing with it a bit. I'm at DM novice so it may take some time (and better quality self-portraits!) so here's a few looks I played around with on myself and a friend.

The Lauren Conrad The Alyson Hannigan - Red

The Alyson Hannigan - Dark

Tips & Trends - Pre-Fall 2009

Pre-fall is a season that only exists in the fashion world. However, the benefit of pre-fall is that it gives us a sneak peek of what's to come.

I spent the weekend going over the pre-fall collections posted on Style.com and noticed a few hair trends worth mentioning. It was glaringly obvious that simple was in, and big was nearly out. In fact, the trend I took the most note of were the long, straight, sleek, flat ironed locks with a side or middle part. A variation on this look included a severe slick backed look.

The straight style appeared in the collections of such designers as Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Doo.Ri and Roberto Cavalli. But other designers including Nicole Miller, Monique Lhullier and Narcisco Rodriguez played with shiny and straight, slicking hair back. Here's a few of the inspring images.

Alexander Wang - The Straightest of Them All

Rag & Bone - Straight Shooter

Doo.Ri - Sideways Straight

Monique Lhuillier - Shellac'd Back

Narcisco Rodriguez - Slide Back

Look of the Week - Faux Reality Bob

I admit it, I watched the Hills finale last night. And with the exception of the bizarre Little Bo Peep flower crown worn by Whitney Port, I thought the reality stars looked lovely.

Naturally, Lauren Conrad went all out in a sparkly mini with this chic mini bob that seems to be all the rage lately. (Note: also seen on Rosario Dawson at the Seven Pounds premiere.)

This hair style requires a bit more concentration than Kate Winslet's curly waves but it can be done. You will need a good styler, a lot of bobby pins, some sculpting spray and patience.

Given that it's the holidays and I'm short on time. I'll tell you that I've tried this look before and for me I wash, condition, moussed and dried as usual. For mousse, lately I've been using Rene Furterer Anti-Dehydrating Volumizing Mousse because it makes my hair super shiny and big without being sticky.

Next step is to pin the majority of long layers under, while leaving the shorter layers loose for a bit of light curling. Pin the back up higher to give the illusion of a stacked bob with the longer front pieces framing the face.

Again using a styler like the Sedu Revolution or Amika Pro-Styler, being creating light waves on the bottom half of the loose pieces. It should look a bit piecey and messy, falling gently over the pinned up sections to disguise what's underneath.

Finish up the look with a lighter-weight sculpting spray such as Aveda Witch Hazel Light Hold Hair Spray or Aveda Brilliant Medium Hold Hair Spray. Pair with some red lips and you're ready for holiday partying.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, Aveda.com, LoveAmika.com

Look of the Week - Revolutionary Waves

Every the epitome of classy style, Kate Winslet wore this hair style to the recent Revolutionary Road premiere. A simple look, it would be easy to recreate with the help of a styler such as the Sedu Revolution or Amika Pro-Styler. I'd start by washing and conditioning hair, adding a little mousse and drying. Then, use the 1" styler of your choice to flip out sections of hair away from the face into wavy curls. Vary the section size to create larger or smaller curls to your liking. Spray and set the style with a lightweight product to avoid looking stiff.

Where to Buy: Folica.com
Where to Watch: December 26th, 2008 (US Release)

Flat Iron Frenzy – Sedu vs. GHD

I’m going to shelve the CHI comparisons for a little while to shift my focus on to Sedu and GHD. Both irons receive high marks, so let’s see how they match up against one another based on styling, technology, material and cost. This entry serves as a shopping guide for each flat iron, rather than direct comparison.

This round features the Sedu Revolution styler vs. GHD IV styler.

Styler Defined

First off, it seems that lately most hair appliance companies are producing “stylers”. One might ask, what is a styler?

Stylers are a specific form of flat irons that are designed to not only straighten hair but also to curl, flip, wave, twist or whatever else you can imagine. Sedu features rounded plates and a rounder barrel, GHD offers a rounded barrel.

Since both the Sedu Revolution and GHD IV are stylers, one point for each.

Sedu - 1, GHD -1

Futuristic Favor

Both the Sedu and GHD claim to be the next wave of styling, but is one more technologically advanced than the other?

The Sedu Revolution’s big technology selling point is the Freestyle Guiding System, which features anti-slip edges which prevent hairs from slipping and snagging. This FGS also promotes the styling capability discussed in the section above. The Sedu also offers dual voltage for usage in a number of countries.

On the other hand, the GHD MK IV touts its safety functions, including sleep mode after 15 minutes, and automatic shut off after 30 minutes. Also, the GHD flat iron offers shiver mode to combat condensation in rooms less than 41 degrees. Plus, the GHD has universal voltage, making it ideal for heavy travelers.

The question remains, which is more advanced? The Sedu Revolution technology is more hair styling based while the GHD technology is safety-centered. Should you purchase styling over safety or safety over styling? It seems likely there’s an audience for both. This round is too close to call, another draw, and one point each.

Sedu – 2, GHD – 2

Make Up or Made Up

The materials used in flat irons seem to constantly be changing. Are the Sedu Revolution and GHD Mark IV identical, or can one outperform the other?

Both the Sedu and GHD are ceramic. However, that seems to where the similarities end.

The GHD is just ceramic, but the Sedu Revolution also includes tourmaline and nano technologies. The addition of these two other materials makes the Sedu Revolution more ionic than its GHD counterpart. Sedu wins this round.

Sedu – 3, GHD - 2

Cost and Review

I looked on Folica.com, because they sell both items as part of value packs complete with how-to DVDs and two-year warranties. The Sedu Revolution also includes a heat proof flat iron combo mat and pouch.

In terms of price, there’s about $100 dollars between both value packs. The Sedu Revolution 2009 edition retails for $139.95, while the GHD pack is going for $239.95. A pretty hefty price difference.

As far as reviews go, the Sedu Revolution pack has around 140 reviews, ranking at 4.63 out of 5. The GHD MK IV value pack has 30 reviews, and ranks 4.57 out of 5. Another close round, but this one goes to Sedu based on affordability and a slight edge in customer ranking.

Sedu – 4, GHD - 2
Final Say

Having compared the technologies, materials and cost of these stylers, I have to pick the Sedu Revolution. It seems to be more bang for your buck.

For more info on each brand, plus ordering information visit the Sedu and GHD homepages.

Flat Iron Frenzy - Sedu vs. Sedu

Sedu vs. Sedu? What?

This go-around meant to clarify the differences between the two main Sedu lines - Sedu Ionic vs. the newer Sedu Revolution. I’ve seen a lot of people questioning the difference between these two flat irons so I thought I’d shift the focus for a moment.

I emailed Sedu Beauty to get to the scoop. Click the image below to read the Sedu response:


Basically, Sedu Beauty says the main differences between the two lines include plate shape, plate size offerings, and temperature settings.

The Sedu Revolution is a styler, with rounded plates for creating curly or wavy styles, and has the ability to heat all the way up to 450 degrees. It also offers the Freestyle Guiding System which makes it possible to glide over hair in one pass, without snagging strands. BUT, the Revolution is only featured in a 1" plate size.

On the other hand, the Sedu Ionic comes in both 1" and 1-1/2" plate sizes, and offers more squared plates designed specifically for straightening hair. The temperature settings max out at 410 degrees.

So, both irons can straighten all hair types, get incredibly hot, and offer the same ceramic, ionic, and tourmaline technologies.

End result - if you just need a flat iron, both the Sedu Ionic and Sedu Revolution will get the job done. If you are more interested in creating multiple hair styles with one tool, go directly for the Sedu Revolution.

For more information, visit Sedu Beauty.

To purchase online, visit Folica.

To find out where to purchase near you, click Where to Buy.

Look of the Week - Garage Rock Bangs

An even representation of brunette, blond and red, the Vivian Girls - Ali, Cassie and Katy respectively, just made Spin magazine. Having taken note of the Girls over the last year and a half, I must say this picture showcases their penchant for bangs. Try them perfectly coiffed, sweetly side swept, or brightly blunt. Congrats to the Vivian Girls and keep up the good bangs, er, tunes.

Where to Listen: www.myspace.com/viviangirlsnyc

Read the Article: www.spin.com/articles/vivian-girls

Tips & Trends – Fierce Feathering

For the last few years, the 70s and 80s have snuck back into the style spotlight. From the reintroduction of leggings to neon colors, it seems the long tormented decades are now in vogue.

While most still shudder at the thought of a perm, there is something intriguing about big hair styles – with maybe a twinge of feathering. Perhaps feathered hair isn’t for everyone – yet, a few brave celebs seem to be incorporating the look again.

Feathered hair can range from subtle to extreme (read Farrah Fawcett circa Charlie’s Angels). Luckily, its easy to use the feathered look if you have just the lightest bit of layering. So, here are some very basic steps and product suggestions for achieving the feathered look.

Sudsy Start

My shampoo collection is always growing but lately I’ve been really partial to one. Philip B. Peppermint & Avocado Volumizing and Clarifying makes my scalp and hair feel so clean, so tingly, and so fresh. At the same time, I get a bit of lift for both my roots and my mental state with the combination of peppermint oil, avocado, gardenia, sweet almond, lavender, geranium, black walnut and so many other plant extracts. Philip B. makes so many wonderful shampoos and conditioners, I want them all. But this one is the perfect beginning to achieving solid, fresh style.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, bebeautiful.com

Deep Condition
In addition to adding volume, I like to thicken my strands with the famous Bumble and bumble Thickening Conditioner. A long time B & b fan, this conditioner is in my constant rotation, its lightweight and helps plump up my hair’s appearance.

I can’t say I’m wild about the fragrance but I can deal for fuller locks. Plus with lots of wheat proteins, aloe and vitamin E, it’s another enriching product for styling success. Sometimes I pair it with the B & b Thickening Spray for the ultimate in thick hair.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, Tuvee.com

Lift Off

Since the 70s and 80s were all about BIG hair, the next logical step is to boost hair up! For this, I rely on Kenra Root Lifting Spray. Complete with amino acids, take the Kenra Spray and spray on damp hair at the roots, work through hair and move on to blow drying. It’s a quick but important step for capturing that glorious retro volume.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, DiscreetlyBeautiful.com

Fluff and Dry

You can do much of the magic with your hair dryer. An excellent hair dryer is the Elchim 2001 Professional; it’s fast and ferocious with 1800 watts of power and seven switch combinations. Honestly, this dryer is no joke, but for this style you can slip on the concentrator nozzle and infuse those roots with volume.

Try blowing over and away from hair to bring out the feathering in soft layers and bangs. The bigger the better, with only a few steps left.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, bebeautiful.com

Curl’s Best Friend
I must admit, I’m not exactly handy with a curling iron. Feathering might be the extent of my talent. But if you’re anything like me, may I suggest a clip free curling iron to avoid those unsightly dents and bumps that it seems hard to avoid for the curling iron challenged.

Try the Amika Tourmaline Clip-Free Curler to take strands of hair near the face and curl loosely outward (away from the face!). Once satisfied with the flipped out curls move quickly on to the final two steps.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, SunCapsuleBeauty.com

Brush and Hold

Last two steps! Carefully brush your curls into a soft wings and spray into place! Gently mist some heavy duty hair spray over the look for hold, I recommend CHI Helmet Head Extra Firm Hair Spray or Spritz. It’s easy for finer hair to lose its style quickly, and feathered wings are gravity defying, so this hair spray will give the look that extra boost.

Where to Buy: Folica.com, Tuvee.com

When in doubt, always refer back to the ultimate feathered hair goddess for inspiration.