Get the Look: Academy Awards 2010

This year’s red carpet featured a mix of beautiful updos and cascading curls, and several hairstylists created their clients’ looks with the help of Moroccanoil. Here’s how they did it:

For Jennifer Lopez’s modern, elegantly texturized updo, Robert Vetica prepped the hair with Hydrating Styling Cream, blow-dried it to a straight, smooth finish, then created two ponytails an inch apart vertically to add volume below the crown. Next, Vetica used a curling iron on each ponytail to create texture, and then brushed them out for width and volume. After creating the shape of the updo, he strategically pulled out stands throughout the look to create a textured effect using flyaways around the forehead to further soften. He set the look with the new argan oil-infused Luminous Hair Spray.

Best Supporting Actress nominee Anna Kendrick wore an effortlessly elegant updo designed by stylist Craig Gangi that highlighted her hair’s softly waved texture. Gangi blow-dried her hair straight with Hydrating Styling Cream, then used a medium curling iron to create loose waves. He then pulled strands back, leaving just enough hair at the nape of the neck to create a small ponytail, and shaped a loose bun. He added a touch of interest by braiding three braids together and wrapping the larger braid around the bun. Once the style was in place, he sprayed the hair with Luminous Hairspray for hold and Glimmer Shine Spray.

Presenter Charlize Theron’s dress may have raised some eyebrows, but her hair was inarguably stunning. Her stylist, Enzo Angileri, applied new Moroccanoil Light, which is made for fine and light-colored hair, to her wet hair before blow-drying. “After that about 50% of my work was done,” Angileri said, “and I had a texture that was workable, healthy-looking and naturally beautiful.”  He then created a low, classic bun to complete the classic polished look and misted it with Luminous Hairspray and Glimmer Shine Spray.

Mark Townsend calls the look he created for Best Supporting Actress nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal “Muse of Spring.” He started by adding a few drops of Moroccanoil Treatment to the actress’s wet hair then added Sally Hershberger Style Primer for Thick Hair and blow-dried with a round brush. Townsend set the hair in barrel curls on top to keep some lift at the roots. When all the hair was dry, he took out the barrel curls on top and sprayed Sally Hershberger Genius Spray Wax all over and scrunched the hair a bit to create amazing texture and give the hair an edge. He then gathered all the hair in the back in a very large bun with some flyaways for an editorial feel and to keep it “young, fresh and modern.” Townshend finished with Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray and Luminous Hairspray to keep the hair in place all night. For a little special touch, he placed a custom-made Jennifer Behr tiara on the right side of the bun.

TallGrass Raises Funds for Mayan Children’s Education

TallGrass Aveda Spa and Salon (Evergreen, CO) hosted a Cut-a-Thon in February to benefit Starfish One by One, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to rural Mayan children. Participants were encouraged to make a $50 donation and receive a consultation, haircut, styling and paraffin dip. In addition, Connie Ning, Starfish One by One organizer, was on-hand to talk about the organization’s work assisting with the short-term economic and nutritional needs of families who otherwise could not afford to send their children to school beyond the 6th grade.

Hanna Compton: Makeup !

There’s been allll sorts of makeup frenzy going on lately. It all started when renouned makeup artist James Vincent came to visit us at The Cao as our guest speaker. As a part of The Poweder Group and a good friend of Ree’s he came to tell us all about The Makeup Show LA that was coming that weekend, February 28th and March 1st. He informed us of all the different workshops, vendors, classes, products, and info that was going to be there. Unfortunately I didn’t get to attend because I had to work, but the students who went couldn’t stop talking about how much was going on there. Anything you wanted to know or learn or buy or anyone you wanted to meet was there. And tons of products on sale too. I’m definately going next year. I absolutely love doing makeup, so going to The Makeup Show is a definate must. There’s unions there that will tell you everything you need to know and have to become a part of the union, which is something I’m definately planning on doing.

James also did a demo on one of the students, talked about himself, and talked about editorial and weddings. He’s an amazing guy who would be a great person to learn from.

Besides that I also went with Design Team for an event to Empire Makeup Academy to do the hair for their annual photoshoot. Its for students close to graduating. They get to do makeup on professional models with professional photographers and we got to help them out and do the hair for their photos! Not only was it a great way to network and make friends with the Empire Students, but we get our name on those pictures too for our portfolio. I came back the next day with a friend of mine to help them out with their second shoot. I’m so excited to get the pictures back. They were all really amazing makeup artists and super nice girls.

I cut all my hair off too! It’s short now, but way healthier, and edgier, i really like it alot.

Heres a picture of me and James:

He gives the best hugs! I’ll post some pictures from the photoshoot once I get them

Until next time,

Hanna Compton

Nelson J Salon Promotes Clean Water

Nelson J Salon (Beverly Hills, CA) announced a new partnership with Los Angeles-based The Samburu Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping provide communities in the Samburu District of Kenya with easy access to clean, safe drinking water, through the drilling of wells. “Water is the lifeblood for all humanity, and hairdressers are really aware that there is a water crisis in certain parts of the world,” says Nelson J Salon owner and celebrity hairstylist Nelson Chan. “In California we suffer droughts, but we are also lucky enough to have financial and technological resources to supply people with drinking water on an immediate basis. I really want to help other communities where people are truly in dire need of this vital resource.”

As part of its charitable commitment, Nelson J Salon will donate 10 percent of proceeds from sales of the Keratin Cure Blow Out to the cause during the months of March through August. “We are really pleased with this new partnership because it helps raise further awareness in the beauty industry and beyond about the critical issues taking place in other parts of this world,” states Kristen Kosinski, who founded The Samburu Project in 2005 after a life-changing trip to Kenya. “We are committed to education about the critical need for water in Samburu, Kenya, and donations such as these are very meaningful to our organization.”

Hair Accessories at the Oscars

Several red carpet beauties used hair accessories to finish off their looks at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, and Best Supporting Actress nominees Mo’Nique, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Vera Farmiga were all in on the trend. Winner Mo’Nique went with gorgeous gardenias (a tribute to Hattie McDaniel), Farmiga chose a Fred Leighton diamond leaf pin and Gyllenhaal wore a custom-made Jennifer Behr Artemesia tiara. Presenter Elizabeth Banks also gave her hair some bling with a sparkling Fred Leighton headband, while Inglorious Basterds‘ Diane Kruger paired her over-the-top dress with a Chanel black and white diamond “Camelia Nervure” brooch tucked into her updo.

More Scenes from the International Beauty Show

Here’s a look at what was happening on Day 2 of the International Beauty Show in New York City:

Get Helen Mirren’s Classic Oscar Updo

Stylist Creighton Bowman used René Furterer products to give Best Actress nominee Helen Mirren a regal updo for the Academy Awards.  “I wanted Helen’s hair to be a classic homage to Brigitte Bardot while also complimenting her silver Badgley Mischka gown,” Bowman said. ”We decided a on a classic updo with a deep side part and soft texture. The style was topped off by adding Chopard diamonds to her hair.” Here’s how he did it:

To prep Mirren’s hair, Bowman had her wash it with OKARA mild silver shampoo.  “This shampoo cut out any gold tones in her hair,” he explained. “Her gown was silver and we wanted her hair to match.” After towel-drying her hair, Bowman applied TONUCIA no rinse fortifying and densifying mousse from root to end, followed by spritzing VOLUMEA volumizing conditioning spray no-rinse for extra texture. Next he did a soft, round brush blowout with a deep side part.  “For even more texture I added NATURIA dry shampoo (Helen LOVES this product!),” Bowman said. He then pulled her hair up into a messy French twist and fastened it with a diamond Chopard clasp, misting it with Finishing Spray instant hold to keep it in place throughout the whole evening.  Bowman said, “Her hair had a soft, modern texture making it look healthy and chic.”

A Look at What’s Happening at IBS New York

We’ve been at IBS New York for the past few days. There are tons of fun products to check out, in addition to great classes and Main Stage performances. Here is a sampling from day 1!

IBS New York Starts Sunday!

International Beauty Show (IBS) New York starts this Sunday, and we’ll be walking the floor, checking out the Main Stage and sitting in on classes to bring those of you who can’t make it to NYC an inside look at what’s happening. Stay tuned for our posts and tweets (twitter.com/AmericanSalon) next week!

John Frieda Launches HAIRraising Charity

John Frieda

John Frieda and his longtime business partner Gail Federici, along with Mary Rector Gable and some top salons in Boston, have just launched HAIRraising, an organization that brings together the salon industry to raise money for Children’s Hospital Boston. Due to its impeccable reputation and international acclaim, young patients travel from far and wide to receive care at Children’s Hospital Boston.

“Children’s Hospital is one of the best and biggest medical research hospitals in the world, but they rely on charitable contributions to fund the efforts that lead to cures” Frieda says. “In these difficult times, donations are slowed, but we as a community can band together and help. It’s a chance for the salon community to come together on a scale that we have never seen before.”

HAIRraising will kick off its fundraising efforts with a cut-a-thon in Boston on April 25th, but they are looking for salons all over the country to participate. During the month of May, participating salons will ask their patrons to add $1 or more to their bill to benefit Children’s Hospital Boston. Along with raising funds, salons will also have the ability to win amazing experiences donated by industry icons. “You can contribute to an important cause while competing for once-in-a-lifetime prizes,” Frieda says. Some of the prizes include lunch with Frieda, assisting Serge Normant on a celebrity shoot, a day on the set of What Not to Wear with Ted Gibson, helping Orlando Pita at a fashion show in New York, tuition to a two-day seminar at the Arrojo Academy and the ability to shadow and work alongside other greats such as Sally Hershberger, Danilo and Rita Hazan.

To register your salon for HAIRraising, click here.