Hair Helpers

Reaching New Heights

March 15, 2011 at 9:31 am
By Fitness Magazine

Simple and easy updos, perfect for those days when the alarm doesn’t go off or you hit the snooze button one too many times, are having a serious celebrity moment (check out our Fresh Hair feature in the April issue, out today, for the best gym-friendly options). Jessica Alba’s messy updo, above, is top notch: This effortlessly cool style can be twisted in a few seconds—push a headband over the front to smooth flyaways and make the look more polished.

If you’re a curly girl, the messy bun that both Annalynne McCord and Vanessa Hudgens sport is perfect for you.  To get this look, pull your hair up into a loose bun and pull some tendrils free to finish it off.  This is easygoing style will take your hair from frizzy to chic with time to spare!

Another celeb diving head first into the topknot trend is Kate Bosworth. Channeling her inner ballerina, Kate puts a more polished spin on the bun trend: Her look is elegant, yet fuss-free. This style works best on ladies with straight hair. Start by pulling your hair into a high, tight ponytail. Twist hair around the base of the ponytail and loosen the twist as you place it. Once you have perfected your bun, pin it in place (we love the Goody Spin Pin, a single pin—you may need two if you have a ton of hair—that miraculously, undetectably holds hair in place).

—By Lindsay Richardson, beauty intern

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Super-Easy Updo

January 27, 2011 at 8:33 am
By April Franzino

Amy Abramite, creative director of Maxine Salon in Chicago shared this video on how to do a chic, classic updo in less than two minutes with FITNESS. Watch and learn!

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Thrifty Thursday: Scalp Savior

December 2, 2010 at 8:50 am
By April Franzino

Scalp dryness can flare up in winter or from washing your hair frequently after workouts, says Skyy Hadley, owner and founder of As “U” Wish Spa in Hoboken, New Jersey. Prevent flakes and itchiness from over-washing with this simple hydrating treatment: Part hair into four sections with a comb, then use your fingers to rub a dime-sized amount of pure olive oil into each area of your scalp. Leave on for as long as you can and wash out with your regular shampoo. Bonus: This treatment’s practically free! 

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Time to break up with split ends!

October 29, 2010 at 1:48 pm
By Eleanor Langston

You probably have frayed ends year-round; it’s impossible to avoid them. But as the months get chillier, they’re more obvious because they look fuzzy when your hair is dry. “A trim will tame flyaway pieces,” says Dickey, founder of Hair Rules Salon in New York City. Ask your stylist to snip off a quarter inch, which will eliminate broken ends without significantly shortening your style. Can’t squeeze in a salon visit? Apply a few drops of a silicone- or oil-based styling product to ends. It won’t repair them, but it can smooth them temporarily. My favorite style smoother that’s still lightweight and smells incredible: Neil George Indian Gooseberry Treatment Oil.

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Update Your Hair for Fall

September 24, 2010 at 1:39 pm
By Eleanor Langston

Want a new style to sport this season or simply need to freshen up your hair? We turned to Kimberly Rothamel Morgan at Bob Steele Salon in Atlanta for her top strand secrets:

1. If your hair is straight, have your stylist add some face-framing layers that start above your cheekbone or about an inch above your jawline if you want to be able to tuck your hair behind your ears (crucial for working out!). This will enhance your bone structure and refresh your hair for fall.

2. If your hair is curly, define your ringlets with a moisturizing curl cream, such as Redken Fresh Curls Curl Refiner . You’ll need to adjust the amount of product you need according to your length: chin-length or above = two dime-sized doses, shoulder-length = three dime-sized doses, below your shoulders = three to four dime-sized doses. The key to the smoothest application? Flip your hair over for the first dose and then back up to do the next dose for the most even coverage. Then, blow-dry your hair with a diffuser or air-dry.

3. Healthy hair equals gorgeous hair. After a summer of chlorine, sun, salt and sand, you need to give your hair some TLC. Schedule a trim and use a deep-conditioning treatment or mask once a week to bring your hair back to life.

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Brooke Burke’s Healthy Hair Tips

September 17, 2010 at 5:30 am
By April Franzino

We sat down with Dancing With the Stars host, Brooke Burke, to get tips for healthy, gorgeous hair. Here are her strand secrets:

Don’t forget to check out our October issue (on sale September 28) to find out how this busy mom of four keeps her family fit!

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Singing the Blondes

May 18, 2010 at 3:08 pm
By Fitness Magazine

Singer/songwriter Natasha Bedingfield (above) recently teamed up with John Frieda to prove that blondes have more fun (check out the rockin’ video below). I don’t know about you, but I’m convinced — and I have dark brown hair!

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Want Nancy O’Dell’s Perfect Hair?

May 12, 2010 at 3:10 pm
By Fitness Magazine

Entertainment journalist and former Dancing With the Stars cast member, Nancy O’Dell (here she is with her hairstylist who was sporting one cute bang braid), dishes on her favorite all-weather hairspray. p.s. You’d never know it looking at Nancy’s mane, but it was raining cats and dogs on this day!

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