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!

-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

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. 

Here at Meleesa the Salon we want to help you control your bangs so you can set the base for a gorgeous and simple hairstyle.

Below is a short tutorial that will make getting ready much simpler!

* Don’t forget that we offer free bang trims between salon visits, so if the problem with your bangs is length, then come on in!

How to maintain the health of your hair, while using a flat iron and enhance your look:

-       Use Bumble and bumble deeep conditioner once a week to restore moisture and to protect from heat damage.

-       Try our new Serie Expert line that has powerdoses to treat everything from weak to heat damaged hair. Come in for your custom treatment and see immediate results.

-       When styling use Bumble and bumble shine spray to add dimension and shine to your finished style.

-       Finish with spray de mode to add seperation and hold for a look that will amp up your sexiness!

Summer is over, but that doesn’t mean you have to fall out of style! Let Meleesa The Salon give you the 411 on this year’s Tope Five Fall Hair Styling Trends….

1. Woven Braids

Whether piled high or loose and low, braids quite a commotion on the fall catwalk. Giving the traditional braid a modern twist, incorporate a hand woven fishtail technique. Start by spritzing Bumble and Bumble dry shampoo or Does it all spray all over to give workable texture. Then pull hair back and divide into two sections at the nape of the neck. Take a small section of hair from each side, criss cross them over the gathered strands, and add to the opposite side. Continue loosely braiding, then secure with an elastic rubber band.

2. DEEP SIDE PARTS

While there was no shortage of center parts on the fall runways, it was the side swept version, artfully accentuated with soft, romantic curls and flapper girl styles that topped our best of list. And the deeper, the better: A side part minimizes a large forehead, plays up pretty eyes, and gives rounder faces the illusion of an oval shape. Which direction you swing toward, however, is entirely up to you.

3. Chunky Waves

Before Bedtime, mist just washed, damp hair with bumble and bumble tonic lotion and a volumizing aerosol spray. Then twirl one-inch sections of hair into spiral braids and let them dry overnight. The next day, after hair has completely dried, wrap one-inch sections of hair around a medium flat iron, after spraying each section with the Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode, alternating the direction each spiral. Let them sit for about thirty seconds or so to heat up thoroughly, then drop the piece of hair and let sit without touching. When you have completed the whole head, shake them out and run your fingers through the hair lightly to get a really nice, loose, ropy wave and it’ll hold all day. Finish with Bumble and Bumble Classic Hairspray or Spray De Mode.

4. HEADBANDS

Models were strutting down the runways in fuzzy, feathered halos. To pull off this hair trend, stick with styles with a little padding over plastic topped with classic bows or feathers. Top off this season’s braided woven look, deep side part with a swingy twenties flair, or the soft chunky waves with one of these Blair Waldorf-style headbands.

5. SLICKED-BACK STRANDS

There’s no hiding behind your hair with this look! But while this pulled back style puts your face in the spotlight, it’s totally wearable. To get this look at home, use lots of gloss to create a “patent leather texture.” We suggest Bumble and Bumble Shine Spray, defrizz, the new and awesome Gela gel and to finish the Classic Hairspray.