Hair Tips: Amber Tamblyn - Hair Secrets

Introduction

Amber Rose Tamblyn used to talk to God on CBS' Joan of Arcadia, which was sadly cancelled for the 2005-2006 Season. However, Amber is flying high with her role in The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants which is garnering good reviews from the critics.

Besides her star turn in Pants, the 22 year old Amber (May 14, 1983) is a hot media darling. She recently appeared on the cover of the June/July 2005 Elle Girl, coiffed by David Cruz for Cutler NYC/Redken where she promised that she was not into the whole LA plastic surgery scene. In fact, Amber told Elle Girl that someday down the road "I am going to have an actual face with, like, wrinkles and long silver hair".

Amber stands 5'7". Her hair, on the cover of Elle Girl appeared to be a rich chocolate brown with light ruby highlights. However, in the actual article, her photos showed her with deep burgandy hair set in lots of soft curls (got2B curled up curling spray was used) and waves that cascaded in soft waves and curls down to the middle of her back.

Amber has a devilish side though. Although she tends to wear her hair in styles that are more in keeping with a 22 year old, including blue streaks, she has also been known to show up in eye-popping gowns with her strands twisted up into elegant updos or carefully coiffed retro styles.

Pippi Longstocking & Emily Quartermaine

Amber is truly a seasoned actress. She was discovered at the age of 10 in the lead role in Pippi Longstocking at the Santa Monica Alternative School House. She originated the role of Emily Bowen Quartermaine in January of 1995 on General Hospital. She remained with General Hospital until 2001. She appeared in the original Ring in 2002 and then went on to star in Joan in 2003.

Amber has also appeared in Biker Poet, Live Nude Girls and Johnny Mysto-Boy Wizard.

Steal Amber's Style

Amber generally wears her naturally wavy tresses, either blown straight or in a variety of soft wavy styles. Although she appears to prefer longer strands overall, she appeared at the recent Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants with a shoulder skimming layered bob with side swept bangs.

The base was a soft copper with lots of dimensional highlights in shades of blonde and light chocolate. Amber often varies the way she parts her hair and whether she wears bangs or not.

To style your tresses straight like Amber, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Shampoo and condition your hair with your normal products designed for your current hair type, texture and condition. If your hair is highlighted like Amber's use either a moisture enhanced or color enriched formula. If your hair is dry from chemical processing, consider diluting the shampoo formula to protect your strands.

(Shampoo products to try: Phyto - Phytojoba Hydrating Shampoo, PHYTO - Dry Hair System, Phyto - PhytoBrush Shampoo, Paves Professional - FLAWless No Sulfates Allowed Repairing Shine Shampoo For Dry Damaged Hair). If you have medium textured hair with natural bend like Amber, use a moisture enhanced shampoo since naturally wavy hair may be naturally dry. Use a moisturizing rinse out conditioner. Rinse well with a cool water spray which helps build natural volume and increases shine.

Step 2: Towel blow strands. Detangle strands from the ends to the roots.

Step 3: Apply a straightening balm or similar to the palms of your hands. Distribute completely throughout strands from roots to the ends.

Note: If your hair tends to frizz or is naturally wavy or curly, you may wish to apply a defrisant to your strands before applying the straightening balm. (Anti-Frizz Product to try: Rene Furterer - Control Emulsion Anti-Frizz)

If you hair is flat at the roots you may wish to add a root volume product just at the roots for more fullness.

(Root volume products to try: Phyto - Phytovolume Actif, PHYTO - Volume System, Phyto - Phytovolume Shampoo).

(Image of Amber Tamblyn at the premiere of Kill Bill: Vol 2 Film Premiere in the Arclight Cinerama Dome, Hollywoodm, CA, April 8, 2004. Photo by David Edwards - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved).

Step 4: Working from side to side use a boar's head or natural round brus h combined with your blow dryer to straighten and build in body.

Step 5: To build in volume at the roots, use the round brush to lift your tresses up and direct the air flow from the dryer up the hair shaft to the root. This "ruffles the cuticle" helping to add natural fullness.

If you prefer, bend over at the waist and direct the air flow of the dryer up the hair shaft towards the roots. When hair is 90% dry, bend right side up and work on the hair from the ears down to the ends.

Note: Hairdressers differ on their opinion whether it is beneficial to blow hair "upside down" or not. Use your own judgment on which technique works best for you.

Step 6: Use the round brush to straighten the remainder of the hair by rolling individual sections carefully around the brush and directing the air flow down the hair shaft towards the ends. This helps to straighten, close the cuticle and adds shine.

Step 7: While drying the ends, use the round brush to turn the ends under slightly while finishing.

Step 8: Seal the style by finishing up with a blast of cool air, if possible, from your blow dryer.

Step 9: Carefully comb in your desired part.

Step 10: To add soft curls and waves to Amber's straight hairstyle, separate hair into 2-3 inch sections. Working from side to side near the roots, use a 1 1/2" curling iron and create big curls with the iron.

Release each curl and then carefully pin into place with a bobby pin. Continue to curl and pin until the entire hair has been finished. Let the curls air dry until 100% cool

Step 11: Spray the pinned curls with a strong hold hairspray or volume spray. Carefully unpin the curls.

(Hairsprays to try: PhytoPro - Instant Hold Spray #15, Paves Professional - FLAWless Convertible-Proof Firm Hold Repairing Hair Spray for Dry Damaged Hair).

Step 12: Apply a tiny drop of shine serum, drops or spray into the palms of your hands. Lightly brush the palms over the top of your style and you are ready to rock ala Amber Tamblyn style.

(Shine products to try: Phyto - PhytoLisse (Formerly Phytodefrisant RelaxSerum, Paves Professional - FLAWless In The Spotlight Greaseless Essential Oil Shine Serum For Dry Damaged Hair)

If you prefer, you can use a curling iron to turn under the ends a little bit or use a straight iron on selected pieces around the face to give a contrasting texture to the bobbed look.

Summary

In her free time, Amber enjoys writing poetry. She has already been published in the San Francisco publications, Cups and Poetry USA. Amber also loves singing, dancing, and theater, in addition to life in front of the cameras. Expect this multi-talented poet and actress to continue to soar to new heights in the future.

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