Life & Style: Style and Beauty

Filed under: Hair Apparent, Lifestyle

Wassup, hair lovers!

As we shake things up over here at Hair Apparent, we intend to bring you the most innovative, relevant and fun hair blog on the web with industry interviews, stylish hair girls on the streets, celebrity trends, salon reviews and more!

This week I catch up with celebrity hairstylist Dana Gibbs of Danasloft.com.

Her fingers have not only created some of the most rocking celebrity hairstyles, but she double dips as a product innovator and salon owner.

With celebrities like Rihanna and Lauryn Hill under your flatiron, a thriving hair studio and a growing niche beauty line, tell us what a day in your life is like?

Well, I am an early bird, so I get up about 5:30a most days and read my daily prayer to get my day started. Then I make my coffee (a must have) and answer emails. Right now I am working on the press kits for the products, so most mornings I am going over everything that my publicist and graphic artist has sent me for my approval. I'm putting together local newspaper ads and also re-doing my website for the new salon and the launch of the hair products. I get to the salon about 10a.m. and do hair until about 8pm. Unfortunately with this schedule, I've put off the freelancing for a while, in order to focus on getting the salon and products off the ground.

What inspired the creation of your beauty collection and what are the yummy products available?

Being a hairstylist, it just made sense to make my own line of hair care products, which will be officially launched next month. This line is called Make Time for Me and consists of: Restore Me moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, Refresh Me tea tree shampoo and conditioner, Tex Me pomade, Save Me hair spray, Smooth Me leave in conditioner and Gloss Me laminate. These products are amazing (if I do say so myself) and are prefect for all hair types, from super curly to straight hair. At this time they are available for sale at my salon, but will soon be available on my website and hopefully in stores by this summer.

Let's chat celebrities.......How were you able to break into their world and literally get them in your hands?

It took several years to break into this freelancing business. I had to first build a strong portfolio which meant me doing a lot of test shoots (photo shoots you do free of charge for pictures) just to get enough images to take to an agent to rep me. I also had a few very good friends in the business that put me down on jobs to help me get started. I would do anything to be on a job, if someone wanted me to assist; I was there, just to be able to learn all that I could; and trust me no money was being made at those times. Once I had a good portfolio and an agent, it became a little easier, but you always have to hustle just to keep things fresh. Most of the time you get chosen by your work, then it is up to you and your personality to get called back.

Who among the "Red Carpet Famous" always gets it right in terms of their hair? What makes it "right" from your point of view? Who gets it "wrong"?

I love what Rihanna is doing. Her style right now reminds me of my own personal style. She has set whole new trends across the board and I love that! I also love Tracy Ellis Ross' look because she has kept her hair natural and showed us how to make it super stylish. There are some who seem to always be wrong (I won't name names) because they just seem to try too hard. I feel like there are a few out there who look the same and are afraid to buck the system in fear of not being accepted anymore, so a lot of folks are looking very similar. That's why I love Kelis, she always has her own style, but she doesn't always get the credit for starting new trends. She stays ahead of the curve, and that is truly fabulous!

In terms of styling, what are your specialties?

Right now I am doing weaves and extensions all day long. Most of my clients are growing their relaxers out and going natural, so we are doing weaves to get them through the transition. I love the fact that 1/3 of my clients are going natural; their hair looks thick and healthy and they can wear their hair natural or press it straight. I am also known for my hair coloring and love, love, love doing it. I specialize in doing great colors that are healthy and not destroying to the integrity of the hair.

What is the one hair trend that you think pretty much any female can wear? And are there any trends that you are totally not feeling?

I would say that there is a Bob out there for everyone. Be it layered, one length, straight bangs, swooped bang, or asymmetrical, just about everyone can wear this style. And since this is a classic look, it will always be timeless. As far as the no no's, please stay away from orange hair and I'm not talking a pretty copper, I'm talking clown orange! That is the worst! If you want a great color, let a hair color professional do the job for you. Don't go messing in your best friend's kitchen.

Breakdown for us your look right now.

I just colored my hair honey blond with platinum highlights, for the summer, with a few tracks up front for a funky asymmetrical look. Although I have been know to change my hair every other week, LOL, I always seem to go back to this look. They say it's the one that fits me best.

Check out www.danasloft.com to get a deeper peek.

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hair Apparent, Lifestyle, Style and Beauty

Until 10 days ago, I had never worn a full head weave -- much less, silky straight hair -- four colors, full bangs, shoulder length weave. Now, before I go into the screeching BMW's, the Asian dudes with Jungle Fever and the brothers with a silky hair Jones, let me share with you my HAIRSTORY.

I've been natural before it was the "it" thing to be. Through the mid-90's til today, I've done all that can be done with natural hair -- twists, locs, afros, braids, cornrows, you name it -- I've had it. Prior to the return to my state of "happy when nappy," I had what some call a body perm also known as a Jheri Curl with a brief eighteenth month stint as a perm head.

Personally, the best thing about being a black woman (okay second to the booty) are the range of options we have with our hair. In less than a decade I've gone from a platinum baldie, to a Mohawk, to a 24-inch long Rasta fro to a full head silky weave. I absolutely love funky, avant-garde hair!

Being natural was liberating, spiritual, bold, frustrating, fun and many times funky. Two weeks before I was due to get the "mainstream 'do" a few of my clients, colleagues and home girls -- were lovin' my fro....I clearly remember days when responses weren't so positive.

Going back to my weave.

OMG! The reactions are insane.

The "naturals" feel like I've crossed over (trust me I can tell) the "weaves" feel like they have new competition or either they are super happy I've joined their community and rocker, hipster chicks are loving it! (Makes sense, the look is based off their style.) As for the men folk...the attention has amplified beyond belief; some of it I can relish, some of it I can do without...but the response is nuts!

At the end of the day, hair is power...especially BLACK HAIR.

I look forward to a wonderful hair journey with all of you.

Below are a few pictures of me and my various hairstyles over the past few years -- the one up top is my latest look with the full head weave.

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hair Apparent, Lifestyle, Style and Beauty

AMBERmag.com Wants to Know IS YOUR SALON A STAR?

You have styling skills. You know this. Your salon is fly.

This you know - and your clients know as well. And you are truly about your business.

Here's how to get more shine! Enter our Is Your Salon a Star? contest and show us what you've got.

One Grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses paid Simply Sunday Beauty Day that includes:- A V.I.P pamper-me day held at your salon for your clients with free manicures or massages; cocktails and hor dourves; CDs, makeup and beauty giveaways; Mizani products and more!

- A Hair Show produced by AMBERmag.com at your salon where you show off your skills,highlighting the latest trends

- Publicity highlighting your salon and styles to millions!UP WILL RECEIVE:
MIZANI products worth over $100; hair posters and will be featured on AMBERmag.com and Mizani-usa.com!

Deadline: April 11, 2008

Enter the IS YOUR SALON A STAR? contest today!

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hair Apparent, Lifestyle

Courtesy Ambermag.com

Are you looking for ways to fatten up fine, thin hair?

Build body by using a volumizing mousse or root lifter as you style. Both can be applied on wet or dry hair to add thickness to limp locks.

For wet sets, apply mousse throughout damp hair and watch tresses thicken up as they go from damp to dry. For straight styles, use a root lifter before blow-drying to add volume from the scalp.

Take your look to the next level with these instant hair pick-ups from your favorite salons and drugstores. .-Mia Stokes

Click here to see which volumizers work best to boost your limp strands

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Hair Apparent, Lifestyle, Style Spotter

Shortly after I had my daughter my hair started to fall out. But only the front right side had become as thin as Nicole Richie, circa 2006. The rest was healthy.

A friend of mine suggested a weave until my hair grew out. I agreed a weave could be a good solution, but up until that very moment, my idea of weaves were for women who had had issues with their hair and I guess I had now become one of them.

So with my naive, narcissistic attitude safely stored in my Louis Vuitton Speedy bag, I proceeded to a high profile salon in Brooklyn and there began the tale of my brief addiction to hair weaves.

It all started with glued hair pieces to hide the front of the thinned out spot on my head. Then it quickly turned into a full glued head. When it was time for my next appointment, I pulled the glued pieces out while I sat in the cab, late but quickly heading towards the salon for the 10am appointment. Three weeks later, clumps of hair dramatically fell out.

"You didn't know you should never do that," my friend screamed when I told her how I permed my hair within 30 minutes of pulling the glued weave out.

I immediately went back to the salon and the unanimous decision was a full head of sewn in weave, shoulder length of course. Seven hours later (please feel free to ask any hairstylist why it takes 7 hours to do a weave, unfortunately I cannot answer that question) my hair was a little passed my shoulders, straight, thick and effortless. I loved it! I wrapped it faithfully ever night. I styled it with my trusty flat iron, curled it with steaming hot rollers and roller set it once a week with the Dominicans.

This happened for a year. Until one day I was just exhausted from hiding tracks, excessively combing and brushing hair, and wrapping long locks at night had now become tedious instead of fabulous. With a little help from the 2008 Grammy red carpet. (see February 11th blog http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/02/11/chop-chop-short-hair-looks-at-the-grammys/) I decided to go natural with a short cut and long bang.

So here I am with hair as short as Zac Efron. I love it! For now...

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter

By TaraSimone, Special to BlackVoices.com

My infatuation with fragrance began as a young girl playing dress up at my mother's vanity. It was the mid 1980s and I danced in the mirror with a belted over sequin top and my mother's high heels sliding on and off my tiny feet. Sitting before her collection of crystal and bejeweled bottles containing elusive liquids ranging in shades from soft amethyst to deep amber, I would pretend to be grown and beautiful...just like her.

Delicate floral fragrances embody the many facets of motherhood...feminine, passionate, joyful, engaging and intriguing.

For those last minute shoppers, you can just grab the following scents -- and for all moms -- from the one who holds it down at work to the "fly" mom to the new mom to the grand dame of them all, the grandmom.

TaraSimone is a floral and event design expert and owner of Barbara's Flowers, an innovative flower retail boutique located in Harlem, New York. Barbara's Flowers offers clients extraordinary blossoms with a plethora of design choices. For TaraSimone, the concept is simple - "We should create our environments as the stage on which flowers, food, music and art entertain and enrich our lives. www.harlemflowers.com

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter, Africa News

Why, yes there is! Matter of fact there were plenty at last night's Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual gala. Fashion's Juice Crew, fantastic movie stars, superb journalists and socialites of all kinds came out for the "Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy," exhibit.

In a social situation as this, and especially because of the super, fantastic theme, many celebs did not disappoint and were forced to be creative, empowering and amazing, adjectives, which also describe the superhero.

Andre Leon Talley - The Superman

Venus Williams, in Carolina Herrera; Andre Leon Talley in Giorgio Armani with Chanel cape

Thandie Newton - The Catwoman

Thandie Newton in Chanel

Michelle Trachtenberg - The Wonderwoman

Michelle Trachtenberg in vintage

Zac Posen - The Johnny Storm ; Kate Mara - The Aqua Girl

Zac Posen in his own design with Kate Mara in Zac Posen

Fergie - The Venom

Fergie in Calvin Klein

Iman - The Scarlet Witch

Iman and David Bowie in Dolce & Gabbana

Kimora Lee Simmons - The It

Kimora Lee Simmons with Djimon Hounsou in Tom Ford

Christina Ricci - The Supergirl

Christina Ricci in Givenchy Haute Couture

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style and Beauty, Style Spotter

Naomi Campbell is a pioneer in the realm of diversifying the beauty industry, yet she has sullied her career with a string of violent acts since 1998. While many of her famous accusations center on attacking people in her employ, Campbell's 2008 assaults involve airline workers and a police officer. Campbell has been globally banned from flying on British Airways as a result of these new, alleged crimes. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis, AP)

Tyrese Gibson is a former fashion model who has used his sexy charm as a springboard to music and movies. The ladies find him irresistible, while no man can deny his swagger. But in 2007, Gibson came under investigation for abusing his pregnant girlfriend. Is this bad boy too bad? (Photo: J Records)

Kate Moss became a top model during the '90s for a controversial look deemed "heroin chic," which opponents believed encouraged drug use and anorexia. After hooking up with rocker Pete Doherty, Kate's reputation took a turn for the worse as Doherty's drug busts constantly brought her name into gossip headlines. Then in 2005, London's Daily Mirror ran photos of Kate Moss using drugs herself. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)

Kimora Lee Simmons is fabulous, but more than a little grating on the nerves. Despite this, Simmons has found success taking her diva attitude to the airwaves on her hit reality TV series. But in her mug shot for her 2004 arrest for possessing marijuana, eluding police, careless driving, tailgating and driving with a broken brake light, Kimora is all smiles. See--she canbe nice sometimes. (Photo: Johnny Nunez, WireImage.com)

Tyra Banks has parlayed her beauty and charm into two television series in which she expresses her complete self-absorption. On her daytime television show, Banks is famous for turning every conversation into a discussion of herself. On 'America's NextTop Model,' Banks appears to relish tearing into the young egos of the young women in her care. But it does make for good television. (Photo: KMazur, WireImage.com)

Many believe that Gia Carangi was actually the world's first supermodel, a star of the '70s whose unique posing style is still emulated today. Back then, cocaine use, pill-popping and intense clubbing were the norm at famous locales like Studio 54. Gia's behavior went from bad to tragic as she became addicted to heroin. She died from AIDS at 26. (Photo: Andrea Blanch, Getty Images)

Janice Dickinson, the self-proclaimed world's "first supermodel," has taken bad model behavior to new heights during her recently revitalized career. A fashion star who traveled the world partying and posing in the '70s and '80s, Janice has returned to the pop culture scene as a panty-flashing reality TV star. Dickinson's surgicalized face and outrageous outbursts make people stop, stare and cringe. (Photo: Michael Buckner, Getty Images)

Jenny Shimizu reached the pinnacle of modeling during the '90s as a famous face for Calvin Klein. In 2007, Shimizu has sought to cash in on her experiences by writing a tell-all book describing lesbian affairs with Madonna and Angelina Jolie. Of Madonna, Jenny said: "I was her secret 'booty call' available any time of the day or night for secret sexsessions." Shimizu also stole actress Ione Skye from her Beastie Boy husband, Adam Horowitz. Ain't nothing right with snitching and stealing. (Photo: Rosie Greenway, Getty Images)

This Brazilian beauty is currently number one on Forbes' list of highest paid supermodels for earning $35 million in 2007. But, her tremendous wealth did not stop Giselle from stealing that year. Instead of stealing dollars, Giselle stole someone else's man, famously luring famous quarterback Tom Brady away from actress Bridget Moynahan who was pregnant with his child at the time. (Photo: J. Countess, WireImage.com)

Grace Jones seems to willingly cultivate an image of eccentricity and excess. On her official Web site, Grace states: "I believe in having certain releases,certain outlets. One has to indulge. If you don't indulge you don't live -- might as well be dead." Okay, Grace... (Photo: Evan Agostini, Getty Images)

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SPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.

Filed under: Lifestyle, Style Spotter

Pierre Hardy is best known, at present moment for teaming up with Gap to design super stylish, extremely simple 2008 spring/summer shoes for the mass market clothing chai