Makeover May: How I Got The Best Hair of My Life at Ted Gibson Salon

 Ted Gibson Salon

You know how sometimes as women we fall into a rut, purchasing five of the same T-shirt, four pairs of the same jeans and wearing the same hairstyle for over ten years? Yep, that was me. Even after losing a considerable amount of weight, I was still hiding behind the same look. This May, I've decided to retire my old hair, makeup and clothes for something new and exciting. It's time for the outside to match the inside, people. My first stop: Ted Gibson Salon for the hair of my dreams.

After saying "Hi" to Ted and Jason (Ted was filming a Today appearance while I was getting my hair done - notes on that to come because you have to watch), I slipped into a chair with my new Best Hair Friends Forever, Justin Pellicione and Sade Williams. We talked for a bit about my current hair care routine and what I really wanted. I said, "You know, I've never walked out of a hair salon and felt sexy. I've felt 'pretty' and I've felt 'great' but never 'sexy.' For the first time in my life, give me 'sexy hair.'"

There's a policy at Ted Gibson Salon: ask and ye shall receive. Here's how Kristin got her sexy back.

Justin gets to work on my color

Justin and I discussed warming up my color my pulling the warm brown from my naturally highlighted ends through my hair, which is lower maintenance than a whole head full of color. He got to work using L'oreal INOA, which is a complete revolution in hair color. This ammonia-free color system uses ODS technology, which uses an oil-based delivery system to maximize the delivery of the color while wrapping each strand in conditioning oils that actually moisturize and improve the condition of your hair. Justin used the ballayage technique to paint my highlights on with the Inoa haircolor, which resulted in a sunkissed warm brown around my face and throughout my hair. The result is an incredibly natural, subtle look that warmed my complexion completely.

 Sade giving me the long locks I've been dying for my whole life

I'm also one of those women who's never had permanent extensions done, even though I've been craving long hair as long as I can remember. Ted once saw a picture of me in temporary extensions (try his line if you're looking for a brief change) and said, "That's the hair you were born to have." Ok, you know what? Let's give it a shot. I gave the ok and Sade, Ted's resident weave technician and hairstylist, went to work, sewing four tracks of hair into my freshly-colored hair. She cut layers into the length and then gave me a bit of curl. The result? Warm, beautiful hair that brought me to tears. Let's put it this way: I looked so hot that Ted barely recognized me when they turned the hair around to show him my new look. As Ted and Jason put it, my new look is "MAJOR." I had to upgrade my outfit when I got home. You can't wear slouchy tops with hair like that.

Ta-da! Me with my fabulous hair!

Look, Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, magazine editors, television stars and many of Manhattan and DC's best get their hair done by Ted Gibson and Company for a reason: this is a professional salon that is completely focused on results. Your hair broadcasts so many things about you: health, self-esteem, personal image and, when you get right down to it, self-worth. Any woman who is serious about her hair needs this experience of a lifetime a minimum of once, where you sit down with a team of industry experts who work with you to create silken, healthy hair that tells the world that you're a force of nature. Color, extensions, blow outs, relaxers - Ted Gibson Salon is full service, chic and worth every single penny.

Me with my colorist, Justin, before I strutted out the door

I'm planning on keeping my look through the summer while my own hair grows out underneath (maybe beyond - I really love my new look.) As a personal note, I want to thank Ted and Jason and my new Glam Squad, Justin and Sade, for giving me the greatest gift any woman could ask for:  hair that I love that shows that I love myself. Customer for life? Right here.

Outfit upgrade to go with my fabulous hair

Look for a beauty directory entry for Ted Gibson Salons shortly but in case you can't wait (and you shouldn't) to book your own appointment, here are the addresses and numbers for the two locations below. Do you need to get your own sexy back or kick up your own look? Look no further than Ted Gibson Salon.

New York
184 Fifth Avenue - 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10010
212.633.6333

DC
5481 Wisconsin Avenue- Level 2
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
301.951.4445