What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your hair?

Mine was right after a traumatic breakup in 1999. On a heartbreak whim I asked my stylist to chop my long black hair, which was down to my elbows, into a chin-length layered style with the ends flipped out.

But because that wasn’t enough of a change to purge my emotional demons, I went back the following week and asked for chunky red highlights.

I remember how liberating it felt to transform my look. It was like letting go of all of that hair somehow unloaded the baggage of my failed relationship.

Of course, I also remember how much of a pain-in-the-arse it was to grow out the new cut, LOL! I hate how my hair feels when it’s in that mid-length stage, creeping down the back of my neck.

What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your hair? Let me know in the comments. And try your luck with the Makeup and Beauty Blog slot machine (click the BET MAX button to play). Have fun and good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Liz. Thank you for entering!

So Glam Media is sponsoring a giveaway that I thought you gals might dig.

Drugstore body care line Aveeno is famous for their soothing lotions. Well, they plan to launch their first hair care line, codenamed the Nourish+ Hair Care Collection, this April.

Trying new beauty products before they go on sale is like attending an exclusive movie screening, and the giveaway’s a chance to get an early look at Nourish+.

The prize

One lucky winner will get three products from the new line — Nourish+ shampoo, the regular conditioner and the new leave-in conditioner (a $21 value).

What Aveeno says about Nourish+

• It’s revolutionary! — combining nature and science (like the Terminator) to bring damaged hair back to life in just three washes.
• The Nourish+ Nourishing Wheat Complex has a positive electrical charge that attracts the negatively charged damaged parts of the hair follicle, delivering the right amount of proteins needed to help moisturize and repair dry hair.
• The line includes Nourish + Moisturize, Nourish + Revitalize, and Nourish + Volumize shampoos and conditioners, as well as Nourish + Condition Leave-In Treatment ($7 each).
• At last week’s Oscars in Los Angeles, Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Care Collection sponsored the Glam VIP Touch Up Lounge at the Leeza Gibbons Oscar party. Viewers received a backstage look at celeb hair touch-ups provided by Aveeno Nourish+.

How to enter

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both for two chances to win. The first involves leaving a comment here on this post — a comment about anything at all. Tell me about your worst hair style (mine was a bowl cut immediately followed by a tight poodle perm, oh the horror!), what food you’re craving right now or about your pet. The second involves signing up for my updates by email, if you haven’t already subscribed. You’ll get one email per day, exploding with sassy beauty and makeup updates!

Recap

1. If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the box below (or click this link).
2. You may also enter by leaving a comment in the comments section at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address).

I’ll choose the winners at random among the people who enter by 11:59 PST on Friday, February 27.

Good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Doesn’t Ms. Whitney Port have some hella cute hair? I totally dig that twisty style she wears a lot on The City.

Here’s how I get all twisted up (click for the video).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I’ve been flat ironing my wavy hair a lot since the Sedu Revolution (aka The Miracle Worker) entered my life, but all that hot styling can lead to split ends, blech!

What’s a girl to do?

Right now I’m using GHD Thermal Protector for Dry, Coarse Hair ($25). It’s a spray-on liquid styler designed to moisturize hair and protect it from heat damage. I spritz it on dry hair before flat ironing and then run the Sedu iron from root to tip.

It smells wonderful (like rose and sandlewood), enhances shine and even makes a difference in how my hair reacts to humidity.

If I’ve flat ironed and it begins to rain, my waves spring back — unless I’ve used Thermal Protector. This stuff keeps my hair stick straight, making it lay flatter and look straighter than the Sedu alone, no matter what the weather’s like.

I haven’t noticed any new split ends or broken pieces of crispy hair in the month I’ve been using Thermal Protector, and I sure hope it stays that way. I’ll keep you posted.

GHD Thermal Protector for Dry, Coarse Hair

Price: $25 for a 5.1 fl-oz spray bottle
Use: A moisturizing styling spray to fight frizz and protect hair from heat damage
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

One more thing — if you’re interested, GHD makes a couple more formulas, one for Normal to Fine Hair and another for Weak and Damaged hair ($25 each).

MAC attack!

Continue Reading…

1. Try a creamy facial cleanser

Cleansers strip away moisture as part of the job of removing makeup, and dry winter air tends to magnify the problem. Gel cleansers can be very drying, but creamy ones like Dove deep moisture creamy facial cleanser and Neutrogena deep clean cream cleanser should help.

2. Mask the problem

Use a moisturizing facial mask to replenish moisture lost throughout the day.

3. Look for a humidifier

If your skin feels dry and tight even when you’re inside your home, there may not be enough moisture in the air for you. Scan the sale pages for a portable humidifier. Make a note to yourself to clean the filter regularly (if they get yucky they breed bacteria).

4. Turn down the heater

It’s a beauty catch 22, but overheating a cold home will worsen dry skin problems, so experiment with different settings on your heater to find the right temperature for both you and your skin.

5. Any device that heats your environment will also steal your moisture

Even electric blankets. If dry skin is driving you crazy, throw another comforter on the bed, and see how you feel after you’ve left the electric blanket unplugged for a couple nights.

6. Moisturize in the shower

Moisturize throughout the day, but try using body lotion even before you’ve left the shower, right after rinsing soap or body wash. It will help lock in some extra moisture. Rinse off and pat dry.

7. Watch the shower temp

Hot showers feel great in winter, but they wreak havoc on dry skin. Try a lukewarm shower instead, then pat your skin dry with a towel. Apply moisturizer (again) as soon as you step out of the shower.

8. Use alcohol responsibly

Avoid skin products and hairstyling products high in alcohol. When alcohol evaporates it feels cool and refreshing, but it’s also stripping away moisture, so look for alcohol-free products when the air is already dry.

9. Don’t blow it

If you’re already dealing with dry, brittle hair, resist the urge to reach for the hair dryer. It’ll only make things worse. Dry and style your hair with a towel, and if you still use a dryer, time yourself and try to use it a little less.

10. Moisturize meh!

Moisturize throughout the day and don’t forget to drink extra water when it’s cold and windy. Your hands, feet, knees and elbows may need a little more help, too. I like rich products containing shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, tea tree oil, linoleic acid or glycerin. For intense relief, moisturize hands and feet at night, and then slip on gloves or socks to lock in moisture.

11. Pucker up

Chapped lips can be a big problem in winter. The air dries out my lips, which makes me lick them, which makes them chap even worse! Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and preferably one with antiseptic agents to aid in healing. Some lip balm products are made with tea tree oil, which helps heal painful cracks. I also like lip balms with phenol, beeswax, aloe, vitamin E and essential oils.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen