Last week I headed to the The Studio NYC, P&G Professional’s education facility located inside Manhattan’s Rockefeller Plaza, to experience firsthand Wella’s new Color Applicator. Designed for use with the company’s Color Charm line of liquid haircolor, the applicator makes color application both faster and more comfortable for stylists, thanks to the bottle’s ergonomic angle for optimized color flow and its oval shape. Two more pluses: The smooth design prevents snagging and the laser-etched measuring marks don’t “collect” color, making cleaning a snap. Sure enough, my haircolor service, performed by Creative Director for Wella Color Charm Paul Vega, was finished in a matter of minutes. After a cut by Design Team Member and Color Master Vikkie Monaco, my transformation was complete. The results? Let’s just say I was wowed. For more information on the new Color Applicator, visit wellausa.com. —Lotus Abrams, managing editor

My terrific new look, courtesy of Wella's Vikkie Monaco and Paul Vega

Even before I started working in the beauty industry, I was a big fan of both Kerastase Paris and T3 products. I used to splurge on Kerastase shampoos and conditioners whenever I visited my salon, and I always coveted the T3 tools (I now have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with my T3 Evolution hairdryer — I swear it cuts drying time in half, and my hair has never looked better). And I’m not alone. These two lines are commonly listed by top stylists as their favorites for in-salon, runway and editorial use.

Starting this month, the two companies are partnering up on Kerastase-branded styling tools from T3, allowing stylists and consumers to show their loyalty to both brands at once. The roster currently includes the popular Featherweight Dryer and Narrow Duality Iron, which use T3’s Flawless tourmaline technology to eliminate static electricity and leave hair looking healthy and shiny. The items come with complimentary brush and comb sets, respectively. Available at kerastase-usa.com.

—Lori Morris, Senior Editor

For all you Shear Genius and Project Runway fans out there, I wanted to give you a heads up about Lifetime’s new reality competition series, Blush: The Search for the Next Great Makeup Artist, which premieres tonight at 10pm EST. In a format similar to Shear Genius, each hour-long, LA-based episode will show makeup artists from around the country facing two challenges that will test if they have the skills and personality traits to help them succeed in this competitive industry. After the second challenge, one contestant will be eliminated. The ultimate winner will receive a contract as a professional artist with Max Factor, a cash prize of $100,000 and the opportunity to be the makeup artist for an upcoming In Style photo shoot.

So who’s this competition’s Heidi Klum/Jaclyn Smith? Former General Hospital and Beverly Hills, 90210 star Vanessa Marcil, who was most recently a series regular (and a favorite of my grandfather’s) on the dear-departed Las Vegas. The Tim Gunn “mentor” role will be filled by renowned celebrity makeup artist Charlie Green, whose clients include Tyra Banks, Elizabeth Hurley, Kelly Clarkson and Naomi Campbell. The show’s judges will be In Style Fashion Director Hal Rubenstein, a leading expert on red-carpet looks, and editorial and celebrity makeup professional Joanna Schlip, who has provided training to artistry teams for top cosmetics companies and published the book Glamour Gurlz: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Great Make-up and Gurl Smarts (Random House, 2006).

I know my DVR will be set for this six-episode competition—will YOU be watching? Let me know your thoughts on the show! —Lori Morris, Senior Editor

November is American Diabetes Month, and Three Custom Color Specialists is doing its part to support the cause. The company is donating 20% of the proceeds from its new TAI Lip Shine, a sheer copper gloss, to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) throughout November and December. Funds will go towards diabetes research, disseminating information about the disease, and advocacy.

The color was creates as a collaboration between Three Custom Color Specialists Creative Director Trae Bridge and celebrity hairstylist Diane Lym-Tai Da Costa, a volunteer ambassador for the ADA. The warm winter gloss, featuring flecks of bronze shimmer and a high shine factor, is neutral enough for all skin tones. TAI Lip Shine is available online at www.threecustom.com, toll-free at 888.262.7714 and at select boutiques worldwide. If you order three of the lip glosses, the company will even throw in free shipping.

—Lori Morris, Senior Editor

Yesterday, I directed you to a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it takes to create an editorial spread in American Salon magazine. Today, I’m going to give you an inside look at the photo shoot for Nioxin’s newest national advertising campaign. The company, known for its hair-thickening and -strengthening products, was trying to achieve a more fashion-forward and versatile identity with this shoot.

The Nioxin crew invited me to the studio to watch as hair stylists Donna Maggi and Richard Kough prepped the models to have their pictures taken by photographer Sarah Silver. The models were given Nioxin’s Scalp Renew treatment the day before the shoot to make sure their tresses and scalps were in optimal condition [SIDENOTE: I had the Scalp Renew treatment a few months ago and can attest to what a difference just one session makes!]. For the shoot, Maggi and Kough used a variety of Nioxin products to create styles ranging from sleek and shiny to windswept and textured. The hair, coupled with fabulous clothing from Alvin Valley and Christian Cota, created the edgier, more European look the company was going for with the new campaign. Keep your eyes open for the campaign as it hits billboards, magazines and trade shows near you … and recreate the looks with the full lineup of Nioxin products. —Lori Morris, Senior Editor

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of the amazing photo shoots we run in the magazine each month? Top stylist Vivienne Mackinder caught all the action on tape as she collaborated with American Salon and Profound Beauty on a reinterpretation of the classic Bond Girls. Check it out here.

I’ve been a huge fan of Debra Messing since she started on the show Ned and Stacey back in 1995. It might be because of her similarity to the incredible Lucille Ball, who put me to sleep almost nightly growing up thanks to reruns on Nick at Nite, or just that she’s a natural comedienne with great style, but I’ll pretty much watch anything she’s in (Yes, I even sat through The Wedding Date). She’s also one of my favorite stars to look for on the red carpet. Her outfits and jewelry are always fantastic and her hair can do no wrong.

While Messing’s newest endeavor, The Starter Wife, can get a little hokey at times, I’m obviously DVRing it every Friday night. Messing’s charm comes alive on screen through her character Molly, and once again, her style is top-notch. I’m especially loving the hair. Credit belongs to celebrity hairstylist Cydney Cornell, who uses i|m brushes to style Messing’s flowing locks. Cornell especially loves the Ceramic Vent Brush and 43mm Thermal Round Brush. “Every day I had several new looks to accomplish on her, and these fantastic brushes were ultra gentle and aided in getting a ‘look’ quickly without damaging her hair,” Cornell says. The All i|m Brushes are designed with ComfortFlex technology to prevent damage on hair and tourmaline and ceramic technology for more efficient and effective styling.

Want to achieve similar results on your clients? Check out www.studioim.com. —Lori Morris, Senior Editor

If you’ve read our October issue, you’ve seen all the great men’s products we featured in the magazine (pages 55-60). Well, I wanted to clue you into a couple more men’s grooming lines that can really help grow your male clientèle and increase your bottom line—and add some style to your retail counter.

Babor Men

Founded in 1955 by Dr. Michael Babor, the Babor brand has become well known in the beauty industry for high-quality products that promote individual well-being. In 2008, the company launched Babor Men to focus exclusively on men’s skincare needs. The Babor Men line includes a full spectrum of skin, body and hair needs, such as Refreshing Face Wash, Line Reducing Eye Gel, Ultra Comfort Shaving Cream, Relaxing Anti Jetlag Cream, Vitalizing Hair&Body Shampoo and more.

Mensgroom

With the goal of keeping the products simple and the ingredients pure and natural, Mensgroom helps guys take care of themselves without having to overthink everything—something every guy I know would truly appreciate. The line, which includes products for the hair, face and body, draws men in with clever names (Shave the Males shaving cream and Firmly Rooted shampoo for thinning hair are my personal favorites) and witty descriptions.

—Lori Morris, Senior Editor

Thursday night television is hard to top. The Office, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy – the list goes on. And when I heard about the synopsis for tonight’s episode of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style on Bravo, I knew my TiVo would be working overtime.

The fashionista-to-be is Angela Jia Kim, CEO and founder of Om Aroma & Co. The luxury organic spa and skincare line started as an experiment in her Manhattan kitchen, where Kim tried more than 1000 formulas to create products free of chemicals and preservatives. Less than a year later came the four Gold Medals at the 2008 Beauty Olympics, the “Beauty Editor’s Pick” nod from Allure and the calls from a growing number of spas and salons across the country.

My favorite part? It turns out that Kim was once a touring concert pianist, and she was actually inspired to pursue beauty when she developed an allergic reaction to a lotion before a performance. This totally brings me back to those painful days when I would tickle the ivories on stage with Rachmaninoff and Schubert in an over-the-top Jessica McClintock gown and a face full of teenage acne. We’re practically sisters.

To all you aspiring musicians at heart, indulge your reality television craving tonight on Bravo at 11 p.m. EST. And be sure to check out Om Aroma products on omaroma.com and eluxury.com. —Grace Bahk, Editorial Intern

Join SO.CAP. USA Hair Extensions in the third-annual Pink Hair for Hope breast cancer fundraiser. Once you become a participating salon, clients will receive a free pink hair extension graft for every $10 donation to The National Breast Cancer Foundation. These pink streaks publicly show support for the cause and act as a bond between supporters, survivors and all other women who have been touched by breast cancer in some way. The extensions are bonded to the hair very close to the scalp using 100% keratin, so there is no damage to the natural hair after the extension is removed.

To date, the Pink Hair for Hope campaign has brought together more than 375 salons and raised almost $400,000 to help the fight against breast cancer. Help SO.CAP. USA Hair Extensions continue their amazing efforts by signing up to participate here.

—Lori Morris, Senior Editor