Get your camera’s out stylists - and be sure to submit your latest and greatest ‘do’s to the new Donna Bella Milan hair extensions contest! Send your final hair extension pictures in to Info@donnabellahair.com and we’ll put you in the running for a free set of extensions, from Donna Bella Milan!

Be sure to spread the news around, and don’t be shy - send us your best mug!

Miley Cyrus is Hannah Montana!
AND… this teen star fancies extended hair!

If you have kids or are a teen yourself, my secrets are old news. However… days ago this revelation came to me as a twenty-something-year-old lacking Nickelodeon/ the Disney Channel.  Yup a light-bulb went on and finally I sleep at night.

Recently the fifteen year old millionaire, Miley Cyrus, hosted the 2008 Teen Choice Awards on August 4th. The maybe-pre-permit-driver’s-licensed teen was photographed by paparazzi leaving Juan Juan Salon with a longer look July 27th, 2008.  Woohoo! … for Juan Juan Salon! … and Yeah! … for stylists with clientele who actually put on “Sweet Sixteen’s” for their spoiled children.  What about the average parents who want their offspring to understand the ethics/value of hard work and money?  This conversation will only end in door slammings and silent treatments across the country.  To them I am so sorry, teen-parent relationships are tricky enough.

So what is too young?  Currently there are no age laws or limits for customers sitting chair side.  Personally, I’d rather have the $1,500 nesting in a college fund than being flipped over a high school freshman’s shoulder (or get some real hair clip ins for a special event like Prom or Homecoming…duh).  Again on the optimistic side for cosmetologists everywhere; clients are showing up younger and younger.  I mean really… you can’t say no to a stage mom or the mother who wants to be a child’s BFF.  For parents out there needing backup to their “no way” argument; if the hamster’s still alive in 3 years of course you can care for your own hair extensions.  This is something for salons and hair suppliers to prepare for and look forward to.

Celebrities; Sienna Miller, Kate Hudson, and Mary-Kate Olsen effortlessly pull off the hippie-chic look.

Bohemian chic is the perfect summer style for longer hair.  Let your hair follow the nonconforming fashion trends this season by going Boho.

To create a natural look of your own, hair needs to be clean, slightly damp, and un-brushed.  The best time to create this style is after washing so that your hair dries and sits naturally.  Flip your hair upside down and apply a styling product like volumizing mousse from scalp to ends.  Flip your hair back again and let it fall/part naturally as you gently scrunch and lift around the crown of the head and the tips.

Bohemians are usually creative and artsy; so finish the look with your own flare by adding random braids, twists, or vintage accessories. Don’t forget Boho style is all about nature, ease and noncomformity.

It doesn’t have to be perfect and it should be fun!

Telling that special someone, it’s not all yours.

Don’t laugh.  Whether your extensions create more volume or give you that extra length; there comes a point in every relationship where you might need to have “the talk.”

When? For new wearers this is a frequently asked question. Within days of getting the extended locks they naturally feel like your own.  You are comfortable and confident leaving those around you, including your partner, clueless to the makeup of your gorgeous “do”.  However, one day, maybe soon, in a moment of spontaneous intimacy… hands will run through your gorgeous head of hair to perhaps notice the tiny bead-bonds holding it securely to your own.

This might feel strange and unexpected to the inexperienced.  So pre-mentioning the additional hair and giving your significant other a heads up is recommended.  You’ll realize this conversation can turn into a learning opportunity, your now educated partner appreciates and understands your beauty secret.

With hair extensions becoming more common, affordable, and accepted, perhaps one day this kind of “pillow talk” will be unnecessary and nonexistent for those of us with lucious locks.

She Knows author Kori Ellis summarizes the best summer tips for protecting your hair from those harmful (but wonderful) sun rays. From covering with a scarf, to creams and products with spf included, she gives a quick and dirty (dirty is good according to the author) breakdown to summer hair.

Here’s a blurb - click here for the full article.

While the lazy days on the beach and relaxing in the sun may feel like paradise to you, your hair may not share your view on the matter. The salty water, wind and sand may turn your hair into a tiny disaster. But don’t panic — it’s all solvable.

Thankfully, today there are plenty of products to protect both your hair and scalp from the sharp and harmful UV rays.

Scarf it up
The best protection is a cute and trendy scarf or hat. Like this, your hair is protected all the way — and you don’t have to worry about your scalp getting burned.

Cream it in
If you want the freedom of letting your hair loose, you should consider putting some leave-in conditioner on before you head off to the beach.

You may need quicktime to view this video - which you can download for free here.

It’s that time of year, when the hair and salon industry’s biggest and best do’s are shown off in Vegas. This year’s award ceremony promises not to dissapoint and the following stylists have been announced. The event will be held at the Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas Nevada on July 13th.

From all over North America, talented stylists have been selected to compete in 12 categories. There are 60 finalists, entered from over 600 entries, and the judges have admitted that these are some of the best entries to date.

Editorial Stylist of the Year
Michael Albor (The Loft Salon + Day Spa, Boston, MA)
John Donato (Donato Salon and Spa, Toronto, ON)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Maryl Velbeck (Trend Wave Studios, Los Angeles, CA)

Make-Up Artist
Raquel Atienza (Toronto, ON)
Giancarlo Intini (Aurora, ON)
Janell Geason (Eden Prairie, MN)
Angelia Senevisai (Minneapolis, MN)
Tatoulian Sevan (St. Laurent, QC)

Master Stylist of the Year
Edwin Johnston (The Cutting Room Creative, Nanaimo, BC)
Alain Pereque (Salon Pure, Montreal, Quebec)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Ruth Roche (RARE, New York, NY)
Brian & Sandra Smith (Dahon, GA)

Student Hairstylist of the Year
AbBear Blasi (Eric Fisher Academy, Wichita, KS)
Daniella Bowman (Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Cincinnati, OH)
Denise Joyce (Eric Fisher Academy, Wichita, KS)
Whitney Vallee (Inpure, Montreal, Quebec)
Chelsea Vittorio (Aveda Fredric’s Institute, Indianapolis, IN)

Salon Team
Deborah Gavin (Fresh Hair Studio, South Hampton, PA)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Suzanne Martin (Three Small Rooms, Barrie, ON)
Tony Ricci (Ricci Hair Co., Edmonton, AB)
Ryan Teal (Capello Salon, Milwaukie, OR)

Hairstylist of the Year
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Marjorie Clarke (The Hair Force, Paradise, Newfoundland)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Charlie Price (Click Salon, Denver, CO)
Dimitrios Tsioumas (HiLites Hair Salon, Fulton, MD)

Haircolor
Rene Antonio (Salon Gregories, Balboa, CA)
Dana Lyseng (Supernova Salon, North Vancouver, BC)
Lisa McAuliffe (Afif Salon, Toronto, ON)
John Simpson (Lewis Salon, McDonald, Pennsylvania)
Chisun Tsang (Blushes, Ottawa, ON)

Fashion Forward
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Lucie Doughty (A.T. Tramps, Venice, CA)
Shirley Gordon (Strands Hair Studios, Weaton, MD)
Ryan Teal (Capello Salon, Milwaukie, OR)
Lisa Vann (Etherea Salon Spa, Seattle, WA)

Salon Design
Scott Cole (Paul Mitchell the School, Carefree, AZ)
Van Council (Van Michael Salon, Atlanta, GA)
Eric Fisher (Eric Fisher Salon, Wichita, KS)
Bruce Osgood (Osgood-O’Neil Salon, Dallas, TX)
David Wagner (Juut Salon and Spa, Edina, MN)

Contemporary Classic
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Chrystofer Benson (Logics, New York, NY)
Marjorie Clarke (The Hair Force, Paradise, Newfoundland)
Steve Elias (Elixir Salon Spa, Berkeley, CA)
Matt Swinney (Evolution, Minneapolis, MN)

Texture
Maureen Anlauf (Juut Salon Spa, St. Paul, MN)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Shirley Gordon (Strands Hair Studios, Weaton, MD)
Charlie Price (ClicMaureen Anlaufk Salon, Denver, CO)
John & Rebecca Sentell & Morris-Hele (Fresh Hair Studio, South Hampton, PA)

Avant Garde
Martin Alarie (Pure Salon, Montreal, QB)
E. Darian Bishop (Toni & Guy, Dallas, TX)
Nicholas French (Matrix Global Academy, New York, NY)
Daniel Holzberger (Van Michael Salons, Atlanta, GA)
Janine Jarman (Hairroin Salon, Los Angeles, CA)

NAHA 19 will start with a Red Carpet Reception at 6:30pm followed by the Awards Ceremony at 8:00pm. The event will be emcee’d by the witty and beautiful Victoria Jackson (of Saturday Night Live fame). Additionally, special artistic presentations by NAHA 2007 Fashion Forward winner Veronica Bessey, sponsored in part by TIGI, and NAHA 2006 Master Stylist winner Heather Wenman will end the evening.

For tickets, visit www.probeauty.org/naha or by calling 800-630-3603. NAHA is held in partnership with Cosmoprof North America, visit www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com for more information. Article tip courtesy of Behind the Chair.

In a great article over at She Knows, celebrity hair stylist Nick Chavez discusses some of the upcoming summer trends for this summer and beyond.

On current styles that are coming back, Chavez noted “One of the greatest trends that is coming back is the classic styles — the Sophia Loren kind of feeling. The great part of it was that hairstyle was always messy, but now it’s going into a glam-rock kind of thing,” says Chavez. “Mixing rock n’ roll with a couture dress — it’s amazing.”

He also pointed out the frequent use of the classic, and easy going, ponytail, “The easiest thing to do, and the trend is coming back in a big way. For women, time is of the essence. Women barely have time for themselves. You don’t want to be married to your hair, make-up or nails,” Chavez quipped.

Not to be left out of the hair mix, Chavez highlighted the importance of color, and some that we’re now seeing, “You know what? You’re starting see the reds out there. They’re really pretty. Julianne Moore, for one, is just beautiful — her latest color. You’re starting to see those reddish tones within brunettes now, too,” Chavez said.

“It’s a red ginger. It’s got gold highlights,” Chavez said of Ashlee Simpson’s crimson blush. “That is such a pretty color. It’s an easy color for taking a woman from blond to that red because you can always come back to blond easier.”

For the full interview, and for more hair gossip, check out the article here.

Gone are the days of one chemical cure-alls regardless of skin color. We no longer rely on out dated cultural stereotypes when addressing how to “tame” a particular head of hair. Technology and society have come a long way, and now every skin color under the rainbow, with its accompanying hair type, is being treated in a unique way by stylists all over the world.

This months featured article from Launchpad, gets to the heart of this issue. Here’s a clip of the article by Jeryl E. Spear and Alyson Osterman

Twirling textures are coiling their way into the hearts—and services—of stylists. What lies beneath those pretty manes is anyone’s guess these days, as America’s melting pot continues to serve up an ever-growing blend of multicultural diversity. To keep pace with the spiraling array of textures, ambitious stylists are doing more than just honing their chemical skills; they’re becoming purveyors of products that can make even a fierce ’fro do their silky bidding.

Fortunately for beauty pros working in the “mix,” haircare manufacturers have come a long way since the days when a crevasse divided “black” and “white” hair. Today, with skin colors ranging from milky white to ebony and every luscious shade in between, forward-thinking stylists are addressing the needs of multicultural hair through its texture, and not the client’s ethnicity. And like today’s state-of-the-art skincare products that can make the complexion look and behave beautifully, multicultural haircare products are also leveraging the latest high-tech and naturally derived.

For the full article, click here.

Beauty Launchpad, a respected beauty industry publication, has released their spring fashion article of the month which highlights the organized chaos that seems to be this year’s trend. Perhaps questionably labeled, but appropriate none-the-less, launchpad notes “Style schizophrenia is spring’s new mania.”

Due to the apparent ’style indecision’ evoked by loud contrasting designs and colors, spring seems hell bent on mixing things up and forcing even the most avant-guard fashionista’s to strut outside of their comfort zones.

Here’s a clip from the article by Karie L. Frost

The dueling voices in your head create a fashion fracas whenever you poke through your closet. The pull of sublime minimalism dukes it out with the desire for ostentatious ornamentation. While the bohemian in you is tickled at the sight of free-flowing shapes, your right-leaning style pundit calls for tight, tucked silhouettes. Punchy tropical hues catch your eye, but, then again, so do those moodier jewel tones that suss out your more sophisticated side. The good news:

This spring, you won’t need meds to silence your internal bickering since designers are celebrating contrast in its many forms. Pulling inspiration from art, nature, politics, fashion, pop culture and everything in between, designers churn out a crush of contrasting trends to reconcile your fighting fashion personalities.

Get the full article here.