Ashley's favourite "beautifying" gifts

 

 

MarcoStefano Volumizing root lift spray

Do you have a friend or relative that is always complaining about their "lifeless, flat" hair? Or I've also heard people describe this as the "drowned rat" look.

Well this is the gift that keeps on giving to those in need of some oompf to their locks.

Just part hair, spray directly on freshly washed roots, and proceed to blowdry - VOILA! - hot sexy volumous hair.

(Just don't spray it on the wall behind you)

www.marcostefano.com

Osis Dust it mattifying powder (by Schwarzkopf)

Most women I speak to tell me they love their hair when it's "day old". This means its been slept on, mussed up a bit, flung around in the wind, and lets face it, who knows what! Want the day old look on freshly washed hair?

Enter- Dust it. This powder is mixed with the palms of your hands and then raked through already blow dried hair.It's lightweight, so you will not forgo your volume, and will add beautiful texture and separation, all while giving that soft matte effect of the so desired day old hair.

Perfect for those ladies who love the look, but just cannot go a day without sudsing their scalps.

Osis Shine Duster velvet shine powder (by Schwarzkopf)

This product is quite similar to the one above, and actually inspired by it. You will still get all the texture you want without the weight, but as the name says, it adds a beautiful soft velvet shine. Enhancing the different colour tones in your hair, this product turns from powder to cream in the palms of your hands. It is used in a similar fashion, distributed into the hair by raking your fingers through.

I will often use some Dust it first, and with the leftover product in my hands, mix in the shine duster. The results? Somewhere between day old texture, and walk of the runway shine!

                "The Croc" Flat iron (By Croc)

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about that curly, frizzy haired person on your list. Oh, you know who I'm talking about. The one who runs screaming if they have to walk outside in the rain, or on a humid day? The one who obsesses over that one curly hair by their temple?

You will be their new best friend. (If you aren't already) The Croc has been by far my favourite flat iron for curly hair. Its titanium plates are the newest in ion technology, which translates to silky, soft, run-your-fingers-through-it hair.This iron can reach up to 450F, but it's digital display allows the individual to control the heat for touch ups. Warn the receiver of this gift - it gets hot!

                            Croc Clips

There must be something in the name. Personally, I may throw a temper tantrum at work if my croc clips go missing. Jaw clips simply will not cut it, I've turned into a clip snob after using these! Especially wonderful for extreme thick hair, the crocs have hinges which allows the clip to expand or lay flat depending on the amount of hair. This means you will never have another dreaded clip fall out of your hair again! A long haired blowdriers dream.

                       Long Bobby pins

The perfect stocking stuffer for someone with mid to long hair. I love using these pins when doing up dos, because they will grab more hair with one pin, so you can use less with out sacrificing the secure grip. I know at home you probably won't be doing your own formal updos, but these pins are also great for throwing up hair in a messy bun, or a half up, half down style. Sometimes only 2 pins are needed!

Sebastian Shaper Hairspray

I think every woman has either used or come across this little gold mine at least once in their life. I have tried tons of different sprays, but this one still takes the cake. Brushable, soft hold if you want it, or if you want a stronger shape, Shaper plus is just as good. The smell doesn't stick to your hair either, so you won't get a perfume/hairspray smell clash. (yuk)

                    Hair Accessories

What a great way to jazz up a do it yourself updo, or day old I don't feel like styling my hair days.  Hair bands with big flowers, bows or feathers are perfect girly gifts for the holiday season. For someone with shorter hair, try sparkly bobby pins or cute clips. Word to the wise: when choosing hairbands especially, make sure the band is quite flexible. Nobody wants the dreaded hairband headache!!!

.....and for the men in our lives

Well most of our men really don't act like they care too much or want to spend too much time on their hair. From a stylists point of view: men care much more than you can even dream. So maybe add one of these products to his stocking, and ignore the groan when he opens it- he'll be singing your praises when you aren't looking.


             MarcoStefano Shaping Paste

I recommend this product for guys who like a lot of hold. If their hair is curly, thick, or bulky in anyway, and short, this is their magic product. Although it has a ton of hold to it, it's also quite movable so unlike a gel, you will not end up with impale worthy spikes on your head. Just make sure you spread the product throughout your hands before you put it through the hair, we don't want white product chunks messing up a perfect 'do!

American Crew Thickening Shampoo

Beware. A gift for the man who's fully aware of his fine hair, and is ok admitting it.

Now that's out of the way, this shampoo provides fullness to the hair, and gently cleanses at the same time. The glycerin ingredient helps retain water and swell the hair strand achieving body and bounce.
He will also love the fresh minty smell of tea tree.



Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo

This is for the male product junkie. Over time, using products, especially mens, which are usually formulated to have much more hold, hair will actually start to get a build up of products that have not been perfectly washed off. Here's where clarifying shampoo comes in. Wet hair, wash with clarifyer. Leave on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing. A deeper cleansing with a clarifying shampoo once a week will allow you to remove all the excess "stuff" on your hair, so it is not weighed down, and will perform the necessary magic the rest of the week.



Ok, so there you have it! My top picks for a beautifully hair-styled holiday season.

Merry Christmas!


-A