5 Hair Tips from Professional Stylist

Here are 5 quick tips to have your looking like you just came from the salon:

• The trick to getting that thin piece of hair to stay wrapped around a ponytail elastic is to slide a bobby pin through the end of the small piece and then roll the bobby pin upward toward the elastic (like you would roll hair up in a curler). Slide the pin in under the hair elastic to secure the piece. - Craig Carter, hair stylist
• Want this '40s-inspired loose curl? Curl two-inch sections with a 1-inch curling iron and pin at the scalp. Spray with flexible-hold hairspray and wait 30 minutes. Then remove the pins and comb out - but be gentle or you'll create static and pouf. - Gianni Rostti, stylist for Warren Tricomi
• Even flat hair can have extreme volume with a few simple steps. Start by misting a styling spray that volumizes (like Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray, $14.95, at salons) throughout hair. Then use a small (1-inch) curling iron to create curls all over your head. Let the curls cool completely, then brush hair out and back comb or tease for even more volume. Finish with hairspray. - Sean James, hair stylist
• For a sleek but non-greasy looking ponytail, smooth frizzies by gliding a matte sculpting wax, like ghd Sculpting Wax Matte Finish, $26 over the top layer of hair before securing it into a ponytail. - Craig Carter, hair stylist
• You can achieve soft, touchable curls in one of three ways: pin curls, hot rollers or braids. (For pin curls, roll hair up and secure each curl with clips or bobby pins, then blow-dry.) Let hair set for as long as possible, then take down and secure curls with a light hairspray. - Hasblady Guzman, hair stylist for Aveda

Perfect nail colours for Summer 2012

Painting nails is like killing two birds with one stone. On one hand, this is a great way to take care of yourself, a number one step of beauty regime. Since men are not familiar with paining nails (I mean, regular men, not EMOs), polished nails distinguish women from men and make it the easiest way to attract the opposite sex. It's also a great way of spending your free time at ease. Imagine painting your nails while being completely gassed - definitely not possible.
As we all know, not only clothes are affected with seasons. Nails get seasonal too. In Summer 2012, there are quite a few remarkable nail trends to follow. Colours always play the first fiddle so why don't you take advantage of winter weather and stay home to try new nail colours? Here they are!

1. Number one, burgundy. This colour nods to the trendy wine hue palette and it's a winter classic that never goes out of style. Rich, deep, and sophisticated, it shines with a polished perfection. Wear it with a deep burgundy lip for a classic evening look as seen in Salvatore Ferragamo. Guess who is sporting burgundy nails? Selena Gomez herself!
2. Number two, silver and gold. Of course not at one go. This season presents a new take on these classic hues. Silver is more reminiscent of a gunmetal gray whereas gold plays with green undertones. Keep the polish short and square to avoid looking too vampy (Fergie sports the trend impeccably). Search for inspiration in runway as the trend was seen in Chanel fashion show.
3. Number three, emerald green. You'll love this shimmering and electrifying colour just like Rihanna does. The rock star-worthy colour extends a huge nail polish trend of last seasons, jade green (aka mint) invented by Karl Lagerfeld himself. Ready to amplify any holiday ensemble? Paint your long round talons in emerald green for an instant effect!
4. Number four, nude. The contemporary fashion staple: there were pumps, bags and now we have nails. The perfect beige is the modern way to wear a nude nail. Choose the rounder tips to elongate the fingers just like Lady Gaga. Spice it up a bit with a half-moon manicure consisting of black and beige, as in Phillip Lim.

Always keep in mind that good nude nail polish can go from casual to dressy.