A Big NYFW Yeehaw!

New York Fashion Week F/W 2014 is in full swing and we're excited to bring you exclusive backstage beauty reports! First up, the cool, colorful Tibi.

This season, Aveda Global Creative Director Antoinette Beenders created a "country girl meets urbanite" hair look. "The collection story tells the intersection of the pastoral and the urban," said Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. "We wanted the hair to express a clean, natural feel, but still convey soul and a refined grittiness."

The resulting style was fresh, fun and totally wearable in the real world too. Ride off into your own urban sunset by following these simple steps:

1) Spray Pure Abundance Style Prep liberally into the hair all over to boost volume and create texture.

2) Take an inch wide section at the top of the head at the hairline and create a tight braid down the center. Stop braiding at the crown and use an elastic that matches your hair color so that it blends in with the rest of your tresses.

3) Take a small section of hair above the left ear and braid down to the end. Repeat on the right side and connect both braids underneath the remaining hair at the nape of the neck to hold hair away from the face. 

4) Create 3 large, loose braids with the remainder of hair at the back and quickly clamp a flat iron down them. Gently unravel, tousle and run Dry Remedy Moisturizing Oil through hair for soft, gentle waves, with a little shine.

5) Finish off the look with a misting of Control Force Hair Spray for strong, but barely-there hold.

Your tools!

Pictures, quotes and info above all courtesy Aveda. All Aveda products used in this look can be found at aveda.com or an Aveda salon near you.

Bust Out of that Style Rut

New York Fashion Week Fall 2014 kicks off this Thursday and that means stellar style snaps on AND off the runways!

We thought we'd take some current street pics as inspiration for all of us to try out some simple, chic new looks.


1) 9-5 AND THEN SOME: Make your office attire weekend brunch appropriate and pair it with a crisp white tee and cute patterned kicks. A cross body bag adds the perfect casual cool finishing touch.

2) WHIMSICAL WHITE: Beat those S.A.D. blues and grab a fresh white beret instead of your old black beanie. Super cute and functional = win win!

3) BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR: Skinny jeans have reigned supreme for the past few years, but now, more loose and relaxed boyfriend cuts are ready to take over. It's easy to veer into sloppy territory when you go baggy on bottom, so make sure you keep the rest of your outfit structured (like the dope coat here) and definitely opt for a heeled shoe.

All photos courtesy harpersbazaar.com

The Biore Bunch

Here's the story, of a lazy lady!

Who was catching up on all her favorite shows. 

She had to wash her face, and do it quickly,

but the water was just so cold.

Here's the story, of a brand named Biore!

Who'd created some cool cloths of their own.

They removed grime and improved skin tone, 

designed for on-the-go.

And then one day this daft lady met this product,

And she knew it was much more than a hunch:

These facial cloths, were some kind of clean magic,

and that's the way she fell in love with this Biore bunch!

This Biore bunch! 

This Bio-re bunch! 

That's why you should try too this Biore bunch! 

There is no easier way to clean your face than to use Biore Daily Cleansing Cloths. They can be found at drugstores and specialty beauty stores nationwide.

All Hail The Killer Queen

Her style is bananas, her voice beautiful, her lyrics span from silly to inspiring and now, she can add a super bomb fragrance to her resume! Katy Perry's Killer Queen is delish! This uber feminine, ultra light, and instantly addicting scent is not only wearable day and night, but it also comes in a bottle that is glamorous, girly, and down right adorbies. Need a little luxury in your life? Add this royal treat to your collection!

Guess Again

My husband and I recently tested out Night by Guess. My husband was weary of spraying it on his body, and first did a little test spritz. Once he did, he described what followed as smelling "like [his] dad". This cologne was beyond strong, overpowering even. When I sampled it, Night took me back to Freshman year of college, when my girlfriends and I would cruise the guy's side of the dorms on a Friday night. It was this weekly, magical event where we would find literally every boy fully bathed and freshly doused in way too much of their fave au du toilet. 

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Night, but I think I'll stick to the present.

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.

I Do Declare

As the Declaration of Independence goes, all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of thick, shiny hair.

What? Just go with it!

These indisputable dreams are increasingly close at hand with Focus Hair Care's Rejuvenating Shampoo. This spicy, eucalyptus-y scented potion is enriched with biotin, Argan oil,  Hemp seed oil and Ginseng root to improve scalp condition and promote thicker, fuller hair. It's aim is to build body and volume in fine, thinning tresses, and to encourage growth and activate dormant hair follicles. Plus, it's paraben free, sulfate free, gluten free and cruelty free/not tested on animals.

The most interesting aspect to Rejuvenating Shampoo, besides it's unique spicy perfume, is that once you work it into a lather, you let it sit for 2-3 minutes before rinsing. It feels mildly tingly and sort of like the foamy lather is expanding and thickening while you wait. Very cool. My thin locks definitely look and feel more substantial with every use. 

 Looking to stand up to your own unruly tresses? Here are some more tips from Focus Hair Care to get you on your own revolutionary track:

-Eat protein rich foods like barley, maize and brown rice and always drink plenty of water.

-Keep energy levels high while encouraging the production of new hair cells by eating every 3-4 hours.

-Massage your scalp for a few minutes each day to increase circulation and keep hair follicles stimulated. 

-Shower in tepid water instead of hot to save your hair from becoming brittle and susceptible to breakage. 

-Stress is one of the biggest causes of hair loss. Identify your triggers and learn to manage your stress.

-Aim to wash hair every other day and supplement with a dry shampoo. Over washing causes hair to lose its natural oils.


Focus Rejuvenating Shampoo and Conditioner can be found purchased on the Focus Hair Care website.