LA FAMA!

Courtsey of Oribe

As some of you probably already know Stephanie, her husband Robert and I just returned from a long weekend in Miami. What were we doing in Miami? We were at Oribe's nearly annual Backstage event which is a weekend full of inspiration, parties, glamour and fun! It also happened to be the launch of his new products and a chance for us to be among the first to experience them. I can assure you that there is something for all of you and they are pretty incredible! There are three new mousses; one for big ol' hair called Grandiose, one for beach bomb locks called Beachcomber, and one for curls (finally!) called  Curl mousse. There is a fantastic new dry spray called Thick and it does exactly what it says it will and finally Soft, a dry conditioner to keep those ends glistening on the second, third and so on and so forth amount of days. I can't wait to teach all the salon about them and try them on you! 

I came across this video and some pictures from V Magazine, a frequent employer of Oribe himself, that will give you a little look into our evening of La Fama! You can also check out Oribe Hair Care on Pinterest and they have an entire board dedicated to Backstage. 

On another note we stayed at the Raleigh in South Beach and could not have been more pleased with wonderful customer service, a gorgeous lobby, a pool that basically sends you to another place, and very cozy beach chairs! There is also a wonderful martini bar in the lobby serving great old fashioned drinks made by a NYC trained bartender. Everything about the hotel was a dream and I highly recommend it!

Courtsey of The Raleigh Hotel

I sort of fell in love with Miami while I was there. Everything was over the top (in a good way, for the most part), they had art galleries at the outdoor mall, the gorgeous art deco buildings, the food was amazing, shopping was great and there is something pretty sultry about the hot and humid air...or maybe it's all the gorgeous people there! Either way I cannot wait to go back!

Do You Guys Really Use This Stuff?

That is a question we get all the time in the salon, mostly concerning Oribe products. The answer is not only "Yes!" but "Of Course!", maybe even "Duh!".

I am so passionate about these amazing products (life changing, really) that I would do just about anything to get a job with them. Don't worry, I won't be giving up this job anytime soon but as an educator... even an assistant. I love them that much. 

I want to take a moment to properly (after two and a half years!) introduce everyone to our product lines and I'm starting with Oribe. 

Photo: Allure

I'll start with the pronunciation, Or-bay. Not exactly how it looks but once you get it it will roll off the tongue. Oribe is more than a  product line, it happens to be the name of a very talented Cuban man. He has most definitely been one of the most influential hairstylists of the past 30 years and is one of the reasons that I do hair. In 2011 he styled 9 of the 12 American Vogue covers and has worked with countless celebrities, some of the more notable include Jennifer Lopez, Heidi Klum, and Scarlett Johansson but I could go on and on. He is a true artist and such an inspiration. He has collected a team of amazing people (from his business partners, to the office ladies, and the educators) to make an exceptional boutique company that he has put his heart and soul into. Not to mention, styling products that once you find your match, you can't live without. 

The proof is in the internet. Everywhere from some of my favorite hair and makeup artists that I follow on Instagram to huge sites like thebeautydepartment.com feature Oribe products regularly. They have also won numerous Editor's Choice awards and Reader's Choice awards in many a magazine. I strongly encourage you to Google. 

Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @oribehaircare and on Facebook under Oribe Hair Care. Be sure to also check out their website, Oribe.

And my favorites?

Soft Lacquer

Dry

Gel Sérum 

Volumista

Après Beach

Fiber Groom

Supershine Light

There is also a slew of new products out and coming out. Don't be afraid to ask to try something new, we love that spirit!

Do You Dare?

Super model Karlie Kloss' new shorter 'do has been named "The Cut of The Year" by Time magazine.

We have had more than a handful of clients coming in for a winter refresh... Do you dare?

guestofaguest.com

By the way, this major chop was cut by Garren, who is beyond a legend in the hair world. And wouldn't you know that our own favorite Oribe trained under Garren while developing his own ninja hair skills.

Again!

It's been so long again! This is crazy but we are all still here. I guess we could look at this as a good thing there have been no posts because we have all been so busy! So we left off at Nashville Fashion Week (forever ago...that was March!) and since then we have worked with Marchesa and the Nashville Symphony. That has most definitely been the highlight of my career and the girls and I are so incredibly honored to have worked with such an inspiring team. Two amazing women who have taken all things glamorous and sparkly and turned it into a sophisticated, world-renown empire pretty much right out of fashion school... What's not to love?! So thank you a million times over to the Nashville Symphony board members and Marchesa's Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig for allowing us all to be part of such a magical evening. It was truly a pleasure. And who says up dos have to be smooth and polished! Imagine a softr, less wide version of this under a veil or with a classic evening gown. So chic, modern, and fresh!

So that covers April...

In May, the lead lady behind salonNfuse took Las Vegas and Oribe's Backstage event by storm. Steph was lucky enough to fly to Vegas for a long weekend full of education, networking, and of course partying. She was taught by the one and only Oribe and the rest of us that were left behind get to have the class recreated for us in August so we will have to post our results and fill you in on what actually went down there...all I know is there is a new product coming out that you all will LOVE! Let's just say it will be the product that will bring us closest to Miami's South Beach without us leaving Nashville and with all the glamour and big hair-ness that is Oribe. I can't wait to try it!

In June while many Tennesseans were out in the lord-knows-how-hot heat at CMA Fest and Bonnaroo, all of us had the pleasure of being in the very well air conditioned guest locker room at LP Field. Once again we were lucky enough to participate in Nashville's biggest draw, CMA Fest at LP Field. In between all of us sneaking out to watch our favorites each night we were doing hair and make-up behind the scenes at the festivals biggest event. We had the opportunity to not only work with country music's biggest names and their bands, but some new-comers and non-country folk as well. We saw everyone from Chris Young to Amos Lee, and the new trio that is Pistol Annie. We even had the Governor of Tennessee Bill Haslam in our room! That is always a fun (but exhausting) event.

In July we have slowed down with all the extras enough for all of us to enjoy a bit of summer and just being in the salon! With all the new 70s inspired hair, feathers, and beachy highlights we are all keeping plenty busy! Here are some of summers biggest looks that you should keep in mind next time your in!

A feather and new red hair! Right on, Drew! But to be honest, she looks good with every color.

Here is a super subtle, gorgeous version of ombre and beautiful red lips!

Bright lips and dewy faces, so stunning!

A braided up do is the perfect way to beat the summer heat AND frizz!

Who's with me!?

I am totally wanting to cut my hair off and rock this super sexy, edgy, completely fresh "lob" (long bob) that Scarlett Johansson has in the new Mango ad campaign. And watch out 1970s! The styles of the '70s are on their way back in a huge way and I am totally on board. The look is all about mis-matched patterns, lots of camel, red and navy, and the rise on jeans is getting higher! The high rise jeans with heels make your legs look one million miles long, the camel, navy, red and pattern and the muted make-up and hair color (with just enough sparkle and depth to keep it modern) all come together in the absolutely perfect, all-American, beyond naturally fresh and sexy girl next door look. Who wouldn't love this? And stripes!! My absolute favorite print of all time! I cannot forget the stripes!

The hair is so soft, touchable, middle parted natural but better colors. Think Charlie's Angels, Love Story, and The Way We Were. These are all movies or TV shows with very strong looks that are totally current now.

Where are you Spring???

Here's the new ad campaign in all it's Oribe-rific glory...

I stole these pictures from lulus.com

Why, hello, Ms. Ball gown...

So I am a little behind. It's Fashion Week everyone! And I love to look at the shows for not only the hair and makeup, but the clothes! That's why I do what I do. I have loved clothes since the time I could pick them out for myself and will love them till the day I die. If you allow them to, clothes will speak to you. If you take away the price tag, the "Where am I going to ever wear THAT dress?" And "Who but the rail thin model would look good in that dress?" clothes will jump at you, saying "No one in the world is meant to wear this dress but you! Yes! YOU, Bridget!"

I have a wildly overactive imagination and often dream of myself walking the streets of Paris in an elaborate ball gown, eating a croissant, and wandering in and out of shops, cafes, and museums. Not only am I in a ball gown, everyone in Paris is! And the men are all in very well tailored Tom Ford-esque tuxedos with their hair parted and styled just so and they hold doors open for you, smile and say "S'il vous plait! Allow me, Mademoiselle!" All of us women give our flirtiest smile, and shyly look away as we glide inside to experience many more encounters just like this.

As I was browsing style.com this morning, I was left absolutely breathless. I found my wardrobe for this exact occasion. John Galliano has done it again. Everything is absolute perfection, from the perfectly cut suits inspired by the original "New Look", to the exquisite hand painted ball gowns and the hats that absolutely complete the look. The Golden Age of Glamour is rising again, ladies and gentlemen! It's time for us to stop looking like we don't give a care and to put forth a little effort! Am I suggesting we are styled like this everyday? Absolutely not, that would only happen in my imagination, but let's give it a whirl! It can be as easy as a blow out or putting on some red lipstick, but you owe it to yourself to be the best version of you that you got!

I am also devoted to my plaid shirt, leggings, and riding boots look, but add a bit of a glamours blow out and a hint of lips or eyeliner, and suddenly you are the most glamorous girl at the stable! Take a peek at these pictures and maybe think of them for a moment the next time you go out! Or head over to style.com (where I got these pictures from) and look at the Spring 2011 Couture shows. Armani Prive is quite space age-y and perfect for those Star Trek inspired fans. And Oribe and his team styled the hair for that show, so you know it's worth checking out!

Let the clothes do all the talking and you never know who you'll meet.

What's In Your Makeup Bag?

So, from time to time I get really bored and find myself browsing the Internet for hours. Many, many hours. As I was browsing the other day I discovered a new feature over on style.com, a favorite of mine for all things fashion, and it's called Beauty Essentials. I see the word "essential" in a beauty blog and I immediately think "I MUST HAVE THIS!!!", but it gets better!

This is a feature showcasing what is inside the makeup bags of fashion's elite that keeps them looking fresh and healthy.

I die, as Rachel Zoe would say.

On top of amazing makeup finds (a lot of which I knew about...I have to give myself some props) there are also beauty tools, skin and hair care products. While there are many fantastic hair care lines in the world, I can't say that I have found one that tops Oribe. Funny how that is salonNfuse's new brand of choice, isn't it? And it's also funny that Amber Valletta and Dree Hemingway both cannot live without a little Oribe in their life.

Have you tried the Signature Moisture Mask yet? It's kind of like when you can feel that your skin is getting really flaky, and dry, and tight and you decide that you are going to risk being a sticky mess and slather yourself in a super thick body butter because you know the hydrated, glowy, touchable skin is totally worth the sticky-ness. That is how you will feel about your hair after using this mask. It is a totally luxurious pick me up and only takes 10 minutes!

And Dree Hemingway is a fan of the Shampoo and Conditioner for Brilliance and Shine. With a name like that how could you not be? The name also says it all. The clients I have that have tried this are absolutely in love! Who wouldn't want to wake up to brilliant, shiny hair everyday?

With all this being said, aside from trying Oribe, I want to know....what are some of your beauty essentials?

Here is the link to the style.com Beauty Essentials page:

http://www.style.com/beauty/beautyessentials/

More IS more!

Well, true to the new salonNfuse style, we had more top notch education tonight!

This afternoon Kemper and Tom from Oribe came in and taught us a styling/ product knowledge class. I am going to have to agree with Stephanie when she says that no matter how many times one takes "the same" class, one can always learn something.

We learned the most beautiful, versatile set for special event hair and it only involves seven (7!) sections! It is an amazing beginning that could be a Rita Hayworth style as easily as it could be on the newest Gucci runway. So beautiful, so glam, and such a necessity!

So the next time you have a special event (from weddings to you just feeling that today is a special day!) you can come to any of us girls and we can do you up right!

Styling is something that we love and now with this new, amazing product line it makes styling something to look more forward to.

Here are a few of my favorite styles that could easily be done with this set...



And this is only the beggining. The options are endless...