Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty. Show all posts

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Summer Lovin': Simple and Sexy Summer Hair

"Beauty is the promise of happiness."
~Stendhal


Are you kidding me with this weather? It's the middle of June and we've only had 3 weekends that even slightly resemble summer! Where is all the sunshine?

I'm not going to lie, for a few weeks I was actually kind of enjoying the rain and grey skies. It can be so relaxing to curl up, wrapped in blankets, reading books and drinking tea while the rain splashes outside... but enough is enough! We get such a short summer as it is. I'm starting to feel ripped off!

In an attempt to somehow appeal to the universe or kick start the sun gods, I decided to post about simple and sexy summer hair.

A girl can dream right?

If nothing else, maybe I can stop fighting my rain induced curls and try to camouflage them in some summery undone updo instead!

Here's hoping!

In my mind, the perfect summer hair has to be easy to do, a little undone and a whole lot of sexy. While most of the styles I'm suggesting are cute and flirty, they are also a simple and fast to achieve. Let's be honest, the last thing you want to do is spend hours getting ready when there are so many fun summer things you could be doing instead!

I always find that it helps if your hair hasn’t been washed for at least a day. Part of what makes all of these styles so great, is that they don't have to look too perfect. It's all about that laid back, natural vibe.

In the summer, I don't use much in the way of hair product, but there are a few things I can't live without...



Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo & Conditioner is my summer hair staple. The tropical smell is heavenly and it leaves hair super soft and bouncy. And for the environment conscience, it's sulfate and paraben free, uses organic ingredients and the bottles and inks used are recycled and compostable.



MOROCCANOIL Oil Treatment is magic. It eliminates frizz, strengthens your hair and creates brilliant shine... and the smell is delish! It goes on ultra light and doesn't have any residue, plus it cuts down on your drying time. Bonus! Best of all, they don't use any animal products, they don't test on animals and they use recycled packaging whenever possible.



It might seem dramatic, but I'm seriously obsessed with Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray! This salt water based spray creates the perfect beachy waves with just the right amount of hold. Plus I absolutely love the matte finish! I use it on damp or dry hair all summer long.



Now that we have your hair ready for summer, here are a few recommendations for simple and sexy summer styles. All of these styles can be modified to suit your individual style and hair type, and feel free to be creative. You can get away with a bit more fun in the summertime! If you feel adventurous, try adding in a braid, twist or fishtail to any of these. Dress them up for night by adding a hot hair accessory like a flower, headband or a sparkly clip.



Pretty Waves

Work a bit of Surf Spray through damp hair. Scrunch, braid or pin up hair (whatever texture you prefer) and let dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser. When dry, gently tousle and touch up as needed with a mid-size barreled curling iron. Looks even better the second day!



Pouffy Ponytail

Spray dry hair with Surf Spray and scrunch to add a bit of texture. Using a comb, backcomb bangs or a small section of hair in the front, and pin straight back, making a small pouf. Use comb again to backcomb the roots of the hair at the crown. Pull half your hair back into a loose and messy half ponytail and use bobby pins to secure. Loosely pull remaining hair into a ponytail and use an elastic to secure at the base of the bobby pins. Pull out a few pieces around your face to make it look a bit messy.

Low Beachy Bun

Spray dry hair with Surf Spray and scrunch to add a bit of texture. Using a comb, backcomb the roots at the crown. Pull half your hair back into a loose and messy half ponytail and use bobby pins to secure. Loosely pull remaining hair back and twist around itself creating a loose and messy bun. Pin in place using bobby pins. Consider adding a small french braid like pictured for a little additional texture and visual interest!

Half Back Braid

Work a bit of Surf Spray through damp hair. Scrunch, braid or pin up hair (whatever texture you prefer) and let dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser. When dry, gently tousle and touch up as needed with a mid-size barreled curling iron. Separate the top quarter of hair and begin french braiding a 2 inch section of hair, above one ear straight across your forehead adding hair from the upper section only. Continue around the entire crown until you are back where you started. Secure the end of the braid and every few inches with bobby pins.

Messy Top Knot

Spray dry hair with Surf Spray and scrunch to add a bit of texture. Gather hair onto the top of you head and twist around itself creating a loose and messy bun right at the crown. Pin in place using bobby pins. Pull out a few pieces around your face to make it look a bit messy. This can also be done with wet hair!





Surfer Girl Side Pony

Spray dry hair with Surf Spray and scrunch to add a bit of texture. Using a comb, backcomb the roots at the crown. Loosely pull hair back and then to the side. Secure with an elastic, or pin in place using bobby pins for a messier look. Pull out a few pieces around your face to soften. Consider adding a small french braid like pictured for a little additional texture and visual interest!

Summer is a great time to experiment and have fun with your hair. I hope these ideas help you create your very own sexy summer hairstyles.

Now all we need is the sun...



Photo credits:
Trio - Genevieve Gail
Waves - cosmopolitan
Pouf - Mouton Salon
Bun - TotalBeauty
Braid - Sugarscape
Knot - La Jeune Marie
Side - Cupcakecloset

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Friday Morning Must Have: Hoola Bronzer by Benefit

“To be successful, keep looking tanned.”
-Aristotle



I'm pale.

Ultra pale.

And after spending all winter long, inside and under multiple layers of clothing... let's just say my skin needs all the help it can get!

I don't know what I would do without my daily dose of Bronzer. It gives me that radiant "home from holidays" glow I love so much, without the nasty wrinkles and age spots!

I have tried so many different bronzers over the years... with very different results! I've tried some that make you turn orange, some that make you look dirty and some that have so much sparkle in them I looked like I walked out of a teen-rom vampire novel... not good at all!

These days I swear by Hoola Bronzer by Benefit for an instant tropical glow. It's a bit pricey, but it is hands down the prettiest and most natural looking colour I have ever used!

If you want that sun-kissed goddess glow too, you can pick up Hoola Bronzer at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora for around $30!

Ps. The little bamboo brush it comes with is super cute and practical too!


Next on Truly, Madly, Deeply...

My friend J and I are heading down the DeVille Luxury Coffee & Pastries at Art Central... Morgan from Mon Petit Amour was raving about their Nutella Latte, so I can't wait to try one!

I'll let you know just how hip and delicious it is!

Happy Friday!

xoJana

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wednesday Morning Must Have: Essie Nail Polish

"I love the smell of nail polish in the morning"
-Jason Stackhouse, True Blood


Is anyone else feeling a bit blah this week?

Calgary has had some horribly miserable weather lately, and I'm in desperate need of a pick me up! And what better to brighten up the day, than some fab nail polish in a sunny summer shade!

For a few year now, I have had an on going love affair with the super chic J. Crew. I love how effortlessly elegant their clothes are from season to season, and that their price point make them an affordable luxury. The creative force behind the brand, executive creative director Jenna Lyons, is brilliant... and has a wardrobe to die for! Last summer J. Crew announced that they have teamed up with the ultra cool Essie Nail Polish! Each season, they will select a few colours that reflect the vision of their collection, and will offer them in store and online at J. Crew for a limited time.

This spring/summer J. Crew is offering these fun, bright and glossy polishes, guaranteed to make you forget all about the snow, sleet and grey skies looming outside:

Russian Roulette



Punchy Pink



Van D Go



Peach Daiquiri



I am personally loving the Punchy Pink... and it's currently on route to my house from J. Crew as we speak!

Make your toes and fingers happy!
These are a must have in every colour!