Listen up lovely ladies (and gents)! When you stop and think of how funky and gross some of your styling tools can get and all of the dust, oils, and germs that accumulates, you’ll start looking at those hairballs differently. No worries – we’re here to help! Cleaning your styling tools will not only give you more control while styling, but also smoother, shiner hair. No germs and shiny hair? WIN!  

NOTE: Make sure your styling tools are unplugged and cooled before cleaning!!!

Hair Dryer – Simply remove the air vent (circular area located in back) and clean lint off the filter with an old toothbrush. Replace the filter and put the air vent back on! Lastly, wipe down the exterior of your dryer with an anti-bacterial wipe. Voila! Remember to clean the vent area about once a month to help with air circulation through your blow dryer. It also extends the life of your blow dryer by preventing it from overheating!

Straightener – Take a damp washcloth and gently wash off the plates from any build-up. If the straightener has floating plates, take a small pin and gently run it under the plates to remove any build-up. If you still have stubborn, try using rubbing alcohol on a soft rag. Make sure that you squeeze out the excess alcohol from your rag before cleaning your flat iron to prevent alcohol from getting inside. 

Brush – Grab a pen or pencil and slide the pointed end under the hair build-up from the bottom of the brush to the top. Pull up until the hair starts to loosen. Then take a scissors and carefully cut straight down the middle. Pull the clumps apart and discard any hairballs. To clean the rest of the brush, use shampoo on a toothbrush with warm water to scrub the base of the brush between the bristles. Rinse the brush, and then lay it face down to dry.

Curling Iron/Wand – Wipe the barrel and handle with a damp cloth. To remove heavy build-up, use rubbing alcohol instead of water. Another secret tip is to mix 1 part warm water with 1 part liquid fabric softener and put mixture on a cloth or q-tip. Wipe down your curling iron with the cloth or use a q-tip to get those small, hard to reach areas. 

Do you wish there were a way to get a totally different hairstyle for Halloween, without doing anything that might make your boss look at you funny the next day? Are you sick of Manic Panic turning your bathroom purple? Well, my friend, have you considered a wig? They're not just for Lady Gaga and Honey Boo Boo, they're for anyone who wants to try out a new look. Here are some fun wigs to try out for this Halloween!

Snow White Wig

Pick your poisoned apple--Kristen Stewart? Lily Collins? Whoever voiced Snow White in the original Disney movie? Whatever your take on the fairy tale princess, you're gonna need hair as black as coal.

Marie Antoinette Wig

Marie Antoinette is a fun, sexy costume that gives you an excuse to eat cake all night. That hairstyle is a nightmare, though. Just get a wig and be done with it.

"Rapsalicious" Wig

I'm guessing they only called this wig that because they didn't want a certain rapper whose last name rhymes with "Triage" to sue. You should totally wear this if you're going to a Halloween party on "Pink Friday," or if you're arriving at a party by "Starships."

"Pop Star" Wig

What a fun wig! This would be perfect if you have a great "Poker Face" and want to "Just Dance" all night on Halloween. PS don't kid yourself into thinking you're talented enough to craft your own hair into a bow. Yoü and I both know that's not true.

Cotton Candy Wig

You're gonna need to make up a costume to go with this. Mermaid? Fairy? Spirit of cotton candy? Who cares, your hair will look super sweet.

Cruella DeVille Wig

Cruella DeVille, Cruella DeVille, if dying half your hair white doesn't scare you, no evil thing will.

Afro Wig

Ease on down the road to your next Halloween party, because this sexy Afro wig is perfect for all your disco inferno needs.

Marilyn Monroe Wig

Is it true that gentlemen prefer blondes? Get a blonde wig and find out. (That is, if you prefer gentlemen. If you don't, you can find out if ladies also prefer blondes.)

Pin Up Girl Wig

Maybe you've already conducted experiments and concluded that gentlemen do not, in fact, prefer blondes. Channel your inner Bettie Page in this sexy brunette wig is perfect for a 50s pin-up girl costume that'll be sure to turn heads.

Sexy Hollywood Star Wig

Okay, you've considered blonde and brunette... but what about redhead? This wig is perfect if you're not bad... you're just drawn that way. Don't forget to add plenty of purple eyeshadow.

And don't forget--whichever awesome wig you choose, you'll need a wig cap to go under it. Trust us.

Renata Sancken is a staff writer for HalloweenCostumes.com, where you can purchase a wide variety of high-quality wigs for men and women. 

I am so excited to be stopping by this week from IHeart Organizing! As a gal, I am a huuuge fan of hair products. Hair dryer, curling iron, flat iron, oh my. Not to mention all of the super fabulous bobby pins, hair ties, flower clips and headbands that decorate my locks on a daily basis. Love it all. But what I don’t love, is that without any storage or systems in place, all of those hair goodies can quickly take over the entire bathroom. Jumbled cords and accessories strewn about the counter can happen in a flash and pretty soon I am left wondering where my toothbrush is. Not cool.

I have done a lot of inspiration searching and I am really excited to stop by today to share some of my favorite ways to keep all of those hair supplies under control, allowing the bathroom to remain nice and tidy happy place.

When it comes to hair supplies, utilizing the insides of drawers is one of the best ways to neatly tuck away those cords and supplies, yet also giving you quick and easy access.

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If you don’t have the luxury of built in drawer storage {and it would be a total luxury}, then another great option is to utilize the inside of a cabinet door.  

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Many online organizing sites carry over the door organizers, which make a solid solution to wrangling countertop clutter.  

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No drawer or cabinet space? How about an organizer that neatly hooks onto a towel bar?

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Or sits on the counter/vanity top?

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If you have the DIY gene, or know someone that does, a few PVC pipes cut to size is a quick, easy and inexpensive solution to corralling those hair care items.

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And if you a really ambitious and want to move up on the DIY scale, how incredible is this storage bench/towel holder option? It gives me happy butterflies!

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So many great ideas! But what about those itty bits; hair ties, bobby pins and clips?

I personally love to use small dishes found at thrift stores to wrangle the different sized hair accessories:

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And since I am always a fan a using everyday items from around the home for organizing, how about a muffin pan?

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Or a pretty paper covered tin container or a photo frame adorned with ribbon?

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Of course, there are great items available on the market for purchase as well, acrylic is always a great way to go since you can always get a quick visual of the contents.

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Or how about some magnetic spice tins, which can be placed within a medicine cabinet!  Simply charming yet practical!

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Speaking of magnets, did you know they actually make magnetic bobby pin holders? Never loose those itty bitties again, so fabulous!

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I am over the moon for the new Remington organizing products! Drawer dividers to keep everything separate and simple to find, and a wall mount storage board which is the perfect solution to display and store hundreds or accessories in one place!  

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Whether you love to DIY, thrift or shop, there are a variety of great solutions to wrangle and conceal your favorite hair care items! Say goodbye to countertop clutter and hello to delightful mornings!

Happy organizing!  

Jen

There’s no denying that braids have been at the forefront of hair trends for some time now. Equal parts casual and romantic, woven wonders are taking the world of hair by storm; be it three or five strand, fishtail or waterfall, creativity is the name of this mane game. Celebrate homecoming and complete your look for the big night with one of these brag-worthy braided ‘dos created by Hair on the Avenue stylist, Kelly Araujo. 

‘Up, up and Away!’ Planning on dancing the night away? Does your hair hold a history of being unpredictable? A braided updo might be just the right option for you! Get your braid on and watch stylist Kelly Araujo create the look- yes, you can do it.

‘Swept Away’ For the girl who prefers to show off her natural texture (or has become well acquainted with her curling iron), a side swept ‘do is the perfect in-between style. Use a French braid technique to secure hair from one side to the nape of the neck and pin in place. This look is incredibly easy to recreate at home. Tip: Amp up the glam factor with a statement earring. 

‘Pony up!’ Pair your ponytail with a slight pompadour and braided accents. Complete the chic and wrap the base with a strand of hair or better yet, a lace ribbon/printed fabric. This toned-down style offers plenty of room to accessorize.

‘Big & Boho’ Abundant braids are the perfect accompaniment to bohemian dress. Extensions will provide added length and bulk and weaving colored strands/ribbon into the mix creates a personalized look. Pssst… If your attempt at ‘Side Swept’ didn’t go as planned, salvage your hard work and continue braiding to one side!

‘Half n’ Half’ A half-up-half-down style will allow you the best of both worlds- romantic, long locks while keeping your hair away from your face. Incorporate different braiding techniques for a show-stopping style!

Follow @hairontheavenue and @KellyAnnAraujo

With New York Fashion Week behind us, the fashion industry has already introduced what they have planned for Spring/Summer 2013. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just beginning our quest to plan and shop for our fall wardrobe. With the fashion cycle always three seasons ahead, it is no wonder trends come and go in a blink of an eye.

No worries though, since with a little research of runway shows from Fall/Spring 2013 and a few glossy magazines, a girl can not only create her perfect fall shopping list but also ensure that it will withstand the test of time. In fashion terms these days, standing the “test of time” may even simply means that you will be able to stay on trend for a full season!

After much consideration, here’s my top 5 list of Fall 2012 must-have pieces. They are not only on trend now, but should surely withstand the test of time. Such as this season’s brooch trend might be sizzling for fall’13, but it will surely make a big comeback in future years.

1. Classic Lady-Like Purse
The hobo purse may be comfortable, but a classic purse with a box shape will never go out of style.

2. Brooch
Yet another classic that made a strong comeback this season. With a retro look, a brooch is the prettiest finishing touch for any occasion.  Why not substitute that cocktail ring for a statement brooch?

3. Pointy-Toe Heels
Seen on the fall runways of Stella McCartney and Jil Sander, this office staple is back in business.

4. Over the Knee Boots
Seen at Givenchy and Calvin Klein, this risqué over the knee look is back!

5. Pant-Suit
The biggest trend for fall, the pant suit is a must. Wear it with a simple blouse or as separates, this look is here to stay.

See more from Marta Tryshak at withlovegabrielle.com

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to share with you how to create these gorgeous, loose curls using the new Style Solutions Curl Perfect Iron by Remington! Whether you're headed to school, work, or a fun night out, these curls are classic, and give you a care-free yet glamorous look. I hope you'll enjoy, and thanks so much for watching!

See more from Erin at youtube.com/freshblush

While we hate to admit that summer is quickly coming to a close we can’t help but get (excessively) excited about slipping back into a cozy fall wardrobe.  While fall fashion can pretty much be summed up in “layers” here are our favorite accessories that make a fall look fabulous.

Cozy Scarf: Having a great scarf (or many) this season is the biggest must-have of them all! They’re great to accent an outfit or just to keep you warm. You can go with a standard thin scarf or a thicker infinity scarf for those cooler days. If you have a neutral colored coat, try out a cool pattern or floral scarf to make your outfit more fun! 

Splurge: Fritillary Ruffle Loop, Anthropology  $38

Steal: Textured Knit Snood, Asos.com  $20.44

Vintage Jewelry: Start off your fall with some new jewelry that will make your outfit pop! Think big pieces and warm colors. If you look hard enough you will be able to find some great things that will transform a boring outfit into something fantastic. Try looking at your local farmer’s market or thrift store! Finding these pieces here will truly make them one of a kind!

Splurge: Gold Natural Gemstone Necklace, Rubylane.com  $325
Steal: Layered Stone Necklace, Banana Republic   $39.50

Leather Bag: Try getting a nice warm brown leather bag for this upcoming fall! The leather is a great material to get you through this cold season and is resistant to wear and tear. Take one of your mom’s old neck ties and secure it to the bag strap for a cute personal touch!

Splurge: New Leather City Willis, Coach $298
Steal: Meadow Top Handle Flap Crossbody, Nicole Miller $35

Boots: You can’t start fall without a great pair of boots (I supposed can, but it isn’t nearly as fun).  Boots are a staple. Dress them up for work or dress them down for a casual weekend! We suggest looking for something versatile and leather to get you through those slushy days as fall turns to winter. Make sure you use leather or suede spray before you wear them to ensure the boots stay looking great throughout the seasons!

Splurge: Paige Tall Riding, The Fry Company  $358

Steal: Ciao Bella Tabby Wide Calf Riding Boot, DSW.com  $99.95

The only times in life that we do genuinely desire a close shave is when we're talking non-metaphorically. Just about every brand out there promises to shave us back to pre-puberty smoothness, but Remington is one of the few names that we know we can usually trust. So here at GearCulture, much to our wives and girlfriends' consternation, we allowed our facial hair to go wild in order to test three of Remington's latest electric offerings to see if they cut the mustard – and facial hair, obviously.

Remington F3 ($30)

The Smooth: Like cell phones, electric shavers have thankfully come a long way in terms of size and not to mention maneuverability. The F3 boasts an independent flexing foil and pivoting neck which should ensure that it covers every contour of your face, and the speedy motor means a cleaner shave with less passes. Less passes means less irritation, which is not only great for those with sensitive skin, but it'll save you a fortune in moisturizer too.

The Stubble: Though the flex and pivot feature should have covered each and every contour, it didn't. Points are lost because it struggled around the neck and jaw lines, and there were a few stragglers left behind. The battery takes 16 hours to recharge too, which is not ideal if you're late for work.

The Final Verdict: For 30 bucks, you can't fault the F3 too much. Even though there were a few missed whiskers, the shave was close and smooth.

Remington F4 ($40)

The Smooth: All the features of the F3, with a cherry on top, the Remington F4 comes equipped with a pair of independent floating cutting heads which are extremely precise and hold the lines of the face admirably, definitely out-performing the F3 around the jaw.

The Stubble: The battery only lasts for a half hour which means lots or recharging, and though the shaver handled shorter whiskers well, it did miss a few of the longer hairs about the neck.

The Final Verdict: It's better than the F3, but personally we'd rather splash that extra bit of cash on the F5 (below). Ten dollars gets you a whole lot more.

Remington F5 ($50)

The Smooth: The F5's battery is by far the best of the three, and even Remington has undersold themselves here. They claim it takes a couple of hours to fully charge, but we always hit optimum energy in less than two. The built-in Interceptor Shaving Technology – that's the trimming blade for longer hair – ensured that no hairs were missed and that the shave was without a doubt the smoothest out of the three.

The Stubble: There's a five minute quick charge which is ideal for touch-ups, but needs to be longer for that motor to be whizzing at full capacity.

The Final Verdict: The absolute daddy of the Remington F series, even with a few days' worth of beard growth, the F5 delivers a smooth shaving experience and doesn't miss a hair. Fully charged, it'll even run for a whole hour which makes it ideal for those always on the go. F5? High Five!

Christian Zaguirre is the founder and curator of GearCulture, an online gear magazine for guys.

It's that time of the year again when everyone goes back to school and is left with that lingering question…how do I get ready to make an impression on the first day? Hopefully my video will give you some tips on a few simple updates that can change your look just in time for back to school.

See more from Hayley at youtube.com/hayleyistcb

Well well well. Welcome back! I am so glad that you have made it to part 2 of the "How to Shop at a thrift store" series. Today, we are getting to the fun stuff. Today, we talk about the PROJECTS and TRANSFORMATION . Oh yea...

Now, in the world of clothing and accessory shopping, it is a little bit easier. The main thing to think about is spending TIME looking for the right things. Knowing which sections to hit (clutches, belts, scarves, jackets, vests). The areas where you can COMPLETE an outfit, but they may not fin the WHOLE outfit. 

For example, check this outfit out.
 

Guess what I thrifted here? This sweet vest. I wear it ALL the time. Just ask my friends. So this vest has COMPLETED so many outfits for me, even though it is not the WHOLE outfit.

Now check this outfit out:

What do you think I thrifted here? OK, I’ll tell you. It’s the belt and the shoes! The shoes were an AMAZING find, because I’m pretty sure they are this season’s at Target! Haha. Some people just give up so quickly… needless to say, these two accessories have COMPLETED a zillion outfits of mine, though they are not the WHOLE outfit.

You get my drift here?

Quick Sidenote: Every now and then it is absolutely possible to find an amazing vintage dress at the thrift store, so don’t give up looking for the WHOLE or COMPLETE outfit (I still do a quick walk through of the dress section every time I go), but don’t make that your only goal.

OK, moving on.

In the world of accessorizing your home, things get a bit more sticky.

The main tip I will give you, before we dive into the meat and potatoes, is to keep an open mind. If you have "fabric" on your list to find, and you have a certain project in mind, keep your eyes open to a pattern or color scheme that you weren't planning on, or didn't know you even liked! You may surprise yourself. If you are looking for certain glassware, or certain color frames, don't back yourself into a wall. There is always spray paint people! And if you have never ever shopped at a thrift store and you don't know where to start... That is awesome. I am glad you're here. And remember to keep an open mind.

So without further ado, here are some projects that I have worked on, where the raw beginnings all happened to come from a thrift store!

We’ll start with the small stuff.

These guys were collected from thrift stores over the course of seriously, SERIOUSLY years. I didn’t know what I was collecting them for, until I found that amazing set of tiny antlers at an antique store… And then it all came together. BAM. One of my favorite projects to date. High gloss spray paint and a few nails, and it is one of the projects in my house that gets the most compliments!

Next up are these vintage silver and teacup candles.

I went through a phase where I made candles for every occasion. I put them all over my house. I gave them out as gifts. I fell in love with them. So I would pick up little cups and glasses every time I went thrifting (one time I even snagged a fish bowl), and then would fill them up with wax and a wick. They are such an amazing and useful gift.

Next up is the furniture. Dun dun dun…

Just recently, I found this awesome old drink cart at a thrift store near my house. It was rusty and had some badly stained glass.

But now, after some spray paint, goo gone, and TLC, it sits in the back room of my house, and makes me feel super fancy. 

I also picked up this desk (which is actually an old sewing table that no longer had a sewing machine in it) for $25 at a Goodwill. I painted it canary yellow and antiqued it with some glaze and BAM. It is one of my favorite furniture re-dos to date!

Lastly, there are some things that you may purchase just because you love them the way they are.

These green glasses were the perfect addition to my drink cart, just the way they are.  And the blue mason jars are still sitting on my kitchen counter, with nothing in them yet, just because I think they are the prettiest shade of blue. And I won’t spray paint them or change them ever. At least I don’t plan to right now :)

And that’s all folks!

It has been really wonderful to be here and share my thoughts on how to prep and execute the best thrift store shopping experience ever. I hope you learned something! To continue following along on my thrift store adventures, please feel free to drop by WWW.THRIFTARY.COM and check out some of these projects in detail, and more!

TTFN,