Natalie Portman at the Vanity Fair 2010 Academy Awards party: The Hairstyle

For a second year in a row, red-carpet darling Natalie Portman has tapped celebrity stylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso to create her award season hairstyles. Last night, Kevin gave Natalie Portman a flawless updo for the exclusive and star-studded Vanity Fair party.

“I really wanted to give her a Bridget Bardot meets Audrey Hepburn style,” said Mancuso, “there’s nothing like an old Hollywood style for a young Hollywood actress!”

How to get Natalie Portman’s Vanity Fair 2010 Academy Awards party hairdo:

Kevin Mancuso – who brought you the celebrity hair bible, The Mane Thing, and worked on such a-list names as Sienna Miller, Blake Lively, Naomi Watts and Taylor Swift – offers his tips for recreating Natalie’s red carpet style at home:

PREP:

· Shampoo and condition hair with body building products, such as Nexxus Diametress and Sublime Volume, to help give hair lift.

STYLE:

· Apply a volumizing spray gel, like Nexxus Lavish Body, from roots to ends, then blow-dry with a paddle brush, directing hair up and away from face and lifting at the root.

· When roots are almost dry, switch to a round brush and blow-dry ends, smoothing as you go.

· While hair is still warm, transfer one-inch sections to Velcro rollers and let completely cool, then remove and tousle hair with a bit of smoothing lotion, such as Nexxus Sleek Finish.

· Remove a one-inch front section of hair and then pull the rest gently back into a mid-level ponytail, securing with an elastic.

· Use bobbi pins to artfully sculpt loose ends into a soft updo.

FINISH:

· Use a flat iron to smooth front curl and help position hair around face, then finish look with a light misting of a hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru.

Nexxus Salon Hair Care is returning as the official hair care sponsor of Shear Genius, Bravo’s hit reality hair competition.

The cast of Shear Genius Season 3. Photo credit: BRAVO

Bravo’s creative hair-styling competition series “Shear Genius” premieres Wednesday, February 3 at 11 p.m. ET/PT with a whole new look. Nexxus Salon Hair Care, official hair care sponsor of the show, has partnered with Bravo for a third season of high-stakes action. For the first time, “Shear Genius” has gone international. After combing the world for top stylists, Bravo has assembled 12 remarkably-talented individuals who will raise the level of competition to hair-raising heights. Each week, the show will offer expert tips and how-tos, as well as fashionable hairdos created exclusively with Nexxus products.

“We are thrilled to be back for a third season,” said Rob Keen, Nexxus Brand Director. “Partnering with a program that celebrates the professional community and provides viewers with an insight into the world of hair care is a natural fit for Nexxus, a company with 30 years of salon experience.”

International model and handbag designer Camila Alves makes her hosting debut alongside new series judge Jonathan Antin, celebrity stylist and former star of Bravo’s hit series “Blow Out.” Famed stylist Kim Vo returns as a judge for his second season, and, new to the series, accomplished stylist Orlando Pita adds his voice of expertise as mentor to the contestants. Nexxus Creative Director and renowned stylist Kevin Mancuso will also join the panel on Wednesday, March 10th for the Nexxus Challenge episode

The world of styling is much bigger than just a salon – and Bravo’s “Shear Genius” offers a glimpse into that captivating and little-known arena. This season the challenges are more glamorous, the hair more knotty, and the competition more fierce, as the contestants attempt to demonstrate that their style is a cut above the rest.

Every Wednesday, beginning February 3rd, contestants will lather, rinse and compete in the “Shear Genius” Nexxus Salon. Fans of the show can enjoy the competition online by signing up with Nexxus on Facebook (click here – http://www.facebook.com/nexxus ) to receive tips for recreating the winning looks at home, “blow” by “blow” commentary from Nexxus Creative Director and celebrity guest judge Kevin Mancuso, and much more!

It’s almost that time of the year: Valentine’s Day. Have you decided how are you going to wear your hair on that very romantic day? Here are some hairdo tips by celebrity stylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso:

Voluminous Curls: “Whether structured or loose, voluminous curls are always in style, and work with many hair types and lengths, for an irresistible look and unforgettable night.”– Kevin Mancuso, Nexxus Creative Director

Valentine’s Day Hair Tutorial by celebrity stylist and Nexxus Creative Director Kevin Mancuso:

Prep
· Start your hairstyle in the shower by using a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, like Nexxus Diametress Luscious Volumizing Shampoo and Sublime Volume Luscious Volumizing Conditioner. 

Style
· While hair is wet, apply a curl enhancing foam, like Nexxus Gorgeous Curls Curl Enhancing Foam Styler, to help build the structure of the style. Use the nozzle to help apply product directly to the roots and then work down to tips with fingers.

· Turn head up-side-down and blow-dry using a diffuser attachment. Scrunch hair with fingers to help accentuate the natural texture.

· Once dry, comb fingers through hair to smooth out the natural curls.

Finish
· Use a medium barrel curling iron to add additional curls and texture to the front sections of hair. Finish look with a lightweight hairspray, such as Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Hold Design & Finishing Mist, to set the style.

Talking Makeup is excited to annoucne the launch of “Nexxus Now,” an online-resource for all things hair!

This month, Nexxus is excited to bring you Nexxus’ exclusive “Fall Update 2009” featuring easy how-to video tutorials and fall trend forecasts from Nexxus Experts, Creative Director Kevin Mancuso and Color Director Sharon Dorram-Krause. Be sure to also check out the interactive “Color IQ Quiz,” with helpful insider tips from Sharon, on how to keep and maintain beautifully vibrant color.

 Be sure to check out Nexxus.com each month for new hair care updates, trends and limited-time consumer sweepstakes.

Sienna Miller looks en Vogue at “September Issue” Premiere…I totally love Sienna Miller’s hairstyle, the dress, the golden shoes, and the sunglasses. Probably something I would wear. So Marta:)

Yesterday marked the New York premiere of the hotly anticipated “September Issue” – a documentary following legendary Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Walking down the red carpet in style at the premiere will be actress and fashion icon Sienna Miller, who graced the cover of the magazine’s largest issue for which the film is named.

Image via www.hollywoodtuna.com

With the help of celebrity hair stylist Kevin Mancuso, Miller was  looking “en Vogue” by showcasing one of this season’s best trends – disheveled glam.

If you are looking to recreate a Sienna Miller inspired look at home, Kevin offers his step-by-step styling tips for this red carpet look below.

The Look: Hair is worn down with loose, bohemian-chic waves

Prep: Enhance your natural texture by applying a volumizing or curling mousse, such as Nexxus Mousse Plus

…or Nexxus Gorgeous Curls, at the root and spreading to the ends. Flip head over and blow hair around while massaging the roots with your finger tips. This will help build texture into the style.

Style: Once dry, flip head back up and brush out to remove major tangles. Create a center part and smooth out the top 1/3 of hair with fingers.  Tilt head to side and taking random sections of hair drag medium curling iron down to ends. This action helps to create long, loose, uneven waves. Let the natural fluff come through for an of-the-moment look.

Finish: Finish look with a misting of a light hold hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru. It will help maintain the look on and off the red carpet, while allowing the movement of the style to shine through.

Visit www.nexxus.com for additional product details.

I took this short video backstage at Vivenne Tam during New Fashion Week Fall 2009. Makeup was done by MAC Cosmetics and hair by Nexxus. The video is called: MAC Makeup Eye Liner Application Backstage at Vivienne Tam. A makeup artist applies MAC eye liner on a model. Next time I should try to make the video a bit longer.

Retro ruled the red carpet last night, with 30s, 40s and 50s glamour on display. Smooth waves and constructed pinning ushered in new, softer styles that were timelessly elegant.

Kevin Mancuso, Creative Director for Nexxus Salon Hair Care, created the modern and romantic updo worn by presenter Natalie Portman. With a sweeping side part and soft curl, pinned into a beautiful knot at the nape of her neck, the look was deceptively easy to create. Kevin described how to get the look below in a few simple steps.

How-to Get Natalie Portman’s hairstyle at Oscars 2009:

Step 1: Apply a volumizing styler to the roots, like Nexxus Root Exxtend, to add body into the hair.

Distribute a medium-hold mousse, such as Nexxus Mousse Plus, throughout hair to and maintain and support the structure of the style. More modern updos employ product instead of teasing to build body, for a softer, healthier look. Blow dry hair with a large round brush, concentrating on the ends to smooth the hair.

Step 2: After drying, use a medium sized curling iron throughout the hair to create uneven waves and set the shape around the face. Once curled, create side part and pull hair back and away from the face. Then, take various sized sections of the curled hair and twist and pin back to create the updo. Insert an elegant, decorative pin above the updo to draw attention to the intricate details of the style.

Step 3: Finish look with a light-weight hairspray, like Nexxus Comb Thru, to help secure the style throughout the evening.

Products Used:

Nexxus Root Exxtend Volumizing Root Lifter
Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam Styler
Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Hold Design and Finishing Mist