RemChic Essential Hair Tools and Products

A while back I wrote a post exploring my favorite make-up products. Well, in this post I'm going to talk about the absolute best hair tools and products. Although I'm no haircare professional, I have been coloring my hair since I was 11 (with help of my best friend and our box dye sessions in her bathroom) and curling/straightening my hair since I was 12 (also thanks to my best friend and her at-home hair salon tactics).

It's important to note that I have long, naturally wavy hair that I usually blow dry and straighten. Yeah, my hair lovesss me and all of the heat damage I inflict upon it on the daily. Anyways, it's medium to fine in thickness, and I'm obsessed with volume and heat protection. Most of the products below are centered around what I use (obviously) so if you have different hair goals/hair type these items might not be ideal for you. However, I think the products I'm showcasing appeal to a wide range of hairstyles/types. 

Essential Hair Tools

1. Farouk CHI Ceramic Flat Iron
This is hands down the best straightener on the planet. Trust me. Go buy one and you will never look back. It's perfect for controlling frizz and static and is just perfectly amazing. It will be the best investment of your hair's life.

2. Toni & Guy Professional Hair Dryer
The model I have is the Toni & Guy 3500 Lite, and it is the best hair dryer ever. Why? To name a few reasons: frizz control, a number of different heat settings, ceramic ion protection technology, among other helpful settings that you simply can't get from a generic, $20 hair dryer. I took my blow dryer on a cruise with 8 other girls last March, and I swear everyone used/loved it. I've had it for almost two years, and it still works like brand new!

3. Conair 1.25 inch Curling Iron
Because my hair is naturally wavy it tends to hold curls well, so I don't need an intense curling iron (whereas I'm wiling to invest in extra strong straightening tools). This curling iron was $12 and works like a charm. My roommate has extremely straight hair that is thick and long and she uses it, too! It works well for both of us and the 1.25 inch width is perfect for natural looking, tousled waves.

Essential Hair Products  

1. S Factor Papaya Leave-in Moisturizer
I use this product no matter what- if I plan on air drying, blow drying, curling, straightening, whatever. It's the best leave-in moisturizer I've ever used and smells amazing! A definite must. Also, I use this product daily and am just now running out of a bottle that I've had since my freshman year of college (I'm in the middle of my senior year) so it's very economical.

2. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection
This is the best heat protection treatment out there. It also smells amazing, and I usually apply this after the papaya moisturizer, especially on the ends of my hair. Best part about it is you can use it on wet or dry hair, so if you are touching up from blow drying the day before you can still use it before re-straightening and/or curling.

3. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion
This is a thickening treatment that is a powder-to-liquid formula. It swells your hair shafts and the bottle claims it boosts hair volume up by 17%, but I would argue it's even more than that. This stuff is literally body for your hair in a bottle. It's a bit pricey (about $25 for only 0.7 oz) but if you are looking to give your hair oomph that will last all day/night, this is a must-have. P.S. this is an after-the-fact type of hair product that you want to use after all of your styling is done and your hair is completely dry.

4. Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser 
Ojon is quickly becoming my favorite hair product brand. This is the best dry shampoo on the entire planet and every girl should own at least one bottle of this stuff. It's perfect for in-between washes and quickly absorbs dirt and grease while also livening your hair (which tends to go flat when its weighed down by icky dirt and other unwanted junk). Beware the bottle tends to go awall if it's shaken around too much, and I've actually had a bottle or two over pressurize when I swear I haven't even taken it out of the medicine cabinet except to use it. However, I think if you can find a bottle that doesn't act funny its the best investment ever.

Oohs and Awes for Marc by Marc Jacobs Janet Jacquard Sweater

Today I'm loving the sexy back of this Marc by Marc Jacobs Janet Jacquard Sweater. Although the front cropped portions aren't the most flattering shape in my opinion, the back is extremely feminine and pretty. I love the crossed ribbon look, don't you?

Quotes & Couture XV

"The point is to shop for high value in items that will endure for many years, items that will never lose their relevance. Try not to focus on price and name brands. A truly stylish woman makes smart decision based on good taste, and the ability for an item to endure."

-Nina Garcia

Natascha McElhone: Proof that Beauty Exists Beyond 40

I started watching Californication yesterday per my Showtime addiction and lack of Dexter episodes to stream, and I can't help but highlight how beautiful Natascha McElhone is. At 42 years old, she is the epitome of flawless beauty. The London-born actress is gorgeous because of her natural appeal--move over over-tanned, over-bleached M.I.L.F.s, cause this type of look can't be mimicked no matter how much surgery you get. Here are some of my favorite pictures of her from photoshoots ranging from 1998 to 2007:

Fashion News: Anne Vyalitsyna poses for Louis Vuitton 2011

Mark Segal is bringing his photography genius to Louis Vuitton's spring 2011 ad campaign. Anne Vyalistsyna looks like a natural beauty in all of the road-trip themed photos. I tried to find where the photoshoot took place, and was unsuccessful; however, the campaign definitely speaks California desert highway to me-note the wind power farm in the background of the first photo- Palm Springs, California, anyone? What do you think?

http://fashiongonerogue.com/louis-vuitton-cruise-2011-anne-vyalitsyna-mark-segal/2/

Erin Fetherston Designs for Juicy Couture

Back in November, Elle magazine reported that 29 year-old designer Erin Fetherston was going to be collaborating with the velour goddesses at Juicy Couture for a line called "Juicy Loves Glamour Girls by Erin Fetherston." Well, being a huge Erin Fetherston fan and a sort of anti-fan of Juicy Couture, I was curious to see if the floral-chiffon mind of Fetherston would work well with the L.A. rhinestone sweats of Juicy. Although it's not my favorite line on the planet, I think the collection is executed in a way that showcases both powerhouse's strengths and signature styles. Juicy said they brought Fetherston from New York to give the company a little extra punch and even gave her the title of "Creative Consultant." I think that Fetherston has added a little something extra to Juicy; however, I don't feel like the full capacity of this pairing has been reached. Perhaps they are intentionally playing it safe for skeptics like myself, or maybe they are even being reserved on purpose hoping consumers will want more. Below are a few of the better pieces in the collection. What do you think? Would you buy anything from this line?

Fetherston posing for Juicy Couture Ad Campaign in June 2010

click to buy the...
Skirt
Dress
Slouchy Jacket
Cotton Top

http://www.butterboom.com/2010/06/01/erin-fetherston-designs-juicy-couture/

Oohs and Awes for Yves Saint Laurent Easy Bags

With 2010 quickly wrapping up, it seems like every fashion blog is compiling a list of best-ofs for the year. I always have a hard time picking out my favorites of the year, but I can say that this year I've fallen in love with YSL Easy bags. If it weren't for the $1,000-$2,000 price tag, I'd definitely have my hands on one by now. Regardless, the classic appeal with a subtle signature "Y" across the bag makes these handbags a duality- part staple piece and part tribute to YSL as a company. Here are a few (the studded one is my favorite):

How to Successfully Wear Fur

The winter fashion scene reminds me of the middle school years- a brief awkward time stuck in-between two major seasons. It's short-lived, yet the confusion can be scaring for life if done incorrectly. Of course, winter 2010/2011 fashion trends are borrowing from it's elder fall 2010 runway highlights, while also eagerly grasping onto aspects of spring 2011 looks. It's sort of like a twelve year-old girl who is borrowing her high school sister's Chanel lipstick, while also wearing her 6th grade cords.

One such trend is the fur frenzy I've been seeing all over the mags- Harper's Bazaar, Elle, and Marie Claire featured fur looks in their November, December, and even January issues (at least the ones that have hit the press/I've seen). Fur is being belted, shagged, and even slapped on oversized collars like a built-in scarf. If you're like me and the only fur thing you've ever owned is a rabbit foot key chain that you one at the county fair...it feels like warm and fuzzy overload.

After doing some research, I've compiled this season's most popular ways to wear fur and have paired my findings with a few helpful tips of my own. Perhaps with a bit of organization and summarizing, we can approach the fur trend together with confidence. Here goes nothin'!

On the Runway

Before compiling two of my own examples, I wanted to include a collage of inspirational looks from the runway. Here are just a handful of the fur looks shown at fashion week:

 

Example 1: Fur with Leather

Remember all of the motorcycle looks on the fall 2010 runway? In October you couldn't leave the house without studs or leather in your ensemble, and now, all you have to do is add a dash of fur to your outfit and you are right in sync with the winter 2011 scene! Treat your fur like an accessory- look for tame coats that have fur collars and/or cuffs. Pair it with skin-tight leather skinnies, a loose t-shirt and a sleek ponytail for a cool downtown look.

My Example Ensemble:
Jacket- Mackage
Top- Son of John
Pants- Black Denim
Wedges- Chinese Laundry

Example 2: Sporting a Fur Vest

The influx of fur vests this year has been ridiculous. You can't step into a Forever 21, nor a local boutique or even Barney's without spotting a number of fur vests. I've seen a lot of them belted with long sleeves underneath; however, I prefer the open vest look. Trying to cinch all of that fur under a belt defeats the purpose of waist-defining accessories. In keeping with the fall-meets-winter trend theme, I chose a gray number since gray and camel are the signature colors of fall 2010. I paired it with a long sleeve in a muted print and filled the rest of the ensemble with neutrals and touches of gold.

My Example:

Vest- Kensie

Boots- Frye

Long Sleeve- Erica Tanov

Pants- Free People

Bag- Helena de Natalio

Runway Photos from: http://www.style.com/fashionshows/powersearch?trend=trend11&event=show2062

Wow, I Really Love Being a 20-Something

Recently I was perusing Noel Duan's blog and came across this chuckle-worthy little tid bit by Ryan O'Connell about what it means to be a 20-something. My 20's have undoubtedly been my favorite decade so far, and that's saying a lot- I'm going to be freshly 22 in January. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do (regardless of how old you are):

Be really attractive. Your acne is gone, your face has matured without having wrinkles and everything on your body is lifted naturally. Eat bagels seven days a week, binge-drink and do drugs: you’ll still look like a babe. When you turn thirty, it’ll become a different story but that’s, like, not for a really long time.

Reestablish a relationship with your parents. You don’t live with them anymore (hopefully) so start to appreciate them as human beings with thoughts, flaws and feelings rather than soulless life ruiners who won’t let you borrow their car.

Go from eating delicious food at your parents’ house to eating Ragu tomato sauce over Barilla noodles. Develop an eating disorder to save money.

Move into an apartment on the corner of Overpriced and Dangerous. Sleep on a bare mattress with an Ikea comforter. Your mother talks to you about buying a top sheet and a duvet cover but feel like you’re not mature enough to own something called “duvet.”

Read the New York Times piece, “What Is It About 20-Somethings?” Feel exposed and humiliated. Share it on your Facebook with the caption: “Um….” Your friends will comment “Too real” and that will be the end of that.

Work at a coffee shop but feel hopeful about your career in advertising, writing, whatever. Remember that you’re young and that the world is your oyster. Everything is possible, you still have so much to see and hear. You went to a good school and did good things. Figure if you’re not going to be successful, who the hell is?

Date people who you know you’ll never be able to love. See someone for three months for no other reason than because it’s winter and you want to keep warm by holding another body. Date a Republican just so you can say you dated a Republican.

Eventually all these nobodies will make you crave a somebody. Have a real relationship with someone. Go on vacations together, exchange house keys, cry in their arms after a demoralizing day at work. Think about marrying them and maybe even get engaged. Regardless of the outcome, feel proud of yourself for being able to love someone in a healthy way.

Start your twenties with a lot of friends and leave with a few good ones. What happened? People faded away into their careers and relationships. Fights were had and never resolved. Shit happens.

Think of yourself at twenty and hanging out with people who didn’t mean a thing to you. Think about writing papers, about being promiscuous, about trying new things. Think of yourself now and your face looking different and your body feeling different and how everything is just different.

Form the habits that will stick with you forever. Drink your coffee with two sugars and skim milk every morning. Buy a magazine every Friday. Enjoy spending money on candles, smoke pot on Saturdays, watch the television before bed.

Move into a bigger apartment on the corner of Mature and Gentrification and finally buy a duvet cover. Limit your drug-use. If you find yourself unable to do so, start to wonder if you have a problem.

Have your parents come to your place for Christmas. Set the table, make the ham, wear a sophisticated outfit, This will all mean so much at the time.

Think about having children when you stop acting like a child. This may not ever happen.

Maybe this is assuming too much. Maybe this is generalizing. Maybe society uses age as an unrealistic marker for growth. Maybe. Still feel the anxiety on your 30th birthday and think to yourself, “Oh shit, I’m no longer a 20-something.”

Images Without Words: Elise Digby by Aram Bedrossian in Bonnie & Clyde

From: http://fashiongonerogue.com/elise-digby-aram-bedrossian-bonnie-clyde/#more-42928

You should have put a (Melody Ehsani) ring on it

I've recently discovered the amazing creations of Melody Ehsani, and I couldn't feel more like a kid in a candy store when perusing her visually enthralling lookbook. I am particularly partial to the chunky rings that resemble brass knuckles in princess form. I love how she introduces her 2010 lookbook by saying "The following designs have escaped my head." Her focus on the artistic side of her designs is completely in-your-face in a way that I like. Her voice is strong and pays tribute to art deco and worldly inspirations.

I like how personal her jewelry is to her. Here's the "about me" from her website and a few of the photos from her lookbook that I really like. Enjoy!

Born and raised in Los Angeles in a traditional Persian family, like many of my cousins and friends I applied to go off to Law School after college, but I couldnt stay there. I decided to break with my culture and follow my heart into a field I was internally drawn to....design. The more I designed shoes and products, the more it felt like the right thing for me to be doing. So now I believe that design is part of what I was designed to do. I guess you could say that design is part of my divine blueprint. I believe that honoring my blueprint helps me bring to the world new patterns of behavior and equality for myself and for all women in the future. In my culture, a womans value and status are determined by her marriage. This is a difficult and challenging concept for many women in todays world. By following my calling and making shoes and products, I am helping women resolve these kinds of paradoxes. I want to become my true self and be a vibrant member of a family and a community. I want the women who wear my shoes to have the same opportunity for equality, wholeness, and self expression. My style is inspired by paradox, controversy, justice and pushing the envelope in showing that you truly cant judge a book by its cover. I design to upset the equilibrium. I design to inspire. I design to serve. I design because I was created to do so. A portion from each pair of Ehsani shoes purchased will go towards the advancement and education of women in our society.