The Best HairStyling Products for Guys

Just like the shoes and clothes you wear, the way you style your hair will say a lot about your sense of fashion and personality.



Men's hairstyles continually evolve with new trends.  Just like the shoes and clothes you wear, the way you style your hair says a lot about your sense of fashion and personality.  However, before you decide on your next hairstyle, or if you simply want to change your current look, read on to find out what these hairstyling products can do for you.  Each of these products form distinct textures and styles for various hair types.  Discover which products can better help you achieve the hair you've always wanted.

Mousse
Mousse is great for any man's hairstyle and it can create practically any desired look.  When used on wet hair, it will give you a sleek, wet look, with shine.  When used on dry hair, it will help shape, mold and hold your hair in place with a more natural look.  Mousse can also provide volume for men with thinner or fine hair.   Wear mousse on a daily basis to create a natural and easy-to-manipulate hairstyle.



How to use it
Shake the bottle. Dispense a small amount in one hand and apply to your hair with both hands. Style your hair to your liking and blow dry for maximum hold.

Main benefit
Mousse allows you to restyle your hair throughout the day without the stickiness factor.

Main drawbacks
Quality hair mousse doesn't come cheap and it might lack holding strength for those who need more grip.

Celebrities whose hairdos are perfect for mousse include Chris Hemsworth, James Franco and Lapo Elkann.

Gel
Hair gel is the most efficient of hairstyling products for keeping your hair steady in its place.  Gel works well on waved, curled, relaxed, textured, and virgin (uncolored or untreated) hair over extended time periods, and it can be used for styling techniques such as freezing, sculpting, molding, and scrunching.
Good quality gels will also moisturize and condition your hair for many days. Make sure to avoid any gels or other hair products that contain alcohol because they will dry out and damage your hair. Cheap gels have a tendency to dry the scalp and generate flaking.



How to use it
Dispense a nickel-size amount of gel in one hand and use both hands to rub it into your towel-dried hair. Style the hair to your liking. Blow-dry if you want maximum hold or dry naturally for a shiny look.

Main benefit
It will cement your hairstyle for many hours, even in the face of heavy winds.

Main drawbacks
A large quantity of gel is needed for many looks and you will get your hands sticky if restyling is needed throughout the day.

Celebrities whose hairdos are perfect for gel include Ed Westwick, Jon Hamm as Don Draper and Brad Pitt.


Pomade
Most pomade products provide a combination of conditioning, styling, shining, and texture-enhancing ingredients. Pomade works best for short to medium length hair. Use for holding, shaping and defining your hairstyle.
Pomade also allows you to have a natural look and adds texture. It's a great product for more stylish haircuts and for that "messy" look.  We suggest Bumble and Bumble's Styling Wax to achieve this look.



How to use it
Skim a small quantity onto your fingers, then rub your fingers together and apply to your hair. Distribute evenly where molding is needed.

Main benefit
Only small quantities are needed and it really gives your hair great texture.

Main drawback
When too much is applied, it might give your hair a greasy look. In some cases, it may require multiple shampooings in order to remove pomade.

Celebrities whose hairdos are perfect for pomade include Alex Pettyfer, Mark Ronson and Bradley Cooper.


Hairspray

Bumble and Bumble's Does It All or Spray De Mode can be used as a styling or finishing product. It makes your hair look thicker and can add shine. Most quality hairsprays include effective UV sunscreen protection, which is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. When sprayed on wet hair, you can style and mold your hair to your liking.
Hairspray is also great for finishing already-styled and dry hair for maximum hold. A little tip is to avoid any hairspray that smells too pungent, to make sure it doesn't drown out your cologne's fresh scent.



How to use it
Hairspray is the simplest hairstyling product to use: Spray it evenly across your hair. Blow dry or let dry for different styles. Just make sure to stay away from open flame and lit cigarettes.

Main benefits
Very easy to apply (three to four sprays), and you don't have to get your hands dirty.

Main drawbacks
Many hairsprays have a strong smell, and when too much hairspray is used it can give your hair a dry and crunchy texture.

Celebrities whose hairdos are perfect for hairspray: George Clooney, Leonardo Dicaprio and Javier Bardem.

Which hair product is right for you?
Hopefully, you'll find a product that best suits your hairstyle's needs. Just remember: Whatever product you opt for, make sure it contains no alcohol, and try to find products with UV sunscreen protection and moisturizing characteristics to maintain your healthy hair.

Beach Waves by Becca

Summer trend that every girl loves… loose beach waves.

My Bumble and Bumble recipe for medium to thick coarse hair that I’m loving at the moment: Tonic Lotion, Curl Conscious Calming Creme, and Surf Spray.

On wet hair spray Tonic Lotion (comb through, don’t brush).. work Calming Creme through out hair.. Defuse hair.. and finish with Surf Spray for a textured look.

LET IT SHINE by Bb.

Dull locks?  Give it some sparkle and LET IT SHINE by Bb, a new collection just in time for Spring/Summer.  The shampoo and condition have sunflower-powered cleansing solution to help dissolve dulling residue and preserve natural oils letting the hair shine.

The SHINE ON spray, (which replaced the Bb. Shine aerosol), is a light weight, high shine glossing spray to smooth flyaways and add extra shine power.  Spray it directly on the hair or on the hand to control how much shine and where you want it.

Come on in and get your SHINE ON this spring/summer.

                          

Royal Wedding Hair by Chenda

Kate Middleton has become an instant trend setter with people replicating her engagement ring, clothes and hairstyle.  As the big day approaches, we're wondering how the Princess Bride-to-Be will be wearing her hair when she weds the Prince William later this week.  My guess......she will be keeping it classy and true to her own style.  I see Kate choosing to wear her hair down with a soft bounce or curls and slightly pulled back.

The BIG day will be here Friday April 29th, 2011 at Westminster Abbey.

Hair Alert!

At-home hair color lovers, check your beauty closets and cabinets. Procter & Gamble has voluntarily recalled 10 shades of Clairol Natural Instincts.

The beauty and household care company was alerted in late March that something went awry with their popular hair color line when someone who had used the product contacted P&G after they experienced an unwanted color result, spokesman Brent Miller told StyleList.

After investigating the claims, P&G discovered that theColorFresh! Revitalizer -- a refresher that is applied two weeks after the initial color to enhance the hair's tone -- was mismatched in 10 Natural Instincts hair color kits.

The shades recalled include:
• Natural Instincts Shade 16 Light Auburn (Spiced Tea)
• Natural Instincts Shade 35 Brown Black (Ebony Mocha)
• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 03G Light Golden Blonde (Honey Creme)
• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 7.5 Dark Blonde (Maple Creme)
• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 21G Medium Golden Brown (Caramel Creme)

• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 23R Medium Auburn (Raspberry Creme)
• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 30R Dark Auburn (Cherry Creme)
• Natural Instincts Creme Shade 31 Darkest Brown (Coffee Creme)
• Natural Instincts Vibrant Shade 9 Natural Light Blonde (Blonde Vibrance)
• Natural Instincts Vibrant Shade 10 Extra Light Blonde (Sun-Kissed Blonde)

However, P&G confirms that the hair color in the kit is correct and anyone who has purchased any of the products with the aforementioned shades is urged to toss it.

But don't worry that you're throwing away hard-earned dollars in the trash. The company is stepping up to the plate and issuing refunds and providing color correction services.

"The quality of our products and satisfaction of the women who use them is our top priority," Miller told StyleList. "P&G corrected the issue and will have product back on the shelf in May 2011."

Head over to www.clairol.com/alert for more details.

Sunscreen 101

What Is Sunscreen? Sunscreens are chemical agents that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.

What Is SPF? SPF — or Sun Protection Factor — is a measure of a sunscreen's ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here's how it works: If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours. Another way to look at it is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 blocks approximately 93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.  However, there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without reapplication. Second, "reddening" of the skin is a reaction to UVB rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting. Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.
Who Should Use Sunscreen? Anyone over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the day. Also, UVA is not blocked by most windows. Children under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants from the sun.
What Type of Sunscreen Should I Use? The answer depends on how much sun exposure you're anticipating. In all cases, a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays is recommend. Many after-shave lotions and moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or greater) already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a few minutes here and there in the sun.
How Much Sunscreen Should I Use and How Often Should I Apply It? To ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about a shot glass full. Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower than advertised. During a long day at the beach, one person should use around one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle. Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunscreens should be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating a great deal.
Once you choose the right sunscreen, use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin against UV rays. For more information, log onto The Skin Cancer Foundations web site at www.skincancer.org you will find additional Prevention Guidelines that can lower your risk of developing skin cancer and help your skin look younger, longer.

Chemical Peels vs. Microdermabrasion

A chemical peel uses a chemical solution applied on the skin to remove the upper layers of skin cells. This evens out pigmentation, reduce scars, hydrates, improve texture and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The chemicals used are Trichloracetic acid (TCA), Glycolic acid, Phenol resorcinol, Salicylic acid, Lactic acid, Alpha-keto acid, and Tretinoin Retinoic acid. These unique treatments significantly stimulate the fibroblasts deep within the skin to produce new collagen and elastin.  Because it acts deeper in the skin than microdermabrasion, chemical peels yield better results, are regarded as safe and require little to no down-time.

Microdermabrasion is done by spraying fine crystals onto the surface of the skin. The purpose of this is to remove dead skin cells perching on the upper layer of skin. The intention of a dermabrasion is not the same as a peel. This procedure is done in order to give the skin a lighter, brighter appearance.  For example, maybe you want to look well rested for a special occasion. Its aim is not a change in skin surface appearance. Wrinkles or skin discolorations are not noticeably improved by dermabrasion. Some may see this as a plus, if you do not wish to change skin texture, just look rosier, this could be the procedure to try.

If you do want to change the appearance of your skin, a peel is the way to go. The kind of peel that is right for you depends on careful skin analysis, your skin health goals, and the extent of skin damage you wish to reverse.