I guess you could say Hairdresser On Fire has been on some kind of Halfie-Hiatus over the last few months..but only a halfie, because I’ve been super busybusy with collaborations. Along with the Physique 57 tutorial series, I’ve also done some videos recently with Divine Caroline! I’m very proud of them and hope you’ll take a look! I mean, they are full of some of the best/worst puns and one liners my career has ever seen. For instance, I proudly suggest grabbing “Mer-tinis” with your mer-friends after completing a beautiful Mermaid Pony.

RIGHT?

At least watch them so you can make fun of me! (I swear, as I’ve aged I’ve become nearly unembarrassable, much to the dismay (entertainment) of my friends and family.)

Below are the ten videos:

Retro Curls

Horseshoe Braid

Low-Messy Side Bun

How to use a hairpin

Playful French Twist

Party Bun

Mermaid Beach Hair

Mermaid Pony Tail (with a bungee)

Getting Volume with a blow dryer

Fishtail Headband

Thank you for reading, and also for watching! This team at Meredith/Divine Caroline is a lot of fun!

I recently did a collaborative series of workout tutorials with Physique 57, featuring 3 ways to wear your hair in and out of the gym!

I hope you’ll go take a look. They include me, my friend Kristen, my friend Holly, and my friend Ty who photographed the series!

Click here for The Braid at the Barre with Holly

Click Here for the Pony Up with Kristen

And click here for the Zipper Braid at the Barre with Me

In this second episode of “In a Hairry”, I do my hair for a very special night in. Watch the video to not only see who this mystery date is, but also to see if I can complete my “60s Hair Headband” in time!

Hairdresser on Fire – In A Hairry – The Date from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

I’m not going to say that this has to be for Valentine’s day, but it does make good date hair, am I right? And when I say date, you know I mean a night out/in with any of the following: your boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, the Lifetime Movie Network, Netflix, your favorite Brazilian, some Chinese take-out, a good book, a glass/bottle of wine, your kids, your cats, etc.

Instructions for my 60s Hair Headband:

Part your hair as desired.

Grab a section of hair above your ear, but far enough down that it will be covered by the hair on top of your head.

Cross the section of hair to the other side of your head, smoothing as you go and pin in place.

Repeat on the other side.

Optional: Tease the crown of your head for more volume.

Theme song by Imagination Head and video Directed and Filmed by Joe Varca!

Curls made with this one inch Marcel iron
Stila Lipstain

My 29th birthday was on Monday (February 4th). Yay! If you are interested, I’d love to share how I celebrated!

I had a plan to go to Verameat in the East Village and pick out a piece of jewelry for a present to myself with my friend Anna, but then we ended up going early because they had a huge sale on January 31st! I felt so lucky that Anna noticed the sale and told me about it. I was able to pick out a few pieces that I wouldn’t have splurged on otherwise. Like this spine duster and feather ring. I also bought a “little teeny” (as I call it) ring that goes inbetween my knuckles. Those rings have always reminded me of my mama, who wears more rings than anyone I know. My siblings and I joke that when she’s late for something, it’s because she’s still putting on rings.

On the day of, I celebrated pretty casually, but still had a beautiful dinner with some of my best girlfriends at a great restaurant downtown. We went to Freeman’s on the Lower East Side, where I had a white bean soup with a side of roasted brussles sprouts. My friends were so sweet to treat me to dinner and fancy drinks, which made me feel even more special considering it was nice enough of them to come out on such a cold night (which might be the worst part of a winter birthday!).

Jen, Me, Kristen, Karrie and Anna.

Even though it was a cozy and casual event, which is really just the way I like it, I still wanted to feel a little special. Lately, my “special” hair secret weapon is a row or two of clip in extensions! My friend Lacy has her own hair extensions company, and recently came out with a new line of ombre clip-ins. I trimmed them to my own length, and had my colorist ,Carla, gloss them to match my hair exactly. They blend perfectly, and just thicken up my hair a little more on the ends, which actually makes it look much longer! It’s perfect for someone like me, who likes almost no daily fuss or maintenance when it comes to my hair, but really likes to go all out once in a while. Plus, I have a drawer of hair in my bedroom which literally makes me laugh out loud every time I open it.

If you have a special occasion (or not!) coming up, and want fancy hair, please check out Laced Hair Extensions!

And I’ll be doing a tutorial on how to put in your clip-ins soon!

This brush recently appeared at my salon in the shampoo sink area, and I’ve enjoyed it so much, it really just needs to be shared. It’s by LuxorPro and is just called “The Wet Brush”, and is meant to detangle your hair quickly and painlessly even in the shower. I’m not sure if you know this, but at a salon, long hair can easily tangle up while being shampooed at the sinks, because it kind of balls up on top of itself in there, rather than having room to hang freely like in the shower. It can really set a stylist back if they have to spend ten minutes combing out someone’s tangles, so this brush is my idea of convenience! I’m not sure how, but it really does glide through the hair, removing tangles so quickly!

It would be so great for those heads of hair that are long and incredibly thick and tangle easily, or for children with very tender scalps. I have heard people mention they’re also great for extensions, but I haven’t used them for that purpose yet.

Get one here! I like the black, which has a cool matte finish.

Also, detangle even quicker with these two leave ins!

It’s a 10
SachaJuan

I’ve been using a straight razor more and more on my man haircuts these days. I’m not really a fan of that crunchy hard “gel” look, so any and all texture that can be added to their hair just means less product needed for styling. One of my very favorite clients, Clay, (who I should mention is engaged to my good friend Jen B!) only uses a spritz or two of Ocean Mist, which he discovered because Jen uses it! The combination of the razor with the salty spray and his natural waves is like money in the bank. I don’t know how it’s like money in the bank, but I heard a rapper sing that and I knew I wanted to use it on my blog (I believe in honesty even when it proves that you’re a huge nerd.).

Oh, don’t let me forget the neckline! Undercutting the neckline so it lays softly is the key. I need a picture, don’t I?

Hairstylists, what’s your favorite trick for man haircuts? I like calling it a man haircut. It sounds caveman-ish.

I have but a mere moment to spend on blogging this morning. But I feel that a quick, yet important tip should be shared. You know…with it being cold outside, I like to blow dry my hair a little more often so that I don’t wander this city with icicles for hair. (am I right NYC? the last few weeks have been freezin’!)

However, I will not stand for blow dryer damage. So here is my quick little tip to make sure you’re not killing your hair with your blow dryer: Don’t touch your hair with the nozzle. That’s right, get close to the hair, but don’t ever let the nozzle touch your hair. You will torch the poor cuticle.

That’s all there is to it. Rough drying, round brushing, whatever it is. Keep a little space between the nozzle and the hair.

This photo has nothing to do with anything. And it’s old as the hills. But it’s from when I went to Argentina last spring and it was warm and beautiful there. This is the type of thing I dream of when I’m blow drying my hair during these freezing, grey months.

Thank you all for reading and supporting Hairdresser on Fire over 2012! It’s been a big year with lots of changes, and I appreciate all of you for joining in on the fun with your comments and emails.

I thought it would be fun to show you a little of what goes on behind the scenes when my tutorials are filmed. I hope you enjoy these silly outtakes. They crack me up!

Hairdresser on Fire – Outtakes 2012 from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

What are you doing for New Years Eve? I made a ridiculous headpiece with my friend Holly. Can’t wait to show you all!

I’m so looking forward to a fresh year. I’ve never been so excited for things to come.

Safe and happy celebrating to all!

Kisses

Reagan

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Hairdresser On Fire Holiday Special! Here is episode 3!

Hairdresser on Fire – Holiday Special – Episode 3 from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

Bardot Pony Tail instructions:

Get started by teasing a really good full base at your crown..this is optional. Pull up your hair in stages, creating a roll in the back by wrapping hair around your thumb or finger, and pinning in place. Continue to do this, working your way down until everything is pulled up, except what you want left out for your pony tail!

I bet you look gorgeous. I bet all my money that it’s true. Where this for Christmas or New Years or your birthday, or really anywhere!

Check out Andrea’s Beau for beautiful accessories! Follow them on Twitter here, and Facebook here!

Special thanks to my good friend Karrie for being spontaneous and fun and beautiful. And Joe Varca, who is the best director, camera man, editor I know.