Best Beauty--Blow Dry Products

As I've mentioned before, I think my hair is a big reason that I'm able to wear so much vintage and have it seem modern.  I always make sure that the cut suits me and how I live, and that includes a wide range of activities from elegant evenings out to surfing on the weekends.  Because I blow dry my hair quite a bit, I've tested many many a product over the years.  Here is a quick list of all of my favorites:


High Price

Shampoo--Kerastase Bain Mirror
Conditioner--Kerastase Chroma Reflect
Protect--Kerastase Ciment Thermique
Volume--Pureology Power Dressing

Low Price 

Shampoo--Pantene Color Preserve Shine

Conditioner--Pantene Color Preserve Shine

Protect--Pantene Medium-Thick Straighten & Smooth Creme

Volume--Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam Styler

Worth Any Price Finishing Products

Smooth and Separate--Enjoy Creamy Pomade
Hairspray--Enjoy Hair Spray
Dry Shampoo--Oscar Blandi Pronto
Shine--Kerastase Vinyle Nutri-Sculpt

Best Hair Products--Oscar Blandi's Pronto Dry Shampoo

Though GlamAmor is clearly focused on vintage clothing and the inspiration behind the clothing, I can't help but mention some of my favorite beauty products since they're so key to my own look and might be ones that you enjoy as well.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my hair gets as much attention on the street as my vintage clothes do. Thus I thought I should start GlamAmor's Best Beauty with a product I can't do without for my hair--Oscar Blandi's Pronto dry shampoo.

First, let's discuss the wonder of any dry shampoo. As many of you already know, it is the key product that allows you to prolong the life of your blow out into day two and even day three. However, as many of the fashion magazines are finally acknowledging, dry shampoo is a versatile styling tool for use even immediately following a blowout. This is actually a trick I learned a couple years ago and can't believe it's taken this long for word to get out. You'll find it gives your hair more overall volume and can help your hair from falling flat during the day. It's more natural volume, too, in contrast to stickiness that often comes from many volumizing sprays. And if you want an updo with freshly washed hair instead of the advised day after hair, you're really going to need a little help from dry shampoo.

Oscar Blandi's Pronto is simply the best dry shampoo I've found. In addition to the attributes mentioned above, Pronto really helps define the layers in my hair. In using it, my hair often seems to get better throughout the day, even if it's a windy day or I've been windblown in a convertible. It is also one of the few out there that gives your hair a bit of shine and it's difficult to overdo it; some dry shampoos will dull your hair and make your hair seem like a helmet if you put too much in. Even Pronto's scent is lovely--a subtle lemon verbena that doesn't compete with any other fragrances you might have going, including the ones in your hair. It just always seems fresh and complimentary.

How do I use it? In the morning after blow drying, I will put a product in my hair for a little control and separation (Kerastase and Enjoy both make products I like), and then let that set a bit while I put on my makeup. Then right before I leave the house, I sprinkle in a little Pronto to fluff it out and finish with hairspray. After work, if I'm planning on going out for the evening, I will simply freshen the look with a little more Pronto. If I have time, I will blast my hair with a blow dryer to really boost the volume and loosen the layers. Again finishing with hairspray.

Pronto has evolved over the years, including spray versions and ones specific to your hair color for more options. However, I still rely on the trusty bottle shown above since it travels well and you can use it anywhere without an aerosol disturbing anyone, like at your desk during the work day. It seems to last forever (I'm still on my original bottle!) and is really a stellar product. You can find it at most beauty supply stores, including Ulta and Sephora. Hope you like it!

Your Best Accessory--Hair

 

I get two comments on the street more than any other.  One is some form of "I love your hair!" and the flurry of questions that accompany the compliment...what products I use, how I style it, and who cuts it for me.  The other comment I hear is some form of "I love what you're wearing!" and the surprised reaction when women find out that it's usually vintage.  What's interesting to me is how the two comments are quite related.

I think that my hair is actually integral in being able to wear vintage in a way that looks modern.  It's always been important to me that the style is suited to me rather than to my outfit.  It's an important distinction.  As you can see from the photos above, I have tried a surprising number of styles over the years--pixie cuts, short bobs, long bobs, bangs, no bangs, long and layered--and they're all being paired with my predominantly vintage wardrobe.  I may own clothes ranging from the 1930s all the way to the year 2010, but you'd never know it strictly from my hair styles.  As a rule, I never match the style of my hair to the style of my dress.  It's simply the fastest way to look like you're wearing a costume and/or seem out of date.  Your hair should always suit you by flattering your features and reflecting your lifestyle.  This will make you look your most beautiful no matter what you're wearing, whether its vintage or the latest designer duds.

I am very lucky and have a BFF who is an extremely talented hair stylist--Danna Sachs.  She used to live next to me and I feel like I've grown up with her in many ways.  She was invited on the first season of Bravo's Shear Genius and, after years of working for another renowned stylist, started her own salon in Brentwood.  If you're ever in need of someone new, I can't recommend her highly enough.  Danna's gift--and it's the gift of any truly great stylist--is being able to marry what you want with who you really are.  You might bring in the latest pics of Jennifer or Reese or Katie or Posh, but that's not what's most important.  Instead, what is the shape of your face?  What type of hair do you have?  How are you most comfortable wearing your hair?  What is your lifestyle?  It's a stylist's ability to respond to these questions with your cut that really demonstrates their talent.  You should never have to fight your hair after you leave the salon and try to style it on your own.  And even as your hair grows out, and then grows out some more, the style should still maintain its integrity.

Our hair is often our best accessory...more than any handbag, shoes, or jewelry.  I only need utter the words "bad hair day" and every woman (and man, for that matter) knows exactly what I'm saying.  I always think of someone like Sarah Jessica Parker on Sex in the City and how the biggest impact on her look was often just that hair of hers.  Because hair and other beauty rituals of course contribute so much to being modern and looking our best, I will blog from time to time about my favorites and ongoing thoughts right alongside all the fun fashion features.  Please feel free to join the conversation with your own!