Hairstyles and Trends for Spring 2012

This spring, make sure your hair is on-trend with some of the most stylish and easy-to-wear hairstyles for 2012. As winter fades, the spring will usher in a return to lady-like perfection with sleek ponytails, elegant updos and soft

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Elegant waves. Another big trend for spring are interesting hair accessories like feathers, metallic cording and natural stones. These fun and exciting accessories pair nicely with messy buns, intricate braids and complicated twists, which will also be a staple this spring.

Ponytails
One of the most elegant hairstyle trends for Spring 2012 are sleek ponytails. At the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this fall, designers from New York to Milan showcased models wearing a variety of sleek and straight ponytails. One of the most popular looks on the runways were low ponytails that were secured toward the nape of the neck. Another popular variation of this hairstyle trend was the three-part ponytail, which features a series of ponytails that are connected down the middle of the head similar to a French braid. If straight and sleek is not your style, you may want to consider a voluminous ponytail of curls or waves.

Elegant Updos
Dress up your ponytail with a sophisticated bun or updo. This romantic hairstyle trend can be achieved a number of different ways. Try looping your hair into a messy bun or opt for a more structured chignon or French roll design. Either way, your tresses will be on-trend. Add emphasis with a series of herringbone braids or loose twists. Give your simple ponytail a little extra oomph with statement accessories and embellishments. Secure your ponytail with interesting hair ties such as a leather band or flat barrette. Or, make your upswept style stand out with pearl-tipped hairpins or soft feathers.

Loose Waves and Voluminous Hair
Loose textured tresses are a classic look that never seems to go out of style. The spring breeze will help to showcase loose curls and full body waves, which will also be a popular trend as the weather warms. To achieve this carefree look, before you go to bed, simply part your hair into two sections and braid each section into loose braids. When you wake up, release the braids to reveal flowing, wavy hair. In addition to loose waves, another big hair trend for spring are voluminous, bouncy blowouts reminiscent of the 1960s and 70s.

Wet Hair
In direct opposition to the full hair trend, the wet and wild look will also return with a vengeance. While this look may not be suitable for the office, it’s the perfect look for the woman who is constantly on the go. To create the look, use a combination of mousse and high-gloss finishes. The look can also be achieved with glossing creams or serums.

How To Get The Haircut You Want

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  In the spirit of getting rid of the old and busted 2011 and ringing in the new possibilities of 2012, I find my clients wanting to take a plunge into a new hairstyle. It might also have to do with the season, grey and still. Everyone is really missing sunny weather and wanting their hair to perk up, even if the weather won't for a few more months. But change like that is only awesome when you get what you want out of it. It has the possibility built in that you might come out really unhappy because you and your hairdresser miscommunicated. I get this question a lot from friends, so here are my tips on how to get the haircut you want the first time. 
  
  
  It is so fun to do something drastic with your hair. I love the moment of awe and amazement followed quickly by the excitement on a client's face when it dawns on her that she gets to take it home with her. It sounds silly, but it's usually kind of a nice ceremony, getting a really great new haircut. But often I get ladies in my chair who have already been to that appointment, and it didn't go that way at all, and I have to fix what the last person did. Where is the breakdown in communication happening? Barring someone just being bent on unhappiness (I have to speak on behalf of my fellow stylists out there: sometimes the issue runs deeper than a new haircut, and as a result the client's dissatisfaction is not about the cut. It's about their own personal dissatisfaction. So that's what I mean when I say "bent on unhappiness"), it is more often than not a case of the stylist starting to cut before having a real game plan. YOU as the client can alleviate this. Here's how:
  
  
  1. Choosing a stylist. If you don't already have a stylist you trust, ask people whose hair you like who they see. Often they'll tell you all about them, and if it sounds up your alley, then great. Ask what the style the salon is, so you can get a better idea of whether you'll feel at ease there, and you can look up the prices online. Asking that to someone you just met might be tacky. If they volunteer it, there yah go! Often a salon will have either a lot of seasoned stylists or one lead stylist and several newer stylists under his or her wing. Always go to the person you heard about, not just their salon. You might learn later that the whole salon is great, but the referral was to the stylist, and you just never know.
  
  
  2. Choosing a cut. I always say, make sure you're excited about the cut. If you're going into an appointment hoping to get encouragement from your stylist, understand that can be hit or miss. A stylist's reputation is on the line at all times, so while aiding you in taking a calculated plunge is really exciting, asking the stylist to take responsibility for your drastic change -- and possibly be stuck with the sticky aftermath of it if it goes wrong -- is a lot to ask. Make sure you know what you want to do and more importantly why you want to do it, because you're going to want to think of all those lovely reasons why when you're trying new makeup and clothes on with your new cut, getting adjusted.
  
  
  3. Communicating with your stylist. Girl, bring pictures. I cannot stress this enough. Stylists work well from pictures as a rule much better than descriptions of length and thickness. The stylist should look at your pictures with you and dissect the parts you want for your style. Make sure you talk about anything that might emerge from cutting a new spot shorter than usual. For example, if you're plunging into short bangs, think if you've got a cowlick there. It might make things difficult. A prominent whorl at your crown might prove problematic when cut too short. Talk with the stylist about how much styling you're willing to commit to, how often you'll have to be in to get it trimmed, and what styling possibilities will open up with the new cut. You might end up finding that a high contrast cut with shorter layers is a better option for you than a short layered bob, or that a pixie is a better option than a choppy A-line for styling convenience. With your stylist, establish what the hair is going to feel like when it's cut, what the compromises and rewards will be, and how it fits into your lifestyle. Only then should she start cutting.
  
  
  Voila! Hopefully you'd end up with your cut of choice at this juncture. If you've got a stylist you trust and all the right tools, you're on the road to not just one but many fantastic hairstyles down the line. And that's how it should be. I hope this even takes a tiny crack at the slew of crestfallen girls I get in my chair for their secondhair appointment of the day, or just reinforces the good practices you already knew about.
  
  How do you go about a new hairstyle? Do you have a stylist you trust? Do you change your hair often?

5 TIPS TO MAKE YOUR HAIR LOOK THICKER

1. Try a shorter hairstyle or cut layers to add fullness to your tresses and help the overall style to appear thicker. A medium to short bob is a great way to transform long, straggly hair into a fuller style. A few long layers or lots of short razored layers are a great boost too. Just consult with your stylist on the cut and style that will work best for your hair type.

2. Try adding contrasting colors to your strands to add dimension and depth to your hairstyle. You can achieve this easily with high or lowlights of your choice.

3. A good blowout and correct product usage can do a lot to transform the appearance of your hair. Use a volume boosting shampoo and conditioner and try drying your hair with a round brush, giving lift at the roots. Simple volume boosting techniques can really help your hair to appear thicker.

4. Add some temporary or permanent wave to your hair with hot rollers or with a perm or body wave. Curls and waves can do wonders for seemingly thin and lifeless tresses. Just make sure if you decide to go with a perm or body wave you have it professionally done in a trusted salon.

5. Hair extensions are a great way to add thickness to hair and are the ‘go-to’ option for many of our favorite celebrities. There are many options in regards to clip-in or semi-permanent extensions, so just make sure you do your research.

VIEW THIS MAKEUP TUTORIAL IT'S AMAZING!

I AM A BIG FAN OF MAKEUP, BUT I AM NOT AS SAVVY AS OTHER STYLISTS WHEN IT COMES TO APPLICATION ON OTHERS.. I WAS SURFING THE WEB AND SAW THIS DELIGHTFUL AND CREATIVE MAKEUP TUTORIAL.. CLICK. WATCH. BE INSPIRED!
MAKEUP TUTORIAL

DIY Cleanses: FLUSH OUT YOUR TOXINS!!!

Get all the juicy goodness without breaking the bank

Between the stuffing, the pies, the ham, the cookies, the champagne, and more cookies, we are definitely ready for a holiday detox!

I can definitely get down with good cleanses. They can help you rid your body of toxins and give you a rejuvenating, energizing boost. That said, spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars to ingest nothing but green juice can definitely be hard on your wallet. If there’s a choice between red Manolos or green juice, the shoes would be a…shoe-in.

With that in mind, we chatted with celeb nutritionist, health guru, and creator of the fab SoCal Cleanse, Cynthia Pasquella. Unlike other cayenne and maple syrup-filled starvation cleanses, the SoCal Cleanse is all about detoxing in a healthy way. Luckily for you, Cynthia is serving up some simple tips so you can start DIY, cost-conscious cleansing in your own home!

Cynthia suggests stocking up on detoxifying ingredients that can be added to green juices.

Ginger: This great-tasting root is known for its digestive benefits. Ginger acts as a cleansing agent for the bowels, kidneys, and skin, and it’s also very soothing for the stomach.

Basil: This flavorful herb is key for detoxifying and toning the kidneys. Its strong taste promotes the production of saliva, letting the body digest food properly.

Hemp: High in natural antioxidants Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and chlorophyll, hemp also contains both soluble and insoluble fiber for deep cleansing with immediate benefits!

Lemon Peel: The juice is great, but the real detoxing power lies in the peel. It strengthens the liver and encourages the release of gastric juices to digest food.

Turmeric: The Ayurvedic spice is a whole body cleanser. It can reduce fats, purify the blood, and promote digestion.

Peppermint: Peppermint cleans and strengthens the entire body. It also helps bring oxygen into the bloodstream. Peppermint is well known for soothing your tummy as it cleanses.

 Again, for all of your cleansing pleasures, Cynthia created an uh-mazing Detox Harvest Soupthat combines the powers of all these potent ingredients. Combine with fresh organic juices to create a healthy, energizing cleanse that will get you back to your pre-holiday self in no time!

xx, Beautyqueen

New Hair Ideas for 2012

YOU DON'T HAVE TO MATCH THESE STYLES AND COLORS EXACTLY TO WHAT YOU HAVE NOW, BUT THINK OF THESE STYLES AND COLORS AS AN INSPIRATION TO A NEW YOU AND A NEW LOOK! IF YOU NEED ANYTHING, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT:

hairbymeganb@me.com!

HAIR BY MEGAN B CLIENT. 2012

xx, Beautyqueen

Bust a Move

Dance your way to gorgeous gams

The Dougie, the Robot, the Cupid Shuffle, maybe even a little Jersey Shore fist pumping — what girl doesn’t love to dance? When we think of dancing, things like weddings, clubs, and naked in front of the mirror tend to come to mind (please — don’t act like you haven’t done it). And we’ve all heard that dancing is a great workout (seemed to work for Ricki Lake on Dancing with the Stars), but have you ever considered taking this activity to your treadmill?

OK, we realize this might sound a little crazy, but “dancing” on the treadmill is a great (and super fun) way to burn calories and work those small muscle groups you’ve been neglecting. Celebrity trainer and fitness guru Tracy Anderson prefers “treadmill dancing” to running and using the elliptical machine; these workouts can be hard on your joints and too monotonous (similar to Matthew McConaughey’s portfolio of rom-coms).

Exercising in an unvaried fashion will only strengthen your large muscles; creating bulk rather than that lean shape we covet. 

Maneuvers such as skipping, side sashaying, and small, quick steps are just a few of the ways to shock your muscles and suspend repetitive motion.<~~~(click to see on youtube)

 While this may look easy, this routine is not for the faint of heart (just try not to actually faint).

Don’t know how to get started? Create a great playlist (LMFAO’s Sexy and I Know It comes to mind) that will get you in a dancing mood…then take it to the treadmill! Sure, you may feel a little like Kevin James in Hitch at first, but you’ll have the last laugh when you catch the hot trainer admiring your new gorgeous gams.

xx, Beautyqueen