Frederic Fekkai for Vera Wang F/W 2012

Inspiration: Frederic Fekkai lead stylist Paul Hanlon created a deconstructed, spontaneous look for the Vera Wang show this season. The style was a cross between elegance and naïve masculinity.

How to get the look: Heavily apply Fekkai Full Blown Volume Mousse throughout wet hair. Power dry the hair until it is completely dry and then brush out. Starting from the nape of the neck, back comb the hair in sections up to the crown of the head. Comb through the hair lightly so the top is smoothed over. Take a section of the hair from the middle of head and tie a knot. Continue to tie the same middle section in knots until you get to the ends. Then, roll the knotted section up to the base of the head. Brush the rest of the hair back, while thickly applying Fekkai Coiff Nonchalant Piecing and Forming Wax throughout the hair. As you brush the hair backwards, roll the ends under the knotted section and pin to secure. To hold the look, spray Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray all over the hair.

All Products by Fekkai: Fekkai Full Blown Volume Mousse ($25); Fekkai COIFFTM Nonchalant Piecing and Forming Wax ($25); Fekkai COIFFTM Sheer Hold Hairspray ($25); AVAILABLE AT FEKKAI.COM, FEKKAI SALONS, NORDSTROM, NEIMAN MARCUS, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE.

About Frédéric Fekkai & Co.
Frédéric Fekkai & Co. is the leader in luxury hair care, offering a complete range of innovative products and exclusive, full-service salons. The Company is dedicated to creating a unique portrait of style for each individual. Fekkai products are distributed through the finest beauty retailers around the world and, of course, in the world famous Frédéric Fekkai Salons. For more information visit: www.fekkai.com or visit is on Facebook: www.Facebook/Fekkai and Twitter: @HairbyFekkai

How to Get Tousled Wavy Hair

How to Get Tousled Wavy Hair

Is there a better style for summer than sexy, beachy hair? Get how-tos for your own tousled look now

This is a TotalBeauty.com wavy hair article We believe every woman is entitled to three things: The right to pursue happiness, the license to engage in retail therapy when necessary, and the ability to score gorgeous, tousled hair on her own. If you're having trouble with that last one, we're here to give you a step-by-step tutorial on getting the sexy, tousled hair of your dreams. Get how-tos

How to Get Sexy, Giselle Bundchen-Like Waves

How to Get Sexy, Giselle Bundchen-Like Waves

With this easy six-step tutorial, you too can have gorgeous tousled waves

This is a TotalBeauty.com wavy hair article Who doesn't want to have effortless-looking bouncy hair like a certain top model? Well, thanks to Kattia Solano of Butterfly Studio Salon in New York City, we've mastered the steps to copying Giselle's waves -- now we just have to work the whole perfect-body part. See how-to

16 Fabulous Heat Styling Products

16 Fabulous Heat Styling Products

Before you subject your vulnerable strands to your blow dryer or flat iron, prep your hair with these top-rated creams, mousses and sprays

This is a TotalBeauty.com healthy hair article Blow dryers, flat irons and curling irons weaken and/or destroy vital proteins in your hair as well as deplete your hair's natural oils, which means frequent use of them requires extra maintenance. So to help you help yourself, we combed through hundreds of reviews to find the highest-rated styling products. See products

No. 16: Dove Therapy Frizz Control Taming Cream, $4.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.9

"I have thick, wavy hair and this product works wonders for taming the frizz."

No. 15: TreSemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray, $2.91

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9

"I have colored hair and style it frequently with heated tools and it still manages to look healthy when I use this spray."

No. 14: Kerastase Mousse Volumactive Amplifying Perfecting Mousse for Fine, Vulnerable Hair, $34

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 9

"This is the greatest styling product I've ever used on my fine, thin hair."

Want to see what product was No. 1? Click here!

Aquage Transforming Paste and Transforming Hair Spray Review

I have short hair and I like it styled piecey and full of volume. Knowing what I want with my hair, I sometimes marvel at those women that have short hair and yet are able to hold piecey, trendy hair styles without gravity and humidity bogging them down. This is the reason why I was excited to try out these products from Aquage. The company claims that these products can let you sculpt, shape, and style your hair as piecey as you want it, and yet the formula will have exceptional resistance to humidity and can deliver shine and softness to the hair.

Let me start with the Transforming Hair Spray.

Brazilian Blowout Buzz

Brazilian Blowout Buzz

See if this trendy hair care treatment is worth all the hype

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care products article Read about one woman's experience and see before and after photos of her hair. See makeover

Twisted Sista Relaxing Straightening Creme Review

I had the opportunity to try a product from a UK-based company called Urban Therapy that owns the Twisted Sista Hair Products. It's one of those rare companies that focus products for the hair needs of the ethnic market. Here is how Urban Therapy describes its line on its website:

Found in two of London's most prestigious locations is Urban Therapy, the latest, freshest and most eclectic modern day spa destination nestled comfortably on the main strips. What gives Urban Therapy its unique edge is its position as the first brand ever to span the diverse and eclectic mix of ethnic markets. Whether black or white, Asian or Hispanic, its multicultural approach to caring for you and your appearance, no matter where you are from, is an appealing concept that is establishing it as one of the most recognised, cutting edge and talked about hair and beauty hotspots in town.

In London alone, there are seven million people made up of more than 10 different races. Its non-discriminative, innovative and modern approach to an expanding metro-market is what sets Urban Therapy apart.

One of their products is the Relaxing Hair Straightening Cream. It aims to protect hair from heat styling, as well as unwind, smooth and moisturize wavy, frizzy, curly or coarse hair. It also contains UV filter that protects hair from the damaging rays of the sun.

First of all, the texture is light and there is a pleasant scent that is not cloying or heavy. I am very particular with the scent of my hair products and I refuse to wear anything that smells funky or heavily scented. This particular product has a light enough scent that actually smells pleasant. Upon application to the hair, it doesn't make my hair feel sticky or icky. It has a light texture that I like.

My hair is neither coarse nor frizzy, but I tried this product to tame unruly hair that curls or goes out of shape after a nap. You know those bad hair days, right? I used it to place my locks in place and to fix hair that is sticking out because of static or just simply because it refuses to cooperate. It worked like a charm.

However, I feel that this product is more suited to those with frizzy hair that goes in several directions at once, because this product really tames unruly curls and puts them in place without bogging down the hair. If you even have wavy hair, this would also help you a lot to straighten the waves. Since my hair is already stick-straight, this doesn't do much work except to tame stray hairs and to protect my hair from heat styling.

If you have the slightest wave in your hair or you have the thickest, coarsest, frizziest of curls, this is your product. It won't instantly straighten your locks like a rod, but it will give a much tamer head of curls and relax the frizziness. It will also give a polished look to your tresses because this makes the hair look shinier. The added UV protection is a great bonus.

Recommendation: This works best for those with wavy, curly, frizzy, or thick, coarse hair.

The Shades Of U Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Coming Up Soon: Twisted Sista hair product giveaway for The Shades Of U subscribers and followers!

Note: A media sample was provided by a representative of the company for evaluation and consideration.

Curly Hair How-To Video

Curly Hair How-To Video

Watch this video to find out how to style curly hair

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article In this how-to video, a pro hairstylist gives tips for styling curly hair and suggests the key hair products you need to get the look. Watch video

Can Everyday Be a Good Hair Day?

Can Everyday Be a Good Hair Day?

Finally find what your hair has been looking for

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article Take this quiz and get hairstyling tips from the experts so that your hair looks fab everyday. Take quiz

Style Your Hair Like a Pro

Style Your Hair Like a Pro

Experts school you on how to blow dry, curl and straighten your hair

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article Getting your hair done at the salon is such a treat, but what if you could work your hairstyling tools like a pro? Now you can with these expert tips. Get tips

14 Hair Secrets from the Pros

14 Hair Secrets from the Pros

These insider-y tips from hairstylists will tell you how to get fresh-from-the-salon hair -- everyday

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article Hair experts from coast to coast spill the beans on their hairstyling tricks. You'll get the scoop on how to style your hair like a pro. Get secrets

Summer Hairstyling Tools: the Duds and the Winners

Summer Hairstyling Tools: the Duds and the Winners

Find out which hair care products are the best and worst ones to use as temperatures rise

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article Total Beauty readers let us know which products help de-frizz and add sexy summer waves and which ones just make hair look greasy and gross. See products

Worst: No. 4: Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves, $23

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.1

"This product definitely did not work …"

No. 3: Charles Worthington London Big Hair Full Volume Texturizing Salt Spray, $5.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.9

"Makes your hair look dirty …"

Best: No. 8: Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control, $23

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 7.8

"This product helps keep my flyaways under control …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

Should You Have Your Hair Relaxed?

Should You Have Your Hair Relaxed?

The answers to a few quick qs will tell all

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article Have you been considering smoothing out those curls? Before you take the plunge, make sure that a relaxing treatment is right for you. Take the quiz

8 Low-Rated Drugstore Hairstyling Products

8 Horrible Drugstore Hairstyling Products

Don't waste your cash or precious styling time on these duds

This is a TotalBeauty.com hair care article TotalBeauty.com readers have tried tons of hairstyling products, and these ones left them more than disappointed. From products that made hair frizzier to ones that smelled like bug spray, these goods are the ones to avoid. See products

No. 8: Garnier Fructis Style Fiber Gum Putty, $3.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.3

"If I use too much [of the putty] it will actually flatten my hair …"

No. 7: Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Curl Defining Lotion, $7.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6

"After hours it looked as though I hadn't added anything. I reapplied and again …"

No. 6: Frizz-Ease Straight Answer Straightening Spray, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.6

"It left my fine hair almost feeling like cotton candy …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

Disclaimer: The Total Beauty articles on this site are syndicated content that does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of this site.

Voluminous Hair Contest Photos -- Winner Revealed

Voluminous Hair Contest Photos -- Winner Revealed

These blogtastic, um, bloggers go tete-a-tete to create big hair -- see the looks here

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article The challenge: Five women create voluminous 'dos using Sebastian Volupt Spray. Then Total Beauty editors pick a winner. The winning blogger scores a trip to NY Fashion Week this fall. See the volumized hairstyles these bloggers came up with, who won and how to recreate the hairstyles. See hairstyles

Living Proof's Hold Hair Spray Review

Remember looking through old photographs and becoming in awe of your mom or grandma's beehives and bouffants back in the day? Their hairsprays were most probably some liquid prototype of the crazy glue. Sure it could hold together elaborate bouffants and hairstyles that can withstand earthquakes, floods and other natural calamities, but it was the wrong product if you want natural looking, no-fuss hair. Also, the stiff, white residue that is left in your hair is enough to make you crave for a revolutionized, natural-looking but weather-proof hold.

Living Proof, the beauty company that revolutionized the industry with No Frizz and Full Thickening Cream, announces the launch of new Hold Hairspray, a reinvention of traditional hairspray with flexible hold, plus exclusive humidity-blocking technology PolyfluoroEster. Hold Hairspray provides all day protection for everyday styles, yet allows for movement, softness and incredible shine. Here is Living Proof's claim on how Hold Hairspray is different from other hairsprays:

The Problem:
Decades ago, when hairspray was first developed, it was perfect for cementing elaborate, fussy styles like the beehive and bouffant into place, but resulted in a stiff, sticky, shellacked effect. Additionally, the formulas easily cracked and flaked, leaving hair with a dull residue. Today, women’s hairstyles are looser, freer and less “done,” but unfortunately, hairspray formulas haven’t changed with the times. This leaves women trying to finish a fresh, new style with a dated technology.

The Advanced Solution:
Living Proof’s team of scientists understood the limitations of the stiff, brittle polymers used in most hairspray formulas: they feel like glue, flake in the hair, dry to a dull finish and fail to stand up to the elements. For Hold, they created a blend of new polymers that when combined form a flexible “web,” joining the strands but never freezing them into place.

They also discovered that the addition of Living Proof’s proprietary PolyfluoroEster technology provides not only incredible humidity protection to help styles survive the toughest weather conditions, but also actually manipulates the properties of the polymer blend in a way that makes it deposit more evenly onto hair. This even deposition prevents a hard, sticky build-up. Hair holds its style beautifully and completely, yet moves naturally and never looks too stiff or shellacked.

The PolyfluoroEster also allows the holding polymers to remain flexible so Hold will not flake or leave hair looking dull, no matter how many times you layer it. Hair retains its shape, incredible shine and flexibility, making the use of Hold virtually foolproof.

My Take: I was given a chance to try Hold Hairspray and the first thing I noticed was the scent.  It is pretty subtle  though so it was not bothersome for me.  I use hairspray everyday so I know exactly what I want in my hairspray: good hold on the hair but flexible enough to make the hairstyle as natural-looking as possible.  I achieved that with this hairspray.  If you need extra strong hold, this is not the hairspray for you, but it just gives you the right amount of hold to give your hair a fuller look, but does not make it look to sculpted.  I have fine, limp hair so I like that this gives volume to my hair.  Humidity is the hairspray's worst enemy because it makes your hair fall limp and flat.  Living Proof's scientists invented PolyfluoroEsther, a new molecule featured in Hold that is claimed to prevent the damaging effects of humidity.  I would say it did offer a longer hold on my hair.

I think the greatest part is the shine aspect.  I took pictures after I used this product and I was very happy to see that it gave my hair a very soft, shiny, natural look.  That was a huge difference from my previous hairsprays that made my hair dry-looking.

Let me repeat: if you want ultra-strong hold, this is not the hairspray for you.  This just gives a very natural-looking hold that Living Proof claims to be resistant to humidity.  I will update this review as soon as the weather is showing signs of high humidity in my area.  It is a good product for those who want natural-looking hairstyles with the added bonus of providing a beautiful shine to your tresses.

The Shades Of U rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Living Proof’s Hold Hairspray is available at Sephora, QVC and Livingproof.com beginning in May 2010; $24, travel $14.

NOTE: A media sample was provided by a representative of the company.  For more information on the matter, please refer to the Disclosure Page.

The Best Hairsprays Ever

The Best Hairsprays Ever

See the sprays real women love

These top-rated hairsprays will hold your 'do in place without making your hair feel like cement. See products

No. 13: PHYTO Phytovolume Actif Volumizer Spray with Keratin Amino Acids, $24

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9

"There is nothing better than this volume spray …"

No. 12: Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper, $14

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.1

"The perfect spray for touchable hair …"

No. 11: Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Hold Design and Finishing Mist, $10.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 9.2

"Retains all of that natural body, movement and …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!

Best Products For Oily Hair

Best Products For Oily Hair

Part ways with your oily strands and start loving your hair again

Are you part of the "I hate my oily hair" club? Well now you can cancel your membership. We've got the best products and remedies to keep your hair under control -- everything from clarifying shampoos that get rid of oily build-up to thickening mousse that helps your thin, oily hair look fuller. See products

No 11: Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion, $23

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.1

"It gives the hair some "tooth" so it's not slippery …"

No 10: Bumble and bumble Sumowax, $27

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.2

"It doesn't weigh down my thick hair, perks up my roots, and lasts …"

No 9: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo, $5.59

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4

"Makes my hair feel deep down clean without stripping the natural oils …"

Want to see what other products made the list? Click here!