Photo: Glamour

My boyfriend and I hosted a BBQ yesterday and the rain was no fun. Not only was I forced to block the food from getting soaked…but also my hair! Celebs at the Golden Globes last night must have felt my pain. Keeping your hair lookin’ good in the rain is a challenge…especially if you have PGH. Lucky for us, celeb hairstylist Philip Pelusi sent us some tips on weathering the storm during a special event. I will use these next time so that I don’t have to choose which to save…food or hair.

• Check the weather report a few days in advance so you can plan to wear your hair up or down. If rain is in the forecast, plan ahead to wear your hair either all up or half up and half down.
• Pulling hair into an updo or half upsweep is the best strategy to stay looking good in rainy conditions because hair is already curled, pinned and sprayed in place. If it gets rained on a bit, hair can simply air dry in place, and it is also easier to keep an updo dry under an umbrella.
• If you wear your hair down and are caught by surprise, make sure to bring a small emergency kit in your purse to a special event with a few hair pins, a ponytail holder and a small purse size hair spray. If hair gets wet, go for a quick style change. Pull hair back into the ponytail and wrap hair around the ponytail holder and secure into place with the hair pins. Mist with spray.

Celebrity hairstylist Philip Pelusi, who is well-known for his signature Volumetric® haircutting technique, sent us some tips on how-to get volume without the 1980′s  “big hair” look. While achieving volume is never my problem, I know a lot of ladies out there hate limp locks. Hope these tips help!

* Use a volumizing conditioner and shampoo: Volumizing products (such as the P2 InCrease Volumizze Shampoo and Conditioner) are formulated not to weigh hair down. Be careful to apply conditioner only to ends.

* Give Your Roots a Boost: Apply a root lifter before blowdrying, from midshaft to root (try Mod di Phy Define Root Lift Volumize Spray)

* Blow dry for “oomph”: Lift sections of hair toward the sky as you blow-dry, directing hot air toward your scalpl.

* Don’t blow-dry upside-down: To keep volume moderized, do not flip your head over

* Back-brush instead of tease: Instead of teasing your tresses with a comb, use a flat-backed brush, which will damage your hair less

* Mist hairspray – Heavy hairspray is more likely to weigh hair down instead of give it volume. Spritz hairspray in to the air and walk through it (try Mod di Phy Fluid Shaping & Finishing Spray)

Ummm, what is this? Typical Gaga! Wonder how long this ‘do took to create? She’s crazy but we can’t get enough of her random hairstyles.

I just read this article about hair fragrances in the New York Times and immediately thought of my best friend Aly.  She wears this hair perfume by Tom Ford called Black Orchid and it is so strong! You can’t walk by her without sniffing her hair – it’s her signature scent.

Now that I’ve been wearing my hair straight and only shampooing about 1-2 a week, I think I need to start using a hair perfume. Black Orchid is too strong for me though, I need something refreshing, soft and light. Perhaps I’ll try a brand they mention in the NYT article, Clean By Fusion – a spray that claims to evoke a “fresh out of the shower” scent.

Have a favorite hair fragrance? Let us know!

Paul Mitchell has just come out with the Express Ion Dry Travel, a 1300-Watt travel dryer.  This will definitely fit in your carry-on, so no more relying on the hotel’s blow dryer – let’s face it, it usually sucks and it’s certainly not for big hair.

The Express Ion Dry Travel packs powerful performance, ionic conditioning and reduced drying time—all in a lightweight,
go-anywhere size. With convenient features like a folding handle, compact design and three temperature settings, this small dryer is big on professional results—so you can hit the road with style.

Get more details here.

I had a hair breakdown last week. I called my favorite hairstylist to see if she could fit me in for a haircut before I left for vacation but she was booked! I wanted to chop it all off – every last strand. Not pull a Britney, but pretty close. So I started browsing the web for hairstyles I really like. I needed a change – something new and sleek and sophisticated. I hate to say it, but not so big.

I found a couple pics of Selena Gomez, ya know…from Disney? I think she’s like 10 years younger than me but who cares! She has great hair and she is always changing up her look.

In the middle of my breakdown I went to a salon near my house that was highly recommended by a friend, Muse. I explained my hair troubles to the stylist  and instead of talking me out of it, she was all for it! Get rid of all the excess hair baggage and start 2010 fresh. She actually wanted me to go shorter but I just couldn’t do it.

So here I am! I cut off 4 inches! Ah! The most I have ever cut and I really love my new look. The trick now is trying to recreate this look at home, without the help of a professional. And figure out how to wear this cut curly.

I’ll be doing a lot of research on new products and tips – so stay tuned! 2010 here we come!!

Celebrity hairstylist, Francky L’Official, has a holiday hair tip we found very useful! You may know Francky from Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City. His Madison Avenue salon is visited regularly by celebs such as Kate Beckinsale, Vanessa Minnillo, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Kim Kardashian, and Bethenny Frankel.

Now, for your holiday hair tip from this hair guru!

To go from work to a party, it is best to always have a hair tie and bobby pins with you. (I never leave home without a hairtie!) For an easy style, women can twist hair up in the back and secure with bobby pins. Be sure to leave some pieces of hair down by the sides for a sexier look. Another option is to put hair in a messy ponytail with pieces left down to frame the face.

This just in…

HairArt introduces the new H3000 collection of Handmade Ionic Carbon Combs ($7.50 each). Made from a lightweight carbon, the combs feature an ionic coating that leaves the hair smooth, shiny and static free.

Combs made of carbon offer a variety of benefits — they’re lightweight, durable and can withstand extreme heat, making them perfect for use with your hair dryer or iron. In addition, carbon is static free, which helps prevent fly-away and frizzy hair during styling.

Key Features:

· 100% static free

· Can withstand extreme heat, making them perfect for use with irons, blow dryers and heated razors.

· Ionic coating provides smooth and shiny hair.

· Lighter carbon combs are lightweight, durable and withstand heat, making them perfect for daily use.

· Precise spacing between teeth makes comb-through easy.

· Available in black and pink

Get more info at  www.hairartproducts.com.

You  may already know this but I love Aveda concept salons. I’ve been to a couple of them all of over the country and have never had a bad experience.

A new Aveda Concept Salon with Dashing Diva Nail Bar called Seven Seas Salon has just opened in Sunny Isles Beach at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort. For the style conscious who covet beauty on a budget, the full-service salon and nail bar will feature affordable services and treatments starting at only $10.

For more info or to make an appointment the Seven Seas Salon at 305-749-2100 or visit www.newportbeachside.com.

But before you go, you may want to check out Aveda’s Personal Hair Care Advisor to get a customized regimen on how to achieve beautiful hair.