The PRODUCT Blog - Pure Ingredients for Gorgeous Hair

Sticking Around

Barrettes, clips, claws, elastics.  Yawn. 

Sometimes the usual suspects for hair accessories can be a little uninspiring.  Always on the lookout for more intriguing options, I spotted these hair sticks at Lucas Echo Park, part of a collection of implements for up-doing that stylist & colorist Nina Lucas has crafted, called PRIDE. 

These lovely, unique, hand-painted wooden sticks are a welcome alternative to the plastic claw.  Nina instructs that the key to securing your bun, twist or topknot is to make sure the first stick pretty much holds it securely in place - the second stick is "backup."

 

 

 

Mastering the sticks takes a little practice, like any new technique, but I've been using them for everything from low sideswept buns to high knots and relaxed twists - plus I find that when I take my hair down, it has a nicer shape than it usually does after being compressed by an elastic or crimped in a claw.  I'm hooked on these sticks ...

PRIDE by Nina Lucas, available at Lucas Echo Park, in Los Angeles. 

At the Corner of www & (dot)com

  Photo: www.abesmarket.com/abe-story

A visit to Abe's Market is a bit like strolling down a virtual boulevard that's populated with lively storefronts, unique wares and friendly shopkeepers.  A family-oriented e-commerce hub, Abe's brings a local feel to the worldwide Web by highlighting the people behind the goods.  If you're a thoughtful shopper searching for natural products, this online corner store is right up your alley. Folks at CNN, NBC, Good Housekeeping and the New York Times have all discovered an abundance of eco-friendly offerings at Abe's Market.  Some highlights:

• PRODUCT pomade, naturally.
• Adorable onesies and organic cotton clothing for babies & toddlers.
• At last count, 71 natural deodorants (stick, cream, spray, crystal, even towelettes), plus over 100 dental products.
• And a personal favorite:  Quinn Popcorn.  A word to the wise - it sells out quickly.

From PRODUCT & Abe's - Welcome to the neighborhood!

Deck the Halls, and Stuff Some Stockings

Happy holidays!  We're in the thick of gift-giving season and Ecobold has some "green" suggestions to shrink your shopping list's carbon footprint.  Welcome to the Ecobold Holiday Gift Guide ...

Steffany, Ecobold's fearless leader in planet-friendly commerce, gives a glimpse of seven clean, non-toxic gift ideas for the season - and even manages to mix in some eco-education!

Natural products are a nice way to show someone you care - about them and about important issues like resource conservation and sustainability ...

So check out Ecobold for today's special holiday offers, and give the gift that keeps on giving - a healthy planet!

 

 

 

Well Seasoned

We're on the cusp of fall, when new styles are as plentiful as descending leaves.  Now is the time when a few smart choices can make for a good-looking season.

Some resources for the ladies: 

• Chictopia, an online "mecca for inspiration seekers and trendsetters," does not disappoint and is highly regarded by WWD & NYLON ...

• Atlantic-Pacific, created by emerging style icon Blair "Bee" Eadie, incorporates fashion sensibilities from both coasts into a unique mix.  See what interests her for the coming season.

• Get more from your summer maxi-dresses, with some styling tips from Refinery29. 

 

For the guys, this video from the Quoddy workshop demonstrates a high standard.  It's good to keep in mind that you deserve quality, and to admire it - though a pair of these would be an investment ...

video via the Free/Man Journal

 

And for parents, as well as young kids and teens, back to school shopping can be a, shall we say, tense experience.  It's no surprise that a recent survey found young people underestimate the cost of this annual autumn ritual.  Though it can't be avoided, school shopping can be embraced as a "teachable occasion" for money matters - see the survey results for specific suggestions ...

and savor these final days of summer!

 

Opinion Pages

Customer reviews of PRODUCT pomade for hair on Urban Outfitters are proof positive that the styling butter, made entirely from organic & plant-derived components, is a natural wonder!  Five simple ingredients, blended beautifully, get fantastic results - here's a peek at what people are saying ...

"This is the best stuff ever!!  I use a pea size amount on my super tight brown curls when I get out of the shower.  I love it!  It leaves my hair feeling softened, with cuter curls, and bouncy ... and my frizz is gone!"  -- from ihearttimmy

"Smells really good in the jar but doesn't scent your hair, which I kind of like ...  I actually got this thinking about summer trips to the beach.  I have a feeling that salt water plus PRODUCT will make my hair really slammin'.  You can also use this as a lip balm and cuticle cream or to mix with an eyeshadow to make a smoky cream shadow.  Gotta love a multi-tasker."  -- from NoNose

"The packaging is adorable.  A little, tiny, clever jar.  The PRODUCT is interesting ... you just rub it in your hands and it turns into more of a light paste ...  It smells wonderful and made my hair look fabulous for some reason ...  Even if you don't want to use it on your entire head, just use a little bit and tame some pieces.  It works well and it won't make your hair greasy if you spread it out and work it in thoroughly ..."  -- from sparklebones, Top 100 Contributor

"My hair is pretty short and fine, but there is lots of it.  It took me a few tries to get the right amount of texture ... but now it's my favourite hair product!  It gives me a bit more definition and control while still looking natural."  -- hkat

Here's to a lovely spring!

Best Coast

Fresh from the Urban Outfitters blog comes an interview with Lana Kim, an exec producer for music videos here in Los Angeles who also hosts 'The Lana Show,' where she hangs out with musicians like Will Oldham (aka Bonnie Prince Billy), Moby and Blonde Redhead ...

Sharing her favorite haunts in the City of Angels, Lana singles out Lucas Hair Salon in Echo Park, saying, "It's like 'Barber Shop' the movie!  Except with women.  I stop by to say hi and talk, even if I'm not getting my hair done."  (Another fabuluous thing about Lucas Echo Park - you can get PRODUCT there ...)

See the rest of Lana's L.A. List, view 'The Lana Show' or check out her joint blog with sibling Ely, who lives in NY, called 'The Rivalry.'  Ms. Kim describes the brother-sister blog "a visual conversation" between the two of them - a peek into their worlds on opposite coasts (and a bit of a competition to see whose posts get the most interest) ...

Straight from Philly

Recently, Urban Outfitters hair and makeup artist Russell Oden shared a handful of favorite products he's been employing to get UO models camera-ready for in-house photo shoots.    

Here's what Russell had to say about PRODUCT pomade:

 

"I can’t get enough of this! I use just a pea-sized amount in our models' hair before we begin shooting for a bit of protection from the heat of my styling tools.  It’s also great help to soften and defrizz hair after a long day of outfit changes, and it's great for both men and women."

Week in the Knees

Fashionistas, on alert!  Fashion Week L.A. kicks off March 17 and closes the 24th.  Check out the LA Times Image section blog or the official site's calendar for your itineraries - anticipation is building ...

 

PRODUCT was happy to be included in the festivities at two FWLA opening events.  First, Talia from Three Day Rule invited us to be part of the gift bag for their 'Single Mingle for Charity,' which happened last night at the ABH at Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills.  One of TDR's featured bachelors, Vincent M., hosted the gathering, and he won't be on the market long once ladies melt in the heat of his heartwarming philanthropic efforts ...  The charity being supported was After School All-Stars, an organization active in LA that provides comprehensive after school programs for at-risk youth.  And its impact goes beyond California - After School All-Stars has helped out almost 80,000 young people in 13 states across the country.

 

 Also discovering PRODUCT this week was a flock of beauty bloggers at another March 11 fashion fete.  The style mavens at Dedicated Follower of Fashion hosted the evening, at which the first 50 people to arrive received a goody bag full of great style and beauty finds.  Knowing how seriously the ladies of DFF love their stuff, it's likely there were some pretty sweet selections ...  

While we're on the subject of style, the PRODUCT email newsletter for March went out earlier this month, featuring info and ideas about upcoming hair and fashion trends for Spring.  For those not currently subscribed, we'd love to have you!  You can join via the 'Join My List' tab on our Facebook page, or by sending us an email at info@thenameisproduct.com asking to be added.  Don't miss out!