Katie Holmes named the face of Alterna Haircare

There was no one better to show off the stunning results of using the products than Katie Holmes herself as she shot an advert for her company on Monday.

The 36-year-old actress put her luscious brunette tresses on full display as she got in front of the camera to discuss the benefits of the luxury haircare brand.

Katie Holmes, Alterna Haircare

Working hard: Katie Holmes was on set to shoot an advertising campaign for her company Alterna Haircare in Los Angeles on Monday

It looked as if the former Dawson’s Creek star did not have a strand out of place as a hair stylist did a few touch-ups using the product in between takes.

Not only did Katie’s locks look immaculate, but her make-up was done perfectly as she opted for a natural look which complimented her cheek bones while adding a pop of colour in the form of pink lipstick.

The actress went casual chic while filming as she donned two different coloured sweaters, one green and the other grey, along with navy blue trousers and socks with a snowflake pattern on them.

Her own best advert: The 36-year-old star's long brunette tresses looked perfect for the filming session

Her own best advert: The 36-year-old star’s long brunette tresses looked perfect for the filming session

Neutral: The former Dawson's Creek star went casual in a grey sweater as she was primped

Neutral: The former Dawson's Creek star went casual in a grey sweater as she was primped

Neutral: The former Dawson’s Creek star went casual in a grey sweater as she was primped

See they work! A hairstylist used the luxury haircare product that Katie happens to be a co-owner and spokesperson for

At one point during the shoot Katie posed alongside the various Alterna Haircare products in their purple bottles as well as styling tools including a blow dryer, curling iron and a few brushes.

She was announced as the spokesperson and co-owner of the company in January 2013.

Katie said that one of the reasons she was drawn to Alterna Haircare was the quality of the product as she said in a press release: ‘I love that Alterna uses natural and organic ingredients and stays away from harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens.

‘It’s good for my hair and good for the earth, so I feel good using it.’

Brunette beauty: The actress had natural, complimentary make-up on her face completed by a swipe of pink lip

Brunette beauty: The actress had natural, complimentary make-up on her face completed by a swipe of pink lip

Casual customer: She later changed into a green sweater with navy trousers and blue socks with snowflakes emblazoned on them

Casual customer: She later changed into a green sweater with navy trousers and blue socks with snowflakes emblazoned on them

Casual customer: She later changed into a green sweater with navy trousers and blue socks with snowflakes emblazoned on them

The ex wife of Tom Cruise also said that she enjoyed the products from her first use: ‘When I first used Alterna, I knew there was something special about their products because of how much healthier, shinier and smoother my hair looked and felt after just one use.’

She is not only busy with her haircare product line, but she has recently been seen on the Los Angeles set of Ray Donovan alongside main star of the show – Liev Schreiber.

According to Variety, Holmes plays a wealthy businesswoman called Paige, who’s the daughter of a billionaire producer called Andrew Finney (Ian McShane).

The 12-episode third season of Ray Donovan premieres this summer on Showtime.

Promotion: Katie was announced as co-owner and spokesperson in January 2013

Promotion: Katie was announced as co-owner and spokesperson in January 2013

Miracle Hair Oil: How To Use Moroccanoil

 

The brand’s fame came with the Moroccanoil Original Hair Oil Treatment, but Moroccanoil have a wide range of other hair care products just waiting to transform your hair. Browse our full collection of products here.

A selection of Moroccanoil Hydration hair products in our guide on how to use Moroccanoil.

For the best results, use these products on wet or dry hair, following the top tips provided in the videos below. Choose from the Moroccanoil Original Treatment (ideal for normal hair), the Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment (better for oily or greasier hair), or the Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream (ideal for curly hair), as the three best-selling products from the range.

How To Use Moroccanoil On Wet Hair

Applying hair oil to wet hair is the most common way to use your Moroccanoil treatment, using a small amount as shown in the video.

Step 1:

With the Moroccanoil Hair Oil, work through the ends of your hair. Be sure to avoid your roots as this will make your hair look greasy.

Step 2:

The stylist then works the Moroccanoil through the hair, and dries in and styles like you normally would. Take note of how easily the hair dries and how manageable it is.

Step 3:

The finished result after using Moroccanoil hair oil treatment: the model’s hair is left silky smooth.

How To Use Moroccanoil On Dry Hair

Using Moroccanoil on dry hair can make styling your hair easier and produces better results. Use 2-5 pumps of the Moroccanoil Original Hair Oil Treatment of your choice as directed in the Video.

Step 1:

Work the treatment into your ends, whilst avoiding roots to prevent an oily finish.

Step 2:

Style your hair like you normally would, noticing that the argan oil in Moroccanoil takes hold of frizz and fly aways to leave you with sleek and healthy looking hair.

How To Use Moroccanoil On Curly Hair

The Curl Enhancers range from Moroccanoil uses the special ingredient Argan oil to define and volumise your curls. Argan oil is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and UV protecting properties, so it’s the best thing for caring for your curls. The Intense Curl Cream works on wet or dry hair to provide medium hold, define curls and add lift like never before.

Step 1:

Use a small amount in your hands and rub them together, this will make sure you don’t leave any lumps in your hair.

Step 2:

Run your hands through your hair, focusing on the ends and layers as these will be where the most curly parts of your hair will be.

Step 3:

The Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream leaves no residue, doesn’t leave hair greasy and lightly defines your curls.

Step 4:

This cream can also be used as a touch up product, working on dry hair just run through and add lift, volume and shine to your curls or waves.

7 Mistakes You’re Making When You Blowdry Your Hair

5 Foolproof Ways To Fight Frizzy Hair

Blowdrying your hair. It’s one of those things you probably do (and do often), but not The Right Way, and you know it. If you’re anything like us, you’re more of a blast-it-indiscriminately-until-it’s-not-wet-anymore kind of gal…which, let’s face it, isn’t really cutting it.

So what is the proper way to blowdry your hair? We talked to Redken celebrity stylist Rodney Cutler, whose clients include Emma Watson, Jamie King, and Fergie, for his secret to the best at-home, everyday blowout. And this is going to change everything. (And no, we’re not talking about 84 extra hours in front of the mirror. Believe us, we’re just as lazy as you are.)

 Here’s what you’re doing wrong:

Mistake #1: Your Hair Is Too Wet

“A lot of women start with sopping wet hair,” says Cutler. “Your hair should be 60-to-65 percent dry before you even start to blowdry with a brush.” Cutler explains that it’s less damaging to your hair if you pre-dry. “Towel dry, then blow dry using only your hands for a bit, then use a brush—starting at the roots.”

Mistake #2: You’re Not Giving Enough Lift

Did you read that? The roots! If you want some lift and volume (AKA the hair you have leaving the salon), use your hands to comb your roots up and blow-dry. (Since the diameter of a brush won’t allow you to get too close to the roots, this is an important step to give your hair some oomph, explains Cutler.)

Mistake #3: You’re Starting in the Wrong Place

Cutler says that many women who use a brush end up wrapping the hair around it and blasting it with heat. Which is apparently not only a no, but it actually takes so much longer than doing it the right way. “Put your round brush in at the roots, roll the brush down to the ends then take it back up to the roots, concentrating your blowdryer on that area and your hairline first.” By the time your roots and your hair midway down is dry, your ends should be pretty close. “Then start to roll the ends on the brush and finish drying.”

Mistake #4: You’re Not Using Your Products Correctly

When it comes to applying product, we can be like kindergartners in finger-painting class. The idea is to use them sparingly, the right way, and in the right place. “If you’re going for volume, you want to concentrate product at the roots—since putting the products on your ends will pull your hair down.” (Ahem, noted.) And if you’re a hairspray fanatic? “When women get the style they want, they think it’s time to hammer it with hairspray. First, you need to spray it from a distance which will allow for even distribution,” says Cutler. “And keep it to a light spray—a close, heavy spray means that it actually builds up in one area, and your look will collapse.”

Mistake #5: You’re Not Using the Right Brush

“The bigger the brush, the smoother the hair,” Cutler says. If you have a round brush that features metal in the middle, or a metal core, it can certainly provide a smoother look—but it also heats up like an iron, so remember to keep drying time to a minimum since it is more damaging. And if you have coarse hair or are prone to flyaways? It’s better to skip those altogether for a traditional boar or nylon bristle brush, as the ones with metal tend to not have as many bristles and therefore don’t provide as much tension for a smooth “pull.”

Mistake #6: You’re Not Letting Your Hair “Set”

Brush, dry, run? Stop! “Letting your hair cool down on the brush before moving on to the next section will make your style longer lasting,” says Cutler. “It will actually set it.” Translation? Unless you want to do this process again tomorrow, just chill and let your hair cool down on that brush, girl. It’s that one thing that makes your post-salon hair so much better. (We’re on to you, stylists.) (To extend your style, try Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender, $18; ulta.com)

Mistake #7: You’re Not Using a Nozzle

That attachment that came with your blow dryer when you bought it—and that you conveniently tucked under your bathroom sink never to be seen again? Yeah, you need that sucker. “If you don’t use it, it just sprays the hair with heat all over,” says Cutler. “It won’t be concentrated on the cuticle and you won’t get that smooth look.”

The Story Behind Moroccanoil

Carmen Tal Reveals the Story Behind Moroccanoil

August 19, 2016 | People Feature

As co-founder of one of the world’s most successful beauty brands, Moroccanoil’s Carmen Tal is a force of nature. Here, she reveals how creating a line of iconic hair, body, and sun products has evolved into a mission to inspire other women.

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It started with just a basic need—Carmen Tal, today the cofounder of Moroccanoil, was visiting relatives in Israel when a bad color process damaged her hair. Disappointed, she accompanied a friend to a salon in Tel Aviv, where a hairstylist used an oil treatment to both condition and style Tal’s hair. According to Tal, “The results were like, Wow!”

Tal, a former salon owner herself who had also worked in the fashion industry, brought the product back home to Canada, where she started using it in her personal beauty regimen. She shared it with friends, colleagues, and her hairstylist. And as each reported the same impressive results—nourished, beautiful hair—she became convinced she had to distribute this oil on a larger stage. It took Tal six months to persuade her then husband, Ofer, a business executive who spoke Hebrew, that they needed to make this treatment oil their next venture.

Initially, the couple started by just securing North American distribution rights, but when their success outpaced the company’s level of production, Tal bought the company outright and launched what is today the multimillion-dollar brand Moroccanoil.

Looking back, Tal admits it was no cake walk. “What we faced most was the negativity of people,” she says of those early days. “The thing for me was mostly people saying, ‘Don’t bring something with oil.’ ‘Don’t bring anything with glass because it’s going to break, it’s going to make a mess.’ Or, ‘Why do you do something with hair—that’s [a] saturated [category]?’ That was the challenge. We just said, ‘Okay, if we fail, we fail.’ You don’t always have a guarantee that things are going to be successful. But we were lucky.”

“Lucky” might be the understatement of the century. The game-changing success of Moroccanoil in an industry notorious for fickleness and fads could well be attributed to some luck, but the stunning growth and longevity of the brand is directly proportional to Tal’s tenacity, dedication, inspiration, and vision.

Since the company launched less than a decade ago, Moroccanoil has ignited a passion (some would say obsession) in North America for argan oil, a rich elixir that’s harvested from kernels inside the fruit of Moroccan argan trees. In a labor-intensive process, Berber women crack open the argan nut to obtain the kernels, which are ground to extract the pure, unfiltered oil, which is then left to settle so any impurities sink to the bottom and can be removed. The resulting oil can be used for food (much the same way olive oil is) as well as a moisturizer for the face and hair. Argan oil is one of the main efficacious ingredients in the company’s cornerstone Moroccanoil Treatment and the signature ingredient across the entire product line, and spawned shelves of me-too merchandise.

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Carmen Tal, cofounder of Moroccanoil, draws upon her travels around the world, including to the Beldi Country Club in Morocco (shown here), to fire her imagination for new products and ideas. The recently released fragrance Fleur de Rose was inspired by flowers Tal admired in France.

According to industry researcher Mintel, 29 products using argan oil launched in 2008; in 2012, it was 588. Meanwhile, researcher NPD Group has seen US department store sales of products featuring argan oil increase by more than 200 percent. “It actually doesn’t bother me anymore,” says Tal of the flood of argan oil products that fill shelves everywhere from high-end department stores to the local drugstore—even big-box stores like Costco. “Now I’m so confident that being the first, being the pioneer, and continuing to bring products of the highest quality, nobody will ever take that place. No matter how many other products come out, we’re still going to be the original. It’s not just about being an argan oilinfused brand; it’s much more than that. I think we are special.”

At the time of Moroccanoil’s debut, it wasn’t just what was inside the bottle that was unique. The scent (a distinct and delicious aroma the company calls Fragrance Originale), the eye-catching apothecary-esque glass bottles, the elegantly designed labels—everything about Moroccanoil heralded something entirely new and different from anything available in the marketplace. Still, with only one product—the now iconic Moroccanoil Treatment—Tal needed to rely on grassroots marketing to get it into the right hands. Bottles were given away to hairdressers, stylists, influencers, and editors—anyone who could spread the word about what she believed was the new beauty essential. “It was very different than most of the beauty products of the time,” recalls Tal, noting the signature aqua and orange packaging, the blue culled from an image of an ocean seen in a fashion print ad. “Seven, eight years ago, most of the packages were white, black, red—there wasn’t much diversity in the marketplace.”

“I’M SO CONFIDENT THAT BEING THE FIRST, BEING THE PIONEER, AND CONTINUING TO BRING PRODUCTS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY, NOBODY WILL EVER TAKE THAT PLACE.”

Since then, the company has grown exponentially, both in size and in scope, and is now available in over 65 countries and has also experienced tremendous growth in the travel retail/ duty-free category around the world. Tal relocated to New York (Moroccanoil also maintains offices in Montreal, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo), and they have expanded their offerings, from just the treatment oil—which found fans in celebrities such as Madonna, Emily Blunt, and Bar Refaeli—to a range of hair products, including a new texture collection featuring a Dry Texture Spray, made with a special blend of volcanic mineral zeolite and high-performance resins, as well as the unisex styler Texture Clay, which blends argan oil with cosmetic-grade bentonite clay and nourishing shea butter for a silky texture with shapeable hold.

A surprising addition to the hair collection, Tal introduced spa-quality Moroccanoil Body skincare treatments, including an exfoliating body scrub—which features a unique blend of argan, sesame, grape seed, avocado, and sweet almond oils to nourish the skin—cleansing bar, shower milk, body butter, body soufflé, and hand cream. Says Tal, “The development of the Moroccanoil Body collection was a natural next step for us, as we wanted to satisfy our consumer’s desire for luxurious treatments that not only transform the hair, but the body as well.” In 2015, two enticing and exotic fragrances were added: Fleur d’Oranger, a rich orange blossom scent that Tal says “is good enough to eat” and was inspired by her time in Spain; and Fleur de Rose, sparked by a garden of roses Tal spotted during a trip to France. The Moroccanoil Sun collection was launched the same year. “Argan oil is an incredible gift of nature, a natural sun protector, so it was an obvious choice for us to launch a Sun line,” says Tal. “We have always been inspired by the Mediterranean, and our Sun collection reminds me of when I was a teen, and going to the beach with my friends feeling happy and relaxed.”

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Carmen Tal has harnessed the power of argan oil in her company’s beloved Moroccanoil Treatment (RIGHT), and used her platform as the leader of a multimillion-dollar beauty brand to celebrate female philanthropists, such as designer Georgina Chapman (LEFT), shown here with Tal at an event for Tal’s Inspired By Women™ campaign.

“I find that when I travel is when I have the time to discover, and I have the time to observe and see what else is happening,” she adds. “I’m not a creative person, but I know what I like. And then I interpret it in my own way.”

Later this year, the company plans to announce its next generation of yet-to-be-revealed haircare products. “Trends are changing,” says Tal. “We try to come up with one or two big launches every year, or we formulate something—like [when] a new ingredient has come up in the market and we need to adjust—so we constantly are reinventing ourselves.”

But most importantly for Tal is her holistic commitment to her customers. As well as inspiring women to look and feel their best, Tal is dedicated to helping them fulfill their personal potential and make their dreams a reality by empowering them to discover beauty in a new light—through the power of inspiration.

With this at the forefront of her vision for her brand, and realizing the power of inspiration to move us to action, Moroccanoil announced its inaugural Inspired By Women™ initiative in the fall of 2014, a lifelong project for the company created to inspire, celebrate, and empower women around the world.

“MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN WHAT THEY DO HAVE FAILED, MANY TIMES, AND THEY CONTINUE AND THEY DON’T CARE IF THEY LOSE THEIR SHIRT. THEY JUST KEEP ON GOING.”

“Inspired By Women™ provides a global platform for courageous women to share their unique personal journeys of bringing change through empowerment,” says Tal. “To me, inspiration is the vehicle for empowerment to pursue one’s dreams. The Moroccanoil brand was created from an inspired moment! It only takes one moment of inspiration to ignite positive change.”

The program’s first five honorees were highlighted in a digital short film series, directed by actress and filmmaker Bryce Dallas Howard. Women featured in the series included trailblazers such as Rebecca Welsh, founder of The HALO organization, which helps homeless and at-risk youth heal and create a future through art therapy, and Allyson Ahlstrom, who provides cool clothes to kids in need across the country through her philanthropic Threads for Teens. “We’re extremely proud through Inspired By Women™ to feature powerful stories of passionate and courageous women who take confidence, compassion, and strength to a whole new level,” says Tal. “We hope their incredibly moving stories and accomplishments will serve as the catalyst that inspires all women to let go of their fears, take a chance, and realize their dreams. When you empower women, the sky’s the limit!”

Most recently, the Inspired By Women™ program honored Marchesa designer and cofounder Georgina Chapman, who works with the organization The Magic Bus Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to lift communities in India out of poverty by providing education, sanitation, and mentoring efforts. It’s an organization close to Chapman’s heart as generations of her family have lived in India, and much of the artisanal embroidery and craftsmanship for which her designer gowns are known comes from these regions. Says Tal, “As we only just launched our newest film with Georgina Chapman, our goal is to ensure it touches as many lives as possible. As for the next film, we are looking towards a 2017 launch. It would be amazing, should the stars be aligned, to continue working with Bryce Dallas Howard. She has been such an integral part of the project, and is an extraordinary visionary and filmmaker, not to mention an incredibly inspiring woman herself!”

“I always see us as goddesses,” continues the petite Tal, whose soft-spokenness belies her self-confidence and steely determination. “I think [women] should rule the world. We become mothers. And if we, as women, take seriously the responsibility of raising responsible human beings, this world would be a much better place. And by encouraging and empowering women to find themselves and teach them all these things, in 100 years we’ll have a much better place to live. People all over the world have been so moved by the stories of our Inspired By Women™ nominees. I think I’m most proud of the countless lives we have been able to touch through the initiative—and hopefully not only to inspire, but also empower other women to make their own dreams a reality.”

Prodcut Inspired by Woman

 

 

NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Moroccanoil, the global leader in oil-infused beauty products, is proud to announce the launch of INSPIRED BY WOMEN, the brand’s first-ever multimedia advertising campaign created to inspire, celebrate and empower women around the world. At the heart of the new platform is a digital short-film series INSPIRED, helmed by filmmaker Bryce Dallas Howard and Academy Award® and Emmy®-winning producers RadicalMedia. Joining Moroccanoil  on this journey to celebrate the strength in every woman is INSPIRED BY WOMEN™ Ambassador, British supermodel and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Women have always been the inspiration behind the Moroccanoil brand’s luxurious, performance-driven and easy-to-use beauty products. Moreover, Moroccanoil has always understood that it only takes one moment of inspiration to ignite positive change. The brand’s own journey started with a pivotal moment of inspiration that revolutionized the beauty industry, creating an all-new oil-infused hair care category and an iconic brand in less than a decade. As the next evolution for Moroccanoil, INSPIRED BY WOMEN™ provides a global platform for five passionate, courageous women to share their unique personal journeys from experiencing a single moment of inspiration to making a profound impact on the world.

“With INSPIRED BY WOMEN™, we wanted to take our notion of beautiful transformations to the next level—by empowering women to discover beauty through inspiration,” says Moroccanoil Co-founder, Carmen Tal. “Rosie is a timeless, global beauty who exudes confidence, inner strength and a down-to-earth quality that embodies the Moroccanoil aesthetic. We’re delighted to have her join Moroccanoil on our journey to empower all women with self-confidence and a fearless drive to pursue their dreams,” adds Tal.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley will begin appearing in Moroccanoil INSPIRED BY WOMEN™ print and digital advertisements for fashion, beauty and lifestyle publications this month. She will also be featured in the campaign’s INSPIRED short-film series. “I am honored to join Moroccanoil in celebrating these remarkable women. It is my hope that their inspirational stories will encourage women to make a difference in their lives and to others,” says Huntington-Whiteley.

‘INSPIRED’: A SERIES THAT DISCOVERS BEAUTY THROUGH INSPIRATION:

At the heart of the campaign is INSPIRED, a short-film series that discovers beauty through inspiration, directed by dynamic and versatile storyteller Bryce Dallas Howard. The series features the stories of five extraordinary women driven to make a positive impact in the world, and also explores what it means to lead an inspired life as seen through the eyes of Ambassador Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Featuring a musical score by Grammy Award-winning film composerLorne Balfe, the series includes the following five “Inspired” women:

1.   Chrissy Beckles steps into the ring to fight for those who can’t. This trained boxer founded The Sato Project to save abandoned dogs on Puerto Rico’s “Dead Dog Beach.”

2.   Rebecca Welsh helps homeless and at-risk youth around the world to start a new life. The HALO Foundation provides these children with basic needs and essential life skills, using art therapy to help them heal from the past and imagine the future.

3.    Jessica O. Matthews incites change through innovation. She’s the Co-founder and CEO of the organization Uncharted Playand inventor of the SOCCKET—a soccer ball that generates free, renewable energy by harnessing the kinetic power of play.

4.     Kavita Shukla designs simple solutions to complex global challenges. She is the Founder and CEO of Fenugreen, a social enterprise taking on global food waste and hunger, and the inventor of FreshPaper—a piece of paper infused with spices that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh 2–4 times longer.

5.     Allyson Ahlstrom transforms the looks—and lives—of at-risk teen girls. When she was just 14, she started the mobile boutique Threads For Teenswhich provides free, brand-new clothes to teen girls across the U.S.

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) brokered the deal with Moroccanoil on behalf of its clients Huntington-Whiteley, Ahlstrom and  RadicalMedia.

For more information about the Moroccanoil initiative, visit InspiredbyWomen.com. To watch the short-film series, go to YouTube.com/Moroccanoil. Fans and viewers are also encouraged to be part of the INSPIRED BY WOMEN™ conversation by sharing a woman in their life who inspires them via social media, using the hashtag #InspiredbyWomen.

About Moroccanoil®
A story of success, an impulse for innovation and a relentless pursuit of simple, high-performing oil-infused beauty products fashioned an iconic brand: Moroccanoil. As the pioneer of oil-infused hair care, our original Moroccanoil Treatment created the worldwide buzz on argan oil and paved the way for an extensive line of premium oil-infused hair care products to address the needs of all hair types. By popular demand, Moroccanoil has since continued to innovate and extend the line to include Moroccanoil Body™, a luxurious oil-infused collection inspired by the sea, sand, breeze and scents of the Mediterranean. Featuring proprietary formulas that rejuvenate and replenish, Moroccanoil Body™ leaves skin nourished, naturally radiant and irresistibly beautiful. Born within the last decade, Moroccanoil is available in over 60 countries worldwide. Moroccanoil products are available at fine salons, spas and now online. For more information, visit us at Moroccanoil.com. For daily behind-the-scenes content, follow Moroccanoil on Twitter and Instagram. Subscribe to our beauty tutorials on YouTube and join the conversation on Facebook!

About RadicalMedia
RADICALMEDIA is a global studio that creates some of the world’s most innovative content across all forms of media.  The company develops, produces and distributes television, feature films, commercials, music programming, live events, mobile applications, digital content and design. The company has produced a number of award-winning projects, including the Academy Award®-nominated documentary, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory; the Emmy®-winning film Under African Skies: Paul Simon’s Graceland Journey; the Academy Award®-winning documentary The Fog of War; the Grammy Award®-winning Concert for George; and the Independent Spirit Award®-winning Metallica: Some Kind of Monster; the pilot episode of the Emmy®– and Golden Globe®-winning series Mad Men; six seasons of the series Iconoclasts for the Sundance Channel; the Emmy®-nominated series Oprah’s Master Class for OWN; the Ron Howard-directed documentary titled JAY-Z’S Made In America for Showtime; Hank: Five Years From The Brink, featuring former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, produced for Bloomberg Businessweek and launched exclusively on Netflix; YOU DON’T KNOW BO, the Bo Jackson story for ESPN’s 30 for 30; WHITEY: THE UNITED STATES VS. JAMES J. BULGER for Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films; STING: THE LAST SHIP for PBS Great Performances; David Blaine: REAL OR MAGIC for ABC; and the Emmy®-nominated series PARK BENCH WITH STEVE BUSCEMI for AOL.

Maintain Healthy Hair

How to Maintain Healthy Hair: A Few Basic Tips

1. It’s normal to lose 100 to 150 strands of hair a day so don’t panic when you see a small bunch crawling across your tiled floor.

2. Comb wet hair with extreme care because they’re fragile and prone to breakage. Take a broad toothed comb and run it from the roots to the ends of your hair as gently as possible.

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3. Trim your hair every few weeks to get rid of those brown and rough split ends. Cut about 1/4th an inch of your hair every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid the split ends to grow out again.

4. Don’t wash your hair everyday and whenever you do, apply some conditioner on the ends. Try and use the same brand of shampoo and conditioner.

5. Rinse the conditioner off with cold water as it is good for both strength and shine.

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6. Unlike the labels on the back of our food items, the labels on the back of our shampoos are mostly left unread. In the last few years, there has been a lot of focus on sulfate in shampoos. What are sulfates? They’re the reason your shampoo lathers the way it does. They clean your scalp and hair, departing the dirt from it. But some researchers also suggest that they strip your hair of essential oils. They’re also why your eye stings when shampoo runs down the side of your face. If you feel any kind of irritation on the scalp or find your hair drying up over time then try and buy a shampoo that’s sulfate-free.

Besides these basic tips, here are few home-remedies that’ll take you a long way. From home-made masks to heat protecting serums, we’ve got it all.

Deep Conditioning

Even though you condition your hair after every wash, nothing quite works as good as deep conditioning. Every once in a while wash your hair with shampoo, squeeze out the extra water and towel dry it. Then take generous amounts of conditioner and apply it right to the root of your hair. Use a broad toothed comb and run it through your hair to make sure the conditioner reaches everywhere. Now, pull them up and clip them together. Leave the conditioner in for anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour. Pull them down, rinse thoroughly and enjoy silky smooth hair.

(Also see: Home Remedies for Quick Hair Growth)

Keep Away the HeatIf you’re stepping out and want gorgeous curls or perfect waves, then there are a few ways you can get those without taking the help of a dryer, straightener or curler. Like this for example:

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If you must use your iron or curler then buy a serum of your choice or if you’ve got some time on your hands, make one at home.

 

1. Take some almond oil, coconut oil, hair conditioner, 250 ml water and a small empty spray bottle. Pour 200 ml of water in the spray bottle and add 2-3 drops of coconut and 4 to 5 almond oil to it. Add two really tiny drops of conditioner. Don’t use too much of it because it will lather. You can add lavender or some nice smelling oil if you’d like. Add the remaining water and shake well. Let the lather settle and it’s ready for use. (as suggested by beautytips4her)

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2. It’s all about butter with this one. Take 4 ounces of shea butter, 4 ounces of cocoa butter and 20 drops of any essential oil of your choice. Heat the butter till it’s all liquid and let it cool. Add the essential oil to an empty, sterilized jar and pour the butter. Let the jar cool down till the butter takes a solid form again.

 

Home-Made Hair Masks

 

Some might be delicious enough to eat but the rest are just downright smelly! But the great thing is that you’ll easily find all of the ingredients in your pantry.

 

1. Egg, curd and mustard oil – If you’ve got hay-like dry hair then here’s the answer to all of your problems. Eggs are rich in vitamin A, B12, D and E, fatty acids and protein. The protein helps strengthen the roots, the fatty acids make it a natural hair conditioner and B12 helps add volume.

 

2. Avocado and peppermint oil (as suggested by hellonatural.co) – Also referred to as the butter pear, avocados are creamy, rich and the only fruit combines the protein of meat, fat of butter, vitamins and minerals of green vegetables and a nutty flavour. Mash some avocado, add a drop or two of peppermint oil and apply this mask on your hair. Leave it in for 15-20 minutes and wash off.

 

3. Olive oil, coconut oil and egg – Suggested by Bella Fitness blog, this one’s the ultimate mask for speedy hair growth. Warm 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, let it cool, add one or two eggs and two tablespoons of olive oil and apply.

 

Oil is the Answer

 

A conditioner might work wonders for your hair but oil gives it certain minerals, vitamins and essential fatty acids that don’t just strengthen your roots but also boost overall health of your hair. Coconut oil comes most recommended by hair experts and mothers! It can protect your hair from sun damage, dandruff and removes sebum build-up from hair follicles accelerating hair growth. You could also boil some curry leaves in coconut oil, strain the oil and apply. You could also use Chinese hibiscus flowers instead of curry leaves.

 

If you’re suffering from hair fall then olive oil would be a better bet. You can combine it with a host of other ingredients. Here are our top few:

 

1. Olive oil with honey and cinnamon powder (as suggested by the American Athletic Institute) – Massage this paste into your scalp, leave for 15 minutes and wash.

 

2. The LOC method – Suggested by Nicole Charnel on Charnels world.com, this one’s a real winner. It’s a three part method: leave in, oil and cream. First you use some water and then use a light weight oil like coconut, olive or almond. Follow this with shea butter or any creamy conditioner of your choice. Leave it in for a while and then wash thoroughly.

 

If there are any home remedies or hair care tips you’d like to share with us please do so under comments!

 

Throw back Pics


Early Days at the salon 1998 It’s hard to believe this picture was taken almost 20 years ago! Looking at these throwback pic I can see a strong resemblance to my dad.
Photo taken around 1967
This is my Dad was a barber in the Navy. Photo taken around 1967

 

 

 

What I love most about being a hairstylist

What I love most is to be able to help someone transform a bad color or haircut into a beautiful one. I also look forward to getting a new client with damaged hair and prescribing them with an assortment of hair-care products to repair the health and life of their hair. The first priority to my clients is to make their hair healthy and then crafted with their desired look. When hair is healthy both the color and haircut will look their best. 

Best customer reaction ever!

What is the best reaction you’ve ever gotten from a customer?

One of the best reactions was from a client named Lisa. She came in to me for the first time frustrated with her hair and slightly depressed about her looks. I immediately began using specific products to help her achieve her desired results. After the cut, color and style, tears began to well up in her eyes. She then told me, “I’ve never felt sexy my whole life until this very moment. You’ve helped me see something I’ve never seen in myself before.” Lisa went on to give me a hug and recommended me to dozens of people. I was so moved and happy, because what I attempt to do every day is not just make people look good, but feel good on the inside!