Hair & Nail Trends for Spring 2013

HAIR

With breezy waves, unfussy braids, and lower-than-low ponytails, the spring runways were all about natural, undone hair. It was roughed up, not too perfect, and still crazy-pretty. Better yet, the styles are so simple that they won't drive you crazy when you attempt them yourself. Here, a few looks for spring 2013.

MESSY BRAIDS

"It's not polished and it's not glamorous," McKnight said of the sporty braid at Balmain. He got the look by roughly drying the hair and spraying it with Pantene Pro-V Classic Style Hairspray. He braided the hair and secured it with a thick black elastic, then added a second elastic at the base of the neck. To make the hair look "lived in," he pulled out random sections around the ears.

NATURAL WAVES

J. Mendel makes elegant dress-up clothes, but the hair this season was relaxed and unfussy. "They're not barrel curls," hairstylist Orlando Pita said of the "flat and natural-looking" waves he gave the models. He parted the hair down the middle, smoothed the front section with Phyto Professional Workable Holding Spray, and then pushed the hair behind the ears. Starting just under the ears, he ran a flatiron over one-inch sections of hair, rotating it both toward and away from the head to create soft waves. He tamed frizz with Phyto 7 Daily Hydrating Botanical Cream. 

SICILIAN TWISTS

"It's about the scarf," Guido said of the hair at Dolce & Gabbana, "like how a woman would just pin her hair up [and] put a scarf on." He began by applying Redken Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream-Mousse to the hair and blow-drying it straight back, removing any hint of a part. He placed the scarf around the head about an inch from the hairline and tied it off-center at the nape of the neck, letting the ends skim the shoulders. He rolled the hair up as if he was going to do a French twist, instead folding the ends under to form a loop, and fanned the hair out on top of the head. "There's a little indication of the '60s. [There is] a little Riviera feeling," he said.

ROUGHED-UP TEXTURE

To create a tousled, sexy texture at Lanvin, Guido misted the hair with water then roughly blow-dried it. He sprayed the roots withRedken Quick Tease 15,made a deep side part, and teased the thicker half with a Mason Pearson hairbrush. He pushed the hair behind the ears and finished by blasting just the front with hair spray.

ULTRALOW PONYTAILS

To complement the scarves in the Rochas collection, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman decided on superlow ponytails. He parted the hair down the center, misted it with Wella Professionals Ocean Spritz Beach Texture Hairspray, and blow-dried it straight with a round brush. To lock in the "supernaturally straight" style, he then flatironed it. He pulled the hair into a very loose ponytail, letting the top portion of the ponytail fan out so that the hair looked like it had been cut into a bob from the front. "My favorite thing about it is that it's one of those looks that's so normal, it's really abnormal," Souleiman said.

NAILS

Contrast was the name of the game when it came to nails at the New York shows. Looks ranged from light and innocent to dark and dangerously chic this season. We saw pretty swan white polishes, barely-there French manicures and buff looks juxtaposed with black vamp shades, medieval “cage” inspired designs and the most breathtaking of all—the “dripping blood” effect seen at Prabal Gurung. Balancing out these more extreme styles, we noticed plenty of glamorous metallic varnishes and colorful two-tone manicures that added the perfect pop of sparkle and impact.

American Idol's First Transgender Contestant

Josh "J'DA" Davila probably has to be the most unique contestant of the season on American Idol 2013. He is more fond of dresses and heavy makeup than Nicki Minaj. Some could argue he looks better in it than she does though...

Some have questioned whether included JDA in the Top 40 was just a publicity stunt? American Idol? Say it ain’t so! Some (well, Idol nemesis Vote for the Worst) are implying that’s what Top 20 hopeful Joshua “J'DA” Davila is for the show.

The comments from VFTW about Joshua Davila, aka Jada, were anything but positive before the season started airing — hence the implication that he landed in the Top 40 just for publicity. The New York Post reported the following:

“An eccentric, transgender singer is one of the show’s hopefuls this year -- advancing past the show’s famous boot camp, Hollywood Week, last week...”

Before auditioning, the 26-year-old Chicago native and cosmetics salesperson was a semifinalist in Chicago’s “Windy City Gay Idol.” 

Jada Davila reportedly wants to represent for the transgendered and gay community on American Idol 2013, saying, “We just don’t see enough of it in the media. So that’s where I come in.”

With all of the hype over the 11 seasons of American Idol about this being a “singing competition,” it seems unlikely that they would let someone who couldn’t sing advance that far. When we actually got to see JDA in action, he was actually pretty fabulous. However, he failed to wow the judges enough with his voice during the Vegas rounds and was sent home

How ever why is it that the judges kept referring his look to "whatever this is" when they OBVIOUSLY know what it is. Actors do it all the time. It's called CROSS-DRESSING !! Martin Lawrence did it in "Big Momma's House" Tyler Perry did it in"Madea" and John Travolta in " Hairspray" not to mention all of the stories you hear of the entertainers who do it behind closed doors for sexual fetishes. Cross-dressing and Drag  queens are not a new thing in Hollywood. We as the gay community are guilty of bringing our own kind down and that's NOT OK  Regardless of what you think of his appearance Joshua is a strong and inspiring individual who opened doors last night and overcame adversity. We should be applauding him and supporting him instead of dragging his name through the mud. #TeamJ'DA Werk it hunty!!!

The Differences Between Drag & Trans !

Many times people have referred to me as a Drag Queen or a "Tranny" (a word I despise) without even knowing what they truly mean and what they stand for. Well I guess it's my duty to break it down for you all like the Mariah Carey song... Cue my fan!

Drag Queen

A drag queen is a man who dresses, and often acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and can vary even within the same city. Although many drag queens are gay men, there are drag artists of all genders and sexualities who do drag for various reasons or purposes.

Generally drag queens are males who dress and act in a female gender role, often exaggerating certain characteristics (such as make-up and eyelashes) for comic, dramatic or satirical effect. Other drag performers include drag kings, who are women who perform in male roles, faux queens, who are women who dress in an exaggerated style to emulate drag queens and faux kings, who are men who dress to impersonate drag kings.

The term drag queen usually refers to people who dress in drag for the purpose of performing, whether singing or lip-synching, dancing, participating in events such as gay pride parades, drag pageants, or at venues such as cabarets and discotheques. In the United Kingdom, alongside traditional drag work such as shows and performances, many drag queens engage in "mix-and-mingle" or hosting work at night clubs or at private parties and events. Drag is a part of Western gay culture.

Example : Rupaul and Drag Race alum's Raja & Manila Luzon

Transsexualism

Transsexualism describes the condition in which an individual identifies with a gender inconsistent or not culturally associated with their assigned sex, i.e. in which a person's assigned sex at birth conflicts with their psychological gender. A medical diagnosis can be made if a person experiences discomfort as a result of a desire to be a member of the opposite sex, or if a person experiences impaired functioning or distress as a result of that gender identification. Transsexualism is stigmatized in many parts of the world but has become more widely known in Western culture in the mid to late 20th century, concurrently with the sexual revolution and the development of sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Discrimination or negative attitudes towards transsexualism often accompany certain religious beliefs or cultural values. There are cultures that have no difficulty integrating people who change gender roles, often holding them with high regard, such as the traditional role for "two-spirit" people found among certain native American tribes.

Example : ANTM's Isis King & Actress Candace Cane

Cross-Dressing

Cross-dressing refers to the act of wearing clothing and other accoutrements commonly associated with the opposite sex within a particular society. Cross-dressing has been used for purposes of disguise, comfort and as a literary trope in modern times and throughout history.

Nearly every human society throughout history has expected distinctions to be made between males and females by the style, color, or type of clothing they are expected to wear, and likewise most societies have had a set of social norms, views, guidelines, or even laws defining what type of clothing is appropriate for each gender. It does not, however, necessarily indicate transgender identity since a person who cross-dresses does not always identify as being of a gender other than their assigned gender.

The term denotes an action or a behavior without attributing or proposing causes for that behavior. Some people automatically connect cross-dressing behavior to transgender identity or sexual, fetishist, and homosexual behavior, but the term cross-dressing itself does not imply any motives.

Example : Fashion designer Phillipe Blond & Supermodel Andrej Pejic

In conclusion I am very aware that I am a man. I do not wish to become a woman nor feel like I am a woman trapped in a man's body. I am extremely happy and blessed to be who I AM.  I do not wish to be like anyone else but the BEST person I can be. I do however admire and applaud ANYONE who chooses to live their life by their own rules and does NOT conform to what society says. All of these brave souls are my inspiration. BE STRONG, BE KIND, & SPREAD LOVE!

How To Keep Your Hair Color From Fading!

1.  Use a good deep moisturizer 7 to 10 days before coloring to prepare hair for the color. Use a clarifying shampoo to wash your hair at least 24 hours before your color (this is especially important if you use styling products with silicon because they will prevent the color from adhering to the hair). Do not wash your hair within 24 hours of coloring because the color will not take to the hair as well. Furthermore, do not use the clarifying shampoo after coloring because it can strip the color from your hair.

2. Do not shampoo your hair until at least 48 hours after the color is applied to avoid stripping the color. When you do shampoo and condition, use products that are specifically designed for color treated hair. Shampoo and conditioner for color treated hair have ingredients that are designed to protect your color rather than stripping or dulling it. I prefer Park Avenue Color Protecting Shampoo& Conditioner. My stylist also advised not to shampoo my hair every day but only when necessary to protect the color.

3. This one is a little difficult for me because when I take my shower the water is hot enough to boil eggs most of the time. However, in order to protect my color I have learned to shampoo and rinse in cool water rather than hot water. The hot water opens the hair follicles and dulls the color. Cool water will keep hair color much brighter and true than using hot water.

4.Speaking of showers, the chemicals in your water can dull and strip hair color. My stylist suggested that I invest in a filtered showerhead and she was correct - my hair color does last longer and is brighter than before.

5. Heat not only damages your hair but it also damages your hair color. I dry my hair on a medium heat setting and I use John Frieda Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray to protect my color and hair when using a flat iron or other heat styling tools. This is essential to keeping your hair color from fading.

6. Protect your hair from the sun to make the color last longer. Purchase hair products that have UV protection. Wear a hat if you are in the sun and cover your hair when you are in tanning bed

7. Avoid using hair spray if possible because this will dull your hair color. However, make sure that you use products to enhance the shine and appearance of your hair color such as BioSilk Silk Therapy (I cannot live without this product for my hair).

8. There are color enhancing shampoos on the market that are designed to boost your hair color by depositing small amounts of color on your hair. I have tried some of these and found that they actually turn my color brassy if I use them every time I shampoo. Therefore, use these only once a week or every other week to give your color a little boost. Pick a shade that is closest to your hair color for best results.

The Benefits Of Olive Oil!

So I tweeted earlier that as you get older your skin starts to sag and someone replied saying that Olive Oil keep yours skin looking radiant so I did some research and this is what I found!

The olive tree is an evergreen tree in the Mediterranean region. The tree grows to 9 meters tall and takes 15 years to bear fruit. Olive oil has a heavy texture, and can vary in color from a pale golden yellow to dark green. The purest form is "extra virgin," and it is lightest in color. Olive oil has many antioxidant properties. Olive oil absorbs UV radiation and appears to assist in repairing cells and in preventing cell damage. Olive oil is soothing and healing to all skin types

.

Olive oil is a fantastic source of vitamin E. Consuming olives or olive oil has been associated with such health benefits as reducing blood pressure, decreasing growth of some cancers, lessening the severity of asthma and arthritis and may actually help maintain a lower weight. Using olive oil externally on your body can also have benefits. Olive oil is now found in many skin care products. The vitamin E found in the olive oil is the key ingredient.

For hair care, add 1 tbsp. of olive oil to your hair conditioner. Shake well before each use. Use conditioner as usual. Olive oil will provide not only a beautiful shine, but also manageability.

Olive oil can also help with the area around your eyes. Nightly, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Gently dab on the corner of your eyes, your eyelids and under your eyes. Use caution not to get the oil in your eyes. You can also do this to your eyebrows after tweezing or waxing to provide moisture and soothing relief.

For lip care, place a small amount of oil on your fingertips. Rub across your lips to provide moisture and shine.

Similarly, take a small amount nightly and rub into your nails and cuticles. This will give a beautiful shine to your nails and keep the nail beds and cuticles soft. Make a sugar scrub and use it on your hands nightly to keep hands hydrated and soft.

For foot care, use 1 tbsp. of olive oil in a warm footbath. Soak for 10 minutes, then pat dry. You can also use sugar scrub on your feet daily.

Use sugar scrub daily in shower for continued soft and hydrated skin. You can also use olive oil in a massage
.

Up, Up & Away !

A few weeks ago I teamed up with Atlanta based photographer Antonio Guerra and M.A.C. makeup artist Tinisee Buckman for a very fun shoot. When the idea was first pitched to me I was very concerned because I couldn't get passed the balloons. Many people may not know this but I really don't take myself to seriously when it comes to modeling. I'm very used to being behind the scenes as a hairstylist. I made jokes about coming across as a clown but in contrary I am extremely pleased with the outcome. I learned a very valuable lesson out of this project and that is when you stop letting fear get in your way the possibilities are endless. I hope you all enjoy!

Photographer : Antonio Guerra

Makeup : Tinisee Buckman

Model & Hair : Paul Mitchell Rabell 

COCO and BREEZY For GoldenHeart

In honor of the release of Dawn Richard's Forthcoming album the R&B songstress teamed up with Famed Sunglasses Designers COCO and BREEZY for their GoldenHeart shades which will be available worldwide January 15th. Along with this release comes a cool contest where you can win a dinner date with the trio.

CONTEST: Win a Dinner Date with @Dawnrichard + Coco and Breezy at TOY Restaurant in NY ! SHARE this image on FB + Follow @TOYNYC on Twitter! - This will enter you in the contest! CONTEST ENDS JAN 12th

1st Place: COMPLIMENTARY dinner @ TOY w/ Dawn Richard + Coco and Breezy

2nd Place: AUTOGRAPHED Dawn Richard "GoldenHeart" album

3rd Place: PAIR of Coco and Breezy for GOLDENHEART sunglasses

Coco and Breezy for GOLDENHEART Sunglasses will be available Jan 15th on www.CocoandBreezy.com

The same day the GoldenHeart album comes out which is available for PreOrder now !
GoldenHeart Pre-Order