In need of a new look for summer, we headed to the new PRIVE salon in Malibu, CA. Located in the Malibu Lumber Yard – the epitome of luxe So Cal shopping – PRIVE is a gorgeous salon with breathtaking mountain views.
Having never been blonde before and a bit nervous, our colorist Amanda quickly put our fears to rest. During our first visit, she wove lots of blonde highlights into our naturally dark brown hair using the French technique, balayage. Then, on our second visit, she added even more golden blonde. The result was a gorgeous blonde head of hair, just in time for summer!
Our stylists, Antonio and Darnell, made our hair silky and enhanced the shine using the salon’s own line of products. We especially loved the Intensive Mask, Relaxing Gel and Shine Serum.
PRIVE offers cuts, colors and straightening processes. Married couple Chelby and Simone Delfourg opened the salon with the main focus of taking care of Malibu’s residents. The duo had the vision two years ago. Having a huge Malibu clientele commuting to their LA salon, they figured it would be smart to offer a more local option.
June in New York City is typically…well…perhaps typically isn’t the right word anymore. This year, June seems to be worse than August, which doesn’t bode well for the heat and humidity the next few months will surely dump on us. And through the hot mess that is the NYC summer, our feet will be beset with flip-flop scars, our shirt pits sweaty pools, our skin a constant sheen and our hair completely irreparable.
You feel like jumping in but don’t want to ruin your hair. We know the feeling
While the concrete jungle of NYC is certainly up there on the list of hot cities, almost everywhere in the country women suffer with this dilemma: how can we muster up the strength, motivation, etc. to do our hair when by the time we arrive at our desks in the morning it looks worse than after running the half marathon? As it turns out, companies are privy to this “situation” and have tried to remedy it for us – thank goodness. In fact, there are so many products worth noting this summer that BN will bring you two parts to this story, Part II coming next month. These are the brands who have devised tools that will keep our hair in check, even through this hottest of hot summers (global warming anyone?) The irony is that in order to keep said hair in check, we must often add heat to it, which of course is the last thing we want to do in a 90+ degree apartment. Alas, this may be the only way to conquer the beast, so duck into an air conditioned room and make use of some of the following tools this summer.
If you Must BlowDry, Blow Dry Right
We understand that for some gals, the idea of NOT blowdrying before leaving the house is sacrilegious, a hair crime of epic proportions. If you are one who can’t even dream of exiting your home without perfectly and fully dried hair, consider the Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Express Ion Dry v.2. While it’s not terribly new, (launched in April of last year) it’s a real performer.
At 1875 watts, this is true professional grade, suitable for preparation to brave the humidity-soaked air. With a powerful air flow and an extra dose of Express Ion Complex™, this high-speed styling tool cuts back on your drying time to maximize healthy results. Far infrared heat protects hair from damage, and super-charged negative ions break up water molecules to infuse them into the hair shaft, restoring moisture and sealing the cuticle. The dryer is available only at professional salons, so you’ll have to do some digging, but the find will be worth your while.
Do you love to change your hair color and to experiment with different hues but are sensitive to chemicals, fumes or concerned about the health consequences of putting ammonia in your body? In this world turned green, it is not surprising that more and more eco-friendly, natural hair dyes are surfacing. But do they measure up to their chemical sisters? Susan Henry, a top colorist in Beverly Hills has developed Susan Henry’s Natural Color-Process a line of chemical-free hair color that delivers rich permanent color and holds up well to the challenge.
A hair color specialist who served A-list clients in L.A for 30 years, Henry was inspired to research plants as a basis for hair color after getting poisoined by the fumes of traditional hair dyes at work. Her line is the result of long research delving into the secrets of plants and experimenting in her kitchen for many months. The basis of her ingredients is composed of wheat germ, sea weed, flower and beet extracts. Alcohols are used instead of metals or formaldehyde.
On a recent sunny afternoon, we headed to Malibu to check out the brand new salon opened by top stylist Chris McMillan and leading colorist Michael Canale. The McMillan Canale salon is a gorgeous space that feels both luxurious and comfortable. It oozes California confidence, without feeling overdone. It is an escape from the everyday.
In search of the perfect blow-out for a party on a recent Saturday night, we headed straight to the newly-opened Drybar in Brentwood. “No cuts. No color. Just blowouts.” We knew we’d be in good hands.
Upon entering, we were warmly greeted and offered a glass of champagne. True to its name, the salon is set up like a sophisticated bar: The space is clean and bright, with vases of lemons and bouquets of bright yellow flowers throughout. A large flat-screen TV screen in the back of the salon shows movies (Vicky Christina Barcelona was on when we were in), and tons of glossy magazines are available so you can take advantage of the full salon experience.