If you are going to be swimming in chlorine, use a hair cap! It may be counter-intuitive, but getting your hair wet in a swimming pool will not only wreak havoc on hair color, but it will dehydrate your strands, leaving your mane parched (trust me, I learned the hard way). I’ve been writing about beauty long enough to know the danger of chemically-drenched swimming pool water, but I haven’t been swimming in years so, recently, I figured a few days in pool water couldn’t do much harm. I was down in Miami for four days last week and let me tell you, four days of swimming can do a lot of damage! Not only was my hair completely parched but, because I have highlights, it got a brassy tint as well. Horror!

As soon as I assessed the damage I ran straight to the nearest Apple store (I was on vacation and did not bring my laptop), and got in touch with my savior, a.k.a. Tara Yamaoka, who works with Oribe. I knew everything would be closed because of the holidays when I got back to NYC, so she was sweet enough to send over a rescue kit from Oribe that included: Shampoo for Beautiful Hair Color, Conditioner for Beautiful Hair Color, and Masque for Beautiful Hair Color.

So why the damage? Chlorine is a chemical put into swimming pool water to kill germs, which is crucial (especially when you’re in a pool surrounded with as many young children as I was!), but it unfortunately zaps out hair’s moisturizing sebum, causing dry hair, split ends, and a loss in shine. Further, when mixed with the natural copper in water, chlorine can turn dirty blonde hair like mine brassy or, if you have lighter hair, it can turn it green. So what to do? Here are some useful tips to protect your hair:

• Work some moisturizing cream into your hair and cover it with a swim cap.
• If you don’t want to opt for a swim cap, before going into the pool, rinse your hair with regular water and coat your hair with a conditioner and moisturizing cream, both of which will help protect your strands against the damaging chemicals.
• Right after getting out of the water, wash your hair with a shampoo and conditioning mask. If you have highlighted hair like mine I highly recommend Shampoo for Beautiful Hair Color, Conditioner for Beautiful Hair Color, and Masque for Beautiful Hair Color. They’re not only perfect for protecting highlights, but will also impart sheen and moisturize stressed strands.

Have you had any swimming pool hair horror stories? If so, please share!

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Did y’all notice the new beauty movement amongst the young celeb A-list? It’s like all the kiddos got together and said: “Let’s copy Christina Hendricks and go get us some red locks!” Not even kidding. It’s crazy how many lovely ladies have opted to dye their hair in shades of strawberry.

I think I first took real notice of this beauty trend when my fellow Smarter partner-in-style-crime, Belinda, emailed me this pic of Blake Lively from the TIME gala. (Yes. We email about extremely vital news like this. Obviously.) It was sort of jarring to see Blake’s signature golden blonde locks… just, strawberry. Pretty, but I wasn’t sure about the whole red thing yet. I mean, if it’s natural, fabulous. But if it’s bottle red? Eh… I don’t know. I need convincing.

And then Rihanna’s dramatic hair makeover came up. I’d almost forgotten the girl’s strands have recently transitioned to a flame-colored, standout red. I don’t think it’s a look I’d ever even consider rocking, but you know, it’s Rihanna. Girl can get away with bold moves like that.

But it doesn’t even stop at Rihanna, friends. Scarlett Johansson also recently dyed her hair a light red hue, and I’ve been taking note of the look as she heads out in public with her rumored boy-toy Sean Penn – which has been an awful lot lately.

Everyone seems to be embracing red hair, which is interesting because redheads are often overlooked. I do believe red-headed people make up the smallest percentage of the hair population, and we all know we’re posed a question on preferences, it’s “Blonde or Brunette?” Where’s red? Nowhere to be found. Kind of lame.

But I’m not so sure about dying your hair faux red. I think it’s really striking when it’s natural, but the jury’s still out for me on bottle red. Emma Stone claimed she never got a role in a movie until she took the strawberry plunge, but now she’s transitioned back to sunny blonde locks again.

I’m dying to know what y’all think. Do you like this Hollywood hair craze? Who works the best red look; Blake, Rihanna? Would you ever hop on board and go crimson? What do you naturally redheaded ladies think? Do you love your hair, or have you ever changed it up? I’m in need of some beauty insight here, all. Sound off!

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Ted Gibson is one of the world’s most celebrated celebrity hairstylists. In addition to being the hair expert on the hit show “What Not to Wear,” he has styled the likes of Anne Hathaway, Renee Zellweger, and Zoe Saldana for some of their most memorable looks. Most recently, Gibson’s name was splashed all over the news for giving Brooklyn Decker her fabulous new cut. That’s not all, however; when he’s not busy styling Ashley Greene and co., Gibson is hard at work, working his magic for brands like Chanel and Prada, running his namesake salon in New York City, and developing his widely heralded line of haircare products.

I recently was lucky enough to stop by the Ted Gibson salon in NYC for a cut and color and it was truly one of the best hair experiences I’ve ever had. From the second you walk into the sun-drenched space you’re greeted with friendly smiles and the delectable scent of Ted Gibson’s hair products in the air. More impressive, still, was that I was left with the perfect shade of dirty blonde, cut at exactly the right length.

We spoke with the hair aficionado himself for an exclusive interview for tips on salvaging a bad haircut, runway shows Gibson pays particularly close attention to, the most in demand celebrity hair styles, and more!

Do you have any tips for salvaging a bad haircut? Especially for women with short hair (like Pink, who recently had a hair mishap), is there anything that can be done?

Get a new hair color – try bold highlights to distract from the haircut or try experimenting with new styles.  Also, don’t forget that extensions and wigs are an option if you can’t wait for your hair to grow out.

How much do runway hair styles and color influence what women ask for when they come into the salon?

I think women are more inspired by celebrities than runway looks because they can relate to them.

Are there any runway shows you pay particularly close attention to?
Carmen Marc Valvo, Rachel Roy, Lela Rose, Vena Cava

Which celebrity hair style do women ask for most?
Jennifer Aniston, Gisele Bundchen and Kim Kardashian

Do you have any tips for keeping hair looking healthy, fresh, and frizz-free in the warm summer months?
UV protectors for hair like Ted Gibson’s Hair Sheets,  which will tame frizz. Regular color glosses close hair cuticles and keep hair color looking fresh in summer months.

What are some of your go-to products that you think every woman should stock in her bathroom?
Daily Cleanse Shampoo and Daily Nourish Conditioner are essential to maintain any type of hair. Ted Gibson Hair Sheets are a must.  They can be used any time of day on wet or dry hair and are essential to the girl on the go. Beautiful Hold Hairspray is a light spray that has a touch of wild orchid extract.  It gives your hair that extra finish and smells amazing!

What should women watch out for when they are going for a drastic hair color change (i.e. from black to blond)?
Keep in mind how you got your current color before you decide to change.  If your hair already has color on it, your options are limited.  Gradual changes are best – create a schedule with your stylist to manage your expectations.  Most dramatic color changes cannot happen in one day.

Any hair trends you’re loving? Any you’re hoping will die already?
I don’t believe in trends.  Color, like beauty, is individual.

If you could give one celebrity a hair makeover, who would it be?
Courtney Love or Britney Spears.

Images: Ted Gibson

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I have mixed texture hair (a little bit straight, a little bit curly, a little bit frizzy…), which can mean a big messy mane if I don’t use the proper hair care treatments. Kelly Van Gogh’s Daily Caviar Shampoo and Daily Caviar Conditioner, not only impart a delectable scent, but they also help tame frizz, and make brushing post-shower more manageable. Aside from the results you notice right away, there’s a long-term benefit to the line because each of the products are designed to help protect and extend the life of hair color (I have highlighted hair). This is especially important now that temperatures are heating up and our hair is getting exposed to more sunlight. The key ingredient to all these benefits is the antioxidant-infused caviar extracts used in the products: caviar eggs are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which produce collagen and keratin, two vital proteins that repair dry and damaged hair. They leave it rich and sleek. So now, if anyone asks about why your hair is looking so hot, you can say, it’s all about the caviar

On a side note, here in NYC, the weather gets very humid in the summer, leaving hair dry and frizzy. If you live in a place where hair is exposed to similar weather, then try swapping out the conditioner, once a week, with Kelly Van Gogh Rich & Delicious. The weekly hair mask is formulated with the same caviar goodness, but it packs extra strength (along with a potent blend of essential oils), to give dehydrated hair the moisture it needs when facing environmental aggressors.

Images Courtesy of Kelly Van Gogh

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So here’s the topic for today: how to dye your hair from home. Always a difficult one. In the past we’ve talked about how to pluck and trim your eyebrows from home, how to do facial masks and beauty treatments at home, and all have come out with the same first step: you need a partner in crime.

Someone who is there to help you with the impossible-to-reach edges, or just to run maintenance on any hazardous beauty missteps. Like the time I almost dyed my hair at home (without a good and trustworthy friend!) and would have only used a teaspoon of the hair dye if she hadn’t encouraged me to use the whole bottle. I would have ended up with one raccoon-tail streak of color through the top of my hair, and that would be it.

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Necessary Tools

• Old ratty T-shirt
• Hair Dye
• Plastic Gloves
• Conditioner
• Shower

Step 1: Find a trustworthy friend you can rely on, and get her to sign on to the project of dying your hair from home!

Step 2: Change into a T-shirt or top that you don’t care if it gets messed up

Step 3: Place a chair in a well-lit area

Step 4: Mix the chemicals together, and follow the instructions exactly. If you don’t trust the product instructions, you shouldn’t have bought it in the first place. Leave the alchemy to the professionals.

Step 5: Shake the bottle to ensure it is properly mixed!

Step 6: Now it’s time to start dyeing! Remove the cap, put on gloves (which are usually found inside the instructions). Go from bottom to top with the dye, but make sure you get as close to the root as possible!

Step 7: Add a little dye to the root, and squish it in right to the end, make sure you don’t dye the skin (a little will get on your skin, inevitably. Don’t worry about it!)

Step 8: Take smaller portions, dyeing them, and piecing them together.

Make sure you only do the roots, not the rest of the hair. It needs to soak in more!

Step 9: All the rest of the hair! Squirt the bottle all over the hair like it’s chocolate syrup on your favorite ice cream. Then give ‘em a head massage. You want to do this massaging quickly and methodically.

Make sure you use

Step 10: Leave the dye in your hair for the allotted time

Step 11: Rinse your hair in the shower until the water runs clear (no shampoo!)

Step 12: Rub in the conditioner, leave in for allotted time

Step 13: Rinse your hair again. To reiterate, no shampoo! No shampoo for the first 24 hours!

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/mandimaebe/4792124305

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The easiest color to dye is black: there’s really only one shade you’re looking for, unless you’re trying to achieve some multi-layered highlights to catch the light, but that’s a complicated move.

The hardest color, I feel, is red – which is exactly what I was trying to achieve. Just look at natural redheads, for one: you are either pale with light freckles and a riot of carrot-red hair on your head, or pale with strawberry-red color that has every shade and strand of color imaginable making up your head of hair: yellow, dark browns, light browns, blacks- a childhood friend even swore she needed blue, green, and purple to draw her hair with Crayola crayons.

While the mysteries of natural hair dying continue to challenge us for better products, bigger investments, frequent salon visits, and multiple experiments, there’s a fun sect of hair dying that very rarely gets discussed: the one-stripe of neon color.

I had a good friend who had sunny California blonde hair, with a streak of riotous pink on the underside of her hair, right below her left ear. It was absolutely mesmerizing. I really adored this, and I think it could be achieved on multiple hair cuts, colors, and styles. A dark neon blue for brown hair, pink for blondes, and maybe a nice yellow for redheads.

This is in no way an advocacy for full-headed neon craziness. But a little streak of color is a little wild, and lends a little personality to your cut and style. Try it out!

What does this look say to you?

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gusilu/2903625311

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With my natural black hair, the most daring hair color that I would pick is probably a subtle mahogany undertone. I commend the girls who can put together a more vibrant and drastic look. I would love to be able to go from blonde to redhead to brunette. Sadly, my dark skin tone makes this dream impossible.

My overall look is fairly conservative, but I remember that when I was 13, I really wanted pink hair. I never actually followed through with dying my hair hot-magenta because my private school dress code prohibited the trend, and then, I lost interest. Now, to be quite honest, I would never even consider an outrageous hair color – not because I think that the look is tacky (to each their own) but because I look better with a natural shade.

What’s the consensus on bright colored hair? Love it or hate it?

For a daring look, shop pink hair color at Smarter.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/thatliz/3205343790

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Ever heard of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)? It’s a metric that is used by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics to approximate the average price of the basic goods and services that a household needs to operate. I’m a demographics nerd, so I’ll avoid discussions of weighting schemes, etc.

Instead, I’ll get straight to the good stuff. The CPI approximates how much an average household must spend on a typical “basket of goods.” Just as a house needs a basket of goods that includes food, energy, and other basic items, I use a basket of beauty goods to keep my face looking fresh.

I thought that it would be fun to create a list of everything that I used this week. After drafting my list on three Post-It notes, I was a little surprised by how much I use for a very minimalistic look. Keep in mind: I’m not a high maintenance girl. I spend no more than half an hour on my daily routine, and I wear jeans and flip-flops to work.

The Basket:

Alba lip gloss: I use the pineapple quench flavor to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day. I like how the gloss keeps my lips smooth without going overboard on the shine. ($2.87)

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave In Spray: I use this while my hair is damp before blow-drying. It does a great job eliminating tangles and smoothing frizz without leaving my hair heavy from a typical after-product sensation. I really hate using products, and I haven’t even touched gel, mouse, or spray in years. This stuff is a perfect supplement to my everyday conditioner. ($3.69)

Garnier Fructis Hair Gloss: Did I mention that I hate using products in my hair? I hate feeling grimy and heavy-headed with a passion. This stuff gives me just what I need to smooth out my ends after blow drying and flat ironing. All I need is one bottle for the year. ($5.70)

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo & Conditioner: Drugstore shampoo and conditioner tend to kill my hair pretty quickly. According to my hair stylist, this is because a lot of non-salon products contain high amounts of alcohol. I’ve been told that Herbal Essences is one of the best drugstore products that you can get. I alternate shampoos to try out new scents and feels, but I’ve definitely maintained a long term relationship with Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Shampoo and Conditioner. ($4 per bottle)

For my makeup, I use Maybeline Foundation (Dream Mousse to be exact - $7) and Maybeline’s Dream Matte powder. I use a blush by Clinique (gift), and I use Almay eyeliner ($10) in black . I like these products because I don’t like to wear heavy makeup, but I like minimal coverage and accents. With my routine, I can achieve subtle and natural looks with minimal effort.

Later this weekend, I plan to color my hair with Clairol Herbal Essences Color ($9). Even though I’m only 23, I have a little bit of gray that I need to cover. I also have very dark hair (almost black) that I like to illuminate with lighter, vibrant shades. Clairol gives me vibrance without forcing me to sacrifice my natural look.

The Bottom Line:

There you have it: everything that I use in one week. At first, I was scared of what I would find when I laid everything out in front of me. I’ve never really thought of everything that I use in terms of one big basket. Some quick number-crunching in Excel shows me that my basket costs $42.26. Not bad at all: especially if everything gets me 40 or more uses.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville

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Platinum Blondes: From Marilyn Monroe to Gwen Stefani, women from the past years have rocked this hair color ever since and have looked good doing it. Now, more and more celebs are choosing to upgrade their treasured tresses from gold locks to platinum! Besides Britney Spears and Charlize Theron, other style icons like Lily Allen and supermodel Kate Moss have been going brighter and lighter. This color looks great fair skin tones, unless you want that overprocessed typical Hollywood look.

Redheads: Isla Fisher, Julianne Moore, and Lindsay Lohan are well known for their red hot locks. This season and new year will bring out the fire in us all. This color trend can be easily manipulated into different shade variations to flatter most skin tones. Neutral makeup, like violet and greens, complement red hair best.

With my olive skin tone, I cannot pull of a fiery redhead or a platinum blonde look. My personal choice would be to go with a tint of the red. As a brunette, it would be best for me to stick to a natural look and accent it with a red tone. I feel that the new color trends are perfect to pull off into the spring. Blondes and redheads will easily garnish new seasonal colors such as lilacs, canary yellow, and turquoise. These hair color choices are reliable not only for winter, but also for the spring fashion collections. As we end this year with overspending and overprocessed hair, seek a practical hair process that works with your hair and financial situation. Seek professional advice by a good colorist at your salon. Also, check out Smarter and see which hair color would work best for you.

Image Source: fashionising.com, kristinclowry.com

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Observe the good:

Now, observe the bad:

If you are going to lighten up, there is a technique called the balayage technique.  It’s a different way to put highlights into the hair, and less damaging than the traditional foils that are used.  It’s more of painting in the color on smaller pieces than sectioning off chunks of hair which can sometimes leave you looking overdone because too much was highlighted.  Balayage is a more ‘natural’ looking method, since apparently hair and hair color au natural is all the rage lately.

Image Source:elle.com, people.com

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