My Haircare Routine

Ok, so this post has been a long time coming, but the wait is over, yay! Continuing with last week's beauty theme, I decided to finally do a q&a post answering some of the frequently asked questions I get about my hair. If there's anything that I didn't answer in this post, leave it in the comments below, or send me a message on social media, and I'll be happy to answer it! Ok, let's dive in...

Where do you get your hair done?
I love the team at Nuovo Salon, and get my cut and color done there. My stylist is Scott, and he's one of the best in the industry! When looking for a good stylist, be sure to mention what your typical routine is like, your hair needs (volume, texture, moisture, etc.), and what you're looking for in a good cut or color. Read all about my salon experience at Nuovo here.

How do you curl your hair?
My favorite way to curl my hair is to use a clipless 1" barrel wand (regular, not tapered). I start by putting half of my hair up, and will take 1-2" sections of hair and wrap them around the wand, away from the face. If I'm going for more of a wave, I'll leave out the last 1/2" of hair to keep it straight, giving it a beachy look, rather than a more glamorous style curl. Once the bottom layer is done, I section the top layer off into 4 sections, leaving the front pieces for last since I don't do those in as tight of a curl. The important thing to remember is to not let the pieces immediately drop off the wand when you release. I usually hold the curl in my hand for a few seconds after taking it off the wand to allow it to start cooling in the shape. This technique helps keep my curls in tact for hours. Once everything has been curled, I'll decide to either flip my head over to loosen up the curl or run a wide-toothed comb through them. A quick dab of dry oil on the ends, a spritz of shine spray, and a light mist of hairspray helps to keep them in place.

What hair dryer and brushes do you use?
I've used many different dryers, some high end, and others from the drugstore, but I keep coming back to this one from Revlon. It's super simple, has a retractable cord which is great for storing when not in use, and I always use the additional attachment that it comes with. My hair's texture is very curly, so I dry it using a big round brush to give it smoothness and manageable volume. Typically, I let my hair air-dry for about 15 minutes before I start working on it with a dryer. Before I dry my hair, I always use this leave-in conditioner, a little heat protectant, and run this tangle-taming brush through it. If my hair needs a little extra smoothness, I use this and this from the Aveda line that helps to keep things from getting frizzy or wild.

Do you get highlights or base color? What color is your natural hair?
I don't get a base color, but I do get highlights! My hair is naturally blonde, but over time it's gotten darker, so I keep my natural color as the base and get a partial highlight to keep things looking light and bright!

What shampoo & conditioner do you use?
I love Aveda products and use both the Blue Malva and Color Conserve lines. They keep my hair looking and feeling healthy and strong, and as a bonus they smell SO good. If you are a blonde, Blue Malva will be your best friend! I highly recommend it! Typically, I'll use the Blue Malva once a week, just to keep the color in check and avoid any brassiness, and the other times I'll stick with Color Conserve.

What dry shampoo do you recommend for light hair that doesn't look super chalky?
Dry shampoo is the best, especially when you've got limited time in the morning, or want a quick refresh after a workout. After trying a few, my favorite is by Batiste. It is lightweight and doesn't leave behind a chalky residue on your strands. The tropical scent has a slight hint of coconut and isn't overpowering. To salvage my blowout after a workout, the trick is to quickly dry any sections that may need it, section the hair off, spray dry shampoo on the roots, and leave it for about 5 minutes before using your fingers to massage it into the hair. Do a simple brush through the strands to finish blending it and voila!

As I mentioned, if there's any additional questions, leave them in the comments or send me a message on social media! I've linked all the products I love and use below for you! Here's to good hair days ahead! ;)

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Summer Cut & Color

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is, "Where do you go to get your hair done??" For many years growing up I disliked my hair, but now, thanks to my wonderful stylist, Scott, and the team at Nuovo Salon, I love it. It's amazing to see how having a great cut and color can really add such confidence! Recently, Nuovo invited me to come in for a fresh cut, color and makeup session for summer, so I wanted to bring you along for the experience! The attention to detail, impeccable service, and overall standard of excellence in the salon is evident from the minute you walk in the door, and I always leave feeling beautiful.

When I first started coming to see Scott back in 2011, I had recently dyed my hair a deep shade of brunette (yikes), and was looking for the best stylists/colorists in town to help get my hair looking healthy and back to blonde again. I had gone to Nuovo salons before, knowing they were some of the best in the business, and after being booked with Scott, I knew this was going to be a perfect fit. We have a great time coming up with a new vision for my cut and color each visit, and I always love the results! It can be a challenge to find someone who understands both your vision and your hair's needs. When you find a stylist that not only brings talent, but true artistry, knowledge, and passion to their work, you know they're a keeper. Over the years I've recommended so many of my friends to Nuovo who now love their stylist and hair.

Lately, I've been wanting to switch things up a little, so this time we took some length off the ends and added in a little more playful texture around the crown. He balayaged (hand-painted) some pieces around my hairline to give me a beautiful custom, sunkissed look. I love being a light, bright shade of blonde, and my hair tends to be naturally thick, curly and dry, so when you add in color treatment on top of that, it is important to protect the hair from damage as much as possible. Scott uses Olaplex on my hair in order to obtain the beautiful color without damage, and I also get shine and moisture treatments to keep my strands looking and feeling healthy.

Speaking of health and wellness, I love the organic and all natural Aveda products that Nuovo uses, and the salon is on the cutting edge of environmental respect and care through it's reuse, recycling and water purification systems. It's the attention to these kinds of important details that make such a difference in experience. For my makeup application, I got a pretty, fresh-faced look for summer and loved the all natural cosmetics that felt and looked so great on my skin. If you're local, I highly suggest booking an appointment with the Nuovo team for your next salon experience; you'll be absolutely delighted with the results!

p.s. I'll be sharing some of my styling secrets & haircare routine on the blog next week! Stay tuned...

Thanks to Nuovo Salon Group for partnering on this post.

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Coiffure Class 101: French Side Braid

I've not done many hair tutorials on here, but after receiving some requests, especially over the past year or so, I thought it would be fun to show you (with a little help from my styling maven of a sister) how to create some of the styles I wear on a regular basis. First up, the French-style side braid. This is a simple twist on a classic summer look, and a favorite of many a camp counselor. Having invested many years in summer camps, this fun, oversized braid is a subtle, styling nod to those happy memories. It looks so pretty, and in the high temps, will also keep you feeling nice and cool! A few subtle tweaks take it from camp-style to chic in a matter of seconds. 

{Step 1}

Brush out your hair, and sweep all of it over to one side. For those of you with thin or extra silky hair, a spritz or two of texturizing or styling spray will help with a little extra grip. For added volume and fullness, I like to use Big Sexy Hair Powder Play, and for extra hold and to zap oil, Psssst Dry Shampoo is pretty fantastic. 

{Step 2}

Begin by french braiding*, starting a few inches back from the top, pulling hair across the back of your head to keep the braid on one side and not down the middle of your head. 

*If you need help french braiding, here's a good tutorial

{Step 3}

Finish braiding off the rest of your hair, making sure to keep the braid tight, and secure with a hair tie. 

{Step 4}

Here's where the magic happens! Start loosening up or pulling apart the braid to give a softer, fuller effect. Begin at the top of the braid and work your way down; this gives your braid the 'Disney Princess hair' effect. If you have super thick hair, this step will alleviate a lot of the pressure and weight that comes from braids pulled tight on your scalp. 

{Step 5}

Fluff up the end of the braid, as well as around the top and crown of your head. Tuck in any super loose ends, but remember, this looser-style braid will naturally have a few pieces that may stick out, that's part of the casual I always look this fabulous charm of the hairstyle. For those of us with lots of layers, myself included, you may need to employ the help of a few bobby pins to keep the larger, shorter pieces from falling out, but use your layers to your advantage to keep the style from looking too slicked back from your face. Your braid should look full and effortlessly glam, not sloppy. 

{Step 6}

I always pull out a few pieces around my face for a little extra softness, and because I think it makes the style look better and less 'done', if you know what I mean. After you've tweaked it to your liking, I always finish the look off with a spritz of natural hold hairspray and a bit of shine spray. I like to use Chi Enviro 54 Natural Hold and Mermaid Hair Shine Spray (It has the perfect hint of coconut, tames frizzies, and makes your hair super soft and shiny!). Voila! Enjoy your fabulous, french side braid!

Happy Styling!

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La Vie Boheme

Oh how I just adore summer! It’s full of easy days spent soaking up the sun, enjoying time with good friends, pool parties, vacation, and sun-kissed skin. One of my favorite things to do during this time of year is to grab some friends and host a dinner party al fresco. I think the best place for a beach bash is anywhere with a view of the water, or right on the beach if you can! While a pretty dinner party may sound complicated, this bohemian-inspired, summer soiree is very simple to put together, leaving you plenty of time to soak up the last rays of sun as you watch the sunset. Here’s your go-to handbook for hosting your own summer party!

Decorate: I love the idea of playing with color and infusing a little free-spirited, boho feel to the decor of a beach bash, so inspired by the two, I chose a color palate in shades of green, cobalt, and aqua. Instead of a traditional place setting, things got a beachy, island vibe with some woven place mats and dark wicker drink holders, and I swapped out a tablecloth for a beach blanket. When you’re going to the beach, it’s best to keep things simple and multi-purpose so you don’t have to lug a lot of things out there, so I used the fresh fruit as part of the “table decor” as well as for snacking, and interspersed a few small lanterns in soft creme to give a little light as the sun set. Individual bowls at each guest’s spot made for easy serving and guests could choose from a buffet of different finger foods, perfect for a lazy afternoon that turns into evening on the beach. Remember to bring along a small garbage bag for easy and fuss-free clean up afterwards!  

Dress: Beach parties are the perfect excuse to bring out the breezy, bohemian style, and it’s such fun for your guests to participate in dressing the part! Colorful bathing suits, maxi dresses, layered up jewels, long earrings, and flowing tops paired with shorts make for comfortable and free-spirited ensembles. Summer is also a great time to try out new braided hairstyles and to rock loose, mermaid waves. For a simple DIY beach-inspired ‘do, combine a bit of sea salt with some water and spritz on semi-damp hair. Let your hair dry naturally and then touch up any ends or pieces with a curling wand. Voila!, Mermaid hair achieved. 

Eat: When things heat up, the last thing you want is a heavy meal, or things that could melt in the sun. Choose your menu according to the time of day that you’re hosting your party, and always check with your guests to ensure that any special dietary needs are accounted for. Since this was an afternoon of fun by the sea, I decided that an array of different snack foods was best, accompanied by a flavorful quinoa salad. Check with your local grocery store and pick up some of the fresh fruits in season to ensure the best and sweetest taste! Strawberries, orange slices and large juicy wedges of watermelon all looked delicious and were perfect for the warm afternoon! In addition to the fruit, some delicate and crispy coconut cookies were a delightful, tropical compliment. Hydration is key in the soaring temperatures, and guests were greeted with a cold, sparkling water in flavors like Pink Grapefruit and Blueberry Lemon. I always enjoy serving fun, fizzy drinks like a sparkling flavored water or lemonade as a peppy addition to the menu! My local gourmet market had created this delicious and colorful quinoa salad, so for convenience sake, I chose to pick some up on the way to the beach, but if you’d like to create your own, it’s easy and fun to experiment with adding some freshly chopped veggies and dried fruits to your quinoa for added flavor. 

As the late afternoon light slowly fades to evening’s glow and sparkles upon the water, enjoy the laughter, mingling conversation, and don’t forget to play in the waves a little! Enjoy summer’s easy, peaceful days, the company of good friends, the sound of the sea, and celebrate this beautiful season! Cheers!

(Piece first published in Lydia Mag for Summer 2014: read full article here)

Event Styling: Candice 

Photography: Ashley Holstein Photography

Models: Lauren, Lawson, Olivia, Candice

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Summer Locks

 Here is an easy hairstyle that you can do to get your hair off of your neck during the warm summer months. One of the things I love about this hairstyle is that it is quick, simple, and can be worn elegantly or casually.

Here we go!

You will need a hair brush, bobby pins (I like the long ones), and a hair elastic

1. Begin with dry, brushed hair. 

 2. Brush top of hair over to one side

 3. Separate 3 pieces from the top section of hair

 4. Begin french braiding the hair but try to keep it to the side instead of straight down the back of the head

 5. Continue braiding all of your hair, and when finished, tie off with the elastic. Fold the end up.

 6. With the end folded, twist the braid into a bun and secure with pins.

7. And that's it! Above is the back view and below is the front view!

*This tutorial does require that you know how to French Braid. If you don't here is a video tutorial of the classic french braid.

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