A Practical Guide to Holiday Beauty: Holiday Hair

As a hairstylist in Beverly Hills and for some of Hollywood's hottest sets, clients ask me all the time how to get "salon results at home." After a cut, color or style, many clients often say "Now if I can just do that at home." Well you can. And it starts with a few simple tips to get you on your way.

Professional products: To begin with, if you want salon results at home for your hair, and hair that looks like you just stepped out of the salon, I always recommend using professional products -preferably those that your salon professional prescribes & uses. You don't need to reinvent the wheel; you just need to do what your stylist does. I know many times clients look to cut corners here and there, but they end up with a cabinet full of products that they never even use - because they didn't get the results they needed. I tell them they'd be better off investing in 3 or 4 quality products, delivering the results they need, and saving a lot of time and money shopping for products that ultimately won't work for them.

Don't self prescribe: This tip goes hand in hand with the first one in that I encourage clients to take the advice of their salon professional, rather than looking for hair or beauty products on their own. Clients have a relationship with their hairstylist or salon professional. No one knows their hair care needs better. Therefore, trust him or her for your at-home product & styling needs rather than a clerk at a local beauty supply.

Tools of the trade: My favorite 2 tools in the hair salon are a large paddle brush, and a large ceramic or metal round brush. I use these 2 tools (along with my professioanl hair dryer) for most of my work at the salon. A large paddle brush is great for detangling and distributing product throughout hair. I prefer metal or ceramic round brushes, over boar bristle brushes, because they give me maximum polish & shine, they speed up the drying and styling time, and give me the flexibility of as little or as much volume as I need for each hairstyle.

Quick styles: I've always said that the classic ponytail will get you from a day at the park to an evening on Park Avenue. It is classy, elegant, and quick and easy to do. A low tie-back gathered at the nape gives an even more elegant look. I also recommend a chignon for nice occasions this season as it, too, is very easy to throw together. Simply gather your hair back and low at the nape (I recommend one side or the other), and gather with a padded rubber band. Twist hair loosely into a bun, and clip into place with bobby-pins. Pieces of hair may be pulled from the bun for a more unkempt or relaxed look.

On the go bags: If your holidays call for travel this season, I always recommend an on-the-go bag with all your favorite beauty products or accessories. Many of these now come in travel sizes as companies understand the importance of airport safety restrictions. Ask your salon professional for travel sized samples of your favorite products so your hair stays beautiful no matter where your holiday travels take you.

Weather: Your hair care & beauty needs vary season to season, and location to location. Clients that live in Seattle, for example, may find they need different products than those that live in more dry climates like Las Vegas. Again, consult your salon professional about your hair care & beauty needs, and enjoy your holiday season.

For more information and beauty tips, please visit www.billylowe.com

We hope you have a wonderful & joyous holiday season.