Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Truth About Hair

Long, lush locks are desired by most women in most cultures. Women are now cutting to the chase and buying their hair now. Fake hair isn't just for black people who want weaves, now anyone of another ethnicity can get it with a snap of a finger and instantly look like they've been growing their locks out for years. In Southern California, hair extensions are becoming more common and if someone has hair past their chest, it's most likely not natural.


Hair extensions come in many different forms and lengths. Natural hair is from other countries, mainly from Europe and India, and can cost anywhere from $200-$5,000, depending on if you get it done at a professional salon. The hair is treated and cleaned before it's sold and the best brands provide free color swatches. They take anywhere from four to five hours to apply and are attached to the root of the hair through different methods.


Clip-in hair is also popular, but there's a fine line on how noticable it is that it's fake. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton have hair extension brands, costing anywhere from $80-$400. Clip-ins are best for special events where they're easy to take out. It's still better to look for cuticle hair, as it looks much more natural. Glued hair is cheaper method (roughly $80-$200), but falls out easier and is more damaging--only lasting for about a week.


Strand-by-strand is more popular for a professional look and are what you'll find in salons. This lasts for six months, but can cost anywhere from $600-$2,500. Weaving is more popular, a method of sewing the hair into the natural hair and lasts four to six months at $400-$1,500.

Don't go overboard. Hair isn't like makeup, you don't want people to notice that you're wearing it all of the time. Don't have your hair at a length so long that people immediately recognize that it's fake. You want people to see you instead of your hair and not be able to guess that you paid big bucks for your locks.

Katie Cervantes
Live OC Magazine
www.LIVEOCMAG.com

Monday, December 7, 2009

Your Body is Too Bare
 Local tattoo parlors that are the best of the best. 
Orange County 
Newport Tattoo
2611 Newport Blvd. 
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949)673-5118
www.newport-tattoo.com
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Eight.
Additional details: Piercing available. 
Newport Tattoo looks as if it'd be the long lost brother of Kat Von D's LA Ink. They're trendy and fresh, and aren't afraid to have a little fun with their jobs. Each artist has their own style, some are even award-winning. Don't go here if you want something simple or as a first tattoo, they'll put a tattoo on you that looks more like art on your skin. 
Artist to book: Aaron. (Good at huge, detailed pieces).
Fine Tattoo Work
636 North Tustin Street 
Orange, CA 92867
(714)997-4389
www.finetattoowork.com                                                 
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Four.
Additional details: The shop has it's very own photography studio inside for capturing their tattoos.
This tattoo parlor is proud of it's work and even has a copywrited family tattoo that the artists have. You have to go in the shop to see more samples of their work, but they have more pride in their work than most shops. 
Artist to book: Chip.(He has a more vintage style to his tattooing and he uses a lot of color.)
Long Beach
Dream Jungle Tattoo
724 East Anaheim St. 
Long Beach, CA 92663
(562)608-8888
www.dreamjungletattoo.com
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Four.
Additional details: The shop was named after a book by Jessica Hagedorn.
Dream Jungle Tattoo has a value for making unique tattoos that are specific to each person who visits. They appreciate when customers bring pictures in, but they want each tattoo to be different than the rest. Don't visit if you're not as experienced with tattooing or know exactly what you want. 
Artist to book: Gus. (He usually does large pieces.)
Outer Limits Tattoo
22 Chestnut Pl. 
Long Beach, CA 90899
(562)437-9121
www.outerlimitstattoo.com
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Six.
Additional details: With four different locations in Southern California, the Long Beach shop just recently opened. 
Known by it's customers as being spotless, their cleanliness and updated environment makes everyone comfortable. You pay for the cleanliness though, this shop is more expensive than most, but customers still come.
Artist to book: Kari.(Runs the shop, 30+ years of experience)
Los Angeles
Broken Art Tattoo
2400 Hyperion Ave. 
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323)661-4777
www.brokenarttattoo.com
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Six.
Additional details: Has it's own art studio and private bar. 
Broken Art is a street shop, but has a lounge type of environment. They've tattooed celebrities like Pink, Taking Back Sunday, Angels and Airwaves, and INXS. You have to have patience though, the wait may be more than you want.
Artist to book: Jeremy.(Owner, great use of color.)
Art & Soul Tattoo Co.
2604 S. Robertson  
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310)202-7203
www.artandsoultattoos.com
Details: 
Walk-ins welcome? Yes.
Number of artists: Five.
Additional details: The shop brings in artists from around the world throughout the year.
Art & Soul Tattoos has been operating for 13 years and "specializes in custom tattoos." They're comfortable with large back pieces and detailed tattooes. Again, if you're not as experienced in tattooing, then try another place. You might be in over your head if you're new to getting tattooed. Also, it's higher priced and you even have to pay for consultations if you want certain artists.
Artist to book: Erika.(16+ years of experience) Visit the website for samples of her work.
Katie Cervantes
Live OC
www.LIVEOCMAG.com