HairBoutique Blog

Based on the popular book series The Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith, The CW Network has created a spin-off series which recently premiered.

The new Vampire Diaries series stars gorgeous 20 year old brunette Nina Dobrev in the career making role of Elena Gilbert.   Leading Lady Nina is an experienced actress (Degrassi) who is as beautiful as she is charming.  The character of Elena is designed to be portrayed as goodness and light in order to contrast with the dark brooding features of Stefan, her new love.  Who just happens to be a vampire.

Nina Dobrev’s chocolate brunette hair contains carefully placed highlights and lowlights to add a halo of lights around her faceline, underlying the good versus evil theme built into the good girl meets dark handsome vampire.  Her below-the-shoulder long sultry tresses also contain hints of strategically placed lowlights in shades of caramel and hazelnut.

Although the original books described Elena Gilbert as a blonde, the CW has recast her as a brunette who starts off soft and timid but finds her voice and strength of character as the show unfolds.  It is possible Nina’s hair will reflect the evolution of Elena and may take on different hairstyles, hues and texture as the season progresses. (more…)

Author Gary McKechnie has written a book for National Geographic titled ‘USA 101: A Guide to America’s Iconic Places, Events and Festivals’.

In a recent interview with Larry Olmsted for USA Today he shared some of his own favorite Top Ten Places where you can visit and find true Americans with traditional attitudes.

(Miss America Candidates for 2010 - Miss America Organization - All Rights Reserved).

One of Larry’s favorites in his Top Ten list was the Miss America Pageant.  I was thrilled to see Larry’s inclusion of Miss America in the list because if you follow this blog, you know that I am a big fan of the pageant and the Miss America Organization.

I report on the happenings of the Miss America winners and contestants on a very regular basis. (more…)

If you’ve been reading my blogs, Tweets and articles at HairBoutique.com since the mid 1990s you know that I abhor any type of hair prejudice whether it be based on hair texture, hair length, hair type, color or any other hair issues.

(Image of fabulous gray/white hair on Tomasito Superstar - Cousin Tom from Coloniera2 - HAAP Media Ltd - © 2001-2009 - All Rights Reserved).

I also don’t like to put anyone in a “hair box” based on their age, whether they are struggling with their hair (hair loss or other hair issues) or not.

I believe that every man, woman and child on this planet has their own unique inner and outer beauty with their tresses comprising just one part of the big picture of who they are.

In addition I believe that no one should ever judge you on your hair.  Yes, it happens but hopefully we can change that attitude in the short term.  (more…)

Desert Essence Organics Scents Of Fall

As summer turns into Fall the industry leader in all-natural organic beauty and skin care wants beauty and hair fans to remain beautiful and enjoy all the yummy scents of fall.

(Image of Desert Essence Organics - Italian Red Grape Shampoo with Antioxidant UV Filters - All Rights Reserved).

And keeping with Desert Essence Organics mission, all of the products are 100% vegan, biodegradable, cruelty and wheat/gluten free. And contains no parabens, sodium laurly/laureth sulfates, phthalates, artificial fragrances or colors, silicones, EDTA, glycol or petroleum based ingredients.

All the delicious scents are available at www.desertessence.com.

Vanilla Chai Hand and Body Lotion

- Helps repair the skin and calm the senses. 
- Organic Black and Green Teas: Rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, tea is able to protect and repair the skin.
- Organic Vanilla Extract: From orchids that are indigenous to Mexico and are now cultivated in many parts of the world. Its warm, rich scent provides a calming sensation.   (more…)

I’m a huge Twitterholic.  Even though in a way you could call me one of the old ladies of the Web since I’ve been around since the mid 1990s, I really never got fired up about Web2.0.  I tried but it just didn’t catch my initial interest.

(Image from Airs and Graces Collection - #3 Grace and air - Photography By Jill Wachter, Hair by Vivienne Mackinder, Make up by Mary Schook, Fashion Styling by Sharon Maloney at the Metropolitan Building in NY.  Hair extensions from Hair U Wear - www.hairdesignertv.com - All Rights Reserved - Printed Silk Charmouse Dress - $7,500 Carlos Miele).

Yes, I have a Linkedin Account, a Facebook account and have proudly had some of my articles reprinted on MySpace because HairBoutique has had a MySpace account as soon as it was permitted.  I also had an account on SecondLife right after the site was opened and HairBoutique had an initial storefront we took down before anyone else in the hair industry even knew about SecondLife.

Although I love the Web and am in some circles considered an early adopter with HairBoutique.com and HairTalk, I never got the Social Netorking bug until Twitter. (more…)