Hot Holiday Hair 'Do

Nexxus Creative Director and Celeb Stylist Kevin Mancuso provided this step-by-step guide to creating the fab look you see to the left.

For your holiday party or next big soiree, don’t be afraid to go for volume. Big skirts and big hair are back in a big way.




Step 1: Shampoo and condition hair with products that
will reduce frizz and tame flyaways like Nexxus Sleektress Shampoo and Nexxus Hydra Sleek Conditioner.









Step 2: Apply a straightening product with silicone, like Nexxus Sleek Memory, all over locks for frizz-free results. Then, mist a volume boosting product, like Nexxus Root Exxtend, directly to the roots.








Step 3: Blow-dry hair with a large, round brush. Set top section of hair into a large roller to create volume at the crown. Use a small amount of a smoothing crème, such as Nexxus Sleek Style, and a flat iron on the rest of hair to maximize smoothness and control flyaways. Then, secure side sections in back of head with bobby pins.







Step 4: Remove roller, and divide the top section of hair into two pieces. Allow back piece to fall over pinned sides, and back comb the front piece to add volume. Gently pull front piece back to form a structured poof,
and secure with bobby pins. Use finger tips to smooth out style, and finish with a light-hold hairspray, such as Nexxus Comb Thru.

Step 5: Gently pull the bottom section of hair to one side, and secure into a low, side ponytail with an elastic. Help tame flyaways by lightly misting hair with a medium hold hairspray.

Says Kevin, “Ponytails are an elegant style trick, no matter the age. It’s one easy step,
yet looks very polished.”

Oscars 2009 Beauty: Natalie Portman

For Natalie Portman, Kevin Mancuso, Creative Director for Nexxus Salon Hair Care, created her modern and romantic updo. With a sweeping side part and soft curl pinned into a beautiful knot at the nape of her neck, the look was deceptively easy to create. Here's how you can do it at home.

Step 1

· Apply a volumizing styler to the roots, like Nexxus Root Exxtend, to add body into the hair.

· Distribute a medium-hold mousse, such as Nexxus Mousse Plus, throughout hair to and maintain and support the structure of the style. More modern updos employ product instead of teasing to build body, for a softer, healthier look.

· Blow dry hair with a large round brush, concentrating on the ends to smooth the hair.

Step 2

· After drying, use a medium sized curling iron throughout the hair to create uneven waves and set the shape around the face.

· Once curled, create side part and pull hair back and away from the face.

· Then, take various sized sections of the curled hair and twist and pin back to create the updo.

· Insert an elegant, decorative pin above the updo to draw attention to the intricate details of the style.

Step 3

· Finish with a light-weight hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru, to help secure the style throughout the evening.

Fashion Week: Vivienne Tam Recognizes the Importance of Bloggers!

Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the Vivienne Tam Fall 2009 presentation on Wednesday night, but I just got the deets and obv, need to share them.

Based on the concept of “nothingness”, a space in which anything can happen, Vivienne Tam’s Fall 2009 collection spotlighted rich jewel tones (think the designer’s signature red, deep purple and teal) and neutrals, along with a keen mixing of textures and layering of fabrics. The Chinese character for “nothingness” - “wu” - was a theme featured in several collection pieces and when repeated as a sound, it becomes an effective mantra.

Tam again collaborated with HP, this season incorporating a live blogging station that featured their innovative new TouchSmarts. Leading bloggers and online media were invited to instantly share their opinions and experiences via the stations. Tam is the first designer to extend a hand to online media in this way. In doing so, she demonstrated a fundamental understanding in the role online media plays in the changing landscape of fashion.We bloggers salute you, Vivienne!

The hairstyles for the show were created by lead stylist Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso. He offered a fresh take on the classic French Twist. With an unstructured crown and a sleek upsweep, the look was both modern and elegant.

How to get the look

Step 1:
Distribute a medium-hold mousse, such as Nexxus Mousse Plus, throughout hair to add body and maintain/support the structure of the style.
Separate the front section of hair and leave aside.

Step 2:
Sweep loose hair to one side and secure in place with bobby pins. Spray hair with a lightweight hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru, for hold with movement.
Twist the hair back over the bobby pins and tuck in, creating the twist.
Secure twist with bobby pins. Spray again with Nexxus Comb Thru to secure the style.

Step 3:
Take front part of hair and blow dry with a medium-sized round brush for added body.
Pull hair back and secure into the top of the twist with bobby pins. This will help add volume to front.

Step 4:
Finish look with a strong-hold hairspray, like Nexxus Maxximum, to keep style looking runway-ready all day long.

Click to see my coverage backstage at Vivienne Tam's Fall 2008 collection and her Spring 2009 collection.