Archive for Advice

Favorite Fridays

Posted by Sherri

· February 4, 2014

Favorite Fridays

A few months back I came up with an idea to start sharing some of my favorite beauty products and secret remedies every Friday with my Facebook and Twitter followers. My “Favorite Fridays” has gotten some great feedback and I wanted to be sure all my blog followers were up on all these awesome products too. Below is a collection of all sorts of fun girlie goodies. Enjoy!

(Hair Product)

Repairing Shine Mist by Kevin Murphy is one of my favorite products at the moment, especially for hair that is lacking shine and shimmer. Since the weather is cold and dry I figured now is the time to share this product with you since your hair probably is craving it.

Revive shine and repair hair with this finishing mist. Treat your hair as it shines with Vitamins A, C and E, Baobab, Immortelle and Bamboo extracts. Part of a new segment in the line called Treatment Styling, SHIMMER.SHINE styles as it simultaneously treats your hair. Light reflective technology from high-end skincare adds a brilliant shine to hair with no oily residue. SHIMMER.SHINE contains treatment ingredients that repair damaged hair driven by essential oils, bioflavonoids and vitamins. Purchase here.

(Eye Shadow)

The Primal Instinct shadows by Sephora are all so beautiful and it basically has everything you need. The light tones are perfect for more natural days and the darker ones are perfect for smoky sexy eyes. Purchase here.

(Eye Brows)

Do you ever think to add make up to your eye brows? As a natural blonde it’s always been something I’ve had to do, but often times women tend to skip the brows when applying their makeup. If you started adding just a little powder to the shape of your brows it can dramatically change the look of them, which truthfully can change the look of your whole face. Ask any makeup artist how important the shape of your eyebrows are and they will tell you.

If you’re afraid of looking like a chola or of your brows having their own personality when drawing them in you are valid here! Brow Pencils draw harsher lines and sometimes women go overboard with the shape of their brow and it looks ridiculous. These 2 brow products I’m sharing with you go on so natural it’s almost impossible to mess up.

Milani Brow Fix is sold at CVS for only $7 if you can believe that! It comes with the eyebrow brush, mini tweezers, and the actual brow powder itself. It also comes with a light eyeshadow color to highlight underneath your brow once applied. Purchase here.

Anastasia 5 Elements Brow Kit is definitely on the higher end at $65, but again I feel like there should be no price tag for good eyebrows! This kit has a few more things in it than the Milani, including stencils to create the perfect brow shape and an eye brow setting gel so the powder doesn’t fade away throughout the day. I started using this exact kit about a week ago and I swear my brows have never looked better. Purchase here.

(Hair Product)

Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse by Oribe is a new must have product for me. If you love texture and wave in your hair but don’t want to fuss with a curling iron or rollers this product is worth trying! Work 2 pumps through damp hair, squeeze out excess water with a towel, and diffuse to get beautiful waves in even the straightest hair! AND it smells like heaven. Purchase here.

(Lash Growth Serum)

I was told about LiLash from a few trustworthy clients and then decided to try it out and was blown away! It takes about 3 weeks before you notice much difference, but out of no where your lashes will be out of control long and thick. It retails for around $140, but the site below is very legit and sells it for only $79.95 and it will last you 6 months! No discoloration of my eyes or eye lids either. Purchase here.

(Hair, Skin, Scalp)

This SPF by Peter Thomas Roth is actually a translucent powder, so you can continuously apply it over your make up for extended protection. I use a moisturizer in the morning that has an SPF, but if I’ve then put my make up on all pretty and decide to go have a picnic in the sun, the last thing I want to do is layer lotion over the makeup, or remove it all together and start over. This powder SPF is the solution!

The second way I use it is to protect my scalp where I part my hair. We all know how sucky and painful a scalp burn can be, and putting an oil or lotion sunscreen on your scalp will make your hair greasy. With this powder you can just dust it on and vuala! Purchase here.

(Foundation)

This is the best foundation I’ve ever worn and is a favorite amongst many celebs here in Hollywood.Make Up Forever High Definition Foundation is so lightweight and sheer, yet the coverage is just enough to make your skin even and perfect. It almost feels like you’re gliding on a tinted moisturizer, that’s how soft it is to the skin. If you’re in the market for a new foundation definitely give this a try!

(Round Brush)

THE BEST round brushes for blowdrying your hair. Ibiza brushes are seriously amazing and very easy to use. Every top hairstylist in Los Angeles I know uses them, and clients of mine who have purchased them have too spoken how it’s the best brush they’ve used to smooth out their hair. They aren’t cheap ( between $30-$50ish), but this sort of tool is an investment and you will literally use it for the next 10+ years. Below is a link to their site if you want to browse around. Have a great day everyone! Purchase here.

(Mascara)

Voluminous Carbon Black by L’oreal is legit and only $8 at most drugstores and grocery stores. My assistant happens to also be a fan and we both rave about this stuff. For a while I got in a routine of picking up my $30+ mascara while purchasing all my other make up at an expensive beauty counter and then I decided to check myself. Expensive make up is generally worth it, however if you can ever find something that works just as well for so much less then that’s the route to go! Voluminous really does make your lashes look longer, fuller, doesn’t dry out too quickly, and the super black color makes such a statement.

(Instant Tan)

What I love about the Jergens Natural Glow Lotion (Medium To Tan Skin Tones) is that it creates a gradual tan, unlike an actual self tanner that streaks, smells, and stains. If you put this lotion on in the morning and in the evening for just a few days you will have the most natural, seamless tan. AND they’ve reformulated the product so it actually smells really pretty, firms the skin, and leaves your skin silky soft. Iv’e tried other lotions similar to this and the Jergens is by far the best.

The L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Aerosol Spray is something I’ve used for years. It’s like having your own personal spray tan in your home! I like to use it on my face and chest 1-2 times a week for an instant healthy glow. Just that little extra spray on those areas really makes a difference. Both products can be purchased at the grocery store or Target for under $10.

(Eye Shadow)

My favorite universal eye shadow, Sable by MAC. I swear every time I wear this shadow someone asks me what it is. It’s almost like a brownish, bronzy, mixed with a hint of purple and it literally goes with anything. It goes great in the creases if you want to enhance your eyes, but I usually dust it on my actual eye lid and use a lighter tone up to my brow. I have pretty big eyes so by using a darker color all over the lid it down plays them.

What are some of your favorite beauty products? Let’s all share the wealth with each other ladies

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Categories : Advice, Hair & Beauty Products, My Favorites, Sherri's Personal Blog

Fall/Winter Hair Color 2013

Posted by Sherri

· September 20, 2013

· No Comments

I can’t wait for Fall! It’s still hot as heck here in Los Angeles, but I’m so ready for the chilly weather I can hardly stand it. As I speak, err type, I have a Pumpkin Cupcake candle from Bath & Body Works lit and am sipping some hot Chai Spice tea. I AM READY! That being said, I’ve been dying for my clients to start craving new hues for their hair color to compliment the seasons ahead. Just because the weather gets colder doesn’t mean you have to dye your hair dark or give up your fun summery hair color per se, it just means it’s time to consider ways to spruce things up a bit. Below are some of my favorites for Fall/Winter 2013.

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, Hair Inspiration, My Favorites

Have Healthy Hair All Summer Long

Posted by Sherri

· June 28, 2013

· No Comments

Is your hair feeling extra dry lately? Mine too. Even though hair is my life I tend to forget to give my own hair proper TLC and from time to time have to whip myself back into shape. Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and moisturized all summer.

1. Chlorine is the devil. Not really, but kind of. Chlorine dries your hair out so much, and is really troublesome to get off your hair even with clarifying shampoo’s. Plus it fades your hair color and can create brassy tones on blondes. If you can avoid diving under water while at the pool do so at all costs.

Only $5.99 at Trader Joe’s!

2. Coconut Oil rocks my world. This stuff is AMAZING for your hair! Anytime you are relaxing at home you should goop this stuff all over your hair and let it sit for a bit. Wrap your hair in a shower cap or towel for extra heat and penetration. If you have dry scalp massage the oil into it. Once you’ve treated your hair or scalp you can then wash and condition per usual. Side note, coconut oil is a great natural moisturizer for your lips and skin.

3. Ditch your heat tools and represent the hair you were born with! I know how hard it is to do this, but trust me your hair will change for the better and you will save so much time styling. I recently started a “natural hair challenge” on my Facebook and Twitter pages, encouraging my followers to attempt to work with their natural texture. I’ve been posting product suggestions and getting great feedback! Don’t know where to begin when wearing your hair natural? Check out this story I wrote all about that here.

4. Make a commitment this season to take your vitamins. We tend to forget that healthy hair begins on the inside. My personal combo at the moment for my hair is Biotin and Vitamin E. These help with hair growth and they also nourish your scalp which in turn nourishes your precious strands of hair. Side effect is your skin will feel amazing and your nails and lashes will grow quicker as well.

5. Hat’s should be your best friend during the summer. Seriously, wear a hat whenever possible. They protect your hair from the drying sun, protect your scalp from getting burned, and allow you to skip styling your hair. Plus they can actually be really cute and snazz up a boring outfit.

Now go get your butt to the pool, grab a cold beverage, and enjoy yourself this summer 🙂

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, Hair Inspiration, My Favorites

Interview With Hairstylist Sherri Belanger

Posted by Sherri

· April 5, 2013

· No Comments

Want to get to know more about me and my hairdressing history? Photographer extraordinaire Tim King recently sat down with me, while I was getting my own hair done, and asked me some stuff about myself…

Read Interview

Tim & I during the interview

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Categories : Advice, Hair Inspiration, My Favorites, My Hairstylist Stories, Sherri's Personal Blog

11 Clever hair Tricks Hairstylists Use For Themselves

Posted by Sherri

· April 4, 2013

· No Comments

Have you ever wondered how the heck your hairstylists hair always looks perfect? For starters, hair is what we do for a living, so we know a thing or two about how to make it look it’s best. You’d be surprised that many hairstylists are quite low maintenance with their own hair though and have ways of making it look good without spending tons of time primping. An awesome hair site I blog for, Latest Hairstyles, recently asked me to divulge some of our secrets for you to use at home. Check them out here.

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, Hair & Beauty Products, Hair Inspiration, My Favorites, My Hairstylist Stories

How To Save Money On Your Hair

Posted by Sherri

· March 21, 2013

· No Comments

Let’s face it, the cost to maintain our looks and feel our best can be extremely expensive. Hair, nails, facials, waxing, fancy gym memberships, beauty products, etc. Not to mention the cost of eating healthy, decent quality clothes, even healthcare, life is pretty darn expensive. Throw a mortgage and children into the mix, and how are you supposed to justify spending money on the things we don’t necessarily “need”?

Often times skimping on certain things means skimping on the quality, but it’s not always the case. It’s important to prioritize what’s most important to you and then see where you can cut back on the others. For example, I LOVE getting massages. Not only do I love them, my body needs them from my profession as a hairstylist. In order to budget the multiple massages I like to get monthly, I found a place that does incredible massage for only $25! Yeah I sacrifice the ambiance, the spa extras, and the fancy massage oil, but when my muscles need to get worked out it does the trick. Then when I’m feeling up for it, I’ll treat myself to the fancy $125 massage. I found a way to balance and still get do what I want.

In terms of your hair, unfortunately this isn’t as much the case. With hair you generally get what you pay for, and if a stylist is charging a lot for their services it means they have tons of experience, training, and uses high end (and expensive) products. If their services are very inexpensive you have to wonder how much they’ve invested of their time and own money into their skill. So what do you do if you don’t want to find the cheap massage of hair stylists, but can’t justify spending the extra money on your hair? Here are some ways I’ve come up with that may work for you…

Skip the haircut.

You technically don’t need to get a haircut every single time you get your hair colored. If your hair isn’t too damaged then it’s completely unnecessary to trim it every 6-8 weeks and you can definitely wait at least 10-12 weeks. If you are prone to split ends this may not be best for you, but in general most people can hold off on their haircuts. And if you’re trying to grow your hair out, which 90% of women seem to be doing, you need to hold off on your haircuts a bit so you don’t cut off what grows in. This essentially means 6 less haircuts a year which equals $$$!

Partial Highlight vs. Full Highlight.

Some women just assume they are supposed to get a full highlight every hair appointment. This generally costs anywhere from $15-$50 more than a partial highlight, and often times a partial is all you need! Natural looking hair color is in style and having every piece of your hair with a highlight on it doesn’t even look that good (my opinion). If you’re hooked on full highlights, maybe do them every other appointment, or even every 2 appointments. Again, this cuts costs and saves money over time.

Skip the blow dry.

Now this doesn’t pertain to me because I consider my blow dry complimentary with any of my hair services, but some hairstylists may charge you less if you ask to leave with wet hair. Though it’s a bummer to leave without that bomb blow dry style, if it saves money and that’s what’s important then maybe it’s worth it. Not blow drying your hair saves your hairstylist time and they may be willing to cut off a few bucks. If saving money is important it never hurts to ask right?

Pay cash or check.

Often times hairstylists work for themselves and every time they swipe your credit card they have to pay a percentage for the swipe. They also really appreciate cash for reasons I will not write here 😉 and may be inclined to knock off some money if you always pay cash. Again, it never hurts to ask!

Ultimately, before leaving your beloved hairstylist because you feel you can no longer afford their services, TALK TO THEM! See if there is anything they can do to help you out. This isn’t a moment to be prideful or embarrassed because we too are probably trying to save money in our personal lives!

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, My Favorites

Craving A Hair Makeover? Read This First!

Posted by Sherri

· October 9, 2012

· 1 Comment

One of my favorite things ever is when a client sits in my chair and tells me they’ve been considering a drastic change. Whether it’s a new haircut or a complete overhaul with their hair color, they all light a fire in me. Though I sometimes think I’m more excited than my clients to make this change, I will never just do so on a whim. Truth be told, a lot can happen to a person when they dramatically change their look, and I feel it’s my duty as a hairstylist to know when my client is 100% ready for this.

If you are considering doing something crazy, read my 5 tips first. These are some of the questions I ask my clients, and some of the important questions you need to ask your stylist before taking the plunge.

Before

After

1. How long have you been considering this change?

If you’ve been a brunette your whole life and randomly had a dream you became a bright blonde the morning of your hair appointment, you may want to sleep on it a little longer before jumping. Unless you’ve been thinking about making this dramatic change for some time, you may not mentally be ready for it!

Before & After Hair Extensions

2. What inspired this change? Was it something negative in your life?

Our hair is one of the things we actually have control of in our lives, and I’ve noticed that when someone is going through an emotionally difficult time, they turn to their hair to take it out on. Now this can be a great thing if you’ve always wanted to do something to your hair and once a weight was lifted from your life (ahem ahem) now it’s YOUR time to do so. But if you’re feeling down about yourself, hate your long obnoxious hair, and decide you want to chop it off Miley Cyrus style, you’re probably going to feel even worse when you look in the mirror. In my opinion, you should NEVER dramatically change your hair during an emotional time in your life. Trust me please!

Before

After

3. What will your new maintenance routine be?

Often times these dramatic changes require more maintenance. From frequent root touch ups to glossing your hair color to keep it vibrant, it may mean more time in the salon and more money. Be sure to chat with your hairstylist about this first, and then decide if it’s worth it to you. If it isn’t, maybe your stylist will have some low maintenance ideas that can better fit your lifestyle and fulfill your craving for a change.

Before blonde & After brunette

4. What if you don’t like the new color/cut? How hard is it to return to what you started with?

Color:

Generally speaking, dramatically changing your hair color requires a few steps, and may require even more steps to remove the color from your hair. It’s important to understand that YES eventually you can have your old color back, but it may not be exactly how it once was and it may take a few hair appointments to make it happen. This can also be drying or damaging to your hair, so it’s important to know that your hair will be strong enough to handle this amount of coloring.

Cut:

Once we chop your hair off unfortunately we can’t glue it back on! Growing out a botched haircut can be grueling and test your patience, so be sure you are ready for the change and trust your hairstylist to give you a cute style. If your hair is at least 4 inches long, hair extensions can be an option for you, but this comes with a hefty price tag.

Before extensions

After extensions

5. Will this new hair even look good on you?

Just because Jennifer Lawrence went from blonde to brunette and looks gorgeous doesn’t mean that it’s best for you. And just because Halle Berry looks super hot with short hair doesn’t mean you will too. This sounds kind of harsh, but it’s reality. Celebs have hair and make up artists on hand 24/7 and have the ability to always look their best. With hair color, you need to consider your skin tone and the make up you wear on a daily basis. If you don’t have the right tone of color in your hair it can actually wash your out or age you (future blog story to come on this topic).

Before & After

In conclusion, having a whole new hairstyle can be so uplifting and fun, but it just takes a little thought and research before doing it. Special thanks to my beautiful clients who have trusted me to make over their hair 🙂

Have you ever dramatically changed your hair?

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, Hair Inspiration, My Favorites, Trend Setter

Tags : 2012hair, fallhair2012, hairmakeovers

Split Ends?

Posted by Sherri

· September 10, 2012

· No Comments

Constantly battling split ends and don’t know what to do? Though you may not want to hear it, you have to cut them off! Split ends left uncut will just keep splitting, and before you know it you will have a big mess on your hands. Once your ends are fresh, keep them stronger so you won’t have to deal with splits again, and your hair can grow longer and healthier than ever!

Common culprits for split ends are:

– Waiting too long for a haircut.

Generally speaking, you should be trimming your hair every 8-12 weeks. If your hair is weak, you may need to trim sooner, and if your hair is strong, you may be able to wait longer.

– Heat tool sizzle.

If you flat iron or use a curling iron on your hair, chances are you deal with breakage and split ends. Reduce the use of these tools and save your hair big time. If you must use them, be sure to apply a heat protectant styling product first.

– Poor diet.

If your body is lacking the nutrition it needs, your hair and everything else can suffer. Eating foods rich in Vitamin E, Iron, Omega-3’s, and Zinc are ideal for strong strands.

-Products.

I say it all the time, your hair products are the foundation to healthy hair, starting with a great shampoo and conditioner. If your hair needs more moisture, consider adding a hair mask to your weekly routine. Your hair will be very happy.

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Categories : Advice, Beauty

5 Steps To A Star Quality Blow Out

Posted by Sherri

· July 27, 2012

· No Comments

I don’t care who you are, I KNOW you love getting an amazing blow dry style from your hairstylist. Heck, even I love nothing more than to sit back and have someone take care of it for me. Hairstylists can make your hair look perfect, they do it so quickly and effortlessly, and you leave the salon feeling like a million bucks. You probably even wait more days than you’re willing to admit to wash it, just to savor this blow out for as long as possible. Sound familiar?

What if I told you you too can style your hair just like your hairstylist? In this story I wrote for Latest Hairstyles, I break it down into 5 easy steps. Check it out below…

5 Steps To A Star Quality Blow Out!!!

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Categories : Advice, Beauty, Hair & Beauty Products, Hair Inspiration

Going gray? Flat hair? Damaged hair? I’m here to help.

Posted by Sherri

· May 16, 2012

· 3 Comments

I get emails constantly from followers reaching out for help for common hair issues we all have or will have at one time in our lives. In this story I want help you with 3 of those hair issues- What to do when you start getting grays, how to handle flat hair, and what to do if your hair is damaged.

Gray Hair?

What causes graying? Look to your heredity. If your mom and dad started going gray in their 20’s or 30’s, which is considered premature graying, then chances are you will too, though this isn’t always the case. Age does play a large part in the graying process. The pigment in the hair shaft is generated from cells at the base of the root of the hair and as we get older these cells start producing less pigment until there is no pigment at all in the hair and we end up with the transparent hair. Not sure what to do once you start going gray? Read THIS article I contributed to for TheBlush.com.

Flat Hair?

Do you find that even after spending 30 minutes oomphing up your hair that it always falls flat by mid day? You’re not alone. Most women have this problem and it can be so frustrating that you don’t even want to put in the effort! I’ve talked about my love for hair powder before, but I dig deeper in this article here.

Damaged Hair?

If you color, highlight, blow dry, tease, curl, or flat iron your hair, chances are it might not be in the best shape. Luckily there are ways to help prevent further damage when doing all this fun stuff to your locks. For starters, you need to treat your hair like it is a delicate little flower. People can be SO rough when styling and brushing, and when you have weakened hair to begin with it can easily be broken and split. Think “delicate hands” anytime you touch your hair. Click here for more of my tips.

Do you suffer from any of these hair issues?

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Categories : Advice, My Favorites

Tags : damaged hair, flat hair, gray hair