For the longest time, most of us tended to play it pretty safe when it came to beauty. Neutral nails, pink lips, maybe a colorful eyeshadow or pixie cut now and then if we were feeling wacky.
While summer was about intricate braided updos, beachy waves, and sun-kissed highlights, winter's reigning trend is simplicity. "The overall movement we're seeing is wearable hair that doesn't have any complexity," says Danilo, Pantene's celebrity hairstylist. "It may have some twists and turns, but overall the presentation is easy, simple hair."
What is it about long hair that makes a gal get a little lazy? Think about it: Do you (or your long-haired pals) have one -- maybe two -- signature hairstyles? And do both of those involve wearing your hair down and straight or down and curled?
The year 2012 will definitely be remembered for a few things: The devastation from Hurricane Sandy, the re-election of President Obama, and the end of TomKat.
I first wanted bangs when I was 6 years old. It was the mid-80's, and my little sister had a blunt fringe that would have made Jane Birkin jealous. (She also had hair as thick and straight as heavy drapery.) I begged my mom for bangs, but she made it clear that with my round face and curly hair it would never happen. No way. Zero chance.
Pinterest is my SimCity.
It's my fantasyland where I can pin all the DIY décor of my dreams onto my "home sweet home" board -- then pretend I actually live in a house with hammocks hanging on my non-existent patio.
When it comes to beauty trends, New York Fashion Week reigns supreme. These inspired hair and makeup looks are so stunning we're sure that you'll want to Pin them to your favorite board ASAP
I have a friend with neon hair. She's 34 years old -- not 24, not 14 -- and it looks amazing. Now, I'll add that she lives in New York City, where pretty much anything goes. She also has a funky designer wardrobe and spends a lot of time in art galleries -- so the neon hair works with her personality and lifestyle. It's chic, sophisticated, and surprisingly subtle. And while I'm not suggesting every woman can pull it off, it's a lot easier than you might think.
There's something about a great haircut that makes you look -- and feel -- like a newer, better version of yourself. What woman hasn't walked into a salon feeling less than cute and walked out thinking she could be in one of those Pantene shampoo commercials?
I'm ashamed to admit this, but for most of my teen years, I didn't wear sunscreen. Not only would I skip the SPF, but my friends and I happily tossed the tanning oil to each other while joking: "Black don't crack!"
It almost seems like a rite of passage: become a mom; get a bad "mom cut." You know the one — the short hairstyle that's way too short and not flattering for your face shape. The one you got on an "I need a change!" whim.
Remember when clichés could actually forecast the weather: March went in like a lion and out like a lamb, after the rain came a rainbow, and April showers brought May flowers? Predictable seasons told us how nature would behave, and thus, when to change over our wardrobe, how to pack for a vacation, and how our hair would react from one day to the next. And while you may have needed a stylist's advice at the start of a season for this last point, you could then use her tips until the weather reliably transitioned again.
Because an estimated 50 percent of women (ages 25 and older) color their hair, we field an awful lot of questions about color-related concerns. To help get you the best possible answers, we went to color maestro Brad Johns, Color Director for Red Door Spas. Below, see his advice for five readers' most confounding hair coloring issues.
Celebrities appear to have flawless skin and perfect bodies. And although most of them work unbelievably hard to look that way, they often credit the latest miracle serum or supplement instead of 'fessing up to pricey spa treatments and hours logged at the gym.
There are currently 2,084 hair products on ulta.com, and I've tried almost all of them.
I'm a beauty editor after all, so this comes with the territory. And while testing every new hair product that hits the market is a serious job perk, the one little downside is that my bathroom is overflowing with flat irons, curl creams, spray foams, scalp exfoliators... you get the drift.
