How to master the selfie and I'm too old for braids

I'm back again, I have to say I realize why I stopped blogging, besides life challenges  I was facing as seen here. It takes time! I skimmed through my past blogs and it's amazing what a difference a 4 years makes. As much as I love all the pretty pictures some my own and many inspirational, I no longer want or have the desire to have the best pictures but rather the best representation of real life in la vida buena de Gina.
When the weather warms up I like to make changes in my clients and myself as well. One of my favorite gentle reminders is, "What's the use of having long hair if it's always in a ponytail?"
I'm thinking of rocking this look again soon. I've been wearing too many ponytails!

while admiring my new look last year, I accidentally starting video taping myself

I personally am sick of taking selfless and even considered a plus one so he could take pictures of me!

         but that didn't work I hate online dating, so I'm still taking selfies

 It  was obviously a slow day in the salon, see that those little bottles through the mirror?
Some of my all time favorites for braids and even dirty hair. Fresh hair, I favor during dry hair cutting powder puff, adds a little texture for braids and cool up do's,night rider for my cool guys and guys who sport short hair and faux hawks and it smells like lemon Verbena. I'm a sucker for great smelling hair products!

Braids are red hot for Spring as seen here in a previous post. 

I'm too old for braids what was I thinking?

no matter how you look at it

highlights always make hair up styled hair look better and brighter    

Pink hair don't care another favorite from KM, color bug, 

for some fair dust of pink that just washes out.

  the great thing about mannequins is you can lighten the heck out of the hair and she'll never complain about hair falling out, not that I work that way! 

and then there's hair stitching, but thats another post!

beauty bootcamp

beauty bootcamp in braids and summer updo's

That's where I've been, looking this good takes work!

How you doing? You can read more of my bootcamp inspiration on my other post here.

via models.com,fgr

everything's coming up braids

Braids have been the new up-do for spring. The nice thing about them is you can use your day old head of hair and a little bit of teasing. The right products will give you a bit of texture and some elastics and pins to tuck in unwanted strays. Final touches like a lovely flower below or embellished hair pin as a final touch.  What do you think is the look for you?

via lovemegan,annawolf

babies all grown up {nicole richie}

Love this editorial of Nicole back with her beautiful baby Harlow

that was then...

this is now...

and seems like the girl never has a bad hair day. Even her kids are sporting trendy hair check out Sparrow's faux hawk, and Harlow's halo of curls. My other favorite post, Nicole Richie in the salon and
her Brazilian Blowout inspiration here. 


via bazaar,theblockmagazine

fall inspiration... {pretty nails pumpkin lattes, braided chignons}

 Fall inspiration with so many lovely styles to chose from, up or down, braided or soft waves. I love running my hands through my clients hair with a fresh coat of fall color on my nails and with a little twist of my wrist appear fun creations like this fishtail twist. 

 Fall pleasures like pumpkin latte's, 

still dreaming of a new handbag like this..

and maybe even some fly sunglasses. How about you? What little delights are you indulging in this fall?

images: hairdressersjournal,wildblackhair,latimesblog,sweetpaul,

danieljackson

monday morning fun {starbucks +style}

wish I looked this cute having my morning coffee every day!

braid with a bow pure simplicity and so pretty

even though summer is over.. summer buns are not

Double up that bun

back to a beautiful braid

most of all just have fun!

I don't know about you but Monday is a day that I always needs a little boost. Maybe a later, longer, walk with some spontaneous spurts of energy  fueled with a little help from my coffee of course. These images did just that for me, a little boost of style and simplicity all you need is the hair. I'm growing mine out right now, lets see for how long, I can barely twist it into a low slung ponytail.

Cool shades in color and added golden hues in the hair for an eye catching effect makes growing out hair a little easier ( a cute faux fur shrug doesn't hurt either)
 How about you? What style are you wearing or longing for? More fun hair looks here.

images: stefanyalves,verawang

baby it's hot out here

With temperatures in the triple digits in L.A. keeping hydrated and cool is the way to go. Earlier morning walks and lingering over coffee leaves me less time for my own hair, but that's when the ease of soft, tossled, waves, make for a day to evening do.  All the ladies in the salon stay cool  as we twist up our hair in top knots, and braids, and keep clients feeling cool and pampered with a refreshing drink as the enter the salon. A cool rinse after a conditioning treatment is not only good for the hair but feels oh so nice.
How about you, how are you staying cool this summer?  Just looking at these images for inspiration of simple knots, an upswept pony tail, a fun alternative to braids, and classic chignons help

keep me cool!

images: d+v,sundaysuppersmalcomedwards

dreaming of paris + dirty hair

I spray a little of this on my pillow for sweet lavender scented dreams

Morning coffee does wonders currently drinking this one

talking hair our dirty secret

                            Beautiful weather beautiful hair, it must be Spring!

                                      
I love it when I dream and immediately wake up and remember the nights fairy tales with a smile. Last night I dreamt of Paris, working on a brides hair and arriving to the destination by boat, not a yacht but a darling little ferry! I think it probably had to do with this luxurious page I was looking at or this book I was reading before dreamland.  Upon shredding files of years past I came upon my travels past and present. It has been 8 years since Le Bon Vivant en Paris for me. When in Paris or daily travels, a day or two without a wash is fine for some cool hair styles. Even 3 days you could freshen up with this product Five days with out washing is dirty hair! Because I care I am going to share a little secret with you, dirty hair does not make healthier hair. Often the reverse effect happens and the hair cuticle (hair closest to scalp) becomes clogged with build-up. The result; dull, dry, hair and don't stand too close to me hair! The alternative, using plain old apple cidar vinegar does wonders for clarifying hair as does this shampoo. I also have a doggie remedy for apple cider vinegar but will leave that for another post. Other shampoos like this one from Nioxin I have mentioned before here. Paul Mitchell's Tea tree  also works wonders as well as this  Lavender scented shampoo. Lavender is such a calming scent.  I would also attribute my sweet sleep to the lasting aromatic scent from this candle I burned last night, purchased after following this tweet from Sephora.  I leave you from some inspiring photos from this lovely model.
Bon Jour!


images: fashiongoneroque