Everybody do the scrimp!

Scrimping is a hair technique created by Sam Villa, founding partner of the Sam Villa brand and artistic creative director for Redken 5th Avenue. It's mane purpose (badum bum!): to give curls and waves staying power by resurfacing the hair cuticle and creating a powerful foundation for a curl to hold on to and lock in place.

Sounds a bit intense no? Fear not! Doin' the scrimp is actually quite simple. Check out the master in action use the simple five step process below to achieve the look for yourself.

Let's get scrimping!

1. Section hair and spray with Redken iron shape 11 finishing thermal spray to protect hair from heat.
2. Randomly tap down the section with a Sam Villa TEXTUR® Iron – using light to medium compression.
3. Repeat until entire head is texturized.
4. Curl as usual.
5. Finish with Redken control addict 28 high control hairspray for curls with super staying power.

Alexander The Great

A little MBFW treat for you, my dear BrainyBeautys devotees! (That's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in proper fashionspeak!)

Our good friends at Redken were kind enough to pass along the inside hair scoop on one of the hottest tickets in the tents: Alexander Wang Spring/Summer 2014. If you aren't familiar with Mr. Wang, study up! He is seriously one of the preliminary designers of our generation and was even tapped to take over at the legendary Balenciaga house late last year. Personally I cannot get enough of his grungy glamour looks, and his accessories are also especially ridic every season.

For Spring/Summer 2014, Redken Creative Consultant Guido pretty much created my ideal every day hair look: natural, texturized and slightly roughed up.

Said Guido: "Overall it's a very sexy look this season. I wanted the hair to reflect the cool, low-key Alexander Wang type girl. I suppose there are equal parts grunge and glamour, in that the hair is voluminous, yet natural." 

Recreating the look is super easy with the right Redken products:

1. Towel dry hair
2. Create a messy center part with finger
3. Apply thickening lotion 06 body builder from root to ends, concentrating product on the roots
4. Start drying hair with a diffuser to keep the natural waves
5. Once the hair is 75% dry, allow the hair to dry naturally
6. Add powder refresh 01 aerosol hair powder/dry shampoo to mid length and ends to give more texture.
7. Apply quick tease 15 backcombing finishing spray to mid length and ends to hold in the texture

Photos by Charles Sykes for Redken. 

All photos, quotes, beauty steps and product information in this post provided by Redken. 

To locate a Redken salon please log on to redken.com. Please note, Redken products can only be guaranteed authentic when purchased from a salon. We request that you do not credit drugstores, 'beauty websites' or other unauthorized retailers. For furtherinformation, please contact us at the information listed above. For more information visit Redken.com, like Redken on Facebook or follow us on twitter @Redken5thAve and Instagram www.instagram.com/redken5thave

Hey Dude! Sweet Hair!

When I asked my (insanely gorgeous) husband to test out Redken for Men Full Impact Bodyfying Shampoo, I promised that (brilliant, amazing) guy two things: first of all, his (already perfectly perfect) hair would get a treat, as Redken boasts a plumping, volumizing, and lifting formula in this wash (my husband rocks!). Secondly, I vowed to sing my (sexy, strong) husband's praises on the internet, in return for his (manly, oh so manly) services. Have I mentioned what a fantastic husband I have?

The love of my life reported that he definitely felt a boost in volume and control with this shampoo. He was most excited about the scent of the stuff! He said that it has a "refreshing, sweet smell". I agree. This product certainly made my already delicious smelling man, smell that much sweeter.

Husband tested. Wife approved. 

FNO 2012

Hello all!
I haven't posted in WAY too long-- it has been an insane summer.
August was so bad, I actually was looking forward to September & work!
Despite the downer of back-to-work/school, I always start getting excited when the September issues start rolling in!
I've made it through InStyle, working on Elle, & looking forward to Vogue.
What's even better than the September issues?
If you live in NYC or are able to visit, FASHION'S NIGHT OUT! This year, it's on September 6.
I've never been so tempted to hop on a plane as I was on opening the email invite from Alexander McQueen.

For those of you lucky-ducks who are able to make it, here are some of the don't-miss events:

-SCOOP NYC & AG Adriano Goldschmied are having a BLOCK PARTY
875 Washington St at 14th Street, 6-9pm

-L’Occitane is whisking away fashionistas to the south of France this Fashion’s Night Out with decadent cocktails and delicious ice cream flavors inspired by the finest Provençal ingredients. On the evening of Thursday, September 6th, guests who shop the L’Occitane flagship boutique in New York’s Flatiron District will be treated to custom cocktails created by trendy Chelsea speakeasy Bathtub Gin
Outside of the L’Occitane flagship boutique, the legendary Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream Truck will further enhance shoppers’ sensorial experience, offering complimentary ice cream scoops of flavors that evoke the iconic lavender fields and fruit trees of the south of France.
Throughout the night, consumers will be pampered with hand massages and receive exclusive special offers on L’Occitane’s lush products. Customers will also receive a complimentary L’Occitane Maptote filled with L’Occitane favorites like Bonne Mere Soaps, Almond Shower Gel and Verbena Cooling Hand Cream Gel with any $65 purchase.
What:  L’Occitane Celebrates Fashion’s Night Out
When: Thursday, September 6th, 2012 | 6 pm – 11 pm
Where: L’Occitane Flagship Store |   170 5th Avenue | New York, NY 10011 | 212-206-8860

-Redken is hosting their Fashion’s Night Out event on Sept. 6th at the Redken Gallerie and Exchange (565 5th Avenue).
Visit Redken.com/FNO or Redken's FB page for more information.

-WHO:    TIGI, the leader in fashion hair care, along with Fashion’s Night Out and local designers:
SAINTCHiC – With their eco-chic and luxe women’s wear and accessories lines, SAINTCHiC gives back to the Earth by creating sustainable looks
Stone Savant Jewelry – This budding brand plays host to the combination of delicate yet bold stones with a perfectly crafted cadence of hues, weight and luxury
Cousin & Co. Inc. – This line of contemporary handbags complement the lives of today's well-rounder stylish woman, who insists on having both fashion and functionality at a great price
WHAT:    As a lifestyle brand that bridges fashion, music, culture and individualism, TIGI presents a night to remember.  Guests who visit TIGI Fashion’s Night Out: Beauty Meets Fashion will enjoy:
- Discounted TIGI hair care products and tools
- Local designer showcases with exclusive offers and pricing
- Live music by DJ Gordon Voidwell
- Complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres
- Meet and greet with TIGI Talent, including TIGI Global Creative director Nick Irwin.
WHEN:    Thursday, September 6th from 6pm to 11pm  
WHERE:    TIGI Advanced Hair Academy, SoHo, 466 Broome St, 2nd Floor (between Greene and Mercer)

Can't make it? Check out these invites:


WHAT: BLINGGUARD will host an evening of fun facts, fashion tips and more onTwitter. Look out for when BLINGGUARD tweets a question about jewelry, fashion or celebrity trends and re-tweet the right answer towin a complimentary BLINGGUARD product!
WHEN: Thursday, September 6th; 6:00PM-11:00PM
WHERE: www.twitter.com/blingguard

Beginning September 6th, stop by www.mallybeauty.com to receive 20% off a different product each day, for five days

Check back tomorrow for more!

Redken Fashion Work 12 Hairspray

I started using this when I ran out of my beloved hairspray. Once again and for the upteenth time, I was impressed with a Redken product. This hairspray is touchable and makes hair piecy. After curling my hair, I sprayed and it held the curls all day. My favorite part? The scent. It's a warm musk that lingers. Love it.

Redken: Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray

Serious, hardcore hold without giving you a hair-helmet.
This spray keeps your updo done.
Well done, Redken.

Redken-velvet gelatine07

Click Here
I just got some highlights and my normally soft hair after blow drying turned dry dry dry. With a decent dab of this, my hair is back to normal after blow drying. The smell is lovely too. Redken for the win, again!

Last Minute Gifts?

Yes, sometimes you have that person for whom you forgot to buy a gift.
Do they have hair?
Yes?
Redken and Pureology can help!
Go to your nearest salon & buy a gift-kit!

Pureology favorites:
Holiday Hydrate Holiday Gift Set: Gift this beautiful box featuring Pureology’s best selling Hydrate system complete with a stylish headband to complete any holiday hairstyle.

Perfect 4 Platinum Petites: Don’t leave home without your favorite hair products! Repair highlighted andblonde hair during your winter getaway with new Perfect4Platinum Shampoo,HairCondition and SilkBodifier Voluminizing Mousse.  Products come in a travel-ready gilded clutch/cosmetic bag.

Super Smooth Petites: Nourish and smooth unmanageable colour treated hair with the petite size SuperSmooth System, packaged in a party-ready golden clutch/cosmetic bag.


Redken favorites:

Brilliant Blow-Dry Gift Set
What could be better than receiving the secret to achieving the perfect blow-out at home? Become a pro with this collection of best-selling haircare and styling essentials, plus expert tips on a mirror cling that can be hung at home for daily reference!  The Brilliant Blow-Dry Gift Set includes: Extreme Anti-Snap leave-in treatment, Fashion work 12 versatile working spray, travel size satinwear 02 ultimate blow-dry lotion, and a handy mirror cling with easy blow-dry tips.

Travel Essentials Gift Set:
This perfect travel-sized collection of four haircare and styling essentials is ready to go anywhere in a sleek cosmetic bag. Travel size products included in cosmetic bag: Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner, shine flash 02 glistening mist, and forceful 23 super strength finishing spray.

Color Extend Gift Set includes: Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner, and a travel size outshine 01 anti-frizz polishing milk.

All Soft Gift Set includes:
All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner and now a travel size All Soft Heavy Cream softening rinse-out mask and a sample of brand new All Soft Argan-6 multi-care oil.

Redken For Men Classics Gift Set:
Redken For Men offers the perfect cause for celebration—three grooming favorites for all the men on your list! Gift Set includes: Go clean daily care shampoo, Grip tight holding gel and cleanse acid-balanced cleansing bar.

For kids of all ages, it's LUSH to the rescue!
Get the cutest in bath products:
Mr. Frosty
Magic Wand

Congratulations to Allure Best of Beauty Winners

Some of our favorites got the nod in this month's Allure!
Congratulations!!!

In the list of Hair Stylist extraordinaire Odile Gilbert's favorite things: Klorane Extra Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk.

Mentioned in the Cheap Thrills section: Jergens Natural Glow Daily Facial Moisturizer

Big Breakthroughs
-Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips
-Elure Advanced Skin Whitening System

And the BoBs (Best of Beauty Awards)



Hall Of Fame
-John Frieda Frizz Ease Hair Serum, Original Formula
-Tweezerman Slant Tweezers 

Top Splurge
-Clarisonic

Hair
-ColorMark Wand & TouchBack by ColorMark for root coverage

Face
Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush
EOS lip balm
Glytone Essentials Boost Mini Peel Gel
Eau Thermale Avene Cream for Intolerant Skin

Guy Stuff
Redken for Men Mint Clean Invigorating Shampoo

Beautiful hair for you, courtesy of Redken

Love this look, and sounds like even I could do!

Redken Creative Consultant Guido created another gorgeous blow-out for Saturday’s Sonia Rykiel show in Milan.
“Inspired by Sonia herself- this season the look is a little 1940s meets 1970s, very flirty and pretty.  The style is a healthy, bouncy blow-dry with a deep left side part, curls at the end and a black barrette an inch above the right eye to add a bit of sophistication.”
–Guido, Redken Creative Consultant

Redken Products Used:
-satinwear 02 ultimate blow-dry lotion
-hot sets 22 thermal setting mist
-fashion work 12 versatile working spray

Create the Look:
- Apply satinwear 02 ultimate blow-dry lotion to damp hair and blow-dry making sure to lift the roots away from the scalp.
- Create a deep left side part.
- Mist hot sets 22 thermal setting mist on the hair and using a 1-inch iron, pin set the hair.
- Let the hair down and brush out the curls- hair should be smooth, leaving the curls in at the ends.

- Secure a 1x4 inch black barrette about an inch above the right eye for added sophistication.
- Finish with fashion work 12 versatile working spray.

RedKen full frame 07 mousse

This mousse is a good back up to my go-to mousse. It has a nice, pleasant scent and isn't too heavy when applying. It holds a curl well and the size of the 8.5 oz. means I'll have it forever. It's nice to have around when my number one is no longer.

Princess Kate's (the other one) hair

Loved the easy, elegant hair Kate Middleton wore for THE wedding?

Redken Brand Ambassador Rodney Cutler gives a how-to:

1. Apply Redken blown away 09 protective blow dry gel to dry hair and begin to set by blow drying, being sure to allow the hair to cool down on the brush to create extra bend. A medium round brush would work best.

2. Create a deep side part based on what suits the face best.

3. Using a medium curling iron (an inch and half barrel), section hair into two inch sections and over-direct the curls. You achieve this over-direction by rolling the iron from the end to the roots so that the majority of the wave is on the ends and its more of a wave than a curl.

4. Gently pin back a small section on either side just behind the ears.

5. Apply new Redken shine flash 02 glistening mist on just an the top layer and then a hairspray like Redken quick dry 18 instant finishing spray to hold the style in place.

Redken goes natural

Redken has launched a new collection-- Nature’s Rescue. The products are paraben-free, sulfate-free and silicone-free haircare essentials, with plant and marine extracts, that remove impurities and buildup while helping nourish hair.

I am loving the Refreshing Detox Shampoo, Refining Sea Polish, and Cooling Deep Conditioner!

The shampoo really cleans without over-cleaning. Great de-junker.

The Polish is the coolest thing-- exfoliation for your scalp! Not too rough, but a super-scrub. Better scalp=better hair!

And the conditioner is very nice, cooling on your melon, feels light, but leaves hair soft and well-conditioned.

A+ for Redken!

For the beauty maven-gamer

Let the Hair fun begin!

Become a Wii stylist with Busy Scissors, a hairstyling and simulation video game, created by Redken and Game Publisher, Little Orbit LLC.

Available for Nintendo Wii™ and DS™ in North America and Europe.

Check out a preview on youtube.

Order the game for you and your friends, available from Amazon.

Shine vs. Matte - You Decide

Redken Wool Shake 08
Is shiny out?! If you say yes, then this is the product for you. You can get volume and texture with Redken's Wool Shake. It gives your hair a different feel and texture rather than the typical smooth and shiny. Hair looks great without looking grungy. Advice: you do NOT need to use a lot, even if you have long hair. A little spray goes a LONG way.


Ouidad Shine Glaze Serum
Dull, drab hair? Not into texture and matte? Give your hair some shine with a little Ouidad Shine Glaze Serum. Not only does it make your hair look healthy and shiny, it also fights frizz! I found out it works best on straight hair. Definitely not sticky or greasy, but a little is all you need for hair that is smooth, sleek, and shiny.

Redken Time Reset Products

Great line of products from Redken including shampoo, conditioner and corrective defense lotion. I didn't think that hair showed signs of aging (besides turning grey), but I was wrong. These products from Redken help restore strength, while making your hair feel soft and clean. Everything smells great and lathers well; however, the conditioner doesn't really detangle my hair. Love all three products and would recommend them to anyone with damaged and aged hair.

Redken Styling Products

Ringlet 07 Curl Perfecting Lotion, Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream-Mousse, & Align 12 Protective Straightening Lotion











Redken makes so many amazing hair styling products. Whether you have curly, straight, thick, or thin hair, they have something for you. I have recently tried these 3 products and can't say enough about them. The Ringlet 07 is perfect for when I just want to wash and go. I can put it in my hair and let it air dry. This creamy lotion produces perfect curls, with or without a diffuser. If I take the time to straighten my hair, I will use either the Aerate 08 or Align 12. The Aerate mousse is nice and thick. You do not need much at all! I made the mistake of using a little too much the first time and my hair felt like it was coated with product. I soon learned that it only takes a little to make my hair smooth and fuller. The Align 12 is great to use on those days when it is humid and you want your curls to stay away. All three products are a must have for styling perfection!

Redken: Blonde Glam Color Enhancer Conditioner

From BROWNSQUARED:

This product is great. There are various formulas for varying shades of blond and each one makes your hair silky and shiny. This particular formula is for warm blond and highlights and is vanilla flavored.

If you are like me, and like to keep your highlights up to date and avoid dark roots, this product will condition your treated hair and extend time between salon appointments!

Redken contest for BLONDES!

This may be that one time that Blondes do have more fun...

Redken has a NEW Hair Files how-to video:

The Ultimate Blonde starring David Stanko and Rodney Cutler

David explains how to treat and maintain color-treated blonde hair, and recommends at-home maintenance with the Blonde Glam collection while Rodney teaches consumers who to create a shiny, wavy look using a curling iron.

CONTEST:

Comment with your favorite Blonde-tip and you could win the following REDKEN products:

· Blonde Glam haircare line

· Extreme Iron Repair

· spray starch 15 versatile ironing spray

· outshine 01 anti-frizz polishing milk

· quick dry 18 instant finishing spray

The winner has been picked! Thanks!

Redken Overnight Treat

Redken
Real Control
Overnight Treat Night Recovery Treatment



For those of us who take the time to style our hair, this is a must have. It is a thick and creamy lotion that you put in your hair at night. It doesn't matter if your hair is wet or dry. You just put it in and go to sleep while it works its magic. Redken's Overnight Treat will not stain your pillow. It makes your hair feel amazingly soft when you wake up. You can keep it in all day or rinse it out in the morning. After a couple of uses, your hair looks shiny, healthy and is more manageable.