Chic n' Cheap: Easy to Do Summer Hair

As frugal living becomes the new "black", I've received quite a bit of mail from readers asking how to do their hair in chic n' cheap styles. All over the world, people are cutting back on expenses. And part of this scaling back, is looking for new ways that we can style our hair.

Speaking for myself, I am afraid to cut or highlight my hair at home. However, I know some of us are currently doing this to save money on salon visits. It's great if you can do it. I'm more comfortable finding some basic styles I can do myself, and some products to help me keep my hair in "tip top" shape. To research this area, I called my stylist David Jensen at Santa Monica's hip celebrity boutique salon, The Shampoo Lounge. The Shampoo Lounge is discreetly tucked away on Pico Boulevard a short distance from Shop Intuition. David was full of great information and sample ideas for easy summer styles. Following is my interview with him and some pictures to illustrate his tips. Listen up Bargainistas!

Q. What are some of the current hair style trends that you've seen? Popular looks?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: I am seeing a lot of braids; they are quick and easy for everyone to do with just a little practice. This is an easy and chic look. I'm seeing more braid styles turning up on celebrities and my clients.

Pictured: Linda McCartney's Band on the Run "accent braids" from an old Wings album cover.

Pictured: Actress Anne Hathaway's braid up do, a new twist on an old favorite.

Pictured: Actress Jennifer Anniston's braid accent at the Academy Awards this year.

Q. Any styles that you recommend that are particularly easy to care for ?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: We are definitely seeing a return of curly hair. Once you have taken some of the water out of the hair, with a towel or a quick squeeze, I recommend putting on some Fresh Curls (from Redken) or another curl relaxer or refiner (Glass, Vinyl Glam or even Fast Food). Then simply leave your hair alone and let it dry naturally. The less you fuss with it the better it looks. I used to spend time blow drying and straightening some of my client's hair. Today, many of them no longer want that---they are happy to just let their hair go naturally curly. I have one client who writes a popular blog that is now doing this! :)

Pictured: Actress Drew Barrymore's easy curl/wavy hair look

Q. What are some simple tools that you recommend Recessionistas keep in their Hair Care tool box?

A. David, The Shampoo Lounge: I love Glass (from Redken) it is the best product, for ultimate shine and frizz control, and the best priced of all its competitors and expensive imitations. ( I looked this up on ePinions, and the reader reviews give Glass a strong thumbs up.)

Pictured: Redken products recommended by The Shampoo Lounge

Outshine is great and gives a nice conditioning treatment. I recommend using this when it is dry due to Southern California's Santa Ana winds or being inside with air conditioning. In the summer, beware of AC as it does dry the hair out.

Fabricate is the best for giving support to a heat set. If I am going to take the time to curl hair with a curling iron or hot rollers, this product gives great long lasting shiny curls and works fast. Using rollers at home or curling iron is a good way to give yourself a special hair look at a low cost. Just make sure to use a product like Fabricate to get the most of our your curls.

I recommend Redken's Rough Paste for fine hair when you want a little volume without teasing.

Q. Any secret products for men?

A. Often over looked, but a classic, is Redken's Cleanse bar for men. It smells great. Men tend to shower a lot and Cleanse keeps the skin clean but not tight and dry. And at under $8.00 US, it is a great price.

Q. For a special evening out, what would you recommend? An up do? A chic blow dry style?

A. For an evening out the pony tail seems to be the new up do. I recommend doing your ponytail up high and then pulling it tight so the hair volume is at the crown.

Pictured: Keira Knightley looks tres chic in a ponytail and Roland Mouret dress.

Pictured: An easy high pony tail style. The look is swept back in a colorful clasp.

For more information, and some discounts, visit The Shampoo Lounge website. If you live in the Los Angeles area, check out their Happy Hour promotions. There's nothing better than a little hair care, some gossip at the salon and a great Cosmo-tini!

Leave a comment and let us know if you have any summer style tips of your own

The Real-Life Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Suit: New York Teachers in Norma Kamali

Pictured: A Real Sisterhood of the Traveling Pant Suits: The Teachers at Gramercy Arts High School in New York, NY in Norma Kamali

Today, I'm writing about some real-life heros, the teachers at Gramercy Arts High in New York. This is a story near and dear to my heart as my mother taught school for 35 years. She did it because she loved it. And growing up, I always remember her struggle to look stylish on a teacher's salary. She was always looking for a bargain, but it was harder then because it wasn't chic at that time for high-end designers to do lower priced versions of their fashion lines. Today, all that has changed. The picture above shows a variety of beautiful women in all shapes and sizes wearing Norma Kamali's wonderful $35.00 suits.

The designer notes, ""My goal is to help women build self esteem, as well as a strong commitment to education." Not to mention a dedication to helping these ladies live the Bargainista lifestyle. Norma Kamali's low-priced suits are easy on the eyes and the pocket book.

If you are interested in checking out these well-priced looks, they are available through Norma Kamali's partnership with Walmart. My "bargainista" advice is order them online if you are interested. NK is not available at all brick and mortar Walmart stores. Furthermore, this shopper has a hard time parking, standing in line and just generally finding a place to stand at the store chain. The online experience is much more aesthetically pleasing :)

To browse the collection online, check out Norma Kamali's website. The career skirt in the collection is now on clearance at Walmart online for $14.00. The jackets are no longer available online, but I did see them in the Walmart stores on a recent shopping trip. Another good deal from the collection are the handbags which are now on clearance. Not all are available online, but there are still some in the stores. If you are reading from outside the US, many of the NK collection pieces are for sale on eBay from sellers who will post outside of the US.To learn more about supporting the New York City public schools, visit www.pencil.org. Many business leaders like Norma have built relationships with Pencil to help the NYC schools. To learn more about becoming a Pencil partner, click here. I love the Principal for a Day® concept. I would love to govern for a day. Norma Kamali for everyone would be the first order of the day!