HairBoutique Blog

I remember hearing about Eugene Souleiman back in the late 1980s when he was working with Trevor Sorbie.

From that point on I would see his name mentioned in the credits for just about every major fashion and hair related story in the media. But you would have to search in the credits because Eugene Souleiman keeps a low profile.

(Image of Eugene Souleiman (right) and his side kick Martin – All Rights Reserved)

Simple Hair Decisions With Stunning Results

In 1998 he was backstage at Prada loosening up hair from Dolce & Gabbana to Miu Miu.  I’ll never forget how, as Elle reported, the hair maestro looked at “the techno-luxe clothes and the models’ expertly groomed coifs  (most had come from previous shows) and decided simply to wash it.”

From that simple decision emerged the  natural beauty of the model’s hair.  The result was a relaxed and angelic vision with beautiful wisps of hair creating halos around the stunning faces of the models.  I loved how Souleiman could look at hair from such a simplistic yet complex viewpoint and create an astonishing array of hairstyles for the catwalks.

Back To Basics – Showcasing Hair’s Natural Beauty

Souleiman believes in going back to the basics of hair and uncovering the natural beauty.  Truly a pied piper for the natural texture movement helping to push hair boundaries to the limits.  He also avoids hair brushes like the plague.  The hair master believes in simply blow drying hair without a brush, using fingers and hands so it looks air dried or actually air-drying it.  Genius, right? Continue reading “Eugene Souleiman Pushes Hair Boundaries” »

Easy Side Braid Hairstyle How To

Busy Phillips is one of my favorite actors on ABC’s Cougar Town.  She has beautiful long blonde hair which appears to be very healthy.  She looks great when she wears her hair in a side braid.

The side braid is a very popular hairstyle all year round, but it is especially popular during the hot summer months since it serves to keep hot hair off the back of the neck and keep strands from frizzing or getting limp.

Step By Step How To Recreate Easy Side Braid

A side braid is easy to achieve on hair which is long enough to plait.  To re-create this easy side braid follow the steps below on newly cleansed or aged hair:

Step 1: Use fingers or 100% boar bristle brush and direct all hair over to one side of the head. If you prefer, you can do like Busy did and create your side braid with an opposite side parting.  This hairstyle works with any type of part and any type of desired fringe.  If you want your braid to rest behind the ear, be sure to adjust your hair to the proper position before starting to braid. Continue reading “Easy Side Braid Hairstyle How To” »

No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani thinks having a hair stylists on tour with her is the ”luxury of her life”.  Ironically, she still doesn’t trust anyone else to do her make-up and insists upon doing it all herself.

Even though Gwen puts on her own face, she told Elle magazine “for the last couple tours I’ve had hair people, which is the luxury of my life. I’m like, ‘Why did I do it myself this whole time?’”  The platinum blonde rocker admitted she loves being pampered by having her hair done and regrets not getting her own hairdresser much sooner for when she was on tour.

Although she loves the luxury and pampering of having her hair styled by someone else, she confessed that in the past she had a “real problem with make-up artists.”

Her troubles with make-up pros started when she was doing the first No Doubt album which was ultimately shelved.  Gwen decided that her make-up for that first album looked horrible and she looked “ugly”.  She noted “it is the worst make-up.”

Her bad experience from the first No Doubt album gave her the resolve to not let anyone else do her make-up “because they don’t know how to do it.”  Gwen, started doing her make-up “in seventh grade when she learned to put on her make-up in home economics.” Continue reading “Gwen Stefani’s Biggest Luxury Is A Hair Stylist” »

According to The NPD Group’s Motor Fuels Index, which continually tracks consumer motor fuel purchasing behaviors and attitudes, gallons purchased are down 1.2 percent from a year ago.

In addition, a consumer survey conducted by NPD in January to gauge what price level would be required to cause consumers to drive less suggests that at today’s gas prices (national average is $3.79-a-gallon and rising steadily) approximately 60% of consumers are cutting back on driving now.

“If the current uptick in gas price is sustained, we can expect consumers to begin implementing some key changes like reducing or consolidating shopping trips, taking more mass transit, and carpooling,” says David Portalatin, industry analyst for NPD’s automotive aftermarket business. “In the case of a prolonged spike above $4.00, we’d expect even more significant changes like working from home, relocating or changing jobs, or driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle.”

Cutting Back On Hair And Beauty Services?

Does the trend for consumers to reduce or consolidate shopping trips also mean they will cut back on trips to the salon, spa or for similar beauty treatments?  Maybe or more likely it means that consumers will look for hair, beauty and related services closer to home and may reduce the frequency of their salon and spa visits.

It might also mean that families will schedule hair and beauty related treatment visits together or with friends to economize on the cost of the fuel.

2008 History Of High Gas Prices

Based on recent history in 2008 when gas reached a high of $4.16-a-gallon, NPD research shows that drivers made significant changes in driving behavior including 49% who reduced or consolidated shopping trips, 29% canceled or modified vacations, and 25% found alternate means of transportation including mass transit, carpooling, and riding a bike. These are the very changes consumers are likely implementing once again.

“It comes down to the simple economics of share of wallet,” Portalatin says. “Most consumers have limitations in their budgets. If they are spending more on gas, they either need to cut down on their driving or spend less on other things. History has told us they begin by cutting down on their driving.”

Will it have an impact on the hair and beauty industry and what will that impact really look like?  Only time and the continued rise of gas prices will tell.

About The NPD Group, Inc.

The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions.

Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, food service, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless.

For more information, contact us, visit http://www.npd.com/, or join the Linked in NPD Aftermarket Discussion Group.

Twilight star Ashley Greene was on a TwitterView today to answer Prom and related questions from fans and friends of  DonateMyDress.org.  Ashley is the celebrity spokesperson for the organization.  This is her third year with the group with works to provide prom dresses to those in need.

Ashley shared some personal insights including the part of the Twilight books and movies she liked best and hinted at her own struggles with low self esteem.

Listed below are the questions posed to the lovely Ashley on @DonateMyDress.org and her answers on @AshleyMGreene:

First question -  “What kind of dress did you wear to your prom? Please describe!”
AshleyGreene: said “I wore a fitted, floor length tan dress that was beaded. I knew it was the perfect dress the second I saw it!”

Second question -  “Which part of the Twilight books and movies do you like most and why?”
AshleyGreene:”I like the part where Alice is planning the wedding with Bella. I love to plan parties and I collaborated on my dress!”

Third question -  “What’s your best makeup tip for prom—and do you have any products to recommend?”
AshleyGreene:”Don’t wear too much – you should still look like you! Try mark’s lip stains – they’ll last all night and it’s not too heavy.”

Fourth question – “Who has been your greatest inspiration in life?”
AshleyGreene: “Probably my mom because she always made me feel loved and beautiful no matter what ”

Fifth question – “Do you identify with the Alice’s character in Twilight? If so, why?”
AshleyGreene: “Definitely. The biggest reason is the intense love she has for her family and the second is her love of all things fashion.” Continue reading “Ashley Greene On Twitter Shares Tips On Prom, Twilight And More For DonateMyDress.org” »