Mischo Beautyliciousness...

And since we're on the subject of haircolor today, I had to let you all know that I'm loving Beyonce's newest shade of blonde, though I wish she'd lighten her brows just one shade (I can't help it, I'm a licensed cosmetologist). But have you all seen Gwen Stefani's new commercial for L'Oreal Paris Superior Preference Hair Color? O-M-G! Love it.

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Do you consider yourself "natural" if you've stopped using hair relaxers, but still use haircolor?

I really can't believe I'm even entertaining this foolishness, but I continue to see this contradiction on so many blogs. It's the claim to be "natural" because hair relaxers aren't used, but haircolor is? Yes, I have a degree in Chemistry, and yes, I'm a licensed cosmetologist - but those qualifications aren't required to know that haircolor IS a chemical! And if you're coloring your hair, you aren't "natural".

So my question for you today is: Do you consider yourself "natural" if you've stopped using hair relaxers, but still use haircolor?

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Ask Mischo Beauty...

This week's question comes from Kim (The Stylish Life), who asked the following:

"What are the best hair color brands and techniques for women that relax their hair? Can you relax and color during the same salon visit? I want something that lasts, but not a permanent dye job. And definitely something that won't dry my hair out. Thanks."

First and foremost, if your hair is strong enough to withstand two chemical services, then make it a priority to see a stylist who is highly skilled and knowledgeable. Also, because your hair will be chemically processed twice, you should consider using a mild relaxer.

Now, it is possible to relax and color your hair during the same salon visit, but only if you're using a semi-permanent haircolor. If you choose to relax, and must use permanent haircolor, then you should wait two weeks after relaxing before coloring your hair. And if you're doing it yourself, make sure you READ THE MANUFACTURER'S DIRECTIONS!

Permanent haircolor is the longest-lasting haircolor. It only needs to be reapplied once your new growth starts to show at your roots. Semi-permanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It will usually only last for about 6-8 shampoos. And demi-permanent haircolor, which actually does penetrate the hair shaft, lasts a little longer than semi-permanent haircolor, but it will also eventually fade over time with multiple shampoos.

It's also important to remember that if you choose to relax color-treated hair, you really need to make sure you're following a consistent haircare regimen. Incorporate both deep conditioning and protein treatments. Also, limit thermal styling, which includes the use of curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers.

Lastly, every stylist has a "favorite" haircolor brand and will hopefully use what's appropriate based on their client's haircare needs. I hope this helps! Please stop back by and let us know how you choose to move forward, as well as what works for you. Love your hair.

If you have beauty questions you'd like answered, please send them to mischobeauty@gmail.com.

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Ask Mischo Beauty...

I'm starting a new series on the blog where I'm inviting readers to send me their beauty questions. If you follow me on Twitter, then you know that the invitation already exists there (I tweet it daily!) and so naturally it should exist here as well. And so this week's question comes from a follower on Twitter, who says:

"My hair is damaged really bad from all the times I bleached and dyed it. What can I use on it?"

Well I'd first suggest stepping away from the bleach and haircolor. Your hair needs a serious break! A series of deep conditioning protein treatments, along with very special care and attention, should have your hair back to health in no time. In case you didn't know, hair is 91% protein (which is it's foundation) and so protein conditioning treatments will help to rebuild and strengthen the hair's structure. When using a protein treatment, be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions - overuse could result in breakage. A few of my favorite protein treatments include:

- Wella Power Mask
- Aveda Damage Remedy
- MoroccanOil's Restorative Mask
- Joico K-PAK
- Kerastase Voile Nuit or Serum Nuit

Also, be sure to follow the protein treatments with a moisturizing conditioner - your hair will appreciate all the hydration it can get! When your hair is back to health, trade the protein treatments in for moisturizing treatments and establish a healthy haircare regimen. Oh, and I'd suggest staying away from heat styling (flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, etc.) for as long as you're able. I hope this helps. Please stop back by and let us know how it's going! Love your hair.

If you have beauty questions you'd like answered, please send them to mischobeauty@gmail.com.

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What are your thoughts on the Brazilian Blowout controversy?

You all know that my undergraduate degree is in Chemistry- and yes, I analyzed the chemical composition of "Lye" and " No-Lye" relaxers as a project for my Analytical Chemistry course. What we found was that the chemicals listed in the ingredients were definitely in the product! And yes, I got an "A"!

So when WWD broke the news about the Brazilian Blowout controversy, I had to know your thoughts! Just in case you haven't heard- "Brazilian Blowout" a professional hair smoothing treatment claimed to be formaldehyde-free, was exposed after an Oregon hairstylist, with the help of Oregon Health & Science University, found between 4.85 percent and 10.6 percent formaldehyde in samples. Not cool - at all!

Let me know your thoughts. Have you had the treatment? If so, how was the process and what were your results? Has your salon now pulled the treatment from their service menu? Do you rely on your hairstylist's product knowledge/expertise before considering a salon treatment? Or, do you do your own research?

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Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101

If you watched last night's Emmy Awards, then you probably saw Christina Hendrick's signature red hair, which always looks amazing! I tweeted that everyone should go "red" this fall, but realistically speaking we all know that the best haircolor for you is the one that complements your skin tone and works for your lifestyle.

And with that said, let's review the basics of haircolor. It falls into four categories: temporary, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent.

Temporary Haircolor:
Coats the hair shaft and is easily removed by shampooing. Examples include: color rinses or color-enhancing shampoos.

Semipermanent Haircolor:
Partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It doesn't lighten the hair and is usually used to enhance fading haircolor.

Demipermanent Haircolor:
Doesn't lighten hair and, like semipermanent haircolor, it is used to enhance fading haircolor. It penetrates the hair shaft and lasts longer than semipermanent haircolor.

Permanent Haircolor:
Used to lighten hair and cover grey. It remains in the hair shaft until the growth of new hair.

Any questions? Love your hair.

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Mischo Beauty Superstar of the Week: Keith Campbell: The Hair Architect

Earlier today I saw that celebrity hairstylist and Mischo Beauty Superstar- Keith Campbell tweeted the most amazing Twitpics of a client's haircut and color that knocked me off of my feet! Yes, it took my breath away and this is the reason why, yet again, he's been named the Mischo Beauty Superstar of the Week!

And what I love most about Keith is that he can cut, color and style every hair texture, like hairstylists are supposed to be able to do, and do well! That's one of my biggest pet peeves with hairstylists today.... end vent! On another note, my beauty editor, Ayanna, created the Twitter hashtags #BEAUTYisTRUTH and #BEAUTYisART, which we use for the obvious reasons. And Keith's work is such an amazing example of both.

Redheads are really the new bombshells, but then again we've always been bombshells, haven't we {I know, I'm biased- hehehe ;}? ! Love her new hair as much as I do? Let me know!

photos: Keith Campbell

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Mischo Beauty Loves Davines' Serendipity Collection

I was browsing Davines' website for the latest and greatest in new product launches and discovered their collection of professional haircolor products. Why I hadn't noticed these products before really amazes me! And the reason is probably because the salons I've worked for primarily used haircolor by either Wella or L'Oreal.

Well, after reviewing the haircolor swatches and then their amazing Serendipity collection (which the above photos are a part of) created as a result, I must admit that I'm blown away! Another amazing example of "Beauty Is Art". Enjoy.

photos: davines.com

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Mischo Beautyliciousness...

The beauty in this photo is most definitely the partnership between Mary J. Blige and Catherine Malandrino which resulted in a fashion show yesterday evening to benefit Mary's nonprofit organization, FFAWN (Foundation For the Achievement of Women Now). A beautiful partnership for an amazing cause- I love it!

I'm also loving their haircolor (had to mention it!) in the photo above, which actually caught my attention first- Mary's buttery blonde and Catherine's rich red brunette. The reason I went to beauty school and the reason I started this blog!

Love it as much as I do? Let me know...

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Mischo Beauty Loves Goldwell HiBlondes Collection

I thought the photos above were such an amazing example of "Beauty Is Art" - as my beauty editor, Ayanna would say! While not everyone wants to or even can go blonde, there are a large number who want to go a shade or two lighter during the summer. And so I'm always anxiously awaiting the launch of haircolor collections that take my breath away! Goldwell's new Topchic HiBlondes Control collection, used in the above photos, did just that. The overall creative direction (haircolor, hairstyling, makeup, fashion styling & photography) is amazing and I thought you all would enjoy!

photos: behindthechair.com

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Mischo Beautyliciousness...

And so the countdown officially begins! We're officially one week away from the opening of Sex and the City 2, and I can't wait! I'm loving the fact that Sarah Jessica Parker's highlights are toned down here, but really this photo is about her Chanel clutch and Christian Louboutin Pigalle glitter gold pumps- right!?

Wouldn't you agree?

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What are your "hair plans" for the summer?

With summer quickly approaching (of course, not fast enough), I'd love to know what your plans are for your hair! Are you planning to cut, color or add extensions? Will you be wearing it curly or rocking a "no-fuss" style (if so, tell us what it is!). Whatever your plans might be, please share!

My new beauty editor, Ayanna, recently colored her hair (inspired by Queen Latifah's haircolor in the new CoverGirl Queen Collection ads! Click to see the before and after (click on her profile pic)!

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Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101

I'm passionate about haircolor and I'm writing about this topic, yet again! My apprenticeship at Vidal Sassoon required me to search high and low for models wanting root touch-ups, highlights, gray coverage, bleach & tones, highlift blondes, and single & double haircolor processes. Believe it or not, I was always able to find a model that needed one of these services and the results always left me amazed and excited about the next challenge.

With that said, let's discuss haircolor. It falls into four categories: temporary, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent.

1. Temporary haircolor coats the hair shaft and is easily removed by shampooing. Examples include: color rinses or color-enhancing shampoos.

2. Semipermanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It doesn't lighten the hair and is usually used to enhance fading haircolor.

3. Demipermanent haircolor doesn't lighten hair and, like semipermanent haircolor, it is used to enhance fading haircolor. It penetrates the hair shaft and lasts longer than semipermanent haircolor.

4. Permanent haircolor is used to lighten hair and cover grey. It remains in the hair shaft until the growth of new hair.

Any questions? Love your hair.

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Mischo Beauty: Rene Furterer's OKARA Collection

I'm a huge fan of the Rene Furterer collection of products (I'm sure you all know that by now!) due to the fact that I've had an opportunity to use just about all of them during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. My favorites are the complete Karite regimen (for very dry scalp/hair), Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract (pre-shampoo treatment) and the Okara 2-Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner (great for color-treated hair).

And while we're on the subject of color-treated hair, Rene Furterer sent me their Okara regimen of products (specifically for color-treated hair), which includes the Okara Protective Radiance Shampoo, Okara Restructuring & Protective Radiance Mask and the Okara 2-Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner. Now I'm mentioning this collection to you because recently I shared a beauty tip on Twitter regarding investing in products to protect and maintain haircolor.

If you're going to invest so much in haircolor services, then it only makes sense to maintain that investment with the very best products! I've used the Okara regimen on clients in the past and I've always loved the results, so I thought I'd share it with you.

I love answering your haircolor questions, so please leave them in the comments section and I'll get right back to you!

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Mischo Beauty Covers Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Wella Professionals & Thakoon Spring 2010

Wella Professionals makes my absolute favorite conditioner in the whole wide world- Power Mask (it's currently the Mischo Beauty Hair Treatment of the Month) and so when I heard they were leading the direction for hair for Thakoon, there was no way I could not cover it! Thakoon's collection is described as "warrior-surf" and so the goal for the hair look was "sumo wrestler meets surfer".

A sleek, tight-to-the-head "seventh samurai" ponytail was sculpted on the top half, while leaving out loose, textured ends in a knot. The bottom half of the hair was left free-flowing, with added waves, down the back.

Customized colored extensions were created for 35 models to add dimension and help form the overall shape. The extensions added blocks of color and a natural color contrast which complemented each models' natural hair color. Eugene Souleiman and Eva Scrivo lead the Wella Professionals Team. You may view the complete Thakoon collection here.

- Don't miss what Wella Professionals recently shared with me regarding women and coloring their hair!
- Looking for a great leave-in conditioner? Click here to see which one I recommended for Beyonce!

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Mischo Beauty Pick: Nexxus Dualiste

According to Nexxus, fading haircolor is due to water, though people think UV rays and other harsh chemicals are the main cause. When water enters the hair shaft, haircolor molecules escape and that's the reason Nexxus developed the new Dualiste collection for color-treated hair.

Now if you follow my tweets on Twitter, then you know that I recently shared a beauty tip regarding investing in products for color-treated hair to help preserve, protect and prevent fading. Well I've always been pleased with Nexxus products in the past, and I believe that this collection is definitely worth checking out!

I love, love, love the fact that both the shampoo and conditioner have a dual chamber bottle which offers you the option to pump color protection from one side and either Intense Hydration, Volume, or Anti-Breakage from the other. This means that the shampoo and conditioner are formulated for your hair type and whatever issues you might have! Now what more could you ask for!?!

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Mischo Beauty School: Haircolor 101

With spring here and summer around the corner, some of you are probably considering a change in your haircolor. I've found that with the arrival of the warmer months, many clients prefer to lighten their hair or add highlights; and the opposite seems to be the case with the cooler months.

With that said, let's quickly review the four categories of haircolor so that you're able to make informed decisions when it comes to your hair! The categories are as follows: temporary, semipermanent, demipermanent, and permanent.

1. Temporary haircolor coats the hair shaft and is easily removed by shampooing. Examples include: color rinses or color-enhancing shampoos.

2. Semipermanent haircolor partially penetrates the hair shaft and slowly fades with shampooing. It doesn't lighten the hair and is usually used to enhance fading haircolor.

3. Demipermanent haircolor doesn't lighten hair and, like semipermanent haircolor, it is used to enhance fading haircolor. It penetrates the hair shaft and lasts longer than semipermanent haircolor.

4. Permanent haircolor is used to both lighten and darken hair, and also to cover grey. It remains in the hair shaft until the growth of new hair.

So that's it for now! Please leave your questions in the "comments section" and we'll definitely chat more! Also, I'd love to know your haircolor plans! Planning to go a shade lighter or two shades lighter? Or, are you planning to go red, brown- or maybe highlights?

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Mischo Beauty Pick: EverPure by L'Oreal Paris

For those of you who invest time and money in coloring your hair, I highly suggest doing the same with your home maintenance routine. One of my top beauty tips is to invest in products for your particular skin and hair type/needs/issues, and with that said if you color your hair, you should be using a shampoo and conditioner formulated for color-treated hair.

EverPure is the newest shampoo and conditioner launch from L'Oreal Paris. What makes the shampoo and conditioner different is that they are formulated without sulfates, surfactants and salts which are drying, strip color and cause premature fading.

Both are formulated with UVA and UVB filters (for sun protection), are 100% vegan and contain extracts such as rosemary, juniper and mint which all smell amazing!

Though my hair isn't color-treated, it's always super dry, so I did test the EverPure Moisture shampoo and conditioner and was pleased with the ease of use (yes, the shampoo does lather) and the way my hair felt after using them. The conditioner left my hair soft and very easy to comb through (one of my biggest challenges!).

I'm loving that there's a range of products in this line, which means you have no excuse for not selecting the shampoo and conditioner for your specific haircolor needs. For those of you who deal with frizzy hair- try the EverPure Smooth collection and for those of you with thin, limp hair- try the EverPure Volume collection.

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Beautiful hair needs an expert: Rene Furterer Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract

I've had the opportunity to use almost all of the Rene Furterer products during my apprenticeship at Elizabeth Arden Red Door. I was always very impressed with how nurturing the products were and the fact that many of the products contain essential oils and plant extracts formulated to keep the scalp healthy and strengthen the hair. I love the fact that there is a full treatment regimen which can be prescribed, depending on your hair type and needs.

For Beyonce's color-treated hair, I'd recommend the Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract which is a pre-shampoo treatment. It's a blend of essential oils which work together to stimulate and invigorate the scalp, prior to shampooing. This ultimately prepares the scalp for ultimate penetration of the shampoo and conditioning treatments, leaving both the scalp and hair revitalized, strong and healthy.

Pair this treatment with a scalp massage and you're in heaven. I know because I've both had and preformed the service!

Are you using a pre-shampoo treatment you love? Do tell!

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Mischo Beauty: ARROJO Education Needs Hair Models

I'm sharing this with you because I know how hard it can be to find hair models! This is perfect for those of you in need of a new look, or for those wanting to reinvent themselves for the upcoming new year:

"The ARROJO artistic team is making a new range of educational DVD's to teach our techniques, ideas, and inspirations to fellow hairdressers. Accordingly, we are looking for hair models willing to have their hair cut, color, and styled on camera.

We need male and female models between the ages of 18-26. You must be open to a new cut and/or color and you must be comfortable on camera. The cuts include classic styles like bobs, layers and graduation, cuts and colors based on the latest trends in modern hairstyling, and men's haircuts.

We will also be holding model calls on: Wednesday November 26th @ 10:30 AM -11:30 AM and Friday November 28 @ 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM. All potential models must be free to attend one of these casting dates. Filming days are Sunday November 30th to Thursday December 4th. You must be free on at least one of the days.

To apply, please send a short email including your preferred hairstyle (a classic bob, graduation or layer cut, a trend-focused cut and color, or a men's hair cut), the dates you'll be available, and a recent headshot to: adrian@arrojoeducation.com.

You may also include brief details of any modeling experience you may have. All models chosen receive $100 and an ARROJO product goody bag. Please be aware that due to the large amount of submissions we are only able to respond to eligible candidates."

Please let us know if you're selected! Enjoy.

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