Dye for Your 'Do

BSB Subscribers: Apologies for the double postings as of late. Working on fixing this glitch!



This look recently hit the runway and was even embraced by celebs. For many of us, the first one causes a raised brow. More than that and most of us go into panic mode. What causes this random uproar? A gray hair (GASP)!

Whether you have some early strands or a head full, you can keep your hair looking salon fab with at-home maintenance.

To camouflage a few strands, try a semi-permanent dye which provides coverage but is ammonia free. Cover roots til your next pro job with CLAIROL's NICE N EASY AT HOME ROOT TOUCH-UP/$6.99 at www.drugstore.com. For complete coverage, choose a permanent color with low ammonia like CLAIROL's NICE 'N EASY PERFECT 10 HAIR COLOR/$14. Avail in 20 shades.

If you're fully gray, the PANTENE PRO-V SILVER EXPRESSIONS SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER will add vibrancy to dull hair. Only $6 each. Use this duo no more than twice weekly to avoid your hair taking on a purple tone.

Since gray hair follicles produce little oil and are generally dry, a glossing treatment can help. Try JOHN FREIDA LUMINOUS COLOR GLAZE/$10 in five shades. Be sure to hydrate with a rich hair masque. Keep hair shiny and smooth with KERASTASE OLEO-RELAX SERUM/$36. Tames wiry strands.

Society doesn't often equate gray hair with glam. No matter how you choose to wear your hair, be confident in your choice. Depending on the texture, hue, and style, I think it looks rather chic.


(Photo credits: incelebritynews.com; instyle.com and more.com)

MIZANI Supreme Oil

MIZANI celebrated the launch of the "dream oil" that is Supreme Oil last night in Soho with press, bloggers and stylists. The event gave us the opportunity to experience Supreme Oil first hand. Educator, salon owner, and platform stylist Evie Johnson informed us about hair's natural curl patterns and how Supreme Oil works with all hair types (see photos below of models). Transitions hair easily from a textured fro to a silky straight 'do. (Checkout center photo of Jade. The right front piece of her hair was flat-ironed using Supreme Oil). Doesn't weigh the hair down or feel greasy. The new product contains eight natural oils (sesame, jojoba, almond, avocado, apricot, olive fruit, sunflower, AND argan). Smooths, conditions, and nourishes hair without parabens, silicone, or mineral oil. So good, it doubles as an all over body moisturizer.

After cocktails, yummy finger foods, and beauty chit chat, we received a great swag bag (can't wait to try it). What an amazing evening...Thanks MIZANI.

Hair We Go

When it comes to my hair, I'm one to stick with what works for me. Especially in the way of conditioning treatments. Usually for a very long time. So since an inquiry came in for hair product reviews, I decided to see how one of my former favorites was faring.

KERASTASE has a number of shampoos, masques, leave-ins, and conditioners to fight frizz and dryness. KERASTASE BAIN SATIN and MASQUINTENSE won InStyle's Best Beauty Buys for the last three years (and 2005). Why? Industry pros love the shine-enhancing duo. The shampoo is infamous for restoring balance and moisture to dry hair/$34. The masque hydrates thick/dry hair (mine) and makes it soft and manageable/$58. For a KERASTASE Consultant Salon near you, click here.

Performing Double Duty

For various reasons, there may be times when we need a substitute for our normal beauty products. Whether it's because we've run out or are on the go, in a crunch, these essentials have to be "replaced."

Interested in a quick fix?

• Add shine to dull hair immediately. Try JOHNSON's Baby Oil Gel. A little goes a long way!
• Dab a rich hand cream onto hair to calm fly aways in a cinch. NIVEA Creme works well.
• Slather on hair conditioner like GARNIER FRUCTIS Haircare Body Boost Conditioner when you're out of shaving cream. Instantly moisturizes legs in the process and reduces risk of razor burn.
• Soften cracked cuticles with lip balm for immediate conditioning. I like YES TO CARROTS Conditioning Lip Butter.

Each of these double duty performers are less than $5.00 at local drugstores. But the best thing about these products is you probably already have them at home, at your desk or in your bag!

Your Time to Shine

Tis the season to show off! Summer showcases sexy skin, shiny hair, arms, legs, decollete, shoulders, and just about everything else. You want to be sure you shine (b)right.

SKIN: Start by displaying radiant skin. KIEHL'S Superbly Restorative Argan Dry Oil ensures skin looks dewy, soft and smooth./$30 at kiehls.com for 4 oz.

HAIR: Got dry, flat, dull hair? MATRIX BIOLAGE Delicate Care Organic Certified Oil Treatment does away with all three. Tames fly aways, restores sheen, and softens dry coarse hair. Paraban and silicone free. Retails for $22 at fine salons.

NAILS: Maintain your mani/pedi with RIMMEL London Lasting Finish Professional Base & Top Coat Pro. Special time-released formula enhances shine overtime and creates a smooth glossy finish that lasts up to ten days./$3.99 at drugstores

LIPS: Amped up 3-D shine without the goop in this gloss. LORAC Multiplex 3-D Lip Gloss has holographic pigments for a super lacquered look. Moist texture keeps lips ultra glossy. Try Cliche for a burst of color/Five other shades at $22 each at beauty.com.

Drug Store Dandies at DRUGSTORE.COM & More

Some of us are a little obsessed with going to stores like Duane Reade, Ulta, Rite Aid and Walgreens. For me, if shelves are neatly stocked, I'm in for a leisure stroll in the beauty aisles. I check out the end caps for limited editions, new product or trend items. See if my favorite product is in house or sold out. And peek at beauty bundles from lesser known brands.

You may prefer virtual shopping. DRUGSTORE.COM has some dandies for you:

FACE: REVLON introduced PHOTOREADY MAKEUP for a poreless, airbrushed skin in any light. Complete coverage with a soft luminous finish. Oil and fragrance free with SPF 20 to guard against the sun's harmful rays...12 shades at $13.99 each.

EYES: Hands down, L'OREAL makes THE best mascaras. I prefer the EXTRA VOLUME PLUMPING COLLAGEN MASCARA in Blackest Black. On my sparse lashes, two coats adds density, length and va va voom!...Black, Black Brown and waterproof formulas at $7.95 each.

Also love HIP BRIGHT DUOS SHADOW. New favorite is #328/Riotous. A sharp lime green paired with a complimentary olive shade. I use the bright shade over a green pencil to outline my eyes completely...metallics, brights, shimmers and mattes -- each duo is only $7.99.

LIPS: The COVERGIRL QUEEN COLLECTION VIBRANT HUE COLOR in Bronze Goddess infuses metallics beautifully. Compliments our honey tones or sun-kissed skin beautifully. You may believe you ARE a Bronze Goddess...on sale now for $6.39.

Additional products and sites for:

NAILS: SALLY HANSEN COLOR QUICK FAST DRY NAIL COLOR PEN is easy to use and travels anywhere. The fast drying nail color is available in 18 shades and conditions nails with Vitamins A, C & E. Ideal for mani/pedis! Approx $8 each at ulta.com.

HAIR: KIMBLE HAIR BUTTER - Beyonce's hair stylist, Kimberly Kimble, launched a haircare line a few years ago. Thankfully, the celebrity stylist knows everyone should have reputable styling products at recession-proof prices. Product is referred to as "creamy buttery moisturizing goodness" and a cheaper alternative to MISS JESSIE's BABY BUTTERCREAM. Only $11.99 at target.com.