How to Speak "Hair Dresser"

Really, someone should come up with a standard language that means the same thing across the board so we all know what the other means when we say "big curls". But, since that doesn't exist yet, and they don't seem to have a font for it either, here's what we hair dressers think when you try to describe a style.

Long Layers: This means you want long hair with some layers in it. Very few layers, at that. Your asking for mostly long hair with a couple of inches of layering at the ends. That means your shortest layer is going to be quite long, depending on how long your hair is.

Soft Curls: This usually means hair is curled with a big iron and little hairspray. Depending on the texture of your hair it might not hold, but it will be soft and if the hairdresser is good, smooth.

Wave: Wave? What kind of Wave? Jessica Simpson style, messy with straight ends? or Veronica Lake style, big and smooth? Get a picture for this one.

Up-Do: Do you want it high at the crown, centered in the back, or low on the nape? That can also mean something to the side. The term up-do has really changed, because girls stopped getting the crunchy-curl high and tight look and started going for low and full. An up-do just means that the hair is up somehow.

Ringlets: This usually means you want a tight, super firm curl all over. Think Shirley Temple. Be very careful with this. If you want a Playmate do and ask for ringlets, don't get mad when you come out looking like your off to grammar school.

Half-up: Pretty self explanatory, but be prepared to explain how high you want the part that's up pulled. It can be brought low and loose for a romantic, hippy feel or with tons of volume and high for a modern sexy effect.

No matter how aptly you describe your style, keep in mind that things can always be misinterpreted. A visual aid is always the best when trying to explain how you want your hair, or makeup for that matter, to look. This is just what goes thru my head when I am asked for these things. And keep in mind: The hairdresser who cuts and colors your hair is probably not the best person for styling. It's two different beasts so their scope of possibility may be limited. Not saying they aren't a fantastic hairdresser, but just like I'm not the God's gift to women with gray hair, they probably are the same to special events and brides. Just sayin.

Bridal Style: Sexy Sweet

Super-pretty bride Andrea invited me to do her hair and makeup for her wedding in Janurary and I have to say, she was stunning. When I showed up to her trial a few days before the wedding, I was tired and wet from a day of catalog shooting. This bouncy little girl greets me by the hotel elevators and I get a second wind. She was already beautiful, and had an easy spirit. I left her trial so incredibly excited for her wedding a few days later, and Saturday did not disappoint! Her and her posse were fun, energetic, and just all around chill to be with. She is a great example of a modern bride. Her white dress and veil really gave due respect to the occasion, but the smoked out eye and long hair (enhanced with clip-in extensions) left down still left her feeling pretty and looking very romantic. She just goes to show you, you don't have to give up the richness of the formality of it all in order to feel young and sexy. Fabulous. Thanks for sharing these with me, Andrea!

Tricia B and the Brides

In March, I got a wonderful email from Trica B, a Calgary-based wedding photographer with an offer to shoot a couple of brides. The big WPPI convention that happens every year brings talent from around the world, and for industry cats it's like being in a candy store. It's always good to work with new talent, and the shoot did not dissappoint! The ideas were creative and modern, and her model selection was outstanding. We started at her suite and then moved around for different sets and lighting. Kiti Kobain, pin-up model extraordinaire, displayed every one's efforts beautifully. Of course my guys over at Seasons Floral Boutique hooked up some amazing buds. Big huge thanks for the invitation Trica, the shots are great!

Amelia's Top Tips for Lookin' Good

Consider this entry your guide to Amelia's Commandments. There's no perfect solution or magic combination of things that can be applied to every woman. If you have ever done a friends makeup just like your own and had horrible results, you know this to be true. I get asked alot what my number one beauty tip is, so here's what I'm saying:

Groom them eyebrows!

Nothing will pull your face together faster than well groomed, properly filled in eyebrows. Think about it like a kitchen- if it's cluttered and messy, it doesn't matter how good that dish tastes because the space itself is too distracting. Clean those suckers up and make sure you tidy them with brow fill-in if they are sparse.

Wear sunscreen. Every day. Period.

Especially around your eyes. I wear an SPF 50 every single day. It's true that everyone needs about 10 minutes a day of pure sunshine, it's good for our moods and bodies. But you can get that when your watering your garden. Sun damage is going to age you fast, protect your skin and slow up those wrinkles.

Heat up your lash curler.

Hold your blow dryer about 6 inches from your metal lash curler and blast it for about 15 seconds. Make sure you test the heat of the curler with your hand before using it on your eyes. Your lashes never had it so good. Top off with a paraben free mascara.

Exfoliate, hydrate, repeat.

Dry skin can cause makeup to drag. What happens is those dry patches will grab onto and suck up anything applied, so you end up with these spots of deeper, darker color (foundation, eyeshadow, blush) and try as you might your not going to blend that out. Once a week, exfoliate your skin to get rid of what you can, then follow up with a hearty dose of your daily moisturizer. And don't even think about using some chemical laden, fragrance filled, dye soaked soap on your face.