What’s the perfect way to tame big hair at the beach? A cute summer hat! Floppy hats comes in all shapes in sizes. I find the extra large ones to be particularly annoying because they totally block your line of sight.

I scored this feather topper at Urban Outfitters this weekend on sale for just $10 bucks. Can’t beat that! And to think just moments before I was in a surf shop eyeing one for $59. I was getting compliments all day, even from my pharmacist at CVS. I’m not sure how much longer the sale is going on, but if you’re in the market for a summer hat to keep the frizz in control, you should def check out UO before it’s too late.

1. Please tell us how you got your start as a hair stylist.

The reason why I got into hair was because of my sisters. Seeing as there is a 10-year age difference between us when I was growing up, it was my job to do my sisters hair in the morning before school. I liked it so much that after college I went and got my Cosmetology license and I’ve been doing hair ever since. It was always something I had a passion for.

2. Who was the first celeb you styled and what kind of look did you give her/her?

The first Celebrity that I ever worked on was Richard Kelly the director of “Donny Darko” for a spread in Wired Magazine. At the time he was promoting his new movie with Sarah Michelle Gellar called “Southland Tales”. I was a part of the glam squad getting all the celebs ready for their press day.

3. Tell us about your new show, L.A. Hair, and what viewers can expect this season.

Viewers can expect a whole lot of crazy from the cast of LA Hair. It follows the lives of 6 talented hairstylists as they go through the ups and downs of working in a high-end salon in Hollywood. My character is the funny but divalicious gay who speaks his mind. You can expect some fighting between us and you get to experience what really happens to celebrity hairstylists as they fight their way to the top of the beauty industry. LA Hair is so much fun and entertaining because we let you in to the “behind the scenes” experience of celebrity styling. You can expect to see Kelly Rowland, Brandy & Eve to make an appearance as we style their locks. Once you start watching the show you’ll be hooked, with stakes this high the drama can be fierce.

4. What is the one piece of haircare advice you wish all ladies with thick, big hair would follow?

I wish that girls with big thick frizzy hair would stop chemically straightening, flat ironing, and brushing hard, wearing tight ponytails & just wear it natural with just a few products. If they use a leave in curl crème it will give definition to their curls and create an effortless but glamorous natural look.

5. What are you favorite products for big, thick, frizzy hair?

My favorite product for curly hair is Kimble Hair Care –Bounce back curling revitalizer with a little Leave in conditioning styling serum both can be found in Target. I like these products for a number of reasons first being that they smell nice and really calm the hair down. I also like that these products are relatively inexpensive and don’t leave the hair feeling crunchy. With these two products men & women with big thick frizzy can combat those issues easily.

(before)

I normally hate getting my haircut. The bottom line is that most hair dressers usually don’t know what to do with my monstrous hair and end up cutting my layers too short, leaving me with little pieces that hang in my face. While I was home last weekend in Boca Raton, FL my mom convinced me it was time for a cut (Her rule: If your hair is below your armpit, it’s time).

(after)

I went to Salon Cielo for a cut and blow out. Not knowing any of the stylists in the salon, I asked to be cut by someone who knows thick hair. They set me up with Daniel and he suggested cutting three inches off to give my hair a healthy upgrade. While I’m still not used to the new length, it feels so much lighter for the summer. All in all, this trip to the salon was only $45 dollars and well worth it!

Where: 6000 W. Glades Road
 Boca Raton, FL 33431

Contact: 561.367.0696

1. What is your number one tip for managing frizz in the summer?

Get a Brazilian Blowout!

2. Do you have a favorite product or product line for big, thick hair?
Brazilian Blowout has the best products for big, thick hair as each product is specifically formulated to target frizz and tame the mane. These products allow the hair to keep all vital moisture for increased strength and radiant shine. All Brazilian Blowout products are enriched with their exclusive Brazilian Blowout Super-Nutrient Complex, which infuses the hair with a rich source of amino acids to help strengthen while locking in moisture and locking out humidity.

3. What are your tips for keeping hair healthy this summer?
Wash less often and condition, condition, condition. Use a deep conditioning masque once weekly (try to sleep with the masque on your hair).

4. Any particular trend customers at Argyle Salon are requesting lately?
Shorter hair – women are finally cutting their long locks for shorter sexier styles. We are seeing a lot of long bobs this summer!

5. Which celebs have you styled? Any favorites?
At the Argyle we have styled many celebs such as – Ashley Greene, Audrina Patridge, Adriana Lima, and more.

I must admit, I wasn’t too surprised to see Katy Perry or Rihanna take risks with their hair color, but when prim ‘n proper Lauren Conrad stepped out with bright pink tips I was shocked. Below are some of the styles we’re diggin’. We’re especially big fans of Coco Rocha’s pink curlicues. Still statement worthy, yet not over the top.

1. Morocan Oil

2. Lilla Rose Flexi Clip

3. Floppy Sun Hat

4. Aveda Air Control Hair Spray

· If your hair is naturally straight, follow the sub-bullets below to curl the hair. If your hair already has a curl to it, you’re in luck since the “crown” looks best on hair with some texture and waves.

o Separate hair into top and bottom sections. Clip the top section up, leaving the bottom section to hang.

o Using a 1 ½ inch curling iron (PGH loves the Bombshell by Sultra), curl all of the hair that is down by working in small sections. Alternate the curling direction between counterclockwise and clockwise. Repeat this step with the top section of hair. Separate curls with your fingers to achieve a piece-y look, which will complement the “crown” once it’s completed.

· Take a ½ inch to 2 inch piece of hair slightly above one ear and pull it across the head to the other side and let the section drape slightly so there will be enough room to pull hair pieces around it. Combine the draped section with a small piece of hair right behind the other ear and pin the joined hair pieces with a bobby pin.

· Starting at the side of the head where the first hair section was taken from, select another piece of your hair from under the draped section. Lift it upwards, over, and then under the draped section, leaving it to fall underneath.

· Next, grab another piece of hair from under the draped section a ½ and inch to an inch over and follow the same step. Continue across the head by choosing random pieces and pulling them over and under the draped section until you reach the other side of the head.

· For the last pinned piece, lift it over and under but let it wrap over the first bobby pin used to secure the draped hair section (to make the bobby pin less visible). Take a second bobby pin and secure the final wrapped piece where the draped section was first secured above one ear.

· Finish with a light spray of medium hold hairspray. Nicholas Penna Jr. loves Shu Uemura’s Sheer Lacquer.

Photo Credit: Kinky is Natural

You’d be surprised by how much people tweet about #hair on a daily basis! Below is a collection of what’s trending in our world. And don’t forget to follow us @PGHair. We promise to start tweeting more

@bellasugar teaches us how to tie a scarf into a hair turban.

@lorenridinger is noticing a side swept hair trend. (and we love it!)

@InStyle helps us steal Lauren Conrad’s loose up-do.

@tobruckave pins a hippie chic braid/hat combo that is so cute for summer music festivals.

@mylushli shows us Anne Hathaway’s pixie cut. Woah!

My advice is to towel dry hair after the shower and then use a brush to detangle. We put two brushes to the test this week – a wide tooth comb by Olivia Garden and a paddle brush by Goody.

And the winner is…

The wide tooth comb! It removed water and got the knots out better than the paddle brush. Have two products you’d like us to put to the PGH test? Send us an e-mail at premiumgradehair@gmail.com.

Hi PGHers!

Be sure to like our Facebook page here! We just added some super cute pics like the one above.

Thanks for your support!

- Amanda & Britt