Product Spotlight // Surf Spray

Bumble & Bumble’s SURF SPRAY is my favorite summer product, and although it’s not summer YET, it was 84 degrees in Chicago yesterday. This weather has been inspiring my inner beach-babe to surface!

The Surf Spray is a conditioning salt-infused styling spray that provides a matte finish and roughed up texture. I recently posted about “lived in” hair being “What’s HOT” and this is the product to deliver that look.

I especially love that this comes out in a mist, so you have total control when applying to damp hair.

Above all else I’m a sucker for cute packaging and light floral fragrances!

Cheers to mermaid hair! AJ

What's HOT & What's NOT

HOT: “Lived in” hair NOT: Perfectly polished hair

HOT: Delta Airlines NOT: Spirit Airlines

HOT: Nail Art NOT: French manicure

HOT: Collection of bracelets on your wrist NOT: Grungy hair ties on your wrist

HOT: Eating healthy NOT: Not eating

HOT: Public display of affection NOT: Public display of dysfunction

HOT: Trimmed and custom waxing NOT: Rapid and aggressive threading

HOT: Tan in a can NOT: Cook in a bed

HOT: Darker roots NOT: Nail roots

Stay HOT! AJ

America's Beauty Show

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America’s Beauty Show is one of the largest hair, skin and nail shows in the world. It’s a show that pretty much everyone in the industry has attended, if not attended every year. Arrojo platforms and Tabatha Coffey appearances, seminars, new product releases, you think it up and it’s there. I’d say it’s kind of like the Super Bowl of the industry, and luckily, in Chicago!

So when my boss asked if I’d like to do hair for the show… you can imagine my lack of hesitation. At these shows, there’s press galore. Magazine editors, newscasters, writers, etc. P&G, who’s responsible for Wella haircolor, in which I use and teach in Thomas West Salon, sponsored a Press Room where hair and make up we complimentary services to any of the press. This is where I, along with some of my team, were throughout the day yesterday.

To a lot of people, hairdressing is joke career. Often looked down upon with a “You didn’t go to college?!” attitude. Choosing cosmetology school wasn’t a “Plan Z” for me. I’m so proud and in lust with my career. I make people feel beautiful every single day, and get paid to do it. I guess it is kind of a joke of a career. I mean, I make a living playing dress up in a sorority environment with the people I adore. I see myself as an artist with so much to share.

The experience was fantastic. To network and be interviewed was such an opportunity. Can’t wait to do it again next year.

XO AJ

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PEOPLE WILL HATE YOU, RATE YOU, AND TRY TO BREAK YOU- BUT HOW STRONG YOU STAND IS WHAT MAKES YOU. 

Hair Toys

Pretty sure we ALL have Spring fever! It’s March, and Spring is only a couple (rounding down a bit) weeks away!

Whether your hair is short or long, these Free People hair accessories will add instant (boho) effort to your look. The “hair lasso” is my FAVE. Looks so cool on messy waves just peeking out around a braid.

Have fun! AJ

Nail Tutorial

Hey ladies! Before you give up on reading this, I swear this isn’t as hard as it looks. Doing just one of these at a time on a ring finger is adorable, especially for the newly engaged chica!

YOU WILL NEED:

• Toothpicks
• Polish
• Polish remover

HOW TO:

• Choose your colors… I used “Alpine Snow”, “Vodka & Caviar”, & “Lincoln Park After Dark” all by OPI
• I started with a clear base coat, followed by painting all my fingers with the white (I used white so the contrast would be high for photos- you don’t have to)
• Next put a couple drops of color on a surface you don’t care about, a zip lock baggie is perfect
• WAIT a couple minutes to let the polish thicken a bit
• For a heart- Start with two dots, and lightly and SLOWLY drag them into a point, you’ll probably need to dip your toothpick again to add a little more paint and “fatten” up your shape
• For a music note- Start with two dots, and then a top horizontal line above (I think it’s much easier to do the top line first)
• Dip your toothpick into fresh polish as needed, and connect the top line to your dots
• Finish with a top coat
• Easy peasy :)

Since we’re on the theme of music I figured it appropriate to share some of my playlist! Not many of these are new songs, but they’ve all been on repeat in my apartment a few times this weekend. :)

• Starry Eyed by Ellie Goulding
• Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
• In for the Kill (Skrillex remix) by La Roux
• Ours by Taylor Swift
• This Is War by Ingrid Michaelson
• Meant to Be (Acoustic) by Rebelution
• Miss Me by Andy Grammer
• Ghost by Ingrid Michaelson
• 1940 by The Submarines
• Begin Again (Reggae version) by Colbie Caillat
• The Last Thing On Your Mind by Lights
• Safe & Sound by Taylor Swift feat The Civil Wars
• Pocket Change by Josh Damigo
• Uncharted by Sara Bareilles

Also for those of you who don’t know, Your Stylist AJ is on pinterest! Check it out and please pin this look to help spread the word.

X’s & O’s AJ

Hair Tutorial!

I’ve been a little distant lately, (literally), and haven’t had much time to dedicate to the blog.. so what better way to return than with a hair tute!

When my hair is dirty or not laying right because I desperately need a haircut, these three little buns are my GO TO. They’re easy peasy. Literally just three buns. For the photo’s sake, I used a model with thick shiny hair as it is easy to follow in step by step photos. BUT, please note, that my favorite way to wear this look is when my hair is curly or wavy, (leftover from the day before), and messily thrown into three little buns. I get compliments on this everytime I wear it, and it’s seriously the simplest thing I ever do!

1. With clear elastics, create three sections

2. Beginning with the center ponytail, twist the section and spiral it around the base, securing with a couple bobby pins

3. Repeat this twist and spiral on the side ponytails

4. Pull the hair at the crown a little to add some “oomph” <—How great of a word is OOMPH by the way?!

Have fun! These little guys do the flirting FOR you. They’re just adorable.

XO AJ

Hair Bow

Hi ladies!

We’ve been seeing high buns and top knots for a while now, and this bow is another way to incorporate that look, with your own flair. It delivers such a Taylor Swift innocence, but walking around with it all day I still felt a little Lady Gaga fashion forward! I challenge you guys to try it, it’s so fun. (This can also be done on hair half up!)

1. Collect the hair at the top of the crown as you would a ponytail, wrap a clear elastic band around the hair but only halfway through for the final wrap leaving a “tail and loop”

2. Split the loop in half creating a part

3. Wrap the tail upward keeping the two loop sections separate, and secure with two bobby pins

4. Hairspray and fondle the bow into the symmetry it may lack, and spray again

Have so much fun! AJ

BROWS ARE BACK!

Eyebrows have so much control over our entire look that one who doesn’t bow down to them and honor their priority, is a fool.

Unveleiling my true brows to you in the photo on the left, is difficult, but you need to see just how much of a difference my brow pencil really makes!

Many of us over-tweezed years ago, and will forever be paying for it. Seeing the right brow specialist, as I’ve mentioned before, is step one. Step twwooo, is coming to terms with the sad truth that our brows just may not grow in full. Ever. Again. For me, this was so sad. I want JLo brows. Instead, my makeup artist Sheri Cox has taught me how to achieve the JLo glow using the right products, and that’s as close to JLo as I’ll be getting. Step threeee, is getting a brow pencil/ stencils, and fattening up the illusion of a brow.

Ladies, it’s as important as eyeliner!

Give it a try.

XO AJ

Currently Playing >>

MUSIC SPOTLIGHT!

I know this blog is dedicated mostly to hair and fashion, but really the basis is all things trendy, and “a little of what’s on my mind”. So today, I’m letting you in on a secret possession… MY PLAYLIST.

Mike Vial and The Winchester, are two of the most magical sounds I can’t get enough of.

Mike Vial was a schoolteacher for eight years before leaving to pursue his passion for his music. He’s a Michigan singer-songwriter with the lyrical direction of James Taylor and the musical style of John Mayer. He’s currently touring much of the midwest, and you can download some of his music for free at www.mikevial.com. (But at least pay him back by spreading the word!) 

The Winchester is another Michigan born sound. The band’s foundation is the cutest couple you’ve ever seen. With the beautiful Melanie Peltier being the lead singer, and her charismatic boyfriend Sean Hill on sax, (and if you’re lucky you’ll hear him on back up vocals as well). This band is sure to lift your spirits and leave your jaw dropped. They’re also currently on the midwest map for shows, and ARE PLAYING TONIGHT at the Elbo Room in Chicago @ 10. What a fantastic start to the week. The show is only $8, and I’ll be there, so come out, say hi, and toe tap with me. Their sound is indie folkie jazzie happiey. You can’t help but adore they’re body language towards each other, and fluent organic sounds. www.thewinchestersound.com

See y’all tonight! AJ

Lululemon Warehouse Sale // Chicago

LULULEMON WAREHOUSE SALE IN CHICAGO! 

Tomorrow being the last day, I’m sorry I didn’t get this info out sooner, Lululemon is having a warehosue sale from 9-9 in Rosemont.

There WILL be lines, but they’ll be indoors, and you can expect tons of women’s AND men’s apparel. Music, entertainment, and demos will be going on all day.

Where? Donal E. Stephens Convention Center 5555 N. River Road Rosemont, IL 60018

I unfortunately have an apparel show tomorrow, so if you go- pick me up something! xo AJ

Sammy/ AJ // Before/ After

What’s in? Dating someone and getting healthier together!

SO much of the time we find Mr. Right Now, and fall into relationship autopilot. We forget our Namastes and skinny jeans. News flash …that cycle is so yesterday.

Instead, use your relationship, (no matter how new or how old), as the perfect motivator! Communicate goals with each other and productively and sweetly hold each other accountable. Summer is still plenty of time away, and it’s not too late for new year resolutions!

xox AJ

Overnight Curls

Ask and you shall recieve! I’m back with another hair tutorial!

This week I’m going to give you a couple alternative curl options that (drumroll pleaseeee…) DON’T REQUIRE HEAT.

So many of you come to the salon with heat styling addictions, and as much as I lecture you, until you have alternatives, you’ll continue frying your hair.

Hear me when I say, if you’re going to use heat tools, whether they be a blow dryer, flat iron, or curling tool, TURN DOWN YOUR HEAT SETTINGS and USE A THERMAL PROTECTANT. This shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Allow me to put this bluntly. The typical flat iron gets above 400 degrees, you can cook Bagel Bites at less than that, and you want to put that temperature on your HAIR? Over and over? When you’re hair isn’t frozen, isn’t food, is fragile, likely colored, and you pay how much to keep it glamorous!? You with me now? So turn down your heat settings, use a heat protectant, and use alternative styling withOUT heat as much as possible to give your hair the break it deserves. Please. :)

Photo breakdown:

• I shampooed & conditioned with Scalp Benefits Shampoo & Conditioner, (because it’s January and dry, and healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp).
• Next I towel dried and spritzed on Pureology Miracle Filler, formulated for blondes to fill the “pot holes” along the hair shaft. I let my hair air dry most of the way and when just damp I scrunched in Bumble & Bumble Texture “undressing creme” for starchy lived in hold.
• I then took sections and twisted them away from the face and into little buns, securing them with a single bobby pin.
• I slept on the little buns and took them out in the morning. Brushing through them is okay, I raked through mine with my fingers for a while and spritzed with a little Moroccan Oil Hairspray for a light hold.

The curls have lasted all day, and though are a bit frizzier than my curling iron curls, they have more volume and softness than usual. I’ll definitely get a second day out of the look!

Have fun beauties, AJ

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BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS

I am so unbelievably psyched for 2012! I’m making it my mission to make this year successful and memorable. Below is a list of resolutions we should all make a priority this year!

Be positive. This seems pretty basic, but optimism is the foundation of almost everything we do.

Wash off make up every night. Because if you’re not washing it off, you’re not using night cream, so you’re no sleeping beauty.

Start applying eye cream. I have a very intense fear of aging and wrinkles. My grandma once said, “Why would I want to buy that anti-aging eye cream? I’ve worked hard for these wrinkles!” Although that’s adorable, and we all should aim to be half as humble, I will take all possible preventative measures.

Moisturize your neck. A woman’s neck is a strong indication of her age. THIS is a very serious subject, I don’t take it lightly after reading Nora Ephron’s book, “I Feel Bad About My Neck”. Here’s a segment worth remembering.

“Oh, the necks. There are chicken necks. there are turkey gobbler necks. There are elephant necks. There are necks with wattles and necks with creases that are on the verge of becoming wattles. There are scrawny necks and fat necks, loose necks, crepey necks, banded necks, wrinkled necks, stringy necks, saggy necks, flabby necks, mottled necks. There are necks that are an amazing combination of all of the above. According to my dermatologist, the neck starts to go at forty-three, and that’s that…short of surgery, there’s not a damn thing you can do about a neck. The neck is a dead give-away. Our faces are lies and our necks are the truth.”

(The book is a super quick super witty read, check it out!)

Overdose on yoga. I’ve never heard anyone spend time in deep reflection and focus and come out unhappy.

Drink water. H2O is forgotten, boring, underappreciated, and SO important. Please make it a priority!

Be a daymaker. This has been my daily goal every day since I was a student at Douglas J Aveda Institute. It makes me a better person, gives me a reason to wake up.

No fast food. No exceptions. I am giving up fast food for 2012. I’ve tried this, multiple times, and failed. Here I am, promising on the www, that I’m done with it.

Use less salt. If you know me, you’ll doubt my seriousness. I’m a salt addict. But we just broke up.

Be above the snooze button. I’m also famous for the snooze button. ZERO quality of life happens between the first alarm and the fifth. I AM going to GET UP at the first alarm every morning.

Wear sunscreen! Everywhere.

Find your signature scent. My new fragrance is the new Jimmy Choo. I’m hopelessly in love with it. I feel glamorous and warm when it’s on.

Schedule a skin cancer screening. And all medical appointments you’ve been putting off. I despise anything related to the doctor. Not this year. THIS IS MY YEAR. My year to break the bad habits, and make my body, the ONE body I have, a priority.

Perfect your foundation color. Sheri Cox and Valerie of Beverly Hills are your new best friends. Sheri is my make up artist, aside from being one of the most remarkable women I have in my life. She uses Valerie of Beverly Hills make up in Thomas West Salon. This make up is CUSTOMIZED to YOUR skin color. It’s the right shade every single time, it vanishes blotchiness and uneven tone, feels like suede, and LASTS.

Quit being a hair slacker. Please. For me. Get over wearing a ponytail just because you can. This is me, telling you nicely, you can not. If you wear a ponytail, wrap some hair around the elastic to add some instant effort.

Quit hoarding makeup. That stuff expires guys, and faster than you think. When in doubt, throw it out.

Make sleep a priority. It’s your beauty foundation, and feels SO good.

ONLY tan in a can. Tanning beds and harmful rays are so last century.

Retire the tweezers. Again, come see Sheri Cox @ Thomas West Salon. If you think your eyebrows rock, they probably don’t. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be harsh, but I’m here to speak the truth, and it’s actually a fact, that your eyebrows don’t look as good as they could.

Embrace YOU. This year, I’m in a relationship with me. I will NOT downplay myself for others. I will not give up on this list. I will not get comfy on autopilot. :)

Happy New Year! Lets make it our best year yet!

Your Stylist, AJ

Nail Tutorial

Simply put, I adore this.

I rocked this with a floor length Calvin Klein dress to a black tie gala recently, as well as an off the shoulder Eagles tee shirt. It’s super versatile, and a without a doubt eye catcher.

• Base coat, and paint a solid color, (glitter looks amazing beneath)
• Take stickers, the kind used at garage sales and such, found at any CVS, etc.
• How much nail the sticker covers is personal preference, I like to see a fair amount my first polish
• Paint over the sticker as messy as you’d like :)
• Peel off sticker right after painting, (DO NOT allow to dry first)
• Top coat

Have fun with this ladies! It’s also a great trick to use the stickers for French manicures too!

Your Stylist, AJ

Side Messy Bun Updo

SIDE MESSY BUN UPDO (another less than 5 minute updo!)

This is my go to for dirty hair, recycling curls or bedhead, dressy, OR casual. I love rocking this with a feather hair clip, beaded headband, or Swarovski piece. My point: this is perfect for a day of errands AND your holiday parties.

• This look is easiest to accomplish by starting with dirty or dry shampooed hair, that has been either previously curled and slept on, or just curled
• Start by pulling all of your hair over one shoulder, and hold it with one hand as if about to put an elastic around it
• Using your other hand, push the gathered hair up towards the head using a flat hand, (as if holding a platter)
• Take a clear small elastic, and wrap it around the messy bundle at least once, no more than twice, (depending on the amount of hair)
• Use bobby pins, to morph the overall shape or tame stray pieces
• Tug at crown to loosen and create a “lived-in” look

SEE!? Suuuuper easy, ridiculously fast style, perfect for any occasion.

Love you guys, AJ

!!!

UNBELIEVABLE. I have a website. Sounds like no big deal right? I mean, every company, brand and idea has a website… because they’re LEGIT! What does this mean for me?! It means today, I feel just a little more legit than I did yesterday! Hope you all feel the same way. 

Thanks to my fabulous followers so far, HI MOM! I look forward to growing a network of lovelies who love their hair. I picture you all now, following my tutorials in your bathroom mirror cursing my name as you loose blood flow in your hands because a basket weave braid is miserable to operate! I kid. It’s easy! 

Anywhoo… brace yourselves. I feel like this site is going to deliver you not only great new styles, but lots of surprises. 

Love you all. Genuine thanks for even reading this far. 

Smiles! 
AJ