I remember the first time I ever heard about Curlformers.  I was sitting in Celeb Hairstylist Robert Hallowell’s LA kitchen in May of 2009.

I was at Robert’s kitchen table drinking tea and he was sprawled out on the floor rooting through his massive refrigerator.  Robert’s precocious cat, Handsome, was prowling the space between Robert and where I sat at his table.  While I peppered him with my normal 1001 hair questions he would answer, stopping periodically to bark “no shopping” at Handsome as the adorable cat launched a sneak attack on some of the food temporarily displaced from the refrigerator.

(Image from Curlformers.com – All Rights Reserved)

Curlformers Not Curlfarmers

Robert and I were discussing how to achieve gorgeous curls on wavy tresses.  With his head partially buried inside the bowels of the refrigerator he barked “Curlformers”.   I thought I had misheard him to say Curlfarmers.   A bit of hilarious repartee ensued until Robert had convinced me that Curlformers were these revolutionary patented curling tools that he absolutely adored and not curls harvested from a farm somewhere in England.

He explained how to use the new curling tool but I couldn’t picture how it worked in my head.  Jumping up he ran off into his home salon and came striding out with a few of the Curlformers in his hand.  He gave me a quick demonstration of how you use the hook to pull the hair through the Curlformer and how it naturally springs into place.  Impressive. (more…)

I was sad to recently read in Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) that Stuart passed away suddenly at his home on June 14th at the age of 54.  The cause of his death was not made public.

Although I didn’t know Stuart Wayne Gavert personally, I was very familiar with his amazing hair color work over the past 15 years of covering hair and beauty trends.

(Image of Gavert Atelier salon in Beverly Hills, California – All Rights Reserved)

Stuart was in the hair profession for thirty years and a hair color specialist for twenty-five.   He was based in New York in the early 1980s, but eventually moved to California.

He eventually joined forces with his partner Cody Kusakabe to open Gavert Atelier Beverly Hills in 1998 which attracted many big name celebrity clients like the Hilton sisters, Christina Applegate,Shannon Doherty and many others.

Stuart traveled the world teaching other hair professionals the latest in color, formulation and technique.  He was known to go the extra mile helping others to learn about hair and color.  I was definitely a fan of his work and passed by his Gavert Atelier salon the last time I was in Beverly Hills in May of 2010.

Celebrity Haircolorist For Rob Pattinson And Kristen Stewart

For those not in the professional hair industry you might know Stuart as the hair stylist responsible for coloring Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s hair for Twilight.

As a result of his work with Rob and Kristen, he went on to create a new highlighting process called Twilights!  How appropriate.  And very smart from a marketing viewpoint as well. (more…)

I just noticed a news item and matching video on UTube which showed Rihanna entering the Spanish Kitchen Restaurant in Los Angeles last evening with her entire entourage.

According to reports, the restaurant closed just for the star to dine in private.

(Image of Spanish Kitchen Restaurant in Los Angeles, California – Photo taken by Karen Marie Shelton & Edan Kencayd – HairBoutique.com in 2009 – All Rights Reserved)

Not only have I been to Spanish Kitchen, I make it a point to eat there every time I visit Los Angeles.

In both April and September of 2009 I made several memorable visits to the iconic restaurant with HairBoutique.com’s Edan Kencayd.  The dining establishment has a long and interesting history dating back to the 1940s and the glamour days of Old Hollywood.

Yes, the wide spread rumor is that the famous eatery is haunted.  I wonder if Rihanna knew that before she decided to visit? (more…)

If you’re a Shear Genius 3 fan you’ve watched Janine Jarman for the past nine weeks cutting, coloring, blow drying, brushing, curling, pinning, extending strands and turning out spectacular hairstyles in a very limited amount of time.

Who will ever forget her first Elimination Win in Week One when her stunning blonde Nymph from the sea floated down the runway strutting her gorgeous cloud of blonde tresses.  It was a WOW moment.

Male Hair Extension Victory Plus Bob Success

Janine also completely transformed a frumpy man into a hunk using HairUWear hair extensions.  The bubbly competitor also created a picture perfect bob on a model with naturally curly hair.   Of course Janine has had a few misses, but for the most part she has come in either as doing Shear Genius work or being a close second.  Her performance on the reality TV show has been stupendous.

Get To Know The Real Janine

While you might think you know Janine from her Shear Genius 3 performances, you may surprised with the real Janine.  I have known Janine since she opened her fabulous Hairroin Salon (www.hairroinsalon.com) located at 1553 North Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles, California (90028-7312 –  Phone (323) 467-0392).

I’ve had the great fortune to visit Janine at Hairroin which is by far one of the coolest salons in Hollywood. (more…)

Earlier this evening I had an amazing interview with celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves who has been busy with Jessica Simpson promoting “The Price Of Beauty” on Vh1 which premieres tomorrow night (March 15, 2009, 10 EST/9 CST).

(Image L-R of Cacee Cobb, Jessica Simpson, Ken Paves in Thailand in the food market – The Price Of Beauty – Vh1 – All Rights Reserved)

Before I even discuss Ken’s comments about his amazing journey making the series I need to start at the very beginning which for me started last year in Los Angles.

It turns out I was in Los Angles to meet with Ken who was doing a series of photo shoots for his popular HairDo line.  At one point I was having coffee at a popular West Hollywood Starbucks when I first heard Vh1 had just approached Ken to join forces with Jessica to film “Price Of Beauty” for the network. (more…)

Approximately one year ago I had the great fortune to chat with celeb hair guru George Papanikolas about his work at the famous Chris McMillan Salon.

A side note to that conversation, he told me he was doing the color and style for Friday Night Lights star Minka Kelly.  Honestly I had never seen the show before and decided to go and watch previous episodes to catch a glimpse of Minka’s hair color.

You guessed it, I got totally addicted to the show.  Yes, Minka’s hair color knocked my socks off, no surprise because George did the color, but I loved her work on the show.  Actually I loved the show.

OK, OK….it’s set in Texas and that helps, but seriously the acting rocks. Minka is amazing in the role.  Of course it doesn’t hurt that she has eye popping, mouth dropping hair color courtesy of George.

(more…)

Paul Frank Industries Inks Multi-year Licensing Deal With American Greetings

As reported today on Retailing.com by Allison Cerra, Paul Frank Industries (Julius, Sheree (my fav), Clancy, WorryBear and lots of cool products) announced a licensing agreement with American Greetings, giving the greeting card manufacturer access to the global fashion brand’s extensive design portfolio for use in new social expression products.

(Image of Paul Frank Industries window display at famous Kitson’s in LA – HBM Media – All Rights Reserved).

The new partnership will include a wide range of greeting cards, gift packaging, stickers and party goods featuring the modern design sensibility and whimsical humor of Paul Frank including Julius, the iconic monkey, and the brand’s 200+ colorful characters.

(more…)

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2009 at approximately 9:30 am I received a phone call from my long time friend, Hair Maestro Ken Paves, who asked me if I could come see him off in his gorgeous black Ferrari in the Rally For Kids With Cancer Race.

(Image of L-R – Karen Marie Shelton – HairBoutique.com CEO and Ken Paves – Hair Maestro – CEO of Ken Paves – at the Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles on May 3, 2009 – Rally For Kids With Cancer – Hosted by Honorary Rally Chair – Eva Longoria Parker – Photo by Edan Kencayd – HairBoutique.com – All Rights Reserved).

The actual race was scheduled to start at noon from the back parking lot of the famous Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles.  Ken, his wonderful mother Helen and Ken’s navigator. Driver Dan, were all hanging out at the pre-Rally brunch upstairs on the second floor of the hotel.

Driving as fast as I could, I made it to the Roosevelt Hotel in time to see the various celebrities who had graciously committed their time to drive in the Rally to raise money for Kids With Cancer.

When I arrived Ken took me to meet the Honorary Chairperson of the event – Eva Longoria Parker.  Not only is Eva beyond gorgeous in person, she is charming and so gracious.  She greeted me warmly and shook my hand.  Dressed in pristine white short shorts and an adorable cap, Eva was making her way from table to table to thank all the various Celebrity teams and various guests. (more…)

A few years ago I had the great good fortune to meet celebrity hairdresser Janine Jarman who was in the process of opening the Hairroin Salon.

At the time I did an interview with Janine and I was so incredibly impressed with the vivacious hairdresser who was bursting with energy and amazing creativity.

(Image of Pauley Perrette and Clint Catalyst at Hairroin Dark Sparkle Black Carpet Event, April 29, 2009 to support Los Angeles Youth Network – Photo Karen Marie Shelton – HairBoutique.com – All Rights Reserved).

Note: Stop by and read more about Clint at: http://www.clintcatalyst.com)

Janine had already broken out of her hairdresser role to be a celebrity hairstylest, doing tons of photo shoots with a variety of celebs and coiffing The Pussycat Dolls, Robin Antin and a whole list of other well-known stars.

After Janine and I finished our interview together she was so sweet and said she wanted to keep in touch.  Well we’ve all heard that before haven’t we?  However, Janine was true to her word and sent me follow-up emails.  She made me promise to come see her the “next time you’re in LA.” (more…)

My friendship with celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves is about to enter its eight year of life.

Although Ken and I always stay in touch, sometimes it’s hard to catch up with him because he is so busy that even his staff has a hard time tracking him.  Now that’s not a bad thing, especially for all the lucky celebrities and regular hair clients that get to sit in his chair.

(Image of Celebrity Hairdresser Ken Paves at Ken Paves Salon in Beverly Hills demonstrating application of HairUWear HairDo clip in extensions on Model Katie for Paves Salon hairdressers on Monday, April 27, 2009 – Photo by Karen Marie Shelton – All Rights Reserved – HairBoutique.com).

Somehow the Gods of Fortune smiled on me recently.  Ken was going to be in one location for more than a few hours, a rare event, and invited me to come and hang out with him at his Beverly Hills location.

Of course hanging out with Ken Paves means doing hair.  Lots and lots of of non-stop hair.   It is an amazing journey that I would crawl over broken glass to experience.

The last time I was able to witness Ken actually doing live hair on a model or celebrity was at a HairUWear photo shoot a few years ago with Jessica Simpson.  (more…)