How To: Rihanna's Pompadour

Ursula Stephen, Motions Celebrity Stylist, created Rihanna’s amazing 'do for last night's Grammy awards... for under $20!


Follow these simple steps to achieve Rihanna’s stunning style:

1. Create a good foundation by relaxing hair with Motions Silkening Shine Relaxer System
2. Apply Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion to the longer hair at the crown, mold hair upwards and towards the right side of the head. Sit under a hooded dryer to set the style
3. Apply Motions Original Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion throughout hair
4. Use a flat iron on small sections of hair in an upward motion
5. Finish with Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade

How To: 80's Hair

Baby got hair.

Where's Jennifer Beals when we need her?

Sarah Jessica Parker debuted this 80's Flashdance 'do on the set of Sex and the City 2. While shoulder pads and knee socks are making a fashion comeback, it looks like big hair is no longer considered a beauty blunder.

Jen Atkin of the Andy Lecompte Salon says that "the 80's are back. Think Weird Science, Kelly Lebrock wild hair."

To achieve the 80's tease, Jen suggests starting with Leonor Greyl Mousse Au Lotus Volumatrice and a defusser to give your mane added volume. Then use a T3 3/4 inch curling iron once dried to define curls. Spray Rene Furterer Fixation Forte Strong Hold hairspray for hold and shine all over, including roots. Tease the hair, focusing on the crown of the head, with a Sheila Stotts Brush. Finish with another few mists of hairspray.

We have a feeling that this throwback 'do is Aquanet's dream come true.

Would you rock the look?

How To: The Pompadour

Rihanna's pompadour is almost as famous as her voice... almost. And while Rihanna most certainly started the hair trend, others have been quick to follow the 'do. While the pompadour might not be your particular style of choice, work it to your advantage because it is most definitely is one of this season's celebrity trends of choice.

I've asked celebrity hair guru Tippi Shorter -- who has styled the strands of Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Beyonce -- to give us step-by-step instructions for creating a wearable pompadour at home:

Here's what Tippi suggests:

1) After shampoo and conditioner, use Ojon's Restorative Leave-in Treatment to detangle and add shine

2) Apply a handful of Ojon's Conditioning Volumizing Foam in the front and blow dry with hands in an over-directed motion

3) Separate the front from back at the ear and secure the back into a low ponytail

4) Spray the front section with Ojon's SWA+ Instant Hold Hairspray and curl large sections with a 2" barrel curling iron

5) Finger style the front of the hair into a pompadour, pull it back loosely to the ponytail and secure the ends of both the ponytail and front section with hair pins

6) Finish the look by reapplying SWA+ Instant Hold Hairspray for hold and sheen

How To: The Wavy, Loose Bun

This is a great look created by my friend, the fabulous Jen Atkin of the Andy Lecompte Salon. Originally worn by Mad Men's Christina Hendrick's at the Emmy's, the wavy, loose bun is an easy and simple alternative to party-worthy hair.



Get the look:

Use PhytoActif Volume Spray on damp hair to create volume. Then, using a Mason Pearson Brush, blow dry section by section making sure to get any frizzy hair along the hairline.
TIP: Part the hair with a side part so it doesn't look so casual.

Prep hair with Frederic Fekkai Sheer Spray (my new obsession) and curl 1" sections in a vertical direction using the t3 tourmaline 1 inch curling iron. Loosen up the curls by shaking them out with Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Mousse.

Pull the back of her hair into a low pony, and make a loose chignon (bun). Secure with hair pins and gather random pieces from each side of the head and pin back. Keep everything loose and low so it doesn't look too tight and "done."

Finish the look by spraying all over with more Sheer Spray. The great thing about that hairspray is it doesn't get too stiff and hair still holds but moves at the same time.

How To: The Low Chignon

I've been noticing quite a few low buns, or as I like to refer to them, chignons, heading down the red carpet lately. Is this a red carpet trend? I'm thinking yes.

I asked Kevin Mancuso, Nexxus Creative Director to dish on the new mane trend.

“What’s so great about it is that it’s a modern take on a very classic style" says Kevin. "The part in the middle and loose sides let the hair frame the face, but the bun in the back keeps it off the shoulders so it’s perfect if you want to highlight a great neckline and collarbone.”

Here's Kevin's how to for recreating the low chignon at home:

Prep:

*Apply Nexxus Mousse Plus on damp hair all over to help maintain volume and support the structure of the style.

*Blow dry hair with a large round brush so that it’s straight and smooth.

*Skip the flat iron, because you want to keep your natural body and some texture to help hold the style.

Style:

*Apply Nexxus Root Exxtend at the roots to for extra lift at the crown.

*Create a center part, backcomb at the crown and slightly on the sides. Then smooth the top layer over, keeping the lift you just created underneath.

*Gently pull hair back into a low ponytail, keeping it fairly loose and wrap the length of the hair around the elastic and secure with pins.

Finish:

*You can pull out a few wispy pieces in the front and even in the bun. The idea is to mix smooth textures with some messy pieces, hair that’s too polished looks dated.

*Finish with a lightweight hairspray to set the style.

How To: Twisted Chignon

The overall hair trend for RTW fashion week from New York to Milan has definitely been the chignon. Be it low and sophisticated or high and sleek, the go-to trend is all about wrapping the hair up, up and away.

Here is Philip Pelusi and his Tela design team's take on the sexy trend:
As seen at Kati Stern’s Venexiana Mercedes Benz Spring/ Summer 2010 Fashion Show

1. Make a side part and take three inches of the hair closest to the front and pin to the side.
2. Take another three inches from the crown of the head, right behind the section of hair you just marked off and pin that to the side as well.
3. You should be left with two sections of hair on both sides of your head.
4. Take the hair from the right section, and twist hair into a low ponytail, you should go from your temple to the nape of your neck.
5. Take the hair from the left section, and do the same but make sure you keep hair on an angle.
6. You should be left with 2 “rolls” on each side of you head.
7. With the hair in the low ponytail, you should coil pieces together and allow them to fold into each other, just use pins to hold hair in place.
8. Take the top section from the crown of your head and twist that piece loosely like a rope and pin it to your head.
9. Take the last section of hair and fold the hair into the rolls with your finger and pin all loose pieces with your finger.

Perfect 'do for day or night, office to the club... try it and send us pics!

Exclusive How To: Charlotte Ronson Spring/ Summer 2010 Fashion Show Beauty

I just posted a sizzling how-to over on Hollywood Life for Charlotte Ronson's Spring/ Summer Fashion Show (clothes are fierce).


*Pictured: the beautiful Annabelle Dexter Jones, Charlotte's sister and model in the show, in hair and makeup.

Makeup by Maybelline, Hair by Avon.

Inspiration: Ballerina with edge from the streets of New York

Check out the step-by-step by clicking here!

*Pictured: Annabelle on her Nintendo DSi - nails match the device!

How To: Come-Hither Lips

Come-Hither lips (yes, I made up the name) are those shiny nudeish-mauveish-pinkish lips we've been seeing drenched all over the pucker's of young Hollywood's leading ladies. The ones that practically scream "kiss me" without ever uttering a single word (perhaps just a coy smile). A Come-Hither pout is tres sexy without being overtly colorful or requiring too much upkeep. And it pretty much looks fabulous paired with every makeup look.

I've asked the exceptionally talented Gregory Arlt, Director of Makeup Artistry for M·A·C Cosmetics, for his expert tips on come-hither lips.

Celebrity Clients: AnnaLynne McCord, Michelle Trachtenberg or Jessica Stroup

1 - "I start by using a very light pencil to define the lips. "Oak" by M∙A∙C is a favorite. Make sure the pencil is well blended into the lips so you don't see it. Being a warm beige, the pencil imparts slight color as well."

2 - "I then use a gloss with a hint of color. "Love Nectar" by M∙A∙C (right) is my number one must have for this look as it's slightly peachy with a hint of pink. EVERY client asks me for one! I also love "Nymphette" Lipglass by M∙A∙C (left) as it's pink with a hint of gold."

3 - "I keep the cheeks slightly flushed and shimmering using "Margin" blush and the eyes lightly defined using light neutrals but with a load of mascara. Come-hither lashes go well with come-hither lips!"

Will you come-hither this look?

How To: Flat Iron Curls

Out of the 900 plus posts that I have published on Beauty Banter, the one that garners the most interest is that of Nicole Richie's Hippy-Chic Curls.

So, I've decided to post the full tutorial with step-by-step instructions and photos. Thanks to Jen Atkin of the Andy Lecompte Salon for demonstrating exclusively to BB on how to create flat iron curls at home.

Celebrity Inspiration: Nicole Richie, Alexa Chung, Lauren Conrad, Gwyneth Paltrow



Step 1: Air dry hair. If hair is curly, blow dry straight first.

Step 2: Section hair in 1 inch vertical panels from left of head to right.


Step 3: Using a 1 inch flat iron (Jen suggests the Chi Flat Iron), take the first panel of hair and starting 2 inches from scalp, put hair INTO the flat iron.


Step 4: Holding the flat iron vertically from the floor, twist down and in a backwards motion - for the left side of head, twist down, back and left. For the right side of head, twist down, back and right. *Always twist away from the ear*


Step 5: Release hair from flat iron and twist hair in backwards motion around finger, pulling while hot to stretch and elongate the curl


TIP: for the back of head, split it down the middle from crown to nape - left side curl in left backward motion, right side curl in backward right motion. Think Farrah Fawcett's feathered hair - back and away!




Step 6: For a light hold, finish by spraying hair with Frederic Fekkai Sheer Hair Spray

TIP: To lengthen the curls even more, once you've completed the curl, use the flat iron over the ends of hair to create the straighter ends. The vertical "boho" curls give the appearance of longer hair.

Here's how it looks from the back:

So, invest in a flat iron -- you can take hair from straight, to hippy-chic curly and back to straight again in no time.

How To: The Side Bun

It's always nice to have a go-to updo for those days - and nights - when your hair and you just aren't getting along (i.e. no matter how hard you try to brush away that cowlick, it keeps rearing its ugly hairs in the wrong direction).

Here's an easy, DIY updo that's perfect for a lunch with friends or date night with that special someone. A celeb favorite, pictured here on Tori Spelling and Scarlet Johanson, the side bun (a.k.a. chignon) is fresh, flirty and super simple to achieve. It'll take you about 7 minutes from start to finish.




Anthony Linzalone of the Pierre Michel Salon in NYC -- who has tamed the tresses Calista Flockhart Cindy Crawford & Kim Alexis -- offers these easy steps for creating the chic chignon:

1 - Start by parting dry hair to the side then securing at nape of neck into a side ponytail.

2 - Using a 1 1/2 inch curling iron, curl random pieces of the ponytail into large round curls.

3 - Lift curls and loosely secure them around the base of ponytail with bobby pins.

4 - Finish the look with a light spritz of hairspray to tame flyaways and on ponytail chignon to keep curls in place. TRY: Phyto Spray Laque Hair Spray ($18.00).

How To: The Looks-Good-On-Everyone Hair Style

The trick to gorgeous hair is making it all look natural: the color, cut, style. We women know that SO MUCH WORK goes into such a "natural" feel but we continue to work it and strive for sensational strands.

Ryan Crupi of the Chris McMillan Salon - who has tamed the tresses of Kate Beckinsale, Selma Blair and Marissa Tomei - divulges his secrets for maintaining effortless hair year round. One style that works on all manes.

"This style is easy and lasts. It's seasonless, not a hassle to reproduce at home. And it can be done on long hair or longer bobs," says Ryan. Think: Elle Macpherson, Giselle, Kate Hudson.




Here are his tips to creating the beautiful stringy loose waves, looks-good-on-everyone look:

TIP 1: You'll need one good haircut and three maintenance cuts a year.

TIP 2: Make your own beach spray (ocean water, filter out the sand) and use a little serum on the ends. RYAN'S PICK: Kerastase Serum Oleo-Relax - it eliminates frizz and gives it a smooth sheen.

TIP 3: Creating Volume: Apply hairspray at the root and blow-dry up. RYAN'S PICK: Shu Uemura Spray. Curl with 1 1/2 inch brush. The trick is to make sure that the curl sets.

TIP 4: For naturally wavy hair, blow dry front section and air dry the rest. Apply serum to the ends. When it dries completely, use fingers to separate and blend the waves.

Chris McMillan Salon: 310-285-0088

How To: Hightlight Eyes

This is a must-have, expert tip for anyone searching for an extra 8 hours of blissful sleep (yes, all of us).... I do this everyday, it takes less than a minute and makes all the difference - even if I'm just wearing a bit of tinted moisturizers and possibly some mascara. My eyes are deep set so a little pop makes them look more awake and alive. It's truly saved my eyes.

Read on, ladies...

To open up small eyes, wake up tired eyes, or just give peepers an overall pop, line the inner corners of eyes with a white hue (like Blake Lively - above). This trick is genius for the ladies whose eyes may be positioned closer together. White-rimmed eyes actually give the illusion that eyes are set further apart. The art of highlighting. And who said makeup wasn't an art form? Shame on them!

You can use a white pencil or a highlighter, matte or shimmer. Either way, just make sure not to go overboard. Subtlety is key when giving eyes the slightest pop.

How to Apply:

If using a cream, apply with finger tips and gently pat along the inner rim of nose and eyes. You can also pat at the outer corner of eyes to add dimension and make eyes appear larger.

If using a pencil, draw a line inside the inner corner of the eye and carry the line toward the outer corner, stop half way as to not close the eye.

You can also use a thin brush, like an eyeliner brush, to apply cream highlighter, and get that bold, dramatic effect that you see on Blake's eyes. The brush gives you more precision and allows the product to set on skin instead of settle into skin.

Products to Try:

Jouer Highlighter in Camellia - a creamy, iridescent highlighter you can apply with your fingers.

Benefit Eye Bright - a crayon that whitens and brightens (and masks dark circles).

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Liner in White - a pearl white sheen that is applied inside lash line.

YSL Touche Eclat - The ultimate highlighter/ cover-up that is cream based, brings light to the skin and brightens the complexion. Dab on then pat with fingertips.

Of course, once you've whitened - and widened - the eyes, feel free to add a wash of color and finish the look with a few coats of mascara.

How To: The Messy Summer Bob

Last year it was the Gwyneth bob - a sleek and sophisticated overgrown bob - this year it's the...

Choppy bob with bleached ends. We're gonna call it the Alexa Chung.

You may be asking yourself, who the heck is Alexa Chung? You'll know her name soon enough. She's the host of MTV's daily show, "It's On With Alexa Chung." Basically, she's MTV's resident hipster chick.

Jen Atkin, hair extraordianaire over at the Andy Lecompte Salon dishes on the cut of the season.

The Style: Think Lou Dillon (fashion muse); Alexa Chung.

* Baliage ends (a way of painting on highlights to hair) on a blunt long bob - "Shorter than a Gwynie bob, this is more like Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow had a baby."

* When to bang - "Bangs are good for heartshaped and oval faces look great with bangs. Overgrown bangs work well for rounder faces or square jaw and wide cheek bones."

* Call back to 90's grunge - "Think Empire Records and Reality Bites. It's a bit of old-school Winona Ryder."

* "You want to make it look like you cut the 'do yourself, so have your stylist ravor out your edges."

How To Style:

Let hair naturally dry (for flat, thin hair, do a few random waves with 1 inch curling iron). Add a dime size amount of Osmo Clay Wax - without the shine - to grease up the ends for a messy vibe. Use Moroccan Oil to tame frizzies. To add texture, try Joico Texture Spray. It's all about creating a strategic mess.

How To: Lauren Conrad

LC wrote a new book. Sigh. But she's on a book tour and debuting some pretty gorge faces... yay!



Amy Nadine of mark cosmetics (Lauren's go-to beauty line) explains how she created Lauren’s glowing summer look:

Eyes
“For Lauren’s fresh look, I swept mark I-Glimmer Illuminating Eye Color in Polished across her entire eye lid, then lined her top lash line with mark On the Edge Hook-Up Liquid Liner in Cleo and finished by coating her lashes in mark Scanda-Lash Hook-Up Mascara in Blacklash.”

Face
“Lauren and I wanted to create a look that was still her signature style with even more sophistication as an author. We applied mark Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion in Buff/Natural and highlighted under her eyes and above her cheekbones with mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter in Light/Medium. To create her California glow, I used mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder in Pro Glow under her cheekbones, temples, along her hairline and under her jawline, then dusted the apples of her cheeks with mark Good Glowing Mosaic Blush in Chica.”

Lips
“I finished the look with mark Chic Duet Color and Shine Lip Gloss in Halo Baby.”

Is it just me, or does LC's hair look rather dark in this pic? Maybe it's just the lighting... either way, I'm loving her bronzed skin.

How are you feeling about this look?
And, more importantly, will you be reading Lauren's book?

Josie Maran Makeup Tutorial

This awesome video step-by-step with gorgeous model turned cosmetics entrepreneur, Josie Maran, features my friend and makeup artist for my movie, I Heart Veronica Martin, Sole Alberti, spilling her expert secrets for creating a natural sultry eye.

Check it out:



For more beauty tips from Sole Alberti, click here.

How To: Leighton Meester's MTV Face

If you read this site on the daily, then you know my affinity for the Gossip Girls, Leighton Meester in particular.

luxaholics.com interviewed Cris Colbeck, one of Leighton's key makeup artists, who dishes on how to get her sexxxy MTV Movie Award Look (which I loved!).

What do you think?
Are you loving or hating the look?

How To: Messy Ballerina Bun

Hair maven, Jen Atkin of the Andy Lecompte Salon, along with my favorite DP, Noah Rosenthal, and myself, bring you this step-by-step tutorial for one of this season's hottest trends: the messy ballerina bun.

Inspiration: Erin Wasson at The Costume Institute Gala, Model as Muse - Pretty In Pink meets Rocker-chic.



The Tools



Step 1: Blow dry hair upside down. Use a diffuser to give texture to flat hair.



Step 2: Wrap 1" sections around 1" curling iron to add bend
*TIP* leave ends out for a more messy effect





Step 3: Spritz a bit of texture spray or hair spray onto the loosely curled hair. Beach water from the ocean actually works best. It gives hair that messy texture.
Product Pick: Joico Texture Spray



Step 4: Rake fingers through hair - don't use a brush as you want to keep the style messy - and secure in a high ponytail.
*TIP* place the pony off center; just above one of your eyes for an asymmetrical effect







Step 5: Tease the ponytail to give volume





Step 6: Leave one inch section out on bottom. Twist remaining hair into a tight bun, clock wise.





Step 7: Secure lopsided bun with large bobby pins - make sure to have the ends messy for a grunge effect. Don't want to be too "pretty, perfect ballerina."





Step 8: Either wrap extra hair around once and pin it or leave it out for a funky tail.

And that's it!

*photography by Noah Rosenthal