HairBoutique Blog

Kelli Brianne Garner was born in Bakersfield, grew up in Thousand Oaks, and currently resides in Calabasas, California.

(Image of Kelli Garner shown to the side - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved).

The beautiful blonde began her career when she was discovered at a friend’s Bar Mitzvah.

She made her film debut at the age of 16 when she appeared in Architecture of Reassurance in 1999.  It was a Sundance Film Festival.

She then appeared teen Heather Swallers in the docudrama Bully in 2001.  The role was controversial because of her role as a drug-addicted teen.

In 2004 Kelli (no relationship to Jennifer Garner) appeared opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator.  In 2005 she appeared in Thumbsucker .  She then appeared opposite Tommy Lee Jones in Man of the House for 2005. Read the rest of this entry »

It was only a matter of time before Ken’s Healthy Hair product line started winning awards.

The December 2008 issue of Redbook Magazine named Ken’s Healthy Hair Boost Up Drops as one of their Most Valuable Products (MVP) for Beauty.

Redbook’s take on the fab Boost Up Drops? “Fading haircolor is a fading memory thanks to these pigment-packed drops. Add a few to your conditioner or styling product for a blast of color that rinses away the next time you wash”. Read the rest of this entry »

In case you’re wondering what all the buzz is about when it comes to Miss Jessie’s, it directly relates to sisters Miko and Titi Branch who are the grandaughters of the original Miss Jessie.

Their grandma Jessie developed hair care products for the unique hair requirement of Miko and Titi who are a mix of African American (father) and Japanese (mother) heritage.

The sisters who are behind Miss Jessie’s are big news in the natural care movement which is behind wearing naturally kinky, curly or similar hair in a “natural” manner without chemicals or harsh hair care products.

(Image of Tanika Ray - DailyCeleb.com - All Rights Reserved)

Running a family business can be a challenging experience and as the world of Miss Jessie’s devotees know, Miko and Titi went through a period where they had a split.  The sisterly rift has now been healed and the two siblings are back together and working hand in hand to help people with naturally curly hair transform it into gorgeous “natural” curls.

The naturally curly world has also been buzzing about Miko’s Silkener chemical service which for all intents and purposess stretches and smooths coiled textures such as curls, kinks or waves.

Does The Silkener service follow a pure  “natural”  philosophy.  It depends on whom you talk to but the natural hair movement is divided  on whether you can have a “natural” hairstyle if chemicals are deployed. Read the rest of this entry »

Some things about hair most of us take for granted.  Such is the case with the ponytail.

Anyone who has grown their hair to a certain point reaches the touchstone of pulling it back into a tail of some kind.  A new pony, regardless of the length signifies change and growth.

(Image of Paulina Rubio wearing a loose side textured pony - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved).

A ponytail consists of:

1. The base, where the hair is secured.
2.  The tail.

Ponytails, like all hair styles, go through different phases.  Although it’s always acceptable to wear a ponytail, as far as hair trends, sometimes they’re in and sometimes they’re out.

There’s a lot of info floating around in the hair world regarding ponytails, but some important facts get lost in all the tail noise.

Listed below are some important facts and tips for ponytail fans:

1.  Ponytails Are Appropriate For Any Age, Race Or Sex

Everyone from babies to grandparents, male and female or any race can wear ponytails.  It’s a universally loved and appreciated hairstyle.

If you love to wear them, feel free to rock the style, regardless of current hair fashions or opinions.  It’s your hair, so enjoy it.  Ponies are quick to create, fun to wear, keep hair out of your eyes and can be sassy, sexy and flirty.

2.  If you’re going to wear your hair in a ponytail on a regular basis it’s important to alternate where you capture the base.

If you wear your hair at the top of your head one day, the next time wear it a few inches below the first base location.  This prevents consistent wear and tear with elastic bands and pulling of delicate strands at the very same base point on a repeated basis.  Repeated wrapping of a pony at the very same place will weaken the roots and may lead to rips, tears and knotting.

3.  It’s just as important to be careful wrapping your hair into the pony as it is taking it out.

Again, this is due to the fact that you are pulling and manipulating strands into a band of some kind.  If you love the pony look and plan to wear it frequently invest in the most “hair friendly” elastic pony bands available.  Never use a rubber band unless you don’t care about damage where the base of the ponytail sits.  Rubberbands will rip, pull and damage strands.

4.  A wet of damp ponytail is most fragile.

Remember that hair is most delicate and prone to breakage when wet.  If you wrap your hair into a pony while it’s still wet or damp use extra care.  Never brush your hair when wet so if you are going to pull your hair into a pony be sure to only use your fingers or a wide tooth comb.

5.  Understand The General Advantages of Blax Versus Bungee Ponytail Elastics & Cords

I have polled many celeb hairdressers of the years and a large number use either the Blax or Bungee style elastic bands.  Both have ponytail advantages but should be selected according to personal preference and according to budgetary goals and constraints.

The advantage of the Blax (favored by Celebrity Hairdresser Ken Paves) is that they are inexpensive and can easily be cut off to avoid any hair pulling, ripping, knotting or snagging.  The Bungees (favored by Robert Hallowell) are cords with little ends that open and close.  Bungees have more strength and can be used to anchor ponytail bases in a wide array of heights.

Other great ponytail elastics are available from companies like Scunchie, Smoothies, Karina, Elle Girl, Camilla and Evita Peroni.

6.  Ponytails are a great starting point for other hairstyles from braids to updos.

Many hairdressers who create chignons, updos or other elaborate party hairstyles will start with one or more ponies secured strategically throughout your head.  Ponytails provide instant hair control for coiffing additional curls or textures that are then pinned skillyfully in place.

Experiment with taking your ponytail to the next level by wearing it at various strategic points along your head from very hair to very low - at the base of your neck.  Wear a pony to one side or if long enough, twist it into a soft two or three strand braid.

7.  Ponytails are appropriate for any type of hair accessory.

A casual hairstyle like the pony can instantly be glammed up with a gorgeous clip-in flower, crystal encrusted ponytail clasps or other pony hair accessories.  You can use a wide barrette in place of a base elastic or you can play with a wide array of sharks, jaws, claws or similar clips to achieve a new ponytail look.

8.  Ponytails are only limited by your imagination.

Over the years I have seen ponytails in just about every possible setting or style.  They are often worn on the catwalks with a unique signature such as having multiple stacked ponies or wearing a pony as a faux Mohawk.  Of course there are the splayed tails that can be teased and sprayed to flow in the wind.

9 . Ponytails can work for any hair type, length or texture.

Yes, even short tressed people can instantly clip on a ponytail extension to lengthen their hair.  Super curly or kinky hair may not be as easily wrapped into a pony in its natural state but if you are dreaming of wearing your hair in a tail, you can do so with a little pre-straightening time.

Ponytails that have lots of texture are beautiful and interesting.  Don’t think your tail has to be bone straight.  Mix it up and let your own texture flow or add a few extra curls of waves.

Professional hairdressers may or may not agree with my ponytail facts because everyone has their own opinion of the famous hair tail.  I have met hairdressers who believe there is a time and place for ponytails.  They believe ponies should not be worn for celebrity or high fashion events.  Others think they are fabulous regardless of the events.

Bottom line, its your hair and you should wear it exactly the way you like it.  So without further ado I encourage you to go pony up.

Additional Notes

To view additional ponytail styles along with thousands of hairstyles don’t forget to visit HairBoutique.com’s Hairstyle Gallery.

If you have ponytail ideas to share I would love to hear them.  Please post a reply or stop by the HairBoutique.com HairTalk Gallery and share your ponytail or other hair thoughts and philosophies.

Other related ponytail topics include:
Ponytail Hairstyles
The Perfect Add-on Pony - Tips for an instant ponytail.
25 Ways To Jazz Up Your Ponytail

Just when you thought nothing else new could be done with nail polish, the StrangeBeautiful line of art worthy lacquers were introduced. The New York Times reported on this incredible new line of nail polish in the November 2, 2008 edition.

How did StrangeBeautiful come into creation? It all started with Jane Schub’s shiny red Ettore Sottsass Valentine typewriter.

Jane, who is an illustrator and beauty entrepreneur, realized one day while starring at her red typewriter that it would make a fantastic shade of nail polish.  Indeed.  She also saw a Warhol painting at the Dia:Beacon museum that had an amazing shade of pink, again a great inspiration for a new nail polish. Read the rest of this entry »