Humidity Is Not Your Friend

My sister was very adamant that I do this as my next post. She even reminded me as I was walking out the door to start a 4 day trip. I don't travel with a laptop, so I had to wait until I got home. So here ya go Sass!
 One of my sister's traveling challenges now that she lives in Denver, CO (where it's a great hair day everyday) is fighting humidity. Coming back east is always a blast but she always complains about the humidity and of course, her hair. Humid weather does two things to our hair. 1. LIMP 2. FRIZZ So her are a few things to consider when dealing with a hot humid climate.

• Don't fight what your momma gave ya. If you have curly or wavy hair, buy a frizz control styling product with lots of silicone in it. The silicone does three things: enhances shine, smooths the cuticle layer of your hair and locks in moisture. After applying a generous amount of this product (especially to the ends) let your beautiful naturally curly hair air dry. It won't be as "big" 

If you are dead set on a flat iron (you know who you are!) make sure your hair is bone dry before you flat iron and use a humidity fighting protective spray. Hot Tip: Take small sections, comb all knots out, spray the section and run the iron through twice.

• Now if you have straight hair that has zero volume in the humidity, you might just need a good layered cut. Yes I know you like your long hair with the long layers, but, don't expect to get much volume out of that type of haircut. You need to lighten the load a bit. Sorry girls. If you are hesitant to cut, you can at least fight the frizz with a silicone based smoothing gel for thicker hair or a smoothing serum for thinner hair.
• Extra fine hair always has it's share of problems in hot weather. The best thing you can do for your fine locks is to choose the right shampoo. Try something volumizing NOT moisturizing. Apply conditioner to ends and not scalp. Choose styling products that won't weigh your hair down. Try a volumizing mousse at your roots, blow dry on a cool setting and finish with a round brush. If it's frizz you are trying to combat use an extra light smoothing serum...the tiniest bit will work wonders. Most importantly keep your hands to yourself. Touching our hair too much creates oily, lifeless hair.

SMOOTHING PRODUCTS

1. For thick hair (curly, wavy or straight) try a silicone gel. I love Sebastian Laminates Concentrate Gel. I use it on my hair while it's damp. Then a tiny bit again when it's dry. 
2. For fine hair. My sister likes Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. It's light and won't weigh you down. Be careful when applying, you don't want to get it close to your scalp.
3. For an amazing blow dry on just about any hair type try Moroccan Oil Treatment  The Original would be for normal to thick hair, and the new Light formula is for fine hair.

• For everyone: There is an art to applying a smoothing product. Start by warming it up in your hands and applying first to the ends. Warm it again and apply to the mid section, and so on...don't go straight for your scalp.

VOLUMIZERS

1. THIS is when you go straight for the scalp! Use a root boosting product like Redken Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam. Lift hair and spray roots. It keeps product off the ends of your hair for a fuller style.

THERMAL STYLING

1. When ever you are using hot tools (curling irons, flat irons) you want to make sure you start with completely dry hair. Using hot tools on damp hair won't hold a style and more importantly will do damage. Next you want a protective spray that is humidity resistant. I really like Matrix Sleek Look-Iron Smoother. A product like this will protect your hair from the high heat of your iron, prolong those split ends and lock in your style.

SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

1. Choose shampoos that are appropriate for your hair. If you have thick hair that tends to be dry. Use something moisturizing. If your hair is normal just use a daily shampoo, no need to weigh your hair down with shampoos for damaged or dry hair. If you have fine hair use a clarifying or a volumizing shampoo.
2. The same goes for conditioner. Match brands if you want but it's not necessary.

Hot Tip: If you have trouble combing out your hair when it's damp, keep a wide tooth comb in the shower.  Hair is a it's weakest when wet, so let your conditioner sit for a minute then comb through the knots. This will eliminate so much breakage! It's also a great tip for dealing with your little ones with knotty hair. It eliminates lots of tears.

Side Note: If all else fails there are all sorts of fun up styles you can do with your hair and gadgets to get you there.  For example, a simple ponytail topped with a pretty headband looks stylish and neat all day. Try handmade heads bands like Kaang's on Etsy.com

Screw you Skinny Girl!

OK Bethenny you and your skinny girl better move over. There's a new chick in town and her name is "CHUNKY GIRL"

How to make a delicious cocktail, because you're beautiful no matter what size jeans you wear!!

* pour ingredients into a shaker half filled with ice

* add:

* 3 ounces of vanilla vodka

* 1 ounce of frangelico

* 1 ounce of  Godiva Chocolate liquor

* shake it like you mean it

* strain into a very chilled martini glass rimmed with sugar in the raw

* garnish a cocktail pick with 3 Monucca raisins (extra large variety raisins)

Travel Tip: Hotel rooms

Bed bugs...I'm not here to freak you out, however, they are out there, and they have been making the 5 o'clock news in the last year. Generally they bite in three's aka breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They itch like crazy and make you bananas. The only treatment is topical anti-itch cream, so we're not talking life threatening, but still it's not fun.
I spend a good half of every year sleeping in hotels all around the country and a few in other countries and I have only had 3 not so great bug experiences. So please don't be discouraged, but...

Here are a few things you can do to avoid getting bit.

* Never put your luggage on the bed, carpet, or upholstered furniture. Use the luggage rack in the closet. Put your toiletries bag on the bathroom counter, or a desk.

* Do a light inspection of your room, in the corners, in the drawers, window sills, etc...I once found an ant farm living in the corner of a bathroom behind the door. Then I realized that they were coming from under the rug where the door meets the bathroom tile. Nasty. I've also been subject to a bed bug's "breakfast, lunch, and dinner"  Not cute.

*Upholstered furniture: chair, couch, etc..lift up the cushions and take a good look.

* Checking the bed is the most important part....pull off that "throw" and chuck it anywhere but near you. You can bet they are never washed. (see the pretty striped one above) Pull down the comforter and sheets all the way, give them a shake. Lift the mattress up and take a good look at the bottom of it. Also look at the top of the box spring.
Now, you know that "pipping" all along the edges of the mattress? Lift that in a few random spots along the whole perimeter of the bed. Most bugs like to hide here.

I know this sounds like a lot of work but really it only takes about 10 minutes to check a hotel room. It probably took you a year and a day to get where you're going, so what's another 10 minutes, right?

To all of my traveling friends, have I covered all bases here? Please feel free to add to this list!

A Stew with a Magic Wand...or not

Still my numero uno question of all time. So here's a re-post and take the challenge at the bottom seriously...they really DO break.

I often get asked the question "What kind of mascara do you use?" Followed by OMG your lashes are so long. Or is it the other way around...in any case, I'm not saying that I wasn't given the good lashline gene, but, I do have a few tricks for you on how to create fuller, longer lashes on just about anyone. Not to disappoint you but there isn't any "magic wand" it's mostly technique. Keep this in mind: I always tell people you have to make a mess sometimes before you can make something pretty. This goes for eyelashes. Here are a few things to try:
1. Start off with an eyelash comb and good mascara. I'm not talking a $30 tube, I'm talking something that hasn't been buried in the bottom of you makeup drawer for the last 6 months. Mascara most certainly has an expiration date: in my opinion you should be opening a brand new tube every 3 months. For the bacteria factor as well as the clumpy mess factor. I know you have a favorite brand, so use it, I'm sure it works for you. Eyelash combs are great! Try one with metal teeth.
2. Curl now and not later. You will pull your lashes out if you curl after you apply the mascara.
3. You want to get as much mascara at the base of your lashes as possible. Wiggle the wand in a zigzag motion at the roots of your lashes up to the tips.
4. Take the tip of the wand and brush your outer lashes inward. This distributes lots of product on the outer corners of your eye.(this is the mess I mentioned earlier) Then again with the tip of the wand spread your lashes back out and into place. This extends and opens the eye.
5. Apply again in an upward motion to all lashes.(on top) Use the tip of the wand to spread the inner and outer corners into a fan. Stop. Comb. Gently from the roots to the tips in an upward motion.
6. Apply another coat if necessary, comb. Apply to the bottom lashes if you like. Then start other eye.
Something else: I also would like to note, it is crucial that you take your mascara off every night! Eyelashes break and if you don't take your mascara off before bed, you will wake up with short, stubby, broken lashes. That's a fact. Challenge: try this for 4 weeks, I bet your lashes look better then ever!

To Bang or not to Bang? That is the question

I'm not talking about the Mile High Club (which by the way is totally gross) I'm talking hair here! The number one question I get from women is "I was thinking about bangs, what do you think?" Bangs are a commitment, and if you are like me, sometimes committing to something for a lengthy period of time is an issue. I tell people that if it's something you want to try, do so in the winter. The number one reason is if you cut a bang in the summer it's a nightmare if you go swimming, exercise, or do anything where you are going to get your hair wet with no blow dryer in sight. Like I said bangs are a commitment and even if you don't usually style your hair, you HAVE to style you bangs. So with that said, winter is coming girls and it's now the perfect time to start looking at pictures of different styles that interest you. Cut these pics out of magazines, print a pic from the net, etc... just have something to show your stylist. There are many different ways to wear a bang, it all depends on your current hairstyle, which way you part your hair, the length between your hairline and eyebrow, any cowlicks you have, how long or short you want to wear them, side, straight, on and on you get the point. Good Luck Beautiful People! I'm sure you will wear them well.

The Voyages of a Jumpseat Beauty Consultant

Wow...the first word, first sentence, first paragraph, first page of this brand new voyage into the blog world. I have been contemplating this idea or more importantly this commitment for over a year now. I am a flight attendant, hairstylist, makeup artist, mixoloigist, creativist, self proclaimed snowboard bum turned beach bum-for-life. I fly for a living now but in my past life I was a nail technician in New Jersey, makeup artist in Manhattan and a hairstylist/makeup artist/bartender in Vermont...long story. I find that when I'm flying with new people and I tell them what I used to do they always have several questions for me pertaining to beauty. I do my best to answer honestly and it is a great way to pass the time in the sky. I've been told by many crewmembers that I should start a blog...here we are. I hope you like what you read. Please let me know if you do and if you don't, well, like my mom always said "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all". Ha