Last week, in between fashion week craziness and nasal faux-pas, I had one high point: I finally got to experience the new Schick Quattro for Women product – Trim Style - a bikini trimmer and razor all in one!

This new razor is battery-powered and waterproof, which is cool enough - but it also is dual-sided! One side is a razor, the other side, a bikini trimmer.

Obviously, this is a good thing - how many of you have tried to use a regular razor in those “sensitive spots” and ended up having the scars to prove it? This way, you can be neat and pretty on all your parts without any icky cuts or scrapes. (How not sexy is THAT?)

The trimmer side also has a comb attachment that snaps to feature 3 different lengths depending on your preference. You must see for yourself: Schick is giving away three of their new Trim Style. To have your chance to win, please share your most devastating bikini line trimming experience. (Painful laser? Waxing gone bad?) Deadline is March 5.

Image: Schick Quattro for Women

We all know that wigs and hair extensions are very popular, especially at formal events. but if you are going to wear one (as Alicia quite obviously is here), do not do so in a way that is quite this periled - as in this case where it is slipping forward and down her forehead!

This happened to me at quite a few Halloweens - but I am no movie star, and that was an evening of fun and joking around. I do not mean to jeer at Alicia - I think she rocks - but, maybe do a better job at securing that thing next time???

We now return you to your television sets.

Image: Newscom

On days when your curls just won’t cooperate, do you:

a. Don a scarf
b. Pose for a picture
c. Let them run wild
d. Dive for the flat iron
e. Visit NaturallyCurly.com to take their weekly poll!

NaturallyCurly.com has expanded its popular weekly polls to include a series of questions sponsored by Bumble & bumble.

When asked: “On unruly days do you…don a scarf, pose for a picture, let them run wild or dive for the flat iron,” a huge forty-nine percent of curlies said they would let their curls be curls and run wild.

When asked: “Your curls look best when you…” Thirty-seven percent of curlies said they think their curls look best when they style them with their fingers.

And when asked “I wish my curls were…stunning and smart, marvelous and manly, kooky and confident, or sultry and sophisticated.” Thirty-four percent of curlies answered kooky and confident.

For more information, view the current polls or to cast your vote, visit www.naturallycurly.com.

Photo credit: Naturallycurly.com

ELLE.com has just posted a story on how to gussy up your hair for the holidays. Here is the link,  there’s really some great advice.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, so don’t let primping and prepping crimp your holiday cheer. Here, 10 ways to dress up your locks from now until the clock strikes 2009!
http://www.elle.com/beautyspotlight/15198/holiday-hair.html

Philip Pelusi, celebrity hairstylist and hair care product extraordinare - is fabulous for the lovely locks he provides (even once upon a time to me!), and was kind enough to offer his expert advice on what’s going to be hot and what’s not so hot for hairstyles in 2009.

Who says you have to spend hours in front of the mirror making hair look perfect. This year’s hottest looks, such as the beehive and bob are over, so let hair go in 2009 for a sexy, fun, “I just threw myself together,” look.

Oh no, my hair just naturally looks this good!

Style hair as usual and when finished, flip hair upside down and shake it up. First apply a drop of P2 Hair Honey hair-molding product. Next shake and scrunch hair. Flip right side up and lightly finger thru to calm down ends. Be careful not to make it too perfect!

Night out on the town

Randomly grab sections of dry hair and mist with P2 RefresHair, a light flexible setting spray. Twist each section down to the scalp and clip with a Bobbi pin. The bigger the section the bigger the wave, and let dry while you apply some sexy evening makeup. After dry, simply un-twist each section, finger thru and spray again. Hair curl pattern should be uneven and soft.

Messy Updo

Easily done with the right tools, first apply a hair-refreshing product to the entire head then lightly back-comb the whole head with a wide-tooth comb. Next apply a few silicone shine drops, rub hands together and smooth. Sweep hair up into a loose twist or ponytail and secure with a few pins. Spray on a light holding spray to finish. Try P2 RefresHair and P2 Fluid Spray.

Looking your very best for the holidays is essential: especially when it comes to your hair!

According to Asha SalonSpa, the largest Aveda Lifestyle SalonSpa in Chicago, this year’s trend for holiday hair is a casual look with a loose, soft appeal. Gwen Liska from Asha SalonSpa says: “Guests are coming to Asha to recreate the looks seen by today’s Hollywood elite, and they realize that these looks are easy to replicate themselves to look just as glamorous.”

Asha Salon Spa’s expert stylist, Gwen Liska, divulges the secrets to readers of how to create the look that will be sure to have people talking at upcoming holiday parties.

The New and Improved Bun

Brush your hair and part it the way you prefer. Take all of your hair back and tie with a rubber band in a low pony tail at the nape of your neck. Next grab the pony tail and twist around the rubber band. When fringe comes out of the pony tail, take a few bobby pins and pin your hair around the base of the rubber band leaving and inch or so of straight hair to create a sassy new look of the original bun.

For a twist on this look instead of having your hair perfectly centered you can do this on the lower left or right side of your head.

Curls Amore

Pull your hair back into a low or high ponytail, whichever you prefer, and take a thick curling iron to make big curls. Then take each curl and tease it closely to the root and bobby pin it tightly into the rubber band creating a voluptuous amount of curls in a confined section on your head.

The Faux Hawk

Part your hair from left arch of your eyebrow all the way to the back of your head then do the same on the right side creating a railroad track look, then take thick sections of the middle from the front to the back and tease. Comb each of these sections toward the back of the head to create a dramatic “poof” with lots of volume worn by stars such as Hillary Duff.

For a twist on this look you could take all of the hair and put that in a high pony tail creating volume as well as height.

VaVa Volume

Take sections of your hair and hairspray them from root to end. Use a thick curling iron and tightly curl your whole head. Individually pin each curl to your head with a bobby pin.

Allow time for the hair to cool and leave the pins in while you continue getting ready for the big night. This will set the curls into formation. Once you remove the pins, turn your head upside down and hairspray your hair to create a glamorous look of thick, voluminous curls.

For a twist on this hairstyle, casually pin one side of your hair with a shiny barrette, or a fancy bobby pin to create a more dramatic look. For a sweeping look do the same steps above, but instead loosely grab your hair into a pony tail, and make sure to leave pieces of your hair out to create a romantic, beautiful look.

Are you using the right brush on your hair? Most of us have no clue as to what brush we should be using to curl, straighten, add volume; or simply brush our hair with.

Olivia Garden, a leader in the haircare industry, shares their tips on what brush you should be using for your hair type or style:

• Brushing wet hair is a big no-no.
However, there is one brush that you can actually use that won’t damage wet hair: Olivia Garden’s Ceramic + Ion XL Pro. Featuring a soft ionic cushion and ion charged bristles with comfortable ball point tips, the XL PRO is ideal for detangling wet hair.

• Limp locks got you down?
Use a large vented oval brush. This has a ceramic-coated barrel and snag-free neck ring so hair won’t tangle when styling. It also helps restore hair’s balance and adds luster and sheen, while smoothing it out.

• Need to fight frizzy hair and add a little oomph?
A Ceramic + Ion Tourmaline Thermal Brush creates voluminous, soft curls when blow drying. With consistent strides of the brush, you’ll have texture and movement instantly. Ideal for long hair.

• Craving sleek, pin-straight locks one day and luscious waves the next?
You’ll find just what you need with Eco-Friendly Bamboo Styling Brushes. The unique thermal ceramic and ionic brush acts as a hot roller to create curls while the boar brush achieves a smooth, straight look. They also feature anti-static and anti-bacterial qualities, as well as an ergonomic, lightweight design.

Photo courtesy of www.oliviagarden.com.

I keep on getting emails with how-to’s on how to blow out your hair. I am grateful..and yet, I know that many of us cannot learn such an invovled task simply by reading a few paragraphs!

I just discovered MonkeySee, though, a free how-to video site featuring real experts offering instruction, demonstrations and advice on almost any topic imaginable. Turns out there’s a whole channel devoted to this sort of thing, and one is … blowouts!

How to Blow Dry your hair, Mona Harb, salon and spa owner:

As we become better friends, you may discover some of the nitty gritty about me - and my complete and total hair OCD.

I am a recovering curly-headed girl. However, I have been straightening my hair for so long that even my closest friends do not know what I look like with said curls…and to many, it remains a deep, dark secret.

For those of you far braver than me, who choose to keep your curls, I offer some advice. (Well, actually my friends at Ouidad do, which I am sharing here.)

Ouidad’s Tips For Perfect Curls!
Rinse and retreat! Not rinse and repeat. Repeated shampooing will kill those beautiful curls.

HAIR DO: Massage shampoo into your scalp with your fingertips and rinse by running your fingers down the length of your hair in a “rake-and-shake” motion.

HAIR DON’T: Don’t be shy when it comes to conditioning. Use a lot of product - and condition often!

The trick to styling curls is unstyling! Step away from the brush.

HAIR DO: Position your curls while damp and letting them dry naturally. You can use a blow dryer with a diffuser if you’re in a rush.

HAIR DON’T: Don’t put too much effort into styling your curls. Touching your curls as they dry only disturbs their natural pattern - creating unwanted frizz!

Curls need curl cuts!

HAIR DON’T: Don’t suffer through another cut that results in heavy clumps of curls and messes up your mane.

Photo courtesy of Ouidad.com 

Hi!

As I pen this introduction, I am readying myself to hit the skies…not for vacation (alas) but to explore the spa and beauty regimes at a hotel and spa in Los Angeles.

Most certainly indulgent, and not entirely sane (there are probably more responsible ways to spend the final days before an election when the nation’s economy is in shambles…), it is actually pretty reflective of my very existence.

I’m not shallow, I am just goal-oriented…and said goal is to make everyone around me as pretty and well informed as can be!

My name is Aly Walansky, and I am an avowed beauty product junkie.

And so, when I was approached to take over eBeautyDaily, I got a little hyper excited and nearly plotzed in my non-sensible Betsey Johnson booties.

To all my friends and readers who already know me from my iVillage and SheKnows columns, thanks so much for the continued support! To my new friends, it’s so nice to meet you! Please visit me daily, every morning I will post beauty product reviews, tips, and advice – and, every few days, contests where you can walk away with valuable freebies!

To start things off, I have decided to buy your friendship and continued readership.

One reader will win an autographed copy of Nick Arrojo’s new – and awesome – book, Great Hair. I will be writing more about this book – and referring to it often - in the days and weeks to come, but if you want a head start this holiday season at being the hottest girl in the zip code (as I aspire to be), this is a great way to start.

Nick Arrojo - whom I admit to having a tremendous crush on - is sort of the yoda of the hair industry, and in this book, shares his secrets! “In this book you will find my voice, my vision, and all of the advice I willingly and happily share with anyone who seeks me out, sits in my chair, and asks me for help. I hope it inspires you to be confident and beautiful; sexy and happy!” Arrojo says.

To have your chance to win the book, please share with us the most awful thing that has occurred in your own life, during your pursuit of great hair. Did your locks melt? Did your flaxen roots become a nasty ashen green? Share! Your sorrow can also be your reward!

Deadline November 5.

Photo credit: ArrojoProduct.com