Not for nothing, but after doing "Ambush Makeover" for more than a couple of years I have only gained more respect for hair color. I am constantly overwhelmed by the power and importance of hair color. I think that hair color is the quickest way to dramatically change your looks. You can look younger, prettier, sexier, completely natural, or incredibly chic and stylized. The true miracle of hair color is that in most cases it takes less than an hour to complete the process. On the Today show's Ambush Makeover I color hair in less than half that time. Hair color truly is the quick fix that works. I am fully aware of that hair color is only one part of "Ambush". I truly believe it is the most significant change that sets the tone for the makeover's cut and style, make-up, and clothes. I know this statement might ruffle a few feathers in the fashion and beauty community, and maybe even with the other members of the "Ambush" team. I am not trying to emphasis my importance or underplay the significance of a great haircut, perfect make-up, and a great looking outfit. I am solely talking about the power of hair color.

I have made many dramatic color changes on young girls over the years. Many times the change was for young actors playing a movie role or an attempt for a real girl to look like her favorite "it" girl of the moment. I think hair color on young girls is fine but I do suggest subtle changes. I always think of hair color as make-up. You and your hair color are most likely beautiful as a teen. Very little needs to be done, you are perfect already. But if you want to have fun and color your hair I only have one comment. Color it! A touch of hair color is no different than trying on a lipstick. It's a fun way to try a different look. It always grows. Now is the perfect time to experiment. By the way, you can also get away with color choices that probably won't work when you are a bit older.

Did you ever feel like you were fading away? You know that horrible feeling when you look in a mirror and you feel as invisible as a ghost. This usually happens when your hair color and skin color are the same tone. This can occur when your hair color starts to go grey or simply when your natural hair starts to fade as time passes.

It can also happen when you pick the wrong hair color. When your skin color and hair color blend together, you have made a wrong color decision. Most people think about hair color when they start to go grey. The actual reason most people start to color their hair is because their skin and hair color turn a similar shade, making them feel washed out. The usual solution to this problem is to pile on more and more makeup until they look alive again. This is simply a Band-Aid to hide the problem. The best solution is to pick the color that will provide contrast with your skin color. This will instantly put the color back in your complexion.

Blah brunettes are boring. Brown hair is one of nature's most beautiful colors. Darker hair colors almost always have more shine than any other color. Upon closer examination, you realize that dark colors are multidimensional and often include subtle warm chestnut and chocolate tones. This makes brown hair anything but boring. In fact it can be one of nature's most flattering shades.

But brown hair does change over time. The hair color you have at 20 is different from what you have at 30, and it only continues to dull with passing years. It is essential that you maintain your vibrant brunette color. This is an instant age-eraser that will keep you looking young. You probably should not color your hair as dark as it once was, but you must keep it a rich brown to maintain the perpetual glow of youth.

Botox, fillers and peels, which at one time seemed to be accessible to most everyone, now seem like a fantasy exclusively reserved for the rich and famous. This is the year we are all tightening our financial belts. No one is exempt from the fallout of the financial crisis. Everyone has fewer beauty dollars to spend on maintenance routines. Does this mean we are doomed to looking dull and dreary until the financial markets turn around? The answer is no!

It has never been more important to look our best. Looking good is vital for our self-esteem. Whether you are one of the many looking for employment in this horrible job market or are just trying to put your best face forward, looking good is essential. Your hair color and style can erase years from your looks. Going to your local hair salon is guaranteed to be less expensive than a visit to your dermatologist, and it's a far easier alternative to rejuvenate your appearance. When you take care of your hair and make the right style and color choices, it is simple to create a younger and more vibrant image.

The condition of your hair is key to looking young. Nothing is more aging than dry brittle hair with little or no shine. It is important to maintain a conditioning routine and trim hair as necessary. If you start to notice split ends, it's time for a haircut.

Grey hair is not the only reason to color your hair. Almost all hair color turns dull and ash over time. Adding a pinch of warmth to your color will instantly turn back the hands of time. Remember that ash highlights look more like grey hair than blond and should always be avoided.

Making your hair too light or dark is WRONG! This is one of the most common hair-color mistakes made today. Excessively light hair will drain the color from your face and give you a washed-out look. Hair that is colored too dark will make you appear tired and haggard. It is best to stay within two shades of your natural hair color.

Whether long or short, layered hair gives you a younger look. Face-framing layers will emphasize your good features while disguising age-revealing features. It is essential to keep layers at proper length to maintain a youthful appearance.

Bangs can hide a multitude of sins. The easiest way to disguise those first annoying brow lines is to wear bangs. Remember that bangs can be cut blunt or in a delicate fringe. They can be worn straight down or to the side. It is important to pick the right bangs for your face shape and facial features. Your hairdresser will help you make the right choice.

Looking young doesn't have to cost a fortune. Having the right cut and color will make you appear years younger. It truly is the quick fix that works. Make your hair salon appointments today.

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Standing behind the chair doing color for many more years than I care to admit, I have heard about hundreds of hair myths. Most myths were handed down through the generations from grandmother to mother to daughter. Some of these are based on fact, others contain half-truths and many are total fiction. Many rational people hold these hair myths to be true even if they make absolutely no sense. I wrote a previous blog entry addressing some of the most common hair myths. Today we will examine 10 common beauty myths and determine whether they're fact or fiction.

MYTH: Never shampoo your hair right before you have it colored.

FACT: When your hair is dirty it is harder for the colorist to determine the exact color of your hair, whether it has oxidized, and if subtle changes might have occurred during the course of the touch-up. Clean hair enables your colorist to have a clearer picture of the proper adjustments that need to occur to keep your color perfect. Hair color also takes better on clean hair. If you do have a sensitive scalp and are worried about a reaction to the coloring process, gently wash your hair. Do not scrub your scalp.


MYTH: Your hair can get used to shampoos and conditioners.

FACT: Shampoos and conditioners tend either to either be light and clean or heavy and conditioning. If you use one product line exclusively, your hair can become overly clean and fly away or excessively conditioned and weighted down. It is best to have a couple of different hair care lines in your shower so you will always be prepared for your hair needs.


MYTH: Lemons lighten your hair.

FACT: Lemon juice will minimally lighten your hair, but only if you go out in the sun. Lemons will lighten fine hair best. If your hair is a light brown shade or darker, lemons can turn your hair orange. Instead of lemons, it is best to use over-the-counter hair color. Hair color contains toners and conditioners that will consistently keep your color in check and hair in great condition.


MYTH: Beer adds body and shine.

FACT: Warm flat beer in a spray bottle is a great setting lotion that adds shine. The scent of beer dissipates as the hair dries, leaving you with a smooth and glossy finish.

Two women get fabulous new makeovers from the Ambush Makeover team of Louis Licari and Jill Martin.

Watch the segment from TODAY
What do you think of the ladies' new looks? Leave a comment or question below!

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Just a few short years ago the word "green" was never uttered above a whisper in hair salons. The thought of a clients hair turning any shade of this hue would send shivers up the spine of both the hairdresser and client. As the hairdresser would scramble to remedy this horrific situation the client would often have tears welling in her eyes wondering, "Why me?"

Then Al Gore made a movie called "An Inconvenient Truth". The movie won Gore an Oscar and made the rest of the world instantly aware of how our lifestyle was stripping the earth of its natural resources. The word "green" suddenly had a new connotation and became the new buzz word attached to the most savvy products. "Green" was no longer a dirty word in hair salons. Everyone wanted the green experience to be integrated in every part of their life.

No, you don't have to stop styling or coloring your hair to be green. The good news is that there are many simple beauty solutions that are environmentally friendly. Most of them are common sense.

1. Color your hair less frequently by choosing a shade close to your natural color. This will allow your new color to blend with your natural color while avoiding a strong root line.

2. Keep your coloring time short. Unless you are over 20% grey you don't have to leave the color on a full 30 minutes. The color can be left on for 15 minutes and still make your color vibrant and blend away the grey hair.

3. Keep the color off your scalp. Start your color 1/4" off your scalp. Let color develop and then run color through root area for the last 3-5 minutes. This will give the illusion of depth at the roots and allow color to blend with the rest of the hair color.

4. Rinse hair thoroughly after coloring. There is a cleansing agent in all hair color that is activated when wet. This will be sure to rid you scalp of any residual hair color. This is also a great way to prevent stains from hair color on your pillow cases.

5. Save water, save time, look sexy. Don't shampoo everyday unless you have fine, oily hair. Most hair has more body on day two. Place shampoo on roots only and never rinse and repeat.

6. Rinse hair with cold water. Using cold water requires less fuel consumption and decreases pollution. Cold water is refreshing to the scalp and helps to add shine to your hair.

7. Buy large size shampoos and conditioners. This will allow you to refill your small size containers as needed. You will use less plastic and almost always have your favorite shampoo and conditioner on hand.

8. Have a beer with every shampoo. Beer is a great way to add body and shine to your hair. Put your favorite beer in a spray container. After shampooing spray hair with beer and proceed with styling. The smell of beer will dissipate as the hair dries.

9. Chamomile tea is a natural golden blond toner. If your highlights oxidize to frosty ash color you can add gold with chamomile tea. Simply brew a strong tea and let it cool to room temperature. Rinse tea through your hair and style as usual.

10. Beware! Not all natural remedies work. People often ask me if olive oil is a good conditioner for dry hair. Olive oil is heavy and almost impossible to shampoo out of your hair. By the time your hair is clean it will be dryer than it was before your oil treatment. It's much better to use a product especially made to condition your hair.

Being green doesn't mean you have to forget about your pretty self. Looking good and taking care of your self is living green. Be smart! Be beautiful! Go green!

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My 16-year-old niece Alanna and her brother Andrew, who’s 17, just spent their annual week’s vacation with me at my home in New York. I was definitely burning the candle at both ends during their visit, but every sleepless moment was worth it. I adore them! We started each day at the crack of dawn exercising with my trainer Mike Gostigian. This was a huge thrill for them. They are both great athletes and Mike is a three-time Olympic Pentathlete and an all-time great guy. After an hour or so I would run to the salon to tend to my appointments while they stayed with him in Central Park doing double and triple sessions running, biking, and maintaining their strength and conditioning programs. They would show up to work after lunch and spend the afternoon learning different aspects of the salon business. At the end of each work day, we had always had a plan. We went to the theater, New York’s hottest restaurants, and, of course, always found time for shopping.

We ended a spectacular week at the Today Show for Friday’s “Plaza Ambush Makeover” segment. I always go to bed early the night before the show, but not that night. We were out and about way past my bedtime. Morning came very early and I looked like I needed a quick visit to a plastic surgeon. My niece and nephew woke fifteen minutes before our driver arrived and looked like angels. I looked raped by age.

At first thought, the aging process can be quite depressing. As everyone of a certain age knows, youth is fleeting and aging is progressive. This is only terrifying until you realize the alternative – and then you happily embrace your years and are grateful for your health. Nonetheless, when you look in the mirror, you wonder who is this older person staring back at you? And what can you do to look like your younger self? The first step is to pray that you are lucky in the gene pool. The second step is to look at yourself realistically and decide what small steps you can take to restore a more vital and youthful appearance. Extreme measures usually don’t work. Small changes keep you looking fresh and vibrant. Extreme changes usually just make you different. Often the more extreme the change, the more difficult it is to tell if you are old and look young or young and look old.

Tonight I am teaching a single-process class to the assistants at my Beverly Hills salon. I often learn as much as they do because teaching class forces me to rethink and pare down hair color theory to its simplest form so it becomes easy to understand.

Class night was full of action. There was a Paris Hilton sighting at the restaurant Mr. Chow's which is directly across the street from the salon. People are still fascinated with her. The paparazzi went crazy. I am personally amazed her 15 minutes lasted this long. Janice Dickinson stopped by the salon to say hello. She made a grand entrance and was actually very sweet to all the clients. She might be a bit eccentric but she is a spirited woman that puts a smile on everyone's face. She was helping the assistants critique the coloring of models scheduled that night. The models and assistants loved every moment. She actually has a very good color eye. She breezed in and out and then we got down to serious business.

Color class models often color their hair at home. This provides me with a chance to see what makes at-home color work and all of the most frequent at-home color mistakes. As you all know, I believe in at-home color. I think that it provides a viable way for people who can't afford the time, money, or both to take advantage of the wonders of hair color.

The big tips for surefire results for at-home users are things I said many times before.

1. Always stay within a few shades of your natural color.
2. Avoid frequent color changes.
3. Do a preview or strand test to see the results before you begin.
4. Never use at-home color over hair that has been previously chemically processed (i.e. permed, relaxed or straightened)
5. Never try to color your hair black or platinum blond at home.
6. Hair to be colored at home should be in good condition.

The biggest mistake I see in coloring is when people become obsessed with covering every grey or try to be the blondest or the reddest they can be. They will bring in pictures from magazines that are too light, air brushed, and photo shopped. These colors are impossible to achieve unless you wear artificial Dynel wigs. This is why class models frequently color their hair at home in between class touch-ups. They are attempting to achieve impossible results. This can result in a number of gross errors that might take a long time to repair. If you find yourself strolling down the hair color aisle every time you are in a drug store you are probably a hair color addict. Don't allow yourself to walk down the hair color aisle. It is too tempting and easy to pick up another box of color. This is called flirting with the substance. It will only result in a large bill when you have to go to your beauty salon to have your color corrected.

Another reason people color their hair too frequently is because of grey hair. No one notices your grey hair more than you. It could be a single strand that blends with your own color but when you look in the mirror it stands out like a big wart at the end of your nose. You can easily be obsessed with covering a few grey hairs. This results in people coloring their hair way too often. I have known clients to color their hair every five days to rid themselves of grey hair. When you color your hair too often this results in dark walls of color around their face. This is a major beauty faux pas. It makes your face look harsh and uneven. Natural hair color contains many nuances of color. The darker the color, the more difficult it is to see variations in color. If you have one or two strong grey hairs on brown hair use an eyebrow applicator. This will help to keep the hair color specifically on the grey hair only and help to avoid dark spots.

The other reason at-home colorists end up with the wrong color is because they pick the shade because of the picture of the great-looking girl on the box. That is how the hair color looks on her natural color. Remember your end result will be a combination of your natural color plus the shade you chose. Your natural hair color can be darker, lighter, more warm or ash than the model on the box. Hair texture will also change the results of the final color. Coarse hair is more resistant to accepting hair color. Read the tips on the back of the box. They will help you to achieve the hair color results you desire.

I love teaching class to the color assistants. It forces me to keep thinking about how to make hair color simpler and easier to use. If hair color becomes too complicated you are doing something drastically wrong. Always remember our model (KISS-keep it simple, silly) and you end up with your perfect color.

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The positive feedback from the Today Show's "Plaza Ambush Makeover" series has been staggering. It is an exciting and emotional time for the makeover and all of us on the makeover team. It happens so quickly that the dramatic results of the completed makeovers are shocking to all of us. We are holding back tears as we see the true potential of the women in the reveal.

People are now coming to me on the street and asking for advice about their hair styles and what formula would look best on their hair. I always do my best to at least give them a style and color direction. The real question they all want to know is "What should I do" or ?"How do I get started" I think the biggest reason women get trapped in the same style and color for years is they don't have a clue about what would suit them best. That's why my first piece of advice is to seek the help of a professional. They will look at you with a fresh eye. If this isn't an option, there are other ways to find the best solution for your hair style, color, and make up.

Look at celebrities with similar face shapes, facial features, and hair textures. You don't have to be a size zero or an exact clone to borrow a few tips from these women. These women are privy to the best hair, make-up, and fashion stylist in the world. You would have to be more than a little silly not to steal a few tips from the women who look good for a living.

Now that we decided that we are going to borrow a few ideas here and there, it's time to reevaluate your self. Don't panic! Calmly sit in front of a mirror and ask your self the following questions:

• What is your natural hair color? Tell the truth now! What color is it right now, not when you where 12 or 16 years old. This will help determine what color choices are available to you.


• What is your skin tone? Is the undertone yellow or red? How dark is your complexion? Your skin shade will help determine your new hair color. The rule of thumb to determine your new hair color is easy. Your hair color should always provide contrast with your skin tone.
  

• What texture is your hair? I mean right out of the shower and left to dry on its own. Accepting and working with your hair texture will help avoid many future hours of agitation.
  

• What is your face shape and body type? Are you a square, heart, or round shape? What body type do you have now? The hair cut and style need to provide the proper proportions to hold your look together.

Square faces usually need to be softened. Long layers that start at the jaw line and work to bottom of hair cut work best. Overall minimal highlights will soften the strong lines of a square face.

Women with heart shape faces need to accent their eyes and cheek bones. This will make a small or pointed chin less noticeable. Bangs work well with this face shape. Layers should accent cheek bones. Highlights should be concentrated on top layers of the hair.

Women with round faces should always wear a side swept bang. This will immediately make the face look less round. Cuts should fall below chin length. Taking the bulk off ends of your hair will take away the roundness of your face. Highlights should be placed on the ends of hair only to create a wispy look.

These are some simple tips to help you get your makeover started. Don't waste another moment being a "before!" I know there's an "after" that's ready to come out and live life to its fullest. Until then keep learning more beauty tips watching the "Plaza Ambush Makeover" every Friday on the Today Show.

Watch the segment from TODAY
What do you think of the ladies' new looks? Leave a comment or question below!

And if you missed any of the other Plaza Ambush Makeovers you can click here to catch up.

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After searching the Plaza for the perfect candidates, a mother and daughter were chosen for this week's Plaza Ambush Makeover.

Watch the video below to the see women's stunning transformations and for tips on how you can get their winning looks.

Watch the latest Plaza Ambush Makeover What do you think of the ladies' new looks? Leave a comment or question below!

And if you missed any of the other Plaza Ambush Makeovers you can click here to catch up.

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Before I write the blogs I always watch the "Ambush Makeover" segment on iVillage.com. While watching this segment, I became completely undone. Who knew what stories were about to unravel?

It was another Friday, another makeover. I naively picked the women, as I always do, because I thought they had great beauty potential. Once I started to talk to the women, I realized I was working with heroic women who had courage and strength most of us only aspire to. If the writer's strike wasn't on, I would have thought the stories were fabricated. The more I learned about the women, the more I had to hold my emotions together as they recalled the turn of events in their lives.

The first thing I noticed on the Plaza was a young boy standing next to his mom carrying a sign that read, "My mom really deserves a makeover. Ask me why." The boy's name was Park, and his mom's name was Lisa. I immediately went over to him and he began to tell me the agony and torment of their last year. His dad had a hip replacement that was not successful. It popped out of place after surgery. When it was put back, a staph infection occurred. He passed away a short time later. This was a gut wrenching story, but the boy's concern for his mom’s well being left me speechless. Even though he was obviously heartbroken, his only concern was for his mom.

I am not going to pretend that making yourself look better is a cure all for devastating life changing events. I do know, however, that when you look better it does help foster you through depression until you do feel better. Looking good and acting as if everything is okay until things are better can help everyone through their most emotionally trying times.

Okay, it's time to put the tissues away and talk about beauty. Lisa, fifty three years old, had fine hair with very little body. This is a very common problem for women in their fifties. Women's hair becomes thinner as time goes by. This is usually noticed as a lack of body. Blow dries don't last as long as they once did. Hair goes flat on top of the head.

BEAUTY TIP - Cut and color your hair. Color adds the illusion of body to hair. Your hair will look fuller and more vibrant. It will look better than before you colored it.

I added warmth to Lisa’s base color.

BEAUTY WARNING - Your hair color starts to fade to an ash tone at around 30 years old. This drains the color from your face. Warm hair colors are essential to great looking complexions. The hair stylist, Arsen, made Lisa’s layers shorter. This also added to the illusion of more hair. Lisa's side swept bangs enhanced her softer, younger look.

The next group of women I noticed were in the party hardy mode and it was 6:30 in the morning. They were in town to celebrate the 60th birthday of their oldest sister, and I promise you it looked like she was going to have the best birthday of her life. They were having such a good time, I wanted to join the fun!

I introduced myself to the women and that's how I met Jeri. It was Jeri’s first time in New York from High Springs, Florida. She was thrilled to be in New York at the TODAY show on her sister's 60th birthday. Being part of this party was the best present she could have given her sister. Jeri had open heart surgery six months ago. Today was a miracle!

Okay, ladies, let's put the tissues away again and talk about how we helped Jeri look better. She had admitted that she had not taken care of her appearance for a long time and then when she became ill, she totally ignored herself. Her once blond hair was now grey and desperately needed a hair cut. Arsen cut at least six inches to give her a long layered bob. I gave her back her blond hair.

BEAUTY TIP - Unless you have a perfect face and skin you must cover your grey hair. This will make you look younger than a face lift and will cost you a fraction of the price. What are you waiting for? It takes less than an hour to color your hair, and you can do it at home!

The point of today's blog post is to emphasize how important it is to make an effort to look your best. It will always cheer you up and it is great for your self esteem. Remember, with very little effort, you can always look prettier tomorrow than you do today.

Watch these magical makeovers on some most deserving women:

Watch the segment from TODAY:

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Another year has passed and we are already a couple weeks into 2008. The political caucuses have become the hot news and the best reality TV to date. Unfortunately, there are not many fashion or beauty tips to gleam from the candidates. The writers strike in Hollywood reduced the Golden Globes to an hour-long news show. We can only hope and pray that the strike is resolved by the academy awards.

How dreary will it be to watch Ryan Seacrest announce the nominees and winners without the red carpet stroll? No offense, Ryan, but you have to admit, it does sounds like a bit of a yawn. I think this means that Friday's "Ambush Makeovers" might be the hot beauty and fashion event of the season. My work is cut out for me. I want women across America to be thinking, "Wow! Did you see that? Will that work for me?" The pressure is on!

Last Friday's makeover took place in the pouring rain. Some people had umbrellas, others here soaked to the bone. To my amazement, wet or dry, people where still screaming for makeovers. I walked through the crowd and I found the perfect makeovers. Two slightly damp sisters that longed to refresh their looks.

Both sisters have busy careers. Susan is a 53-year-old physician from Cleveland, Ohio. Renee is a 46-year-old credit manager from Lincoln, Nebraska. Beauty and fashion was not a top priority for either woman. This was about to change!

The aging process is not always very obvious. It most often tiptoes up so slowly that you are not aware of any changes. Then, one day glancing at a mirror, you notice that something is different. It's nothing you can put your finger on, but the glow of youth has dimmed. The bad news is no one can escape the aging process, the good news is we can easily erase years with very little effort.

Susan’s natural hair color was medium brown. She was starting to go grey. It did not show up as grey hair, but it made her natural chestnut highlights disappear. Her hair was starting to look mousy brown. It was time for Susan to put the chestnut color back in her hair.

TIP - Be bold! Make color more vibrant than its original natural color. This will instantly rejuvenate your look.

Renee’s husband always wanted her to go darker with her hair color. I thought this was a great idea. The new darker color complimented her skin color and gave her a sexy, sultry look.

TIP - When going dark use a semi-permanent color, this will allow you to "try on" a color. If it comes out a bit too dark it, will lighten in a few shampoos. It always fun to come home looking like a new woman. It's a guaranteed way to add excitement to any relationship. I promise you, it works better than Victoria's Secret!

The hair stylist, Arsen, gave both women bobs. Bobs are back and bigger than ever! The big difference this year is that every bob is unique. No two look alike. Susan's bob had layers and bangs. Renee's bob was more one length with a deep side part. Basically, both women had the same hair cut, but both women looked entirely different. This is the reason why the bob is the haircut of 2008.

TIP - Every bob should be customized to your face shape, features, and hair texture.

The right hair color and cut can easily make you a prettier, younger, and more vibrant. It usually takes just a few hours of your time.

What are you waiting for? Time is passing. Make your appointment today!

Did you catch our latest Ambush Makeover? These sisters never looked so good!

Watch the segment from TODAY:

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The holiday season is here, and that means we all have to start thinking about gift-giving. I know that most people think long and hard to be sure we’re giving good gifts. This can become an anxiety-provoking time for us. We want to give a nice gift—something that the person will love and cherish for years to come. At the very least, we want to give a gift that can be recycled if the recipient has no use for it. Everyone appreciates receiving a gift that's easy to recycle. One less gift to buy at this time of year might be the most appreciated gift of all!

Taking care of your hairdresser and/or colorist can definitely put you over the edge. We all know that hairdressers are the arbitrators of good taste and are also difficult to please. (Believe that one, and I will sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.) A good stylist makes your hair look great. They are skilled professionals. They are also quite human. This is the perfect time to acknowledge your appreciation of their hard work.

 Most will be grateful for any token of appreciation for their service to you throughout the year. I have received everything from homemade cookies to all expense paid exotic vacations. Everything is equally appreciated. It feels great to know that you have been recognized for your efforts. Your gift can be as simple as a few extra dollars in the tip envelope, a gift certificate at a favorite store, or a donation to a charity. It really is the thought that counts. Without a doubt, the best gift is booking your appointments for the next year. This is the gift your that will guarantee to make your stylist forever grateful.

Friday's Ambush Makeover was a big hit. The makeovers were Karen and Lori. Karen is a docent at the New York City Public Library who rollerblades or bikes to work every day. Lori is a computer expert whose hobby is racing high performance cars in and around Dallas, Texas. Both ladies have totally different lifestyles, but share a zest for life. Karen and Lori are so busy living life, they put their looks on hold. This made them the perfect candidates for makeovers.

Karen had brown hair with grey roots. She always wanted to be a redhead, but had olive skin. Red hair could make her skin more sallow. The solution was to keep her roots darker and the ends of her hair a brighter red. The depth at her roots was the key to make her new red hair works with her skin tone. More definite bangs and long layers gave her hair a full look she had never been able to achieve before.

Lori wanted to have a more sophisticated style. As a high-performance race car driver, this was never part of her life. She was the ultimate "low maintenance" woman. Arsen, a hairstylist from my New York salon, cut her hair into a chic layered bob, which immediately gave her an upscale look. I brightened her hair to a medium golden blond. This gave her an instant lift. Lori looked years younger and like she only shopped on Madison Avenue.

I love the "Ambush Makeover" on Fridays. It allows everyone to see that anyone can benefit from a good haircut, color, and makeup. You might not be born a great beauty, but with a few "quick fixes," you can be a guaranteed head turner.

Watch the Today show every Friday, and learn simple tips that can make big differences in your appearance. I'll see you every Friday at plaza doing my best to find the perfect makeover. Come on down, it might be you!

Hair styling: Arsen Gurgov | Makeup: Enid O

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It can be a perfectly brilliant day. Everything is going great, the sun is out, and you feel good about yourself. You are loving life. ...Then it happens.

You are walking down the street and glance at a pair of "must have" shoes in a store window. As you feel your body becoming full of desire, your heart stops. You see your reflection in the store window. You notice your hair. You are horrified. Your roots are out.

I am not talking about dark "rock star" roots. I am talking about "Oh no! I'm grey!" roots. Grey usually starts right at your hairline around the age of thirty something. How unfair is this? Thirty isn't old. You don't feel old. But there it is, like a breaking news bulletin for the whole world to see. You're not a kid anymore.

What is even more annoying is that you notice your grey hairs before anyone else. When you look in the mirror to comb your hair or touch up your lipstick, the first thing you see are those first coarse, wire-like grey hairs that literally pop out of your head. Not only did they show up overnight, they look like they belong to someone else's head. To make matters worst, you know more greys will follow. None of this puts a smile on your face.

But let's get real! It's not the end of the world. We just have to learn how to deal with our dreaded first few and incredibly annoying grey hairs.

Sometimes grey hairs come out in one spot. This is a good thing. This makes it easy just to cover the grey hairs and color the rest when you want to, not because you have to.

TIP - Buy disposable mascara brushes. They make it easy to apply color specifically to your new grey hairs. This is especially important at touch up time.

WARNING: Don't overlap hair color. The hair around your hairline is a finer texture than the rest of your hair. This means it will absorb color quicker and darker. I would use a permanent color, a shade lighter than your natural color. Use a color with a neutral base. The base color is labeled on the bottle. This will provide the best grey coverage. Since you are covering only a spot of grey hairs, there is no need to mix the entire bottle of color. Mix only as much as you are going to use.

Remember, once the color is mixed it will only work for a half an hour. Reseal the unmixed color and developer in their own bottles and they should last at least a year. I promise you will use the color faster than its expiration date.

Sometimes grey hair grows in scattered throughout your head. There often isn't enough of it to read as grey hair, but it does make your hair look dull and lifeless. The solution to this problem is to apply a semi-permanent color all over your hair in a lighter shade than your natural color. This will cover the grey hairs and emphasize your natural highlights. When you pick the right hair color shade, the grey hairs will appear to be highlights. This looks great and will avoid an obvious root line.

WARNING: Semi-permanent colors can appear darker and more opaque than their color description. Always color a few strands of hair at the nape of your neck before you apply color to your entire head. This will allow you to see your new color and avoid any surprise endings.

The most difficult grey to cover is usually people with dark hair who seem to have gone grey overnight. They usually have a high percentage or a large streak of grey. This color combination shows no mercy. It can require touch-ups as often as every two weeks. You can make your hair a bit lighter, so the grey hair isn't as obvious as it grows in. This only works if a lighter hair color works with your complexion.

If lighter hair washes out your skin color, you must maintain your dark hair. The solution is to cover all the roots with the appropriate color every four to six weeks. You can cover the grey you notice, usually around your face and on part of your hair, more frequently. Remember to do a shade test before you use any color on your hair. A dark hairline almost always looks harsh and artificial.

Color companies have made between time touch-up kits for this specific purpose and they do work. Read the web sites or the charts on the color boxes. Be sure to pick the right color shade. Take your time so you don't over lap color. It's easy to do and you will be loving life again when your grey is covered.

Blondes go grey too. They usually have an easier time with grey, because it's not as obvious on lighter hair. Highlights will blend away grey hair initially, but at one point you will have to do an all over color.

TIP: Don't go too blond. Your face will blend with your hair color and you will disappear. Contrast is the key to looking vital. If you look like Casper the Ghost before make-up, it's time to go a shade darker.

There is no doubt that covering grey hair is a bore to maintain. The good news is that nothing you do will make you look prettier, younger, and more vibrant than covering your grey. Some at home kits only take 10 minutes and at the most a half an hour. It is the quick fix that works! Now why where we panicked about a few grey hairs? I barely remember!

Hair Credit: Arsen Gurgov

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