We’ve covered the subject in painstaking detail on BeautyStat over the past years, from breaking the news of the Brazilian Blowout controversy to suggesting safer at-home or in salon alternatives. Curly hair, straight hair, problem hair or trends — we’ve got it covered from accessories to feathering extensions.

So when we announced our first ever Spring Hair Contest, we were overwhelmed with the response.  After all, the winner will be hauling home $200 worth of Redken hair products.

So without further adieu, below are the FINALISTS (post a comment below telling us who you vote for):

VOTE FOR JOANNE BELOW:

VOTE FOR CINDY BELOW:

VOTE FOR KIRSTEN BELOW:

VOTE FOR APRIL BELOW:

VOTE FOR COURTNEY BELOW:

VOTE FOR NINA BELOW:

VOTE FOR DARI BELOW:

VOTE FOR DOROTHY BELOW:

VOTE FOR NICOLE BELOW:

VOTE FOR CHAMALLIE BELOW:

VOTE FOR PAMELA BELOW:

VOTE FOR MOLLY BELOW:

VOTE FOR JESSICA BELOW:

VOTE FOR KARINA BELOW:

HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE:

Simply post a comment below telling us who YOU vote for.

And don’t forget to give us a LIKE on Facebook to find out who won plus keep up to date with our many contests and giveaways.

GOOD LUCK LADIES !!!

Plus check out some of the hottest Spring-Summer hairstyle trends here.

We here at BeautyStat have promised to give you the chance to win the hottest new beauty products to hit the market, and we are aiming to please. So without further adieu, below are the winners of last week’s giveaways (winners chosen by random number generator).

And the winner of the …. (Giveaway) Ask the Color Cosmetics and Makeover Expert : Jill Kirsh Color

is …. Carolyn W.

And the winner of the …(Review & Giveaway): Best Spring/ Summer 2011 Fragrances (Calvin Klein Eternity Summer 2011, David Yurman The Essence, Bond. No 9 Madison Square Park, Coach Limited Edition)

is … Janice C.

And the winner of the … (Review, Photos & Giveaway) Win $640 Worth of Nume Style Professional Hairstyling Tools, Flat Iron

is … Valerie

And the winner of the … Facebook Guest Expert Q&A/Review: Meet Kimberly Snyder, Author of “The Beauty Detox” (& Win a Copy of her Book)

is … Natalie G.

If you won, please reply back to us by end of day, Sunday, May 8th to claim your winnings.

If you did not win, don’t worry. See more exciting giveaways below:

WIN $200 worth of Redken Products: Enter BeautyStat’s First Ever HairStyle Contest

Live La Vie En Rouge in NYC: L’Oreal Infallible Rouge Lipstick Contest

(Review & Giveaway) Au Naturel Ayurveda Skincare & Haircare

Bonus points by giving this post a LIKE and sharing it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s meant to be used on DRY hair, and gives you a frizz-free radiant look. You can also lightly mist the hair for a grease-free shine.

Guido, Redken’s Creative Consultant, loves its versatility. “At Fashion Week, I need products that I can layer before the show to keep the look fresh seconds before the models hit the runway. Because its formula doesn’t build-up or become sticky, this is a key product in my kit.”

Pried at $17, this glistening mist is also good for flyaways and to give your strands a polished look after using the flat iron. Its ingredients, the shine-boosting Camelina Oil and nourishing Vitamin B5, are nourishing without being too strong.

The glistening mist is available in fine salons; find your nearest location at the salon locater online. We give it a two thumbs up — for all the mists and lotions that cross our desk and promise frizz-free hair, this one is truly memorable. As the proverbial saying goes, a little goes a long way, and my idea of a truly glossy finish uses the spritzing methodology.

Have you tried it yet? To read our review of the sulfate-free Nature’s Rescue line, click here.

- Charu Suri

If you like this post, share it with your friends and give it a LIKE on Facebook.

When Spring comes along, most women ditch the hats and scarves and are ready to show off a hot new hair cut or style.  Well we checked in with our own resident celebrity hair stylist, Rodney Cutler to find out what are the hottest looks for the season.

This season, the Cutler/Redken team created the trends for over 40 shows at fashion week in New York City.  Owner of Cutler/Redken salons, Rodney Cutler, and his talented team of stylists took to the catwalk to showcase stunning hair. For spring, many of the looks were inspired by airy texture, which complemented a lot of the designers’ style and feel for the clothes.  Overall, there was a juxtaposition of beautifully polished and feminine clothes with slightly undone hairstyles.  The talented Cutler team shares how to re-create the trends seen at the shows from the renowned designer shows including Carlos Miele, Nicolas K, Tadashi Shoji and Rebecca Taylor.

Textured Ponytail as seen at Carlos Miele

Fitted gowns and soft fabrics flowed down the runway at the Carlos Miele show.  “We always like the look to be very elegant, simple and feminine,” says Rodney Cutler, the lead stylist for the show.  “This season, it’s a little more editorial with a dry, airy texture.”

How To:

1. Spray Cutler Volumizing Spray into damp hair and blow-dry for volume and texture
2. Set hair with a 1” curling iron, taking small sections and lightly spraying with Redken Forceful 23 Hairspray
3. Rake fingers through hair, starting at the roots to create a disheveled look
4. Create an imperfect center part and pull hair back into a low center ponytail
5. Use a bungee elastics and be sure to apply tension when securing the ponytail, which will accentuate the shape of the head.  Lightly brush the ponytail to create an airy effect

Fun Fish Tail Braid as seen at Nicolas K

“To complement the casual-yet-chic designs, we wanted to do something that was strong and graphic, but still beautiful,” says Rodney Cutler, the lead stylist for the show.  “The fishtail braid is cool, understated and worked wonderfully with the clothes and makeup.  Plus, the great thing about the braid is that it’s so easy to re-create at home with minimal products and time.”

How To:

1. Spray damp hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray and blow-dry for volume
2. Gather all hair just below the ear, pull to one side, create a fishtail braid and secured with a small piece of leather
3. Leave a few fly-aways around the hairline to achieve a soft effect
4. Lightly spray with Redken Forceful 23

Young and Romantic as seen at Tadashi Shoji

The detailed and feminine dresses seen at Tadashi Shoji were paired with an elegant, yet slightly undone and romantic, textured bun.  “This style is simple to duplicate, and maintains a dry, airy effect,” says Rodney Cutler, the lead stylist for the show.

How To:

1. Spray Redken Spray Starch on dry hair for texture, and create two ponytails so they lie one on top of the other
2. Lightly apply Cutler Definition Cream to the top section and starting at the roots, curl in diagonal sections with a 1” curling iron
3. Loosely brush out the top section to create romantic waves
4. Twist the two ponytails together to create a loose bun at the back of the head and secure with bobby pins

Dramatic Bun as seen at Rebecca Taylor

The flirty, ‘70s inspired styles seen at Rebecca Taylor were given a fun twist with an editorial top bun.  “I wanted to give the hair a bit of ‘static volume’ so it didn’t look overly done,” says Cutler/Redken Stylist Dai Michishita, lead stylist for the show.

How To:

1. Apply Cutler Straightening Cream to damp hair and blow dry in an upward motion, lifting the roots with a soft brush
2. Gather hair into a high ponytail, pulling small sections from the style and securing with a bungee elastic
3. Twist the high ponytail into itself to create a knot, secure with French pins and tuck the ends into the bun
4. Lightly pull a few pieces of hair on each side of the temple and spray Redken Quick Dry 18 onto hands, lightly rubbing them along the sides of the head to accentuate the look

So, tell us which hairstyle you’re most likely to rock this season.  Post a comment below for a chance to win free haircare and styling products.

And give this post a LIKE on Facebook. Thanks!

We here at BeautyStat have promised to give you the chance to win the hottest new beauty products to hit the market, and we are aiming to please. So without further adieu, below are the winners of last week’s giveaways (winners chosen by random number generator).

And the winners of the (Giveaway & Review): Softsheen-Carson’s “Dark & Lovely” Relaxers

are Robin (you won the Fine-to-Medium Relaxer) and Dee (you won Color-Treated) and Patricia (you won SuperCoarse). We emailed all of you to so please reply back to us to claim.

And the winner of the (Giveaway & Review): The Organic Goddess’ Valentine’s Day

is Kitty Kat. We emailed you so please reply back to us to claim.

And the winner of the (Giveaway): The Seductress’ Guide to Sexy Valentine’s Hair

is Kristen P. We emailed you so please reply back to us to claim.

Winners, please reply back to us by end of day, Friday February 18th to claim your winnings.

If you did not win, don’t worry. See more exciting giveaways below:

(Giveaway) The Robert Verdi Guide to the Chicest Fashion Week, Fall/Winter 2011

(Giveaway) Lip Service: Three Ways to Get a Perfect Pout for Valentine’s Day

(Giveaway): The Valentine’s Day Romantic Flick/ Fragrance Gift Guide

Bonus points by giving this post a LIKE and sharing it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

To help you all in your quest for hair nirvana, BeautyStat has some sweet gift suggestions for you. Read on, ladies, because Valentine’s Day is just a few days away!

Philosophy’s Unconditional Love, $22, philosophy.com

This perfumed shampoo, bath & shower gel has a lot more going for it than its romantic name, ladies. Unconditional love contains a sweet, warm scent and will cleanse and condition your hair and skin, making you date-night ready in a flash. Need we say more?

Remington T-Studio Heated Clip Setter, $34.99, Target.com

The Valentine-obsessed among you will get just a bit more enjoyment out of styling your hair with these holiday-appropriate pink, heated clip setters. These darling setters are a part of Remington’s T-Studio Pearl Ceramic collection and are made with real crushed fresh water pearls. The best part? These clips only take 5 minutes to set and 90 seconds to heat up. A time saver? It doesn’t get much better than that!

Redken Hairspray Collection, Redken.com

This year, Valentine’s Day pops up right in the middle of NYC Fashion Week, so many of you ladies will be a bit preoccupied. As you watch those breathtaking models strut their selves down the runway, you’ll likely be wondering how their hair stays so shiny and fabulous. But with Redken’s new line of hairsprays, released this January, you can have runway-ready hair yourself!

Ask your honey to treat you to the collection this Valentine’s Day. The line includes the following sprays: Fashion work 12 ($16.50), pure force 16 ($15.50), quick dry 18 ($14.50), and forceful 23 ($16.50).

Aveda’s Love to Go, $31.50, Aveda.com

If you’re a jet-setting gal, you’ll love this travel-ready set from Aveda. The gift set includes travel size versions of Shampure Shampoo and Conditioner, Foot Relief, and Lip Saver, and will help you worry less about your carry-on cosmetics and spend more time anticipating that upcoming vacation with your love.

Kérastase Limited Edition Essential Duos, $75, Kerastase-usa.com

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the hair masters at Kérastase are taking some of their best products and combining them for a value price. Some of the brand’s best selling shampoos and conditioners—including Nutri-Thermique, Volumactive, Age Premium, and Chroma Riche—are joining forces for the Essential Duo Value Sets. Go on, ladies, treat yourself to a bit of decadence this Valentine’s Day.
Pampering Hair Treatments

When it comes to presents, gift cards aren’t always the most romantic of choices, but when it comes to hair, no woman can turn down a free hair service at her favorite salon. So if you’re seeking a bit of TLC for your hair, hint around to your honey and drop a few names of your salons of choice.

To help give you some ideas, BeautyStat has one special deal to share with you! New York City’s Butterfly Studio Salon is offering the following specials for Valentine’s Day: Purchase any three full sized hair care products and you’ll receive a voucher for a complimentary blow dry; book a Couples Scalp Treatment for Saturday, February 12th in the private treatment room and enjoy complimentary champagne and strawberries for you and your loved one ($135); book a blow dry and eye makeup application for Saturday, February 12 and receive a complimentary manicure.

BeautyStat.com is giving away the complete Redken set (Fashion Work 12, pure force 16, quick dry 18, and forceful 23) to one lucky girl this Valentine’s Day. Simply leave a comment below to be considered. Bonus points for sharing this on your Facebook page.

Have a gorgeous hair day this V-Day, seductress!

- Chrissy Callahan

Cindy Espenship-Taylor I have been using Kenra.. but recently tried the Full Thickening Root Lifter and love it!!

Michelle Sibio Verrastro Redken….

Cyndi Williams Big Sexy Hair

LisaMarie Santos Big Sexy! ♥

Diane Marinelli Nieves sally hershberger!, kim vo!!!

Bekki Boyd Guts by Redken…its a spray foam can’t keep it on our shelf at the salon

Amy Wanden Never usd one! Do they really work n how u use it?

Kierra Brown Big Sexy Root Pump

Kierra Brown ‎@Amy you spray it at the roots and massage it in

Kierra Brown and blow dry style you will get some good full volume

Amy Wanden Thanks kierra! Guna try it!

Amiee Germaine Cook Catwalk

Jaime Ritter It’s not technically a “root lifter”, but ojon’s rub out dry cleanser spray is amazing. The dry shampoo turns lifeless locks into pure love!

Kimberly Boland Johnston Redkin!

Chriistiina Kauffman i use sunsilk volume,but i dont really like it, so i switched to johnfreida(i forget wats it called tho). I also have a question, i always try to get a bump..and for somereason my hair will not tease it just falls flat!! Ive used bump it`s tons of hairspray and nothing work..any suggestions? THANKS!!

Cecelia Go Cardz Uriarte by far the best 1 for me has been the kenra root spray i absolutely LOVEEEE it 2nd would b the big sexy 1

Renee Drouin Fleischmann John Frieda Root Awakening

Ashley Kennedy big sexy hair all the waaaay!!

Sharon Haemmerle Cullen Rootful by Redken

Kim Toknowmeistoluvme WOW! Thanks Beauty Stat for todays question!!! very helpful! your page helps me keep up with the latest ” beauty” trends!

Amy C Biron I use mark. Mega Volume Root Lifting Spray with soothing Geranium!!! This stuff rocks get it at http://abiron.mymarkstore.com/ It’s only $6.00

Nicole Nolet Scardina I love Paul Mitchell’s volumizing spray

Erin Callahan Pureology

Cynthia Lynn Green Clark I just started using a root lifter…due to my new cut…and the stylist used Big Sexy…but I purchased Garnier Fructis

Sherri Lynn My stylist used Swartzkoph (sp?) Mattifying powder on my hair, it is awesome but hard to find in salons so I order from the internet. I have oily hair so it serves two purposes for me. There’s actually a few demonstration videos on youtube, (its so much easier than a bump it).

Teresa Marie Bebla What the heck is a root lifter?? people lift their roots? I have massive long thick curly hair, so my roots stay lifted. Woman go through so much to look like anything but themselves…

Kim Toknowmeistoluvme ‎@ Teresa Belba yes women who care about themselves go through alot to improve or add to themselves! it’s not about like looking like anyone else it’s about improvement to self! There is always room for improvement!!!! YOU SHOULD TRY IT:)

Cara Meadows Poludniak Paul Mitchell is awesome..I’ve used it for quite a long time. At Teresa:Some women aren’t blessed with long, thick, curly hair such as yourself. It’s not about looking like someone else, it’s about improving your own self image. So glad you are happy with yourself but I believe there is always room for improvement.

Rachele McKenzie Rusk Blo-Foam is good….Shiseido energizing essence – amazing! Today I am going to try Bracato

Renee Maudlin Farr I use big sexy hair. It seems to work pretty darn well.

Nerissa Joves Rucker Big sexy hair and I have a powder from aveda.

Mandy Gardner Living Proof

Sherri Lynn I’m a little confused Teresa, you sound as if you are “perfect” and don’t need or have any desire to improve anything about yourself so please enlighten me…why are you wasting your precious time posting on Beauty Stat?? Have nothing better to do?

Teresa Marie Bebla ‎@ Kim Toknowmeistoluvme: I take very good care of myself. But I tend to take the natural approach. But instead of focusing on the outer, I eat a healthy diet, exercise, and above all I care about myself enough to improve myself on different levels, like emotionally, spiritually, etc. It is all a matter of perspective… I have friends who, look like a completely different woman when they are finished with what they consider to be self improvement (make up routine), and at the end of the day when the make up is off…nothing really is improved…

Sherri Lynn Wow, still wasting your time on this beauty website (which is obviously not your thing) making pathetic attempts to belittle people, your very own friends no less! I thought people that lived “natural” lifestyles were supposed to be less j…
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Meg Martin-Clifton I like Aveda’s Hair Potion.It is Thickening, lifts my Roots, and helps my style stay longer because it gets rid of excess Oils!!! Love this stuff!!!!

Shaina Dunn Bedhead Queen for a Day!!! LOVE it!!!

Jan Crawford Henley Big Sexy Hair powder play and Paul Brown. The powder is my favorite!

Lori Clements Keune root volumizer. It rocks!

Lisa Inzillo Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray is awesome for root lift…I use it myself and for clients! Don’t forget to hold hair up and a bit forward before trying to tease some volume at your roots..for those like me, with hair that’s not as thick anymore… it’s excellent!! I also like Aveda mattifying powder,( much like the Oscar Blandi powder/dry shampoo…it gives some volume and texture…….
So tell us, what root lifter are you using on your hair? Post your review below to be eligible to win free beauty product samples from BeautyStat.

Give this post a LIKE on Facebook. Thanks!

The whole premise behind this line is one of cooling. The packaging also reflects this, with its cool blue tones and a picture of the breezy, balmy sea. It’s inviting and cooling at the same time.

The nutrient-rich sea algae complex has sea algae, aloe vera and soy protein to really moisturize the hair. These ingredients leave the hair nice and clean, with not too much of an oily or slick feeling. One of my absolute favorites in this line is the Refining Sea Polish which contains real pumice to exfoliate and remove impurities. It really feels like asteroids on your hair at first (the particles are THICK), but you know your strands are getting brushed and exfoliated, in a way. The result is an extraordinarily-clean feeling.

The Conditioner is cooling, almost like a masque. The Radiant Sea Spray lightweight and multifunctional that adds texture; it also contains time-touch fragrance capsule that burst and hydrate with oceanic scents.

There’s been some debate on the merits of sulfate-free haircare but the jury is still out on whether it works on color treated hair or not. I have virgin hair and am a bit loathe to color it, but I will take a silicone-free line any day because silicone leaves a residue on your strands that is IMPOSSIBLE to get rid off, and this makes the coloring process even more difficult and uneven.

I highly recommend this line, particularly for dry hair types. There’s a cooling and moisturizing component to this that’s perfect for spring and summer. Here is the order of product application:

• Step 1: Detox with Nature’s Rescue Refreshing Detox Shampoo ($16)
• Step 2: Refine with Nature’s Rescue Refining Sea Polish ($19)
• Step 3: Replenish with Nature’s Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner ($17)
• Step 4: Uplift with Nature’s Rescue Radiant Sea Spray ($17)

These products are available now at all Redken salons.

Tell us, do you like sulfate-free over regular shampoos? Have they made a difference to your hair?

- Charu Suri

If you like this post, give it a LIKE on Facebook and share it with your friends

fashion work 12, a fast drying, fine mist hairspray, lets you shape and finish your hair while providing 24-hour humidity resistance and eight-hour control. The new and improved forceful 23, a super-strength finishing spray, dries fast and provides lasting shape memory and eight hours of control.

I loved the shine and hold it gave my hair without sacrificing its soft feel. Unlike many other sprays that immediately add a sticky residue to your locks, forceful 23 dries fast and has a subtle, pleasant scent.

Both sprays will feature Redken’s exclusive Spray-Strong Complex with antioxidants and Vitamin E to help protect hair and prevent color fade. The new line will be available in salons January 2011 and is the perfect complement to BeautyStat.com favorites, aerate 08 bodifying cream-mousse and glass 01 smoothing serum!

Tell us, have you used REDKEN products before to style your hair? Why or why not?

- Chrissy Callahan

If you like this post, give it a LIKE on Facebook and share it with your friends

Of course, it’s easy to rationalize that perhaps you were meant to lust from afar. I used to say such foolish things as well. But then I discovered my inner volume vixen (read: I found the right tools), and I’m about to intro you to yours as well.

Volume is possible on any day, but it’s far easier to achieve with a little grease to oil your engine. Come again? In other words, plan for volume on a day you haven’t washed your hair, or after a workout… or both. (Don’t believe me? Spray some Redken Body Full Weightlifter on your roots and flip your head upside down for a quick hear blast from your blowdryer.)

Step One

You’ll probably need a while the first time to achieve the look you want, so once you find a good chunk of quality mirror time, gather your tools:

* A hair claw or two (These are for holding your hair during the process, and after, should you want an updo.)

* A comb. I swear by the Spornette Little Wonder #111. It’s combo of tourmaline nylon and boar bristles give the best tease I’ve yet to encounter, but any other stiff-bristled brush should do the trick.

* Good hairspray. The Sebastian Professional Shaper brand has done me proud for years. If you have something else, just make sure it gives mega hold… without looking like shellac – it’s the only thing that’s worse than wind ruining your ‘do after 15 minutes of work.

* A normal paddle brush

* Bobby pins like your life depends on them

Step Two

Lift the top half of your hair from the bottom by sliding your thumbs from your temples to the back of your head. Twist the upper portion of hair towards your face, and secure with a claw. Then, lift an inch-thick section of hair along the back of your head, and tease near the roots from the top and bottom side. Don’t worry if it looks fuzzy – when you’re done, no one will see.

Step Three

Once finished, undo your hair claw, and release the next layer of hair. Repeat until the entire crown of your head is teased, but make sure you have at least an inch or two of un-teased hair framing your face. (Tip: make your hair more voluminous than you think you want it; you can always brush it down later.)

Step Four

Use your bristle comb to lightly smooth the teased hair away from your face. Do the same with the paddle brush, manipulating the un-teased hair over your crown for sleek smoothness. Should you want your hair to stay down, now is when you use the hair spray. Should you want it up, wield your claws and bobby pins to secure. (Your mantra here is try, try again. Practice makes perfect, and it’s always the hardest the first time!)

Step Five

Hairspray! Lock your look in place, spraying lightly at first. Break to run your fingers over your hair to smooth any stray hairs, and then lightly spray again.

Voila, volume!

– Caitlin Garthoffner