Frank Dino has been a hairstylist for over 30 years. He puts the “Dino” in Dino Clark Salon in Santa Monica, which he owns along with Dana Clark (both pictured above). Jordana Lorraine, who kindly answered my million and one questions about Brazilian Blowouts and hair extensions, works at Dino Clark and was sweet enough to put us in touch for a long-awaited interview about perms. Well, long awaited by HOTB reader Kat, at least! I finally got to ask all my perm-related questions… Hope you guys like it!

Hair on the Brain: How, if at all, have perms changed in recent years?

Frank Dino: There hasn’t been a vast improvement to the chemical aspects of the discipline since the last perm boom of the late 80’s and early 90’s. Most waves still work with either alkali or acid based solutions. Once demand on a product or technique is no longer in high demand there is usually not many new improvements or innovations. For example, curling irons are fundamentally the same now as they were in the 70’s.

HOTB: Can you tell me a little bit about the perm process and results?

Dino: Today’s use of perm solutions have not changed in terms of the sequential elements needed to complete the process. You still wrap the hair, apply solution, time it to readiness, and neutralize the curl. What has changed is the desired effect. Today, the hair can be wrapped in a variety of different ways to affect the outcome. Use of rollers pin curls and other nontraditional implements other than perm rods can be used to achieve a softer wave.

Read the rest of my interview about perms with Frank Dino after the break.

HOTB: Are there certain hair types that should not consider a perm?

Dino: Damage occurs when not all of the bonds that are broken down by the perm solution re-bond during the neutralization process. That will always be the case. Constant re-perming can lead to damaged hair. I don’t ever recommend perming bleached hair, even though many manufacturers make solutions for hair in this condition. If you perm hair that is over processed, the results are rarely outstanding.

HOTB: How should you treat your hair after a perm? How do you maintain the curl?

Dino: Treatment of permed hair is simple: Use professional shampoos and conditioners for “chemically altered” hair. Follow up with a product designed to increase and maintain curl. Most professional hair lines have products with curl enhancing agents. You should also use a product with a light cuticle sealer or shinning agent to flatten the raised cuticle of the hair shaft, which happens as a result of perming. This will leave you with beautiful, soft curls.

HOTB: Are there any products you should avoid after a perm?

Dino: If you have permed hair, you need to avoid the following: Chlorinated water and astringent type shampoos (like dandruff shampoos). And you should always condition your hair. These rules are very important to the life of permed hair.

HOTB: What type of clients do you see coming into your salon for perms?

Dino: Perms are still being done to satisfy all types of clients. A lot of mature woman come in to get their fine or thin hair permed for volume. Another group getting perms are young, fashion-forward women who want their long hair in the current fashion trend of “twisted curls”. They want their hair to hold this style longer and use perms to achieve the look.

HOTB: Where do you see perms heading in the future?

Dino: I believe perms will become more common in salons as we return to the era of hairdressing where styling takes precedence over cutting. Precision cutting will give way to styling tools. All trends eventually get revisited with a twist.

Dino Clark Salon
311o Main St, Suite 110
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-3951
www.dino-clark.com

This one is for HOTB reader/commenter Meghan and all you other Jessica Lowndes lovers. Last night (Dec. 8) AnnaLynne McCord and Jessica hit up the PRVCY Premium Denim Launch of Lives Inspired Book & CD. The 90210 stars hammed it up for the cameras outside of Beso before heading inside. Weird. I drive by there practically daily on the way to the gym. Le sigh. My life is so glamorous!

Okay, let’s talk hair and makeup for a second: AnnaLyyne needs to ditch that frosty eyeshadow stat. She always manages to look so Kmart special to me, which I guess is kinda why I love her. Also, your roots. Dye them.

Jessica’s hair looks super glossy and the color is gorgeous, but I want her to cut a little off the length. I’m down with the extensions–she looks great with long hair, but it’s just too long and heavy. It weighs down her petite face. I would love to see Jessica with a slightly shorter, more layered cut. Why must so many young celebs have the same super LONG extensions? It’s hella boring.

Yes, I just said hella. It was kinda a typo and it stays.

P.S. It’s been bugging me who Jessica looks like, and I just realized she reminds me a bit of Soleil Moon Frye, the actress who played Punky Brewster when she was little!

Annalynne McCord and her sister Angel hung out at the The Coffee Bean yesterday (Nov. 27).

What do you think of Angel’s new red hair? It’s quite a switch from her blonde locks… I wonder what prompted the change?

Omgz, you guys. I wish the McCord’s publicist read this blog. I feel like if we had an in with Angel, she’d totally give HOTB some insidery exclusive shit. That’d be fun.

Angel! I’m sorry I called your DJ fiance a crypt keeper/meth head. Call me!

Zomg! It’s my new obsession, the McCord sisters! Angel (left) as a Sexy Prisoner on Isle of Hooters, Rachel (middle) as the Sexy Inside of a Lingerie Bag and Annalynne (right) as a Sexy Latex Hamburglar.

Well, you can’t say these girls didn’t try. And I love it. Messy, messiness. When is someone going to give them their own reality show??

So, this was yet another b-day bash AnnaLynne threw to celebrate Rachel’s 21st birthday. This time the party was at TABU Ultra Lounge inside the MGM Grand Resort Hotel in Las Vegas on Halloween night.

For a while now I’ve noticed that every time you see 90210’s AnnaLynne McCord at high profile events, her two tag-along sisters, Rachel (m) and Angel (l), are there for the ride. Last night (October 27) AnnaLynne even threw a 21st birthday party for Rachel at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. Sweet, right? If she only knew the truth… Dun, dun, dun…!

I have this whole storyline in my head about the McCord sisters; it’s like a Lifetime channel movie of the week. Part of it is based in truth: They grew up in a trailer park (truth), Rachel and Angel are riding their prettier sister’s coattails (um, truth), but in reality they’re secretly bleeding her bank account dry with the help of Angel’s fiance DJ Robert Rogoff who use to date The Hills star Stephanie Pratt! (All TRUTH, aside from the bleeding the bank account part. I made that up in my head. Also, how the hell does Stephanie Pratt worm her way into every story??)

Wow. I can see why all the ladies love DJ Robert Rogoff. He’s hot in that crypt keeper/meth head kinda way. Ok so, DJ Robert Rogoff, Angel and Rachel are taking out life insurance policies on AnnaLynne’s ass because they’ve always secretly HATED their prettier sister and will eventually take her out by spiking her sugar-free Red Bull with Drano (that also probably non-truth?) Maybe.

Evidence! Angel trying to suck out AnnaLynne’s life force while Rachel tries to take over Rachael Ray’s gig pitching for Dunkin Donuts. (If you catch that reference, you get a million dollars.)

More McCord sisters after the jump.

The sisters shopping at Kitson for 90210 “Team Naomi” shirts. Sure. Way to try to look supportive while secretly scheming.

And finally, at the 90210 wrap party. Just happy to have indoor plumbing.

Here it looks like AnnaLynne’s curls were blown out with a round brush and worked into gorgeous waves.

AnnaLynne working her currrrls.

And AnnaLynne with straight hair. She looks just like any other actress with this hair. Boring.

That’s more like it!