Sunday, December 18, 2011

So, how do I use a flat iron?

Photobucket

Before.

Photobucket

After.

Photobucket

Yoshi's magic tools.

Photobucket

With Yoshi Hagiwara himself.

When I walked into Yoshi Hair Studio the morning after Thanksgiving, I was not looking too hot (in truth, I looked quite terrible). I'd just eaten up a storm the night before (turkey, cake, beer, the usual T-Day suspects) and I was tired from the holiday festivities. I did what I usually do when I'm in that kind of mood: I threw on my trusty denim button-down, pinned my bangs away from my face and ran out the door.

Thankfully, hair guru Yoshi Hagiwara rescued my look. A veteran stylist with an intimidating amount of experience in the biz (over 25 years), Yoshi now offers one-on-one individual styling classes, which include a restorative conditioning treatment and styling session, at his Beverly Hills studio. During my 60 minutes of Yoshi's undivided attention, I peppered him with questions about my hair troubles ("Um, I'm not sure how to use a flat iron?" and "Volume, please?"). He spent time styling my hair various ways, then explained each step to make sure I could replicate the look at home. Best of all, he introduced me to his specially developed product, Magic Water, an amino ion mist from Japan that works wonders to give your hair instant luster (and when I say instant, I mean it - I saw it work with my own eyes).

After class, I sauntered out of Yoshi's studio with shiny, freshly blown out tresses, a bottle of Magic Water, and a teeny bit more hair confidence. Thank you, Yoshi!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

My first pair of ecofriendly earrings

Photobucket

(Cynthia Steffe cardigan, Madison Marcus top, Madewell skirt, vintage Moschino belt, Sam Edelman boots, Giles & Brother cuff, gold earrings courtesy of AmaraGold)

Photobucket


Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photos by Morgan Olsen.

I've got a thing for earrings. Big, small, hoops, chandeliers, studs - it really doesn't matter, I love 'em all. So I was pleased as punch when AmaraGold, a company based near Boston that operates out of their ISO14001-certified facility, sent me a pair of hammered bead drop earrings (quite possibly my first pair of ecofriendly earrings ever). Amara crafts jewelry that's environmentally and socially responsible, using recycled metals and a patented formula to create beautiful, classic pieces. My 14K yellow gold bead drop earrings are no exception. These little gems have so much sparkle they give off a subtle shimmer in the light. They're also the perfect size and length: long enough to stand out against my dark hair, light enough so that my ears aren't weighed down, casual enough for everyday use, elegant enough for a night out. Best of all, whenever I wear these glistening golden beauties, I feel proud about wearing ethically sourced jewelry.

And that feeling is worth its weight in gold.

Some of my other Amara favorites:
14K gold spiral drop earrings, $425
14K gold silk hinged bangle, $315
14K gold leaf eternity ring, $325