I have tested more than one type of dry shampoo to get the perfect style volume, but out of all of the dry shampoos that I have tried, here are my top favorites:

Stila Jade Blossom Hair Refresher – I have been using this one the longest and it’s been the best, not only because it’s got a pleasant smell to it (a bit floral-y), but because it gets the oil out just right with only a few shakes and it’s the easiest to comb out so you don’t have a white powder residue in your hair. It gives just a light amount of texture, so it’s good for a little teasing at the roots.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo – This is a recent favorite and I like it because it’s a bit more substantial than the Stila one, so if you are needing more texture and hold, I’d recommend this one. It also has a nice scent, but this one is a bit more citrusy. The bottle and nozzle are a bit messy so watch out when you apply it. Also, with the thicker consistency comes the fact that it’s harder to brush out of your hair, so my tip is to put a little in, brush it out and repeat until you get the texture you like. Don’t just pile it all on, otherwise you’ll end up with a weird gray-ish tint at your roots because of the powder.
Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo - it just so happens that both of my drugstore buys are the spray versions, but I have found that the spray versions are more effective in styling/giving texture than soaking up extra oils like the powder versions do. This one you only need a few sprays at the crown and you’ll be able to tease your hair into an updo.

Psssssst Volume + Color Instant Spray Shampoo – this one is fantastic because it comes in blonde and brunette so, unlike the other sprays, I don’t have to worry about the product leaving a white or gray tint on my very black hair. This one blends in beautifully and gives great texture and hold.

So, if you haven’t been able to achieve amazing volume in your hair, I suggest giving dry shampoos a shot. It really works!

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I’m pretty sure the ponytail is a weekend beauty essential (or in this case, a beginning-of-the-week essential). After we’ve taken the hot irons and hair products to our locks for five days (or, er, one intense look for New Year’s Eve!), we need to give our strands a couple of days to breathe and recuperate.

But if you’re like me, a plain ol’ ponytail can get a little boring after a while. This is when I started opting for a messy bun on the top of my head, but let’s face it, that look is probably getting a bit tired, as well. So, why not try this super-quick update? It’s chic and takes literally two seconds. It’s the “knotted ponytail.” Here’s how to do it.

#1: Take a texturizing pomade, a little mousse, or a bit of gel and run through the ends of your strands. Just a little. Seriously. You’re just adding texture for hold, not styling the hair, per se.

#2: Pull your hair over one shoulder, as if you were creating a low side-ponytail. Split the hair in two large sections.

#3: Tie your hair, as if you were beginning to tie your shoelaces, by crossing one section underneath the other. You should be left with overlapping sections at the nape of your neck.

#4: Repeat #3, just as if you were tying a knot into your hair – because you are. This style is literally a large knot! It’s a chic twist, though. Not a snarly knot. Be careful not to let the hair fall out at this point.

#5: Take an elastic and secure the two sections together, just under the knot created by that second twist. You can tease the ponytail for a messy, glam look, or keep it sleek for a simple, stylish weekend option. Add a headband, use colored bobby pins to spice it up, pin in a bow… have fun with it!

If you’re wondering what the process looks like, check out this post on Grosgrain Fabulous (which I discovered through Pinterest – hooray for Pinterest, y’all!).

Annnnd… I hope you all had fabulous New Year’s weekends! Here’s to a fantastic year in 2012, completely full of style.

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You have to have a certain kind of presence to pull off bangs, because you do notice them. If you’re a wallflower, then this trend probably isn’t for you.

I think Zooey Deschanel has that sort of “presence.” Those thick, blunt bangs perfectly frame her doe eyes and compliment her quirky style. I love them. One of my good friends and I frequently lament over how much we wished we could pull off her hairdo. Because with the emergence of her sitcom New Girl, Zooey has kinda made bangs cool, in a really unassuming way.

I’ve had bangs throughout my life, off and on. Most of the time, I cut them without thinking much of it. It’s a quick change that’s not too drastic. But one thing is certain: I always feel a bit more glamorous with bangs, because they take daily upkeep to look good. Here are a few tips for pulling them off.

1. Length. I like to cut bangs that fall just over my eyebrows, and here’s why. I can wear them side-swept across my forehead, or I can wear them blunt over my forehead. Just like any haircut, I like to have options. If you know you want to wear bangs one way or the other, chop accordingly. Side-swept bangs should be longer, especially across the temples, and blunt bangs should be shorter so they don’t cover your eyes.

2. Style. You can do more with bangs that you think. Apart from wearing them normally side-swept or blunt, sometimes I like to mess them up with a little pomade or twist them back in a cute little volumized up-do. You can really do more than you think with a little creativity, so take a few risks!

3. Maintenance. You really have to style bangs every single day (sometimes multiple times a day). If you go to bed, you’ll wake up in the morning with bangs all askew, so I wouldn’t choose this cut if you’re not keen on lots of upkeep. Wash and blow-dry your bangs every morning, using a round brush to dry with slight volume and the “cool burst” on the hairdryer to set the bangs. And always bring a couple of bobby pins with you in case the elements destroy your bangs beyond repair. (It does happen!)

Do you like bangs? Have you ever had bangs? Do you think the trend is one you’ll try?

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In high school, I found out I possessed a rare talent. This made me the girl to sit by on the bus on the way to softball games, and the object of lots of stares from baseball players on said bus ride. What was this amazing talent? I could French braid. Not just other people’s hair, but my own, as well. (Apparently, watching this phenomenon is just simply fascinating to guys. Who knew?)

If you’re in a bind and need to do something with your hair, a French braid is the perfect option. It adds a little bit of prettiness, while also covering up a host of issues (flyaways, oil, etc.). Not sure how to create a French braid in your own hair? Here’s the quick tutorial!

Step 1: Decide what kind of braid you want, and then separate your hair. If you want a braid near the face, then part on the side and separate out a one or two-inch section, putting the rest of your hair into a ponytail to keep it out of the braid. If you want pigtails, part down the middle. If you want a single braid, brush all hair back with your fingers or a comb.

Step 2: Pull a small section of hair out in the middle. This section should be directly in the center of the hair you want to braid. Based on the size of the braid, it should range from about a half-inch wide to two inches wide, and no more than an eighth to a quarter inch thick. There should be hair left on both sides of this middle piece. You will pull this into the braid.

Step 3: Separate the middle section into three pieces and begin to braid, just like you would a regular braid. When you’ve overlapped your hair about three or four times, pull a small section of hair from one of the sides into the braid. Keep the hair flat to your head; pull in and downward. Cross your hair again, and pull a small section from the other side, keeping the hair flat and pulling downward. Continue to do this until you have no hair left on either side of the center braid.

Step 4: When there’s no hair left on either side of the center braid, continue a regular braid until there is an inch or inch and a half of hair loose at the end. Secure with a hair tie.

Step 5: (Throughout…) Keep your movements (pretty) tight as you braid. Make sure to pull the section you are adding to the central braid out and away from the head before adding it in with the crossed-section of hair. It should feel snug to your head, not loose. The key to doing this yourself is pulling the fairly hair tight the whole time you’re braiding. It shouldn’t hurt, but it shouldn’t feel like it’s going to fall out of the braid either. If you don’t keep it snug, it will end up lumpy and unnatural. Not good!

Step 6: If you have a mirror, awesome! If not, ask a friend to do this step for you. Don’t worry about tiny imperfections. Pull lumps into bobby pins, and tuck the pins underneath the hair and out of sight. Voila! Beautified.

Do you french braid your own hair? Will you give it a try? And feel free to leave any questions in the comment section!

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The ponytail is making a huge comeback. Not that it was ever gone, but it seems it’s on every every sidewalk and every red carpet these days. Which I find fabulous, because it’s so easy to do, and I have just five tips for creating a perfectly effortless up-do.

1. Vary the heights of the ponytail. Never wear a ponytail of the same height all the time, unless it’s low and loose. If you do, you’ll have breakage at the crown of your head – not so cute, you know? Make sure to do some low, mid-height, high and side ponytails. They’re all on-trend.

2. Be aware of volume. Rule of thumb? The lower you go, the more volume you should have. High ponytails can be tight and sleek (not a must, but possible – however, I am a volume girl!). Comb hair back into the elastic and set with a bit of hairspray. Mid-height ponytails should have a little more volume. Put the elastic in a little bit away from the head, and then pull tight for volume. From there you can get lift by grabbing hold of your hair on the top of the head, pulling it up and out away from the root. Low ponytails should be loose. It’s okay to keep it falling-out undone.

3. Try a textured ponytail. If whatever you’ve got just isn’t working, high pony or low, try scrunching a little moose into your hair or spraying a little texturizer. It will re-boost curls for a messy-cool vibe or give your straight hair some definition.

4. Bring in extras. A ponytail is kind of sad without accessories! Use headbands to help keep a bump of volume in place. Pin in bows and flowers, on the side or underneath, for a super-feminine vibe. Criss-cross colored bobby pins near your face for some sweet intrigue. Tie in a pretty, silk scarf…the options are endless.

5. Set it up. No matter where your ponytail, you want it to hold! I often keep my volumized high pony in place by placing a claw-clip over the bottom of the elastic underneath the hair. No one suspects, and it stays in place all day. Lastly, a spritz of extra-hold hairspray on top never hurt in terms of keeping a ponytail together all evening.

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Happy Blogger Tuesday, y’all!

So, I have a confession to make. I know. You’re probably thinking, “Yet another confession? GIRL. Gosh…” but it’s just true.

I haven’t legitimately “styled” my hair in over a week. I’m talking “make a concerted effort” to style it. Currently, I’m calling air-dried hair with that messed-up-scrunchy vibe courtesy with a little bit of maximum hold hairspray “a style” right now. That’s how bad things have gotten.

Luckily, Bloggerland has picked up the slack for me and given me a few easy-peasy ideas for hairstyles that are almost as simplistic as my scrunch-and-go thing, just way, way cuter. Take a peek:

Michaela at Michaela Noelle Designs... This girl has incredible hair, so before I even get to the gorgeous look she did with no heat, I have to insist you search “hair tutorial” on her site for much more. You’ll have ideas for weeks! But I think this loose-curl look is so perfect and practical for everyone. Take a skinny headband, and put it on across the forehead, over the hair. Then, simply twist sections of hair and roll them around the band. Go to sleep, and let them loose in the morning for gorgeous curls. Head over to Michaela’s blog for the look. (Hint: It’s so gorgeous, you’ll die.)

Jenni at Story of My Life… Sick of your ponytails and braids? Well, let’s all go vintage and take a cue from Jenni with the topsy tail. Simply put, your hair in a ponytail and secured with an elastic. Just above the ponytail, take two sections of hair to make an opening. Slip the loose hair through and pull. It’s just that easy – and far superior to your lame ol’ ponytail, correct? Check out Jenni’s blog to see for yourself.

Caroline via Jo at Cup of Jo… I came across this adorable three-bun look on famed super-blogger Joanna Goddard’s site and it’s literally too fab not to mention. A friend of hers rocks out the style, which is basically just sectioning and twisting hair into loose buns. However, I could totally see this look transitioning from a day at home to a formal event. It’s really that cool and chic at the same time. Head on over to Cup of Jo to nab it for yourself and see how it’s done.

Have you been dying over any blogger hairstyles lately?

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While there were definitely some hairstyles to love for women who like to keep it sleek and pulled together, there were more undone hair looks on the fall runways. And I’m kinda happy about it. Don’t we need an excuse to put away the heat products and get inventive (to make things easier on ourselves)? Of course we do.

Here are my favorite ways to underplay your hair this season. Which is your favorite?

Loose side ponytail
Runway: Rodarte
Real-life: Wash your hair at night, and scrunch a dollop of mousse through strands. Let air dry, then twist hair into loose pigtail braids, keeping the top part out for volume, not waves. Let your braids out in the morning, tease at the roots and set with hairspray. Gather your hair in a low side pony and tie. Voila!

Half-up/Half-down
Runway: Nina Ricci
Real-life: This is ideal for ladies with bangs or short layers in the front. Part your hair down the center, keeping an inch out at the front by the face on either side. Twist the back half into a clip, pushing the hair up toward the crown of the head for volume. Let the front pieces go loose.

Messy Braid
Runway: Pucci
Real-life: Gather your hair in back or on the side, leaving tendrils out for the undone effect, and braid. Pull a few pieces out of the braid, and set with a curl-enhancing hairspray for texture. To add an extra cool-factor, tie a colored scarf in your hair, right near the forehead, for a hippie-chic nod.

The Afterthought Bun
Runway: Sonia Rykiel
Real-life: Let your hair dry naturally – flyaways are OK! Create a deep side part, and secure your hair to the side with a few bobby pins. Tie a ponytail at the nape of your neck, just off to one side. Twist the ponytail around in a circular motion or gather for a messy effect. Secure with another hair tie. It’s just so easy!

Check out MSN Glo’s gallery for pictures of all these undone runway looks for fall, and a few hairstyles for the kids who’d like to keep their strands sleek.

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If you’ve ever chopped your locks off, or are thinking of doing so, I am dedicating this post to you. There is something extra sexy about rocking a short cut. It takes a little bit of sass and a whole lot of confidence to pull off. But if you commit to it, it’s one of the best hair moves you’ll ever make.

I have a condition. It’s called Hair Boredom. There are three phases: 1. Grow hair out. 2. Get really bored and uninspired (and frankly, feel like every other girl on the street). 3. Chop hair off. I’ve done this my whole life. And, although I am currently in phase one and trying to draw it out, I always revert back to phase three eventually. So, I have plenty of experience in short-hair guidance. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Play with volume. I think I should have grown up in Texas (or the 80′s?), because I’ve always been a “big hair” sort of girl. And there is no better way to get volume than chopping your locks. Take advantage of your ability to pump it up. Flip your hair over, give it a spritz with hairspray, flip it back and then comb out the ends lightly. Voila! Easy-breezy volume.

2. Texturize. If you decide to straighten your hair, take a cue from celebs like Brooklyn Decker and Jennifer Aniston and make your look a little piecey. A hair texturizer, like Tigi Bed Head “Hard to Get” Texturizing Paste, is the best way to do this. Just apply to the bottom inch of hair only for a cute and tousled look.

3. Get Creative! Just because your hair is short, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. It’s plenty versatile. Try headbands, flowers, small braids, half-up/half-down, headscarves, and basically anything else you can think of. (Note: I think short hair looks phenomenal in skinny headbands… maybe with a cute bow!)

4. Get a dry shampoo. Quick tip: Short hair usually lasts multiple days, so if you’re in a bind and your ends still look great, salvage the roots with dry shampoo. You’ll have healthier locks than your friends… and no one will be able to tell you didn’t wash! (But, please, do wash most of the time, folks. For smell purposes.)

5. Be a little daring. If you’re thinking of chopping your hair, or want to mix it up a little, consider a quick alteration. The pixie is a hot style right now–and you can even keep it longer in front for a sweeping look with bangs. Or take a bob to the next level by making it asymmetrical. Ask your stylist for tips, and bring a photo of a celeb! Ginnifer Goodwin and Rihanna would be good models!

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Sofia Vergara is always a red-carpet stand-out. She looked stellar in a curve-hugging coral Vera Wang gown at this year’s Emmys and her hair look was created by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin. Atkin gave the Modern Family star a simple and clean, yet classic look – Atkin says she “wanted the hair to reflect the elegance of her dress.” To get the look, follow these steps that Atkin has outlined for us!

1. Apply a light volume mousse to wet hair, starting two inches from the roots,to give the hair volume and body.
2. Apply KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum two inches from the bottom of the hair and down, to keep hair shiny and healthy on the ends. Blow the hair dry using a medium sized round brush.
3. Apply 1 ½ inch rollers to the top portion of the hair, using 1 inch rollers from the crown of the head to the nape of the neck.
4. Using low heat, lightly blow dry the hair while the rollers are in to set the curls. Leave the rollers in for 10-to 15 minutes.
5. To create the final shape of the look, spray hairspray onto a Pure Bristle Mason Pearson Brush and brush through the hair, creating a slight side part.
6. Finish the look by applying a dime size drop of KeSARI Indian Oil Hair Serum to the palms of hands and run through the hair, adding a final shine.

Kate Winslet also opted for a brightly colored gown, in her case, red, the color of the night (more celebrities than I could count opted for smoking hot red at this year’s Emmys!). To complement her dress, Fekkai celebrity stylist Renato Campora created what he describes as a “modern, elegant and sophisticated take on a French twist.” To get the looks follow his step-by-steps below!

1. Apply Fekkai Advanced Full Blown Mousse throughout the hair to build a firm base.
2. Blow dry the hair using a round brush, allowing for a natural wave. After the hair is completely dry, use a ½ inch curling iron throughout the hair and apply Fekkai Coiff Nonchalant Piecing & Forming Wax to hold the hair in place.
3. Then, apply Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo to the hair to build up texture and volume. To construct the up do, pull the hair back with fingers and created a French twist, pinning it up with bobby pins.
4. To secure the look, apply Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray.

Images: courtesy of KeSARI and Fekkai

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I hope you guys like the tutorial — let me know if you try it out!  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you!

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