Are you folks chomping at the bit for the next episode in the Hairdresser On Fire Holiday Special? I certainly hope you are enjoying them! In this episode, you’ll learn how to do the beautiful and incredibly festive cinnamon roll braid that I demonstrate on my dear friend Karrie. You’ll nail the holiday party season with your hair done in this little number. See for yourself!

Hairdresser on Fire – Holiday Special – Ep. 2 from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

Cinnamon Roll Braid instructions:

Part your hair where you would like to wear it and start French braiding..I like to start my braids on the side that’s parted heavier. As you’re braiding, follow your hairline around your head, only adding hair to the bottom section (I love the effect it give this particular braid). Once you get to the opposite side of your head from where you started (likely behind your ear), you’ll finish off the braid and secure with an elastic. Coil it up around itself creating a “roll” and secure with pins. Tug and pull at the braid, and loosen up those man-catchers!

See episode 1 here, and stay tuned for episode 3 where I give myself the Bardot ponytail!

 And make sure you check out Mairzy Dozy here! Forks in your hair make it sound like your there is a delicious meal on top of your head!

It’s the weekend (Yes!!!!!)!

I’m at a wedding (and I’m a bridesmaid!) in Utah. I’m doing my hair down and hoping to stay warm during pictures outside. A perk of long hair, you know…

You stay warm too and we’ll see you Monday with part two of my Holiday Special!

pic from my sister’s wedding in September taken by Rebecca Rosell Enslein

Happy Holidays from Hairdresser On Fire! Here is part 1 of our 3 part Holiday Special!

I hope you enjoy!

Hairdresser on Fire – Holiday Special – Ep. 1 from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 with special guests and cheery ideas for fancy holiday party hair!

And please check out Mairzy Dozy right here!

I did a guest tut’ over at Latest-Hairstyles. It’s for those big messy holiday waves that make you wanna get your mistletoe on..

See here!

I went from June-December without highlighting my hair and it feels so good to reach the end. This was not easy. There were times when I was like “hey! i want fresh ‘lights in my hair!”, but I held out. I stayed strong. At the end of the six months, I actually started to love my rooty blonde hair more and more, and I would honestly go much longer, but I have a collaboration coming up that I should look a little more polished for. I’m having color done today and I’m thinking of doing a little change. Someone mentioned in a comment the other day that I should consider going dark..maybe I will?

The six month break was the way to go. I feel like my hair grew so much, and all it needed was a tiny trim every few weeks to keep it cleaned up. It would have been much more desperate with some more processing.

My advice for growing out your hair:
Keep your color jobs close enough to your natural color, so that you can stretch them out longer. Your hair and pocket-book will grow right before your eyes!

Also, use tons of this.

(all you colorists out there, forgive me for the above advice.)

I’m so excited to announce this giveaway today! Are you ready?

The lovely people over at Oribe generously sent over their new product, Shine, for me to test out. It’s a finishing spray infused with argan oil and lemongrass, and it’s a game changer ladies and gentlemen. I’m a long time believer in shine sprays to keep my long (and likely dry) ends looking shiny and healthy, and this is the best I’ve ever used. It applies evenly and is fine like a mist, so it doesn’t weigh down your hair. A little goes a long way so the bottle will last you a long time, and like every Oribe product, it smells extremely fancy..like heaven really.

The best part, Oribe sent over two extra bottles for me to give away! By all means, leave a comment to enter this giveaway. If you tweet about this giveaway (with a link to this post), you may leave one extra comment with a link to your tweet for another chance to win. I’ll be picking two winners on Friday afternoon!

Click here to read more about Shine!

Thank you Oribe for this Giveaway, and thank you all for entering!

Two months ago I was flying American Airlines (don’t do it. not worth it. never ever worth it.) and my checked baggage was ransacked. The American Airline agents had their way with my bag that I paid money to keep in their possession while I traveled with them. They stole my Bottega Veneta handbag, a camera, a Bottega Veneta coin purse, my car key, Rayban sunglasses and every single tube of lipstick that I own. The total value of what they stole was almost $4,000. it never occurred to me that a company would rob from their paying customers, which is why I had valuable items in the checked bag that I thought would be safe and well taken care of. American Airlines has been completely unsympathetic, and unhelpful would be an extreme under-exaggeration. I have spent hours upon hours of my life dealing with this mess, because of how difficult their customer service/central baggage department is. They sent me a check this month for $200, yes $200 to cover what was stolen.

This whole experience has really shaken me. I’ve never felt so violated and afraid to travel. I now question that everyone around me is out to take advantage of me. American Airlines doesn’t value their customers, and has no interest in fixing their mistakes. I have felt so sad and frustrated and helpless throughout this experience, and hope that by sharing my story, it can help prevent some of you from feeling the way I feel/have felt. I haven’t cashed my check from American Airlines in hopes that they’ll do the right thing and fix this mess in a more appropriate and considerate manner.

I’m so excited to tell you all that Hairdresser on Fire was featured on H&M’s blog, H&M LIFE!

Go read my little snippet here!

…..Red scrunchy.

I had a friend over when I was making my Thanksgiving pies (Chocolate Pecan to be deliciously exact) and one of the first things she said to me was “are you wearing a scrunchy? awesome.”.

It is awesome. It’s so old. And stretched out. But I never want to get ride of this old thing. I only wear it at home, or to drop something in the mailbox, or to run to the coffee shop. Other than those three occasions, this baby doesn’t leave the comfort (and privacy) of my apartment.

But I guess the secret is out. I still like scrunchies.

What’s your red scrunchy? A banana clip? Cheap products? Sponge rollers? Cap highlights? Lee press-on nails?

We all have something.

I’m beside myself with excitement to introduce a new series of videos on Hairdresser On Fire. This series of tutorials will all be styles that can be done in well under two minutes, you know, for the girl who’s in a hairry!

In A Hairry – Hairdresser on Fire – Hairry 1 from Joe Varca on Vimeo.

Step by step instructions:

Flip your head upside down.
Start a french braid at the nape of your neck.
Braid until you get to the crown of your head and gather all the rest of your hair into your hand firmly.
Tie up into a pony tail
Twist or stuff into a bun and pin/tie into place.
Pull down your mancatchers.
Go about your business.

This video is also special, because it’s the first time having my new theme song featured! My sister/brotherinlaw’s great band, Imagination Head, wrote this little jingle for my videos and it makes me feel like Hairdresser On Fire is finally complete. I love my job.

Thanks to Imagination Head and Joe Varca for another great video! See our other videos here!

ZaraCardigan
StylemintTanktop
WaxedJeans
MarniShoes (can’t find the backless ones!)
ChloeHandbag
MadewellStacked Rings
KateSpadeBangle
LonewolfHand Chain (my favorite thing ever)
Nailpolish