Miss Minnesota Pageant

If you are a fan of my Facebook page, you've already seen that I worked backstage at the Miss MN Pageant this last week! It was quite the experience! A world I've never seen... butt glue, spray on airbrush tanner, big hair (which I loved by the way!), gigantic eyelashes and more hairspray then my lungs could take! But all in all, it was super fun and it was an opportunity I will ever forget! And it led to doing a photo shoot with the new Miss Minnesota this Thursday. And hopefully leads to many more exciting things!


I'll tell you all how it all started, because I've gotten a lot of questions like "How did you get into something like that?" and "Did you do all 22 girls, were there other stylists there?"  Well... here it is! My best friend, Tatum and I have always wanted to start our own business doing on site hair and makeup (She is a fabulous makeup artist!) and her husband, Ben, pushed us into getting it started! Our first gig... the pageant! He did well!! His mother was Miss America in 1977 and she asked him if we'd be interested in helping out backstage. The girls are actually expected to do their own hair and makeup! So we kicked the business planning into high gear so we would be ready for this event! 


Our business name is Dual Brushes ~ On Site Hair and Makeup. We are very excited to begin this new journey! We already have weddings and photo shoots booked this year! Check out our website DualBrushes.com and our Facebook page Facebook.com/DualBrushes 


It was pretty crazy backstage, girls were lining up to have us help them with getting ready! It ended up being such a fun and entertaining show, and helped us get our name out there! Hopefully we will help out again next year. So, if you know of anyone getting married, or in need of on site hair and makeup... send them our way! We'd appreciate it. 


Here are a few pictures... 

All the girls were so sweet, it was really fun getting to know them!

She was a former Miss MN in 1997. Hosted the preliminary nights.

All the girls with Miss Minnesota

Tatum working her magic on Siri... who was crowned Miss Minnesota 2012!! 

Working my magic on her as well! Looks of teasing and hairspray!

Staci, from 'Moon and Staci' on KS95 was the host the final night! It was fun meeting her and doing her hair!

Natalie, the former Miss Minnesota, and myself after getting her all dolled up!

Thanks reading! I plan on doing another posting this week! What?!? Two posts in one week! I just have so much I want to share with you all! Make sure to follow my blog so you never miss a new post!! (I want to do a giveaway sometime soon, but I need more followers, so get ahead start and follow now!) Thanks again. 


Hope you're having a great hair day!

2012 trend I predict!

I have a teeny tiny suspicion that I may know what is to come for a trend this year.

How do I know you may ask?

 Because I just do, OKay!

Ready for it?

Here it comes.

((Drum roll))

The lips?

Already a trend...

The Brows?

OOO! Maybe? (I love a defined brow!)

The Boat neck?

Been there- Done that...It's just classic!

I KNOW!

THE Fringey Fringe Bangs!

HECK YA!

Do you think you can pull these babies off?

Cause you know they are so freaking adorable!

Pick yourself up clip in bangs before taking the leap if you don't have the guts!

Such a fun way to play with your look.

Here is a modern look of what we can expect.

Thank you Mila, for getting the ball rolling.

Wish I had the guts to get a pixie cut like this! I've been thinking about it for awhile now... a mix between this and Sienna Millers pixie cut! We'll see, if the summer continues to be as hot as it's been... I might do it!

 I don't know who this is... kind of looks like Hillary Duff! But, whoever it is... love the fringe with long hair! Looks beautiful!

Dirty Hair Secret

I don’t use A LOT of styling products on my hair (besides the normal... mousse, root lifter, leave in conditioner, thickener, and hairspray... okay, okay I use a lot!), but typically I only wash my hair every two or three days. It feels very dried out if I wash it everyday. However, sometimes between washes I notice that my hair can start looking a little bit oily at the roots. And, lets be honest... I just don't like having to wash, blow dry, and style my hair every single day! I like my extra 20 minutes of sleep! My favorite quick fix for this problem is dry shampoo! Seriously, changed my life! Sometimes I even go 4 to 5 days with out washing it... wear it down the 1st couple of days, then wear it up the next couple! But after the 5 day mark I even gross myself out a little! Ha! But my color has always lasted a long healthy life because I open it up while washing it, leading to color fading. There are just endless things I can rave about with this product.

Dry shampoo has been a major trend the last couple of years, which makes it easy to find at your local salon or even drugstore. Dry shampoo is a powder (packaged in a shaker jar or aerosol can) that is applied to the roots of your hair. Once applied, it instantly soaks up extra oil to keep your hair looking fresh and clean in between washes. And smells really good! You just spray (or shake a little powder... I've used both and prefer the spray!) right at your roots. Let sit for a couple minutes, then pretend like your shampooing your hair. Really rub your scalp good so it absorbs all the extra oils! Voila! Fresh, clean hair! And, as an added bonus of this wonderful miracle product, it adds amazing texture and body to your hair! (Sometimes I spray a little at my roots the day I wash my hair, just so its not as soft! Gives it a little dirty feeling so I can work with it better.)


Try is for yourself if you've never used a dry shampoo, it will change your life! And, for those of you that use it, what is your favorite brand? Always looking for new ones to try! Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful, dirty hair, kind of weekend!




Few of my faves...




Tigi Rockaholic Dry Shampoo  $15
Lasts a long time, and the smell is great!

Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo   $21
If you want to pay a little extra, this is amazing!! Smells amazing, and works so well! Definitely my favorite!

Cheapies...


Pssst Dry Shampoo   $5
This has always been my backup dry shampoo! (Leaves a little white residue, but if you scrub it in real good, it works pretty well!)

Baby Powder  $3
Soaks up oil very well, but leaves hair looking a little dull and gray. Plus I'm not the biggest fan of the baby powder smell! But, whenever I run out... this stuff still works pretty good!

Pretty Ponies

I love pony-tails. They have kind of a bad reputation for being a lazy way to get your hair out of your face, but to me they are a quick and simple up-do that look good with any outfit. By spending just a few extra minutes on your pony-tail, you can make it look intentional and styled rather than frumpy and boring. They are so versatile and can be worn so many different ways.

Some pony options are with a center part, a deep side part, all back, with some hair coming down around the face, up high, down low at the nape, off to the side, teased at the crown, sleek and smooth, with or without bangs...the pony tail possibilities are endless. You can also jazz them up by adding a scarf, ribbon or headband! Love those jazzy ponies!

A favorite summer look of mine is holey jean capris, a casual tee and pretty sandals paired with a high messy pony tail, sunglasses and a little lipstick! And think about the celebrities on the red carpet who wear a really dramatic slicked back pony tail. It's such a statement!

Sleek pony tails are actually quite hard to master, a little tip to getting them smooth with no bumps: tip your head back, use one hand to hold the hair together and the other hand to comb hair into the first hand. By not ever switching hands, you'll tame more bumps. Using a Mason Pearson brush or a fine tooth rat tail comb is the best for a smooth pony.

Do you like pony tails for more put together looks? Or do you think they should be saved for the gym? If you don't like them, you're missing out because when it's hot out, that hair needs to come up!

Thanks for reading! 

Split Ends

Ahhh the agony of split ends! Your hair's worst enemy. Split ends are caused by over brushing, lots of backcombing, brushing wet hair, coloring and perming, vigorous towel drying, elastic bands, hair accessories and your health.

PHEW! Is there anything that doesn't cause split ends!!??

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do to repair your damaged hair once you have split ends. The only effective way to rid your hair of split ends is to have them cut off.

Once you get your hair cut and all the split ends removed, do not ignore your hair! You should trim your hair about every six to eight weeks to prevent split ends returning.

A lot of women think the length of their hair is more important then their split ends... "I'm trying to grow my hair... If I skip my next trim my hair will grow longer, faster!"

WRONG! Do not ignore your split ends, because once they are there, they will only get worse. The longer you leave them, the further they will climb up the hair shaft. Which means... it breaks off and gets shorter! 

It is better to have regular trims and keep those split ends at bay!

There are a few products that can temporarily cure your split ends by sealing and coating the split ends and smoothing them down. However, as soon as your hair is washed or brushed, they will re-appear. Intensive conditioning treatments offer a temporary solution by reconstructing the hair shaft.

But the only real solution for split ends is simply to avoid them.

HOW TO AVOID SPLIT ENDS:

• Do not brush your hair when it's wet. Wet hair stretches up to 25% and is most vunerable. Use a wide tooth comb to gently de-tangle your hair.
• Give your colored or permed hair the extra care it deserves. Use appropriate hair treatments. I love love love Ojon Hair Treatment! Works amazing! 
• Heated appliances such as hair dryers and straightening irons can dry out your hair and make it brittle. Avoid these appliances as much as you can. If you have to use them, use a protective product.
• Let your hair dry naturally whenever you can; have a day, perhaps Sunday where you don't blow dry your hair, use product or straighten your hair. Typically I try to wash my hair in the morning, put mousse and volumizers in, let it air dry when I do my makeup. Anything you can do to avoid heat is good!!
• Rather than towel drying your hair, try to blot it gently instead.
• Avoid using rubber bands to tie up your hair. Use covered elastic bands, preferably the ones without the metal, as these can pull and tear your hair.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your health and diet can affect your hair condition - a low fat diet can cause dull, dry hair which will split faster because there is not enough lubrication on the hair follicle. If you start taking fish oil... your hair will LOVE you! I couldn't believe what a difference it makes!

Hope you all learned a little bit about taking care of your hair!! With summer coming up... we need to do everything we can to prevent our hair from drying out from the sun. So with regular trims, conditioning treatments, and less heat... you should be golden!! :)

"Mom" hair

It almost seems like a rite of passage: become a mom; get a bad "mom cut." You know the one -- the short hairstyle that's way too short and not flattering for your face shape. The one you got on an "I need a change!" whim.

Hey, I get it. You're suddenly busier than you've ever been, which means zero time to create polished, bombshell waves. So what do you do? You tell me... or your stylist,  to chop it all off and give you a short cut that's wash and go.

The problem is that "wash and wear" short hair can be really tough to pull off. The secret is getting a short hairstyle that works with your hair's natural texture. It can take a few trail and error cuts to get that perfect short hair look! Maybe that's the excuse for Kate Gosselin's reverse mullet, Sharon Osbourne's feathered mess, or Katherine Heigl's granny bob?

Thankfully, some moms have sailed through new mommyhood without getting the prerequisite awful short haircut. Just look at Michelle Williams' amazing pixie, Reese Witherspoon's gorgeous layers, and Michelle Obama's chic bob. Short hairstyles don't get much better than these.

So, to celebrate Mother's day, I decided to take a fun look back at some of the most famous triumphs and cringe-worthy mishaps in mom-haircut history. 

Worst

 There are no words to describe how bad this is! It's basically 2 haircuts mereged into one! Cant believe it lasted as long as it did!

 I dont think Hillary Clinton's hair has ever changed... ever! Haha! This Carol Brady inspired hair needs to go back to the 80's! And she was seen recently wearing a scrunchy! 

 Sharon Osbourne proves you can have too much of a good thing. Her cut has too many layers, which can look frizzy. Although I do like her red hair!! :)

A stiff, voluminous cut can sometimes have a granny vibe. Thick hair that is cut into heavy layers can require a lot of curling to add texture and movement. She should stick with hair below her chin!

Best

 Audrey Hepburn may have made the pixie famous, but Michelle Williams' modern interpretation is a refreshing take on the style. If I had the guts... I do this in a heartbeat!

 She is always looks so put together! Michelle Obama always looks so classy and elegant in her minimal layered cut.

 Moms don't always have to opt for above-the-shoulders styles. Reese Witherspoon's medium-length hairstyle is simple and youthful. This girl never looks bad!

This is a fun, sassy haircut that is pretty low maintience! Can't commit to the bangs? This cut looks great parted down the side with no fringe! (Yea... sometimes I like to sound fancy and use the word fringe instead of bangs!)

Hope you all have a wonderful Mothers Day! Cant wait to go down and see my mama... my brother and I are surprising her with a fun filled day! So excited!!

Photo Shoot Fun

I recently had the opportunity to work with Miss Teen Minnesota Sunday at a photo shoot for her head shots for the Miss Teen USA pageant in a few weeks down in Florida! It was a lot of fun... we did a couple different looks, and she rocked them all! Here are a few pictures the Sarah, the photographer (www.smorreimphotography.com)sent me. Isn't she cute!!??

 Here are a few action shots my friend Tatum (who did the wonderful makeup) took! I think she looks a lot like Leighton Meester in these pictures!! :)

Overall, it was a really fun day... lots of work, but definitely worth it! Hopefully she wins!! 

Braids, Braids , & more Braids!!

Celebs like Ashley Greene, Audrina Partridge and a million others love to wear the Alexander Wang inspired side braid. It’s a cool, effortless style that’s here to stay. 

Here's how to recreate the look in four easy steps:

Step 1: First, pull all of your hair over to one side. If you want your hair to be behind the ear, be sure to shift the hair in that direction before starting to braid.

Step 2: If you have straight hair, spritz it with a texture spray like Brocato Back to the Beach(or any sort of ocean/sea salt spray) to give it a ‘not so finished’ personality. Smooth the top with your hand and start to braid. A typical three-strand braid works perfectly, but the more you experiment the more personalized the look will be.

Step 3: Once the braid is in place, tie the end with an elastic hair tie. Now, hold the braid in the middle with one hand. Then, with your free hand take one or two strands of hair at the end of the braid and pull on these strands of hair. Now gently tug on 3 braid strands pulling them away from each other. Repeat a few times. This gives the braid a chunky, disheveled appearance.

Step 4: Finally, take very small pieces of hair near the end of the braid and pull them free so there is a sort of unfinished, messy look to the braid. That’s right, the look is supposed to be messy, on purpose!

In order to get some side braid inspiration for summer, let’s check out some cute side braid action:

The always adorable Kristen Bell. I like how the front part of her hair appears to be clipped back along with the side braid, also her hair color is gorgeous.

Shantal Vansanten’s amazing super undone side braid! I’m not even sure who she is, but her hair is phenomenal and that’s all that matters.

I love this side braid on Nicky Hilton because of the loopy knotty effect in the middle section.

Kim Kardashian in a clean, neat side braid.

Selena Gomez looking absolutely perfect. She looks like a doll! It’s freaky. I love her hair here. Totally spot-on in its effortlessness–although you know some stylist sweated to get it just right!

She's done it again!

I love Drew Barrymore, her style is always perfect (eh, well... most of the time!) and she is always a trend setter with her gorgeous hair! Plus, one of my top 5 guilty pleasure movies is Never Been Kissed, and she is hilarious in it!!

Last year Drew Barrymore‘s beachy waves and ombre hair color got a lot of attention. But like anyone, Drew grew bored of the look and moved on. What was once old news, was new again…

Red! Drew went for an all-over light auburn shade this time. It looks great with her pale complexion! I personally think the red is my favorite color she's done! 

As you can see, Drew has dabbled with every color and style imaginable over the years. She is one of those lucky souls who can pull off most any hue. That said…

Do you like Drew Barrymore‘s new red hair?

Bright Colored Hair!

Have you guys noticed the trend with bright colored hair? Celebs like Gwen Stefani, Lauren Conrad, Katy Perry and the craziest colored hair celeb... Lady Gaga have all had the fun color vibe going on! 

Whether it's permanent color, wash out, hair chalk, or even clip in ... its a fun new way to bright up your hair. 

Here is a picture couple pictures of my friend Jenna's hair that I did a couple months ago. We put in teal, pink, orange, and purple... Looks great with her long beautiful hair!

Here are a few more pictures of colored tips I found on Pinterest

I just did pink tips on my friend Lindsay's hair tonight and it looks awesome!

 Maybe after reading this, I've inspired you to maybe try a fun new look for summer! I'm thinking I'll be trying out a few colors in my hair soon!

Half Up Fishtail Braid Tutorial

Hey guys! Sorry this video is a little long... I'm still new at making videos, and I can't figure out how to speed it up while I'm braiding! 

This is a popular braid, and is pretty easy to do! Even when you have shorter hair like myself! Hope you enjoy! 

My favorite show now has my favorite hair!

I absolutely love the show on NBC, The Voice! I am addicted to it! So much talent on that show. 
Lindsey Pavao not only has an amazing voice, but she has AMAZING hair! I am in love with her shaved on one side, long, dark hair! I definitely have a little girl crush on her! Hope she makes it to the finale!


So... who wants to be daring enough to do this!?! I will offer a free haircut to the 1st person who wants to get this haircut!! And you have to let me style it, and do makeup on you, and take a bunch a pictures... hey, who doesn't want to be a model for the day!?


If my hair was a little longer, I'd do this in a heartbeat! It is hot!!!!

Lindsey Pavao

Mousse ~ Not just an 80's thing!!!

 

Hair Mousse – Not Just an ’80s Thing!

I was doing my hair this morning, and was so busy I forgot to put anything in my hair, and it air dried! I hate when I do that! I tried to curl it... that didnt work, tried straightening it... that kind of worked, but my hair was so flat I hated it! So I re wet it and put a little mousse and viloa!! My hair instantly had lift and a little hold! If there is one product that does the most for you and works on the biggest variety of hair types, it’s definitely mousse.

Let’s talk about what it does.

Mousse builds a foundation for styling—I use it to prep the hair for blow drying, straightening,  curling, pinning, you name it. Hair is much easier to form and style if there is a good product foundation.

It creates volume—Mousse is nearly weightless, so it won’t drag your hair down like heavier products. It’s awesome for fine-haired ladies who love some lift (like me!).

It gives hold—By adding a little bit of grittiness to hair’s texture, mousse allows curling to “take” better, styles to last longer and it even prevents frizz!

All mousses aren’t created equal, so don’t give up if you haven’t found one you like. Some are stickier than others and can leave an unwelcome visible residue in your hair. Once you’ve found the right one for you, you will notice that your hair feels less slippery and a little more workable than normal. This is good! It means you have your foundation! It might take a little time to find the right amount for your hair and styling preferences, so don’t be afraid to use more on the days you are going for bolder styles! Sometimes I use two or three handfuls depending on the style, hair type or length of the client I’m working on.

Hope this helps you ladies! 

Here are my top picks for mousse.

    Redken 07 Full Frame                                                                          Big Sexy Hair Root Pump                                                                                                                             

      

                                       
                                               Prive Weightless Amplifier (We sell this at my salon!!)

Roll Up Twist Tutorial

I wore my hair like this the other day, and had a surprising amount of compliments... so I thought since it's pretty easy, I'd show you guys how to do it! Enjoy!

Thanks!