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Hot Hair Trend: Rockabilly and Victory Rolls

Posted on: December 9th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Courtesy of CynElena via Flickr

It’s the holiday season, which means a lot of people are looking for hairstyling ideas for Christmas parties, Hanukkah parties, New Year’s Eve parties…you get the idea. If you’re looking for a new way to do your hair for the holidays, it may be the perfect time to embrace the resurgence of rockabilly.

Rockabilly stems from the birth of rock n’ roll as it began to emerge from bluegrass and country music. Nowadays the term covers a whole subculture that takes its cues from the fashion and style and trends of the rebellious, edgy rockabilly era of the 40s and 50s. (That’s right: the 50s weren’t all June-Cleaver-pearls.) What does this mean for you? It means amazing vintage, pin-up style hair trends that you can make your own.

If you want to go all out rockabilly, overhaul your look with elements like short cropped bangs ala Bettie Page and either going root-to-tip black or adding bright colors to your hair like cherry red, either all over or in strategic places.

If, however, you just want to go rockabilly or vintage for an evening, try rocking victory rolls. rockabillie on YouTube has a great tutorial on how to achieve this look:

We have to say that this is we love about beauty and fashion and this whole industry. Fantastic trends come back into fashion, evolve with modern twists, and instead of forgetting all about our past, we build it on to develop future creativity.

Tags: hair trends, holiday hairstyles, pin-up style, rockabilly fashion, rockabilly hairstyle, vintage hair trends
Posted in beauty tips | No Comments »

Four Holiday Hairstyles to Make You Dazzle This Holiday Season

Posted on: December 7th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

The holiday season is now in full swing, but is your hair ready for it? If you have a Palm Pilot full of winter festivities, start planning now for the holiday hairdo of your dreams. Whether you have been invited to a gala at the office, a charity fundraiser or an intimate party among friends, you want your hairstyle to send the message that you think the function is important. You can do that by taking the time to consider a unique style that will complement your dress, jewelery and all the rest of you.

Pretend You’re Madame de Pompadour
Have you ever been accused of thinking you’re Madame de Pompadour? With a holiday hairstyle highlighting sleek sides, you can show embrace the name. If you have thin hair, apply a lightweight gel to your hair, brush back several strands at a time and allow the air to dry it. For thicker manes, you may have to use molding paste to do the trick. Either way, you should brush through your full head of hair after it has dried and then use enough hairspray to keep the style in place.

Just Braid It
The time-honored braid can be a real lifesaver when you receive an invitation with little notice to plan something fancier. However, with the right type of braid, it doesn’t have to look like you got ready in a hurry. If you have a hair diffuser available, use it to dry your hair and give it a loosened look. To get the braid in place, grab hold of a chunk of hair to the left or right of your part and twist it into a braid. Once formed, pull your braid into a bun that is loose and fun in appearance, not like what your school librarian used to wear. You can also allow a few loose strands of hair to fall on either side if you want it to frame your face.

Bring Back the Bangs

holiday-hairstyles-ts82153262 If you haven’t worn bangs in years, the holiday parties may be a good time to return to them. For the best bang results, go to your usual hairstylist and ask him or her to shape the hair above your eyebrows until it best conforms to your face. To accentuate your temporary bangs, have your stylist make them as straight as possible and then pull back the rest of your hair into a tight ponytail.

An Updo with a Twist
If you love the style of an updo but have already seen too many of them this season, don’t despair. There is always the alternative of having an updo on the side. To get this style started, pull your hair into a ponytail and separate it into two different sections. Next, take one section and wrap it around your ponytail’s base. You can move one section of hair clockwise while moving the other counter-clockwise at the same time. Use small bobby pins to keep the hair up and tucked in for the evening.

Tags: 2011 holiday parties, 2011 holiday trends, holiday fashion, holiday hairstyles
Posted in beauty tips | No Comments »

Great Holiday Gift Ideas for Cosmetology Students (and All Under $50 Dollars!)

Posted on: December 6th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

Don’t look now, but it’s already approaching crunch time for your holiday shopping. Odds are you have some outliers on your list – people who you just can’t come up with great holiday gift ideas for. Well, if you’re on the lookout for great gifts for cosmetologists, barbers or beauty students, we have a site you should check out.

BeautySchoolsDirectory.com has a new Zazzle store that features a couple of unique designs that you can put on everything from tote bags to T-shirts, hoodies to iPhone cases.

For trendsetters, fashionistas and those you know how just love to make a statement, check out the #TrendsFollowMe design. A sassy and clever play off the Twitter hashtag, the T-shit comes in 11 different styles and colors – including long sleeve, basic and with a layered look. Even better? It comes in black, which makes it perfect for a lot of cosmetology professional environments.

For an edgier look that appeals to barbers and barbering students, check out the Life on the Edge design, which features a straight razor and an amazing vintage tattoo style. You can get this design in over a dozen different T-shirt styles, as a hoodie, or even as an iPad case or sticker.

All of the options are under $50, which means you don’t have to break the bank to find unique holiday gift ideas for cosmetologists and cosmetology students that tick off both the fun and functional checkboxes.

Visit the Cosmetology Clothes Zazzle store and get every fashion guru, beauty diva and cosmetology professional crossed off your Christmas gift list. (And then go reward yourself with a cocktail – shopping is tough work!)

Tags: beauty t-shirts, christmas gift ideas, gift ideas for barbering students, gift ideas for barbers, gift ideas for cosmetologists, gift ideas for cosmetology students, gift ideas for fashionistas, holiday gift ideas, razor edge t-shirts, twitter trends t-shirts
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Why Appearance Matters in the Great Job Hunt

Posted on: December 5th, 2011 by Beauty Schools Directory No Comments

Via BeautySchool.com Beauty Jobs Outlook

If you want proof that the cosmetology industry is recession-proof, just take a look at the eye-opening facts and stats in BeautySchool.com‘s infographic that detail the importance of appearance in competing for a job. Looking good and feeling confident about how you present yourself to the world can positively affect how others perceive you – it’s just a fact. And that’s what we’re in the business for; not to create cookie-cutter beauty but to help everyone break out of their shells and feel fantastic.

Tags: Beauty Careers, careers in beauty, cosmetology careers, job search, recession
Posted in Beauty Careers, cosmetology | No Comments »

Vogue Italia pulls a Karlie Kloss Photo After It Stirs Up Controversy

Posted on: December 2nd, 2011 by Becca 3 Comments

Property of Vogue Italia used via Fashionista.com for the purpose of critical commentary

American model Karlie Kloss, ranked as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s by Vogue Paris, took the December 2011 edition of Vogue Italia by storm, appearing on the cover and in an 18-page editorial spread where she bared nearly all, displaying much of her long, lithe body.

But today, Vogue Italia has taken down one of the photos – which we found on Fashionista.com – after it provoked a major reaction…and most of it was not good.

Kloss does seem to cause controversy even as she races to model superstardom. After all, she just joined the Victoria’s Secret Angels Fashion Show and was dubbed by Vogue Italia as “the new Body” and the hottest new phenomenon in the modeling industry.

But people are divided on her look. Some people claim she’s healthy, citing that her signature muscle tone is a product of her height and lanky build and ballet upbringing. Others, though, think her body is “scary,” that it’s yet another sign that the fashion world sets unrealistic expectations and creates self-image issues in women of all ages.

You can see the full Vogue Italia shoot here. What do you think about Karlie Kloss? What do you think about what her fame says about the fashion industry?

UPDATE: Behind-the-scenes video of the shoot seems to answer the question of whether the crazy body placement above was photoshopped into existence or not. Answer: Not. (She is a former ballet dancer after all.)

Tags: karlie kloss vogue italia, karlie kloss weight controversy, model industry, vogue italia controversy
Posted in celebrity beauty | 3 Comments »

2011 Holiday Party Countdown: Hot Holiday Accessories

Posted on: December 1st, 2011 by Becca No Comments

In addition to serving as the best time of year to reconnect with family and friends, the Christmas and New Years holidays are also one of our best occasions to slip into something a little more festive. Many ladies look forward to holiday parties each year and use them as an opportunity to finally wear their favorite pair of statement shoes or sexy party dress. This holiday season, one-shoulder, strapless and boatneck dresses will be quite popular. Fashionistas will need to accessorize their favorite formal wear with holiday-inspired jewelry, belts and hair adornments made from fun materials like velvet, feathers and stones.

Accessorize With Color
This holiday season, every woman will need to purchase a holiday dress in an exciting and vibrant jewel-tone color like red, blue, orange, gold or purple. Luxurious fabrics like satin, taffeta and silk can set the stage for beautiful stone or beaded statement necklaces and earrings. If you want to opt for a strapless or boatneck dress, try pairing it with long feather earrings for a touch of glamour. While color is cool, some ladies will prefer to go with a classic black or sophisticated white dress, which can be the perfect neutral backdrop to showcase iridescent jewelry like diamonds and pearls.

Holiday Hair
One of the most popular accessories for holiday parties in 2011 are feathers. Feathers have been incorporated into a number of accessories such as earrings, necklaces, hats and headbands. One of the more festive approaches to this style include headbands made from a mixture of lace and feather designs or a fascinator hat adorned with a few feathers. A less noticeable, but equally sophisticated, approach to pair with your hot holiday dress is the use of a random feather plume that can be incorporated in to a ponytail or chignon.

Old Hollywood Glitz
One of the things woman can look forward to at holiday parties in 2011 is a return to the striking glamor and utter sophistication of the 1930s and 40s. Old Hollywood is making a comeback this season with stylish bedazzled accessories and head wear. If feathers aren’t your style, opt for a crystal embellished, sequined or metallic hair accessory. Channel your inner Jessica Rabbit with sleek and smooth waves secured in place with stone-encrusted hair clips or jeweled barrettes. Or, opt for a head full of curls managed by a skinny crystal-adorned or velvet headband.

Floral headpieces are a dramatic choice for the holidays. If you’re daring, try a blossom-adorned headband with a low ponytail or opt for a sleeker approach with an over-sized flower tucked under a chignon or elaborate bun.

A hallmark jewelry item from the 1940s are cocktail rings. Add a little drama to your holiday dress with over-sized rings, which can serve as fun conversation pieces during parties. Also, women will want to invest in a small, but stylish, clutch purse. Be sure to pair your clutch pursue with a pair of statement shoes. Holiday parties are the perfect time to break out your favorite patent leather, glittered or multi-colored shoes. The colder weather might steer women in the direction of pumps, but don’t forget to show your sophisticated sandals love too – as they make the perfect accompaniment for New Year’s Eve party dresses.

Tags: 2011 holiday parties, 2011 holiday trends, holiday accessories, holiday dresses, holiday fashion, holiday hairstyles
Posted in Beauty Trends | No Comments »

Hot Hair Trend: Digital Perms, the Curling Revolution

Posted on: November 23rd, 2011 by Becca No Comments

Looking to get Kristen Stewarts boho waves? (Courtesy of Bria Cullen via Flickr)

Perms. We all tried it – or at least thought about trying it – in the 80s and 90s, right? And for a the majority of us, it probably turned into a frizzy nightmare that we regretted a few years down the road.

But perms are making a comeback this year – they’re just not the kind of perms that you remember.

They’re called hot perms or digital perms, and while they’ve been around for awhile in places like South Korea and Japan, they’re starting to crop up in Europe and the U.S. these days, too.

And unlike the old-school perms that either gave you tight, wild spirals or nothing at all, digital perms provide a great deal more flexibility and variability. So instead of frizz, you get anything from beachy waves to loose curls, turning your locks from bland to Hollywood style that lasts for months.

So how does it work? Well, unlike traditional cold perms that use just rollers and a solution, digital perms use heat the set the curl. There’s still a solution, but it’s a different kind, and you have more options regarding where you want the curl to start. Do you want it root-to-tip? At the cheekbones? At the chin? Then the hair is rolled up in different sized rollers depending on how much curl you want, and the rollers are plugged into a machine that digitally controls the heat and sets the curl.

Best part is that, while chemicals are still involved, the whole hot perm process thermally reconditions the hair, so your locks are softer, smoother and shinier leaving the salon. The curls stay through blow drying and generally don’t even need to be touched up with curling irons or hot rollers.

Sound too good to be true? Well, for some people, it is. If you take a look around the Internet, you’ll find some stories of digital perms gone wrong – where the curl didn’t set in so all the customer is left with are the chemicals. Stylists are cautioning that women with bleached or heavily processed hair probably shouldn’t shell out for a digital perm. Our best advice if you want to give this a shot is to make sure you hunt down an experienced, licensed cosmetologist who is fully trained in performing digital perms.

Keep in mind finances, too. It’s not a cheap procedure, running anywhere from $200 to $400 depending on the salon, and it takes a chunk out of your day, too. It has to be repeated, too, every 4 months or so as your hair grows out.

Still, we got to say that we’re excited about a new kind of perming system that doesn’t leave us looking like poodles. We can’t wait to see how other hair innovators refine and evolve the hot perm process in the coming years.

Tags: beauty trends, celebrity trends, digital perm, hair trends, hot perm, perms
Posted in Beauty Trends, hairstyles | No Comments »

Hot Hair Trends: Try Hair Chalking for Color without Commitment

Posted on: November 17th, 2011 by Becca 52 Comments

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that people are always going to come up with creative ways to make a beauty statement.

We have feathers, we have lobe stretching, and now we have a hot new way to add some temporary color to your locks: hair chalking.

In case you haven’t watched the how-to video above, here’s how it goes:

You either soak your chalk in water or wet down small sections of your hair.
You rub the chalk product into those sections.
If you’re using wax pastels, then you just need to set it with heat. If you use a more traditional kind of chalk, then hairspray it down before you style.

And that’s…about it. Hair chalking is that easy and that low-commitment, which is probably why it’s kicking up in popularity. Feel like going wild and crazy tonight? Don some blue or hot pink streaks, straight from your local craft store, and then wash it all out in the shower the next day. Switch up the colors as often as you want or need. Color just the tips or entire lock lengths or maybe just your bangs. Who doesn’t love a trend that allows so much room for not just creativity but also variability?

What do you guys think? Have you tried hair chalking? Or are you sick of the flash-in-the-pan hair trends and think we just need to get back to basics already?

Try these colored chalks to do hair chalking at home:

Tags: hair chalking, hair color, hair design, hair dos, hair trends, hair tutorials, hairstyling
Posted in Beauty Trends | 52 Comments »

Makeup Trends: The Hottest Makeup Looks for Spring 2012

Posted on: November 15th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

The Spring 2012 fashion shows were full of two distinct makeup looks: natural, ethereal beauty or hard-edged “glamazons.” No matter which is your preference, each aesthetic can easily be accomplished in a daily look. We bring you the top makeup trends we saw coming down the runway during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

Make Me Up!
Vintage-inspired makeup was the all a flutter amongst modern eyes and pouty lips. Easy does it for the spring by keeping the focus on the eyes or mouth.

Red Hot Lips
Many designers, including YSL and Dior, put the classic red lip on their models. Choose a shade that suits you skin tone so that the color does not wash you out.

Fresh Eyes
Twiggy made the cat eye iconic, but we saw fresh takes on this look by everyone from Dolce & Gabanna to Armani. We saw it defined and simple with no outrageous lines extending from the eye socket. We also saw bold, non-tapering cat eyes and cat eyes in color. Liquid liner works best for the precision required.

Strong Brows
Think Brooke Shields. Full eyebrows were all the rage at Jill Sander, Burberry, Derek Lam and more. If you do not have naturally strong eyebrows, then it can be created using a dark eye pencil by drawing a dramatic arch to make them stand out.

Smoky Extreme
Silent film stars seemed to take over the stages like Gucci, Rodarte, Ungaro and Dsquared thanks to the heavy dark eye that was found on models. The darker and stronger the eye, then the more Gothic this look seemed. Try it in navy for a look that will not be as punk.

Sun-Kissed Skin
Michael Kors, Christopher Kane, Isabel Marant and more sent their models down the runway in an all-out glow inspired by outdoorsy athleticism. You can get this look by using a peach shimmer bronzer all over your face for fresh and sunny look.

White Silver Metallics
Chanel and Ralph Lauren washed their models eyelids in shimmering whites, grays and silvers. Go for subtle moonlit glow or dramatic shine – either way you’ll be ahead of a hot trend.

Pop Art
Make a statement like Miu Miu or Richard Chai or Rebecca Taylor and add vibrant color somewhere on an otherwise nude face. Think orange eye shadow or blue mascara for a fun look that will make every day more interesting.

Doll Lashes
We’re all always looking for a mascara that will make our lashes longer and fuller, but why not follow Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs and just go for fabulous fake lashes that make your eyes seem bigger and give you that fantastic, doll-like look?

Glittery Eyes
They’re not just for Halloween anymore. Fashion Week makeup artists for Dsquared and Fendi utilized everything from tin foil to fairy dust to create super-shiny looks. Maybe a bit much for every day, but don’t be afraid of sparkle this spring season.

Rosy Lips
If the vampy, red lip look is not your style, take the approach of Peter Som and Oscar de la Renta and go for barely-there roses and pinks. Use a creamy lipstick or – if you have natural pink pigment in your puckers – just go for a light gloss.

Tags: 2012 beauty trends, fashion week makeup trends, make up, makeup, makeup artist, makeup trends, spring 2012 trends
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5-Year-Old Makeup Artist Madison

Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by Becca No Comments

Sometimes you just have to stop and recognize the adorable in the world.

If you’ve been watching America’s Next Top Model like we have, you probably saw the cameo on the Nov. 2 episode of 5-year-old YouTube sensation Madison. We’ll be honest – we didn’t exactly know who the cute (if a little difficult to understand) girl was, so of course we looked her up.

It turns out she’s a makeup protégé, filming and uploading dozens of tutorials and videos discussing makeup and reviewing products. She’s got over 13,000 subscribers to her channel and 100,000+ views on several of her videos.

A lot of that is probably because she is really stinkin’ adorable, but part of it is because she’s got some actual talent going on as well. She knows her way around makeup tools pretty darn well.

Do we see makeup artist training in her future? Almost definitely. In fact, she’ll probably be designing makeup looks for the stars not too many years from now.

Keep up the good work, Madison – we’ll be watching!

Tags: america's next top model, madison makeup tutorial, makeup artist, makeup artist training
Posted in Beauty Videos, makeup | No Comments »

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