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. 

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

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

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.

Your big day is just around the corner and you’re starting to hear those wedding bells chime. Next on your to-do list is a trip to the salon! Get ready for the mane event with a recap of this season’s wedding hair trends from Hair On The Avenue stylist Kelly Araujo.

Retro Glam: Old Hollywood hairstyles continue to dominate on both the runway and red carpet, all the way to the aisles of love. “Soft and sultry, retro ‘do’s truly epitomize femininity and glamour” notes hairstylist, Kelly Araujo. And dare we say they ooze a little sex appeal?

Boho Queen: Channel your inner flower child and adorn your principle part with a crown of nature’s blossoms. Paired with a loose curl, this understated look completes an outdoor wedding atmosphere and serves as a great alternative to jeweled accessories.

Textured Tresses: Give your soft, textured updo a braid boost. Woven strands are a summer cornerstone and can add a subtle hint of individuality to your I-do hairdo.

Ballerina Bun: For the fashion savvy bride who wants to incorporate her trendy tendencies, the high bun is a safe bet for the big day. “This twist on a traditional style maintains modernity without going overboard”.

Keep it Classic: Chignon’s have withstood the test of time as they provide a simple, streamlined look. However ladies, do not underestimate their reliability: “Chignon’s are incredibly versatile, suiting a wide array of bridal looks. While the front is typically polished, there is room to accessorize and modify the back of the style”.

Above all, stick to a style that best represents you. Trends may come and go, but the album is here to stay!

By Venessa (Hair styled by Kelly Araujo, Hair On The Avenue)

From BBQs to pool parties, fireworks to—oh yeah, our nations independence--there is so much to celebrate this Fourth of July. 

Now, just to get it out of the way—can we all agree that the 4th of July being on a Wednesday is not the most ideal situation? That, of course, doesn’t take away all the fun. Even though we have to go to work the next day, it simply means we have to have THAT MUCH more fun looking fabulous so we can tell our friends about it at work the next day.

So whether you’re spending the day grilling at the BBQ or chilling by the pool, here are some fun ways to show your American spirit and celebrate the holiday in style
(and really, lets be honest—I love summer, and I love holidays—any excuse to dress in theme and I’m already there.)

While wearing the patriotic red, white and blue isn’t completely mandatory for 4th of July celebration, I definitely believe in throwing in a few small touches of all three colors into your ensemble.. because really—what other time of the year can you wear all three colors and not look like you’re wearing a costume?

To take the guesswork out of figuring out what to wear, I’ve put together three different style options that will work depending on what your plans are for the day. As always, feel free to mix and match elements of each to find your perfect outfit.

1) BBQ Champion -This outfit perfect for a hot summer BBQ. Pair a blue check or plaid top (farfetch.com) with some (all-American) denim shorts (hm.com) for a laid back chic. Pair it with some cute red accessories like these red converse (converse.com) and red shades (alexandchloe.com) and you’re ready for that watermelon, corn on the cob and owning the three-legged race.

2) Everybody in the pool - Ah, the pool party. If there were any place I’d want to be this 4th, it would definitely be by the pool. Be pool ready with a striped bikini paired with some red denim shorts (aritzia.com) and a chic beach tote (tommy.com) and a pair of cute wedge sandals. You could also opt for a chic cover-up, and of course don’t forget the hat and sunscreen.

3) Firework Fab – Be a firework in a cute simple navy dress (forever21.com) that’s perfect for a hot summer night of fun. Pair it with some simple t-strap sandals (editnewyork.com) and this adorable navy blue wrap bracelet with gold detailing (jcrew.com). Finish of the outfit with a pop of red, like this red chain strap clutch (stylebop.com).

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Summer is full of fun times, big events and high temperatures! It's the perfect time to try some updo hairstyles on your little girls. With two girls in my house, we can hardly turn around without tripping over a hair accessory. (How do rubber bands end up in such random places?) And to keep them cool and looking cute for every occasion, I have a few easy updos we use all the time.

Girly Summer Updo: Pool Day
Swimming can really take a toll on little girls’ hair.  On top of the drying effects of chlorine, the tangles can be ruthless! Tight french braids are the perfect solution.  They last through all sorts of hijinks, even meeting a dolphin!

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Every year about this time, salons heat up with clients searching for the latest, cutest, quickest and easiest hairstyles they can manage. It's a balancing act to find a hairstyle that will hold up to both a busy summer social calendar and summer's heat and humidity. But who wants to spend the time straightening, smoothing or curling only for it to fall out the minute you step out the door? This year's hottest summer hair trends reflect the laid-back look that defines summer. Summer is not the time for showy, gaudy or glitzy looking hairstyles. Soft braids, loose buns, ponytails of all shapes and sizes, pixie cuts, crop cuts  . . . these are the hair trends this summer and they all work great with busy schedules.   

Braids
Braids have been stirring up a whirlwind for a while now and are the IT hairdo for summer. And, what's perfect is we have about a gazillion different ways to wear them. Braids are only as limited as the imagination of the braider. Quick, easy and fun, casual, sophisticated or zany. . . learn how-to do a braid or two, and eliminate blow-drying, curling irons and straightening irons . . . ughhh . . . give it a rest! Side braids are so easy and look great everywhere; at the beach, pool party or any dressy summer event. The key to these looks are their textured, casual, beachy flair.  Nothing is structured here.

If you need to use a dryer, just rough dry it, with fingers, fluffing it upside down. Brush to the side and braid loosely with even tension and secure with a clear elastic. Try a messy boho hairstyle, brushed to the side and pinned up with three random strands of fishtail braids. Let some strands hang out around your face for a relaxed, carefree, spur-of the-moment style. Are you all left thumbs when it comes to braiding? No worries, there should be a variety of salons now in your area who can do some creative braiding for you. Bring in pictures or let them have at it  . . . either way . . . your braid will be a new look that will last for days!   

Short Bobs, Pixies and Crop Cuts
The classic short bob is a quick wash-n-wear style for ladies with straight hair (just add pink or blue and you've got a Katy Perry do) For lift on top, brush it in the opposite direction while drying. Create a deep side part and tuck behind your ear. Shifting your part to the opposite side occasionally will also create natural lift on top. A short crop pixie cut is adorable . . . and it doesn't get any easier than this. Consider going platinum if you like to jump on the color trend bandwagon, but take note that it requires monthly or bi-monthly upkeep for most.

Ponytails
Ponytails are fun all year round, but summertime gives you even more reasons to wear one when temps get hot and muggy. Ponytail varieties are endless; smooth, curly, braided, high, low or to the side and in this summer, the messier the better. You can wear a ponytail even if you don't have long hair. The faux-ponytail can be clipped into short and medium length hair. Look for these faux-ponytails at kiosks in shopping malls where the sales ladies will show you how to work with them, or you can find them at beauty supply stores.

Buns
The messy bun is another style to wear for any summer occasion. The low messy bun worn slightly off to the side has been a top hairstyle trend on red carpets this year and it's a simple style to recreate. There's no wrong way to wear a bun, so experiment and see what suits you.

Add some bling with a sparkly pin. Brush hair back into a low ponytail and secure with an elastic. Separate into two strands and wind around the base securing with pins. For a secure hold, pin into the base of the ponytail and let some pieces fall out for a messy look. Finish bangs or soft wispy curls to frame your face.

Guest author Barb Quinn has been a professional hair stylist for over 30 years and has established herself as a nationally recognized hair designer, educator, and freelance writer. Barb has been chosen by her peers to serve on the advisory panel of Cosmos C International the global hair stylist network. Thousands of women each day follow Barb's hair styling wit and wisdom on her highly successful blogs Hairstyle Blog and Visual Makeover. In 2011 The Hairstyle Blog was selected as Top Beauty Blog by BeautySchool.com.

Does it seem like your hair gives up and stops growing at a certain length?  We've all heard the myth. Now, Richard tells us if it's fact or fiction. 

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.

Do you want golden summer highlights, but don't have time to hit the beach 40 hours a week?  Fake the glow and find out how many shades lighter you should you go for the perfect sun-kissed highlights. 

Ask Richard a Question:

Richard Marin is one of the top hair stylists in the hip, competitive world of hair styling. His remarkable work has graced the pages of some of the most elite fashion magazines, including Vogue, Allure and Vanity Fair.