Hair Care

Stylists Agree: These Are The Sexiest Short Haircuts For Women Over 40

February 15, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

As we age, many of us think we have to stick to a mature, short haircut, but turning 40 does not have to mean playing it safe! Rocking your ageless beauty is possible with experimentation and adventure, and what better way to mix things up than hitting the salon for a new haircut?

We spoke with Gina Rivera, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Phenix Salon Suites for three sexy haircuts you can definitely pull off at any age, and that women over 40 can always rely on for timeless, chic and effortless energy.

Flat, lifeless hair be gone— read on for stylist tips for each kind of cut, and why short hair doesn’t have to be boring (and definitely isn’t with these styles!)

1. Textured Bob

Fun, flirty and full of movement, this hairstyle centers around layers and texture to prevent a dull and flat look. It’s timeless and as seen here on Emma Stone, effortlessly glamorous and can be parted in the middle or side depending on your face shape and what works for you.

“A textured bob is always a terrific youthful look,” says Rivera. Texturizing, she says, provides a fuller look with more volume, “which tends to be youthful.” In addition, removing weight and creating movement “always increases the appearance of youthfulness,” she adds.

2. Trendy Pixie Cut

This haircut allows full, undivided attention to your beautiful face! With lots of layers, this style also provides its wearer with skyrocketing volume and its youthful exuberance never goes out of style, as seen here on Halle Berry, who often rocks this look as her iconic go-to.

“A pixie is such a fun look for aging beauties,” Rivera says. “The pixie is very stylish and trendy which can create a youthful feel in itself.”

3. Layered Shag

This cut is the best of both worlds— it’s not *too* short if you’re not quite ready for a big chop, but it still provides volume and a punky edge from the collarbone length and up. Paired with sultry, eyebrow-grazing fringe like here on Alexa Chung, the shag has been a cool and signature look for many rock stars and beyond since its debut in the 1970s.

“Face-framing cuts like the shag also work well for taking years off,” adds Rivera. “The shag is a great style for softening features because it frames and highlights your face.”

Overall, there are so many great haircuts for women over 40 that prove sexiness and beauty are truly ageless and that getting older (despite what anyone or society says) means you can still experiment and mix things up for as long as you wish to! These cuts are undeniably classic, and your stylist can help shape them for your face and hair type.

To read the full article, please click here.

Credit to: Marissa Matozzo

Gina’s Platform Tip of the Week – Apple Cider Vinegar for your Hair

February 14, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

There’s a lot of discussion about the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Here’s my tips for using it to benefit the hair.

Apple cider vinegar can be used as a natural clarifying treatment used to remove build-up.
Mix one part apple cider vinegar and 5 parts water in a spray bottle.
Spritz evenly on the hair from roots to end
Massage and ensure it’s applied to the scalp. Leave on for 2-5 minutes.
Rinse completely
Always use in moderation and check with your hairstylist to ensure you are on the proper schedule for your hair.

Our Favorite Celeb-Inspired Haircuts for Women Over 50

February 10, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

We’re all getting older, but just because we may not be in our 20s anymore doesn’t mean that we have to sacrifice style—especially when it comes to hair. But when it comes to picking out a new look, a variety of factors come into play. “It’s… crucial to take into account the texture of the hair and know what the objectives of the client are,” says celebrity hairstylist Gina Rivera. While there are those who wish to opt for a wash and wear style, others prefer a cleaner, more polished look. According to Rivera, “it’s important to consult with your hairstylist because they are well trained to take these items into account when helping you to select the right hairstyle.”

Whether you want to a major cut or just switch up your regular style, we’ve got you covered with tips from Rivera and Oribe educator and stylist Adam Livermore.

MEET THE EXPERT

• Gina Rivera is the founder of Phenix Salon Suites. She is also the creator of Colours by Gina and the By Gina hair product line.

• Adam Livermore is a hairstylist and international educator at Oribe, based in New York City.

To read the full article, click here

Credit to: Julyne Derrick and Sky Kim for byrdie.com.

The 13 Best Hair Scissors and Shears for Cutting Hair at Home, According to Stylists

February 9, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

In the last two years, especially during the most stringent stay-at-home months of the pandemic, many folks have chosen to take matters — aka their hair — into their own hands. If you’ve been on the fence about trimming your own hair, but eager to prevent damage from split ends, the pros say you can totally do it yourself if you’re not feeling ready to go to the salon. You just need the right tools. We asked several professional hairstylists to share their best tips and tricks for cutting your hair at home. Naturally, they came up with some seriously smart suggestions, with one of the major standouts being having the right scissors or shears on hand. Turns out, not just any pair of cutters will do. Your tools of choice matter more than you would think.

“It’s important to select a pair that fits your hand well and glides easily through the hair when cutting,” explains hairstylist Gina Rivera, in regard to what you should be looking for when shopping for shears. “Some of the things that contribute to this are the material the shears are made from, the length, the handle design, and the thumb design.”

Of course, cutting shears can get expensive, particularly if you’re investing in a quality pair that will last for years — if not a lifetime. New York City-based hairstylist Adam Livermore says that the cost for a quality haircutting shear can go well into the thousands, but he wouldn’t recommend the DIY home-haircutter make that investment. Rather, he suggests looking for a medium-size (four- to six-inch blade) shear made of Japanese or German steel if you can afford it. “The Japanese-made shears usually have a sharper convex edge, which is good for point-cutting or ‘chipping’ into things like your bangs, while German shears usually have an opposing handle, which will likely feel more natural in a non-hairdresser’s hand as opposed to the offset handles that most pros use to avoid repetitive stress injuries,” he says.

As far as cheaper options go, some high-quality stainless steel shears from the drugstore will get the job done, so long as they’re the right size. “If you are an at-home novice looking for tools to cut your hair, I recommend getting a scissor that is four or five inches, as this will help to give more control on how much you cut,” says New York City-based hairstylist Kali Ferrara.

Before getting started, hairstylist Merrell Hollis suggests investing in a three-way self-grooming mirror. “The mirror has three panels for a 360-degree view of your head, which allows you to see exactly where you are cutting from three different angles,” says Hollis.

Once you’re ready to go, don’t reach for the kitchen scissors. Instead, here are 13 stylist-approved hair shears to help make your home cut look more pro.

All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

To read the full article, click here.

Credit to: Kaleigh Fasanella and Marci Robin for Allure

The 8 best blow dryer brushes for achieving a professional blowout at home

February 8, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

If you love the look of professional blowouts — but hate spending a small fortune on them — then consider investing in a blow dryer brush. This versatile tool pulls double (or more like triple) duty as a brush, hairdryer, and styler. Put simply, blow dryer brushes are designed to save you time, effort, and energy when it comes to styling your hair, and, fortunately, they’re suitable for all hair types, textures, and lengths.

While there are dozens of great options on the market, keep in mind that the best blow dryer brushes feature ionic technology, which is supposed to help minimize frizz and enhance shine. The result? Frizz-free, softer strands in mere minutes. You’ll also notice that most blow dryer brushes are round- or oval-shaped which is ideal for creating volume. Many have three or more temperature settings, cool-touch tips to prevent you from burning your fingers/hands, and a ceramic surface. A handful of options offer bonus features like cool settings for preserving curls, interchangeable barrels for custom styling, and two different types of bristles that allow for simultaneous detangling and styling.

As someone who owns several blow dryer brushes — including a few mentioned below — I’ve picked up quite a few tricks. For example, I’ve found that blow dry brushes work best on my hair when it’s about 80% to 90% dry. Not only does this cut down on styling time, but it also helps minimize heat damage.

From a wallet-friendly favorite to a splurge-worthy staple, I’ve scoured the Internet — and spoke to the pros — to narrow down the best blow dryer brushes for every hair type and budget.

To read the full article, click here

Credit to: Lauren Dana for insider.com

The Best Summer Hair Colors to Try This Season

January 30, 2022 by Noelle Sim Leave a Comment

Summer’s in full swing and so are these sunny shades. If the season change has you craving a hair change, you’re not alone. Grown out highlights and tired quarantine color make for a real bummer summer. Why not lighten your locks a shade or mark your reemergence with a foray into fantasy colors?

We know the options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re curating this list of cute hair colors for summer, so no matter what your natural shade is, you have screenshots to show your hairstylist. These trendy, flattering finalists span breezy summer blondes and perky pastels to the best hues for dark hair darlings. Proof that you don’t have to go lighter simply because it’s summer.

Looking to dip your toe in the color pool or dive hair first into something more vibrant? Meet the summer hair color ideas making the biggest splash this season.

Summer hair colors for brunettes

Whoever said brown hair is boring never met these summer shades.

Face-framing color blocks

Insatgram/@bellahadid

This look is also known as money-piece highlights or Ginger from the Spicegirls streaks, depending on how old you are. It’s a great way to test out a color without committing fully. Worried about damaging your hair? Don’t be! Since such a small portion of the hair is lifted, you can keep your hair healthy and go back to dark without much effort.

Auburn accents

You’re likely to see a lot of red on and off the runway this year. Love the look, but aren’t red-y to go full tilt? Start with a few pops of rust here and there. Keep your natural base or give it a boost for added contrast. The auburn pieces will continue to lighten over the course of the summer, giving you a gorgeous glowy boost as you embark on your summer adventures.

Matte brown tresses

Instagram/@biancacolour

Toying with the idea of eventually going blonde? These babylights are your first baby step. It’s a universally flattering look that’s easy to manage and easy to scale up or down once you decide whether you like it. Ask your hairdresser to tone the hair first. This will extend the life of your highlights and prevent them from getting too brassy.

Summer hair colors for blondes

Blondes definitely have more fun with these summer blonde hair colors.

Borderline blonde-brunette balayage

If you have naturally dark hair, but want to lighten up, this ombre starter-pack is the place to begin. It leaves your roots mostly intact and strategically lightens the hair around your face and at the ends. Starting gradually helps prevent your hair from going into shock as you chemically process your way up the color wheel.

Think pink!

A peachy-pink is peachy keen for summer colored hair. This diverse shade comes in a range of hues from bubblegum and fuchsia to the peachy pastele you see here. Ask your colorist to help you pick a pink that will go with the undertones in your skin to avoid getting washed out.

Cool blonde

Look cool even on the hottest days with a frosting of icy blonde. This bright blonde has tones that can range from almost grey to slightly blue, depending on which direction you and your hairdresser decide to go. Perfect for blondes with warm undertones to help balance and give your skin a fresh glow. If you go this route, just be sure to add a purple shampoo to your shopping list. As the toner fades over time, hair will naturally want to “warm”, taking on yellow or brassy tones. Purple shampoos and conditioners are designed to counterbalance this process and keep your new summer hair color as poppin’ as the day you stepped out of the salon.

Summer hair colors for dark hair

Here’s just some of what you can do with a bold, beautiful base!

Copper coils

Give your locks some serious dimension with a smattering of copper highlights on the ends of your hair. Doing so naturally draws the eye down so you can showcase your strands. The dark roots and light ends will make your eyes pop, while giving you a bit of heat just in time for a hot girl summer.

Burgundy and plum

Not into lightening your hair, but still want to change things up? Adding a rich, all-over purple and plum to your tresses is a great way to signal you’re ready for summer. Burgundy is a great summer look if you commit to it. You can also curate where to slice in purple pops if what you want is dimension instead of depth. Your hairdresser can advise on placement to maximize their visual interest.

Brown highlights on black hair

Want to look like you’ve been out in the sun all day, even if it’s too hot to be outside longer than five minutes? Splice some brown highlights into your ebony strands. They’ll add some effortless dimension and are super easy to keep up with as the seasons change.

Summer hair care tips

Remember that hair is more likely to suffer from UV damage in the summer. If you’re coloring your hair, too, invest in a hair mask to give your tresses a moisture boost every few weeks. If you want to stretch and protect your summer hair color, consider adding a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your shampoo or using a sun protectant spray anytime you go outside. Still not sure the best summer hair colors for your locks? Leave that to the professionals on Gina’s Platform. They’re all about helping you achieve picture perfect summer strands.

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.