A Clean Cut

did you get a new haircut for the New Year?  (if not, you should).  wondering how often you need to come in to maintain this cut?

today's post comes to us from a blog i follow called The Beauty Department written by Lauren Conrad and friends!  they have some fabulous posts on everything from hair to fashion to make-up and so on!  please go check out their site!  you won't be disappointed!  

hair

A CLEAN CUT

photo kim smith

It’s a new year, which usually means we go back to the gym and get a haircut in order to get off to a fresh start. But what happens after that first haircut of the year? How long until you go back in to get it cleaned up? Every time I cut someone’s hair, I discuss the “expiration date” with them on their way out the door. Because every single haircut is different. You cannot generalize all haircuts with a 6-8 week time period. Here’s my basic breakdown…

• Short cropped hair: 4-6 weeks. Super short (pixie) hair can even need some love and attention at the 3 week mark! Think about it– if the hair is roughly 1″ all over, it can nearly double in length within one month. Really short hair can be low maintenance in the mornings but higher maintenance as far as the cut goes.
• Short or long bob: 4-6 weeks. If you like to keep your hair between your chin and your shoulders, you know that when it hits your collar bone it will start to flip outward due to the natural curve it follows. If your neck is long, you get to go a little longer. If your neck is short, it’s going to hit your collar bone sooner. Keep that in mind.
• Layers: 6-8 weeks. A lot of us get layers to remove the “triangle” that shows up when the haircut grows out. Once the layers are lowered and inch or two from where they started, they don’t move the same. The removed weight comes back and the triangle/bell shape returns. Time for a cut!
• Textured shaggy layers or razor cuts: 4-8 weeks(depending on texture). Curly/wavy hair typically gets longer slower, so you can lean closer to the 6 or 8 week mark if the ends aren’t too split. For straighter hair, you’ll need to clean up a shaggy or razored hair cut every 4-6 weeks. Also keep in mind, razors aren’t as sharp as a good pair of scissors. That means you’ll probably get split ends sooner than you would with a scissor cut. But scissors can’t do what a razor can do texture-wise, so it’s a bit of a catch 22. If you like shaggy or rough texture, proper maintenance is key, otherwise it can get quite messy looking, and not in a good way.
• Medium to long hair: 8-12 weeks. This is the most flexible hair length as far as cut maintenance goes. You can honestly just go in when it feels too heavy or when you notice a lot of split ends. My clients who have medium to long hair usually come in every 10-12 weeks because most of them are growing their hair out. However, in between cuts, my clients book appointments for a gloss or deep treatment to seal their ends down temporarily and hold them over. Due to the fact that this length is the most low maintenance, it can always use lots of love at home (ie: conditioning treatments)!
• Long hair: 6-8 weeks. Please don’t go too long. Keep your hair in check. I’m just going to say it… excessively long hair can appear dry, brittle, unhealthy and shapeless. Hair grows 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch per month on average. Cutting a full inch off every month and a half will still leave your hair super long, but not too long. Please remember that really long hair needs extra love and attention on the ends as well. Try applying coconut or jojoba oil on the ends before bed, sleeping on it, then shampoo and condition as usual in the morning. Jojoba oil is the closest thing to our own natural oils and your ends need that!

Apriori Beauty Mineral Veil

ok, so i know what you're thinking: "isn't this a blog for my hair?  after all it's titled 'An Affair For Hair'".  ya, i know.  i get it.  but there are some things that just can't be skipped over and this is one of them.  the majority of my posts have been and will be about hair related topics but if there is something in the make-up or fashion world that i don't want you to miss, i'll definitely be including it as well!  this one happens to be my newest make-up obsession.  take a look!

APRIORI BEAUTY | NOTHING TO HIDE | PURE PROTECTING VEIL

here are the stats:

Nothing To Hide 
PURE PERFECTING VEIL
Your skin is the foundation, let it naturally glow! This pure, gentle formula evens out skin tone to perfect, rather than cover your naturally beautiful skin. Natural minerals and advanced pigment technologies leave skin bright and luminous. Light and smooth, sheer coverage leaves skin looking hydrated and radiant from the unique ingredients in the NutrientReservoir™.

Usage: Apply after moisturizer. Using fingertips, pat a pearl-sized amount directly onto face and neck. Gently smooth over skin, do not rub. One layer provides sheer, natural coverage. Add additional layers to achieve desired level of perfection.

ok, now in my terms:  this is the most brilliant product i've ever used on my face!  i apply it after my moisturizer and i feel like i'm ready to hit the street!  i'm not a huge fan of foundation so i usually layer on the bronzer to cover up my imperfections but this product evens out my skin tone and i add just a touch of bronzer and feel great!  i also use the entire skin care line by Apriori and think each piece is fabulous as well.  

so where can you get this product?  online!  right now!  while you're sitting there, you can order and have it shipped to your house!  just go to http://www.useloveshare.com/IC/lindseysnyder/become_a_client

and sign up to be a client FOR FREE and proceed with your order!  feel free to browse dozens more products while you're there!  trust me, you won't be disappointed!  

the 'Ombre' hair color trend

Ombre! i'm sure you've seen and heard about this hair color technique which has been trending for quite some time now but i thought i'd give you a few ideas and variations of the style as something to consider for your next visit!  ombre is a French term which means 'shaded' or 'shading'.  it can also mean 'graduating in color'.  the look features darker, more natural tones at the roots gradually getting lighter towards the ends.  natural brunettes have the easiest time pulling off the look keeping their color much more low maintenance as it grows out.  ombre is achieved by using a balayage technique which is when the lightener is painted directly onto the hair without using foils or papers.  those with longer hair can pull this off the best as they have more room for the graduation.  before you decide to give it a go, read this article for 3 helpful things to consider!  enjoy these photos of some ombre ideas!

see something you like?  call Blonde Salon & Spa to make an appointment! 402-502-5909

new year, new you!

are you looking for a new 'do this year?  need a fresh color or style?  i've 'pinned' over 100 cuts, colors and styles on my pinboard!  click HERE to view the images and don't forget to keep checking back as i'll be adding to this board regularly!  when you've found the style you've been dreaming of, call Blonde Salon & Spa  at 402-502-5909 to schedule your appointment!  it's that easy!  i'm looking forward to see you all soon!

A post from my dear friend, Erin Frazee

hi friends! please enjoy this post from a dear friend of mine, Erin Frazee! to see more of her posts, click here!

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE OVER “GROWING OUT” YOUR HAIR: CUT IT.

As promised, friends, here is your first hair Q&A post, inspired by an email from a friend back in Ohio who is having a hair dilemma.  She wrote:
“For a while now, I’ve been trying to grow my hair out, but I feel like maybe I’ve reached a point where my hair looks too stringy if I continue to grow it.  Basically, I’m looking for a change.  I’d love to go short, but not too short.  In the past, I’ve had an angled bob, but I’ve never done anything too adventurous.  I’m looking for something cute and easy to style, and I’m open to any advice you could give me.”
Seriously, I think these exact thoughts have been on the mind of at least a million women at some point or another.  It’s the classic hair issue of the mid-20-to-30-somethings (which happens to be the age range box the majority of my friends and I are checking these days).  You’re over having suuuuuuper long locks because let’s face it, you’re not 18 anymore, and unless you have a boatload of thick hair or extensions (which require some serious maintenance and can be challenging to style as your hair grows out, not to mention, those babies are pricey!), long hair that’s been “growing out” for years can look boring and lifeless.  And listen, I KNOW more than half of you are probably guilty of skipping regular trims in an effort to reach that ever-coveted “below the boob” length… which is horrible.  So, side note: if you’re growing your hair long, you should be doing everything to keep your hair in optimum condition, including using professional products and getting trims on a regular basis (try 8-10 weeks, not twice a year)!
But!  Back to the question at hand!  You’re looking for a change, maybe short, but not too short, something that’s relatively easy to style and can be worn a few different ways.  My answer?  The Choppy Lob.  (I can’t make this up, people… it’s what the fashion police at In Style are calling it… if you don’t believe me, Google it.)

Alexa Chung is a pro at the Choppy Lob - she's known for her signature style all over the US and UK alike. (EEP! I love her!)

The Choppy Lob is a long bob with lots of choppy layers to add movement which makes this cut super easy to style, not to mention, easy to wear a lot of different ways (straight, messy, curly, wavy, you name it).  The fact that sexy, “undone” hair is making an appearance all over the streets of fashion capitals LA and New York makes this bedhead look acceptable anywhere… so don’t be afraid to try it – if you don’t get a few compliments outright, I guarantee you’ll have women staring at you and wishing they had the balls to try your style themselves.  Just make sure you’re wearing makeup or this look can totally backfire (aka, you might look homeless)! ;)
If the Lob is too long or not a big enough change for your taste, why not just raise the perimeter a few inches?  It’s now back to the original bob, minus the long part, but with those choppy layers, lots of movement and texture, you’ve now got a modern twist on the old classic.  (This is the look my friend decided to try.)

Taking it up a notch... literally. Um, nice shirt, by the way.

Another variation on the choppy bob on Jessica Stroup, who happens to not have 20lbs of hair. See? Looks great on her, too.

If you’re concerned about your hair texture being to fine to pull it off, you MUST invest in some quality hair products… my #1 reco: Aquage Uplifting Foam, applied scalp to ends before you blow your hair out with a round brush.  It will give your hair a ton of body and just enough starch to stay full of texture and movement all day long.  You can even use a flat iron to flick out some layers, or curling iron for added texture – just be sure to use a thermal protectant on your hair, preferably one with a bit of hold, like Aquage Beyond Body.  If she doesn’t already tell you, make sure to ASK your stylist what products she’s using to style your hair, and how she’s using them.  Your stylist should have a wealth of knowledge about the products and techniques to create the look you want – after all, it’s how we make a living, and it’s our responsibility as a teaching artist to make sure you can recreate your style at home!  (Side note: If your stylist can’t give you the answers you need, it’s time to look for a new one!)
So, if you’re looking for a change (it is the new year, after all) the Choppy Lob (or shorter bob) is a pretty easy ‘do to pull off, and a fresh, modern look that will have you turning heads in no time.  For more mid-length haircut ideas, visit my Pinterest board where I’ve collected dozens of styles for you to peruse!  Enjoy!

Happy New Year

hi friends!  i hope each of you had a safe and happy new year!  i will be adding a few hours to my schedule starting this week to hopefully make it easier for you to find a time that is convenient for you to come see me!  i'll now be working every other Tuesday afternoon/evening from about 3pm to 8pm (to provide a few more after-work hours), Wednesday from noon to 8pm, Thursday from 10am to 6pm, Friday from 9am to 5pm and at least 2 Saturdays each month from 9am to 3pm.  come see me to start your 2012 out right!  mention this blog to receive a free eye brow wax with your haircut or color in the month of January!  can't wait to see you!

my husband and me at our New Year's party

(pardon me, i had to fashion the 80's tights)