I used TIGI’s Curls Rock Amplifier for the first time this weekend and I’m in love! Yes ladies, this product is amazing.

I’ve been on the hunt for a new everyday curly hair product ever since Pantene Pro-V Mousse for Curly Hair started giving me flakes. So I decided to go out on a limb and give Curls Rock Amplifier a chance. I was, and still am, totally impressed.

This product is enhances your natural texture, which is great for girls like me who don’t have very defined curls – but crave them. I used about 4-5 pumps of product on soaking wet hair. After diffusing, my hair didn’t feel sticky or crunchy. I was ready to head out for night with soft, defined, touchable curls. Because it’s so humid out, I did use a little bit of hairspray on the ends, but that’s it.

I’m excited now to try other products in the Curls Rock collection. I definitely recommend Amplifier for girls with think, frizz-prone hair, who need definition and taming. Stay tuned for more reviews!

You know that feeling you get when you wear a brand new, sexy little dress, for a night on the town? That “I must look like a million bucks” feeling? Well, that’s how I felt the other night….and guess what! I wasn’t wearing a new dress.

I was wearing one of L. Erickson’s new pieces from the Palm Beach collection from FranceLuxe.com. In particular, the Sunburst Barrette. Let me start by saying this is one of the most beautiful hair accessories I’ve ever seen, and it is truly a statement piece. I can’t even tell you how many compliments I received from both men and women. It features a dazzling combination of floral design, bright happy colors, and matching crystals on a gold metal barrette. Perfect for big thick hair, I was out dancing all night and it barely moved. Plus, you know how barrettes can be really hard to close? I had no problems with the clasp at all.

The Sunburst Barrette is just one of many stunning pieces in L. Erickson’s Palm Beach Collection…

These Mini Jaws are great to hold back small portions of hair…and cover up a bad hair day!  Adorable brightly colored butterfly, dotted with crystals, sits on top of a mini six pronged clip. Need a stronger hold? These Double Pinch Jaws will do the trick.

And then for a more elegant look, there’s the Palm Beach Long and Skinny Barrette. You’ll truly be amazed by how much hair this barrette can hold back. You can do so much with this hair piece – for thin hair, use it to secure a french twist, and for thick hair, part hair on the side and pull back your front shorter layers. You can wear this piece during the day for a girls brunch, at night on a hot date or for a special event.

All of the hair accessories in the Palm Beach Collection come in the same colors – Pink, Aqua and Lime Green. Whether you have really dark or light hair, these hair pieces pop and won’t go unnoticed. So listen…don’t spend $100 on a new outfit! Instead, try one of these beautiful crystal hair pieces. The SunBurst Barrette is only $34, and it’s all you need to jazz up a simple dress. For more info or to purchase, visit FranceLuxe.com.

1. Divide  soaking wet hair into sections

2. Blow-dry using a round brush starting with back sections

3. Once each section is dry, run a straightening iron over hair once or twice

4. Curl hair under (like your using a roller) and pin

5. Move to next section and repeat steps

Once all the sections were done, Celia removed the clips and I let my mane down! My hair was full and straight with a tad curl at the ends. She then pulled back the front pieces and secured with several bobby pins.

I was really happy with how my hair turned out. I was a bridesmaid in a wedding two years ago and I got the worst up-do ever. My hair was a giant frizzball my the end of the night.

So, take my advice. If you have thick hair, don’t try to pile it all on your head. A more natural approach is always best for weddings.

Photo: Celebutopia

Eva Mendes wore a thick black Dolce and Gabbana headband to the 66th Venice International Film Festival. You can easily (and for a lot less money) recreate Eva’s look with this similar headband from Arden B.

I asked my doctor if people ever get the brazilian laser treatment without using numbing cream. She said she has one patient who doesn’t use the cream and never even flinches! That’s just crazy…certain spots are very sensitive. I highly recommend the numbing cream.

My doctor said I should experience more of a rash this time.  I just keep loading hydrocortisone on. Last time, I got a slight rash but it didn’t even itch…my skin was just red.

Overall, laser hair removal was a great decision. I’m really happy. Remember how I told you I get bad in-grown hairs because my hair is so thick? I already see a difference! Much less now.

So make sure to check back in 6 weeks for treatment #3 update. 2 down, 4 more to go!

Photo: Self.com

We just came across this great article from Self.com all about H20 styling secrets. Here are some key tips that will help keep your locks hydrated all summer long.

Catch waves Like watermelon and flip-flops, a tousled, low- maintenance look is a summer staple, and a little H2O is the styling secret. Dampen hair, then comb a small amount of mousse or texture spray through it, says Luke O’Connor, celebrity stylist in Los Angeles for Suave. Loosely wrap 1-inch sections into tiny buns and secure with bobby pins. Let hair air-dry, then remove pins and shake ringlets out with your fingertips. “Water plus styling products molds strands into a shape,” O’Connor says.
Revive strands Got bed-head? Water reactivates yesterday’s styling product by temporarily breaking down its hold on hair. Simply mist from root to tip, so strands are slightly wet, then restyle as usual. Once dry, your goop’s grip is restored.  (Great tip for PGH!)
Help hydrate “It’s a myth that conditioner’s sole purpose is to moisturize,” says Gary Howse, co-owner of the Gary Manuel Salon in Seattle. “It traps water, plus smooths the cuticle, allowing strands to reflect more light.” But like a sponge, hair can get too full. Wring out water before applying conditioner.

Avoid the washouts

Stop mop top. If roots are even a smidge damp, your style will fall flat minutes after blow-drying, O’Connor says. Aim the nozzle at your scalp, count to three, then move it down strands. An ionic dryer can speed up styling sessions. (Negative ions are said to shrivel positively charged H2O, turning water into vapor in a flash.)
Fight fading. Just as throwing a T-shirt in the hot cycle washes away its vibrancy, steamy suds strip brunette, black and red hair, too. Flip the faucet to lukewarm when rinsing out shampoo and conditioner; step away from the spray to turn up the heat. (I always remind myself to do this, but sometimes the hot water feels so good…)
Brighten blonde. Golden hues don’t lose luster from the same culprits as dark shades, but they also have water woes. “Tap water contains chlorine, salts and minerals that turn lightened hair brassy,” O’Connor says. Attach a filter to your showerhead—a virtual Brita for your hair—to get H2O squeaky-clean. (Jonathan Beauty Water Shower Purification System, powers your shower for three to six months.)

While I think it’s always best to wear your hair down and show off those big, beautiful curls, there are times when you just need to put your hair in a ponytail…especially if you live in the Miami heat!!

The problem with thick hair is finding an elastic that will hold it up..and more. It has to be stretchy, easy to use, comfortable, and when you take it out, it shouldn’t take half your hair with it!

Goody makes great hair accessories, from clips to headbands. They have these Ouchless elastics that are stable enough to hold up our mane. And your hair is sure to remain stuck to your head and not wrapped around your hair tie. I love Goody because they make ties in all of the colors found in the rainbow, they are inexpensive, and they are found at your local pharmacy.