The Brushlover's Blog

The Not So Fashionable Report

2012-02-24T16:32:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

2012-02-14T15:53:00.004-05:00

1. BrushLab {Fresh} Thermal Round Hair Brush is made with top quality boar bristles that add shine and a straight finish to every blowout!
2. H3000 Mini Pink Iron is small and compact, perfect if you are traveling this weekend with your loved one!
3. Satina Rhinestone Heart Compact Mirror fits perfectly in a purse so you can make sure you look ravishing at all times!
4. Brushlab Pearl Square Cushion Paddle Hair Brush easily brushes through your hair while messaging the scalp for a perfect finish!
5. Jonathan Dry Shampoo prevents oil buildup and makes your blowout last longer!

2012 Grammy Awards - The Outfits We Didn't Really Love

2012-02-14T14:23:00.005-05:00

Last night at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, plenty of memorable events took place despite the somber atmosphere many may have expected due to the sudden tragic death of beloved singer Whitney Houston. Jennifer Hudson sang “I Will Always Love You” beautifully in Whitney’s memory. Hudson singing this piece was extremely fitting since Houston presented her with her first Grammy back in 2008. LL Cool Jay also led the crowd in prayer. British artist, Adele left with not 1 but 6 Grammy’s! Amazing! Overall the night was a true success minus some of our most hated outfits to cross the red carpet. I mean there always has to be a few at every awards show, right?

To make our not like list: Lady Gaga, Nikki Minaj, Fergie and Robyn. Now if you watched the awards show, and saw these ladies on the red carpet, we really shouldn’t have to explain our thoughts on their outfits. But we will. Lady Gaga and Nikki have one thing in common. Both artists have alter egos. Have whatever split personality you want, but it has really gone over the top. Both of them looked like something straight out of a horror movie and we are getting bored of the entire act. It may surprise everyone more if you showed up looking normal for once. Fergie looked like a walking lace orange. Jean Paul Gaultier is an amazing designer but this dress was not for you! It was way too orange and way too see through. Last but not least, Robyn. Platform Timberland looking shoes, really?! A tight horrendous white dress with absolutely no accessories to dress it up! And what was with that train hanging off the back!? There are no words to describe the complete shock. Thankfully there were so many more important events taking place that the media’s full attention may have been a little less concerned about these red carpet travesties.

February Superfood: Carrots

2012-02-08T16:27:00.003-05:00

Many, actually the majority of the population come up with a New Year's resolution to eat healthier and loose weight. For those of you that have slowly but surely fallen off the path of healthy eating, this month’s super food may give you a bit more guidance!

Snacking is a downfall for most people. Instead of healthy snacks, popular salty, sugary and fatty snacks with empty calories take over the supermarkets and go into the hands of many many Americans. Carrots are one the easiest vegetables to snack on throughout the day! The crunchy texture makes you really have to chew and ultimately decrease the urge to keep snacking later on in the day.

The most important vitamins for maintaining healthy hair, skin and nails are Vitamins C, E and B. Carrots are extremely rich in all of these vitamins plus Beta Carotene which breaks down in Vitamin A. All are essential in maintaining a healthy scalp and radiant skin. Beta Carotene helps your hair produce natural oils which make your hair shine and prevent it from drying out. This is extremely important to keep in mind if you color or highlight your hair! Color processes significantly dry out hair. Vitamins C and E mainly help increase scalp circulation, overall preventing hair loss and premature graying in some cases. Lastly, Vitamin B is one of the most important for healthy hair and nail growth. If you are Vitamin B deficient, you will more than likely be able to tell by the luster and texture of your hair and nails.

Next time you reach for a bag of M&M’s or Potato Chips think twice and do not consume the empty calories! Incorporate a healthy snack like Carrots which will not only keep you on the fast track to loosing weight; it will also benefit your hair and skin too!

Image from: diet.ygoy.com

New Product Buzz : Jonathan Dry Shampoo

2012-01-27T17:00:00.002-05:00

We can’t stress enough the importance of not washing your hair everyday. You are probably thinking, there is no way that I can go a day with out washing. Well, coming from a gal whose hair is pretty and clean in the morning, by 5pm will be greasy and disgusting. So with that being said, listen up! The natural oils that your hair produces are necessary for hair growth and shine no matter how you look at it. Your hair needs time to absorb these oils. Jonathan came up with a unique idea to incorporate a brush on applicator which actually allows you evenly distribute the powder onto your root. This nifty product cleanses and refreshes the scalp and manages to add a little bit of oomph to the root for volume! Even though not washing your hair sounds like the next worst thing, to working through the weekends, try it out and extend the life of your blow out! Your hair will thank you!

Available on Brushlove.com for $18.98.

People's Choice Awards 2012

2012-01-12T16:55:00.004-05:00

Many famous faces joined for the People’s Choice Awards yesterday in Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre. We look forward to seeing our favorite celebrities in all their glamour from head to toe walking the red carpet. As many beautifully styled celebs show up for the big night, there is always a handful that make you wonder if they were sober when getting ready. Everyone, even celebrities make poor style choices from time to time and we are here to highlight both the striking and strikingly bad looks of the evening!

Our top 3 favorite gals were Ashley Benson, Emma Stone and Miley Cyrus. We are always suckers for real class acts and all three of these girls looked simply elegant. Ashley wore an Alice and Oliva dress with just the right amount of bling in her accessories. Oh, and the hot pink nails definitely showed off her fun side. Emma on the other hand went with a suit. Normally I wouldn’t be particularly fond of a suit for an awards show on the red carpet but she truly looked sharp. Last but not least Miley surprised us all in that beyond stunning David Koma dress. The plunging sheer neckline and the embellished sheer panel underneath was exquisite. Miley made one heck of a fashion statement last night and we are looking forward to seeing more appearances like this!

Our not so favorite looks were worn by Carrie Preston, Ashley Greene and Kat Dennings. We can refer to ourselves as hair professionals, prima fashionistas, maybe not, although we definitely know a look gone wrong when we see one. Carrie, even though you have a killer shape for your age, that dress is way too short and way too tight. It is important to look young but we all know how old you are! Between Kat and Ashley, I don’t know which was worse. This was extremely disappointing especially as big fans of Ashley Greene. It looked like a Goth lace demon took over their minds while pulling together outfits for this awards show.

Brushes Galore

2012-01-12T11:10:00.005-05:00

For most people, we assume the initial start to the day may consist of a cup of coffee and a shower. In order to pull ourselves together for the day ahead, we throw on some makeup and blow-dry our wet hair. Most people would love to just skip that step all together and have beautiful, bouncy, professionally blown out tresses, but unfortunately magic is not possible…sorry ladies! What we are able to promise you is to provide innovative and stylish brushes to help you achieve salon professional results! There is truly a brush out there for everyone and we are here to help you find it!

With our friends over at Latest-Hairstyles.com, we put together a list of the top 10 brushes that will help you on your mission to achieving the best possible blow drying results! Be sure to visit them at the link below and find your true brush mate!

http://www.latest-hairstyles.com/blog/10-types-of-hair-brushes.html

Old Hollywood Will Never Get Old

2011-12-23T14:21:00.006-05:00

During this time of year, the classic Holiday movies will never get old. By classic I mean the real black and white filmed movies with singing and dancing that portray the true value and meaning of the holidays! After watching White Christmas, Holiday Inn, It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle On 34th Street again, it became apparent that the old Hollywood hairstyles are making appearances with celebs such as Scarlett Johansson, Katy Perry, Amanda Seyfried, Katherine Heigel, Kate Bosworth, Charlize Theron and Eva Longoria! These fabulous ladies have walked the red carpet with gorgeous modern hairstyles resembling many old Hollywood hair trends! Pinning the soft curls on the side will not only keep the hair out of your face and easily stay in place all day. Try out this style to look traditional and festive for all your Holiday parties and family dinners!

Rooney Mara- Not The Girl Next Door Anymore!

2011-12-19T17:11:00.004-05:00

It is always interesting to see how actresses grow up and develop a look and style that separates them from the rest of the Hollywood crowd. One actress in particular that will no longer stand as an extra or have a minor role after playing the lead character, Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” is Rooney Mara.

In the past Rooney took on roles both on TV and the big screen. She was seen on Law & Order SVU, ER, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Social Network just to name a few. Since then, we have seen Miss Mara become a unique personality emanating style and sophistication.

Rooney went from her simple, girl next door look to an elegant, modern and stunning young actress!

What are your thoughts on the transformation?

Want Volume?

2011-12-06T11:48:00.005-05:00

We had a wonderful opportunity to work with the team over at the Hairstyle Blog! Check out our guest post which contains useful styling tips and product suggestions that will help you get the maximum amount of volume to your hair!

Link: http://www.hairstyle-blog.com/hair-volume.html

The Year For Bangs!

2011-12-02T11:55:00.004-05:00

We are no longer associating bangs with a way to hide larger foreheads and making you look years younger even though these are still favorable means to get bangs. Bangs have become the go to hair trend this fall! Celebrity names such as Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Sandra Bullock all are sporting new cuts this year with a bold straight bang! Most recently, the singer we all know and love, known for her bouncy blonde curls and swoopy side bangs switched up her look and straightened her gorgeous blonde hair and also went for the straight bang which we absolutely love! The new cut makes Taylor look mature and simply elegant! If you were hesitant to stray over to the bang side, don’t be! It may just be the change you needed for the season!

Cyber Monday Sale on Brushlove.com

2011-11-28T16:53:00.004-05:00

For those of you that dread Black Friday, Cyber Monday is your new best friend! Avoid the lines, constant pushing a shoving and losing sleep by simply relaxing at your computer and shopping conveniently online!

Here at Brushlove.com, we are not only offering 30% off site-wide, but we are also giving away a free tote bag and crystal compact mirror!

For those of you that spend $25 or more, you will also receive a $5.00 gift card to use on a future purchase!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Get Your Hair Through Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T11:44:00.005-05:00

Thanksgiving is a big family holiday where we get to eat lots and share fond memories with our loved ones. Not only are you going to want to wear something fashionably comfortable, especially if you plan on doing some major house hopping, your hair will need a little love as well.

We are big fans of a little bling from time to time, but let’s keep it simple. If you’re doing the turkey yourself, we propose some accessories that will simultaneously keep your hair out of your face (and the gravy!) The holiday season is the perfect time to sparkle! A blingy barrette or hair pins will add some jazz to an otherwise bland look or compliment a dressy look if you decide to outdo yourself this year.

One of our favorites of the moment are these Crystal Hair Pins by Tasha available at Nordstrom.com for $28.00. Simple, but beautiful.

Another favorite of ours is the hair accessories line from Bexy Hair. Again, simply elegant. Available at Brushlove.com.

You can curl your hair or leave it straight. That all depends on the look you are going for and how much time you have. Keep in mind you need this look to last for the day so maybe not the curls! Take a small section of hair to pin back for a delicate look or take a larger section to make a bigger statement. You can also braid the sections of hair for a more bohemian look!

3 simple methods to make you look younger

2011-11-19T08:19:00.007-05:00

Everyone wants to look younger! It's just a fact that most women want that

youthful glow back! There are so many different methods available today that can

help you look younger, such as expensive skincare tools and serums. However,

most women overlook one MAJOR feature that can help change your look

completely. The answer lies in your hair!

We have provided 3 simple at home methods to make you look younger with out

a price tag!

The First Method

careless manner. However, whatMost women usually tie their hair in a quick and

most women don't know is that tying your hair in a way that matches your eyes

will greatly affect your overall appearance. Tying your hair in a tight ponytail may

give you a sleeker cat like appearance. You will be highlighting your cheek bones

and reflecting a stronger, fierce image. Hair that isn't tied usually gives a softer

persona. Your eyes look a little softer and exude a gentler appearance.

The Second Method

Self made hair accessories will definitely give you a younger image! You won't

need to buy anything. The purpose of this is to use your own hair. W

how to make a hairmade hair band and a hair bow!e'll show you

How To: Hair band

1. Braid the hairs that are closest to your ears. Do this for both the left side and right side.

2. Bring the two braids together and twist them together where the ends meet.

3. Secure with a bobby pin!

How To: Hair bow

1. Grab the desired amount of hair

that you want, from the part of your head

where you would like your hair bow to be

2. Tie that portion of your hair tightly

3. Ten twist your hair around until it forms a mini bun.

4. Take a hair tie, and tie the middle portion of the hair to form a sideways 8

5. Now if your hair bow isn't the desired shape, then just use some bobby pins and pin the ends of the hair bow to the desired shape that you want!

The Third Method

Bangs are a big factor helping you shed years off your face! Since bang cutting can

become a bit costly, we'll tell you a simple way to cut your bangs at home…safely!

Just make sure to have good sharp pair of scissors!

Before you start, make sure to part your hair in a manner that is flattering but

suits your face shape. If you have a wider forehead, it would be better to part

your hair in a way so that your bangs look shorter. If you have a narrow forehead, it

would be better to set your part further from your hairline to give the illusion or a

larger forehead! Tie your hair back after you finish parting your hair!

Side Bang

1. Make sure to measure how long your bangs will be. It will look more flattering if your bangs reach the tip of your nose or your cheek bone.

2. Swing your bangs towards your ear. If you want your side bangs to be on the right when finished, make sure to swing towards the left. And vice versa.

3. Hold your hair so that your thumb will be able to hold all of your hair for your bangs

4. Cut around, in the shape of your thumb

5. You are finished! Easy and simple.

Full Bang

1. Take the desired amount of hair for your bangs

2. This time, measure so that your hair reaches to just about underneath your

eyes

3. Again cut around your thumb. (In the shape of your thumb.)

4. And you're done!

images from ShutterStock, ciprg.com, blogs.wsj.com

November Superfood - Oysters

2011-11-04T10:20:00.005-04:00

Every month, we’ll review a super food that has been shown to be good not only for your hair, but good for your taste buds as well.
For November, our first super food post will be on – Oysters.

I know, you may be thinking “Ew, no way!” Oysters are definitely an acquired taste, but we just happen to love them! They’ve got to be cold and fresh, from a high-trafficked (and clean) oyster bar or seafood purveyor that sell right off the boat. Once you get the hang of the “scoop & slurp” method of eating them raw – yes, that’s right, raw is the way to go – you’ll begin to appreciate the indescribably salty, refreshing, oceanic taste of a Long Island Blue Point or a West Coast Kumamoto. Be sure to add a splash of lemon and, perhaps, a drop of hot sauce if you want an added kick!

The health benefits of Oysters come from its naturally occurring Zinc, which has been known to relieve mild skin ailments and wounds, aid white blood cell and collagen production (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/zinc/NS_patient-zinc/DSECTION=evidence), metabolize testosterone in men - thus, the “aphrodisiac” label - and help with cognitive and memory functions. There is also evidence suggesting that zinc deficiency may result in the weakening of the hair shaft, resulting in increased hair loss and shedding.
Proper amounts of zinc in your diet can help maintain the oil-secreting glands of your hair follicles, decreasing the chance of excess shedding and improving the overall health and shine of your hair.

The term “a little goes a long way” couldn’t prove more true in this case. The recommended daily dose of zinc is 15 mgs, so too much of it will not be beneficial, it may even have a reverse effect. The usable zinc in Oysters is natural and easily absorbed, so an occasional visit to your favorite oyster bar should do the trick, in addition to maintaining a balanced diet, of course. Again, make sure those oysters are fresh and cold… and then scoop, slurp and enjoy the amazingly complex and refreshing taste of this jewel of the sea!

Scary Hair Moments

2011-10-24T16:15:00.008-04:00

To keep with the season of scary costumes, haunted houses and scary hayrides, we saw it fitting to rate hairstyles from various movies throughout the years on a scary factor of 1-10; one being not so scary and 10 being, well extremely scary.

Our list is as follows; try not to be too horrified. ;)

Oh, and please note, we are specifically ONLY referring to the hair and not judging the movies based on content.

Now, there is such a thing as a chic pulled back bun and then there is this Chris Tucker as Rudy Rod in “The Fifth Element”. His hair looks like he dipped his whole head in bleach, never conditioned and was aiming to have an oversized cheese doodle on his head (the white cheddar kind). This is not advised, especially paired with cheetah print.

Scary Factor: 9

Messy, voluminous waves are highly sought after. This look can actually be worn on a red carpet! Celebrities such as Diana Argon and Blake Lively have sported it on numerous occasions. Edward Scissorhands on the other hand, looks like he hasn’t brushed his hair in years after going through a wind tunnel…multiple times...at running speed. As Johnny Depp fans we are going to cut him some slack and rate his scary factor in a bias manner, taking into consideration our huge crush.

Scary Factor: 7

Speaking of cheese doodles…we will never understand what Marge was going for with her signature blue, very much vertical hairstyle. Blue highlights…YES! Blue tips…YES! Blue cheese doodle…NO! At least she knew how to accessorize. ;)

Scary factor: 8

Dear Colin Farrel (Horrible Bosses), comb overs are NEVER acceptable! We have come to accept the style of “comb over” due to the simple fact that most of our grandfathers are the culprits, and they are way to cute to criticize. Colin, your hair is not grey here so NOT okay!

Scary factor: 6

Now, I know I said we would stick to movies, but this picture might as well been part of some scary movie. Poor Nick Nolte! This may possibly be one of the worst mug shots ever taken in the history of the world. You look like you had not showered in months. We understand you were not in the right state of mind, but come on.

Scary factor: 10 (Because this is real life and not a movie)

Halloween Beauty Essentials

2011-10-14T17:08:00.003-04:00

Halloween is one day a year where you can leave the seriousness behind and allow for a split personality. Whether you typically go for the girly princess costumes, scary costumes or sexy costumes, you are still stepping away from “you” for a day! Makeup and hair can often times make or break a costume. To assist in your makup/hair purchasing decisions, we have gathered a few essentials that will be mandatory on our list of purchases this year!

1. Hairuwear Color Extensions – If you would like to jazz up your hair just enough with out actually applying color Hairuwear extensions are the way to go! Each strand has a convenient clip which easily holds hair in place and looks extremely natural. These clips come in a variety of colors including, Blue, Pink, Purple, Teal and Auburn. Available at Ulta for 9.00

2. Schwarzkopt Osis Dust It – This miracle product adds VOLUME! No joke! If you have fine/thin hair, Dust It should be on your shelf of products for sure! Apply a small amount to the root and style as usual. You will see so much of a difference, teasing may not even be necessary. Of course, tease away for added volume.

3. Beyond the Zone Color Bombz Temporary Color – If you are going with a ghost or zombie type costume and need an all over hair color but obviously are not interested in going white/grey for a few months, we suggest Color Bombz. This will give you an all over temporary color that washes right out. Since everyone’s hair texture is different, we suggest doing a conditioning treatment after use just in case it does leave your hair feeling dry. Available at Sally Beauty for $5.99

4. Makeup For Ever Eyelashes – To add some extra flirt to your costume, we recommend fake lashes! Makeup For Ever has a variety of lengths and looks, you can be sure to find one that works. Available at Sephora for $15.00

DIY Fishtail Braid

2011-09-28T21:13:00.010-04:00

It seems like every woman has a go to hairstyle, one that has been mastered to literally take 15 minutes in the morning to construct. It could be something simple as a basic blowout or something a bit more creative like a fun pony-tail or braid!

Recently, my go to hairstyle has been the fishtail braid. It’s super easy, work appropriate and takes no time at all. Below you can find the step by step instructions on how you can do it yourself!

STEP 1
Separate hair into two equal sections at the back of the head. Fishtail braiding requires only two sections (not three, like a classic or French braid).

STEP 2
Start the fishtail braid by holding the right section with your right hand. Then, using your left hand, pick up a small chunk (a half-inch) of hair from the outside of the left section and cross it over to the inside of the right section.

(Hint: Try picking the hair up from the area near the base of your ear. It’s important to pull sections from underneath when you cross over to get that scaly look.)

STEP 3
Repeat on the other side: Hold the left section in your left hand. Use your right hand to pick up a half-inch of hair from the outer right section and cross it over to the inside of the left section.

STEP 4
Continue adding small sections and crossing them over until you reach the ends of your hair, and secure with an elastic hair tie. Pull on the braid a bit to loosen it.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get this perfectly the first time but just remember to keep practicing! Practice always makes perfect! Oh, and if you have layers that’s fine! Layers actually help make the braid look much cuter! If you don’t have layers, don’t worry, just slightly pull hair out in random parts, not completely though. This makes for a slightly messier look that still works for everyday!

Rainy Days - Essential Gear To Get You Through

2011-09-20T15:09:00.010-04:00

From torrential rain to hurricanes, we all have had a very moist summer to say the least and from the looks of it, we are expected to have a fall filled with just as many rainy days. To be prepared in the most fashionable way possible we have gathered together a list of our top 5 favorite rain gear essentials.

1. A sturdy umbrella is essential to not only your hair but to your sanity. The Totes Bubble Umbrella w/ Colored Trim available at Totes-Isotoner.com for $13.59 is not only affordable but tough enough to get you through the worst rainy windy days. A more expensive option for the non cost conscious readers; Felix Rey has a fabulous Zebra print unbrella similar in shape to Totes available on Bloomindales.com. Both umbrellas are deep and provide much more protection than your regular umbrella off the street corner.

2. Our splurge item is a gorgeous Burberry Brit A-Line Rain Coat, $750 on Bloomingdales.com. Have extra protection from the removable hood and show off the traditional Burberry check design on the collar and sleeve. Not to mention A-line is slimming and looks beautiful on all body types.

3. Hats are in! This Totes Red Cloche Roll-Up Rain Hat is light weight and convenient. The button and loop details allow for you to easily roll up the hat and store in a tote bag or any small space! Available at Totes-isotoner.com for $18.00

4. Hair products are needed to ensure extra protection. There is no rain coat, hat or umbrella to prevent the moisture in the air from hitting you! Blow Dry Bar’s Weather Girl serum prevents frizziness in the muggiest of conditions! Available at BlowNY.com for $22.00

5. Get a classy equestrian look with these Hunter Boots from Bloomingdales! The black and brown color combination allow these boots to be worn with any outfit to and from the office, and are even stylish enough to prance around in all day! The Nylon lining allows for a breathable comfy feel! $195.00

Tela Beauty Organics!

2011-09-13T18:48:00.003-04:00

Organic products are a continually gaining more and more popularity. As
consumers become more educated on organic foods and beauty related products,
they are realizing that you do not have to be a tree hugging fanatic to truly support
the world of organics!

Tela Beauty Organics is a brand that offers hair and skin care products packed
with natural ingredients that effectively restore, moisturize, cleanse and protect
your hair, scalp and skin. The main acting ingredients in Tela’s Shampoo
and Conditioner are Reishi Mushroom and Sea Buckthron Berry. These two
ingredients together restore hair by protecting it from daily pollutants and
chemicals in the environment. Both are also rich in Vitamins A, E and C which
help trap in moisture to keep your hair strong and heal damaged follicles!

After I tried out the Balance Organic Shampoo and Conditioner, for normal hair,
I noticed changes in my hair after the first use. Both were gentle yet effective,
leaving my hair knot free, moisturized and re-hydrated which made styling easy.
This dynamic shampoo and conditioner combo are perfect for every day use and
do not leave your hair feeling saturated!

Tela also offers a wide variety of different shampoos and conditioners for curly,
color treated and thin hair. Don’t forget to check out the various deep conditioners
as well!

Now available for purchase on Brushlove.com, for $39.98.

Kelly Rowland- Best Dressed at the 2011 VMA

2011-08-31T15:59:00.003-04:00

The annual MTV Video Music Awards rarely leave us bored. As always the performances were unbelievable. This year, the performances by Adele, Lady GaGa (or should we say, her alter ego) and Bruno Mars really blew us away. Now, from a fashion/beauty angle, can I just say, rather scream, WHERE ARE YOUR STYLISTS AND WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!!! Unless you live under a rock, you have to know exactly who we are picking out in our minds without mentioning any names. Instead of adding to the hype, we decided to pick one lady that really looked amazing from head to toe. After not much debate, Kelly Rowland, former member of Destiny Child wowed us. Kelly’s dress was designed by Falguni & Shane Peacock which appeared on the Fall 2011 runway show, shoes by Louboutin and jewelry by Bavna all perfectly fit together to create an edgy yet classic silhouette. The gold embroidery looked much like a 15th century royal ball gown where as the feathers and leather waist band added the modern rock appeal. We appreciated that Kelly toned down the jewelry since her dress was very busy. The other stylists and artists should take notes and consider the dress when picking out jewelry. And Kelly, although it is time for a new hairstyle, we do love the bold bang on you! But, for your next public appearance, please switch up the hair!

Top 5 Romance Movies With The Best Hair

2011-08-25T16:32:00.002-04:00

After much debate over Avatar being a romance movie or not, we decided that we really had to sit back and reminisce to the classics. We pulled together our top five all time REAL favorite romance movies based on memorable hair trends.

It has been said that trends come back around every 20 years. In retrospect, right now we should be reliving a rendition of the 90’s and in fact, we are! The 90’s were known for big hair, grunge styles and Doc Martens; true classics that will continue to appear in modern trends.

Coincidentally, our top 3 choices just happened to be 90’s classics!

1. Ghost (1990)
Of course our number one romantic movie would have Patrick Swayze. Come on now! Just kidding, well not really. ;) Demi Moore’s pixie cut in Ghost paved the way for many women to take the leap and chop their hair! Actresses now such as Emma Watson rocks a super feminine pixie cut very similar to Moore’s in Ghost.

2. Pretty Woman (1990)

From prostitute to princess Richard Gere transformed Julia Roberts to fit right in with the elite of NYC. Julia dating Gere as strictly a business deal quickly turned into love! Julia not only had big gorgeous curls, but this was the time when her hair was that beautiful shade of auburn red! Many celebrities are now going red – look at Blake Lively, Debra Messing, Rose McGowan and Cynthia Nixon! I think that proves our point!

3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

A movie that with out fail will tug at your heart strings every time! Meg Ryan has a very simple look; wispy side bangs and textured natural waves. She also frequently wears a low French twisted braid. If you read our entry on braids, you know how we feel! Braids are back in full force!

4. Grease (1978)

This musical romance was a milestone in the fashion and beauty industries. Olivia Newton John and John Travolta were instantly made fashion icons. Every male wanted Travolta’s “greased” hair, even to this day, most guys gel their hair. Most memorably from Grease were the Pink Ladies. Frenchy, the “beauty school drop out” definitely made a statement with her pink hair. Today we see Glee star, Diana Argon sporting this trend really should stay in the 70’s.

5. Dirty Dancing (1987)

Another Swayze movie, no surprise here! Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze danced their way into everyone’s hearts with Dirty Dancing. Grey’s volumized tight curls are defiantly going to be a popular fall look; we love the relaxed texture and natural body.

On a side note:
If you reside on the East Coast, be prepared for a weekend of hurricane with a possible mix of tornado! Let’s just hope that we don’t get another earthquake on top of all that! Stay safe indoors- we have already provided you with a list of movies to revisit.

CASH MONEY - Is Money a Suitable Birthday Gift for a Significant Other?

2011-08-19T16:42:00.004-04:00

We are called the Brush LOVERS Blog for a reason and it is not just because we love hair! Since we help make you beautiful, we feel as if we also need to throw in our few cents on real life topics such as LOVE. Get it… Brush LOVERS!!!

If we could pick one topic in life that almost always has a grey area, it would be dating and relationships. We will be writing about personal experiences, ‘grey area’ relationship topics and dating beauty advice! Yes, you will have to deal with our opinions on occasion but we will provide honest unbiased advice!

If the yearly dilemma of the perfect birthday gift is not considered one of the top grey area subjects in a relationship than I don’t know what is! Before I get into this, let me clarify what exactly we are getting at with this grey area term. A grey area would be classified as a state of fogginess and being unclear as to which direction one should take. Now, we present the question of the week. Is it suitable to gift money as a birthday present?

A lot of people consider a money gift thoughtless and impersonal. This group would say gifting money to a distant cousin or an “aunt and uncle” that you call aunt and uncle but are not related to you at all is perfectly fine. Gifting someone whom you consider your boyfriend or girlfriend is not. Others would disagree, presenting the opinion that money is a great gift! No one wants to get a gift that isn’t needed and hated, which is why money is the perfect way of saying, here, I want you to spend this and get something really special.

The office poll concluded:

Across the board: By no means is it acceptable to gift money to a significant other for your first birthdays together! Spare the drama. Don’t do it!

Money is totally fine as a birthday present: 63%

There were several interesting suggestions that this group mentioned. The monetary value does make a difference. Not saying you should be giving thousands, but we do feel that giving $25.00 is not okay. That is not only a stupid move, and you will NEVER hear the end of it if you still have a gf/bf after that, but you prove yourself to be a cheap thoughtless person when giving money could actually be very sincere and thoughtful gesture. The money gifters stated that they truly want their significant other to spend the money on something truly wanted and needed, even if that is putting it away to save! For a future…(hint hint, nudge nudge)!

No way! Money is not an appropriate gift for a birthday: 37%

This group was adamant on the fact that it is impersonal, thoughtless and lazy to gift money. Get a gift with a gift receipt, and if all else fails, return and exchange for something he/she may want or need. If you do not have any idea where to buy a gift your S.O. would like and/or find a replacement gift if the original didn’t work out, than that is a very bad sign. It shows us that you need to take your head out of the clouds and pay attention.

We Tease You Not

2011-08-11T12:58:00.004-04:00

Whether you have flat thin hair or hair full of body, the Monroe Teasing U Brush is perfect for adding the right amount of volume and bounce to a styled up-do or just at the root to effortlessly fall nicely at your shoulders. The problem with most teasing brushes is the bristles tend to cause a ton of knots causing discomfort when finally brushing out the hair. This brush has 100% boar bristles which allows for an easy comb through minimizing breakage and split ends! Not only can you add volume, this nifty design is great for smooth and sleek backcombing! Get that desired finish you only see from salon up-dos easily. Here are a few styling tips below to help you achieve salon professional looks!

Available for purchase at Brushlove.com, $12.98

* For maximum teasing results spray the crown of your head with dry shampoo. The added texture helps keep hair in place before a light spray of hairspray to finish the job. Our go to product is Pronto Dry Shampoo Spray by Oscar Blandi (only $21.00 at oscarblandi.com).

* Tease in sections! This will minimize knots and help get double the volume.

* Use a shine spray for a sleek finish when backcombing. This will drastically reduce flyaways! We really like Hemp Shine Spray by Alterna (only $20.00 at Ulta Beauty).

* I know we probably said this a million times but we are going to say it again. FRIZZ is caused when hair is moist and you then go outside into a moist climate. Thoroughly blow out all your hair before doing any styling during these hot months.

Yummy Scented Denman brushes

2011-08-10T11:52:00.006-04:00

The Denman scented brushes are oddly appealing and have the classic Denman vibe to them. However, these unique and fun brushes have a little more to offer. For one, these brushes have a brightly colored cushion, and also come with a fruit design that corresponds to each brush’s fruit fragrance. No matter the age, women and young ladies alike will instantly fall in love with the appealing design and pleasant smell.

The Denman brushes are available in 6 scents: Strawberry, Orange, Lemon, Apple, Coconut and Dewberry. The scented brushes also have close set pin patterns for maximum control while brushing through your hair. The anti static rubber cushion, as well as the smooth round ended pins allow for a snag-free styling.The scented Denman brushes also feature the classic teardrop handle.

They are available for purchase at brushlove.com.

Teen Choice Awards - August 2011

2011-08-09T15:05:00.011-04:00

This past Sunday, August 7, 2011, the Teen Choice Awards took place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California; hosted by Kaley Cuoco. We are always excited to see what the stars have in store for us from hair and make-up to fabulous designer dresses and accessories! Of course everyone has an opinion on best dresses, so we decided to pick our top 3 favorite female and male attendees based on a head to toe look!

Top 3 Best Blue Carpet Appearances- Female

1. Taylor Swift

Taylor’s Marilyn Monroe-esque dress designed by Rafael Cennamo was the perfect choice. The 21 year old singer looked sexy and sophisticated with out showing too much skin. Her hair was understated with side swept bangs and a few loose curls. The makeup dressed up her look a bit more with turquoise shadow and a rosy lip.

2. Selena Gomez

On the blue carpet, Selena sported a gold satin dress with an elegant cream chiffon sash by Erin Fetherston. Her purple strappy heels by Brian Atwood were a nice compliment to this neutral ensemble. Known for her gorgeous long brown locks, Selena kept her hair down with loose waves and a side part.

3. Kim Kardashian

Bride to be Kim looked stunning in her Givenchy dress, Bottega Veneta clutch and Louboutin heels. The real attention grabber was her stunning slicked back bun! All the hair pulled back out of her face really accentuated her natural beauty.

Top 3 Best Blue Carpet Appearances- Male

1. Justin Bieber

If there is one young artist that knows how to dress, its Mr. Bieber! Justin accessorizes with a hanging polka dotted bow tie and a ban.do pom pom flower clip (as mentioned on Just Jared). His razor cut hairdo does go perfectly with his rocker/prep look!

2. Taylor Lautner

Decked out in black, Taylor wore an AllSaints Replica Biker jacket in black leather and dark skinny jeans. His hair being longer at the top and shorter on the sides looked great with a little gel and messily spiked!

3. Darren Criss

To our disappointment many of the male attendees were really not dressed to impress. It was boring after boring minus Jason Derulo’s metallic gold tux. (We are not yet sure how we feel about it). Anyway, Glee star Darren looked clean cut and trendy with his grey suit jacketand skinny purple tie! Thanks for looking presentable Darren, but please do something with that hair!

Feathers Gone Wild

2011-08-01T17:11:00.005-04:00

In about mid June, feather hair extensions made an appearance as the “must have” accessory. Although feathers are visually beautiful…on a bird, it was very difficult to understand why one would put something in their hair that is used to protect and provide warmth for the bird, not a human being. Obviously that was not the intention the makers of these feather extensions had in mind, but still. Now, here we are, about 2 months later, the beginning of August, and more and more people are flocking with the rest of the fleet and getting strands of feather hair extensions! Hair wraps are one thing for a child under the age of 13, highlights work wonders for young adults and everyone after that, plus, now there are hundreds of different color clip in extensions! Now I ask, why feathers? Plenty of celebrities including Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Kesha all have been spotted wearing them!
To add to the craze, many salons are offering the service to put in the feathers for you! What does one say when walking into the salon? “The look I’m going for this visit is flamingo! Could you pluck the lightest pink feather from the bunch?” Still not seeing what all the fuss is about. What’s next for fall? Fur? Reptile hair wraps? Please don’t.

Braid Craze

2011-07-27T12:55:00.008-04:00

Over the past couple years we have been noticing the braid gaining more and more popularity and evolving into new creative looks. From a simple side loose fishtail braid to Lauren Conrad’s bohemiam-esque braid worn on the crown of her head, to Blake Lively’s ponytail braid. We couldn’t help but go braid crazy after seeing images from Mara Hoffman’s Runway show from this past Miami Swim Fashion Week 2012. The elegantly styled braid that the models beautifully showed off was a combination of a French and fishtail braid! We must say, by far, this is one of the nicest styles that we have ever seen. The mastermind behind the double fishtail French braid is Tresemme’s lead stylist, Elsa Canedo. Not only is it perfect for summer but it can be great for a day at the office and a night out as well! What is truly even better is that you will not need much styling before you start braiding your hair. Having some loose pieces really ties the whole look together. Oh, and not to ignore the beyond gorgeous prints that made an appearance on Hoffman’s bathing suits and cover-ups, the 39 piece collection was phenomenal! We are going to eagerly rush through fall/winter in anticipation for Egyptian and South American tribal printed suits next year!

101 Degrees Today in Central Park...

2011-07-22T14:06:00.005-04:00

For all you east coasters, I’m positive you are as uncomfortable as we are in this sweltering heat! You may be thinking something along the lines of “it is absolutely pointless to attempt styling my hair” or “just stick me in a pool and make me not look like a prune when I get out!" For most of you with jobs, this morning going the pool just was not an option and neither was picking up a hairdryer. However, I did decide to try my newest hair product from Nick Chavez called “Wip-It N2 Styling Foam”! Nick, you saved me! The bottle being similar in shape to a Reddi-Wip container was a huge plus as I am a nut when it comes to that stuff. SO GOOD! Seriously speaking though, the Wip-It N2 foam was not sticky at all and it helped add a slight textured wave when applied to my damp hair. My hair actually did not frizz up the second I walked outside into the sauna! Yes, a sauna is how I would compare our climactic conditions right now. This hair/life saving product can be purchased on QVC.com for $24.25 (before shipping). Highly recommend!

Oh and do not forget to go our facebook page and “like” us! You don’t want to miss out on a lifetime supply of hair brushes…that would just be silly.

LINK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushlovecom/160308704029649

Freebies...FOR LIFE

2011-07-13T14:44:00.004-04:00

Here at Brushlove.com, we think of ourselves as giving people, especially with our valued customers! For the launch of our new Facebook page we will be randomly selecting 5 winners on August 30th to pick out any Brushlab brush your heart desires plus, expect to receive a new brush from us every year for the rest of forever! Not even kidding. We truly value your support which is why we like you, so go "like" us!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushlovecom/160308704029649

All Eyes on Emma Watson - NYC Premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

2011-07-12T13:41:00.010-04:00

Yesterday, July 11, 2011 in NYC, the long awaited premiere of Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows - Part 2 took place at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Emma Watson and co-stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint all walked the red carpet looking sleek, edgy and sophisticated.

The 21-year old British actress, looked stunning in a bustier style Bottega Veneta gown paired with Giuseppe Zanotti platform peep toe heels. We absolutely loved her slicked back hair; this cut really accentuated the jaw line and highlighted her cheek bones! Emma truly made a potentially boyish haircut look ultra feminine! What are your thoughts on Watson’s new look? Would you dare to go this extreme with your next do?

Perfect Side Swept Bangs

2011-03-25T11:24:00.002-04:00

How to Straighten Hair with a Hair Brush

2011-01-06T11:45:00.005-05:00

How To Use Round Thermal Hair Brush

2011-01-06T11:14:00.002-05:00

My Review of BrushLab {Fresh} Thermal Round Hair Brush 22821

2010-06-16T16:03:00.001-04:00

Originally submitted at BrushLove

The most popular round hair brush today is the round thermal hair brush, as it speeds the drying process considerably. This brush is designed for people who are looking to add volume, curl, or straighten.

Features & Benefits :

100% Natural premium cut boar bristles. ...

Seriously AMAZING!

By Terry from Minneapolis, MN on 6/16/2010

Pros: Durable, Effective, Easy To Use

Best Uses: Keep In The Bathroom, Daily Use

Describe Yourself: Brand Buyer

First time i've tried a natural boar bristle brush. I can totally feel and see the difference. Worth the few extra $'s. FAST drying and made my hair shine!!!

(legalese)

Monroe Hair Brushes

2010-03-12T12:04:00.002-05:00

Monroe Hair Brushes have arrived.

• Hourglass barrel for even control of the roots. Creates perfect tension all across the bristling area, to provide a perfect styling, because it mimics the shape of the head.

• More Control = Better Results. More control of the hair because the flat section of the hourglass shape keeps the hair within the bristling area.

• Beautiful finishing of the ends. The hourglass shape allows for better control of the ends.

• Faster blow dry.

• Extra light weight in wood handle with foam for comfort of use.

www.brushlove.com

Round Hair Brushes

2009-12-22T12:19:00.002-05:00

Round brushes: Small to medium round, or barreled hair brushes work best on shorter hair, while big barreled hair brushes are often favored by hairdressers for blow-drying medium-length to long hair. Round hair brushes are mostly used to give texture or curl to shorter hair, and the golden rule is the smaller the hair brush barrel, the tighter the curl. To add definition to shorter, layered styles, apply mousse and then use a round brush to style the hair. You can shape it with your fingers and finish off the ends with a little wax or gel. If you want to give the hair more body and lift, set it on rollers first.

For medium-length to long hair you'll need a chunky barreled hair brush. When styling, start at the roots and be careful not to wrap a big section of hair around the brush - otherwise you could get into a tangled mess

For the Best Round Hair Brushes Visit: http://www.brushlove.com

2009-12-07T12:03:00.002-05:00

Save 30% on any order from BrushLove.com! Please note that this offer doesn't apply to the Mason Pearson brand.

get a FREE gift with any purchase @ BrushLove

2009-09-11T15:10:00.003-04:00

Get a FREE gift with purchase now at www.brushlove.com

30% OFF HAIR STYLING TOOLS

2009-08-20T10:17:00.001-04:00

www.brushlove.com is having a 30% discount on all beauty products! Must use coupon code love30 during checkout.

By the way, www.brushlove.com now has a new survey where five lucky winners will get a free PING Digital Hair Iron ($159.99 retail).