Haircut and Color Transformation at Elite Hair Studio & Spa

I was long overdue for a haircut and color appointment, and had recently gotten my hair makeover at Elite Hair Studio & Spa. It's hard to believe that I haven't gotten my haircut since last October! Originally I had a hair appointment at the end of March, but then the pandemic hit and everything shut down. 

Elite Hair Studio & Spa had taken many precautions to ensure my visit was a safe one. As soon as I walked in, they took my temperature and asked me to wash my hands. They also provided me with a new mask to wear (which I kept on the whole time with the exception of taking my before and after pic). They also have a very spacious studio, with a separate area for color services and haircuts. There are also large plexiglass panels separating each chair, and plenty of space for social distancing. I also felt at ease because it wasn't crowded there either. 

For my color treatment, my hairstylist and colorist Agnes walked me through a color consultation, and I ended up choosing warm, caramel balayage highlights. Then we went right into trimming my hair, followed by the color process. 

Next at the shampoo station, I love how there is an adjustable footrest, and a warm towel was placed at the back of my neck for a more relaxing experience. Wella ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo was used on my hair, followed by the hair toner, and a deep conditioning / luxe hair massage with Wella ColorMotion+ Moisturizing Color Reflection Conditioner.

Then it was time to move over to the haircutting station to finish up my haircut with layers, followed by a blowout with curls. What a change! My hair was not only lighter in color but also in weight, as I had about six inches cut off my hair. It is a lot more manageable, and hopefully I won't have to wait another year before getting my haircut or highlights touched up! This was also the first time I got balayage highlights, which should have less maintenance as my highlights grow out, with the roots less noticeable and hair maintaining a more natural look. The total process of my cut and color appointment took 4 hours. My balayage hair is more noticeable if you look at the back of my hair, and with curls it really shows the color beautifully.  

A big thank you to Agnes for doing an amazing job on my hair, and to Martha Mehlman, creative director and owner of Elite Hair Studio & Spa and her team for collaborating with me and having me at the studio! 

 My cut, color & styling session is valued at $350, and you can find all pricing on elitehairstudio.com. If you plan on getting any color treatments, they have special on Tuesdays for 20% off hair color services. They are also running Black Friday specials on products and services through 11/30/20. You can also find more specials on their website promotions page as well as Facebook. Elite Salon & Spa also has amazing facial treatments. Check out my blog post on the Sothys Energizing Intensive Treatment Facial I experienced at their spa.

Hair transformation with warm, caramel balayage highlights

My 'before hair look, with super long hair, uncolored hair

Spacious hair color studio 

Shampoo / conditioning station

Hair cutting studio

- Kim Weling

Blo Blow Dry Bar Opening in Franklin Lakes

Last month, Blo Blow Dry Bar celebrated the grand opening of their third New Jersey location, at 807 Franklin Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Blo Blow Dry Bar had recently opened up locations in West Orange and Jersey City, with an additional location in Bernardsville coming soon.

Blo Blow Dry Bar offers affordable blowouts including signature hair styles from classic to runway, priced at $45, with additional services (extensions, head massage) and treatments (UNITE deep conditioning, Color WOW Cocktail or Color WOW Dreamcoat). 

The 7 signature blow out styles include the high society bun, pillow talk messy beach waves, red carpet with smooth tresses with lots of body and gentle arcs toward the neckline, go fish fishtail braid, holly would with plenty of curl and bounce, executive sweet straight, and hunt club perfect pony.

I decided to go with holly would curls, which looked just as fabulous with second and third day hair, thanks to Lucia! The Unite haircare products that Lucia used on my hair were amazing, particularly the 7SECONDS Leave-in Detangler, BLOW&SET Lotion, TEXTURIZA Spray, and SECOND Day Finishing Cream. The Color Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss Shellac also completed my look by adding some shine to my hair. 

After your blowout, you'll want to check out the fun selfie station in their bathroom!

Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers an up do for $75, and bridal styling at $170 and blo on the go at your doorstep for $100. They also offer makeup services, including full face ($60), eyes ($35), lashes ($15) or makeup-on-the-go ($100).

- Kim Weling

VU Hair Salon at The Peninsula New York

I recently had my first visit to VU Hair salon, at the Peninsula Hotel in New York, for a quick styling session. I had been on a plane all day, so my hair went from incredibly flat to beautifully styled in a matter of minutes thanks to Danny! As tired as I was from my flight, I felt a million times better with the voluminous curls in my hair. I was amazed at how full and shiny my hair looked, and that was just from a dry styling session! 

I also met with the VU Hair team, including salon owner Vu Nguyen, and Amy Mrkulic, who just joined the VU Hair team. I would love to visit VU Hair again for a color / cut and drastically change my hair color for spring! The salon also offers makeup and nail services, with Zorina Czora as Makeup Artist/Bridal Specialist. 

VU Hair also has the most amazing penthouse view of the city to enjoy while you get your hair styled!

- Kim Weling

Recap: Real Simple Beauty & Balance Preview

On Friday, April 8th, I attended the annual Real Simple Beauty & Balance preview at the Andaz Hotel at 485 Fifth Avenue. Guests enjoyed Pure Barre Master Trainer fitness class, dry-styling by Drybar, makeup touch-ups from Laura Geller, threading shaping, perfecting and temple massage by Wink Brow Bar. The preview ended with a cocktail party serving up drinks by Tito's Vodka, hors d'oeuvres and sweet treats from Chobani Simply 100. 

Since I was going out that night, I skipped the fitness class but got all the beauty treatments done. I opted for loose curls from Drybar, with Triple Sec The perfect 3-in-1 (texturizes, amplifies and refreshes hair), Detox Dry Conditioner, and Sparkling Soda Shine Mist used on my hair. 

For my Laura Geller makeup touch-up, the following products were used for my modern classic look:

Foundation: Golden Medium

Bronzer: Baked Sculpting Bronzer

Lid: Rosemist

Mascara: Black

Lip Gloss: Cherry Sorbet

- Kim Weling

Cut and Blowout at Cutler Salon

Last week I had an amazing cut and blowout at Cutler Salon at 47 West 57th Street, 2nd floor, between 5th and 6th Aves. This was my first visit to Cutler Salon, although I remember a few years back Cutler provided complimentary blowouts at the Billion Dollar Babes sample sales and my hair always came out looking fabulous. Cutler is also well-known for their hair styling at some of my favorite fashions shows, including Betsey Johnson, Vivienne Tam, Carlos Miele and Reem Acra Spring 2012 shows.

For my hair visit, Mary started off with shampooing and conditioning my hair with Redken Body Full products. I've been using Redken products for years, so that's another reason why I chose to go with Cutler.

My hair stylist, Emma, really listened to what I wanted to do with my hair. I wanted to keep my long locks, but add some layers to it to give it some body and definition. After the cut, I got my hair blown out straight so I could see where the layers hit as well as the movement of my hair.

Emma gave me a great styling tip I've been using every day. One of my main concerns is taming flyaways without flattening my hair. Since I use styling creme, she recommended I squeeze a small amount of styling creme into the palm of my hand and spray hairspray into it, mix it together and pat onto my hair. That actually works perfectly! It keeps flyaways in check without flattening, weighing down or adding a oily or greasy effect.

Cutler has some great styling products of their own, including straightening cream, curling cream, Cutler specialist shine tattoo, protectant treatment spray and volumizing spray.

Men's and women's cuts range from $90-200 with other locations including SoHo (465 West Broadway), Park Avenue (420 Park Ave South) and Miami (2377 Collins Avenue). I definitely plan on going back to Cutler for my next cut. My cut/blow out is priced at $110, which is definitely affordable in NYC. I also got my hair cut at lunchtime, so I was able to quickly get there and get back to the office without anyone noticing I was gone.

So next time you look for a new salon to get your hair cut, aside from location and price be sure to research what products they use, their environment and their body of work. I was happy with all of the above! Thank you to my fabulous hair stylist Emma, Mary and Cutler Salon!

Cut and blowout at Cutler Salon

- Kim Weling

KeratinPerfect Steps to the Perfect DIY Blowout

Earlier this month, I attended the KeratinPerfect Blogger Bash at Wonderland Beauty Parlor. My stylist guided me through my own DIY Perfect Blowout using KeratinPerfect styling products. Bloggers also had the option of choosing a DIY KeratinPerfect Smoothing Treatment.

I learned how to do a proper blowout, in four easy steps that I continue to do at home.

1) The first step is to shampoo and condition with KeratinPerfect PerfectCleanse Keratin Enhanced Shampoo ($24) and KeratinPerfect PerfectSilk Keratin Enhanced Conditioner ($24). Both these products are great in helping my hair maintain its shine, smoothness and protecting my hair from everyday blow drying and flat ironing.

2) Then I spray KeratinPerfect PerfectRenew Daily Keratin Replenishing Spray ($34) on damp hair. This replenishing spray gives my hair that daily dose of keratin and detangles, tames frizz and protects my hair from drying effects of styling.

3) Next I apply a nickel-sized amount of PerfectSmooth Blowout Booster Styling Cream ($34) from middle to ends of hair, combing product throughout hair while blow drying. For more volume I blow dry my hair upside down and then flip it. Be sure to direct the nozzle as you comb through each section of hair, from roots to ends.

4) The last step is finishing the look with KeratinPerfect PerfectShine Keratin Oil, which absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or oily. It leaves hair shiny, smooth and sheen. It delivers the perfect infusion of keratin protein and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, which prevents breakage and alleviates spit ends.

As part of my blowout process, I'm obsessed with the KeratinPerfect Curved Waffle Vent Volumizing & Styling Brush! The brush, featuring a curved design, combs through hair so effortlessly and works for all hair lengths and types.

Here's a before and after look at my hair. I've been addicted to using KeratinPerfect ever since and love the scent of all their products. KeratinPerfect keeps my hair healthy and shiny, especially after blow drying and flat ironing. KeratinPerfect is exclusively available at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

- Kim Weling