At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011 in Miami, Rodney Cutler and his team of top-notch stylists did hair at six shows, including Betsey Johnson and White Sands Australia. Cutler was kind enough to share some photos, tips & tricks…

Edgy & Editorial Braids at Betsey Johnson - “The punchy, bright swimwear needed a fun and editorial updos to go with it,” says Cutler/Redken Stylist Ryan Suhr, the lead stylist for the show. Here’s how to recreate the looks:

1. Spray Cutler Volumizing Spray onto damp, clean hair.
2. Section hair into two asymmetrical sections, brushing the top half into a tight ponytail at the right recession of the hairline, and repeating at the bottom half by brushing it into a tight ponytail at the bottom left of the nape.
3. At the top section, create two fishtail braids, loosening the braids by lightly pulling at the sides, then wrapping the braids around each other and pin, replicating the look of a flower.
4. Repeat Step 3 with the bottom section.
5. Finish the look with Redken 23 Forceful Super Strength Finishing Spray.

Beach Goddess Blow Out at White Sands Australia – “To compliment the beautiful, feminine prints, I wanted to give the girls an editorial, edgy look with a classic twist,” says Cutler/Redken Stylist Kelsy Osterman, the lead stylist for the show. Here’s how to recreate the gorgeous beach waves:

1. Spray damp hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray and then quick dry product into hair with a blow dryer to create a base of texture.
2. Starting at the nape of the neck, lightly spray Redken 09 Workforce Flexible Volumizing Spray from roots to ends, and gently backcomb each section.
3. Curl each section and set it with a clip, curling all the way up to the head, and repeatingly backcomb closer at the top of the head.
4. Create a center part, leaving no volume at the top.
5. Take out the clips and finger-comb the curls into place.

For more looks from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2011, and beyond, please visit the Cutler Facebook Fan Page.

Hair On The Brain: I know I did my consultation totally late. When should bridez really do their wedding hair consultation?

Kristen Gaby: A bride should be “stylist shopping” for her wedding approximately 2-3 months before her wedding date. It is important to at least book a consultation to get to know the stylist and understand their approach to hair, style, and availability. The consultation should include a ball-park quote and a trial run. A trial run is the stylist giving you a preview of how your hair will look on your actual wedding day. It also helps the stylist account for how much time they will need to work with your hair day of.

HOTB: What specific things should you ask your stylist?

Kristen: Ask your stylist if she has any suggestions for creating a unique look for you on your wedding day. Ask when a color and cut should be done and how soon before the wedding. Ask if the stylist has price packages to include your wedding party. It is always great to ask if the stylist can travel to you on your wedding day. It may cost a little more, but not having to worry about the commute or leaving the salon on time is priceless.

HOTB: I totally agree with that! You don’t want to have to drive around on that day, especially in LA traffic. Do you have any advice on how to pick the right hairstyle for your wedding?

Kristen: I find that many girls get attached to a certain hair style and forget that their hair needs to compliment and work with their overall look. Some things to take into account are the shape of the dress, your facial bone structure, and if you are wearing earrings or a necklace. Other things to consider are the neckline of the dress, the time of the wedding, and if it’s an indoor or outdoor ceremony. In your trial run with the stylist, don’t limit yourself to one look. Try several different looks. The one you pick might surprise you!

HOTB: It is good to be open minded when in the chair, especially when your stylist is just trying out different looks. Do you have any tips specifically for short haired women on their wedding day?

Kristen: Short hair brides do not despair! I have worked wonders with temporary extensions on the day of the wedding, especially with updos. If the hair is too short to wear up at all, consider a simple wave with an accent in the hair such as a beaded headband or a vintage jeweled clip. I would stay away from trying to do a “half-up” look with bob length hair, it tends to look school-girlish and not very sophisticated.

HOTB: Should you bring along any hair accessories and veils you will be wearing?

Kristen: Because you want the most accurate idea of the look you will get on your wedding day, I highly encourage bringing your veil and/or any hair accessories (no matter how silly or glittery you think they are), a picture of you in your dress, and any pictures of hairstyles that you like. Also, bring a digital camera and have your stylist take a picture of all angles of your hair so that you can see how it photographs. It is also important to bring the veil so that the stylist can anticipate what kind of hair comb they are working with or around.

HOTB: Oops. I didn’t do any of that! Any other tips for brides when working with hair stylists?

Kristen: Be sure to ask your stylist if they would prefer your hair washed the day of or the night before. That can sometimes make a difference. Be sure to relax and be patient during the trial run because your stylist is “getting to know” your hair. Understand that it is a creative process. Don’t be afraid to speak up if their is something that you don’t like: “Can we make this piece higher?” or “Can we make this sleeker?”

HOTB: I agree. Don’t suffer in silence, but please don’t be bridezilla either!

Kristen: Right. And if you do not have good energy with your stylist during your trial run, WALK AWAY! You do not need any negative energy around you on your wedding day, and you definitely don’t need a stylist with a diva complex. Find someone that calms you and is confident in their skills and it will be a great fit.

HOTB: Very true, Kristen. Not every stylist is cut out to do bridal hair. How do you make sure your curls/waves stay put throughout your wedding day and night?

Kristen: To ensure that your curl will last through your big day, is largely up to your stylist. For hair that is being worn down here is my golden rule: NEVER rake your fingers through your set curls! If you feel they are losing their bounce, simply mist with a light hairspray and do a soft scrunching motion with your hands to encourage bounce.

HOTB: Any tips for beach brides?

Kristen: I know beach brides just love the beachy wavy hair that’s worn down. It’s beautiful in magazine, but there are some things to consider. It’s usually very windy on the beach and the air is usually quite moist. If you don’t want to constantly be tucking your hair behind your ear or pulling it out of your mouth during your vows, then I suggest a happy medium. Consider wearing your hair half up and half down with the loose beach wave. I have seen even the most “curl friendly” hair fall out and frizz at beach weddings. If your ceremony is indoors after the beach ceremony, consider asking your stylist to style your hair in such a way where you can take out the half-up pins and give you head a shake and rock a beautiful all-down style for the reception.

HOTB: Do you have any specific hair products that you couldn’t live without when doing wedding hair?

Kristen: My updo/styling secret weapon that I am absolutely obsessed with is Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Spray. It is a fantastic thermal product that ensures long lasting curl and great hold! I also wouldn’t go anywhere without hair powder/dry shampoo. Dry shampoo is my secret to long lasting updos that do not slip. It gives hair great volume, moldability, and hold.

HOTB: I can’t live without dry shampoo either–it’s amazing stuff. What’s your favorite wedding hairstyle?

Kristen: My current favorite style right now is a textured, loose, un-done updo. I find that look to be so beautiful. Braids and waves are very in too, and that gives a soft romantic look for any bride. Accenting this kind of updo with a vintage pin or small feather is absolutely stunning!

HOTB: Oh, that sounds so pretty! Any other wedding hair tips you would like to add?

Kristen: Some great points to remember for creating harmony between hair and dress: If the dress is very detailed, beaded, and ruffled, the hair should be more simple and sleek so that the eye won’t be distracted with all the bead work and a huge main of hair. If the dress is simple, smooth and sleek, try doing something soft and curled to contrast the simplicity of the dress.

Thank you so much for all this great advice, Kristen! I’m so excited to see you soon.  :)

To book an appointment with Kristen Gaby, you can email her directly at kristen.gaby@gmail.com and check out her Facebook page.

Kristen Stewart (almost smiling!) at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse! Cute. I guess those extensions were indeed clip-ins. I like her hair up like this…

And check it out: smiling! (Check out that kid losing his shit in the background. hee.) What do you think of her white, textured one-sleeved Elie Saab dress from fall 2009 collection?

Cameron Diaz is in Seville promoting her new film with Tom Cruise, Knight and Day. She looks totally amazing–I love her hair color (as always) and the slightly undone updo. Also, she has the best eyes. I think she’s kind of annoying when she’s acting or speaking, but otherwise I really like her. And I adore this Lanvin Spring 2010 one-shoulder cocktail dress. That color looks perfect on her.

Also, my first email of the day was from my friend Darren who was way into Cam’s Lanvin chain strap satin pumps!

What do you think of Cameron’s look at the Knight and Day premiere?

Christina Aguilera is back at tonight’s MTV Movie Awards! Rocking a dramatic Atelier Versace Spring/Summer 2010 dress, Christina did a retro glam updo… Do you love it or hate it?

Pop of Shine - Add a dose of sparkle to dress up any length of hair with a barrette or headband, like Elizabeth Banks did with her platinum and diamond headband by Fred Leighton. This is actually a great way to accessorize super short hair. Or toss in a glam clip on longer hair, like Amanda Seyfried did (imagine her hair is like 6 inches shorter for a minute!) To do this style, deeply part the hair to one side, curl with a large barrel curling iron, and pin back one side with pretty clip.

Go Sleek - A look I love with the mid-length bob, is to go super sleek, like Thandie Newton did. Style it like a traditional blunt-cut bob. Make a deep side part, blow-dry with a paddle brush, flat iron, and add gloss serum for extra shine. A polished blowout looks great (and appropriately dressy) on shorter styles with bangs too, as shown here on Katie Holmes. Remember stylish Katie?

Rock Your Texture  - Since it’s probably going to be hot (and depending on where you live, humid) in July, you might just want to go with your naturally wavy texture. To make this look a bit more fancy for a wedding just pump up the curls. Charlize Theron has a slightly more undone, beachy version of this look, achieved with curl enhancing mouse, air dry or diffuser, and a few twists of a curling iron. Break the curls apart and use hairspray for extra hold. Camilla Belle has a similar look, but it’s parted to the side and the curls are more “done” and classic. For this style, blow it out smooth first and then deliberately curl each section, leaving them in place. Again, spray with hairspray for hold.

More mid-length wedding hairstyle options after the break!

Retro Wave – A slightly more complicated, but super cool look for a dressy event is a retro hairstyle, like on Scarlett Johansson, who also pinned her hair up on one side and paired the look with red lipstick and dangling earrings.

Kate Bosworth also took her look in a super glam direction, with beautiful finger waves and a dramatic side part. Check out this video on how to get much easier sexy, retro waves from Berlin Hair Baby. But be sure to practice before the big event!

Accessorize - If you aren’t a big fan of doing your hair and trying finger waves seems totally overwhelming, you can always stick to something super simple and super chic! Just blow your hair out very straight, use a little gloss serum, and pull it back into a low ponytail with a nice ponytail tie or accessory. You can make it very tight and sleek or sort of loose, like on Camilla Belle here. Then throw on a gorgeous pair of earrings, like Camilla’s Cartier white gold, diamond and onyx earrings! Quick, easy, and absolutely gorgeous.

Good luck and have fun at the wedding!  :)

Sarah Jessica Parker hit the red carpet for the premiere of Sex and the City 2 in New York. She looked floaty and fabulous in an  asymmetrical fluorescent yellow Valentino chiffon gown from the spring 2010 line. Love the flying hair, SJP! That color is just simply amazing. AMAZING.

The first season of Sex and the City was recently OnDemand and I re-watched it, and man, that show started off really great. It’s still good in a sort of eat an entire bag of cotton candy until you feel sick way, but it use to be good-good.

Kristin Davis looked very much like Charlotte at the premiere with her hair in a classic bun and her bubblegum pink dress. Very sweet, but very boring in my opinion.

Kim Cattrall & Cynthia Nixon after the break!

Kim Cattrall needs to be a little less painted, I think. A little more classic? I have seen pictures of her recently where she looks prettier than this, and I think it’s because she is slightly toned down, but whatever.

Ugh, why am I so picky? It’s a curse. I love Cynthia Nixon as an actress but this dress looks way too heavy and somber. Walking in it looks annoying. And I think that strawberry blonde hair color washes her out. In my opinion, Sarah Jessica totally looked the best!

What did you think of Sarah Jessica, Kristin, Kim, and Cynthia? Will you be seeing the movie the night it opens?

Image Source

Cameron Diaz is the quintessential blonde, California surfer babe, but she’s actually had a range of hair colors and worn a number of different hairstyles. Check it out!

Cam looks gorgeous in a bun. She wore this casual, centered bun here in ‘07 and a higher updo in ‘09. I love both looks. I also love her eyeliner. She did that black eyeliner look for a long time.

Crazy that Cameron had all these hair colors, right? She was dark brown in ‘06, reddish brown in ‘07 (kinda like her character in Shrek, Princess Fiona), and blonde this year. I like her as a blonde, but she did look pretty with all the different shades. What do you think?

This short hairstyle reminds me of when Cameron first hit the scene back in 1998 with There’s Something About Mary. She had this long hairstyle in ‘09.

For more Cameron Diaz’s Hairstyles and to vote on your favorites, check out Elle.com.

Marion Cotillard wore this unique updo to the Chopard 150th Anniversary Party at the Cannes Film Festival last night (May 17). It’s kind of like her bun is in the front, and kind of like she has a little hat made of hair. I think it’s a tad too messy. A style like this has to be completely neat to work.

Also, interesting jumpsuit. Thoughts?

I keep seeing all these amazing pictures of Kate Beckinsale at Cannes; she is on the judging panel for the Festival. She hasn’t missed a step, per usual. During a jury photocall, she wore this gorgeous Christian Dior Fall 2010 plum and rose dress.  Love her hair in this wavy ponytail with volume at the crown.

At the Robin Hood premiere, Kate wore an updo with major volume. She looks so regal with the dramatic earrings and one-shoulder dress. And I love that they never overdo her makeup.

Kate attending the IL Gattopardo premiere in this Oscar worthy dress. She reminds me of Angelina Jolie here! Gorgeous.

Kate Beckinsale at the Biutiful premiere. That dress is so amazing! She seriously looks like she’s ready for the Oscars every night… I wonder who Kate’s stylist is? She must have a good team because she looks fantastic all the time. Doesn’t hurt that she’s drop dead gorgeous, of course. Which hairstyle/look is your favorite?