This just in from the Daily Mail…

Australian scientists who discovered the ‘curly gene,’ or the trichohyalin gene, are now developing a pill to make hair straighter or curlier. The discovery will also make it possible to predict whether a baby will have straight or curly hair. And it may even help police with DNA found at the scene of the crime indicating how wavy a suspect’s locks are.

I wonder how far out we are from having this pill become a reality. Read the whole story here.

This just in…

Dita’s haircare products return in a special edition holiday gift set complete with a signed and lipstick-kissed index card. A great gift to give or receive!

The products in this set are made from specially selected ingredients chosen by Mom Von Teese (Dita’s Mom). Mom Von Teese has 23 years of salon experience in the beauty business and sat down with Dita to discuss what she would ideally like from a haircare range branded with her name and for her own use. These products are the result, and are excellent formulations for every day styling and for their protective properties, and bear Dita’s signature martini glass logo.

The set comprises of 8oz biomoist shampoo, 10oz Stuctura Shaping Spray and 8oz Tri-Protein Conditioner. All three supplied in a set wrapped with a signed and kissed card.

Want it? Get it here.

Photo: Bella Sugar

Shakira sported an interesting ‘do last night in London for Capitol FM’s 2009 Jingle Bell Ball – half-head cornrows. Very rocker chic! We’ve actually seen other celebs sport this look like Dannii Minogue and Ashanti. Do we smell a new trend?

How is it December already!? Somebody please tell me where this year has gone!

As the weather gets colder and dryer (everywhere else besides Miami!), you need to make sure your locks stay healthy. Here are some tips to make sure your hair stays lovely even in cold temps!

1. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! We can’t say this enough. Use a hydrating conditioner if you wash your hair daily (which we don’t suggest) and a deep conditioner at least once a week.

2. Which brings us to our next tip – don’t wash your hair everyday. Harsh shampoo strips your natural oils leaving your hair dry and brittle. For better second day hair, leave your hair loose while sleeping and refresh your strands in the morning with a curl refreshing spray. For straight hair, use a drop or two of  a silicone-based serum to tame frizz.

3.  Avoid alcohol-based products. For a great everyday hairspray, try Aveda Air Control. It’s my fav!

4. Watch your hat. While hats are great in the winter for covering up a bad hair day, they can also cause limpy, greasy locks. Just plan accordingly.

5. Easy on the up-dos. We know you’ll be going to a lot of holiday parties, just take it easy on your hair. Bobby pins and tight elastics can cause major breakage. A glitzy hair piece may be a better option, like this L. Erickson. Leaf barrette. It is loaded with glistening crystals like frozen dew drops on a wintry day!

We are always looking for ways to make our hair look and stay fabulous for longer. Let us introduce to you The All Nighter Styling Powder. 

This innovative styling powder, creating by long-time industry pro Tony Artur, absorbs excess oil and contains real silk powder for a luxurious feel. The product comes in six color-matched options for all hair types. But what makes this product unique and alluring? It contains no aluminum, no parabens, no talc, no silica, no propellant, and it’s cruelty free. Translation? It’s really good for your hair! 

The All Nighter is available at www.stylingpowder.com. 

Also, don’t miss your chance to purchase this amazing product and much, much more from designers and exclusive retailers during VH1′s Big Shopping Holiday Event. From November 27th through December 31st, you can have access to the newest and hottest products out there. Best of all? You will be supporting VH1′s Save the Music Foundation, helping to keep music alive in school systems. Join the event now! 

Happy shopping

This just in…

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Conditioner was voted one of the Best Products of All Time by Marie Claire editors in the  December issue! Noted as one of the “industry classics,” beauty editors raved that “by detangling and preventing breakage, this lightweight hydrator helps hair grow longer and stronger.”

Other haircare products that made the list:

Mason Pearson Junior Brush, $126 A hairstylist’s best friend, these nylon-and-boar bristles make blowouts a breeze.

L’Oréal Elnett Hairspray, $13.99 The ultimate backstage updo glue that miraculously brushes out without flaking or stickiness.

Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, $3.29 Gentle enough for overprocessed strands, this no-tears formula also removes stubborn waterproof mascara.

Check out the story here.

Pam Kelly, National Director of Technical Salon Services for Fantastic Sams Hair Salons, gave us some tips on what is going to be Holiday Hair Hot this season:

The use of braids woven into the hair will be very popular at holiday parties as well as jeweled headbands and barrettes.

Celebrity styles, as always, will be requested during the busy holiday season.

Up do and special occasion hair will be either sleek and pulled back with the focus on the back/nape area, or soft and tousled, rather than a structured look.

Deep sweeping side part bangs and full front fringes will be popular on most haircuts.

Haircuts will include soft layering.

Soft waves will play a big part.

Want more style how-to’s? Check out their site here or become a Facebook friend.

Every e-tailer is going to have crazy deals on Cyber Monday – Nov. 30th. We just got word of what Aveda is offering:

Choose any 4 sample size products + receive free shipping with just a $25 purchase at Aveda.com – enter promo code PICK4 at checkout.

Check out their site for a complete Holiday Gift Guide. They have some great sets at affordable prices like the Carry-on Grooming Essentials set for the guy in your life and the Bringing Forth Brilliance set which makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Happy shopping

Photo courtesy of Bellasugar.com

Twi-hards are upon us. In lieu of this Friday’s opening date, it will be hard to turn your head without seeing some form of New Moon mania. 

The gang has been making their worldwide rounds promoting their new film and I can’t imagine how hard it has to be maintaining red-carpet ready hair at all times. Kristen Stewart seems to be doing a good job at this. She was wearing her normally super short locks in a longer way for Monday night’s big premiere in LA.

I personally love her no matter what she does because she isn’t afraid to take risks and she has a pretty nonchalant attitude about what people think of her. Self confidence is always sexy.

Bellasugar.com has 5 easy steps to help you recreate this look. Click here for the full story. 

P.S. I’m on Team Edward!

Photo: x17online.com

A new ‘do for a new job! Ashlee Simpson traded auburn for black for her new role on Broadway playing Roxie Hart in Chicago. Her long fringe bangs are very in style; however, looks like Ashlee could use a little trim. Her bangs would drive me crazy!