For the first 20-something years of my life, I wore many sock buns. As a dancer, it was something I could wear to keep my hair out of my face that also added some more oomph to skimpy strands. Nowadays, many ladies are sporting undone, messy buns as well as smooth, refined ballerina buns -- and most of them use a sock bun to create those larger-than-life styles.
The last time I/the world used hair rollers was probably right around the time that blue eye shadow was still a definite fashion 'do' and Jessie Spano was tweaking on caffeine pills. But, like crop tops and Doc Martens, what was retro yesterday is hot today.
With chilly temperatures, vitamin D-deficient days and the woes of parched and flaking skin behind us, the arrival of summer has never looked so glorious. And what better way to celebrate than with a bold new chop? In addition to SPF, flamingo-shaped floaties and the return of our favorite pair of high-waisted cut-offs, we'd be remiss to forget the confidence-pumping power of a fresh summer haircut.
"I want colorful hair — like a vibrant purple or deep lavender," says the woman in the salon chair next to mine. I peek at the woman sitting next to me and have to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor. It's a woman well into her 60s, and suddenly my 23-year-old self (who's going a boring-by-comparison brown) realizes just how far-reaching the colorful hair trend is. I've also gained a whole new respect for this fabulous woman sitting next to me.
If you're shopping for new beauty products this April, you're going to be impressed by the offerings. High tech ingredients, unusual formulas and fresh new makeup options abound. There's a sunblock that protects you from your iPhone, blush in a painter's tube and even cleansing oil in a deodorant stick. Spring beauty has never been this much fun -- so enjoy it!
Have you heard of hair perfume? It might sound a little, well, extra, but hear us out: In a lot of ways, perfume formulated for hair actually makes more sense than regular perfume. Washing hair infrequently has become trendy, and hair mist is a great way to keep your mane smelling fresh between washes. Also, most hair perfumes actually serve a dual purpose, combining protection, moisture and shine along with their amazing scents. Another bonus? The many inventive fragrances and gorgeous packaging means they're totally gift-able.
When we think back on braid hairstyles of the past, the French braid pigtails reigned supreme on the playground. But the trending braids we've been spying all over the runway are proof that braids are still the coolest hairstyle around, only now with a grown-up twist.
Semi-permanent hair color is the unsung hero of the drugstore hair-care aisle. It's the perfect solution for those who want to test the waters of a color change, but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars and hours in the salon chair to do it. Unlike permanent hair color, which can last for a few weeks (sometimes even months), semi-permanent hair color lets you take a subtle new shade for a spin without the commitment.
As if the sight of scissors in a stylist's hands isn't daunting enough for those of us with ultra-fine fringe, the fear and anxiety in the weeks leading up to our thrice-yearly chop can be downright terrifying. Chalk it up to one too many in-chair traumas that resulted in months of mourning lost locks, but over the years we've become less inclined to book an appointment at the salon, and more apt to fall for any product or gimmick promising Hadid sister va-va-voom -- i.e., extensions, supplements, diet tweaks and a graveyard of products that have single-handedly maintained our credit card's frequent flyer health.
Straightening brushes sound too good to be true. Coaxing your curls into smooth, straight hair couldn't possibly be as easy as just running a brush through them, right? Take it from someone whose curls are a life-long, well-kept secret: Straightening hair brushes can give you sleek, silky hair -- if you find the right one and know how to use it.
The power of a great haircut or hair color is undeniable -- as is the opposite. (Holla if you've ever been reduced to tears by a hair disaster!) Which makes choosing the best hair salon a decision that can send you down a Yelp wormhole -- especially if you live in the big city. Yes, finding your hair stylist/colorist match in Los Angeles, a city where they're as plentiful as avocados, is rough. Think: perfect curly haircuts, sunkissed highlights, tousled waves, the latest hairstyles the celebs are wearing ... basically, the stuff Pinterest dreams are made of.
Way back when (as in, only a couple of years ago), "bronde" took the beauty world by storm. A breakthrough term to define the ambiguous light brown hair color that wasn't quite blonde, but not yet brown, this high-profile hybrid has arguably become one of the most covetable hair trends (dare we say ever), and has yet to lose steam.
Sulfates: They're something you might not want in your shampoo. Until recently, that was all we knew about sulfates -- more and more brands started avoiding them, but we didn't know why, or if we should avoid them, too. The personal care industry is filled with complicated chemical names and lots of "rules" about what you should and shouldn't be putting on your body. Today, we're shedding some light on the sulfate debate: Should they stay or should they go?.
So, what exactly is a clarifying shampoo, and why do we need them? Well, products like conditioner, shine serum, hairspray, etc. tend to create buildup on your hair and scalp, which leads to dullness, frizziness and heaviness. Environmental factors like pollution and mineral deposits from hard water can also contribute to the aforementioned lackluster hair -- so, enter clarifying shampoo. You see, a well-deployed clarifying shampoo can take care of all that, leaving you with a clean (not to mention shinier and more voluminous) slate. They're not something you should use every day, since they can be harsh, especially on drier hair -- but they're something you should consider using anywhere from weekly to monthly, depending on your hair type and how much product you use.
Long hair with bangs: It's a decision every lady with down-to-there hair has pondered. Are you on the fence about getting bangs for long hair? Trust us, we understand the Hamlet-level back and forth that goes on in your brain when you're trying to decide whether or not to make the chop. Here's our stance: Bangs with long hair are actually pretty awesome. They're a great way to switch things up, whether it's by adding a sophisticated and mysterious swoop, a dash of '70s style in the form of some shaggy long hair bangs, or going really short à la "Amélie."
So we're kind of obsessed with balayage hair, and it's safe to say the rest of the world is too. Balayage, a highlighting technique whose French name means "to sweep or paint," is applied by hand to give hair a naturally sun-kissed look. "It's a flattering way to accent your hair, since it looks so natural," explains Matrix Style Link Celebrity Stylist George Papanikolas.
It's that time of year when the days get shorter, the temperatures get cooler, and our wardrobe gets darker. And although the status quo preaches that we should trade in our blonde highlights for more maintainable hues of chestnut, chocolate and caramel, blonde hair colors like gold, honey and ice are having a moment.
Say sayonara to styling wands, curling irons and beach wavers. We've scoured the web for the most crave-worthy straight hairstyles that will keep you inspired all season long -- no matter the color, length, or texture of your hair. From short and sweet to long and layered, keep scrolling for the straight hairstyles that are "Becky with the good hair" good.
Not sure how to Dutch braid? Buckle up, my friends. You're about to learn.
Dutch braids, a cousin of the French braid, have been around forever. They are the perfect hairstyle when you want your hair out of your face, while looking timeless and a bit edgy. Double Dutch braids, also known as boxer braids, have been making a major impact lately, thanks the Kardashian clan. Khloe, Kim and Kylie are often spotted rocking the dual-braided 'do. A Dutch Braid is basically an inverted French Braid; the three strands of hair are woven under each other instead of over -- resulting in the braid sitting on top of the hair instead of being woven into it. These versatile braids look ultra-chic in the gym, at brunch, or on the red carpet.
Edgy, sexy and pretty much the hottest thing since avocado toast, Ruby Rose is everyone's #WCW (straight or not). And while this female badass slays in all areas of beauty, we're particularly captivated by Ruby Rose's hair &mdaash; which has made some dramatic transformations over the years.