BellaSugar

The Surprisingly Easy Way to Dress Up Your Ponytail

Jaime Richards — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 21:55:39 PST

When you get Aveda stylist Kevin Ryan in a room, it's always a fun-filled time. And the feel backstage at Tibi reflected that playful mood. Stylists were abuzz creating low-slung ponytails that captured "a cool, independent girl having a 5 p.m. moment," as Ryan put it. Who ever said fashion had to be so serious? See how it all went down behind the scenes now, and learn how you can get a runway-worthy ponytail in just a few easy steps.

Source: Getty

Get the Sweater-fied Hair Effect From Richard Chai Love

Jaime Richards — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:22:10 PST

You know that amazing moment when you pull off a sweater and your hair looks perfectly disheveled immediately thereafter? That's just the effect hairstylist Kevin Ryan (for Aveda) wanted to capture when creating the lifted, slightly mussed coiffures at Richard Chai Love.

To create the play on texture, particularly at the crown, Ryan began by spritzing the brand's Volumizing Tonic on models' hair. After blow-drying, he applied Brilliant Humectant to slick back the sides and added Control Granules for extra texture. Then, right before they hit the runway, Ryan switched around models' hair parts to create what he calls a "jump up on the front." The result was pretty hair with a little "strange volume" - sans the static cling, of course. See shots of the lived-in hair up close and learn more about the androgynous makeup and nail looks now.

Aveda Launches a Hair-rific iPhone App

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:02:00 PST

If you're always at a loss to explain what you want to stylists, Aveda has just debuted a new app that's a great resource for styling and color. The app, My Aveda Style (free), has everything from Fashion Week backstage styling videos to a hair lookbook that allows you to show your stylist what you like. Instructions for getting the looks are included, as well, so if you go to an Aveda salon regularly, it definitely facilitates good communication with your stylist. And even if your salon isn't Aveda, it's pretty informative and helpful. Plus, the backstage Fashion Week videos are the perfect way to get a taste of designer hairstyling's glamour (and craziness).

Aveda Is Doling Out Free Tea and Treatments This Weekend

Jaime Richards — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:22:56 PST

Shopping centers and malls can be stressful to navigate, but add the layer of the holiday rush to that, and it does not a sane woman make. Luckily, we have Aveda to save the day - and our sanity. From Black Friday until Sunday, stop in to any of the company's eco-friendly experience centers (locations) and receive a complimentary stress-relieving treatment. Get a free cup of tea and then choose from a scalp and shoulder ritual, a neck and shoulder ritual, a hand ritual, makeup finishing touch, or hairstyling ritual. There are also plenty of gorgeous holiday gifts to check out. Holiday shopping can be nerve-frazzling, but there's a reason Aveda begins with ahh.

Blade Runner-Esque Chignons Make For a Futuristic Vibe at Preen

Jaime Richards — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:59:00 PDT

One theme we've seen a lot of this Spring 2012 Fashion Week is the balance of masculinity and femininity (see: the androgynous looks at Altuzarra and the sleek, braid-bun updos at Rachel Roy), and now we have Preen doing its own take on the gender-bender phenomenon. Of the '40s-style rolled updos seen on the runway, Paul Hanlon for Aveda explained, "It's a futuristic chignon; a bit Blade Runner, as well." And while the texture was slick and polished for a severe effect, Hanlon made sure the style also featured a modern, not-too-perfect edge, without being overly shellacked.

To create the look, he began by prepping the hair with the brand's Volumizing Tonic, blowing it dry with a round brush. Hair was then twisted back one side at a time, and ends were tucked and pinned within the style. Cool (er, hot) tip: to make sleek styles such as this smoother where needed, spray the area with hair spray (Hanlon used Air Control), and lightly brush the barrel of the curling iron over any wispiness to tame it down.

Photo courtesy of Aveda

Light the Way to Clean Water With Aveda's Scented Candle

Brittney Stephens — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 05:00:54 PDT

Aveda is bringing back its annual limited-edition Light the Way soy wax candle ($12), available now in honor of Earth Month. In addition to smelling amazing (from a combination of certified organic lavender, lavandin, and clary sage), the soy wax burns completely clean. The scent has stress-relieving aromatherapy properties - but the best mental benefit comes from the fact that 100 percent of your purchase will support Global Greengrants Funds, who provides small grants for community-based, water-related projects all over the world. Doesn't doing good smell great?

Keep It Real With These Back-to-Basics Beauty Gifts

Jaime Richards — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 08:00:17 PST

When you care enough to gift the very best, sometimes going back to the basics is all it takes. From shampoo and conditioner to the always appreciated makeup brush set, here are five gift options that any beauty aficionado in your life will love.

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Gold-Based Shampoo Makes For One Shiny Head of Hair

Jaime Richards — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 08:00:08 PDT

It turns out that gold shampoo isn't just for blondes. While getting a cut the other day, my stylist used a shampoo with light golden undertones - Aveda's Camomile ($26) - on my dark brunette strands. What gives?

She explained that while most of her clients don't want any gold or brassy tones in their hair, using a shampoo with golden undertones increases shine in all hair textures and shades. The reasoning is that the luminescent, warm shade actually helps light to reflect off the hair more easily. In turn, while opposite-hued, blue-based shampoos definitely have their place in this world, overuse can actually cause a dull, flat appearance to the hair. So the next time you need a little pick-me-up, some golden shampoo could make you a shiny happy person.

Rodarte Returns to the '70s

BellaSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:36:29 PDT

Backstage access at Rodarte has always been tight, but this season, the Mulleavy sisters barred beauty press from previewing hair and makeup looks. Word is that it may have something to do with the controversy around their now-canceled MAC makeup collection, but we scored the details on re-creating the show's hairstyle from the stylists at Aveda.

Lead stylist Odile Gilbert was inspired by teenagers in the '70s, as seen in the handcrafted barrettes clipped in each model's hair. To get the look, she applied Aveda Brilliant Damage Control before blow-drying hair straight with a boar-bristle brush. Using fingers, she created a part on the left side of the head. To create texture, she worked Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair through hair, then tousled it with Aveda Volumizing Tonic. Finally, the barrette made a finishing touch.

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Found: A Superhold Hairspray Without the Crunch

BellaSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:00:18 PDT

If you like a firm-hold hairspray but don't like the crunch that often accompanies it, I think I might have the perfect product for you. If you also like big hair, voluminous ponytails, and sprays that won't knock out the person next to you on the bus due to the overwhelming fake aroma, you should also listen up. Aveda's new Control Force Firm Hold Hairspray ($26) packs a punch, because when they say force, they're not lying. The spray, which goes on full-blast, smells soft and powdery, containing notes of bergamot, vetiver, palmarosa, and lavender.

While I wish the product gave the hair a little more shine, it has a nonsticky finish and sets pretty much instantly. So far I've found that spritzing the Control Force on the ends of my short strands produces a nice wispy texture that stays put. I've also discovered that in lieu of breaking out the hair dryer in the morning, some Control Force sprayed all over my damp strands results in a pretty, nonfrizzy finish about an hour later when I arrive at work.

While I wish the price was a little bit more affordable, at least a little goes a long way with this product. Also, if you're wondering why a company that's known for environmental causes has not just one, but two aerosol hairsprays, the brand promises these products have a net-zero climate impact. What about you? Do you have a favorite heavy-duty spray?