eSalon: Affordable At-Home Professional Haircolor

It’s not always possible to get to a salon, between the high prices they often charge and your packed schedule. But boxed haircolor from the drugstore doesn’t always cut it, either. If you don’t want to spend big bucks at a salon, yet want an upgrade from boxed color, there’s a new option: eSalon. Full disclosure: I have not tried eSalon, as I currently have highlights and they don’t offer an at-home highlighting product. (They offer single-process color that’s typically just applied at the roots or tips.) I just wanted to share with you what seems like a pretty great idea.

Log on to eSalon’s site to take your “color profile” (it’s a set of questions about your hair: its natural shade, what color you want it to be, its history with chemicals/colors, etc.), and submit your results. You’ll have the chance to review the recommended color for you (eSalon offers almost 100 shades), and see it on a model. Once you submit your order, a colorist analyzes your questionnaire and custom-blends a color for you; according to eSalon, they use salon-quality dyes. The color is then bottled (and labeled with your name and the packaging date), and tucked into a box with developer, detailed instructions, and all the accessories you need to mix up and apply your color. The package is then mailed to your doorstep. All of this costs just $24.95. For first-time customers, eSalon is offering an introductory offer for $4.95…you can’t even get boxed haircolor for that price. It’s a great way to try out the service. If you like it, you can order another batch at the regular price ($19.95-$24.95) when your roots start to peek out. You’re getting a major upgrade from boxed kits, but a serious discount on professional color application.

Fekkai Summer Hair

Every year, Fekkai launches a limited-edition haircare line specifically designed to protect your hair through the brutal summer months. I look forward to this every year because the products are typically fabulous, super moisturizing, and really help my highlighted hair not look fried during the scorching heat and sticky humidity. Also, they smell divine: faintly beachy and totally summery. This year, the following products are available in the Summer Hair collection:

• Beach Waves Spray ($25)
• Smooth Sailing Anti-Frizz Cream ($25)
• Cooling Shine Mist ($25)
• After Sun Mask ($25)

Beach Waves is a lightweight mist that will help create a tousled, windswept effect and coax out the natural wave in your hair, if you’ve got one. If your locks need a little more encouragement to wave, then you may want to try a curl-enhancing creme on your damp tresses before spritzing this on. It will help maximize the waviness and give it that piecey, beachy look.

Smooth Sailing Anti-Frizz Cream is great for combating frizz on hot, humid days. If your hair naturally wants to wave when the humidity rises and you’d like to keep it straight, this can help (it won’t keep your strands stick-straight, but it will fight the wave a bit).

Cooling Shine Mist is an aerosol spray that coats your mane with a UV protectant–like sunscreen for your hair. Spraying this on can help extend the life of color-treated hair.

If you’re outside a lot in the summer, the After Sun Mask is like an insurance policy for your hair–especially if you color or highlight it. Sun (UV rays), sand, saltwater, chlorine, and heat all suck moisture out of your hair, leaving it brittle and dry. (If you have wavy/curly hair and use styling/straightening products containing alcohol, it’s a double whammy.) And if your hair is color-treated, those effects are intensified because your hair is already compromised from dyeing. This is a repairing treatment for strands damaged by the outdoors. If you’re the forgetful type who may not remember to use a protectant on your hair before heading outside, this is a good solution to keep it looking healthy until autumn arrives (and really, let’s not rush that).

The collection is available now online and in select stores where Fekkai products are sold.

Philly Find: Heads &Tails Beauty Boutique

With all the fuss about Drybar, Blow, and the other blowout bars opening in NYC, LA, and other cities across the U.S., it was a little hard for us Philly ladies not to feel left out. I mean, could there be a more convenient, affordable luxury than going in for a relatively quick blowout and walking out with great hair that’ll last for days? Probably not. Well, thank goodness for the recent opening of Heads & Tails, a blowout and waxing salon just off Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. I was invited in for an appointment last weekend to try out the salon’s blowout services.

Before I go into my salon experience, I want to share the story behind it, because I love the way this small business started. Dana Morrison and Jenne Doyle grew up together in South Philly. They both entered the corporate world, and when they realized they were unfulfilled, decided to pursue their true passion and both went back to cosmetology school. Dana studied hair, and went on to work in some of Philly’s top salons, while Jenne became a licensed aesthetician. They eventually teamed up to start their own beauty business together, and Heads & Tails opened to the public this year.

One of the 3 styling stations in the salon.

Ok, so what’s this new blowout bar like? I have to admit I was hesitant about going. You know how visiting salons for the first time can be really uncomfortable? You never know if the atmosphere is going to be snooty, or if you’ll jive with your stylist, or be forced to make small talk. The minute I walked through the door, Dana greeted me by name, offered me a mimosa and cookies, and made me feel completely at ease. Dana and Jenne could not have been any friendlier! They were genuinely so nice and I could tell they had a way with making clients feel totally comfortable and relaxed.

PHYTO products for sale in the waiting area.

They offer 3 signature blowout styles (loose, beachy waves; sleek & straight; full volume), or you can request whatever style you have in mind. All blowouts are $35 and include a wash. I opted for beachy waves after I saw Dana finish up her work on the client before me (whose hair looked fabulous). Dana washed and conditioned my hair before blowing out my naturally wavy strands into a smooth, sleek style. I requested extra volume on top, so as she worked, Dana placed large velcro rollers around my crown and left them in as my hair cooled. When the blowout was done, she twisted loose, carefree waves into my tresses with a curling iron. I was in and out in under an hour. And my hair looked awesome! It was probably the best blowout I’ve ever received, and I think that speaks to the salon’s vision: when you focus on great styles and omit cuts, colors, and most other services, you get truly amazing-looking hair.

The view from 19th Street.

If you need a little extra TLC with your blowout, you can book a hair/scalp treatment with your service. Heads and Tails also offers a full menu of waxing services, performed by Jenne. Waxes range from $8-$60, and are performed in a private room (with very cute wallpaper!).

Heads & Tails is great for getting a blowout before a big event, like a wedding. Its Center City location is really convenient if you work in the area and need to pop in for a lunch-break wax or style. And they book parties! How fun would it be to bring your girlfriends here for a day of beauty? I know I’ll be back — and I’ll be bringing my friends.

Heads & Tails Beauty Boutique: 265 S. 19th St, Philadelphia, PA; 215.875.8343; headsandtailsrittenhouse.com.

Full disclosure: This complimentary service was provided by the salon. Complimentary services and/or products do not guarantee a positive review.

Coachella 101

Are you going to Coachella this year? It’s not in the cards this year for me to fly across the country to beautiful Indio, CA…although with a lineup including Feist, The Black Keys, Florence & the Machine, Beirut, Neon Indian, Fanfarlo, I sure wish I was going. (Same story every year…one of these years, I will get there!)

If you are going, 1) I’m jealous! and 2) you may be wondering what the hell to wear to a music festival in the desert. It’s not exactly the easiest thing to dress for (especially if you’re not used to desert weather), but the laidback vibe of Coachella allows you some wiggle room. Stick with a boho aesthetic, and you’ll be set: think relaxed pieces, easygoing hair, and carefree, effortless makeup.

1. Charlie Jade “Nalina” dress ($174) 2. Topshop Neon Ombre Rhinestone Headband ($25) 3. Urban Outfitters Friendship Headwrap ($16 for 2) 4. House of Harlow Sunburst Pendant ($65) 5. Aqua 1,000 Cranes Ribbon Strap Tank ($78) 6. Fiona Paxton Mareli earrings ($198) 7. Free People Denim Cut-off Shorts ($68) 8. Free People “Native Sun” dress ($108);

As for the hair, go au naturale, whatever that is: wavy, straight, curly; whatever your hair is, go with it! If you have long hair that you want off of your face, try a fishtail braid swept to the side. Or just throw on a big floppy hat and call it a day.

Coachella isn’t the time to get fancy with makeup, which is great, cause you can travel light. In your makeup bag, all you’ll need is sunscreen, sheer tinted moisturizer, a mini mascara, lip balm, bronzer, a portable cream blush, and an eyelash curler.

Adara Virgin Coconut Oil

With all the liquid restrictions on international and domestic travel these days, stashing your beauty products is easier said than done. Downsizing is key when traveling (even if you’re just tossing your bags into the trunk for a quick road trip.) Eliminate piles of clanking plastic bottles and streamline your dopp kit with Adara Virgin Coconut Oil ($12). Ditch the body lotion and instead, massage this into your skin. Nix the conditioner and smooth this from scalp to ends for an intense deep conditioning treatment (wrap it under a hot towel for maximum impact). Got flyaways? No need to pack 15 hair products to get sleek strands; smooth this on ends for frizz control. It can also be used as a massage oil to soothe tired, overworked muscles. You can even use this as a base to create your own perfume by mixing a few drops of essential oils into the unscented version. In fact, there’s very little this pure, organic, all-natural oil can’t do; it’s nature’s remedy for nearly every beauty ailment or mishap. And the 2-oz. bottles are approved for air travel. What more could you ask for?

If you want to stay all-natural, there’s an unscented version, but for a hint of fragrance, there’s also heavenly peach, soothing lavender, refreshing green tea, innocent rose, and oriental jasmine.

The Big Bang Theory

Image via Pinterest

Bangs are everywhere! And yes, I’m biased because I recently got some trimmed into my hair (again). Almost all my life, I’ve had some iteration of bangs — starting with the short ‘do and forehead-skimming thick bangs during my toddler years, the scary ’80s teased bangs of my childhood, and the half-teased, half-wispy ones I sported during my early high school years. I eventually progressed into a more sophisticated style, with sideswept bangs of varying lengths, and now full, blunt bangs for the second time in as many years. The only time I didn’t have some sort of a bang was in college, when I was too fed up with spending forever trying to tame them. But I never felt totally comfortable without them; I think my (very round) face just looks better with bangs.

This is one trend that will be sticking around for quite some time; it may change shape, but any way you look at it, bangs will always be a part of American hair styles.

If you considering taking the plunge, go for a style you feel comfortable with and that fits your lifestyle. For example, if you’re a wash-and-go girl, bangs may not be best for you. I pulled together an inspiration gallery (after the jump) to get your ideas flowing!

Resources for Bangs

• If you already have them but are stumped on how to style them, check out this great illustrated tutorial from The Beauty Department.
• If you can’t make a trip to the salon, you can snip your own bangs at home without it ending in disaster. Check out this Instyle video with celeb stylist Ted Gibson and this video with Heidi Klum & her pro stylist Eric Gabriel for step-by-step instructions on trimming your own fringe.

And now, onto the photos….

Alterna 1 Night Highlights

Girls who dye their hair using single-process color have it easy. Between at-home root touch-up kits and root sprays, you’re golden (or caramel, auburn, etc.) if you need a quick fix between salon appointments and you have single-process color. But what’s a girl with highlights to do when she needs a quick, temporary boost? I don’t trust at-home highlight kits (they’re way too easy to screw up), so do the next best thing and paint on your highlights. It doesn’t look as weird as it sounds.

Aveda Introduces Invati, Promising Thicker, Fuller Locks

Thicker, fuller, lusher hair is something that all women covet (where would celebs be without extensions?). But unfortunately, as women age, hair begins to thin out, and a thick mane becomes unattainable. Luckily, Aveda has introduced Invati, a new line of haircare products that promises to reduce hair loss by up to 33%. It’s a natural boost that can help restore hair that’s thinning due to aging, stress, or other factors.

The debut Invati line contains 3 products: Exfoliating Shampoo, Thickening Conditioner, and Scalp Revitalizer. All 3 products contain densiplex, Aveda’s blend of herbs (including ginseng and turmeric) that’s said to invigorate and stimulate hair follicles. Read on to see what they can do for your locks.

Stick Straight: Bumble & bumble Concen-straight

Got unruly curls or waves that you just want to tame? Sick of spending hours blowing out your frizzy locks into straight strands? Bumble and bumble Concen-straight ($45) is a new, single-use treatment that smooths and tames frizz for up to 30 shampoos. Unlike some pricey salon straightening treatments, this won’t damage your hair, and you can use it on color-treated tresses.

B&b attributes its power to the formula, which contains a “gemstone blend” of pearl, tourmaline, sapphire powder, and Brazilian green malachite. This potent cocktail relaxes the “inner S-bonds” that give hair its wave. The amino acid polylysine refines the S-bonds to make hair smoother and appear glossier. Silicone is added to the mix to seal in the treatment and set the hair in a straight line.

But, you can’t just apply this treatment and expect salon-quality results. Click through to find out what B&b recommends to maximize the impact of this treatment.

Pretty As A Pin

Pinterest has become a full-fledged obsession for me. From fashion ideas to home decor and recipes (and so much more), it’s got everything you need to craft inspiration boards that curate what speaks to you. But one of the most useful things, for me, is its endless supply of beauty inspiration. Makeup, hair, nails — it’s all there. Here are some of my favorite recent pins that capture the genius of Pinterest.

I absolutely adore Rachel Bilson’s glowy makeup here.

I adore the color combo of this pinky-nude polish and purple glitter.

Tumbling waves and multitonal blonde highlights gave me inspiration to switch up my hair color (just a bit).

Different styles of the cat eye (inspired by Adele), illustrated and explained.

Blush tones interrupted by a metallic gold lightning bolt makes for striking nails.

Take your pony up a notch with a chic knot.

Dewy makeup, demystified.

I must do this nude mani layered with chunky gold glitter.

Are you on Pinterest? Let’s follow each other! You can find me here.

All images via Pinterest.