Try This Before Cutting Your Hair

For the last month I have been giving serious consideration to cutting my hair. Maybe it’s just me wanting a drastic change for the new year, or perhaps I, like so many others have been tempted by the slew of celebrities that have been sporting shorter and edgier do’s in the past couple of months, whatever the reason, shorter hair is really appealing at the moment.

I’ve mentioned the desire to go shorter a few times to my hairstylist Pearson Knight, but he’s been pretty hesitant, which is understandable especially considering that I have been known to ask for a drastic change without considering my lifestyle and hair texture, then regret my decision a week later. (Can you relate?!) Instead of giving into my pleas to just chop it all off, Pearson suggested that I try wearing my hair in a faux bob, similar to the shorter length I was considering. He told me to try this for a few days to a week to see if I really liked the way I look with shorter hair or if I just wanted to be a part of the latest hair trend. Read more

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Gail Lewis in beauty, DIY Beauty, Hair Care 1 Comment

No-Crease Bow Clip from Ricky’s NYC

One of the many disadvantages of dating a hairstylist is that you tend to become a lab rat for new hair products, techniques and other miscellaneous hair stuff. Imagine the absolute horror of experiencing a cream bath for my hair (scalp, neck and shoulder massage included)…oh the torture! Or having to sit there and get a professional blow out so that said boyfriend can try out his brand spanking new blowdryer, so rough. Okay you get the point, dating a hairstylist definitely has its perks. One of which is learning about…and borrowing a few insider tricks and tips. The latest tip I borrowed was the usage of a pair of absolutely adorbale No-Crease Bow Clips from Ricky’s NYC. Read more

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Gail Lewis in beauty, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care Leave a comment

Hairstyle How To: Creating the Perfect Ponytail

Just like me, you’ve probably thought that creating a ponytail is just about the easiest hairstyle to accomplish.Â I mean how difficult could it be? You grab a hair tie, pull all your hair back and secure it with the hair tie and you have yourself a ponytail.Â Well as I have learned (mostly from being on set and watching hairstylists) that way of creating a ponytail is just fine and dandy, but if you want to create the perfect ponytail you have to throw a few additional steps in there and I thought I would share those steps with you, our fabulous readers.Â So here goes!

Step 1: Take a parting from ear to ear (from the back of the ear, across the top of the head to the back of the other ear).

Step 2: Clip the front part of the hair out of the way and tilt your head back slightly (to ensure that your ponytail does not end up saggy or buckles.)

Step 3: After deciding on placement of the ponytail (low, high or middle of the head), brush rear portion of hair into your hand loosely holding it, and with the other hand grab the ponytail tight against the head and secure with a hair tie.

Step 4: Release the top section with your head still tilted back slightly and brush front portion directly into the other ponytail (trying to avoid disruption of the other ponytail but don’t be afraid to brush the hair straight into and over the previously createdÂ ponytail) and secure with an elastic hair tie in the exact same way as above.

Step 5: Using hairspray for fly-aways, lightly smooth and spray fly-aways with hands or a fine tooth comb…only lightly skimming the top of the hair.

Bonus step: If you would like to makeÂ the ponytailÂ sleeker or dress it up a bit, try grabbing a small section of the ponytail near the elastic hair tie and begin wrapping it around the elastic to hide the hair tie.Â secure wrap with a hair pin and bobby pin making sure that the pin is not visible.

And there you have it, two versions of the perfect ponytail…thanks to amazing hairstylist Pearson KnightÂ for walking us through creating the perfect ponytail!

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Gail Lewis in beauty, Hair Care 8 Comments

Hair Color & Cut at Lotus Salon at The Lodge at Woodloch

It’s no secret that the Poconos has an amazing destination spa tucked away in the hills of Hawley, PA: The Lodge at Woodloch. I’ve been to The Lodge at Woodloch several times and have had the pleasure of experiencing a facial, massage, pedicure, enjoying a weekend getaway with my boyfriend golfing and kayaking, makeup consultation with Christopher Drummond in their boutique and last week for the launch of their renovated Lotus Salon, along with the newest addition of Master Stylist Christine Lafferty, I headed up for a much needed hair color and cut.

First of all, while the spa may tend to be on the pricey side (it is a luxury spa after all) the Lotus Salon’s prices fall in line with what most hair salons in the area charge. So if you’ve been hesitant to try them out, put your wallet woes to rest. Lotus Salon uses Wella hair care products for color, which I have had a very good experience with in the past when I previously went to Salon Lâ€™Etoile in Jenkintown, PA. Christine used a demi-permanent color on me with a color lock. They also use Alterna (the LOVE of my life) and Moroccanoil (love their anti-frizz and hairspray) hair products.

Christine is amazing. She listens to what you want, skillfully cuts your hair all while engaging with you like you’ve been lifelong friends. And there’s nothing fake about it–Christine is super personable and it makes you want to hang out with her. But I’ve found that of most of the staff at The Lodge; just real, down to earth people (which essentially is what the Poconos is about–a truly hometown feel.) Christine previously had an upscale salon in Boston, but came back to Northeast PA when a family member was dying from ovarian cancer.Â Since then, she decided to remain in the area and landed at The Lodge at Woodloch (they are lucky to have her!)

Loved the outcome of my hair! Have you experienced the Lotus Salon, or any of the spa treatments, at The Lodge at Woodloch? To view all of their offerings see their website at www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com.

*Disclosure

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Hair Care, Pocono Spas & Salons, salon Leave a comment

Hairstylist, Rodnei Ferby and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model, Damaris Lewis

In the middle of all the Fashion Week madness last week, A Girl’s Gotta Spa! took some (much needed) time out to tag along with amazing hairstylist (and Odile Gilbert protege) Rodnei Ferby as he styled the hair of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, Damaris Lewis, for the 2011 issue release party.Â Rodnei was requested byÂ Damaris herself and has worked with herÂ in the past at various shows including Baby Phat (they were bothÂ broadcast all over Times Square on the jumbo-tron for the live feed of the Baby Phat Spring/Summer 2010 show.)

Rodnei arrived (fresh from assisting Odile Gilbert at the Rodarte Show) with theÂ look he wanted to createÂ for Damaris in mind. He wanted a style thatÂ was flirty yet sophisticated and since Â she is so young he also wanted the hairstyle to be cute and discreet…but sheÂ IS a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model, so the style had to be flirty and sophisticated as well.Â He wanted to show her neck (but not too much of it) as well as frame the magnificent earrings she was wearing that night.

And being as kind as he is talented, Rodnei gave us a step by step on how to achieve the look using products by TRESemmÃ©. Read more

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Gail Lewis in beauty interview, Celebrity Beauty, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care 2 Comments

Ethereal and Romantic Makeup & Hair at Erin Fetherston AW11

Ethereal, magical and other worldly were the words used by lead make up artist Lucia Pieroni for MAC to describe the look at Erin Fetherston. The girls all had shiny, glowing, fresh looking skin.Â To achieve the look, highlighter was applied to the cheekbones, chin and nose; the eyes were sculpted with a dark brown cream color on the top and bottom for a bit of definition but not too much, 3D gold glitter was applied around and under the eye (for a sprinkle of sparkle), the browsÂ were lightened with concealer andÂ a pop of magenta/deep purple lips completed the look.

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Gail Lewis in beauty, Beauty Trends, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care Leave a comment

Z Spoke Zac Posen Fall/Winter 2011 Preview.

What better way for A Girl’s Gotta Spa! to kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week than with an exclusive interview with Zac PosenÂ and got2b celebrity stylist Larry Sims. A Girl’s Gotta Spa! was invited to take a sneak peek at the Z Spoke Fall/Winter 2011 collection (Zac Posen’s diffusion line), discuss the inspiration for the hair and get step-by-step instructions fromÂ Larry Sims himself on how to goÂ aboutÂ Â achieving the look without a celeb stylist at your beckon call.

Looks from the Z Spoke Fall/Winter 2011 Collection.

Because of the architectural feel of the collection,Â the designerÂ wanted hair that would soften the look…give it a more feminine and sensual feel, as well as balance the looks.Â He wanted what he termed “Rich Girl Hair”…shiny, healthy and fullÂ of luster, which isÂ exactly whatÂ celeb stylist Larry Sims created.Â It was hair that could definitely keep going from morning to night but still be touchable…”more approachable hair.”Â Read more

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Gail Lewis in beauty, Beauty Trends, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care Leave a comment

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Q & A with Expert Hairstylist Pearson Knight

It’s almost that time of year again! In just a few short weeks Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will be upon us once again. As we have in the past, A Girl’s Gotta Spa! will be there to recap beauty trends and try to get you as much behind the scenes info. as possible!

I thought it would be fun to let you in on the inner workings of an expert hairstylist working the shows at fashion week, and who better than my friend Pearson Knight who has recapped trends for us the last few seasons? Pearson works with the Aveda team at some pretty rockin shows. So enjoy some of his backstage photos that he shared with me and hear all of the fun and interesting tidbits of the intense and exciting week that is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week!

Shannon: When assigned to do hair for runway shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, how much notice are you given regarding which designers you’ll be working with?
Pearson: Fashion Week is such a crazy venue, week and experience that it doesn’t surprise me everything is done on the fly. I usually get my schedule for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week just a few weeks prior to the shows. The schedule, teams and times are constantly changing as we get closer to go time! There are some staple shows every season which gives a chance to get to know the designers style more intimately to help produce better results creatively. Although, having new designers on the schedule is always exciting and challenging.

Shannon: How far in advance does the lead hairstylist prep you on the hairstyle for a particular runway show?
Pearson: I have been fortunate to have been the Lead Stylist, Assistant to Lead and Team Member. The prepping of the team is done on the first model that shows up for the show as it starts. No pre-knowledge goes beyond the Lead, Assist and Designer until go time!Â Read more

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, beauty interview, Fashion Week Beauty, Hair Care Leave a comment

Beauty Expert Q & A: Celebrity Hairstylist Nick Arrojo

I think we can all clearly say that celebrity hairstylist, Nick Arrojo, had us at hello back when he was on TLCâ€™s What Not to Wear. I was always mesmerized by the way Nick could turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Then one day in March of 2009, me and my 22 inches of hair decided to visit him in his New York City salon. It was quite an experience of a lifetime. Nick has a lot going on these days; a book, a product line, his salon, his academy and his new co-branded effort with Giella for custom-made cosmetics.

Shannon: Your passion for the hair industry is so apparent in all that you do from your newsletter to your salon to your academy; what drives you to educate and create innovation among salon professionals?

Nick Arrojo: I love the business that Iâ€™m in; my work is a labor of love. And Iâ€™m very fortunate to have such a varied, rewarding and successful career. This gives me a sense of duty to use my knowledge, experience and skill to raise standards in the whole hairdressing craft. Itâ€™s also something that has been instilled in me from my early days in the industry. Iâ€™ve worked for top-notch companies like Vidal Sassoon, Wella, and Bumble and Bumble. At all these places the commitment to education and excellence is strong, and this helped me see that the best chance of success for you and those around you is to continue to grow, innovate, inspire and improve. I take ownership of what I do for the benefit myself, my business, and those around me. And if I do that, it means Iâ€™m contributing to a stronger, more dynamic hairdressing industry, which is exactly what I want to do.Â Read more

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Shannon Nelson in beauty interview, Celebrity Beauty, holiday Leave a comment

Hair Cut at Janey Oâ€™s Salon in Blakely, PA

One of the pitfalls of having bangs is that when they begin to grow out, and you put off a hair appointment, it totally messes with your overall hairstyle. When your hair is longer and you have no bangs, you can hide that overdue hair cut more easily by curling it, flat ironing it , wearing it in an updo…nobody is the wiser. But Nick Arrojo snapped me out of that almost 2 years ago when he cut 8 inches off and gave me bangs. I can no longer go 2-4 months without getting my hair cut.

The last hair cut I had was at Salon A.K.S. in September during the last few days of Fashion Week. So at the beginning of December I grew tired of looking…tired. Do you know the feeling? A friend of mine had made mention that she was the hairstylist at Janey O’s Salon in Blakely (pretty close to the Viewmont Mall.) Since it’s become my quest to take in as much of Northeast PA‘s beauty industry as possible I bequeathed Misty with the task of fixing my hair. And no, she wasn’t at all intimidated by all of the amazing hairstylists before her who had worked on my hair like the aforementioned Nick Arrojo, Davide Torchio or Alain Pinon. I immediately loved that she was confidant that she could do just as an amazing a cut as any celebrity hairstylist.

Oh, and she sure did.Â Read more

Posted on December 26, 2010 by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Hair Care, Pocono Spas & Salons, salon Leave a comment

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