teenage.me

Are you super proud of your pretty ringlets and gorgeous waves? Top NYC hairstylist Ouidad–known as “The Queen of Curl”–is holding a contest just for you! Go to brickfish.com and enter today!

Among other things, I’m a total beach-freak. Put me on a deserted strip of sand with a coconut and my huge sun-hat and I might as well have died and gone to heaven. On the flip side, I HATE what the sun and saltwater do to my hair and ,even more, I hate the weird shampoo/conditioner duo bottles, clearly leftovers from the ’90s, that all off-the-beaten-path hotels stock. So, for my most recent adventure, I knew I had to bring Warren Tricomi’s Resort-Ready Travel Set. The cute kit comes packs a Protect Shampoo, Protect Conditioner, Organic Hair Shield, Flexible Hairspray, and a wide tooth comb, all in carry-on friendly 3 oz bottles. The shampoo and conditioner were excellent and they work together to create a UV filter for your locks, as well as a shield from sea, well, and pool water. The Hair Shield, however, was the real standout. I combed it through my hair in the morning, and I could feel its silkiness all day, providing protection from the elements. Lo and behold, whereas I usually return with yellowed, frazzled strands, this time my hair actually feels like it’s in better condition than before I left. Pick up a set before your next jaunt at for $32 at Warrentricomi.com.  

Recently I was lucky enough to catch up with Thomas Dunkin, member of the Sebastian Professional Stylist Design Team as part of the Sebastian Professional Texture Launch. Dunkin–whose work has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle, and has styled celebs like Nicole Kidman, Demi Moore, and Kate Bosworth–is kind of a big deal. But I was thrilled to learn that despite his high profile hair-history, none of it has gone to his head (no pun intended).
 
1. Did you always know you wanted to be a stylist?
No, it was actually quite accidental.

2. How did you get started doing hair?
My cousin worked in a salon in London and I started a Saturday job there when I was 13–I just needed money so I could fix up my skateboard!

3. Who was your very first client?
When I was 15, a good friend of mine gave me free reign over her hair to experiment–we got pretty creative and it actually ended up fire engine red.

4. What’s your signature hairstyle that you love to do?
I love to do anything rock-chicky; it’s edgy and effortless, like Chrissy Hynde’s from the Pretenders.  Long bangs are great–really whatever suits the individual.  That’s the great thing about that look, it’s not like “the Rachel” or the “Posh Spice bob” where everyone is running around with identical hair on different bodies; it leaves room for interpretation.

5. What products do you always reach for?
The new Texture range from Sebastian is amazing.  When I have to create a really modern texture, Microweb Fiber and Matte Putty by Sebastian are definite necessities.  For softer, more natural looks Sebastian’s Texturizer adds something really special.

6. What two styling products or tools do you think every girl should own?
Every girl should have a Mason Pearson natural hairbrush and Sebastian’s Potion 9 Light.  It’s important to have a brush and a product that won’t damage your hair.  You can spray Potion 9 Light on damp hair for easy waves or on dry hair to refresh your look. And with 9 revitalizing extracts it’s great for your hair’s health.  

7. What was the first fashion show you worked on?
One of the first was a Prada show that I assisted for in Milan.  It was an honor to work with some of the greatest models, and hairdressers at that time.  You can learn so much just from watching the way they operate.

8. What was your first editorial shoot, and what was that like?
I was actually brought in last minute to replace someone at a shoot for French Vogue.  I was brand new to editorial work and extremely na??ve.  I don’t think that I realized at the time just how great an opportunity it was.  It probably turned out to be a good thing; had I known, I would have been a nervous wreck.!

9. What sources do you look to for inspiration?
I love old photography books. I think it’s fascinating to take classic looks and rework them into something that hasn’t been seen before. Living in New York City is also a remarkable resource in and of itself. Just walking around you constantly see people pushing the boundaries of music, art and fashion.

10. What’s the biggest hair trend of the moment?
At the moment, full, natural hair is everywhere.  For a style so simple, it’s important that you keep your hair in great shape. Check out Sebastian’s Texture Tandem at your local salon. It’s a customized texturizing and conditioning treatment so you can work with your stylist to create a unique volumized effect.  Plus, it lasts up to five shampoos so you can flaunt a healthy, vivacious style all week long.

11. What advice do you have for the next generation of aspiring stylists? What do you wish someone had told you before you got started?
The best advice I can give is to pace your career, and perfect your techniques.  Photo shoots and fashion shows can be high pressure situations; they’re much more enjoyable if technique is already second nature and you can let your creativity take the wheel!  

Who & Where: Blake Lively (aka Serena van der Woodsen) filming for Gossip Girl on the streets of NYC!

The look: A sheer white v-neck paired with cutoff jean short-shorts. She’s barely wearing any makeup, keeping it au naturel, and her blonde locks are flowing free. She’s even kept jewelry to a minimum — just a simple silver necklace.

What do you think of Blake’s ensemble? Comment below!

This just in! Ashley Argota from the Nickelodeon tv series True Jackson, VP went on a shopping spree for cute, new items from the vintage-y clothing line, My
Tribe. Word on the street is that she purchased over $700 worth of
clothes for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and to wear on the True Jackson cruise with all her fans! Check out these pics of Ashley in a My Tribe blue tye-dye dress (left) and motorcycle jacket (right).

What do you think of this new clothing line?

My lash type: Fine, straight, and sparse (sigh)
I tested: Darac Beauty Expedition Mascara
Thoughts: “No lash left behind” is the cute slogan for Darac Beauty Expedition mascara. And, um, they’re not kidding! This may be my new favorite mascara of all time (which is a BIG BIG deal as you can imagine). Something about this mascara is really genius, whether it’s the super soft formula (feels like you have nothing on) or the magic brush which seems to find hidden lashes and amplify them. I used three coats this morning, which gave me a super-defined (and noticeablely longer) Japanese cartoon character look.
Best for: any kind of lashes, even straight ones… the lightweight formula doesn’t straighten out lashes. And no lash comb is necessary! Hurrah.
Buy it at: Henri Bendel, QVC.com, or daracbeauty.com for $20

Pantene recently surveyed 1,000 women about their hair and the results were fascinating! Apparently, 46.3% of women would rather give up Facebook for one month than give up their favorite product (and 26.6% would forgo their favorite tv show and 24.7% their Blackberry). Is that crazy or what? What do you guys think? Would you give up Facebook for your favorite hair product?

The final part of the circus tasks took place yesterday with strongmen and strong woman Marcus, Siavash and Noirin pulling a four ton truck 25 metres.When presented with the challenge, brash muscleman Marcus - who has previously ripped a telephone directory in half on the show - said it would be no problem and he “could pull it with my b**l end”. A…

‘Coronation Street’ is getting its first gay club.Bosses at the Itv soap have decided to build the extravagant set as part of a major new storyline, which sees gay Sean (Antony Cotton) fall for a man at his local gym.Referring to the gay district of Manchester, a source said: “We usually use the bars on Canal Street for our gay club scenes because …

‘Hollyoaks’ actor Andrew Moss hides behind his hat.The soap hunk - who stripped off for this years ‘Hollyoaks’ calendar - says unlike his character, Rhys Ashworth’s flirty nature, in real life he is really shy.Andrew said: “I don’t feel I’m considered one of the main pin-ups because I don’t like to parade about with my body on show.”In the street I…