What Does Your Hairstyle Say About Your Personality

If you think that you cut or style your hair certain way for no apparent reason – you’re wrong. Everything we do, even the tiniest choices we make, play a huge role in shaping people’s perception of us. These little habits reveal a lot of details about our character and lifestyle. For example, did you know that people who like to drink red wine are warm and nurturing? Did you know that people whose favorite color is green are nature lovers, persistent in everything they do and have high self-confidence? The same is true for how you wear your hair. If you want to know what your hairstyle reveals about your personality, read on to find out.

Bangs – If you wear bangs, then you are playful, mystic, cute and childish but with a strong personality. Bangs also ooze sexuality since they draw attention to your eyes, so people may perceive you as flirty. If you want to instantly refresh your style and look seductive, visit our salon and ask your hairdresser to give you a fringe cut.

Ponytail – This simple and creative hairstyle is ideal for those who love sports and recreation, as well as for accenting facial features if attending a special event. Women who wear ponytails are powerful, know what they want, confident and strong-willed. If you’d like to appear confident, gather your hair in high or low ponytail. If your hair is not as long, use hair extensions to achieve this look.

Long Wavy Hair – Even though wavy locks convey a laid-back style, they suggest a lot of time spent in front of a mirror symbolizing self-admiration. Also, women who wear their hair this way are perceived as sexy, beautiful and very feminine. Power is another characteristic associated with this Farrah Fawcett look, and a growing number of women opt for this hairstyle. Thus, if you want to leave a powerful impression, go with wavy locks.

Long Straight Hair – This hairstyle symbolizes sensuality, low-maintenance and dominance. It is a very elegant and romantic style and it’s appropriate for both every day style or night of glamour.

Bob Hairstyle – If you prefer bob-cut, you are daring, elegant and do not bother with what people think or say about you. Visit us and get this simple, yet powerful look today.

Pixie Style – Be confident, daring and bold with a pixie cut. This hairstyle that reveals facial features is often considered to be a risky move, but at the same time very artistic and confident.

Keep in mind that the way you style and cut your hair indicates your personality. It is probably one of the most noticeable factors along with makeup and clothing that convey your character.

Invasion of the Middle Part

The middle-part reigned at London Fashion Week. Brands like Pringle of Scotland, Paul Smith, and Jonathan Saunders sent models down the runway with center-parted strands flowing into loose, textured ends. Nothing too straight or too styled, just perfectly imperfect. Center-parts are great for framing the face, but unless your visage is  faultlessly symmetric, it’s better to make it slightly off of center, so you don’t split your face down the middle. 

Step One: Anyone with shoulder-length or longer layers, can recreate a similar style to London’s runways. Start by towel-drying hair, apply Bb. Tonic from roots to ends and then use a comb to make a slightly off-center center-part which is more forgiving then going straight down the middle.

Step Two: Apply Bb. Styling Lotion on your roots followed by Defining Creme from mid-lengths to ends.

Step Three: Blowdry loosely from roots to ends, using hands to encourage a loose, lived-in texture. Through the top, keep straight the first 2-3 inches of hair.

Step Four: From 3-4 inches from the root, down to the ends, use hands to wrap small sections of hair into tight little twists. Hold twists in hands and blowdry twists up and down on high heat with the nozzle always pointing down. This will encourage a loose, easy, wave cascade.

Step Five: If the wave fails to take, use a curling iron or wand to create artful tousle.

How to Style Summer Beach Hair Without Trying- Just For Guys

If you can't leave the house in the morning without professionally polished hair and a perfect side part, the idea of a pool day (or trip to the beach) can be a cause for concern. The wind,
the water, the sand... nature's elements will wreak havoc on your look. But instead of reaching for your comb and running to a mirror every time you emerge from the water, embrace a more
laid back—yet still well-coiffed—version of your style with these three simple tips.

The perfect thing about the classic 1950s-inspired cut that's longer on top and fades to short on the sides is that it's highly versatile. If you know the right moves, you can easily transition
from a slick businessman look, to a rockabilly pompadour, to a casual, tousled style.

1) Switch it up. Save the side part for the boardroom and rock a messier, bed-head look on the weekends. Ditch the pomade for a grooming paste like KMS California's Molding Paste for an easy,
natural look with medium hold and massive volume. You don't even need a comb—just apply a small amount of product to the palms of your hands and work it through your strands from root to tip.
Finger styling gives hair texture and can help make it look thicker, too. After you've hit the waves, run your hands through your hair guiding it back into place. Since it was messy to begin
with, there's no need to aim for perfection.

2) If you're going straight from the sand to dinner and drinks with no time to shower, try using a dry shampoo like KMS California's Makeover Spray to soak up any sweat or dampness on your
scalp. It'll also help you restyle more easily.

3) And since sun, salt water, and chlorine strip your hair of its natural moisture and can leave you with straw-like strands, make sure you're using a conditioner like KMS California's Moist
Repair Revival Creme for Dry Hair to restore your hair's health and keep your locks shiny and soft year round.

 

 

Best Layered Haircuts & Hairstyles for 2013

Do you have medium length or long hair?  Are you looking for a hot and sexy new look for 2013? Consider adding layers to your current hairstyle. Layered haircuts were super popular in 2012, and will continue to be a popular choice in 2013.

Check out this layered haircuts picture gallery and find 15 brand new layered hairstyles.

Hello KMS California!

New year and a new you!  Come check out what KMS has to offer.

Happy Halloween!

Have fun and chic Halloween!

via Susan Tabak

Congrats to Jessica and Justin!

I really love her "Audrey Hepburn bangs," can't wait to see the rest of the pictures from People Mag!

Vote for Us! We have been nominated for Best Salon in the Valley of the Sun!

Miley Cyrus: Blonder and shorter

First she wowed us earlier in the year with shorter locks and then she went blonde, blonde in the summer.  And now, Miley Cyrus did it again, going much shorter with short sides and long on top --- somewhat like the "Rhianna cut."  And she can rock it.

Sun Exposure and Skin Aging

As much as we all enjoy the sun, it is very easy for a bit of unprotected sun exposure to lead to permanent damage to our skin. Skin is an excellent record keeper. Every moment of exposure to daylight is recorded and stores up like money in a bank. The result is skin damage, also known as photodamage. The top cause of premature signs of skin aging, sun damage shows on the skin in the form of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (brown spots) and can lead to a repressed immune system and the potential for skin cancer.

Even if the periods of sun exposure are brief (say you sit outside for 20 minutes whilst you eat lunch), the cumulative exposure is enough to cause skin damage and signs of aging. The first line of defense against damage is the daily use of spf. Even on cloudy or overcast days UV rays can cause damage to your skin. Just wearing spf on sunny days is not sufficient, it should be added to your daily skin care routine all year round.

Sunscreens have become much more sophisticated in recent years and there are now formulations available for every skin type. A skin therapist will be able to advise which spf product is perfect for your skin and how to easily add it into your daily regimen. Whether you require sunscreen on it’s own, a spf moisturiser to wear under make-up or a foundation with added spf, there are options available. So no excuses for not being properly protected!

Hair Removal for Guys

Can you imagine getting a bikini wax alongside your woman? Neither can we. However, men have come a long way since the days of showing up to work in an unbuttoned button-down that revealed an army of hair fighting its way past the nape of their necks -- haven't they? While you likely won't go the Brazilian route, you might be surprised (or not) to hear that men are taking it off -- their body hair, that is.

Is it weather-related? Is she hinting at it? Or, have you been curious about how you would look with less hair? Whatever the motivation, men have already arrived at this point.  Between waxing, shaving, electrolysis, tweezing, trimming, and laser hair removal, men of all ages, sizes, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and professions are getting rid of excess body hair.

We're not advocating waxed legs or arms -- jeez, a dude should look like, well, a dude -- but we do advocate taking the time to do your homework to figure out what's best for you.

Waxing and sugaring

What is it? Waxing is a hair removal trend for men that involves spreading hot wax on to the desired area, and then applying a strip of cloth or muslin onto the wax, rubbing it, and ripping off the strip in one fell swoop -- wax, hair, root, and all.  Sugaring is similar to waxing, only it uses sugar paste (which usually consists of a mixture of sugar, lemon, water, and even citric acid and gum arabic) instead of wax and is a method of hair removal that goes as far back as ancient Egypt.

Since some men might be embarrassed about getting waxed at a salon, there are at-home aestheticians who can perform this at home. There are even do-it-yourself waxing kits -- but unless you're a glutton for punishment, it's pretty hard to put yourself through such torture and it can get very messy.

If you opt for waxing, go to a professional.   If you choose to get your genital area waxed , keep in mind that most spas and aestheticians simply wax the areas surrounding your crown jewels -- so only the regions around and above the base of the penis get the royal treatment.

Men are also booking appointments at salons or spas for eyebrow waxes. With guys like David Beckham boasting nicely shaped brows, it seems men aren't settling for less. According to the spa director at Esthetique, in Hamden, Connecticut, 86% of his male clientele get their eyebrows waxed.

Guys, this really isn't about becoming a pretty boy -- it's about not walking around with a unibrow. Makes sense. Don't aim for a perfectly arched eyebrow, but waxing is a good way to get rid of eyebrows that are out of control.

Ideal parts to wax: Eyebrows (unibrow), back of neck, back, chest, toes, and knuckles
Pain factor: 8/10
Bottom line: With repeated use, hair gradually becomes thinner because the roots are weakened, but the hair will grow back, albeit at longer intervals. So, if you want to lessen the hair that grows on your toes or chest without permanently abolishing it, this would be the ideal way to go.

Tweezing
What is it? With the help of a trusty pair of tweezers (the sharper, the better), pluck away at the hairs you want to eliminate.

Unless you have lots of time on your hands and can take the constant pinching sensation, save the tweezing for those smaller regions that are covered with excess hair (or for ingrown hairs). Of course, this method is far from permanent.

Ideal parts to pluck: Eyebrows (unibrow), nape of neck
Pain factor: 4/10
Bottom line: Spending more for high-quality tweezers is worth the price. Don't forget to keep up with regular maintenance.
Trimmers
What are they? When it comes to body hair that you'd like to keep short, electric trimmers can do the trick with no pain, fuss or mess.

Ideal parts to trim: Ear hair, nose hair, nape of neck, pubic hair, arms, legs, the possibilities are endless.
Pain factor: 1/10
Bottom line: A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. There are so many electric and nonelectric trimmers out there for a guy to choose from, so go for it.
hair today...
Between the various hair removal trends for men, there is no reason for a guy to let his pubic area grow out of control or his unibrow to attract attention. You could always stick to shaving, but there are some areas that require more care and shaving can cause irritation and razor burn.

Try the method that best suits your needs and your budget.

Sunburn 101

How many of you have ever experienced a sunburn? I’m guessing that almost all of us have, with an embarrassing blush! Yes, we know it’s wrong and we kick ourselves when we are wincing with pain as we try to dress. But maybe if we truly understood what is happening to our skins as we nonchalantly lay in the sun for that extra 10 minutes, we wouldn’t be so lax.

A sunburn is the skin’s response to extreme ultraviolet (UV) exposure and indicates severe damage. In as little as 10 minutes of intense UV exposure, the skin sets into motion a system of defense against this enemy. The first indication of damage is redness. This is the body’s inflammatory response in situations requiring repair and is a result of dilating blood vessels. The skin will then start to lose moisture and hydration, which will be apparent with a feeling of tightness. Slowly, skin cells will start to thicken and melanin pigment will be produced (tanning) in an attempt to stop the UV rays from penetrating through to the deeper layers and damaging the DNA of the cells. When the skin is exposed to high levels of sunlight this may result in hypo or hyperpigmentation which appears as irregular light or dark patches. The body is excellent at coping with minimal amounts of damage, but if exposure is greater than the body’s ability to repair and mop up, more serious consequences may result. If DNA is damaged and its repair mechanisms are inhibited, skin cancer may occur.

Why Does the Skin Peel?
Peeling after a sunburn is your body’s way of getting rid of the damaged cells that are at risk of “losing control” and becoming cancerous. Due to this danger, all damaged cells are instructed to commit suicide by repair mechanisms within these cells. This mass suicide of cells results in whole layers of damaged skin peeling off, to be replaced by other cells underneath those layers.

I Have a Sunburn, What Should I Do Now?
First of all, you should take care of the cause of your problem: get out of the sun immediately. Drink plenty of water as you may be dehydrated. If skin is severely blistered, seek help from a medical practitioner. Otherwise it is important to take down the inflammation and try to reduce damage to the deeper layers of your skin.

Take a cool bath (no products added) and then blot skin dry. Avoid greasy creams, which prevent the skin from cooling and may make the situation worse. Rather, apply generously a soothing after-sun gel to red areas and then stay out of the sun and the heat. Look for ingredients such as Clove, Liquorice, Lavender, Cucumber and Yucca to reduce irritation, pain and redness. Also look out for an incredible ingredient called Japanese Alder to accelerate the repair of UV induced DNA damage. Couple this with ingredients such as Algae and Hyaluronic Acid to rehydrate the skin and you should be well on your way to a calmer skin.

And no, it is not then ok to go out into the sun the next day for another blast! Remember, your skin is still trying to heal and so must be kept out of direct sunlight for a good few days. Keep in mind, the skin is a great record keeper and even with a great after-sun product, irreparable damage may have occurred in the form of premature aging or skin cancer that may only reveal itself later. Think twice next time you decide “just another ten minutes;” your immune system is listening!

Let's hear it for the Curls!

Soon to be in theaters, Disney/Pixar movie, "Brave" will have us all embracing our wild side.  Meet Princess Merida, a fiery redhead with tons of curls!  To tame our real curly cues, thank goodness for Bumble Bumble Curl Conscious.

A complete line of shampoo and conditioner, plus a deep condition mask for curls that are extra dry.  Two leave in cremes, one for fine curls (Defining Creme), and the other for course curls (Calmining Creme).  And if your a mousse girl, the Bb. Holding foam is a soft foam to give the curl extra hold and structure.

This summer, put away your blow dryer and flat irons and embrace our curls!

Mermaid Tail Braid

We can't just get enough of braids!  Here's another tutorial we found and LOVE, the Mermaid Tail braid!

 

 Thank you, Bebexo for the great tutorial!

Farewell to one of the Greatest, Vidal Sassoon

"If you don't look good, we don't look good," was Vidal's motto and every hairdresser's too.  Thank you for inspiring us and farewell dear stylist.

Are You Shampooing Correctly??

Even though we've been shampooing our own hair for most of our lives, I often find that many of my friends and clients aren't doing it right. A good shampoo is more important than you might think, and if you do it wrong, you can even damage your hair! Here are my tips for the most efficient shampooing job resulting in the squeakiest clean and healthiest of hair!

Find the right shampoo for you. Always consult with your stylist about this before buying shampoo. You might need shampoo for color treated hair, you might need it for volume, dry hair, flaky scalp or for just plain normal everyday cleaning. The first step is to be using the right product and your stylist will help you figure out what your shampooing needs are.

Don't shampoo too often. If you are in the habit of shampooing every day, it's likely that your scalp is working over time to produce the natural oils that are being stripped away when you wash your hair. This is one reason why you might feel like your hair is dirty the next day. Try to skip a day and once your hair is used to that, you can start shampooing ever two days or more. If you hate oily looking hair, you can use dry shampoo on your roots and it will look good as new! Another trick is to just shampoo your bangs (if you have them) and put the rest of that dirty hair up in a cute topknot or pony. I only shampoo every 5 days thanks to dry shampoo. It's changed my life.

Focus on your scalp. Shampoo can really dry out your hair, so instead of scrubbing roots to ends, I scrub roots only and let the shampoo do its job cleaning the rest when it's being rinsed out. My hair is naturally brittle, and with highlights on top of that, I want to avoid any extra drying out that I can.

Repeat if necessary. It's not really necessary to use handfuls of shampoo to get it clean. I suggest doing a good scrub with just a quarter size amount of shampoo for round one. You wont get a good lather, but you'll loosen up all the dirt, oil and product that's building up. After rinsing, repeat with another quarter size and it should lather right up! This foamy, soapy-ness is how you know your hair is clean.

Are you hungry for the Katniss Braid?

DIY HAIR

It's been 2 weeks and "The Hunger Games" is still in the number 1 spot in theatres.  Not only is the movie still going strong, Katniss's infamous braid is a trend that will stay with summer just around the corner.

via refinery29

Start with deep side part.  Then take a quarter section of hair and divide it into 3 strands and start braiding.

Continue to french braid the hair towards the nape all the way to the opposite side and continue regular braiding.  Secure with a rubber band.  Viola!

side view

back view

Get Wedding Ready Part 3: Make-Up

MAKEUP


The finishing touch to the perfect bridal look, your makeup.  The makeup should reflect your personality and enhance your natural beauty.  If you're doing it yourself, invest in a good foundation and/or concealer to build a nice clean canvas for the makeup.  A makeup primer is a great way to make the makeup last longer.  If you plan to have a makeup artist, always do a consultation.

Get Wedding Ready Part 2: Hair

Hair

Of course you don't have to commit right away, but if you love a style and need to grow it out or get a cut, always consult with your stylist to get you there.  Bring pictures of styles that you like and of course the picture of the dress.  Any headpiece or tiara should be mentioned in the consultation so the stylist will know what's the best placement for it.

If you don't have 8-9 months to grow out your hair, extentions are another option to get the length you're looking for.  And it can also help clients with thin hair.  Extensions can be the permanent bonds or the temporary wefts.  Again consult with your stylist.

                           

bonded

clip ins

Then discuss your color, cut and conditioning treatments.  Remember, your stylist needs time to perfect your wedding day look.
                                           

Get Wedding Ready: What you need to know and do!

This week is all about getting wedding ready. Here's the 3 most important for brides when preparing for the perfect day----Skin, Hair, and Makeup.

SKIN

To best prep skin before the wedding is at least 9 months, but some of us don't have that much time.  If you're using any prescribed or over the counter facial products, most of them require at least a few months to take full effect.  The solution, set up a series of facials or chemical peels with an esthetician. Each treatment is 100% customized to your skin's needs.  Whether you're dry, oily, or sensitive, they can help to make sure you look your best on your perfect day.

Facials cleans, exfoliates, and nourishes the skin to promote clear and a well-hydrated skin.  First a skin analysis  is done to determine what treatment and products to be used. Next, is exfoliation.  Mechanical exfoliation has a gritty texture and is used with a steam vapor directed at the face.  Chemical peels can be part of a facial, but it's usually a stand alone service that can be done in a series.   Then, extraction is done to remove blackheads and whiteheads.  It is not recommended for really sensitive skin since it can cause discoloration if done improperly.  Effleurage is a facial massage using classic strokes to both relax you and stimulate the your skin and facial muscles.  A customized facial mask is then apply to the skin.  Lastly, applications of toners and protective creams for the skin.