Hair

Pop singer Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, born March 28, 1986) rules when it comes to wacky hairstyles, recently stepping out in a purple/pink/blonde ‘do.

Even though I don’t always understand what she’s trying to do with her looks, I give her snaps for originality and risk taking.

Truth be told, this hair poll was the first to leave me at a loss for words (there’s no easy way to describe hairstyle numero uno). She’s not exactly a “long with loose waves” kinda gal, but I like that about her.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hawt damn! Sookie Stackhouse and Vampire Bill Compton (VB!) are headed down the aisle.

I guess she really is his!

When Sookie, aka Anna Paquin (born Anna Helene Paquin on July 24, 1982), and True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer announced their engagement last Wednesday, the news brought fanged smiles to millions of True Blood fans (like me) around the world.

Congrats, Anna and Stephen!

Top five reasons to attend the Stackhouse/Compton wedding…

1. It won’t be an early morning ceremony.
2. Hosted bar at the reception, but all they serve is True Blood.
3. Vampires love to party, so expect to dance from dusk till dawn to hits like You Shook Me All Night Long, Tonight’s the Night and Walking After Midnight.
4. Experience the thrill of being both a guest AND a potential hors d’oeuvre.
5. Trade makeup and beauty secrets with Lafayette!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Actress Natalie Portman (born June 9, 1981) has said, “I’d rather be smart than a movie star,” but the Harvard-educated (psychology) Golden Globe Award winner shines at being both.

When she’s not out doing things like guest lecturing on terrorism at Columbia University, where in 2006 she spoke about the political relevance of her film V for Vendetta, she’s serving as a film juror (the youngest ever) at the Annual Cannes Film Festival and taking bold chances with her look.

I’ll never forget her as the little girl who befriends a hitman in Luc Besson’s Léon (aka The Professional, 1994). She was 13 then. More than 20 films later, her star’s still on the rise.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Cassie and Rihanna did it…

Are you next? 🙂

PROS: Requires half as much product, easier to head bang, takes half the time to do
CONS: Unbalanced ponytails, coworkers might look at you funny, can’t wear headbands well

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Are any of you gals going to the beach this weekend? I wish it were warmer here right now because I sure could use a beachy break.

The bay out here is always pins-and-needles cold — not exactly bikini friendly — even when it’s hot outside, and most swimmers will wear a wet suit in the water.

I would, too, if they didn’t make me look and feel like a sausage, bluh!

Even when it’s too cold for the beach, I still like to dress the part, which is why I’ve been all about sundresses, flip flops, sunglasses and hair with beachy waves for the past few weeks.

There are different ways to do ’em, but here’s an approach that I use.

How I do my beachy waves

1. For me it all starts the night before. I get better results in the morning when I’ve washed and conditioned my hair before bed. Lately, I’ve been using and loving Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner ($48).
2. After my shower, I wrap my hair with a highly-absorbent microfiber towel like the Aquis ($18; hello, awesomeness) for 15-20 minutes. Then, I remove the Aquis, which has sucked out most of the excess water, and air dry until bed.
3. Right before bed I apply and comb through a leave-in conditioner like Living Proof Leave-In Conditioner ($24), concentrating on the mid-shaft to the ends.
4. With my hair conditioned, I put it in a loose French braid; the thicker the pieces in the braid, the bigger the waves the next morning. I secure the end of the braid with a ponytail elastic band (I like these summery, bright bands from Bumble & Bumble’s Bandball, $20), and then I hit the haaaaay.
5. The next morning, I remove the braid and gently run my fingers through the waves, misting with Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious Reactivating Mist ($22). I think it gives the waves some extra spring.
6. For extra definition and hold, I spray on a light hold styling product like Redken Layer Lift ($15) on the upper and middle layers; when I want a softer, slightly messier look, I’ll use Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray ($22) instead.
7. To finish, I scrunch the ends and let the products dry. 🙂

Drugstore alternatives

You can also substitute any of the above products with the following drugstore goodies…

• Shampoo and conditioner: Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.50 each, $7 together)
• Leave-in conditioner: Aveeno Nourish+ Condition Leave-In Treatment ($7)
• Ponytail elastics: Goody StayPut Ellastics ($4)
• Curl re-activating mist: CurlFriends Texturizing Mist ($11) or Garnier Fructis Wave Enhancing Spray ($3.50)
• Hair styling product: Aussie Sprunch Spray ($3.50) or Sunsilk Waves of Envy Sea Mist ($4)

Do you do beachy waves? What products/techniques do you use to get the look?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Known for her edgy, short hairstyles, pop singer Rihanna (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988) recently tried a look that took a lot of us by surprise.

Raised in Barbados, Rihanna moved to the U.S. at 16 to pursue her music career after being discovered by an American record producer on vacation in Barbados with his family.

Since her 2005 debut, Music of the Sun, Rihanna has gone on to sell more than 12 million albums worldwide, win a slew of awards, and has become a bona fide style trendsetter.

This year has been a rough one for her personal life, but I hope things stay on the up and up for her now.

Hang in there, RiRi!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New York native Scarlett Johansson (born November 22, 1984) has spent more time near the top of more best dressed lists and sexiest woman alive lists than almost anyone else over the past few years. The actress, singer and global spokesmodel for brands like Dolce & Gabbana Cosmetics, L’Oreal, Mango, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein and Reebok regularly sets style trends and makes fashion statements, and I like that she’s not afraid to take chances with her look.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Whew, nelly! It was hotter than an armpit here in NorCal today. 🙂 I wanted to wear my wavy hair down this morning, but it was just too darn hot and sticky to go there. I opted instead for my usual hot weather hairstyle, a low, messy bun at the nape of my neck.

Pigtails, ponytails, French braids, twists — what’s your favorite way to wear your hair when it’s too hot out to function? Do you like it up or leave it down?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen