Beauty

It was a hot summer day in New York City and XI Magazine set out to do their Summer Wind-down Hair and Make-Up photo shoot. We were on location in the heart of the Meat Packing district and it was a major production. Spearheading the shoot were Kim Martin (ME!), Fashion/Beauty Contributor and Brian Everett Francis, Director of Photography and Media. Our hair and make-up team on hand were make-up artist La Quanna Chong of LQ Chong Artistry and Gabrielle Corney “Hairstylist to the Stars” and XI Beauty Contributor. The creative brilliance of these two ladies was phenomenal!

Also on scene for the shoot was Khai J. Gordon (Editor in Chief), Llaren V. Wynn (Editor in Chief), and Okema T. Moore (Director of Entertainment) who assisted in directing the shoot.  The team also included several volunteers that so graciously assisted Brian and our staff along with Allan Volcy, Videographer for XI Magazine.

The Models: The subjects of this flagship editorial shoot were three amazing models, each with their own individual looks and styles!

Tanya Lue Tsing – Tanya is a nurse, part-time baker and is also pursuing a modeling career. Tanya has appeared in a commercial, several print ads, hair shows and several fashion shows in the Upstate New York area. Tanya hopes to eventually transition from nursing and pursue her modeling career full time.

Jasmine Williams – Jasmine just recently graduated from college and is currently working in Health Care while pursuing modeling as well. She always dreamt of becoming a model but never had the time to pursue her dream until now. Jasmine is exploring various opportunities while building her portfolio doing print ads and shoots.

Makeda Abraham – Growing up Makeda wanted to become a doctor but always had a creative side to her. When she met her mentor at the age of 15, she was introduced to theater and it changed her life. Makeda decided to start working in theater and after graduating from college she toured with a dance company. Makeda always had an interest in modeling but never really pursued it due to her petite stature.  Height aside, Makeda recently moved to New York to pursue the arts full time, including being a print and petite model.

The Looks: Our hair and make-up team gave each model a day look and then a look with a bit more pinach that could go from day to night.  As the summer winds down, it’s still important to keep it light and airy during the day; from make-up to hair to attire…less is often more!

Tanya started with a fabulous fresh look! Her eyes were done in a sheer shimmer and LQ then used a soft colored eye shadow to outline them and black mascara to make the eyes pop. A light foundation was used (best for hot days like this one) and a rosy cheek was added for color along with a light pink lip. Gabi gave her 2 asymmetrical French braids and pulled them back into a bun for an easy carefree style that is perfect for those arid summer days. For her 2nd look, Tanya’s eyes were dramatic and smoky.  A little more foundation was applied for color and additional coverage while keeping the rosy cheek and light pink lip. Our Hair Guru Gabi then took out her original braids and pulled Tanya’s hair back into a neat, easy, breezy bun with a side swept bang that made it perfect for a night out on the town.

Jasmine’s first look was a more natural look. A light foundation was used and for her eyes, bronze, coral and peach eye shadows were applied.  *Tip-on more pigmented or tanned skin, bright colors can create a golden glow where applied and brighten the face. LQ then added black eye liner and mascara to again, make the eye pop and accentuate their deep almond shape.  On her cheeks a rosy orange color was used and a nude lip color was applied. *Tip-when eyes are fairly busy, be it with color or smoked out, a nude lip is a nice balance. For Jasmine’s hair, she was given two small braids that were pulled back to show off more of her face; a little twist to go along with her already wet and wavy look. Jasmine’s second make-up look was centered around a reddish-orange lip color; a little was even applied to her cheeks for a bit more spice. *Tip-using a punchy lip color sparingly on cheeks can often give a dewy blush to cheeks. A feathery head band was added and Jasmine’s hair was swept across one shoulder, giving her that vintage 1940’s look.

The first look created for Makeda was that clean Cover Girl look. Her natural, curly, cropped cut was finger combed and Gabi added a little product for shine and curl definition.  Her dark cocoa complexion is almost flawless, allowing accents to be her best make-up route as opposed to a heavy application. On her eyes a brighter eye shadow was used as a liner giving her a little more pop and black mascara was applied to open up the eye. Orange based colors were used for her lips and cheeks and a light foundation was applied to even it all out. *Tip-an alternative to foundation for my blemish-free (or blemish light) beauties is a tinted moisturizer with SPF in the summer for an airy feel. For Makeda’s second look a feathery headband was added to her natural curly cut as well and the colors from the head band were used to create her next make-up look. Orange, blue and green eye shadows gave her that wow factor to go along with her already rosy cheeks and lips. Her look easily resembled Josephine Baker and her attitude on-camera was just as sassy.

The Group Shot: XI represents “What’s New. What’s Now. What’s NEXT!” as our models come together and show us the Power of Three!

What’s New: Jasmine

Jasmine kept her already wet and wavy style, minus the headband and with a little more product to moisturize and give some sheen to the hair.  It’s “What’s New.” because gone are the flat sleek hair days; volume and texture are what’s in demand! Do what you want, how you want!

What’s Now: Tanya

A bouffant hairstyle with two long braids was created for Tanya. Bouffants, pumped up hair and braids were a large part of Summer looks on 2010 catwalks last Fashion Week! So it’s officially “What’s Now.”

What’s NEXT: Makeda

Makeda’s short trendy cropped hair completes our slogan. Close-cut, short hair is on the rise again, from Janet to Chrisette Michele, ladies are giving FACE!  Whether you are natural or chemically enhanced for color or texture, short is “What’s NEXT!”

LQ kept each model’s make-up looks from their second shoots, as they too represent “What’s New. What’s Now. What’s NEXT!”

Overall, the XI Magazine Sizzling Summer Wind-down Hair and Make-Up photo shoot was a success and so much fun! Check out the full shoot under photos and check XI TV for model interviews and behind the scenes sneak peeks!

XI Magazine’s very own Beauty/Hair Contributing writer, Celebrity Stylist Gabrielle Corney will be getting her “Sexy In The City” on this month!

Every Tuesday and Wednesday our Follicle Madame will be servicing clients at the posh Styles New York Salon.  Beginning July 27, Gabi will be sharing over 20 years of experience in the game and availing herself to all of our XI-Fly NYC Beauties, giving them the red carpet looks that we all desire.

Appointments are going fast (I definitely have to make mine), so make sure you call up the salon and get locked in!  Whether you rock locks, natural hair, a short crop or the Rapunzel of weaves…Gabi can split that wig and have you turning heads!

Styles New York Salon is located at 5 West 46 Street, 2^nd fl. NY, NY 10036  (btw 5^th & 6^th ave.) For appointments call: 212.730.6488.

Get all the way turned up and turn the streets of NY out with Sexy In the City at Styles New York Salon courtesy of the Gift of Gab…cuz we all know that for Gabi Hair is the ULTIMATE ACCESSORY!

Well ladies, summertime is definitely here and boy are we feeling it! This heat and humidity has been too much to handle but hey we love the summer! Summer, Summer, Summertime! (Channelling my Will Smith vibe)

Ok, let’s get back to business…

To avoid a make-up meltdown I have a few products that will help you deal with the heat and humidity and still look fabulous!

Foundation/Tinted Moisturizers: Instead of using foundation during the day try a tinted moisturizer. Ones to try are MAC tinted moisturizer with SPF 15. It’s sheer and provides just enough coverage to even out the skin tone giving you a flawless look.

Laura Mercier makes a great one as well. The tinted moisturizer with SPF 20 gives you just a hint of color with a natural appearance. She also offers a tinted moisturizer that’s oil-free for those of us who have oily skin.

But if you can’t live without your foundation, try one that is light.  My favorite is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. This foundation will make you do the happy dance! It gives you full coverage with a fresh look and it’s not too heavy and no matter how much you layer it on, it still looks sheer.

Another great foundation to try is Natural Finish long lasting foundation SPF 15 by Bobbi Brown. It will give you soft matte-looking skin without having to keep pulling out your powder puff. What’s great about it is the transfer-resistant formula helps create a barrier against the heat and humidity for a full 8 hours so your make up stays in place. Wow! Thanks Bobbi! =)

Bronzers: We all want that look…you know the one where you look like we just walked off the beach.  But to do it the healthy way, try using a bronzer to get that glowing tanned skin.

NARS has a bronzing powder to die for! It looks natural and goes on evenly and it’s great for all skin tones. What I really love about this bronzer is it won’t give you that orangey glow and you definitely won’t have that sparkly look.

Another one to try is Guerlain Terracotta Light Summer Bronzing Powder (Limited Edition). It features five iridescent shades to adorn any complexion giving you a warm sunny glow. It’s a must have for the summer.

Lips: Ladies, you must keep your lips moisturized and protected from the sun on these hot summer days. I always use a lip balm with SPF before I apply lip gloss.

Fresh Sugar has sugar lip treatment with SPF 15. Sugar lip treatment has real sugar along with reparative oils and waxes, vitamins A, C and E which provides protection from wrinkle free causing radicals.

Dior has a great one too — Dior Addict Lip Glow with SPF 10. It responds to the color chemistry of your lips giving you a shade that is uniquely yours. It moisturizes and adds sun protection as well. It’s a must have!

If you don’t want to spend alot to moisturize and protect your lips, my all-time favorite is Chapstick Ultra SPF 30. It’s easy on the pockets and it gives you the protection you need.

Mascara:

Mascara is a must have! Everyone wants long, full lashes.  However, in this heat you don’t want to look like a raccoon; so try a wearing a waterproof mascara. I love, love (did I say love?!) Cover GirlLashBlast Volume blasting mascara. The patented volume boosting formula and brush are designed to maximize each and every lash without clumping, giving you that WOW factor.

At night when you are stepping out on the town and you want your lashes to get there before you do, try Dior’sDiorShow. This is the g0-to mascara for every girl! It delivers that glam false eyelash look without the glue. Your lashes will love you for this.

Eye Shadow:

I love to wear eye shadow and in this heat you want to wear one that won’t diminish throughout the day, especially if you are prone to perspire.  I like Tarte EmphaseEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow/Liner. It’s a two in one shadow and eye liner. It creates a long lasting high-definition eye look that’s simply gorgeous. It comes in 6 colors: black, bronze, brown, green, indigo, and plum. Run & GET IT!!!!

Another eye shadow I really like is the Dior 5-Colour Palette. It glides on velvety smooth and has a texture that won’t crease. It blends easy and it has incredible staying power. It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny.

Blotting Papers: I always walk around with these to avoid looking greasy! In my make-up bag right now is Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. They absorb everything! And they can also be used to blot lipstick or gloss.

So ladies I hope you will find these products helpful. Remember, just because its 100 degrees doesn’t mean you have to look like it. =)

Stay fabulous ladies!! Until next time…

Oh wait!!! How can I forget???

I am obsessed with nail polish especially in the summer time. There are so many colors to choose from you can lose your mind!!! So I just wanted to run down a few of my favorites just in case you have an obsession like me. =)

Nail Polish: NARS has a color called Schiap. It’s bright, vivid, and fuchsia… need I say more. Whew! Fabulous!!

Essie is my all-time favorite nail polish! I love to wear Sugar Daddy. It’s sheer and creamy — a classic pink that’s very sophisticated. It’s a must have if you love to get a French manicure and pedicure.

OPI has one that will turn heads; it’s called Big Apple Red. It’s a cheerful tomato red that’s perfect for any skin tone and it’s just super glam!

So ladies run to the stores…okay maybe briskly walk, it’s a bit too hot for all that runnin’! But get there and try out some or all of these amazing products!

So ladies run…okay, maybe briskly walk, because it’s a bit too warm for all that running!  But either way, get to the stores and try out these amazing products and stay BEAUTY-FUL!

Kim Martin, Fashion & Beauty Contributor

It’s summertime ladies and are you ready for the hottest summer fragrances?

Every fragrance has its own summer version so avoid using heavy perfumes which have a sweet or powerful smell. Instead choose one that is fresh and light making you feel romantic and exuberant.  Summer is the season of having fun so your fragrance should define your style and personality.

Here are a few of our favorites you should check out: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb La Vie En Rose (1.7 oz. Eau de Toilette Spray, $80) – A seductive scent that will make any woman irresistible. This sophisticated rendition has top notes of tangerine, bergamot, tea and pink pepper. The floral scent is created with Lily of the Valley, freesia and Centifolia Rose with a base of amber and patchouli. Simply refreshing… It’s a limited edition so make sure you get it before it’s gone! Marc Jacobs Daisy In the Air (1.7 oz. Eau de Toilette Spray, $57) – Fresh and light like a daisy but elegant and enchanting with a soft sweet scent. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you want to feel fresh and feminine. It contains notes such as Strawberry, Violet leaves, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Gardenia, Violet Petals, Jasmine Petals, Musk, Vanilla and With Woods. Pure sophistication… Miss Dior Cherie L’eau (3.4 oz. Eau de Toilette Spray, $82) – A light fresh flowery scent that’s energetic and bubbly but very feminine and sexy! It contains notes of Strawberry leaves, Pink Jasmine, Caramelized Popcorn, Strawberry Sorbet and Patchouli. Simply unforgettable… Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche (3.4 oz. Eau de Toilette Spray, $90) – A new version of the well-known original that’s zesty but light with a sparkling feeling of freshness. It contains fresh notes of Citron, Water Hyacinth, Jasmine Absolute, White Musk, Amber Patchouli and Teak Wood. Very sensual… Burberry Classic Summer Edition (1.7 oz. Eau de Toilette Spray, $50) – This scent is a lighter, sweeter version of the original Burberry fragrance. Its floral notes, delicate sensation of fruits and woods make up this sultry scent. The Cedar, Rose, Green Apple, White Musk, Mandarins, Freesia, Bergamot, Vanilla and Lemon makes this a must have for the summertime. Pure romance…

So ladies make sure you pick up your summer fragrances soon, I guarantee you will feel feminine, playful, and irresistible.

Hey XI Beauties…. It’s almost June in NYC and it doesn’t exactly feel like summer. Our weather has been flakier than a biscuit, but rest assured guys the warm weather is near! With the sun comes lots of fun! Whether your at the beach, by the pool, at a bbq or sipping a latte at an outdoor cafe, your hair’s gotta be as hot as your outfit.

I’ve got a few suggestions that will spruce up your summer time sexy at any length!  Humidity friendly products that help control frizz while enhancing shine and some recommendations that will help keep your hair healthy during these summer months.

If your a long haired honey keep your layers long. Long layers give you the versatility of pulling your hair back into a simple ponytail which is not only a classic style but also keeps you cool.

Ponytails look great on just about anyone and can be pulled to the side, wrapped around into a messy bun or a sleek chignon. Add a few hair accessories like jeweled pins, clips, a ponytail holder or chop sticks and you have a simple yet stylish look. Goddess braids have been the rage all this year too, so don’t be afraid to get creative with them.

If you’re a mid length mama you’ve got the best of both worlds. You’re cool because you don’t have a lot of hair, if any, on your neck, but yet it can still be pulled up which can give a more formal look.

Hot rollers, magnet rollers or bendable rods can be used to give a tousled effect which is sexy yet effortless. Headbands and hair scarves look great on medium lengths, especially when you get creative with them. There are many different styles of accessories to choose from so make sure you try a few.

If you’re short and sassy, this is just for you! Whether it’s a pixie, a real close crop or the very trendy boy cut, summer is a great season for short hair. It can go from neatly curled to slicked straight to textured, or it can simply be worn naturally curly. It’s cool, sexy and the daily maintenance is a breeze. Jeweled bobby pins and clips jazz up short hair and look awesome with a cocktail dress. So be playful and have fun with it ladies!

If you’re a curly girly and don’t normally wear your hair straight, whether it’s silkened or not, natural hair has a tendency to be a little dry so make sure you moisturize, moisturize and moisturize! Curl enhancing products are great, they accentuate the hair’s natural curl and leave it feeling soft and manageable. Twisting and twirling it around a few magnetic rollers or rods at night will take your natural curl to whole new level. Add a jeweled accessory or small flower to the side and your ready! Beautiful, soft sexy curls! RAIN OR SHINE!

Keeping the hair healthy during the summer months, regardless of what the length of it is, can get a little tricky…especially if your trying to keep it straight when the humidity wants to keep it frizzy. Taking some extra precautions not only protect your hair from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, but to keep it moisturized as well as frizz free is very important. Dry brittle hair breaks easily, so it is essential for the hair to be hydrated from the inside out, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Try to stay away from hot tools. I know it’s hard because we all wanna control the “fuzz” that the humidity brings but flat irons, curling irons, hot combs and blow dryers will damage the hair if used excessively. If you ABSOLUTELY have to use any of them be sure to protect the hair.

When the weather heats up we may have to get a little creative. A new twist on a classic style that can easily morph into another, a totally new haircut, trying out a few styling products or jazzing it up wit hair accessories. Whichever style or product you choose don’t afraid to be creative and have fun with it! Have a great sexy summer and remember “Hair is the ULTIMATE accessory!”

For all of my summer bunnies, here is a short list of some great products for your respective warm weather hair needs…enjoy!

Thermal heat protectants: Fhi hot sauce $13. Chi 44 iron guard thermal protectant spray $12.

Frizz control: Bedhead Some Like It Hot heat & humidity resistant serum $12. Curls Goddess Glazes for all hair types $14. *I recommend this product for natural hair

Sun protectant: Redken color extend sun solar screen SPF 12 $16.

Natural curl enhancers: Curls milkshake for fine hair $18. soufflé for medium density $16. Whipped cream for thick kinky textured curls $17. Kinky curly curling custard $17.

I LOVE to hear from you guys please leave your comments, questions and if you wanna just say hi! Email me: giftofgab@ximagonline.com

Mary J. Blige together with Carol’s Daughter, will soon present to you history in a bottle. In the mid 90’s, four million of us shared Mary’s world when she poured out her heart on her 2nd album, My Life. While some of us were going through the same trials, we witnessed MJB’s transformation, which continues to blossom beautifully today. Mary’s recent cover story on WWD tells the tale of how she’s brought My Life back to life in a fragrance.

It’s no secret that celebrities have been attached to products to boost revenues. Some share genuine interest, while others deposit checks. As a consumer I would delight in knowing that I could trust in my favorite celebs to endorse a product worthy of their fame. “When your name is attached to something, and it’s not good, that’s your name. So I prefer a good name rather than vanity and riches”, says Blige. As one of the few Carol’s Daughter famed investors, Mary practically put My Life the fragrance together. Mary’s husband and Manager Kendu Isaacs who Mary praises for his assistance in her personal growth continues to support Mary on her journey. Kendu’s Aunt, Pamela Baxter who is married to Kendu’s uncle happens to be the President & CEO of LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics

North America and has been coaching Mary through the whole process. Despite all the advice MJ still has free reign on what this perfume should be. She’s has complete creative control and was involved every step of the way until the scent was perfect.

My life is made up of Bartlett pear, gardenia petals, white freesia, apricot flower, cashmere woods…and more. Mary was adamant about learning all there is to know regarding the fragrance industry and has put that knowledge to use in this creation all her own.

My Life will launch July 31st on HSN. The scent will be the feature product of the day while a series of documentaries on Mary’s life will air as well. MJB will appear in all six scheduled shows to bring this brand to life. The scent will retail for $46 and will be sold with a clutch purse. If your mind works like mine you may be contemplating purchasing a perfume you have yet to smell via The Home Shopping Network. However, industry sources have interpreted an undisclosed prediction in sales of $5-7 million on the first day alone. Based on the pattern Carol’s Daughter has created in sales volume on HSN, my life will not miss the mark. Steve Stoute, who is lead investor and chairman of Carol’s Daughter says “everyone can choose how they want to sell. We choose to capture Mary’s life and tell it to 93 million people.”

Clearly MJB has built a team of people who understand her journey and are dedicated to her ultimate goal. Mary will speak about her struggle to acknowledge her beauty as consumers out buy each other of the my life fragrance on what may as well be declared as Mary Day on HSN. Although many celebs have attached themselves to clothing lines, fragrances, etc., Mary insists that her fans are guaranteed the same level of integrity they fell in love with back in the 90’s. Mary says she will soon venture into other areas of the beauty and fashion industry but clothing is not an option yet. She feels everyone is doing clothing and she would prefer to do it right. Instead she is looking to produce a sunglasses line called Melodies by Mary as well as a scarf line. Sounds like Mary is bringing the Queen of Hip hop back via our wardrobe. Perhaps this is a genius solution for those of you who would rather not let the old Mary go. Be sure to catch her Reminisce, July 31st on HSN.

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Last week I shared some of my hair care experiences, favorite products and regimens  that you can try to keep the hair healthy. I thought to myself wait a minute, a lot of our readers may not even have the time to research products and/or hair regimens, let alone attempt taking care of their hair at home. Come on, let’s keep it all the way funky…now they may just simply not want to do all of that.  So that leaves the question “who’s gonna take care of my hair” or “how can I find a good hairstylist?”

Let’s first start with asking this question: what is the job of a hair stylist? A hairstylist is actually a cosmetologist that has been licensed and trained in the techniques of texturizing, coloring, cutting and styling hair (in a nutshell). A good hairstylist considers many factors like symmetry, facial structure, skin tone, eye color, overall maintenance as well as the client’s occupation and schedule before suggesting an actual style. They should also have an eye for fashion and be up on most of the latest trends in the entertainment and fashion industries to give their clients that celeb look they desire but at their own price points and comfort levels.

Now that you are familiar with what the job of a hairstylist is, the next question should be: “how do I find a the best hairstylist to suit who I am?”  Word of mouth is often the best way to find a good hairstylist. Once a client is satisfied with his or her hair, they will refer all of their family, friends and neighbors. Sometimes even perfect strangers may ask for a reference in passing. I’ve had many new clients come in and say “I got your number from a girl I saw in the mall.”  If referral’s are not an option for you, thumbing through hair magazines or browsing the internet can also help you find a good hairstylist. Please be aware that processes like texturizing, relaxing and coloring can be potentially damaging to your hair as well as your scalp. I don’t want to alarm you, but damage is irreversible in some cases. I know scheduling is tight and we’re all busy these days but take a little time out to do some research, it’ll be worth it in the long run. There are actually several websites that will help you do some of the ground work. Their job is to rate salons as well the stylists that work in them. Just Goggle “Good hairdresser, choosing, locating a hairdresser” and you’ll get plenty of options!

The salon should have a good reputation and the appearance should be neat and clean. The hairstylists should be experienced and their own hair should be chic and healthy looking. The stylist should offer a consultation prior to performing the actual service which should include an inquiry about your hair’s history. The consultation gives you the opportunity to “feel” both the salon and stylist out before making a commitment that you could possibly regret. The stylist’s initial interaction with the client is going to set the tone for the entire experience. You never get a second chance to make a first impression! Convenience is key, so the location should also be considered. You should choose a salon near your work place, home or in an area that you frequently visit. This will make your appointment scheduling much easier. Once you find a good stylist and are satisfied with the overall hairstyle and serviced you receive, you should try to have the same person care for it on a regular basis.

The right style can truly transform a client because…. hair is the ultimate accessory!

Email me your comments, questions, concerns and share your “hair” stories at giftofgab@ximagonline.com. I look forward to hearing from all of you!

Tionna Smalls, the newest reality diva on Vh-1’s “What Chilli Wants” and I first met at an event last year. She stood out that night, dressed in a bright orange ensemble and proceeded to introduce herself as “Miss Orange Juice!” She was very bubbly and friendly, yet funny and confident. After chatting that night we exchanged information and would talk via Facebook and e-mail every once in a while. We bumped into each other out and about a few times and even judged an open-mic competition together, along side my bff, R&B singer Olivia and TV/Radio personality Amanda Diva.

Tionna is known for her array of whimsical wigs and would switch them up quite often on Vh-1’s “What Chilli Wants.” After watching Tionna’s style on the show I was like “wow I gotta work with her” and decided to hit her up. I knew that I could give her a new look that not only she would be excited about, but that her fans would love as well. After going back and forth on twitter she decided to give me a chance. I was super excited!

Tionna has a very thick, full head of hair, but because of her busy schedule and the fact that she’s growing out her relaxer we felt that a weave would be a great option for her.  This was her first venture into sewn-in weave so I was very careful to explain the process and maintenance to Tionna before we started.

My first priority as a hairstylist is hair care, so we prepared her by first shampooing, conditioning and trimming Tionna’s own natural hair. After I added the hair on we textured the layers a little with a razor then waved it with a curling iron giving her a slightly tossled look. Her heavy side sweep that she calls a “swerve” lightly framed Tionna’s face giving her a very feminine yet sexy look.

I really enjoyed working with Tionna. She’s very talented and knows her ish! Even though she’s a little nutty (all in love T!)  she is very passionate about what she does. She’s extremely smart, crazy cool and definitely doing her thing.  I like and support her and her brand. I have lots of hairstyles in mind for Tionna and I’m looking forward to working with her in the near future.

Hey XI readers!!! I am so excited to be the magazine’s newest Contributing Beauty Writer and can’t wait to share my passion about hair with all of you! And what better topic to start with than hair care?

Being a hairstylist for the last 20 years has made me very enthusiastic about keeping hair healthy.  There are many factors that contribute to the overall health of the hair. Of course the hair and scalp should be regularly cleansed and nourished with both shampoo and conditioners, but there’s much more to it than that.

A well balanced diet consisting of lots of water and vitamin supplements like biotin, Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E and Folic Acid are just a few ways to keep yourself healthy; but please consult your general practitioner prior to taking anything.  Regular exercise and the proper amount of rest are all essential as well.

The way in which you brush and/or comb your hair is also extremely important. 100 to 200 gentle strokes in the morning and at night will increase circulation, which stimulates healthy hair growth. Massaging the scalp with your fingertips will give you similar results as brush strokes.  You should always avoid putting too much physical stress on the scalp.  Tight braids and or ponytails can be detrimental to its health and put unnecessary pressure in the crown area as well as on the hairline and nape of the neck. Silk, if u wrap, roller set, tie or pin up your hair at night, invest in a 100% silk or satin scarf or bonnet; and satin are the only breathable fabrics and they are best suited for this purpose. Fabric doesn’t know the difference between the skin and the hair so it does it’s job which is to absorb moisture. If you prefer to sleep freely, purchase a satin pillowcase. You can find them at most beauty supply stores and big chain stores. Satin Wonders is a great resource for them as well.  They come in a variety of colors that will match any decor. *that’s what I call convenient and cute!* The hair care products that you choose are also very important to the overall health of your hair. There are a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners available on the market these days. The market is currently flooded with them, so make sure to do your research prior to purchasing anything. Some companies have hair care systems, but as a stylist I’ve gotten some of the best results by mixing and matching according to the individual client’s needs. A few of my hair care faves come from companies like Redken and Aveda.

Redken has a deep conditioner called Smooth Down that’s absolutely amazing; it leaves the hair feeling butter! Damage Remedy breathe life into damaged hair as well as keeps healthy hair strong.

Last but not least, there’s Tigi S Factor Series and included in that is a product called Serious that holds true to it’s name.  Those three items are just to name a few of my MANY faves. If you put any one of them in your hair and sit under a hooded dryer or a heat cap, whether in the salon or at home, for ten to fifteen minutes, your hair will feel rejuvenated and beautiful!

Styling products also play a large part in keeping the hair healthy.  Be mindful that styling products are fun and give us a lot of  opportunity to play Barbie or Ken but many sprays, gels, mousse, pastes, pomades and even some moisturizers contain alcohol. Alcohol dries the hair and scalp and this is bad because dry brittle hair tends to break easier.  My expert advice, use these products in moderation or seek out some alternative alcohol-free products that will still give you that desired look.

If you use “hot” items on you hair like blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons etc…be sure to use a leave in conditioner or thermal protectant.  Also, remember to TRIM TRIM TRIM!!!! I know some stylists may get a little happy when they pick up a pair of scissors but don’t let that make u leery of getting a trim. The hair at the ends becomes frayed over time as those ends were once at the roots and have to be snipped off in order for the healthy hair to continue to grow. Not trimming your ends will cause the frayed hair to travel upwards and cause significant split ends.

A healthy lifestyle will mean healthier hair. Whether you have a regular hair guru or you maintain your hair on your own in between salon visits, we all know that when you look good, you feel good. As I always say…HAIR IS THE ULTIMATE ACCESSORY!

Email me your comments, questions, concerns and share your “hair” stories at giftofgab@ximagonline.com. I look forward to hearing from all of you!