After watching this video, Meleesa recommends as a volumizing mousse, to use Thickening Spray by Bumble and Bumble, or Styling Creme for more volume and expand. Also to finish up use a Hairspray like Does it All or Spray de MOde, to smooth out and protect from humidity. When Back combing use a boar bristle brush like Mason Pearson or Denman to create that soft puff effect.

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!

1. Give Yourself a Smooth Blowout

Using a blow-dryer rather than an iron to straighten hair creates a softer, more natural look. First, blot excess water with a microfiber towel. Then remove the dryer’s nozzle and sweep damp hair from side to side with your fingers while blasting it; do this until hair is almost dry. Reattach the nozzle and, working in three-inch sections, pull each one out to the side using a paddle brush—keep your thumb on top of the bristles to help tightly pull the hair smooth all the way through to the ends. Run the dryer up and down each section until dry.

2. Create a Romantic Chignon

A rumpled texture and casual pinning make the standard bun look sexier and more youthful. Use a large curling iron to create loose waves (if your hair is naturally wavy, let it air-dry). Gather your hair loosely at the nape and twist it around just once so the bun drapes low. Then, instead of wrapping it with an elastic, stick long bobby pins into the bun haphazardly to secure it, which keeps the style from becoming too tight.

3. Wear Hair Halfway Back

To make this style more grown-up, take the top section of your hair from temple to temple and lightly tease the underside with a paddle brush. Skim the brush over the surface of hair to smooth it, then secure at the back of the crown with a simple metal or tortoiseshell barrette.

4. Get Big, Bouncy Curls

Nothing says “bombshell” like a flowing heap of curls. (See style on the left.) Apply mousse throughout damp hair, followed by a little serum on the ends, then blow-dry without a brush. Use a one-inch curling iron to roll hair sections up, from the ends to the scalp, and hold each there for a second. After sliding out the iron, pin the curls to the head. When they’ve cooled, release the curls and fluff them with a brush.

5. Make a Messy Doorknob Knot

Step 1. Flip your head upside down and finely mist your roots and hairline with an aerosol hair spray. (This makes the hair a bit coarse, which keeps the style in place.) For fine hair, tease the roots before spraying for fullness. If you have curly hair, skip the spray and instead rub in a dab of styling lotion.

Step 2. Lift your head up, rake your fingers through your hair, then gather it in a loose ponytail just above the nape of your neck. Wrap a thick elastic band around the base twice.

Step 3. Wrap the elastic around a third time, but pull the hair only halfway through, so the knob is on top and the ends poke out underneath. Pull out a few wisps around your face for softness, and tuck any longer pieces behind your ears.

Best Rosy Cheeks

Christina Hendricks’s look, created by Vanessa Scali, was a study in contrasts: shiny strawberry lips paired with bare eyes, sheer stained cheeks on top of matte alabaster skin. To fake that natural flush, Scali used shu uemura Satin Radiant Blush Stick, which contains tiny particles of pearl for barely-there shimmer. The overall result? Ultra-feminine and timelessly appealing.

Best Frosty Lips

Bohemian Kate Hudson is not one to layer on the makeup, but that doesn’t mean she can’t rock it out when she needs to. “Golden Globes makeup is all about the dress,” said her makeup artist, Leslie Lopez. “When I saw Kate in her gorgeous white dress, I knew we had to go for sophisticated, pretty, and Grace Kelly-inspired look.” The key to those radiant lips? Chanel Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine in Malta. “It’s the perfect sheer and subtle peach,” says Lopez.

Best Colored Shadow

Shots of color on the eyes always feels like a bold move, but not when you choose a soft and subtle lavender shade like Emily Blunt. “Emily wore a pink frilly dress, so we wanted the makeup to be beautiful, soft and feminine,” says Dior makeup artist Jenn Streicher, who created the look. The makeup artist blended aubergine and silvery shadows around the star’s eyes, followed with black mascara, and kept the lips a glossy, barely-there pink.

Best Pink Lipstick

Pink lipstick can sometimes feel like an afterthought, but Olivia Wilde got the shade exactly right: A vivid peony hue with a satiny, opaque finish. (We also give extra points for earthy smoky eyes, and a glam ‘70s-inspired ponytail.)

Best Classic Look

Drew Barrymore is the ultimate beauty chameleon—raspberry lips, sooty eyes, black tips, anyone? But this look created by makeup artist Debra Ferullo was clean, precise, and every bit as striking as even her wildest risks. “I chose to keep the eye fairly bare because the dress was such a statement—I didn’t want to throw the look over-the-top,” said Ferullo. As for that gorgeous lip, Ferullo used Dior Addict Lipstick in Hollywood Rose. “I felt like Drew could handle that punch of color,” she said. As for us, well, we love the understated sophistication of minimal eye makeup, fresh porcelain skin, and silky, rosy lips.

Best Headband

A style as adorable as January Jones’s is all about the prep-work. “I started by applying a small amount of Moroccanoil Treatment to January’s damp hair before blow-drying with a roundbrush,” said her stylist, Mark Townsend. “It gives the hair an amazing shine and finish.” He then gathered the hair into a French twist, pinned it in place, and finished with a wide satin headband. “I thought it added a chic, modern touch,” says Townsend. We couldn’t agree more.

Best Waves

We can’t help it. We will never, ever, ever get sick of Julia Roberts’s beachy blond waves. We love the pairing of a strict center part with piecey, bohemian curls. The overall effect? A look that’s free-spirited, coolly confident, and entirely covetable.

Best Fake-out Style

Sandra Bullock is having a long hair moment, but you wouldn’t know it from this chin-length look created by Frederic Fekkai celebrity stylist Adir Abergel. We love the unexpected asymmetrical cluster, and the way a single daring tendril added a playful, girlish touch.

Best Jeweled Accessory

We’ll be honest—sometimes well-defined waves can feel too formal for our taste. Rose Byrne’s waves, created by John Frieda celebrity stylist Harry Josh, were one part crimp and one part curl, with equal portions of softness and shape. “I went for old school Hollywood style with a modern twist,” said Josh. “The shape and silouette are classic, but I roughed it up and loosened the waves to make the look less uptight.” The pin-straight part kept things from getting too unruly, and of course, her sparkly barrette was, ahem, icing on the cake.

Best Updo

Lea Michele has gorgeous raven hair—and tons of it. We love the way this low, textured updo, created by stylist Miok, showed-off that volume, rather than tucking it away. The off-the-neck cluster also showcased her sculpted cheeks and lush eyelashes; the deep side part added a retro twist.

Post originally from :Instyle 

-CHEAT SHEET: HOW TO BLOWDRY-

*AFTER SHOWERING, BLOT WATER FROM HAIR AND STEP OUT OF THE BATHROOM.

Humidity is what causes frizz. Apply the appropriate styling products and comb. Some great Bumble products that control excess frizz are grooming crème and defrizz. Grooming crème is an oil based styling product that lightly controls frizz and gives hair a soft sheen. Defrizz is a silicon based product that fights stronger and more unruly frizz.

*REMOVE THE BLOW DRYER’S EXTRA NOZZLE AND SET IT TO HIGH HEAT AT A MEDIUM SPEED.

For fine hair, choose the lowest speed to keep hair from flattening.

*BLAST THE ROOTS, WHILE RAKING YOUR FINGERS THROUGH YOUR HAIR,

fluffing it to the left and then to the right. Stop when hair is 95% dry. Gather the hair that frames your face and clip it up.

*TO FINISH THE SIDES AND BACK, USE A ROUND BRUSH.

Reattach the nozzle and change the settings to high speed and high heat. Pull each section taut at a 90 degree angel from your face, running the dryer up and down the section, always pointing the nozzle down towards the floor.

*RELEASE THE CLIPPED HAIR AND ROLL IT AROUND A ROUND BRUSH IN SECTIONS.

Pull hair straight up toward the ceiling (or straight out at eye level if hair is long) and roll it back to the scalp before releasing.

*EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF MOISTURE WILL LEAD TO FRIZZ,

so hit the cool shot button for a few minuets at the end of blowout, and feel for any damp spots.

*RUB A PEA SIZED DROP OF LIGHT WEIGHT SERUM

between your palms and skim them over hair. Skip this step if hair is fine, and mist it with a hair spray like does it all.

-TIPS FOR FINE HAIR-

*VOLUMIZERS WITH A LOT OF ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE FRIZZ.

Look for an alcohol-free spray or mousse that has moisturizing panthenol (also called provitamin B5). Like Loreal Serie Volume Expand.

*A LITTLE LIGHTWEIGHT HAIR SPRAY CAN KEEP A BLOWOUT FROM FALLING FLAT.

Try Bumble and Bumble Does it All.

-THICK/CURLY HAIR-

*TO PREVENT FRIZZ AND FLYAWAYS, SPRITZ A HEAT-PROTECTING SPRAY

-MAKING IT LAST-

*TO NIX OILY ROOTS AND ADD VOLUME AFTER THE FIRST DAY, first apply a little dry shampoo, ideally in a spray form and lightly massage your scalp with fingers

*WHEN IT RAINS, TWIST BLOWN OUT HAIR INTO A LOW TIGHT CHIGNON AND SECURE IT WITH LARGE U-SHAPED PINS. Release the hair when you’re back inside. In winter, keep your ends sleek by leaving them tucked under the collar of your coat whenever you go outside.

*BEFORE YOU GO TO THE GYM, TWIST HAIR INTO A BUN AND SECURE IT WITH BIG U-SHAPE PINS. Position a terry band at your hairline to hold back layers; place it over bangs to keep them flat and smooth. Wait until your hair is dry before removing the band and pins.

*IF COARSE HAIR BEGINGS TO GET FRIZZY, SMOOTH IT BY SPRITZING A HEAT- PROTECTANT PRODUCT ON HAIR and running a flat iron over the outer layers. A small half-inch iron is good for taming the tiny hair around the face.

*REFRESH A BOWOUT THAT HAS FALLEN FLAT WITH A LIGHT SPRITZ OF WATER OR TONIC over the hairline and part. This will reactivate the product that’s already in your hair. (skip this if your hair tends to turn frizzy)

*WHEN A BLOWOUT IS ON ITS LAST LEG, REVIVE YOUR HAIR BY TWIRLING IT in large sections around a one-inch barrel curling iron. This smoothes hair and creates soft waves.

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.

So many holiday parties, such little time!

Are you looking for a simple makeup look to compliment all of your beautiful party dresses? Look no further, Marie from Addiction Cosmetics NV is here to show you how to recreate a simple but beautiful holiday inspired look.

Step 1: Prep your skin with a small amount of “baby’s butt” skin primer. This will smooth over your pores, fine lines, and will prep the skin’s surface for the rest of your makeup.

Step 2: Use “rehab” concealer under your eyes and on blemishes. Lightly pat the concealer to smooth out the color.

Step 3: Use a pea sized amount of liquid to powder mineral foundation to even out your skin tone.

Step 4: Use translucent powder to seal in the foundation.

Step 5: Now to add that holiday glow! Use mineral shimmer powder in “champagne” to lightly dust over your cheekbones, eyelids and brow bones. The shimmer will accent the areas where light normally hits. This adds a beautiful glow and is perfect for the holidays.

Step 6: To accent the champagne shimmer use “scene” black/gold eyeliner with a subtle gold shimmer. To keep the look simple don’t line the inside of your eyes, just the outside. You can either line it with a basic line or you can extend the liner out a bit for a more dramatic cat-eye.

Step 7: To add a little more color, use “cocktail” blush. The beauty of this blush is that it picks up on variation in skin tone and adds a subtle pop of color. Add the color just to the cheekbones.

Step 8: To add the final touch, try one of the many different colors of Addiction NV lip gloss colors. “Have a mojito” is a great color to compliment the “champagne” dust.

Want some more tips or help creating a holiday makeup look unique to you? Come in and visit the Addiction Cosmetics NV table and have Marie show you our fabulous holiday colors and all of the basics that you can build each style on.

Check out the new Addiction website at: Posted in holiday makeup how to, free makeup touchups, addiction cosmetics NV, makeup how to, looking great for the holidays, holiday cheek shimmer, new years makeup, winter makeup, winter looks, even skin tone, shimmer, gorgeous skin, cat eye, sexy makeup, sexy eyes, holiday eye makeup, golden makeup, makeup huntington beach, makeup newport beach, makeup costa mesa, main street, downtown huntington beach, makeover, makeup, makeup touch ups, meleesa the salon, holiday looks, cheek shimmer, simple holiday makeup, holiday party style, holiday makeup, gorgeous makeup looks, Uncategorized | No Comments »

1. Corkscrew Curls

The only corkscrew you want this season is one that opens a bottle of wine. “There’s nothing flattering about tight curls on anyone over the age of seven,” says hairstylist Mark Townsend. “For a more modern wave, wrap hair around the outside of the barrel of a curling iron, leaving the ends straight for texture.” Once all the hair is curled, break up the ringlets by raking through a little bit of texturizer. The result: “Curls look more uneven and natural.”

2. Milkmaid Braids

If you look like you could work on a Swedish dairy farm, your braids are too tight. “You always want hair to look touchable,” says Townsend. For a less severe style, resist parting hair down the middle—it’s flattering on almost no one—and instead “loosely pull your hair straight back and make whatever style braid you do a little messy by spraying it lightly with dry shampoo and mussing it with your hands.”

3. Tendrils

They’re really old-fashioned (and not in a cool, retro way). “There is nothing more unattractive than tendrils, especially when they’re obviously pulled out of a finished style,” says Townsend. Rather than deliberately placing stray hairs (or, even worse, curling them), just let loose hairs fall where they may: “It gives a modern touch to an often classic look.”

4. Hair Spray Overload

Remember: You’re walking into a party, not a wind tunnel. The problem here is not just your trigger finger, but holding the spray can too close to your head. “The product doesn’t have time to dry, so you end up with sticky, wet-looking hair,” Townsend explains. If you can’t hold the hair spray or shine spray 12 inches away from your head (and let’s face it, who can?), your best bet is to spritz the product on your palms and run them over your style. “That way, hair is beautiful and touchable all over,” Townsend says. (Using a lightweight spray doesn’t hurt.)

6. A Cheesy Half-Updo

The hairstyle of the commitment-phobe (you can’t bear to put it all up, but don’t want to leave it all down) often leaves hair looking top-heavy. “A common faux pas is pulling too much hair up,” says hairstylist Mark Townsend. To keep the balance, make sure hair is pulled diagonally upward and secured above the start of the nape of the neck—no higher. “Brush key areas, the hairline and forehead, with an eyebrow brush lightly coated with hair spray to keep them in place,” Townsend says.

7. Decking Your Head With Too Many Ornaments

If there’s a headband, there can’t be a clip. If you’re all about barrettes, one is safe, and two can be cool if they’re stuck in in a random way, as they were at Dolce & Gabbana. And remember the cardinal rule of hair accessories: Don’t wear them with big earrings or a serious necklace.

8. Poker-Straight Hair

“Straight hair can be gorgeous, but it still has to move,” says Townsend. To keep it from hanging too close to the head, he recommends spritzing roots with thickening spray and blow-drying with a round brush before tackling it with an iron. “I hit just the very bottom of the hair with an iron,” he says. “That way, you can still see the layers.”

9. Slicked-Back Updo

There’s a difference between a classic upsweep and giving yourself a temporary eye lift with a night updo. The trick, says Townsend: “If you’re going to pull hair really tight, don’t slick it back with too much product. Instead, use a small amount of styling cream to tame flyaways, and that’s it.” Also, consider your part: If you do decide to incorporate one into the style, make sure it makes sense. “If you’re doing a low bun, it’s a great time to go for a part—but if you’re doing something higher, just pull the hair straight back,” Townsend says.

10. Teased Bangs

The ’80s may be making a comeback in fashion, but that doesn’t mean it has to hit your look over the head. The biggest culprit here: “using a round brush when blowing out bangs,” says Townsend. To cut volume, dry your bangs with a flat boar-bristle brush. And watch the gunk factor: “Don’t ever use a shine- or silicone-based spray on your bangs,” Townsend says. “It will clump hair together and make it look greasy.”