The Hair Brush

As long as people have had hair, they have needed some way to tame tangles and most importantly, show off their personal style. Hair brushes have been around for thousands of years, but changed dramatically in the mid 20^th century with the introduction of space age plastic and synthetic fibers. What started out as a very basic implement, the hair brush has morphed into a highly specialized grooming and styling tool. One example of just how the hair brush has evolved is the Spornette International Hair Brush Company. 

The Walter Sporn Beauty Company was the first to design a manufacturing process that would implant nylon bristles into a plastic hair brush handle. Up to this time hair brushes were made with wooden or bone handles with bore bristles a labor intense time consuming process. His timing could not have been better as plastics technology was coming of age and signaled the modern era of professional American beauty products.

In 1950 Walter introduced his ultra modern (5 and 7 row) plastic handle nylon bristle brush to the professional beauty supply distributors who like beauty salons of the time were still in their infancy. Drawing on his early merchandising experience he also introduced beauty salons to "retailing" with an attractive point-of-purchase retail hair brush display. As a result salon sales went from selling individual brushes to dozens—literally overnight. Over the next 20 years Walter went on to introduce the “Little Wonder” a styling brush designed for back brushing and teasing and high quality cushion based brushes all at affordable price points.

 

By the1970’s Walter’s son, Alan Sporn fresh out of college joined the company and  expanded the sales to include the over sea’s markets and soon after changed the company name to Spornette International. Like his father, Alan had an eye for all things new and foresaw the "blow dry styling" trend and designed a line of thermal styling brushes to meet the demand. 

Under Alan’s direction Spornette has created a number of 21st century styling brushes, combs and rollers that emitting negative ions (good stuff) to improve the condition of hair as well as styling. One example of Spornette’s creative innovations is the new cushion based “Loop Bristle Brush” designed to safely style hair extensions and wigs. Today Spornette International is considered the beauty industry’s standard for professional hair brushes and styling tools throughout the world.

If you’re thinking about trading in your old hair brush you’ll no doubt be confronted with a wide range of brushes and prices. While the top of the line salon styling brushes are geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial for "personal use" as they will no doubt last longer and give you professional results. If you’re willing to pay the price the Spornette professional styling tools are well worth the investment.

Halle Berry / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national pass time. One star whose many hair styles are eliminated by women around the globe is Hollywood super star Halle Berry. Like a chameleon, Halle changes her hairstyles and color often but it’s her chic sexy signature pixie style cut that has inspired women of all ages to trade in their long locks for this easy breezy liberating hairstyle.

TO GET THE LOOK:
Are you up for a liberating youthful looking short sassy hair do? If that's the case, Halle’s two toned hair color and short spunky coif is a perfect place to start. This head turning do’ with all the right accessories is a show stopper and youthful looking to boot. If your ready to take the plunge, let’s take it one step at a time; starting with a style cut and shaping.

LET’S SHAPE IT: 
To get the look, start with contoured head hugging silhouette, feminine soft tapered neckline and "pixie" bangs for a flirty look. This fashion forward coif can be adjusted to suit most face shapes especial those with high cheek bones and slender features like Halle. If you’re having second thoughts about cutting your hair, not to worry with a few adjustments (trims) as it grows into the shape you can easily find the ideal length and shape for your personal style. 

LET’S STYLE IT: 
Talk about easy, this sassy do almost styles itself. To give your locks an extra boost start with a dab of styling balm, mousse or nothing at all. Just run either through damp hair and comb in place to dry au natural or give it a quick blow-dry for straight or textured effect. If your locks look a bit dry or frizz after, a dab of styling cream or spray pomade will tame it. For a dressy effect a few twists with a curling iron or quick press with a flat iron and you’ve got the look.

NOW, LET'S STRAIGHTEN IT:
If you have curly, wavy frizzy hair like Halle Berry then chances are you sometimes would like to trade it in for straight. To make hair styling quick and easy give your hair a Brazilian Blowout Treatment, “the dream relaxing treatment” for a smooth soft straight style whenever you wish and manageable, frizz-free healthy looking hair to boot. It literally gives everyone with unruly hair a straight smooth look that lasts for several months. The only drawback is that it can be addictive!  Tame your locks with a Brazilian Blowout Treatment to make styling quick and easy and your good to go.

LET’S ADD LENGTH:
If you miss your long flowing locks “hair extensions” are the perfect way to add extra length to a short style. Hair extensions are available in all length, thickness, texture and colors. Extensions are hidden easily under the top layer and may be temporarily attached with a clip or permanently glued to individual strands close to the scalp. For a natural look, extensions must match your hair color and texture. Add extra length with hair extensions when the mood or occasion calls for it.

LET'S ADD MAKEUP & ACCESSORIES:
What’s a short cropped hairstyle without makeup and accessories? As the face of Revlon, Halle’s meticulously groomed but never overdone understated glamour calls for light lips, intensely smoky eyes and sculpted cheekbones. For a spot-on look, top it off with a retro newsboy cap, chic white halter top with wrap around scarf, black distressed skinny jeans, studded high-top boots, gold loop earrings, two toned Rayban aviator sunglasses and don’t forget Halle’s signature fragrance. 

NOW, LET’S COLOR IT:
For a contrasting sun kissed look Halle’s natural dark brown hair color is lighten several shades. Next, individual strands (thick and thin) are given a Golden Carmel hue with a foil weaving process. After a clear glaze seals-in the color and turns up the shine. The new growth is lightened and highlighted every six weeks. This creative hair coloring effect may cost a few extra bucks but it’s a small price to pay for a stunning color and all the attention you'll get.

Halle Berry’s liberating pixie style cut has everything you need for a time challenged life and puts you in the spot light were you belong. A Brazilian Blowout Treatment gives you the best of both worlds; a smooth soft straight style whenever you wish and manageable, frizz-free healthy looking hair to boot. The tousled contoured silhouette fits like a glove and looks amazing from all points of view. The Pixie bangs and feminine soft tapered neckline with understated makeup add a stylish look that’s irresistible to men attracted to the classy, but never overdone type. Your sun kissed two toned color defines the over all shape and pushes the style bar to the max. So be prepared for heads to turn and men to stop dead in their tracks when you pass by looking "ooh-so stylish" and your girl friends to scream OMG ..you rock girl.

 

Lady Gaga / Shock Rocker Hair Styles

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national past time. One star whose hairstyle is emulated by young girls around the globe is Lady Gaga, the diva of style, glitz, and glamour. Her shock-rocker coiffure’s, over the top makeup and pop music star image is irresistible to those dudes that are into the “wild thing” and quite the catch for guys attracted to the creative types.

TO GET THE LOOK: Are you ready for a totally new high impact image? If that's the case, take a fashion lesson from Lady Gaga and reinvent yourself with a totally new look. Her provocative face framing head-turning hairdo’s and platinum blonde hair color is worthy of paparazzi-like attention and lets everyone know your the a new (It Girl) in town. Lady Gaga's style isn't for the faint of heart but if you’re up for it, let’s take it one step at a time; starting with a style cut and shaping.

LET’S SHAPE IT: To get the look, start with a shoulder length bob and rounded blunt brow brushing bangs. This classic style is the ideal length for adding extra length with "hair extensions" and suits most face shapes, especially those with angular features like Lady Gaga. With a few adjustments (trims), as it grows you can find the ideal length and shape for your style.

LET’S STYLE IT: To put your style in motion start with a dab of your favorite styling mousse or spray gel for style support. Comb either through damp hair and give it a quick blow dry turning the ends up or under with your round brush. To push the style bar up a notch, a few twists with a curling iron and a dab of hair polish, and you’ve got Lady Gaga’s pop star style!

LET’S ADD LENGTH: If you’ve dreamed of having a sexy long hair style like Lady Gaga and can’t wait for it to grow out, “hair extensions” are the perfect way to add extra length to your style. Hair extensions are available in all length, thickness, texture and colors. Extensions are hidden under the top layer and may be temporarily attached with a clip or glued to individual strands close to the scalp. For a long sexy style add extra length with hair extensions and make your fantasy a reality.

LET’S ADD MAKE UP & ACCESSORIES: What’s a fashionista’ hair style without makeup and accessories? For "maximum impact" opt for full strips of false lashes (do not trim them; the more fluttery, the better) and achieve intense volume with a mascara in jet black, applied in several coats. You can also try colored or glittered lashes for maximum drama. Black liquid liner is a must and you'll want to layer it: set liquid liner with black powder eye shadow to recreate all the depth and drama Lady Gaga is know for. Top it off with a Minnie Mouse style hair bow, paired with neon green leotard, glossy PVC pants with large vantage sun glasses, Polaroid Pogo instant digital camera and your good to go.

NOW, LET’S COLOR IT: Before you try bleaching your hair like Lady Gaga's head to a wig store and try on some blunt platinum blonde wigs. Lady Gaga’s brunette hair color is lightened with powder or cream bleach followed with a platinum blonde toner. The new growth must be lightened and toned every four to six weeks. This high fashion color will cost a few "extra bucks" but is a small price to pay for a stunning color and all the attention you'll get.

Lady Gaga’s style comes with all the bells and whistles to put you in the spot light. The blunt peek-a-boo bangs with Minnie Mouse style hair bow and stunning platinum blonde hair color is worthy of paparazzi-like attention. So be prepared to stop those dudes dead in their tracks when you pass by and your girl friends to scream OMG….. You rock girl !

Hair Conditioners & Treaments

As long as people have had hair, they have needed some way to tame tangles and most importantly, show off their personal style. For centuries, natural oils, wax, honey and plant extracts of all types have been used to improve the appearance of hair but often left it with a oily greasy appearance. By the mid 20th Century hair conditioners changed dramatically with advancements in cosmetic chemistry. What started out as a very basic grooming aid, the hair conditioner has morphed into a highly specialized hair care treatment.

A conditioner basically tightens the hairs cuticle (surface layer), which in turn adds luster and allows each individual strand of hair to remain separate from others for volume (body) and manageability. Conditioners work much like a fabric softeners do for clothing. Beauty experts recommend using a hair conditioner following a shampoo as it can strengthen and improve the texture, replenish moisture, encourage healthy growth and adds body giving hair a clean, healthy and shinny appearance.

Although they have many things in common, the chemistry of a hair conditioner is an “art and science” making each formula unique. Modern hair conditioners have reached a pinnacle of performance and specificity in resent years. There are now countless conditioners and hair treatments some with rare all natural or even nano-sized ingredients to magically transform your hair into a thing of beauty. Hair conditioning ingredients are selected carefully in order to secure the best possible result using a combination of chemical substances, (micro-protein, silicone, fatty alcohols, polymers, quaternary ammonium compounds) and at times natural plant extracts. Hair conditioner ingredients and the amount used will vary depending on the hair type and its condition.

With a variety of hair conditioners available on the market, each promising a special benefit and at times even a combination of benefits the choose can be dounting. Conditioners are subdivided into the following categories: reconstructors, moisturizers, acidifiers, thermal protectors, detanglers and glossers. If you’re shopping around for a new hair conditioner you’ll no doubt be confronted with a wide range of choices and prices. However, if you’re looking for professional results and are willing to pay a little extra you can’t go wrong by “asking your hair stylist” to select the perfect conditioner for your hair. After all who knows hair better then a hair stylist?