When hair is wet it is the most fragile and vulnerable to breakage. Wet hair, should be treated with care almost like a 100 year old piece of lace, this is because your hair becomes much more stretchable and when tugged, it may cause healthy hair to turn into hair that is damaged and full of spilt ends—and who really wants to touch breakable hair? No one.

Color treated hair, should always be maintained and frequent in conditioning. Using a color treated repair shampoo and conditioner will not only maintain the color but also protects the color from the sun’s harmful rays with UVA protectant—Yes ladies, go the extra cents to take your hair to the next level. This also means staying away from the 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner.

Getting out the shower… Females… Never “ put towel over your head and start rubbing against the hair” instead dab/pat or gently scrunch (for beach tousled hair) with your towel. A cotton pillowcase or towel may come in handy as it takes away static, which causes hair to frizz up. Putting some leave in conditioner can also soften and detangle the hair (but remember not on the roots!). Also, leave your hair to air-dry before going straight to the blow-dryer, doing your make up first will give you less heat time and more air time.

 Next time while in the shower think of these simple tips and it can take a huge difference in your hair’s strength, texture, color and volume. Happy scrubbing everyone!

Even I have been found guilty of being stuck in a style box.  I used to have a signature look that consisted of fitted crewneck t-shirts in solid colors from Target.  I wore them with jeans, skirts, or black pants (capri’s, gaucho’s, palazzo pants…whatever was in style at the time).  Until one day I looked in my closet and thought to myself “this is not the closet of a girl with a distinct sense of style”.

I decided it was time to incorporate more prints and dresses into my wardrobe…and I haven’t looked back since.  From my vintage dashiki to my embroidered floral JWLA dress, I not only stepped out of my style box, there is no longer a box in sight!

I brought about this change through my approach to shopping.  When I enter a store now I ask myself the following questions when I gravitate toward a piece of apparel or an accessory:

• Do have something like this already?
• Would this piece stand out or blend into my closet?
• Is this a color or print that I already have plenty of in my closet?

That last question is actually one that I reference often.  I own so much black, white, and gray that I literally slap myself on the wrist when I try to grab something in one of those colors.  I now skim across racks and if there is a particular block of pieces in a color or style (ahem…empire dresses) that I don’t need, I just move on.  There’s a reason why I don’t even step into a White House, Black Market…I’m not buyin’ what they’re sellin’!

Guys, the same goes for you.  Are you stuck in a polo and jeans/shorts look?  Maybe consider trying a cool screen-printed tee or some bermuda/board shorts.  I have several girlfriends that complain that their husbands are in a style rut.  This is a fact.  Consider changing up your look and I bet the lady in your life will notice…

So go ahead.  Take the plunge into a whole new world by breaking out of your style box.  Whether it’s going from solids to prints (or vice versa) or from a hipster to a preppy style (Kristine…holla!), try something new.  Maybe you’ll end up like me…without a box!

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Damn! What will sneaker culture vultures think of next? 

There’s a jewelers in England, Zelley, that are marketing gold / silver, even platinum tipped shoe laces!!! Don’t know about you but most of my sneaker’s laces are tucked in to the sneakers so these would be no good for me but who’s going to pay between 60-120 pounds for a pair of laces? Jay Z?

I wonder, once the laces get dirty and you wanna put them in the washing machine, would the tips get ruined- or worse, fall off? And are they just for thin laces, not fat laces? Then again, when would one be tying up in a bow a pair of fatties anyway? Jus’ sayin’!

From their website:

“The Zelley name has for over 100 years been recognised as one of the leading family of jewellers the east of England has to offer. One of the last ‘family run’ jewellers that is still actually run by the family that started it, Zelley is moving in directions it never thought possible. With high street chains and television shopping channels poisoning their once sacred trade, Zelley has decided to dedicate its time and effort to the bespoke. “

The only time I pick up on the word Bespoke is when Vera Wang wedding dresses are mentioned…

'V.I.P' platinum diamond laces. WTF?

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Once a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in 1945, Madame Carven may have designed for high style, but she was not one to forget about the little people. Carven herself standing at only 5’1, her Couture line was initially one that catered to petite women (the first of its kind). It expanded past that and grew into a line so popular that it compelled Jacqueline François to namedrop “Les robes de chez Carven” in her chart topper, “Mademoiselle de Paris” (to which I suppose a latterday equivalent could be Jay-Z name-dropping Margiela in “Run This Town,” or something like that.) A total innovator, Carven was also the first designer in France to dress actresses for movie premiers, and would even stage fashion shows during a film’s intermission! The lady knew how to work a dress as well as she did the press, and back in the day people knew it.

Now under the helm of Guillaume Henry (ex-Givenchy and Paul Ka), the line has been revamped into something on the tips of all of our tongues here at OC. The funny thing is that Guillaume isn’t interested in the fanfare at all, as the line is re-launching quietly and for the most part letting the clothes speak for themselves. And they do: the clothes are refined but not overly precious, and only subtly refer to Carven’s history. Guillaume says that his inspiration came more from old photos of Madame Carven herself rather than her designs, though I spy the peter pan collars and white cuffs that were former signatures of Madame Carven’s designs, too.To brief the lowdown, the line is obsession-worthy and at a price that allows the obsession to become a reality (under $300 for a dress and $600 for a coat).

Legendary Parisian Vintage boutique Didier Ludot feels the same, and is currently showcasing vintage Carven designs alongside Guillaume’s debut collection. Check out some photos I took while stopping by, and some looks from our buying appointment for the Resort collection!

Carven’s signature color was this kelly green shade, as seen here.

A vintage jacket over a new Carven dress.

And a fall Carven aviator jacket over a vintage dress.

THe handwork on this sleeve is RIDIC!

LINK LOVE:Carven: Back Like It Never Left

Figure skater Johnny Weir let Bluefly video cameras into his closet so that the nation might ogle his vast clothing collection, which contains much more than controversial fur-accented unitards. Weir has a two-bedroom apartment in New Jersey, one bedroom of which he uses just for clothes — in addition to his two walk-in closets. “I live in New Jersey, and that affords me a lot more closet space than the average New Yorker gets,” Weir explained. “And believe me, I need it!” We spoke to him more about his Chanel jacket obsession, fur pillows, Louboutins as art pieces, and his upcoming clothing line.

What is your advice on closet cleaning?
I don’t get rid of anything — I’m such a pack rat. There could be something that I got ten years ago that I wouldn’t get rid of. I have a vintage Chanel jacket that I don’t actually fit into — a very classic Chanel tweed jacket. I just have it as a sort of art installment. And someday I’m going to have a kid, so whether it’s a boy or girl they’re going to inherit a really great wardrobe.

Do you wear women’s clothing?
I’m lucky because I’m really small so I can wear men's clothes and women’s clothes.

Do you wear women’s shoes, too?
Usually I try not to buy women’s shoes — I have no heels in my collection. I want to buy a pair of Louboutin patent-leather heels just to fit in the apartment as an art installation. I have a pair of Chanel women's boat shoes and a pair of women’s sneakers from Gucci. And I have a small foot.

How do you feel about man heels?
I don’t like the idea of that look — I think it’s not quite right. But there are those situations where you’re performing or doing a shoot where, you know, there’s nothing wrong with a little heel. I think more men should walk in heels and run in heels and see what women have to deal with every day.

How often do you shop?
It depends on the paychecks. It depends if I’m having a good month or a bad month, but if it’s a good month I’ll go and treat myself once or twice a week. I recently got a deal to write a book and I had to treat myself and I went and bought myself a Chanel jacket — a new one, a modern one from one of the recent collections.

What are your tips for closet organization?
I know exactly everything that I have. Whether it’s a tank top or fur coat, I’ll be able to pinpoint exactly where it goes in the house. I have special bins for things I don’t actually wear because I don’t actually need them. And I keep everything color coded, so I have a very strict system of closeting.

You encountered a spot of trouble earlier this year for wearing a bit of fur on one of your skating outfits. Do you own a lot of fur?
I do have a lot of fur. I’m a big fan of fur. I’m not a fan of nutria or fake fur and I’ve taken a lot of flack for that, but it’s just a choice that I make. I travel a lot to Russia and it’s usually in winter when I’m in Russia, so you can’t walk around in a plastic coat and plastic boots when it's minus 40 degrees. I’m from the country, I’ve gone hunting, so I know what happens. I know everything there is to know about the fur industry and I choose to wear fur.

How do you store your furs?
I have one closet that’s special and air conditioned just for fur, but it’s all fur coats and scarves and blankets and pillows and things like that.

You have real fur pillows?
I like to have a furry bed. I like to get cozy even in the summertime. The air conditioning gets cold and I like to snuggle.

How’s the clothing line coming along?
We’re meeting with several different producers and people that are willing to help and want to help and are very passionate about me sort of putting my name on some fashions. I’ve been so busy, and it seems like it’s been a long time since the Olympics, but it really hasn’t and I haven’t stopped doing appearances and performing. And I'm writing my single and trying to write my book. And I found a little bit of cellulite yesterday so I’ve been in the gym every day.

What kind of price point are you aiming for?
I want Chanel quality, of course — a different price point, but of course Chanel quality. If I’m going to put my name on it, it’s gotta be good enough for Uncle Karl. Price point? I’m thinking along the lines of All Saints or Topshop — I wouldn’t go crazy and put my name on a heel for $700. I’m not a tried-and-true designer just yet. Maybe when I’m 50 or 70 I can put my name on a shoe for $700.

Johnny Weir: Closet Confessions Bluefly

Read more posts by Amy Odell

Filed Under: weir in for a treat, johnny weir, video

LINK LOVE:Q&A: Johnny Weir on His Fabulous Clothing Collection, Fur, and Upcoming Clothing Line

Plus sized girls are always worried to know what will suit them best. To tackle this big problem of bigger women, we are presenting you with some amazing fashion tips. You will no longer be confused about what to wear and what not to wear.

First of all, remember that your size doesn’t makes it difficult to wear tight clothes. You will look your best in loose clothes. Wearing vertical stripes is another tip for you to look slim in casual and formal wear.

Plus size women can also use help of cut off tops. Please avoid wearing short tops, as otherwise you will look even bigger. Instead, try to wear clothes of waist length to look good for your size.

If you are fat, they make sure to stay away from open backed tops, else you will look weird. Try to wear darker shades for a slimmer look. You can also go for digital printed tops for a slimmer look.

To properly style anyone, you must first understand what clothing flatters their shape and what colors flatter their skin tone and hair color. To an expert, this may seem easy, although very few people know what looks good on them beyond “just knowing” when they look attractive. There are some basic rules that apply to styling. Think of your body as a composition. Your goal is to create the most balanced composition possible by flattering your best features and minimizing your flaws. Accentuate the positive. Finding out what clothing works for your body type is the key.

If you need more tips on this, contact me with questions!

2. Get to Know Their Audience:

There is an obvious and clear difference between the look of a metal band and the look of a pop band, or country group, though lines are blurring a bit these days via the likes of crazy fashionistas like Lady Gaga. Getting to know what your fans wear is important. A band needs to fit in, but still stand out from the audience. Accessories are an important part of this process. A corset worn by a country singer would be paired with quite different accessories from a metal singer. Always keep in mind the audience.

3. Integrate Personal Style:

Everyone has their own flair for fashion, whether they like it or not. Whether it’s unplanned or meticulously picked out, we all have an eye for what we like. While it’s good to have an image in mind for a band, remember not to sacrifice personality for this style. Sometimes the things that seem to work the least are a signature for that person. Find the balance between these and you will do well in styling your band. It can be difficult if you have one band member who likes to wear sweat pants and another who likes to wear evening gowns. Find a happy medium so that everyone is well represented.

4. Determine Clothing for Photo Shoots:

In this day and age, image is everything. Combine all the tips from above and imagine how you want people to see your band. This is what you must communicate in your images. What sort of songs do you sing? If you sing cheerful, happy music, don’t wear all black, smudged black eyeliner and torn jeans with Chuck Taylors. Likewise, if you sing about death and mystery, don’t wear a daisy wreath in your hair and a peace sign t-shirt. This should be common sense, but you really never know.

You can wear things in photo shoots that would otherwise impede your ability to perform: strait jackets, huge floppy bracelets (though you play guitar), long bell sleeves (though you play the harp), or red lipstick (though you play harmonica). Try something different from your usual stage wear, but keep your overall image in mind.

5. Determine Stage Wear:

This is saved for last, because it can be the most difficult choice to make. You want to wear something that represents you, but also that gives you freedom to perform. Remember what you will be doing on stage. Do you have difficult choreography? Don’t wear anything that will hinder your movement. Do you need to be able to breathe well to reach that high note? Don’t lace that corset so tight! Will there be pyrotechnics? Don’t wear a long flowing dress if there’s a fan that could blow your dress into the fire. Planning on head banging? Don’t wear a hat. Will there be alcohol someone could spill on you? Don’t wear the family heirloom gown from Aunt Millie. A lot of this is common sense, but you would be surprised what people will wear, just to look good, without thinking about the venue, performances, or audience response.

There are many other factors that can affect personal style, but these are the most important ones for a band. To recap: 1. Start with the basics. Know what flatters you. 2. Get to know the audience. Keep in mind their idea of beauty. 3. Integrate personal style. Don’t lose sight of your personality. 4. Determine clothing for photo shoots. Take risks when there aren’t as many consequences. 5. Determine stage wear. Choose logically so you can give your best performance.

Have fun and best wishes in your musical careers!

Selena Marie Norris is a fashion stylist, freelance designer, and Fashion Indie contributor on theyenvy.us. She has worked as a tailor, stylist, and costume designer behind the scenes on photo shoots and stages since 2003. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel Design and Technology and is currently looking for local bands to style in the Indianapolis area. Contact her at selenamarie.draco@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/selenamariedesigns.

LINK LOVE:How to Style a Band in 5 Steps

Sometimes to get the hairdo that’s right on the money you need a ton of products to get there. We’re talking gel, mousse, anti-friz cream, and iron guards. It may be just a bit too much product for our locks to handle, and before you know it, your freshly cleaned hair is already looking greasy and overdone. So what do you do?

To my surprise I’ve never heard this tip before, which is odd because it seems awfully simple, and well, pretty obvious. Instead of applying a layer of each of your products, pre-mix all 0f your products and then apply!

LINKAGE: Sephora