#ThankYouMiami Talks Hair Transformations

If it wasn’t for my mom, I would have no beauty routine to speak of. She was the one who introduced me to waxing, facials, and mani-pedis, subsidizing them throughout my teens until they became a permanent fixture in my budget. In middle school, she bought me my first make-up set comprised solely of Bobby Brown products, most of which lasted me past college and which I still buy today. (For the record, I recently discovered make up expires—that she forgot to tell me.)

#ThankYouMiami How-To: Keeping Summer Hair Healthy

I had "virgin hair" most of my life. ("Virgin hair" is what stylists call hair that has never been colored or chemically-treated.) Then, at 26, I decided to see if blondes really do have more fun and allowed the talented Emilee Coyle, now at Studio Platinum on Merritt Island, to give me a summer hair transformation. I have since gone from blonde, to blonder, to blondest, most recently under the careful care of Erin at IGK Miami.

I am addicted to being blonde. I look at pictures of myself as a brunette and, while my hair looks healthier—glossier, non-frizzy—the brown tresses don't suit me as well as the blonde ones. I don't look like me. So, I keep coloring it even as I watch its texture change, becoming progressively more dull and frayed from the chemicals as the conditioning treatment washes away from my hair in the weeks after my salon visits.

My mom was the one who made me realize how unhealthy my hair has started to look. Concerned that my hair was a warning sign of poor nutrition, she called an emergency mother-daughter meeting where she brought up her concerns. I quickly reassured her the state of my coif was a consequence of missing salon visits, not meals, and made a mental note to book an appointment with Erin immediately.

Erin's expertise comes at a hefty—albeit, well-worth—price tag so I can't always default to paying her a visit when my hair needs it. So, I have started relying on a three-tiered approach that is affordable and I can do at home to keep my summer hair healthy between visits:

1. Monthly: Hair masks for moisture

At least once a month, ideally every other week, I lather on a hair mask when I get out of the shower, braid my hair, watch an episode of The Americans, then rinse or wash it off. I love Palmer's Deep Conditioning Coconut Oil Formula and, when I'm feeling fancy, the Kérastase Résistance Masque Therapiste. They help my hair against dryness.

2. Weekly: Hair oils for shine

I blow-dry my hair—yes, I finally learned how—once a week. When I do, I help it look soft and silky with hair oils, specifically Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture's Brassica Seed Oil and Kérastase's Elixir Ultime Versatile Beautifying Oil. They both do the trick aesthetically-speaking, but I'm partial to the brassica seed oil because of its cotton candy-like scent.

3. Daily: Thickening shampoo for damage repair

Color-treated hair requires special shampoo to maintain its integrity. I have found shampoos that make my color last, but none of them seem to have done much to repair color damage. That's why I alternate them with Renpure Professional's Coconut Bamboo Thickening Shampoo. It helps with damage repair and I love that it is made from all-natural ingredients—a bonus considering the chemicals needed to keep my beautiful blonde locks.

How do you keep your summer hair healthy? What other advice do you have for counteracting the effects of coloring treatments? What hair products can you not live without? Leave a message below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Beautiful Blow-Outs (Plus, Cherry Blow Dry Bar Giveaway)

Have you ever colored your hair? Three years ago we hadn't and would walk around saying we would never do it. Then, in the Summer of 2014 we met Emilee Coyle, the first person who's hair advice we trusted wholeheartedly and whom we allowed to give us this summer hair transformation using her balayage voodoo. Unfortunately our time in the salon with Emilee was cut short when she moved away but, before she left, she kickstarted our love affair with being blonde. (If you look back through our Instagram, you can catch our progression from blonde, to blonder, to blondest now under the  similarly expert hands of Erin at IGK Miami.)

We pride ourselves in being super low maintenance. That said, the minute we started coloring our hair we became marginally less low maintenance about keeping our tresses on point. Sadly for us, learning how to style our hair in our late twenties has not proved an easy task. We're starting to think acquiring basic hair styling skills (i.e., blow drying, braiding) is like learning a new language—there's a critical point at which it becomes exponentially more difficult, and we are well past that point. So, here we are at twenty-eight years old completely incapable of blow drying our own hair.

Enter blow dry bars, absolute godsends that are popping up throughout Miami. A few weeks back, Cherry Blow Dry Bar Coral Gables's newly opened on Miracle Mile came in super clutch when we had to run from a pretty taxing SoulCycle class to our friend Jamison's birthday celebration at Bulla Gastrobar. We popped in on our way to dinner and they had us washed, blow dried and sporting beautiful beach waves in under 40 minutes. Despite our still sweaty clothes, we turned heads as we walked into Bulla because a well-styled mane can make all the difference—something to keep in mind for all of you headed to Miami Swim Week the next couple of days.

Cherry Blow Dry Bar is open to the public. But, if you are blow drying-challenged like us, you may want to throw down for a cost-saving membership like the frequent dryer membership (unlimited blowouts for a monthly fee). Plus, they provide complimentary champagne during your service so it basically pays for itself, right? Anyway, if you're intrigued, next Tuesday, July 19th they are hosting a media only Blow-Out Fiesta Happy Hour with complimentary blowouts, champagne, and bites from COYO Taco. The event is not open to the public but we love you so much that we're giving away our media pass to one lucky reader. To enter, tweet us @ThankYouMiami or leave a comment below telling us why you want to win. A winner will be randomly chosen tomorrow (Friday, July 15) at 5 p.m. EST. ¡Buena suerte!

#ThankYouMiami for Cultural Influences - A #MujerDove Mexican Halloween How-To

In Miami, we have learned to accept that the leaves will never change color and that the weather will remain in the 80s well into winter. One of the fall staples that makes it to us virtually unscathed despite our impermeable tropical vibes is Halloween. And yet, Halloween is our opportunity to choose, not be forced, to make a fall tradition "SO Miami".

This year we plan to stake Miami's claim on unique fall rituals by channeling the cultural melting pot that is our community with our costumes. Inspired by Mujer Dove, we plan to give a nod to our own Mexican heritage with a look that is un poquito Frida Khalo, un poquito Catrina. While the internet will suffice for make-up inspo, we were extremely grateful that the pros at Anton Acero Beauty Studio lent our hair styling-challenged selves a hand for the 'do.

Today we share with you their step-by-step instructions for subduing hair into a Mexican glam look.The best part about this hairdo is that it is a good look beyond Halloween. So, whether you will be joining us in celebrating Miami's cultural influences on October 31st or you're looking for a new style to compliment your Sunday brunch look, we've got you!

Step 1: Round up your favorite Dove haircare products, a handful of large and small bobby pins, a colorful silk scarf, and some fresh or artificial flowers.

Step 2: With a clean coiff and a face full of your internet-inspired Catrina make-up, find a comfortable spot in front of a mirror.

#ThankYouMiami for Fashion - True Hair Miami

If you follow #ThankYouMiami on Instagram, you know we are low-maintenance types - as in no make-up and loose locks. We love to sleep so our morning routine involves our bed, not a beauty regimen. That said, we love to get pampered and prettified. Most recently, we challenged the True Hair Miami team to make us look fabulous but give us a natural, effortless look. Gustavo, their hair stylist, and Vanessa, their make-up artist, rose to the challenge beautifully. Read the excerpt from our latest #ThankYouMiami for Fashion column below and click on the photo to see the full feature.

Have you visited True Hair Miami Salon? What do you think? What are your go-to beauty or hair products? Do you have a long beauty routine? Who do you trust to get you ready for an event or special occasion? Leave a comment below or send us a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Miami Beauty Experts - Localeur

Miami is an amazing city. But, with everything it offers, it can be an overwhelming city for visitors who are unfamiliar with the area. Enter Localeur, an Austin-based company, whose mission is to help travelers get the inside scoop of where to eat, drink, and play on their website and app. Earlier this summer Localeur tapped #ThankYouMiami to share our local expertise with their audience. In our latest recommendation, we share the four beauty experts that we swear by. Click on the image below to see who keeps us picture-perfect and make sure to keep an eye on the #ThankYouMiami Localeur page for future recommendations!

Have you visited these beauty spots? What Miami beauty experts are your go-to? What other recommendations would you like to see from the Miami Localeurs? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!

#ThankYouMiami for Glitz, Glamour & Gorgeous Hair

I recently suffered one of the most traumatic losses a girl can experience: my go-to hair stylist moved out of Miami. Lucky for me (and for you), Miami has had a recent influx of new beauty talent and they’re taking over our favorite neighborhoods. Moreover, the salons they call home are equipped with all the beauty outing essentials: vino, snacks, and the latest gossip.

Last month I studio-hopped in your name to try two newly opened beauty venues: Studio Chroma Inc. and Elle Air Blow Dry + Make Up bar. I am thrilled to report my experiences were nothing short of stellar. Both salons get major brownie points for their fantastic service, their beauty know-how, and their trés chic decor. Because what is a beauty salon if not a female haven?

Studio Chroma Inc.
145 Aragon Ave
Miami, FL 33134
(786) 518-2920

Studio Chroma is located one block north of Miracle Mile and successfully captures the desirable ambiance that draws international retailers to the famous Coral Gables strip. The salon’s interior decorations are simple and modern in a blend of urban style typical to the neighborhood. However, Studio Chroma’s sense of corporate social responsibility, including their use of environmentally-conscious beauty products, is a breath of fresh air in the surrounding commercial monotony.

While the entire Studio Chroma team has received rave reviews on Yelp, I stopped by to visit Emilee for a quick haircut and styling before the Fashion Scene Miami fundraiser. The odds were stacked against her when I walked in because a few months prior, I had my hair cut much shorter and in a different style than I have worn half of my life.  Additionally, I was very hesitant to test a stranger’s abilities a few hours before an important social event.

Without sharing any of this with Emilee, I let her do her thing. Turns out, hair is not only her passion, but also her calling. She did a fantastic job of cleaning up my ends and refreshing my haircut without cutting off too much hair. She listened to all of my recommendations and refined them with her expertise to give me absolutely gorgeous hair that fit my personal style. Best of all, she is extremely friendly and a genuine sweetheart.

Studio Chroma is located in close proximity to Miracle Mile and emits the same air of exclusivity and sophistication for which the area is known.

Emilee (left) is one of a handful of talented stylists on the Studio Chroma team. She is extremely talented, but also humble and charismatic which makes her the perfect person to trust with your beloved locks.

After a quick haircut and styling, I left Studio Chroma with gorgeous hair fit for the glitz and glamour of the Fashion Scene Miami fundraiser.

Elle Air Blow Dry + Make Up bar
9480 Harding Ave
Surfside, FL 33154
(305) 763-8385

Elle Air Blow Dry + Make Up bar is located in the heart of the Surfside business district. While its ambiance draws upon Surfside’s beach town feel to provide a soothing sanctuary, Elle Air delivers the luxury expected in this stylish and modern neighborhood. Owner Arielle’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of her business, from the fresh look of the venue’s interior to her excellent customer service.

I stopped by Elle Air for a quick blow-dry during their soft opening and was immediately captured by its youthful and welcoming atmosphere. Walking in felt like arriving at a private beauty party with my closest girlfriends. Everyone inside the salon was engaged in excited chitchat and was visibly enjoying their treatments. Before each girl left with their finished styles, they proudly showed off their picture-perfect locks to the others.

I received an excellent scalp massage and left with fabulously smooth and straight hair, but my favorite part of the visit was the spread of wines, refreshments, and snacks that Elle Air makes available to their customers. It is incredible how such a simple detail can really elevate a customer’s experience. I look forward to visiting them again so I can test out their skills with the more complex hairstyles from their menu, as well as the make-up services they offer using Gorgeous Cosmetics. I received a few samples of their products during my visit and have since added the Icicle lip lacquer to my daily beauty must-haves.

The décor at Elle Air is modern and trendy, but calming which is fitting for a beauty refuge in the heart of Surfside's business district.

Ocean Drive Magazine's Michelle Petrillo stopped by Elle Air during the soft opening and left looking radiant with her expertly styled hair.

Miami Beach resident Melissa Henriquez models her elegant up-do next to Elle Air's bar of snacks and refreshments.

Have you visited these two beauty venues? How was your experience? What are some of your other go-to beauty destinations in Miami? Leave a comment below or send me a tweet @ThankYouMiami!