View from the top:

Yes, it’s kinda messy, but I had been dancing all night in it!!!

Want to learn how to do this? Check it out here or here!!!

PRESS RELEASE

Baltimore Based Swing Dance Footwear Company Releases New Line of Women’s Dance Shoes for Spring 2012 Season

Baltimore, MD – (March 7, 2012) Due to overwhelming demand, local swing dance company Aris Allen has added more than 14 new styles of women’s shoes to its varied line of internationally recognized footwear.

“Our loyal customers have been champing at the bit as we worked to release an even wider variety of vintage-inspired shoes for today’s swing dance enthusiast” states Gay Santelmann, product developer and CEO.

The new assortment of shoes includes styles such as the 1940s 3-Buckle Dance Shoe, as well as a low heeled late-1950’s Shoe with Ankle Strap. Aris Allen has also developed some of its customer favorites in several new color combinations that fit in well with this season’s upcoming trends.

Response from swing dancers all over North America, as well as international customers in several countries including France, Germany, Australia, Italy, and the UK has been more than favorable.

Alongside the array of new shoes, Aris Allen has made room for gently worn footwear at its retail location in Curtis Bay, MD – many of which have been showcased by celebrities and featured on tv series such as Dancing with the Stars. Many styles from past seasons can be found for up to 70% off, along with an assortment of swing dance apparel.

In its efforts to encourage young Baltimore-area dancers interested in swing, Lindy Hop, Balboa and Charleston, Aris Allen is also offering free pairs of shoes to customers touting a student ID when visiting the store.

About Aris Allen:
Founded in 2004, Aris Allen features the best in shoes, clothes and accessories for dancers who practice Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Balboa, Charleston, Boogie Woogie, Collegiate and Varsity Shag, Blues, West Coast, 6-count, 4-count (you name it), any and all forms of swing dancing! Visit Aris Allen’s retail site at www.dancestore.com for more information.

Here’s a recap of all the things you saw during this past month!

WEEK ONE

Day 1 – Sock Bun 
Day 2 – Front Swirl (a favorite!!)
Day 3 – Marilyn Curls 
Day 4 - Faux Pin Up Bangs
Day 5 – French Twist
Day 6 – Edgy French Braid 
Day 7 – Victory Bun 

WEEK TWO

Day 8 – Rihanna Inspired 
Day 9 - Alternative Braid 
Day 10 - Pin Curl Updo
Day 11 - Mermaid Tail Braid
Day 12 – Quick Twist 
Day 13 – 1940s Pin Up
Day 14 – Fun Bun

WEEK THREE

Day 15 – Pin Up Bandana - accessory
Day 16 - Victory Rolls (this is a favorite!)
Day 17 - Sponge Rollers  
Day 18 – Vintage Vixon
Day 19 – Twist and Pin
Day 20 - Color Bug hair color
Day 21 – Elegant Fauxhawk

WEEK FOUR

Day 22 – Scarf Wrap Tutorial - accessory
Day 23 – Fishtail Braid
Day 24 – Roll it Up!
Day 25 – 1940s Reverse Roll Hairstyle 
Day 26 – Not Your Average Ponytail 
Day 27 – Mohawk Monday!
Day 28 – Milkmaid Braids

Day 29 – Five Strand Braid

Freaking amazing, right?!

Check out more of her stuff on www.bellabraids.com or email her at alicia@bellabraids.com to set up an appointment to look fantastic!!

I don’t know how often I’ll wear my hair like this, but it’s fun, easy and quick to do.

One more day of hair to go!!! Which are your favorite days of Februhairy?

I love them and think everyone should wear one at least once. Here are my favorite mohawk/fauxhawk tutorials:

Elegant (from Day 21), which is great for medium/long hair.

Great for shorter hair:

Great if you have 30 minutes and a friend:

Yes, this looks rather time consuming, but it’s so pretty! I’m guessing if you have thinner hair, you could instead just make little buns/pin curls up the back and then curl the top to get a similar effect. What do you think?

The original inspiration:

Which one is your favorite?

photo: angela+ithyle/thebeautydepartment.com post designed by kristin ess

Some days you just don’t wanna. For those days, we made you this! Seems like we’ve been seeing pictures of this lovely look everywhere. It’s definitely an easy, gorgeous spring/summer ‘do. Here’s how to get this very uncomplicated knotted ponytail:

TOOLS:

-light holding styling mousse
-comb
-small clear elastic
-large bobbypin

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Apply a light holding styling mousse all over from roots to ends for texture and seperation. Hair can be damp or dry. (If it’s dry, be sure it’s a light holding mousse or you could end up with a strong holding mess.)

2) Separate the hair over your shoulder into two pieces. The piece from the back should come forward and down (see photo).

3,4) Using your girl scout skills, tie hair into a simple knot.

5.) Secure the two ends together using a clear elastic. Once it’s in there, slide it up underneath the knot to conceal it.

6) I like to throw a bobby pin in there for extra security.

7) Back comb the ponytail a little for texture and then comb through it with your fingers to settle it.

Tip: Once the steps are complete, tug on it and mess it up a bit. This look is better when it’s a little disheveled!

See the following tutorials for styles utilizing this type of roll:

My first Victory Roll tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COg4eiEFAJE

Pearl Frush Inspired Victory Roll Pin Up Style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfZwxAfbTYI

Up-do with Victory Rolls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt32JTRt-vw

Layrite Products available here or at the Hawleywoods website: http://lisafreemontstreet.bigcartel.com/

Music:
The Ray Collins Hot Club-Bechstein Stomp

If you want to follow her, here is her information:

www.twitter.com/cherryxdollface
www.facebook.com/thecherrydollface
www.cherrydollface.tumblr.com

I’ll be honest, I still haven’t bought into prepping my hair, curling it, and using products, but over the last month, clearly most of these gals prep, tease, curl, and use product and the results are solid. I find that when I haven’t washed my hair in a while, or if I’ve been keeping my hair in pin curls, I don’t tend to need product anyways. Anyone else in the same boat?

This also reminds me that I need to find a great colorist here in San Francisco. I know there are lots of them, but who is going to be my go-to-gal? Any suggestions? He/She needs to have already colored hair like mine….I’d prefer not to train another one.

xx

The hardest thing about doing a fishtail braid on yourself is getting it started. In this video, I’m giving you one of my favorite secret tricks… start with a clear elastic then cut it out at the end. By starting with a clear elastic at the top, you never have to worry about holding 4 confusing pieces together to get your braid going. You can just go straight into it!

Tools: 2 clear elastics, scissors, patience.

Steps:

For a smoother braid, brush your hair out first. For a messier braid, leave the natural texture and separate the hair with your fingers.
Create a ponytail using a clear elastic.
Split the ponytail into two separate pieces.
Take a piece from the first side and pass it to the 2nd side.
Next take a piece from the 2nd side and pass it back to the 1st side.
Once you’ve finished your braid, go in with your scissors and CAREFULLY cut the clear elastic at the top.
Optional: gently pull on the pieces to loosen it up if you wish!
When you’re fishtail braiding, don’t think too hard! You’re simply making X’s. Also, remember that when you take the little piece from one side and pass it to the other side, you don’t need to keep track of it.