Holiday Hair: Colette Malouf Magical Makeovers

Colette Malouf's magical makeovers could convince a bald man that he could work a semi-precious headstrap with sparkly jewels. If your goal is a Snooki pouf, a 60's bombshell boufont, or an Anne Hathaway upsweep a la Vogue photo spread this month, Colette will demonstrate on your hair - or her's - how to get the look.

Hair combs are this season's updater. A shiny row of rhinestones in a multitude of colors may just be the #1 addition to your holiday wardrobe. Of course, there are the famous feathers, rhinestone bobby pins, and leather ones too. If your Prince William has popped the question, peruse the white wedding collection to look like a princess. Hair bijoux prices starting from $5 and a multitude of $15 and $20 picks at 594 Broadway between Houston and Prince - tell them the Guerilla sent you!

~nancy brenhair

GOSSIP GIRL GLAM WITHOUT THE GELT

Ga ga gold prices urging you to look elsewhere for holiday glitter? You won't need a trust fund for Blair-worthy headbands in black patent or pink silk embellished with vintage black lace at the Colette Malouf sample sale. Or Malouf's ethereal gold mesh wire hair pins, combs or barrettes. Don't know the difference between a head wrap and a head strap? Hair styles past a pony are beyond your repertoire? Don't worry. Colette herself will show you how to rock a headwrap, position a peacock pin, sweep your hair into French french knots with sparkly rhinestones and many other tricks of the trade. Creative Colette is like a live Tim Burton exhibit at MoMA, but without the crowds or admission price. Stocking stuffers seekers or those looking for gifts for each day of Chanukah, go to the source where Gossip Girls stylists pick up pieces for Blair. Dress your tresses for less with prices starting from just $5 and many in $15 and $20 range.

Head there now for inspiration - when was the last time you saw a designer at a sample sale? Thursday at 594 Broadway between Houston and Prince - tell them the Guerilla sent you!
~Nancy Brenner

The Best 'Poo and Conditioner

Short story: Go to Ricky's and buy this shampoo/conditioner brought to the masses by Deva Products. The products run between $15-$36 a bottle.

Slightly longer story: I was getting extremely concerned about my oft-color-treated 'do - it was turning into cotton candy and falling out in record volume. My fab hair stylist (Helik at Mario Diab) quickly snapped into action by changing up my hair color a bit and demanding that I go fetch myself some no-poo/low-poo products. I did as he said, and after a couple of weeks I truly noticed a vast improvement in the quality of my wig. Give it a try, I suspect you won't be disappointed. Oh, and stop washing your hair so much!

Bad Hair Day

Look, I am a fan of the idea behind Shop it to Me - the online personal shopper that pushes high-end apparel for sale to you based on your own preferences.

But what models are they using? OK, perhaps is isn't the model's fault. What hairstylist are they using? Check out these shots of two Marc by Marc Jacobs jackets. The only thing I can notice about them is HAIR. BAD HAIR. Like Peg Bundy just rolled out of bed hair - and not in a retro or ironic way. It does not inspire me to buy the underlying apparel.

Helik Hair Hero

I have mentioned Helik-the-hair-genius on these pages before. He currently works at Mario Diab on Crosby St. The only reason I dare mention him is he promised that no matter how popular he gets, he will always have an appointment for me.

I asked him this weekend to give me an "Asian Rocker Chick" hair do. And after attempting to heed my wishes, we both agreed that it was not to be. So he really went to work and created this artistic but not too over-the-top up-do the likes of which I have never seen. It was a first for me - getting an actual "do" like girls do, and it was a big hit at the wedding I attended that night. Had it not been for the bride, my hair might have ended up getting married.

He also colored my hair (single process + highlights). And while the whole experience was not what I would call "inexpensive," it was worth every penny. And likely less cashish than if I had gone uptown (read: Madison Ave.)

My New Hair Secret

OK, so I told you I'd provide full transparency on the whereabouts of my hair wizard, Helik Torres (formerly of Dop Dop Salon), once I had a chance to visit him. Well, I visited him this weekend at his new weekend home: Mario Diab. Set in something of a mini-co-operative business space in Soho at 62 Crosby St., the salon is tucked in the basement (if my short term memory serves me). Completely outfit in black and white, this calm environment allowed me to get my hair done efficiently and effectively in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling mirror while drinking green tea. I was in, I was out (possibly for less money than Dop Dop??) and on my way. With my hair bouncing happily atop my head.

My Hair Guru: MOVED

My hair man, Helik, who I have mentioned on these e-pages before, who has transformed me into the Guerilla Diva you see before you, has left Dop Dop Salon in Soho and moved to...

...I'm not telling you until I go first! But I will confirm that he is still doing hair for the public. Stay tuned.

Fruitful Shopping Weekend: Hair & Coat

This was a most fruitful shopping weekend - I managed to get my hair done on the major cheap, while also doing some significant research of great consequence, for you, my readers...(as well as for me, myself, and I).

Stop #1: My usual fantastic hair man, about whom you have read on these e-pages before (Helik at Dop Dop Salon), was unavailable to attend to my shouting roots. Yes, I may look like a natural blonde, and indeed I feel like one, but I have finally accepted the fact that it takes a lot of hard work to feel like a natural woman. So I was referred by a friend to Sam at Head Quarter Hair Colour Group on 2nd Ave. between 12th-13th Sts. Not only was it a successful outing (hair in photo was taken a mere hour afterwards), but it was CHEAP CHEAP CHEAPedity cheap cheap. Single process, eye brow tinting, cutting and blow out/styling for...$88. I will spell that out, in case you think it may be a typo: EIGHTY EIGHT DOLLARS. I was so thrilled that I tipped in excess of 20%.

So not only was it cheap and good, but it was one of those real "only in New York" experiences. Sam and all but one of the stylists and assistants are group of incredibly hip Japanese boys. Hair, clothes, tattoos - the whole nine. These guys are on point and it worked for me. Is Japanese the new black? Anyway, the salon is completely non descript and un-trendy - white Formica and fluorescent lighting. Quite horrible, in fact. But one way they keep a low overhead, I am sure.

And if that isn't enough, there was another "heeuuuhh?" scenario. There was one middle-aged female stylist in the back corner - I couldn't catch the accent exactly, but she may be Eastern European - and ALL of her clientele were "mature" white women, seemingly from Stuy Town...cruising solid into the East Village on their canes and walkers.

While my explanation may be completely edging on offensive and non-PC, I couldn't keep it to myself. Cheap+Hip Japanese+Old Ladies+white Formica+fluorescent lighting=New York just has to be the greatest place in the Western World.

Stop #2: I have written good and bad words about An Ren - at 315 East 9th Street - on this blog before. But ultimately, she has incredibly unique styles, fabrics and designs...and she did not disappoint me on that front this weekend either. I just can't get enough of her coats and jackets, and might be more inclined to buy them and her other wares - but I am a giant American with the shoulders and back of a swimmer. This seems to limit what I can fit into when it comes to the downtown indie designer set.

However! I managed to fit into the coat pictured here - and I love it. It is a bit more cash than I am interested in spending (about $325), but the material, colors and design is really like nothing I have ever seen. It could arguably be worn as a dress in a bit cooler weather.

Stay tuned for more shopping triumphs from the weekend...

Chi Hair Straightener

The mighty Chi.

My hairdresser (Helik at Dop Dop Salon in Soho) spent months, nay YEARS trying to convince me to buy the Chi hair straightener. But I didn't. Because my hair isn't curly. OK, it's really because I am cheap.

But as I was growing my hair out I realized I could no longer afford NOT to have one of these things. It literally saved my hair-do at its most awkward point, and therefore saved my life by association. I actually bought it at Dop Dop for about $80-$90, which was oddly cheaper than buying it at a drug store or related venue.

My Hair Secret: Helik at Dop Dop Salon (in Soho)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Your hair is not a place to cut corners! (no pun intended) You may have to spend more money than you want to, or than your husband/significant other wants you to. Tough. Do it. It will make you look better, feel better and give you something to look forward to every 6 weeks or so...8 weeks at the longest. This is where you can spend the money that you've saved after utilizing effective Guerilla Shopping technique!

OK, now that I've scolded you, I will offer an olive branch and let you in on my hair secret. His name is Helik (pictured above) and you can catch him at Dop Dop Salon in Soho on Fridays and Saturdays. I'm only telling you this because he promised that if I wrote about him, he would always make sure that I get an appointment no matter how popular he becomes. And I shall hold him to this!

Not only is he a great hairstylist and colorist who also does hair for photoshoots all over the world, but he's a cool, friendly guy who removes the tedium that can sometimes come along with getting one's hair colored. I often spend more than three hours with him! Additionally, Dop Dop Salon provides a laid back atmosphere with some decent people-watching opportunity as well as free candy and soda (they always get me with that!). So don't fear the trendier-than-thou neighborhood - this place is something of an oasis for the down-to-earthlings among us.

Most imporantly, remember: Friends Don't Let Friends Go to Supercuts!