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

FSB Beauty Directory: Get Gorgeous Hair at Concept Salon

I'm starting a new feature here on FSB, where we give you a directory of simply the best of the best of anything fashion, style and beauty-related. I feel it's important for you to look at the site as a harbinger of all things cool, effective and worth your money.

So, of course, we're going to start off with everyone's favorite beauty item: a hair salon.

Remember when I got the World's Most Beautiful Hair, courtesy of the genius, moisture-infusing treatment known as Inphenom? Well, the magic happened at our first Beauty Directory entry, Concept Salon, right here in NYC. Located in Manhattan's Midtown East area on 59th and 2nd, Concept is truly a little hidden gem of a salon that does AH-MAZ-ING services.

First of all, let me be clear about the blowout situation: it's epic. It lasts forever and doesn't hurt, so I'm sold. Genius cuts, color, consultations: the owners of the salon have worked on Victoria's Secret models, captains of corporate America and all sorts of other women who whisper this salon's name to the select in-the-know favorites, so you know it's definitely worth a trip in the door. They also do all manner of treatments, such as the life-changing Inphenom already mentioned as well as relaxers and the epic, hottest new straightening treatment that everyone is simply RAVING ABOUT: the Brazilian Blowout.

This is their menu of services. Reasonably priced, amazing hair in Manhattan? Please, this is a total no-brainer. Head to Concept and get the situation on top of your ears under control. Life's too short to have bad hair. Get thee to Concept now.

Concept Salon
1107 Second Avenue (@ 59th St)
212.644.6366

A Beauty Revolution: The Inphenom Hair Treatment

Me with my new fabulous blowout and healthy hair, courtesy of Inphenom!

Last night, I was invited to experience a new revolutionary hair treatment, the Inphenom, at the fabulous Concept salon in Midtown West. Told that the treatment reverses hair damage, I decided to put the treatment to the ultimate test: I went with the air-dried, coarse, unruly mess that my hair becomes when I decide to ignore it for a few days. Amused that everyone looked at my hair as a "true test" of the product, I sat in the chair and sort of smiled at them, thinking, you have no idea what you're up against.

Ladies, take a look at the picture above. I will shout this from the rooftops: this is the one of the best hair treatments I've ever gotten and I'm determined to go back for more. I'm not kidding. Let me explain how it works and then I want you to call the salon immediately for an appointment.


Dee of @CandidComments getting the treatment done.

The Inphenom treatment is a 15-minute in-salon conditioning treatment that can be done immediately after a color service. Let me repeat that for those who color their hair: this treatment can be done IMMEDIATELY AFTER a color service. For those of us who have the double threat, which is chemical relaxer AND hair color, this treatment is also a godsend and can be done immediately after any of our services as well. The goal of the product is to penetrate the hair shaft to repair the cortex and help seal in moisture. You sit down at the shampoo bowl and in five easy steps (and 15 short minutes later), you're ready for a fabulous blow out.


Dee getting her blowout. I'm enjoying a glass of champagne over her shoulder. :)

Need additional proof that this genius product is worth it? I'll give you three. First, the shampoo girl was able to completely comb through my hair after the products had penetrated (a first for me). Second, there was no extreme steam or pain during my blowout afterward. Third, I don't think I've ever seen my hair look this straight or healthy. Look at the picture above. My hair is normally a coarse rat's nest and I never know what to do with it. Now I do: I'm going back for more of these treatments. I watched them perform this on women of multiple backgrounds (Asian, Southeast Asian, Caucasian, and African-American) and all of us agreed: this treatment is a must-have.


Me with one of the genius owners of Concept and one of the lovely PR girls from UpSpring PR

Best of all? The treatment is $60! Inphenom is currently available at Concept Salon here in NYC but will soon roll out to about six salons here in town. Colored hair? Damaged hair? Relaxed hair? I cannot say this enough: get this treatment and you'll find out what amazing hair you can really have. Call 212-644-6366 and get your own amazing hair experience.

FSB For Men: Redken Color Camouflage Service

Guys, please know that the people who love you appreciate good grooming. From pedicures in the summertime (a MUST if you wear flip-flops or "mandals") to taking care of your skin, looking well-groomed is a sign of self-respect and, quite frankly, it's hot. Whatever grooming requests you make of your Personal Pit Crew ("Glam Squad" might be too girly), we're all for it.

In times where looking your best means more than ever (and if you've been on a job interview lately, you know what I mean), you might consider a coloring service. We're not talking full-on obvious haircolor here, gents. After witnessing the Redken for Men's Customized Camouflage Service, if you're looking to add more pepper to your salt, this 5-10 minute service is discreet, effective and worth the money.



The service is a demi-permanent tint that is worked into the hair at the shampoo bowl (see, I said it was discreet), left to develop for 5-10 minutes, rinsed out and then your hair is styled as normal. It provides just a tinge of discreet color that honestly just makes you look more refreshed and youthful. It works on blondes, brunettes and redheads, the depth of hues range from Light to Dark, and the color works on all types and lengths of hair. As you can see on the model from the demonstration below, it's just enough coverage to look amazing but it's not 80's soap opera noticeable.


The service costs around $25-70 dollars and is performed in Redken Salons nationwide. Want to give the service a shot? Use their salon locator to find a salon near you.

See, this is so much better than those frosted tips or faux-hawk styles you used to experiment with back in the day...and if you're still doing that just stop it. Stop it right now and go get this service done.