Dry Shampoo tested and approved! By Krista Leigh Blocker, QCA Hair Stylist

            As the hairstylist of the group, I can tell you that I have tried just about every dry shampoo there is on the market.  Both professional and non-professional brands.  When I come home with another new product, I tell my husband it’s market research to justify my obsession with the latest and greatest beauty brands.  From the ones that I have tried, hands down, I have found one that is far better then the rest.  It would be Alterna Bamboo Cleanse Extend Dry Shampoo.  I give this one an A+ in ranking because it is great for all hair colors and textures.  Unlike some of the others that come in powder form, this one comes in a spray form making application super easy.  The powder dry shampoos that you shake onto the hair to apply, do not spread as evenly as this spray form does.  I’ve also seen issues with other dry shampoos, that once applied it can leave a white residue on the hair, especially those with dark hair.  This one when shaken properly leaves no residue.  To those of you that have never used a dry shampoo, you are definitely missing out!  It will change your life!! No joke.  Out of all the products that are out there right now, this is the best invention to come out. I would highly encourage you to go out, and try a dry shampoo particularly my favorite one.  :)

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Kelcy takes a walk on the Short Hair Wild Side by Krista, QCA Hair Wizard

                        Just like everyone else right about now, our very own TCOT blogger Kelcy Hanson, was getting so sick of this weather and ready for a change.  After looking on Pinterest, Kelcy found a short haircut that she liked.  However, she had never in her life cut her hair so short, and was excited and nervous to do it.  With her husband heading out of town for the week, she decided to surprise him and go for the change.  Oh and can I add that same week she also remodeled her kitchen to surprise her husband while working and taking care of her 3 children!  What a great lady!!  This was her inspiration picture. 

 

            One of the biggest concerns Kelcy had was that she wanted a cut that would cover up more of her forehead while bringing out her best facial features.  Kelcy has stunning eyes, and I thought the bangs on this cut would do just that!  The bangs not only cover up what she wanted covered, but also almost direct the eyes to directly look at her eyes.  That’s exactly what a good haircut is suppose to do.  Bring out the best in everyone.  :)

 

            Kelcy has a great hair texture that can be worn both curly or straight without having to put too much effort into either style.  I liked this because I thought Kelcy could style it like the pictures somedays but also go for a more curly look when she desired.  This haircut left enough length on top to do just that.  We also decided to leave enough length in the back that she could wear it flipped up in the back or straight down to give her even more versatility. 

            When it comes to styling Kelcy’s hair, it’s pretty easy.  All she needs to start with is a little volumizer for the crown area, and some gel to give her body and hold.  She needs to blow dry the back either up or down depending on how she wants to wear it that day.  The most important part to achieving this look is to use a texturizing product when finished to give that piecey, textured look.  I used Aquage Transforming Paste.  It’s a moldable tacky product that is non-greasy.  It give the hold of a hairspray once hair is set into desired position.  It is easy to use with your hands to get the look you want.    If she desires, she can also finish with a little hairspray.  Kelcy can also use the Aquage Transforming Paste on her wet hair to help bring out her natural texture. 

            Here are her before and after pictures.  What do you all think? Pretty remarkable, huh?  I think she was meant to have her hair this way! 

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Valentine's Day Hair Ideas for every Length! -Krista, Quad City Hair Stylist

Quad Cities Hair Wizard, Krista 

            Ahhh, it’s that time of year again where women crowd around the TV on Sundays to watch what they have been looking forward to since last year.  Sorry guys, it’s not the Super Bowl, it’s award season.  This month’s blog is going to be talking about what we are seeing on the red carpets and how easy it is to transform these looks into everyday styles. Just in time to jazz it up for Valentine’s Day with that special someone. 

            I love how easy, breezy the styles have been so far.  I’m a big fan of less is more, and your style should represent that.  I feel like with a softer style, people can focus more on your natural beauty instead of focusing on your over hairsprayed, over backcombed, and over curled style.   You want all eyes on you, not just your hair.  I’m going to go over 5 styles that are easy, trendy, and appropriate for all occasions. 

            My first look is a hairstyle that I lightly talked about last month, which is Jennifer Lawrence.  Once your hair is cut into this style it is very low maintenance.  I’ve been cutting this style on a ton of women!  They all love how easy yet trendy this cut is.  Just a light styling product when wet to give it some volume, and then when dry a texture product to rough it up to bring out the layers in the haircut. Voila!  You’re ready to go. 

            My second style that I am seeing on numerous celebrities this award season has been around forever, and is a timeless style.  It is a classic bun.  This can be worn from the office to cocktails to a wedding, and is just as appropriate for all occasions.  I suggest teasing the hair and pulling it straight back like Mila Kunis did, or doing a deep side part for some added drama into the hair like Emma Roberts and Emma Watson.  When doing this style you can make the bun very clean, or mess it up a little to put a more youthful vibe to it. 

            Our third look to discuss is one that is so simple once your hair is cut like this all you have to do is smile to look good.  It is an asymmetrical bob.  It can be cut at a variety of lengths, and looks great with or without frontal fringe.  This cut can work with all medium hair lengths.  From chin length or collar bone.  My model was inspired by Reese Witherspoon’s haircut but wanted a shorter version of it.  The trick to achieving this fabulous cut is to have the longer part on the opposite side that you part on, or also known as your heavy side.  Then for the finishing touch, tuck the shorter side of your hair.  This will lift and bring out your cheek bone while also showing off the haircut.  I recommend finishing off the style with a shine spray.  This haircut looks best worn down either straight of curls.

 

    One of the top trends right now is to wear your hair with a loose wave.  This can either be down with a curling iron or a flat iron. Next month’s blog will go over how exactly to style your hair to achieve the perfect wave.  An easy way to up the ante on this already crazy popular style is to push it over the should to one side.  This style is best achieved with those who have longer hair (hair that is passed the shoulder).  All you have to do is style hair into desired texture, and then push the non- heavy side of your hair behind your shoulder, or push it all over to the other shoulder.  Make sure you use a  flexible hold hairspray to ensure that the curls stay in place!  You are ready for your night out on the town.

 

            Our last look that I’m going to touch base on this month is another fancier way to wear those loose waves that we are all already wearing.  This style is good at any length, and will instantly add drama to your hair.  I recommend curling hair with a curling iron.  Start with a deep side part, and make sure you are using a heat protectant because you are putting heat on the hair.  We don’t want to be damaging our beautiful locks. Once hair is curled, you want to insert comb into curls starting at the bottom and push upward in a vertical direction, to create a tighter curl.  This adds fullness at the bottom of that hair and gives a more glamours look to the hair.  If you want more glamourous look like the picture on the left, curl hair and DO NOT run fingers through curls before combing upward.  If you want a messier, tousled look, you would curl your hair.  Then DO break apart curls with fingers before combing each section of curls upward.

            That’s my blog for this month. I hope you all enjoyed it, and this helps you come up with some new, easy ways to style your hair no matter what length of hair you have.   Until next month, I hope everyone stays warm and fashionable. 

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Welcome our Hair Wizard, Krista!! Quad City Hairstylist

           First of all, I want to thank Lindsay and Carly for asking me to write about my passion of what's happening in the hair world. Before I dive right in on my blog post, I'd like to introduce myself a little.

        My name is Krista and I work for Havoc Hair Salon in Davenport and own Simply Bronze Airbrush Tanning. In 2010, I married my best friend and we have two wonderful kids. Currently, I work four days a week in the salon while owning a spray tan business on the side. When not working, I love to hang out with my family, shop, and work out. I am a native to the Quad Cities and have been a hair stylist for almost 9 years. My passion is all things related to fashion which include hair, makeup, and clothes; and I look at fashion as a form of art. I pride myself on knowing the latest trends, and strive to be one step ahead on what's the next hot trend. That's exactly why I couldn't be more excited to share my knowledge with my readers.

         Ok, enough about me. I mean the real reason you are reading this is to learn all about things related to hair and beauty, right? As someone who is in the fashion world, I always watch what is happening at Fashion Week. I was lucky enough to be able to attend Fashion week in 2011 and let me tell you how inspiring that was! I sat across the aisle from Joan Rivers and Kelly Osbourne . I won't go into too much detail on that because what Joan was wearing could be its own blog article.

         Fashion Week around the world is an insight as to what trends are not only at the present time but a predictor of what's to come. The designers of not only the clothes but also the make up/hair are a preview of where fashion is headed in the next couple of years.

       Think Ombre !!! I first started doing that trend several years agao and it is still so hot! This was first spotted on the runway in 2010!

                                                            

      When watching the runway at Fashion Week for Spring 2014, I see another trend happening. Now, it isn't everyone wearing ombre, it is that the hairstyles are getting shorter. No more super long hair that takes you forever to blow dry, and only someone with super thick hair can pull off (without the help of extensions). Take a look at the leaders in fashion as celebrities. Jennifer Aniston, Pamela Anderson, Miley Cyrus, and Charlize Theron are among the celebrites to cut their hair to a shorter length. Now i'm not saying you should all go cut your hair to Miley's style. I'm just saying that everything is starting to go up.

       If you have long hair and are ready for a change, cut it to your collar bone. I honestly think that will be the "new" long length. Plus its a very flattering length on anyone. If you aren't ready to cut your hair-all types of fringe are still hot. Rachel Zoe changed up her long locks, by adding front fringe. They don't call bangs the cheapest form of Botox for nothing! They can not only change your look but hide any unwanted wrinkles. When going with full fringe, ask your stylist to compliment with long layers.
                                                    

        Another thing to remember! Changing your part is a must with longer hair! If you don't have a nasty cowlick standing in your way, I suggest switching your part every few days. Remember, change is good!

       An edgy bob can be curled, worn straight, or tousled. No more stacked diagonal forward cuts. Those are out. Instead go for a layered bob. One side longer or one side behind the ear to give your look an edge. Adding some color in front or on the ends is "in" too.

     Those that dare to go short. ROCK IT! You cant go too short, even having the side shaved is a "do" right now. I love seeing a woman confidant enough to rock a pixie cut. Want to add some real zest? Rock a platinum pixie cut. I personally love that short hair is back in.

      Quick change of gears, my current product obsession is PUREOLOGY Color Fanatic Multi Tasking Hair Beautifier. It's literally an all in one spray. You name it, it does it! Great for those minimalists who don't like to wear a lot of product. Everyone benefits from this product whether you color your hair or not. I highly encourage you to try it!

                           Make 2014, your best year yet! Go for that change you've always wanted but didn't know if you could pull it off. A good stylist will tailor the cut to fit your face shape so don't be afraid of change. Until next month, stay fashionable.

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