The Quick and Easy Slicked-Back Bun

Being that your social calendar for the holiday season is probably already almost filled up - you want hairstyles that will compliment your style, yet can be done rather quickly.

I love the slicked-back bun. This style is weather-proof. No matter the temperature or if there is precipitation, your hair will look amazing until you take it out!


To create the basic Slicked-Back Bun:

1. Divide dry hair to create a center part, then apply a small amount of shine serum with your fingers, then brush through.

2. Flat iron any fly-aways that you may see, then comb, all of your hair into a sleek low ponytail where your neck meets the back of your head. Use a tight elastic to secure.

3. Take the ponytail and wrap it into a coil around its base, then tuck in ends under. Use bobby pins to secure the ends and any shorter pieces that may be popping out.

4. Once secured, use a firm hairspray for bun and rest of head for a style that will last all night!

 

For side buns, use the same steps, just secure ponytail to which ever side you would like your bun.
You can also do this in a "messy" way, by not making hair so slick, leave it au natural, or curl it. Just remember to bobby pin any pieces that may fall out completely.
You also don't have to create a part if you like your hair to go straight back.

 

This is just a guideline, use your imagination to create different variations of the same concept!

My Current Obsession: Kim Kardashian's Bouncy Locks!

OK so Kim's hair looks perfect every. single. time. Not fair.

She also happens to have so much of it. Not fair either.

But no matter how much hair you have, you can still give others the illusion that you have that same, perfect hair!

This is what makes clip-in extensions my favorite! You can have long hair 3 days in a row, and then you can forget about it for a month. You can put them in whenever you want that amazing, voluminous hair. Maybe it's for special events only, or maybe it's for every day - clip-ins let it be up to you!

A few simple facts about clip-in extensions. First off, you want REAL hair. You can't style and apply heat to synthetic (fake) hair. Yes, synthetic hair is much cheaper, and that is exactly the reason why. If you try to put any type of heat on synthetic hair, it will fizzle, melt, matte and turn into a disgusting mess, and can, and most likely will, ruin your own hair in the process. Stick with "Remy Hair", it is the best kind, and most versatile. It blends well with your own natural hair, and you can apply heat on it for blow drying, flat ironing or with a curling iron.

Once you purchase your extensions, you will need to bring them to your hairdresser so that they can be clipped in properly and cut accordingly. They need to match your haircut, so that they blend and look real - only YOU should know they aren't ;)

Your hairdresser can then show you how to put them in and take them out, because once they are cut and shaped to blend properly, each piece will have a specific place on your head where it needs to be clipped.

Once all clipped in, style accordingly with your own hair. You want to do this so they blend, and vua-la! Bouncy, Perfect, Voluminous hair!

My hair without my clip-ins ~ flatter, not as bouncy

                                                 

Back of my hair with my clip-ins ~ much more bounce!

(with VH1's MOBWives star Ramona Rizzo)

Holiday Fashion Show Benefiting TAPS @ NoMa Social in New Rochelle, NY

Last night I hosted my first EVER Holiday Fashion Show at NoMa Social in the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle, NY. It was benefiting TAPS - a great charity that helps families who lost a loved one in the line of duty.

All the models, Jene Luciani in Blue, Me in Pink, Maria in Pattern and Marcella in all black to right

April Marin Custom let us borrow the fashions for all of the models, and ICE Jewelry by Randi let us use their jewelry to glam up each outfit! My company, Makeup by Heather A. did all the makeup and PlushBLOW did all the hair - it was an amazing time!

Models in April Marin Clothing

We had a Special Guest Model, Jene Luciani of White Plains - Celebrity Stylist and author of The Bra Book!

Many people help make this event happen, and I am thankful to each and every one of them! Maria with 3PR, she is amazing! As well as Marcella Milio of Vestiti by Marcella, who styled each of our models.
Joe with Brett Joseph Photography and Paul with the Image Maker photographed this fantastic event.

Maria, Me, Marcella

We had an amazing Raffle Basket, valued at $800! Full of products, gift certificates, jewelry and more!

All in all it was a fabulous event, many people came out to support the show as well as the cause - and I thank you very much for doing so!

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Beyonce's Bouncy Volume? Angelina's Height? Style it high!

Do you see celebrities in magazines with amazing height in their hair?

Or maybe just someone walking past you, and you think, how did she get that volume on top? Or better yet, how did she make it stay, its 3pm already!?

It's not as hard as you think. 

To reproduce the classic height on top of your head, which has been around for decades, you need either one of these two tools: A large-barreled curling iron, or large-barreled hot rollers

I personally love the curling iron, but for people with finer hair, the hot rollers seem to help with keeping hair in a style for longer.

You want to lift each section vertically, I usually start at the front, and spray with a dry texturizing spray, I love Oribe's, and/or hair spray. Then use the curling iron, create a large curl that folds towards the back of your head, then spraying again once your done.

If you are using hot rollers, you want to make sure they are as hot as they can be before putting in your hair. Once in your hair, let them sit until they are fully cooled down - can take up to 20-30 minutes or so. Then spray again before removing from hair.

Style how you want them to stay, then spray again.

**If you have ultra-fine hair, I recommend teasing at the root after you've curled the hair, then style and spray again - this will help hold the hair in a curl for a longer period of time.

You want to spray enough to keep the hold, but not too much where your hair looks crunchy or the spray creates flakes. Find your happy medium!

1st Annual Holiday Fashion Show at NoMa Social in New Rochelle, NY

It's going to be a great event benefiting TAPS

A Fashion Show, Appetizers, Raffles & More!

Thanks to:

NoMa Social in New Rochelle, NY as our Venue

Clothing by April Marin Custom

Styling by Marcella Milio

Hair by PlushBLOW

Jewelry by ICE Jewelry by Randi

Special Guest Model Jene Luciani

Photography by Brett Joseph Photography

& hosted & makeup by Makeup by Heather A.

Hope to see you all there!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The people and places you surround yourself with, are what make you who you are. No matter what stresses are in your life, always know that it will get better, and no matter how bad you think it is, it could always be worse.

Enjoy this day with whomever you call family - and make it as special as possible!

Tuesday's Tip of the Day: Perfect that Winter Self-Tanner Application

Everyone wants that summer glow all year long, but the price of fake tanning just keeps going up, literally and figuratively. So how can you get that glow you want without going under those harmful fake rays?

When purchasing your self-tanner, do your research. Check out what your friends use, see what the reviews are online, knowing the product will help you figure out whats best for you.

Once you have the product, use the tips below as guidelines on how to apply it so that it looks as real as possible. Remember, don't go overboard when applying, you don't want to be 50 shades darker than your natural color in December. After too many applications in a row, it will end up looking orange and fake, no matter how amazing the product you purchased is.


1. DON'T RUSH! Just like a dentist appointment, mark it on your calendar. You want to apply slowly and make sure you cover all the skin – no one likes a blotchy tan!

2. Make sure to shower & shave well before tanning. Doing this will make sure your skin is smooth and ready for the application.

3.  After showering, moisturize skin extremely well. Tanner doesn't blend or set well on flaky or dry skin.

 

4. Don't forget your back! Especially if you wear low back dresses, or tops that are see-through or have slits. Use a long handled sponge applicator or ask a friend or beau to do it!


5. Make sure you have the adequate drying time for the product you purchased. Some say 20 minutes, some say a couple of hours. If it says wear loose clothing afterwards, don't put on spandex and run to the store. Following the directions incorrectly will give you different results from what the package states. Then you can't be angry when your tan doesn't look great once your done.