Calling all Brides and braids...

Hello everyone. I am sorry for my absence...It has been a BUSY summer for me. Between work and traveling, its hard to find much time for anything else.

I wanted to put the word out there for any brides who's hair I have done for their big day. I have at least a handful of weddings that I am doing in 2012, and wanted some of my own styles to show and have brides possibly reference from. Sooooo, if there is anyway you could send me a picture of your hair from your wedding day, I would very much appreciate it!

There are a couple new things this fall that I have been experimenting with that are fun, simple ways to change your look from day to day. I have started parting my hair more towards the center. I usually do about a 1/2" from the center, and letting my bangs kind of swoop to each side. I wouldn't necessarily do a complete center part because the center isn't always the most flattering for certain face shapes. This look is such a simple way to try some chic, classic styles... I.E. big loose curls and buns.

I have also been really into braids and twists lately, which anyone that knows me, knows I LOVE BRAIDS. Anything that adds a change in movement and "texture" difference to a style, is fun and helps to break up an all curly or all straight do. And you can pull this look of with anything, whether it be beach waves for a day out or a special night out on the town. (the picture isn't the greatest, but it will do for now...)

I also want to put out there for everyone, that as usual, I will be running specials during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness, so stay tuned!!

And as always, for questions or comments , you can email me @ hairgoddessblog@gmail.com. I would love to know who reads this!

Happy Fall! Cheers!

Flowers and Feathers

Sorry for my absence from my blog, it has been a pretty busy first half of the year.

As warmer weather approaches, bright colors and floral prints start to emerge in style trends. This year, more then ever... and a couple new, different trends have surfaced. Feathers, flowers and bows are everywhere it seems like!!! There are so many was to "spruce" up a a hair style and/or outfit with fun, unique hair accessories. There is so much out there, that I think everyone can find something to fit their style. Here are a couple trends that I have been loving... enjoy!

First, would be the flowers and bows for your hair. Pinning one off to the side is one of my VERY FAVORITE looks right now. Its a fun way to add a little some thing to your day to day shirt and jeans or even to add a pop of color in your hair with a dark dress...etc. So many options really. I have been loving them so much, that I had my neighbor (THANKS KAITYLN) show me a couple of styles of flowers to make with fabric and it just gave me a huge boost of creativity, turning into figuring out new, unique styles and looks. I am selling them at the salon and they range from $5 to $10. If there is a style or color that you want to have made, just send me an email, or comment on the blog. I would love some feedback on what everyone thinks of them!! (I have also been making ones with peacock feathers, that are more like a hairpiece then the bows and flowers.)

Another HUGE trend right now is feathers put in like extensions. I think they are beyond awesome!!And depending on what color and where you place them, it can be very bold or more hidden. I currently have six in, (Two extensions, 3 feathers in each, just so you don't think I am looking like a parrot),One extension is kind of hidden which has a hot pink and black one, hot pink one and a turquoise and black one. In the other I have a white and black, gold/tan fading down to white and a pink and black short one, which is placed closer to my face making it more noticeable. I am offering them as a service at the salon for either $10 a feather or 3 for $25. Give it a try, I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine!!

Hopefully I've inspired you all to give something a chance. You might surprise yourself with something you didn't think was necessarily your style. Its summer, so be bold... add some color to your style, in whatever way, shape or form that might be.

As always, feedback is always good, and if there is something that you would like to have me write about or questions, you can email me @ hairgoddessblog@gmail.com. (Also, if your interested in a hair piece, and don't live around here, you can place an order w me as well)

A winter friendly pedicure

Happy Friday Beautiful People!

I absolutley love fun, painted toes! I am one of those people that paints their toes every week. But in the winter time, my feet get so cold and I don't want to walk around barefoot on the cold wood floors.... So I came up with a "remedy" for a more winter friendly polish change.

I always seem to get holes in the toes of my socks, and one night it dawned on me.... I could just cut the toe off, and use them to keep my feet warm when doing my toes! I though it was pretty brilliant myself. :) SO, if you get cold feet, but want to do your toes, give it a try... really, too easy not to try it :)

I get asked all the time about how I get polish to stay on my toes so long and not chip off. I can usually get polish to stay for about 3 weeks +. There a couple of products that I really like, that I think make a difference. Well, this is what I do....

1-Apply a base coat first. This is important, because some nail polishes can stain your toe nails. I.E. Red polish can stain a toenail a yellow color, and no one wants toes like that. I use OPI's NAIL ENVY, which can act as a base coat, but is also a nail strengthener. (If you have "fake" nails that have just been taken off, this works really well to help build back the brittle nail beds)

2- I apply OPI's CHIP SKIP. It appears to just be a watery liquid, but dry's instantly. I brush that on each toe twice, applying mostly to the edges.

3- Apply 2 coats of nail polish. 2 coats to ensure you get the desired color you want.

4- Let the polish dry completely, and then apply a top coat. I like Essie, OPI and Creative nail's top coats. OPI makes a RAPID DRY top coat, that really dry's fast. 1 coat is sufficient, and 2 will give it more shine.

In the picture I posted, I picked out some of my favorite colors that are in right now. Mostly the current trend is "metal" colors like gray, silver, bronze, etc. And also dark gem tones, like forest green, deep navy blue, indigo, etc.

SO there you are, some tips on a longer lasting polish, color trends, and a use for "hole-y" socks.

If you have any questions or topics you would like to read about, you can email me @ hairgoddessblog@gmail.com or leave a comment on the page.

Shampoing Everyday.... Do or a Don't?

Washing your hair every day... a DO or a DON'T?

A very popular concern and question a lot of my clients have. In my professional opinion, unless you are doing strenuous activities everyday that make your scalp sweat, it is not necessary. Some of the oil that your scalp produces are beneficial. Especially with a dry, flaky scalp and itchiness. That being said, you should not go a week without washing it. (Unless your 70+, that's a different story..) Not washing your hair that often, can be very bad. And by not that often, I mean people that go 5+ days all the time before washing. All the oils, product, "dirt", that builds up can start to "plug" up the hair follicle and is not allowing your scalp to breath. Which in turn, can lead to hair loss. Use your own judgement, you know how your hair is and nobody wants to look greasy or go into the poor house because they go through product too fast because of frequent use.
Moral of the story...
Everyday - Not really necessary
2days- Perfect
3days-Not bad
4days-Don't do that often
5+days- Not healthy.

For those of you that go 2-3 days between shampooing, SEXY HAIR makes a Volumizing Dry Shampoo. I love it, and think it works great!! To the touch, your hair still feels 'dirty' but to look at, not greasy at all. You spray at the roots throughout the hair, wait a couple minutes and comb through. It has a kind of clay base that 'holds' onto the grease and when you are combing through, it pulls the grease through with it. And this brand really does add volume. So, if you are looking for a way to get good volume with second day hair, and you don't want to look greasy on the 2nd day, give this a try. You wont be disappointed!

If you give this dry shampoo a try, let me know what you think. If you have questions or comments,

Guess Whos Back... Back again... Happy 2011

So.... A million apologies for those of you that were into my beauty-advice blog, and then I just fell off. The only excuse for this is, well laziness. HOWEVER, one of my professional goals is to post on my blog once a week. I have been brainstorming lots of new ideas~~

To start out 2011, I thought I would give you my TOP 5 beauty products that I am into right now, and that in my opinion, are all MUST HAVES!

Without further ado....

1- Pick a new color palette of eyeshadow that you maybe wouldn't normally go for. A pop of color is in for makeup, hair and nails this season. And is ALWAYS in style once you head into spring. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new this year. (I got this palette for Christmas this year from Jeff, and I have been playing with the Navy Blue *which is new for me*, and I really loved it!)

2-My favorite accessory these days isn't necessarily earrings or shoes, its a fun head band or flower for my hair. These are a fun way to show your personality with a work outfit, a perfect color accent for an all black outfit, and so much more. I LOVE them, and some kind of version of hair accessories, anyone can wear. The options out there are really endless!!

3- This currently is my VERY FAVORITE thing. (Props to my Mama for getting me hooked!!!) This is a clear foundation, in the form of a moisturizer like consistency, that you put on before your regular regiment of foundation and powder. You apply an about pea size amount evenly all over your face, wait a couple minutes to 'dry', and then apply a conservative amount of your usual, foundation and/or powder. It fills in fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture and helps blend and minimize pores. I am telling you, this stuff is amazing, I borrowed some from my Mama at Christmas in TN, and then day I got back... It was the first errand I ran. It is called 'the present' by Philosophy. You can buy it at Ulta and Sephora at JCPenny. (Those are the two I know for sure)

4- Wide tooth comb. (WTC) Get it. Use it. Love it! My two favorite purposes about a WTC is, first- Take with you in the shower, and when you apply your regular and/or deep conditioner... run the WTC through and that way your applying mositure evenly through your hair. Makes an actual difference. Hair Dresser Promise! And second - I like it to use when I am doing loose curls. After I have everything set, I run this through just to held 'piece' out the curls. Love it.

And 5- Popular trend that isn't going anywhere soon, as far as I can see. Glitter. No I am not talking 7th grade circa 1997 body glitter....I mean hints of glitter, be it on your nails (hand or feet), eye shadows, hairspray with a little shimmer or lip glosses. Its in, its fun....live it up. OPI has some really fun glitter polishes and I am noticing that most of the new palettes of make up are incorparating lots of sparkle.

Those are my top 5 New Year "Can't Live Without's"... try them out and let me know what you think. Its a new year, so try something new. You never know what will end up completing the look your going for, and its always fun to try something different. As always, you can email me questions for a new blog post or send comments on if you have tried any of my must haves. I would love feed back and to know who's following this these days. Good to be back! Happy 2011, stay gorg!!

Throw those sponges away!!!

Sorry I haven't been very good at posting lately. 1,000 apologies.

Well if you read my blog and/or know me....you my # 1 rule with make up is to ...
THROW THOSE SPONGES AWAY!!!

I found a good set of affordable, decent make up brushes. They are called EcoTools and I I got a set of 5 brushes, that came in its own roll up case and bought an extra brush, all for under $15!! Make up brushes, especially ones that give you a clean application, and have softer bristles are sometimes pretty pricey. I was doing make up at the salon and the make up case with my brushes was locked (don't ask...), so I ran over to Albertson's or whatever it is now, and bought some temporary ones. Turned out, I loved them! I was pleasantly surprised! So, if you are looking to invest in some new brushes or are finally throwing away the sponges, I say give EcoTool brushes a shot. Better for your make up and they wont break the bank!!

Feel free to email me questions @ hairgoddessblog@gmail.com! I promise I will be better at posting tips!!

Glitter Toes

Spring is coming and that means we can finally wear sandals!! I LOVE painting my toes, whether people see them or not, I usually paint mine at least once a week. Well last night, my sister and I were painting our toes and I decided to be festive for St. Patrick's Day and give myself kelly green glitter toes. You can just use any kind of craft or make up glitter. Turns out SO cute and super easy!

Step #1- I always put some kind of base coat on first to prevent my toenails from getting stained and then I apply OPI's ChipSkip. If you don't own chip skip.... get it! It works phenomenally and really helps from polish chipping!!

Step #2- Pick your toenail color and apply one coat to the first foot. You are going to probably want the same color as your glitter.

Step #3- With your glitter sprinkle a liberal amount over each toenail.(Place a paper plate under your foot to catch the excess) Then tap or shake your foot to get rid of the excess glitter.

Then repeat Step #2 and #3 on the other foot.

Step #4- Apply 2 coats of a top coat. I like OPI's rapid dry top coat, Creative Nails Super Shiny Top Coat and Out the Door top coat (which you can buy at Sally's) **After I was down with my Top Coat, I wiped of my brush before putting it back in the bottle, because their will be a bit of glitter on it :) )

I would have posted a picture of my foot, but for some reason the computer isn't uploading the pictures. I hope this finds your toes happy with warmer weather and if you try it, post a comment and let me know how it worked for you!!

Questions?? Love to help, Email me at hairgoddessblog@gmail.com