Team 1: Meleesa and Ashley

Challenge: Lee

It is impossible to say enough good things about Meleesa and the salon, or should I say “community” that she has created.  I have been a client of Meleesa’s for many years now and up until recently I have never been brave enough to take risks with my hairstyle.  One of the best things about my experiences at Meleesa is that no matter how much or how little I choose to do for a haircut I always leave there feeling stylish.

When Melessa told me about the makeover challenge I was so excited.  It was time to try something completely out of my comfort zone.  I put my trust into the hands of Melessa and Ashley and the results…FABULOUS!  My new look gets me compliments on a daily basis and I am so glad that I let them work their magic because it was a success and I have bangs for the first time in my life!

On a personal note, I just love going into the salon.  Everyone is so friendly and it does feel like a true neighborhood small business with big city style.  I wouldn’t go anywhere else!  Lee Ann Salkowitz

Team 2: Veruska

Challenge : Betsy

Team 3: Adrienne and Jess

Challenge: Parissa

I am so thankful to know all of the gals at Meleesa The Salon! These girls are talented artists and stylists who have so much passion for what they do! I have been going to Meleesa The Salon for about a year and am always recommending it to friends and family! A little over a year and a half ago I had to make a choice to better my life, my health, and my overall being. So, what did I do? I ran out and bought a pair of running shoes and started walking and then running by the beach.I needed to be the best Parissa I could be. I also took control of my eating habits and focused on foods that would help me and not hurt me. With time it paid off and shortly there after I met the sweet girls at Meleesa The Salon. Going to Meleesa’s was such a perk and reward. Each time I left the salon, I left with a smile. I truly began to get my spring back in my step. Everyone who leaves the salon leaves with a smile!!! I have personally observed this.
People on the streets would notice the smile and true happiness on my face and say hello and compliment my looks. I felt so good, like a princess! It helped to bring the encouragment in my life that I so needed.  When Adrienne and Jessica approached me about the makeover challenge I was super thrilled! I love a challenge and this was yet another chance to experience something amazing! I went home and danced around my living room and couldn’t believe that I had been selected. Adrienne and Jessica who I like to call “Team Awesome” did just that! They are two awesome artists who have hearts of gold! Their time, dedication, and collaborative efforts produced what you see in my after photo. If there is someone that has truly been touched by this makeover challenge, I would say it is me. Thanks Adrienne and Jessica for making a difference in my life and for bringing back the smile on my face. By the way, can I say it was sooo much fun doing the hair, make up, tan, and photos!!! Wow! What an experience! If I could, I’d do it again and I’d want it the exact same way!  I wouldn’t change a thing

Photography: www.jimkennedyphotographers.com

Get your votes in soon! Voting ends at the end of February. Make sure you tell your friends about the contest so we can get more votes in!

Here at Meleesa the Salon we strive to offer our clients the newest and best services available. We are proud to announce a new service called “Brazilian Blowouts” that helps tame wild, frizzy, and curly hair. We love it so much we wanted to share some info about it that we found in this blog:  

So, I’m friends with celebrity hairstylist Andy LeCompte on Facebook, and I noticed the other day that he posted a link to Nicole Richie’s blog, where she was raving about a new hair treatment she gets at Andy’s salon. I had to message him right away and get the scoop for you!

I did a little (okay, huge, by blog standards) Q&A with Andy and Liz, the stylist at his salon who gives Nicole her Brazilian treatments. Here ya go, girlfriends:

Can you explain to our readers what exactly a Brazilian blowout is, and how it’s different from Japanese straightening?
Liz: The Brazilian Blowout is different from Japanese straightening and other Brazilian straighteners because it doesn’t completely straighten the hair. The hair still has plenty of volume and body and can still be worn curly or wavy. The Brazilian just softens whatever curl or wave you have. If the hair is air dried without a blow dryer, it will still have wave or curl but no frizz. On the flip side, if you want to blow dry your hair straight, you can do that, without a brush, in a fraction of the amount of time it would have taken without the Brazilian. Also, with other methods, there is a line of demarcation, meaning that when new hair grows in, it is curly/ wavy while the rest of the hair is straight. This blowout method washes away with time and is diffused, so there is no noticeable difference between new hair and treated hair. Other methods also have harsh chemicals in them like formaldehyde. The Brazilian Blowout does NOT have formaldehyde in it. And none of the chemicals in it are carcinogenic.

Other than Nicole, which of your other celebrity clients are doing this?
Andy: I know Ashley Tisdale has come in for it, and also Lindsay Lohan. I’m sure many more are doing it, and even more will be soon. It’s still rather new and is suddenly catching on, primarily because of the new formaldehyde-free formulation. I have only recently started recommending to my clients because of that, and because I know what results they can expect.

What’s the process of getting this done like?
It’s relatively simple compared to other Brazilian straighteners and Japanese straightening methods. The hair is washed with a clarifying shampoo, solution is applied, the hair is dried, I flat iron the hair to seal in the solution, rinse the solution out, apply a conditioning mask and blow dry. The entire treatment takes 1 to 1 1/2 hours, depending on how much hair the client has.

Can you describe the results a little more for us?
Liz: It literally gives everyone “wash and wear” hair. It allows clients to have freedom to enjoy activities they may have in the past because they didn’t want to get their hair wet and have to spend an hour redoing it. You’re no longer a slave to your hair. You can do whatever you want–work out, swim–without having to think about not getting your hair wet, because you know you will be able to make it look great in 15 minutes with just a simple blow dry. The treatment simply washes away over time and your hair returns to its normal state, so if you don’t like it, you don’t have to worry about having to cut all your hair off to get rid of it. The Brazilian Blowout lasts for up to 3 months.

Nicole’s blog was quite an endorsement! 
Andy: Despite being a new mom with a very busy schedule, for the first time in her life she can come out of the shower and do nothing to her hair. For Nicole in the past, washing her hair was always a process that took at least an hour. So being able to get out of the shower and do nothing and just let her hair air dry is a real privilege.

Meleesa recently worked the Diane’s Swimwear “Holiday 2009” photo shoot. To create these soft tousled looks all it takes are four bumble products: styling lotion, surf spray, spray de mode and hair powder. The best part about these styles is they are all adaptations of the basic ‘beach hair’ style. Follow the instructions below to create the basic style and each adaptation.

Day One: The basic beach wave.

Day Two: Adding a braid ‘headband’.

Day Three: Creating a twist ‘headband’.

Day Four: Sultry updo with twist headband.

You can spice up any of these styles by adding smaller loose braids throughout the look, or by adding a decorative clip.

 But any way you look at it, this is a great way to extend your style, look great, and save time!

 Looking for more tips or want to learn how to do this with a stylist? Make an appointment with Meleesa or any of our other stylists for a styling lesson and learn how to creatively reinvent your everyday style in an hour ‘one on one’ styling class.

Book one now, or check prices at 714-969-7199.

You are probably looking at this post and thinking, ‘Un-boring? Is that even a word?’ But once you check out the styles featured on this post, you will understand the title. These hairstyles look great on anyone and will never leave you bored or wishing you had done something different!

Check out each style and its description below.

“Piece” out:

Don’t be fooled by the photo, this style works for those of us with longer hair too. This works especially well with bangs and is a simple way to spice up your everyday look. All it takes is a product with hold that will allow hair to piece together. Bumble carries products that can create a level of hold for every taste.

Are you looking for a very soft more natural piecey look? Then grooming crème is perfect for you. Add a small amount to palms and rub through slightly damp hair. When your hair dries it will have a mild separation and natural shine to it.

If you want more of a medium hold use bumble’s spray de mode as a finishing hairspray on any style and then use your fingers to work your hair into pieces.

For a more dramatic look similar to Rhianna’s, try using sumotech, which can be warmed up in palms and then worked through the sections of hair you want to have that extra hold and separation. (Note: this is a much stronger hold so this works best on shorter hair.)

The infamous ‘lob’:

This is a look that has formed as celebrities show us that sometimes they don’t even get their hair cut on time! Similar to the celebrity hybrid couples out there (ex: Brangelina) it is a combination of ‘long’ and ‘bob’. The appeal of this style is obvious, it is very low maintenance and it is a very face flattering look. If you are looking to get this haircut, make sure you print out a photo to show your stylist. However, if you forget you can just ask for a medium length bob with blunt ends, cut slightly shorter in the back.

Blunt crop:

Just the way it sounds, this style is a simple way to jet out of those hair blahs that can come with the season. Just imagine this hairstyle paired with all of those cowl neck sweaters and dangling earrings. This is a great way to show off the nape of your neck and to keep turning heads.

The side-pinup:

This style is cross-generationally sexy. Your grandmothers made men weak in the knees with this look, and now it is your turn. This style takes a bit more work, but the pay-off will make it worth every curl.

To achieve this look: start by spraying damp hair all over with either tonic spray or prep spray then over that spray styling spray to give your hair mild hold and to tame some frizz. Part hair to one side and then blow-dry your hair through until it is completely dry.

Start by individually spraying ½ inch – 1-inch sections of hair with spray de mode hairspray using a light mist. Using a medium barrel curling iron wrap each ½ inch – 1-inch section of hair around the barrel, wrapping hair closer to the scalp around the iron first and working your way down to the ends. Heat until desired amount of curl is reached. Spray finished style with either spray de mode or classic hairspray to set the curls. Then, on the side of your hair where your part is, sweep your hair behind your ear and secure with a clip just behind the ear.

5 p.m. braid:

This style looks great with a set of bangs or loose face-framing layers. Any braid can work: fish-tail, regular, French. So just pick your favorite and pull hair back into a low pony-tail, spraying hair with classic hairspray to tame fly-aways, and begin braiding! Or find a friend who is a braiding expert and enlist their help.

Bedhead bun:

This look works best with hairstyles that have face-framing layers. Don’t have any? Ask your stylist to add some to your ‘do. Make sure you tell them the length you want for your shortest layers so that you don’t end up with hair that is too short! Once you have the look, go ahead and have fun with this messy bun look. You can keep it simple and do a minimal amount of style or you can style your hair similar to the side-pinup description above. Then just pull all of your long hair into either a loose bun or a low ponytail. You can even dress it up by adding a decorative clip. The best thing about this look? You can make it as casual or as sexy as you like!

Poufy updo:

This is a tried and true classic. This look can add a dash of classy to any casual outfit. This is a simple way to upgrade any look for any event and, once again, is effortless.

For this look it is best to start with hair that is 1-2 days “old” or, if you want to start it out with clean hair, try using our spray bumble hair powder to add some grit to clean hair. This will make it easier to put hair into an updo. Once hair has been prepped with hair powder, gather a 1 – 2 inch wide section of hair at the top of your head, spray with classic hairspray and then using a fine-tooth comb lightly tease gathered section on the underside. Pull the rest of hair back into a loose or tight pony-tail (depending on desired look) and then pull top section back creating a pouf at the top of your head. Secure with bobby pins and then spray again with classic hairspray all over to secure the style.

High-tight pony:

Does it get any easier? With this sleek look all it takes is hair that has been straightened to start off. Then, just spray hair lightly with hair powder to create grit then pull hair back into a pony tail that is close to the crown of your head. To secure the look, finish with a strong hair spray like classic hairspray or spray de mode or something even stronger. If you want to add shine use shine spray as a finisher with a gentle mist all over your hair. 

Curly Hair Tips:

1 - Start by using a curl supportive shampoo and conditioner, they normally are specially formulated to hydrate and revive curls. Meleesa recomends, Curl Consious by bumble and bumble

2 - Using a masque to revive and awaken curls is a great weekly must! Curl masque for sure meleesa’s pick

3 - Always comb our curls with a wide tooth comb in the shower meanwhile the conditioner is on, this will prevent the curls from starting to frizz.

4 - Wrap you hair on a towel and get all the excess moisture out.

5 - Unwrap the hair and shake loosely avoiding breaking the curls up. “remember curls like to live in families, if you separate them they get unhappy and Frizz!” meleesa explains

6 - Apply Curl Creme by bumble and bumble , squeeze about a quarter size of creme ( size depends on how thick and long the hair is) this is for shoulder length hair moderate density. Work the creme on your palms and distribute root to ends, don’t forget the bottom of the hair so get in there gently.

7 - Start by separating hair and twirling curls, we do this to break the natural pattern and loosen the curl, if you want to tighten the curl twirl tighter. (use your finger like when you think to hard and twist your hair around your finger)

8 - Scrunch with a towel to remove excess moisture and pump curl up.

9 - Air dry for a softer look or diffuse for more dramatic look

10 - Enjoy and embrace your Curls! All curls are unique, this are a few tips to help you out, if you want more inforation and want to learn how to work with your unique curls, make an apointment today with Meleesa or Adrienne 714-969-7199

www. bumbleandbumble.com for more information on curl line

Hopefully you haven’t been missing our in-house beauty nights! We had our latest one last Friday and it was a blast. We were celebrating the introduction of our new treatment line Serie Expert from Loreal’s Professional line. We spent the night giving free blowouts with customized treatment packages to 50 of our clients! There was even free food and great music. Make sure you don’t miss out! Here are some wrap up photos from the night, if you want to see more pictures from this event and from the Addiction Cosmetics beauty night, check us out on facebook!

If you still want your customized treatment, make sure to book a happy hour blowout (still Wednesdays and Fridays, still only $35!), and request the treatment!

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Hair

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that count — it’s what you put in your body, too.

By Hilary Parker

WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

“Lather, rinse, repeat” may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won’t give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you’ll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen.

Healthy Hair Food No. 1: Salmon

When it comes to foods that pack a beauty punch, it’s hard to beat salmon. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron.

Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats

Healthy Hair Food No. 2: Dark Green Vegetables

Popeye the Sailor Man didn’t eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body’s natural hair conditioner.

Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

Healthy Hair Food No. 3: Beans

Beans, beans, they’re good for your … hair?

Yes, it’s true. Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

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Healthy Hair Food No. 4: Nuts

Do you go nuts for thick, shiny hair? You should.

Brazil nuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.

Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

 Healthy Hair Food No. 5: Poultry

Chickens and turkeys may have feathers, but the high-quality protein they provide will help give you the healthy hair you crave.

“Without adequate protein or with low-quality protein, one can experience weak brittle hair, while a profound protein deficiency can result in loss of hair color,” Giancoli tells WebMD.

Poultry also provides iron with a high degree of bioavailability, meaning your body can easily reap its benefits.

Healthy Hair Food No. 6: Eggs

When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn’t matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they’re served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find.

Eggs also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

Healthy Hair Food No. 7: Whole Grains

Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins.

A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you’ve still got hours to go before dinner.

Healthy Hair Food No. 8: Oysters

Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair — and who doesn’t love that?

The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc — a powerful antioxidant.

If oysters don’t make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don’t despair. In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

 Healthy Hair Food No. 9: Low-Fat Dairy Products

Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium, an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources.

For some healthy hair foods “to-go,” try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

Healthy Hair Food No. 10: Carrots

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision.

Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you’d be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

Don’t’ miss out on the opportunity to be pampered for practically nothing!

$35 gets you a wash, customized blowout, makeup application, and drinks on the house!

Make your appointment today! Happy Hour is every Wednesday and Friday so you can look good midweek or just in time to go out on Friday!

Everyone has seen those treacherous wedding photos from the 80’s and 90’s. Big hair, big sleeves, BIG mistake! Weddings are a special event that you want to look back on and enjoy the memories, rather than cringe at the bad hair and makeup you chose.

Many brides make the mistake of not thinking hair and makeup are an important part of getting married, but they will regret that decision in 10 to 15 years! Meleesa the Salon offers many different packages and VIP treatments to not only pamper you on your special day, but to create that timeless, beautiful, and unique look you want.

You want a salon that specializes in weddings and can cater to your needs. Packages have options that can include hair ranging from blowouts to updos, airbrush makeup, airbrush tanning, and permanent or temporary hair extensions to create length!

Our stylists will create an amazing customized look for you by meeting with you in a complimentary consultation to discuss your dream look. Bridal hair and makeup trials are also available so you can see what works and what doesn’t.

Meleesa the Salon is well connected in the Bridal community in Los Angeles and Orange County and can even introduce you to great photographers or dress makers.

We are here for you and would love to meet with you! Call the Salon and set up a meeting with any of our stylists. And check out some of our work below!