The Modern Shag
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How To Style Your Hair While Working From Home
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The cold weather is here and yet again we find ourselves in a familiar position: winding down outdoor activities, begrudgingly unpacking our puffers and boots, and still seeking out that evasive sense of normalcy that’s been out the window since the pandemic began. As much as working from home has allowed us to don our favorite loungewear day in and day out and stretch the time between shampoos, the repetition loses its charm after a week or two. That’s why for us, getting ready for the day and styling our hair as we normally would for work, for the weekend, for Zoom parties, and more, has helped us hold on to a sense of normalcy that brings us joy.
Even while working from home, Mondays are still Mondays. It can be hard to shake the grogginess of the weekend and ignite that motivation. That’s why we’ve been leaning on our magical friend, the braid. They’re versatile. They’re stylish. And braids always look intentional, which on Monday mornings we all need some help in that department. If there’s a particularly hectic work day or week, braids can be worn multiple days in a row or if you braid your hair while its damp then you can enjoy the waves it creates when you take the braids out at your heart’s content.
If you started your week with braids, then enjoy the waves and texture the braids created for you! Shake out the braids and play with what you got. If you have naturally curly hair and you prefer to reset your curls with a thorough wash and diffusing session, do that! As we all come to our hair with different comfortability, working from home has given us all the perfect space and time to play and experiment. As of late, our favorite aspect of hair to play with is volume. You can build up your hair a few extra inches, brush it out or try different techniques with hair drying, and enjoy the process of it without the pressure of having to wear it out of the house or to the office. Let loose!
The key to making a ponytail feel like it’s a part of your ensemble rather than a rushed hairstyling choice is to execute it with detail. As many of us have experienced while working at our makeshift offices, it can be easy to write off our lazy styling choices as “time saving” options. The ponytail can easily fall under this umbrella, but we’re here to say don’t let it! There’s so much creativity to be had with ponytails. Here are few styles we love.
We all have bad hair days and if you’re tired of relying on the ponytail as a crutch, pulling back your hair into a half-up, half-down style is just as fast and may surprise you with how it easy it is. Bad hair days sometimes are as superficial as our top most layer of hair. Sweep that up in a tight knot atop your head, and you may just reveal a shiny and Zoom-ready layer of hair beneath. Of course, a good brush always helps.
5 Inspiring Beauty Educators
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Photo credit (left to right): Ted gibson, tippi shorter, nyma tang, NaeemaH LaFond, Edward Enninful
Stylist Imari Reed (above) - view stylist profile
When it comes to inclusivity, the beauty industry has a lot of work to do. The changes needed are vast, from the lack of representation in executive positions at beauty companies to the limited education, products, and awareness of textured and natural hair. Our team has a wide range of skills and knowledge of different hair textures, but there’s always room for growth as any great hairdresser knows. Here at Parlor, we’ve listened and engaged in the overdue conversations that our industry is finally waking up to, but there’s still more work to be done. One resource we want to share is the #pulluporshutup campaign started by Sharon Chuter, which is a customer-led call-to-action for corporations to publicly publish their employment records. This campaign is working to hold companies accountable when diversifying their leadership teams. Over the past eight years, Aveda, our partner beauty company and hair educator, has made a concerted effort to expand their textured hair education programs and for every master class they offer, we make sure to take advantage.
Imari Reed is a skilled, texture-fluent stylist at Parlor and she believes that education is key to positive change, both on an industry level and on a stylist level. She explains that a stylist has the ability to rewrite the relationship a client has with their own hair, self-image, and confidence, and for folks with textured hair, that guidance can be difficult to find. Reeds explains her personal experience, “I grew up getting relaxers as a kid because it was easier for my mom to do my hair when it was straight. So for most of my life I never even knew what my natural texture looked like. Fast forward to my twenties, I finally made the decision to return natural and it was one of the best decisions of my hair life.”
Once Reed decided to embrace her natural hair, she faced a new challenge: learning how to manage and take care of her curls.
”It can be very discouraging to not know how to manage and care for the hair that grows out of your own head. All I had was YouTube and I was watching videos of girls with hair nothing like my texture wondering why nothing worked. I had to do my own research and learn my hair and now I wouldn't trade it for anything,” she says.
Reed is now sharing her knowledge of textured hair and beyond from the stylist chair and she hopes she can help others avoid the challenges she faced.
She says, “ One of my favorite things about being behind the chair is when I get a ‘young curly’ in my chair and I am able to show them that their hair is beautiful and how to style it. I didn't have that and its important to build people up and make them feel good about themselves, especially the younger ones.”
Education is essential and Reed hopes that no stylist will limit themself with boundaries or expectations.
”I am a textured artist but I am a hairdresser first. Hair is my passion. I've worked very hard on my craft for all textures, straight included. There shouldn't be a box.”
There are so many black beauty educators and leaders that have fought for representation within this industry and not only that, their talent is a source of inspiration and guidance for us as well. If haircare, makeup, wellness, and beauty is a space and source of energy for you and a part of your daily life, educating oneself on the inequality within those spaces is not only extremely important but imperative. This is not an all-encompassing list, but here are a few of the amazing beauty educators that continue to inspire us!
Tippi Shorter
Hairstyles by Shorter have graced the shoulders of countless celebrities. She was the Global Artistic Director For Textured Hair For Aveda and in 2019 she joined Mizani-Loreal Professional as their Global Artistic Director. Shorter’s Instagram is filled with stylist resources and on Mizani’s Facebook Page she publishes videos that are always a source of community, inspiration, and information. Watch her latest video on the beauty industry, here.
Ted Gibson
An inspiration and veteran celebrity stylist, Gibson is one of the industry’s best pushing creative limits. He’s styled icons such as Lupita Nyong'o, Bella Hadid, Angelina Jolie, and more. His editorial shoots are the perfect harmony between aspiration and wearability, the kind of hair that maybe (just maybe) we could all attempt in our bathroom at home. Not only that, he started his career as a product developer at Aveda! Learn more about him, here.
Nyma Tang
Beauty vlogger, Nyma Tang, is known for her Youtube channel and her popular series called, “The Darkest Shade.” Tang started the channel as a way to review and test the darkest shades of makeup on the market to show the need for more inclusive and wide ranging color spectrums. Her Youtube channel was started over three years ago and it now has over 1 million subscribers. You can read more about her, here, in this Allure article or follow her on Instagram.
Naeemah
LaFond
As the Global Artistic Director at amika, LaFond is a sought-after beauty educator and editorial stylist. She’s been at the forefront of the recent call-to-action for corporate transparency in the beauty sector, stating for Essence, “I believe that the first step lies in recognizing the disproportionate lack of access that black people have to opportunities in this industry which lead to systematic and economic inequalities.” Read more from her, here.
Edward Enninful
The insular world of fashion and print publication has a lot of room for growth when it comes to inclusivity, just like the beauty industry. British Vogue Editor-in-Chief, Enninful, is a leader using his voice to bring more black and diverse representation to one of the most revered publications in the world. Read more about his work and role, here.
Hair After Quarantine
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We all have experienced some version of “quarantine hair” within the last few weeks (even us stylists!) as salons have been closed across the country and the new normal is sweatsuit attire. We feel so grateful to be a part of a community that can laugh and be vulnerable together, especially during hard times like these. From the hilarious hair memes on social media to the #showyourroots selfies and #rootforus campaigns, we’ve loved connecting with everyone, clients and businesses alike, during this strange time. As time continues to move forward, we want to provide more information on what to expect when you return to the salon. What is hair like post quarantine?
As stylists, we’re eager to get back behind the chair and make some hair magic . Even though your roots may have grown back two inches, we can and will get you right back to where you were before quarantine! One of our favorite quotes that has came out of this time is by Dave Hollis, “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” This is the perfect time to take a moment and reflect on how quarantine has changed the way you think about your hair. Are you ready for a change? Did it bring you relief to worry less about the upkeep? If so, perhaps it’s time for a low-maintenance hair color. Did quarantine help get you past the dreaded growing out phases of your pixie cut? This could be the perfect time for a new chapter. We asked Parlor owner and Creative Director Gwenn LeMoine and Advanced Creative Stylist Liz Taillie to answer a few questions about different options when returning to the salon for your first visit back!
1. What would you recommend to a client that post quarantine no longer wants to dye their grey hair? What are their options?
Hair by Liz Taillie | Left photo is before, right photo is after
Liz says, “There’s a couple ways to do this: 1. We can add lowlights to the regrowth (your roots) and simulate a more peppered grey, which will create a softer grow out 2. We can add highlights to your hair ends and lowlights to the roots to break up the stark contrast and bring the pepper up into the grey. 3. Leave out a grey streak and retouch the rest of the hair. 4. Or a larger undertaking would be to bleach the ends with previous color and tone to create “grey.” This could take more than one appointment, but once the achieved level of grey is reached there’s little maintenance moving forward.
Gwenn also says, “ With roots being instyle, you will get the most longevity from your hair color if you allow your roots to be darker than your ends…so as the roots grow in they will compliment the color of the ends rather than clash.”
2. Is it possible to use one's regrowth from quarantine and turn it into ombre?
Gwenn says, “With most of us having a longer outgrowth area (those pesky roots) due to not being able to visit the salon, it is a perfect time to transition into a lower maintenance color like ombre. We can use varying techniques to blend your old color with the new rather than covering the new growth entirely. One key ingredient to doing this successfully is to stay within the same tonal family such as cool tones or warm tones throughout the length of the strand.”
3. If someone doesn't have a hard regrowth line, but their overall color is looking dull post quarantaine, what kind of appointment would you recommend for them to schedule?
Hair by Liz Taillie | An example of turning one’s regrowth into an ombre look.
Gwenn suggests if you have a balayage or ombre color that tends to last a long time between appointments, “a gloss or toner becomes a nice pick me up to stop in around 6 weeks after the original service for a "Preservation Gloss". That said, I think by the time we get to meet again we will all be a hot mess and need more than a light gloss of color. I think we will all be craving complete makeovers!”
Liz adds that for dull hair, “A shine treatment can be added onto any service, including a haircut. It adds shine, softness, can help tame frizz, and helps improve the condition of damaged hair. It lasts 20 washes and takes 5 minutes.”
4. What if someone has been lightening their hair and so now has a stark regrowth line and they want to go back to their natural roots, what sort of appointment would they need to schedule for that?
Gwenn says, “If you’ve been lightening your hair and so now have a stark regrowth line and want to embrace more of their natural roots, well COVID19 has done you at least one favor! The longer the new growth becomes the quicker the transition can be. I would schedule a partial highlight and possibly additionally add a color in between some of the foils to help blend that hard line of demarcation.”
It’s important to note that all these recommendations are based off general inquiries, but before every appointment at the salon we do a one-on-one consultation.
5. What are you personally planning to do with your hair post-quarantine?
Liz says, “I’ve been playing with my hair during quarantine. Yesterday I put in highlights and will be cutting it this week. All of this has been giving me the itch to do my own hair and having a pixie requires a lot of maintenance. I hope all my short haired clients are dealing with the very awkward phase gracefully!”
A Guide On How To Style Your Hair (Without Washing It)
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photo via Unsplash
Cover photo and hair by Liz Taillie
As we all settle into the new status quo of social distancing, telecommuting, and embracing (if possible) the athleisure life, the question of how to style one’s hair, if one should at all, has been at the forefront of our minds. Despite all things in life being put on hold, our hair will continue to grow and requires a little bit of our attention. It’s stubborn like that * wink *, but in all honesty experimenting with your hair is a great way to unwind, meditate, and get creative during these strange times.
We’re here to offer up a styling routine to help extend the shelf life of your hair between shampoos! It’s never been great to over wash one’s hair. The natural oils from the scalp help hair grow strong, increase its shine, and keep it from drying out. That’s why there’s no guilt in skipping out on a shampoo, especially when we’re all tucked away in our homes. Here’s a loose guide on how to make your shampoos last longer:
Day 1: Wash & Blowdry
The initial wash and blow dry is the foundation for setting your hair up for success between shampoos! The amount of product you need to use on day one will depend on your hair type and what you have available for products at home. If you need product replenishing, visit us here. It’s great to use a heat protectant and a style-prep smoothing product for the blow dry to help smooth the follicles, reduce frizz, and finish with shine. Once again, we’re setting the foundation for five days! For curly hair, Aveda’s be curly, style-prep treatment will help define your curls whether you prefer a diffuser or to air-dry!
Day 2: Lightly Style
On the second day you can relish in the effort you put in the day before (blowouts are a lot of work, especially in these times)! If you have thinner hair, your may already notice some grease. Resist the urge to reach for the dry shampoo. Instead, use a blowdryer to reactivate some volume. We suggest for curly hair folks to use a small curling iron around the crown of your hairline and the face-framing curls just to give some extra definition, if you so choose!
Day 3: Style It Up
This is the day when heat styling is your best friend. The oils that have built up in your hair will act as an extra protectant against the heat tools, but we always advise to use a heat protectant whenever possible. If you have curly hair and want to brush it out for a more retro, old-school glam look that’s also a great option!
Day 4: Dry Shampoo
Yes! Finally on day four it’s time to wield the power of dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is no substitute for a true hair washing, but it absorb the oils at the scalp to help us get through another day. For curly hair, oils don’t disperse as easily from the scalp downward so you want to apply the dry shampoo at the scalp but also use a moisturizing serum or oil on the ends of your hair, too, as they likely will be dry. As far as styling goes, rock the heat styling you did the day before.
Day 5: It’s Time For An Updo
If you’ve made it this far, congrats! It’s time to play around with the natural fluff and shine of your hair and make it one more day. We always love a topknot, braid, or a twisted chignon!
Day 6: Wash It Out & Repeat ♡
Benefits Of A Routine Blow Out
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Hair by Lindsay Chango
Hair by Melissa Márquez
Hair by Imari Dominick
It’s time to bust the myth that blow outs are just for special occasions. Their scope and benefits go so far beyond the feel-good hair you leave the salon with (though that is definitely a benefit not to be undervalued!). There’s been a long tradition for women and men to use salons as a nexus for culture and conversation, a gathering place to unwind, and an environment for community. Similar to coffee houses, salons are a social place to return. The power of a blow out is similar to the joy of a cup of coffee. Ritualistic and decadent. Aside from all of this, the benefit of blowouts go beyond the stylist chair, here’s the list on how:
Time Management
Think back to all the frustrating bad hair days you experienced (or barely avoided) this month. We will forever be indebted to high buns and bobby pins for saving us those days, but if you feel like you’re spending more days in ponytails than not due to running of time to style your hair, arm fatigue from holding the blow dryer (oh, we know the burn), or hair just isn’t your favorite thing to do, that’s when adding a blow dry to your routine can and will improve your mood AND save you time!Volume
Bed head can either be chic or very flat. The beauty of a blow out is that the volume can last from anywhere between two to five days. That’s a big deal, especially for thin and flat hair folk. Why can't your air dry hair get the same volume as a blow out? It’s all about the heat and tension combo. Heat from the blow dryer and tension from the round brush.Avoid Frizz (& Breakage)
You may also notice that after a blow out your hair cuticles are flat and smooth. When hair is air dried, the cuticle has a harder time laying flat and that’s how frizz is born. The more frizz you experience the more likely you’ll also experience breakage. If you need help avoiding both, a blow out will do the trick!
Versatility In Style
It feels good to have a routine and we’re creatures of habit, but blow outs can give you versatility in your style. One week, you may ask your stylist to blow dry it straight and smooth and the next blow out you may want beachy curls. It’s up to you and it’s much easier than learning a new technique at home.
Play To Your Strengths
We all have our personal expertise. Hair is ours! There’s no reason to lose sleep over styling your own hair the morning, and this way you don’t have to.
Shampoo Less
After your blow out, you won’t need to wash your hair for two to five days! It’s common among hair experts to recommend shampooing your hair only once a week because your natural oils build up and nourish your hair. If you’re still shampooing every day or find it difficult to manage oily hair, a blow out will help keep the hair full with volume (and mask the oils) and we can also pair you with the right beauty products to help the styling last longer.
R&R
At the end of the day, it feels good to sit back, zen out, and have great hair!
Trends In The Stylist Chair
/Cover photo hair by Liz Taillie
The stylist chair doesn’t lie when it comes to trends! You might ask, why bother keeping up with trends anyways? Every season, there’s a list of new hairstyles to try out, and to quote Heidi Klum it can feel like, ”one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out.” This might be true for fast-trends where the focus is on the color, texture, and hair length, but what about the attitudes these hairstyles emanate and their role in a larger social context? Cultural trends are more than that, they’re long-lasting and tap into a larger conversation of cultural sensibility. Think back to the counterculture movements of punk rock and hippiedom, it’s easy to recall images of hip-length hair and the spiky pixie. That’s a cultural trend that doesn’t span just one season. Everyday we see hairstyles cycle through our salon, and we began to notice a few hair trends that aren’t just fast-fashion, but have a cultural conversation all together. Here are our notes:
Eco-friendly Beauty Guru
HAIR BY SARAH JONES
HAIR BY GWENN LEMOINE
hair by ALISSA JONES
We believe eco-friendly beauty isn’t just a trend and it’s here to stay! From the climate marches to the plastic bag bans across the country, in the salon chair, we’ve been noticing more awareness, more active participation in our eco-friendly beauty products and practices. When it comes to hair in the salon, sometimes it’s best to embrace your natural color and invest in a haircut that may require some maintenance, but leaves you and your scalp chemical-free and feeling like your best self!
Au Natural Curls
hair by IMARI DOMINICK
HAIR BY IMARI DOMINICK
hair by IMARI DOMINICK
The natural curls trend is definitely not just a trend. The celebration of curls is only growing and will be a core conversation for beauty in 2020 (and the decade to come), according to Instagram’s Beauty Partnerships Lead Kristie Dash! There’s a movement both online and off for women and men to embrace their hair and create positive conversation around self-love and breaking outdated stereotypes of beauty. We are head over heels with the curly hair styles that we are lucky enough to craft every day! The images above are just a few examples of our stylists’ work, click on the images if you want to explore a stylists full IG portfolio.
Boss Babe Easy
hair by LIZ TAILLIE
hair by LINDSAY CHANGO
hair by LINDSAY CHANGO
As women continue to climb the ranks of their careers and work to break the glass ceiling, they are in need of hair that looks on par 24/7/365 with limited maintenance and styling necessary. After all, one can build an empire AND have memorable hair! Here enters the era of balayage highlights and dimension. The power of great hair color is that once you’re out of the salon chair, there’s no upkeep at home (aside from color conserving shampoo, of course). We’ve definitely seen an uptick in clients requesting natural highlights that grow out effortlessly. It’s the ultimate #bossbabe aesthetic for a busy schedule, and if you’d like a refresh of your color midway through the growing out process or a preservation gloss there’s appointments for that as well!
Edgy & Versatile
hair by MELISA MARQUEZ
hair by LINDSAY CHANGO
hair by MELISA MARQUEZ
We’re also noticing an emphasis on styling flexibility! The ability to change up one’s look day-to-day is a growing interest, and planning ahead for the dreaded “growing out process” is a must. A great example is fringe! Though not traditionally thought of as a versatile hair option, when bangs follow their natural course, they naturally create different looks along the way. Blunt bangs can quickly grow out to be curtain fringe which then turns to shag over the course of just a few weeks. That’s three different hairstyles with little to no awkward phases! Versatility keeps it interesting and let’s you change up your look on the regular, we can’t get enough of the fringe requests.
7 Beauty Resolutions That Don't Feel Out Of Reach
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Resolutions are tricky to set, maintain, and achieve! We all know the drill: come mid-February (perhaps sooner!) old habits start to set in and that once clear-minded resolution feels like an impossible standard. The truth is resolutions can be meaningful without imposing unrealistic goals. We’re all about introducing more fun, more play into the daily routine. That’s why we’ve compiled seven beauty-related resolutions that will keep you feeling healthy, inspired, rejuvenated as needed, and the best part is that there’s no guilt if they don’t stick. We’re a big believer that small changes make big impact. Here’s some noteworthy beauty resolutions that can have a meaningful impact on your daily life:
Hair Rituals
There’s an endless list of rituals A-Z that we could list here, but like we mentioned above, this New Year for us at Parlor is about setting goals that are attainable and truth be told it’s difficult to incorporate lengthy new hair regimens into the mix! That’s why our hair ritual recommendation this year is pre-booking your hair appointments, not just one appointment in advance, but pre-book the next six months to a year. There are so many studies that support the idea that having standing appointments are a great way to improve consistency, and what habit is there better to build than the habit of self-care? We know. It’s hard to even make plans past this coming week, but the option to reschedule is always there! Your hair will thank you for it with its new found shine and health.
Go Green With Beauty Products
If you love to discover new products, think of this as the perfect resolution for you. It’s time to pick through your makeup bag with a magnifying lens and toss the products with chemicals. The best part of 2019 (and soon-to-be 2020) is that there are so many eco-friendly, healthy beauty products out there. Aveda is one of the leading beauty companies in this sector, so toss the old mascaras, lipsticks, and concealers and focus on a greener beauty routine.
Tip: When reading the ingredients of your makeup, look out for these toxic ingredients: Imidazolidinyl Urea, Parabens, Phthalates, Triethanolamine, Polyethylene Glycols, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate.Bye To Inflammation Inside & Out
Inflammation is a topic that too often doesn’t come up in the self-care conversation. Inflammation is a way for our bodies to tell us when it’s irritated. Inflammation has so many causes, and if you experience pain from inflammation consult your doctor, but there are a few at-home steps you can take to reduce your exposure and likelihood of inflammation and boost your overall health, including: drinking celery juice, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, use mercury-free deodorants, incorporate more low-FODMAP foods into your diet, avoid drugstore hair products and lotions which have been linked to causing eczema and dermatitis, and start thinking of turmeric as your best friend and incorporate it into your daily tea or drink of choice.
Meditate Regularly
There are countless apps that have pre-recorded 5-minute meditations that are easy to take with you on the go! This is a great resolution for those of you working on wellness, mindfulness, and reducing feelings of anxiety. Our personal favorite meditation app is Headspace.
Become A Humidifier Pro
Hydration is key! That’s the anthem that we all hear over and over on beauty blogs and at the doctor’s office. The best way to increase hydration is the simplest, drinking water, but when it comes to keeping your skin hydrated, there’s another way. Here enters the humidifier! Our skin is constantly soaking up the humidity in the air around us, and so to kickstart your New Year with healthy skin, start plugging in that humidifier before you go to bed. Well-hydrated skin (and hydration in general) is one of the best, au natural ways to avoid breakouts, dry patches, and feel more energized.
Spa Splurge
The New Year might just be perfect time to give yourself an upgrade and invest in a monthly massage or acupuncture session. Time and again, spa treatments have proven their ability to reduce stress, inflammation, and improve blood circulation throughout the body. Sometimes all you need is the permission to treat yourself! Don’t forget to pre-book your appointments a few months out, so when the day and time for your spa day rolls around there’s no excuse to take that time for yourself.
Uninterrupted Quiet
In a world as busy as ours, finding time and ways to truly be alone, uninterrupted, and creative is a task in itself. One of our entrepreneur inspirations, Sara Blakely, in her latest Masterclass lesson highlighted the importance of finding the places (and times) when your mind is able to wander. As a Blakely puts it, a wandering mind is a creative mind, it’s a mind that’s ready to receive new ideas. Let’s make our final resolution of the New Year to seek out quiet moments to let our minds wander, receive new creative ideas, and have the courage to pursue them. Happy New Year from the Parlor team to you!
Holiday Cheer Is In The Hair Care (& Accessories)
/The bitter cold is here and that means our hair and skin is equally as dry and in need of a moisture boost! Hair care changes from season to season, from frizz diffusers for the summer humidity to avoiding the static of our winter sweaters. We went ahead and created a list of 1) products and rituals that are especially important to practice once the cold air moves in and 2) our go-to hair accessories (the winter edition) because hair care is more than just the products we use!
Rituals for Happy Hair Through Winter
Deep conditioning hair masks (Aveda’s Damage Remedy & Smooth Infusion are great options!)
Coconut oil for your dry scalp and skin
Heat protectant for heat styling! (Of course, this is important year round, but the cold makes heat styling extra precarious)
Dry brushing for your skin
Lip Butter ASAP, stock up with 3-5 tubes and strategically place them in your go-to spots
Secondarily, once you’ve locked down the winter hair woes, this season is also the time of year when pairing your fresh cut and color with a hair accessory can elevate your holiday outfit from the usual humdrum to a stylized lookbook moment. The best part? This is a grab-and-go fashion staple that helps highlight the work you and your stylist already put in at the salon. Aside from the usual outdoor wear of beanies, ear muffs, and berets, we curated some of our favorite go-to hair accessories at a variety of price points so no matter the budget you’ll be ready to dazzle in street-style and the holiday festivities!
Skincare Is Having A Cultural Moment
/There are some trends that stick around longer than expected. They surpass their six month shelf-life, and then after another few months, the style that once was considered a trend becomes a cultural moment, something that transforms the beauty and fashion scene. Let’s think back for a moment, circa ‘o4 when Laguna Beach aired on television, and Lauren Conrad, ushered in the era of beach waves, UGG boots, and seasonal coffee drinks. What a “moment” that was!
Now, as the “no makeup” makeup trend continues, a new cultural moment is abound, one filled with dewy cheeks, lots of highlighter, and eco-conscious beauty brands. We’ve always loved the au natural look at Parlor, and we’ve used Aveda products since the beginning. The #avedaway is a natural way, and so it only felt right to dedicate some time to creating a makeup and hair how-to guide to achieve the effortless, eco-friendly look of the new beauty generation. Here are some of our tips.
Skincare is the main thing! Healthy skin is everything, and so instead of covering blemishes with layers of foundation, the aim is to reduce the number of blemishes in the first place. Of course, blemishes aren’t 100% avoidable, but a good start is to invest in a dry brush to exfoliate. Brushing away dead skin cells helps our pores breathe better and that’s always a good first step to reducing blemishes.
It’s important to start to understand the ingredients in your skincare, and their benefits! We love this guide that pinpoints some key ingredients to search for in your skincare products, which are healthy and for the most part organic. One of our personal favorites is the new-to-the-US ingredient, GFF (Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate), which is a fermented yeast that does wonders for helping your skin build a strong and clear complexion. GFF has been used for years in Korean skincare, and we’re just catching on now!
Adding a touch of rosy cheeks will never go out of style. This time though, skip the blush, and pat on your favorite hue of red, pink, or orange lipstick. The pigmentation will pack a stronger punch, and contrasted to your minimal eye makeup (we like a light mascara only) will make your appear wind swept and energized.
Like we mentioned above, but it needs emphasis, go easy on the eyes (literally!). Who doesn’t love a good cat eye? But the fresh-face aesthetic is only achieved when you look like you rolled out of bed, drank five glasses of water (which is always a good habit to get into), and threw on your clothes. Aveda has a really simple and sweet mascara that’d we recommend 10x over.
Okay, so now you have most of your bases covered. Healthy and cared for skin, a pinch of color on your cheeks, and natural looking, long lashes. What’s the last piece to the puzzle? That dewy glow. Aveda’s inner light™ mineral tinted moisture will do the trick. If you’d like to add a dewy lip, too, the age old classic, Carmex, is making a comeback.
Feeling inspired? Make sure to tag us on Instagram and Facebook @parlorbeautyofficial
A Tour of Short Hair Inspiration
/When it comes to hair, among many things in life, it can be difficult to know what you want until you see it! Do you want short hair? That depends on how one defines short. Do you want a high-maintenance cut? Not necessarily, but your inspiration board may tell a different story. Generally speaking though, most of us know if we want an above-the-shoulder cut or if we want to keep the inches growing.
That being said, we curated a list of ten above-the-shoulder looks all colored, cut, and styled by our beauty team to give you some ideas for your next hair decision.
The Long Shag (Think Alexa Chung)
hair by @curlycosiqueen
hair by @curlycosiqueen
Tapered Pixie
hair by @s.bryzow
The beauty of a tapered pixie is that the long front layers still allow you to add texture and play with different styles on the daily. The length on the side of the pixie can vary, but we’re really loving this luxe rock-n-roll look by Bryzow!
The Tousled Pixie (Great To Play w/ Volume)
hair by @missalissathehairdresser
hair by @missalissathehairdresser
Short, Defined Curls
hair by @slbkny
The key to nailing a short haircut with curls is making sure you have the perfect products to undercut the frizz and keep the locks defined. We love the bounce to a short, curly cut!
The Lob…Great For Low Maintenance!
hair by @locuraroja33
hair by @locuraroja33
Traditional Bob
hair by @lizzybunnytail
The classic bob is always a statement piece. Stylist Liz Taille gave the ends of this cut a little curl that helps frame the face and give the hair more volume!
The Pompadour
hair by @torres6555
hair by @torres6555
Short, Piecey Pixie
hair by @shirleyhagel
There’s little room for doubt when going for a short pixie, but the plunge is well worth it! To maintain a haircut this length, it’s recommended that you visit the salon every 4 weeks for a trim. The piecey layers in the front can be defined like the one styled here or can also be cut to blend in more, depending on your preference!
The Undercut
hair by @lizzybunnytail
hair by @lizzybunnytail
Micro Bob
hair by @missalissathehairdresser
The micro bob is an edgier take on a classic. It’s a perfect fit for curly and straight hair alike and is great to be paired with fringe to help balance out the length and face-framing.
Hair Accessories Are Here For Another Season
/Hair accessories are not just a fashion decision, but when paired with some creative problem solving, can take one of your worst hair days and make it a little bit sweeter. Imagine tucking your flyaways behind a headband, side-sweeping your short layers with a pearl bobby pin, elevating your bed-head ponytail with a silk scarf. Accessories are finally being seen as more than just an add-on item, they can be the answer to our daily hair woes.
All summer long, celebrities and street style influencers donned puffy, silk and velvet headbands inspired by Prada’s Spring 2019 runway and the perfect oversized hair clips to offset the mundanity of their regular hair routines. As the first inklings of fall begin, we’re predicting the hair accessory craze is staying for the long-haul. That’s why we’ve compiled inspiration photos from our favorite influencers who utilize hair accessories in a way that’s both fashion and ease.
18.8k Likes, 257 Comments - Danielle Bernstein (@weworewhat) on Instagram: "8 days * THE DANIELLE Jean #joesxweworewhat * shot by @omgteddy"
Danielle Bernstein | @weworewhat
One of our accessory inspirations comes from influencer and entrepreneur Danielle Bernstein. Her oversized baby blue clip is the perfect trick and style piece to pull back her face-framing layers that otherwise would be too short to tuck into a ponytail. It’s functional and easy to manage, plus it gets the hair out of your face on a busy day
We found some similar clips for you here, if you’re feeling inspired!
Julie Sariñana | @sincerelyjules
The ponytail scarf is one of our personal favorite hair trends, and influencer Julie Sariñana, is a master at styling it. This accessory is particularly useful if you need a quick hair fix or don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to your hair routine in the morning. It elevates the classic ponytail to bohemian chic. Not to mention, scarves come in all prints and colors so it’s a great way to add a punch of color to your outfit.
61.1k Likes, 510 Comments - JULIE SARIÑANA (@sincerelyjules) on Instagram: "My go-to hair accessory! ❤️ what's yours? #hairstyle"
6,151 Likes, 50 Comments - Hannah Fallis Bronfman (@hannahbronfman) on Instagram: "I tend to think footwear in summer is optional but then I found the pair that goes with everything..."
Hannah Fallis Bronfman | @hannahbronfman
Now, we figured if one is going to invest in some beautiful scarves, there should be multiple ways to purpose them! We love the way lifestyle influencer and DJ, Hannah Fallis Bronfman, styled hers. There are endless ways to tie a scarf as a headband, but learning how to tie a few solid knots and a bow will go a long way. It’s great volume, and volume is always a bonus!
Camila Coelho | @camilacoelho
Next up on the inspiration board is Camila Coelho, influencer and fashion designer, as she wears a velvet headband with a strong and slick side part.
One of our pro tips to get this look is to spray your brush or comb with hairspray and “set” the hair that will be displayed in front of the headband. This will keep it smooth and frizz free and get that sleek look.
122.9k Likes, 649 Comments - CAMILA COELHO (@camilacoelho) on Instagram: "After work monday stroll💫 #ootd É verão! Bora passear! #lookdodia"
11.4k Likes, 121 Comments - va$htie ♛ (@vashtie) on Instagram: "@violettenewyork x @akila.la available online now. Shoutout to my brother @joshmadden for always..."
Vashtie Kola | @vashtie
DJ and music video director, Vashtie, is the perfect inspiration for some bedazzled bobby pin symmetry. From diamond pins to pearls, this is a great look that is playful and confident. Our pro tip is that when you step out of the shower, if you want your wispy hairs and shorter layers to dry flat this is a great option. Bobby pin and go! Hairspray helps, too.
Want to try the look? Here is one of our bobby pin recommendations.
Our Travel Hair Guide
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Photo Via Cup of Jo
Summer is the season of vacation, but come fall the traveling doesn’t end, think of the business travels, family visits, and the many day trips that lie ahead, and if you’ve ever been on a plane, train, or a long car ride, you’ve likely experienced the difficulty of keeping your hair styled and fresh through it all. The key to our travel hair guide is finding the solution that best suits you, whether it’s learning a new, quick up-do that doesn’t require a mirror, or honing in on the best products that give your hair that extra lift it needs. Time is always of the essence.
The trick of hair-care while traveling is picking your essential tools, honing styling tricks, and having the mindset that simple and chic sometimes is the best way to go. Here are some of our favorite traveling tips:
1) Dry Shampoo
Whether it’s a 17-hour flight or a day on the road, hair oils can build up fast. Dry shampoo works to absorb excess oils and avoids the dreaded greasy-hair look. This travel size is perfect for any carry-on or travel bag.
2) Ponytail Twist
Up-dos are a great way think about your hair once and not have to think about it again until the days end. One of our personal favorites is the ponytail twist. This low pony makes it easy to find comfort with headrests and gives an effortless, chic vibe with the wrapped hair detail. (See photo above!)
3) Classic Braid
We’ve all been there. That early morning wake up call, where after taking a shower, finishing some last-minute packing, and running out the door to catch your flight, there’s no time left to spend on your hair. It’ll likely have to air dry, which is great for reducing heat damage, but not always the look you’re going for.
The solution? Braids. While in the taxi, on the train, or wherever your travels take you, braids are great to keep your hair secured and out of your face all day. If you’d prefer your hair down, braid your hair just for the first three hours after showering and enjoy some waves.
Photo via @aveda
4) Bobby Pins Are Your Best Friend
Bobby pins are the ultimate “in a pinch” styling tool. They’re great for securing loose ends or securing your travel updo so it could survive a windstorm. They’re also one of the easiest items to forget to pack! Make sure to include it on your travel checklist!
5) Chakra Spray
Having a great hair day isn’t only about appearance, but also feeling fresh and clean. Aveda’s chakra spray is a great finishing touch to refresh and balance your heart chakra after a hectic day of travel.
Baby, My Bags Are Packed (For Summer Vacation)
/The sun is shining and temperatures are steadily climbing the thermometers! We are getting the summer itch to ditch the winter booties, pack our beach bag essentials, and head to the nearest body of water and their colorful boardwalks. Whether you’re planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, it’s always good to feel prepared with the right sunscreen and summer products to keep you feeling calm and collected and not worrying about the small stuff. Our beach side essentials include:
photo via @aveda
1. A Hair Brush
First up on the list is the often forgotten, but very necessary hair brush. Even though beach days are perfect for the good ol’ relax and reboot, they can also be long, all-day endeavors. If you’re planning to swim, a hair brush can make the difference between beach waves or tangled chaos. We recommend using a wet brush. Wet brushes have special bristles to reduce breakage and snagging while combing through wet hair. They’re perfect for every day, too.
If you’d like to invest in a more universal brush, we can never recommend the Aveda wooden mini paddle brush enough! It’s mini too, so it’ll fit in any day pack.
2. Sunscreen (For Your Skin & Hair!)
Is it possible to even make an essentials list for the beach and not include sunscreen? It’s not new news that in addition to protecting your beautiful skin while sunbathing, you also need to protect your hair from sun damage and color fading. There’s a wide variety of products out there for the job, but few products are cruelty-free and plant-derived, like this one (for your skin) and this one (for your hair). Personally recommended by us!
3. A Beach Read Like No Other
It’s inevitable that despite your intentions to unplug and do nothing but sit and soak up the sun, boredom may strike, and you want to be prepared. A good beach book will solve your woes. Not a big reader? Magazines are great for striking that visual and reading balance. It’s great to just have something you can flip through while staring out across the blue horizon. Our top three summer book recommendations are: Normal People by Sally Rooney, Heartbreaker by Claudia Dey, and Pretend I’m Dead by Jen Beagin. We’ve got the literary, the plot-driven, and the funny book options for you, listed in that order!
4. Eco-Friendly Water Bottle
It’s so easy to forget the obvious necessities. Water! Staying hydrated is essential to finishing your beach day strong and feeling rejuvenated instead of fatigued. If you’re used to buying a case of plastic water bottles, try to save the plastic this summer. Invest in an eco-friendly water bottle that’s reusable. Not only does this save money in the long run, but it’ll reduce beach pollution, too. This month our team went on our annual beach clean-up at The Little Red Lighthouse beach under the GW Bridge! Here’s a cute picture of our day!
5. Body Cleanser
After spending a few hours beachside, you’ll want to cleanup before hitting the boardwalk. From the ocean’s sea salt to the grimy feeling of chlorine from a pool, this hair and body cleanser gently removes the grime while adding moisture back into the skin with its tamanu and organic coconut oils. Beat the dryness and you’ll be winning for the day!
6. Soy Candle
This trick is for your weekend getaways, or anytime you travel, really! Bringing your favorite scented candle from home is the perfect way to take away that sterile hotel room smell while making the space feel that much more cozy. It’s all about that personalization, and don’t forget that there are plenty of travel size candle options!
7. Lightweight Cover Up
We’ve all done it before, bringing jean shorts and a tee as your post-beach cover up. It’s definitely a cute, classic look, but there’s nothing worse than getting rug burn from the friction between your beach grime (sand, salt, and possibly a wet swimsuit) and your denim. That’s why we’re emphasizing the lightweight, airy, and free flowing cover up options. Think soft cotton, rompers, and the beloved straw hat. You’ll thank us later!
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