It’s one of the most common requests I get in the salon: “How to do I put my hair in a ponytail without it looking sloppy?” Martha Lynn here and I have great news for you — this is super easy and once you learn these quick tricks your ponytail will never feel boring again! […]
This summer I’m finding myself skipping the reds and pinks and going for a bright coral lip. As with any bold lip color, you can go lighter on other areas on your face and let the lips take center stage — that means high impact with a minimal effort (which is an A+ in my […]
I think a pretty accessory in your hair can really bring something special to even the most basic style. Martha Lynn here, and this look is no exception: instead of adding an accessory, we created one using her hair! This style is easy to achieve and you don’t have to have hair down to your […]
Summer is officially here and that means it’s time to master that perfectly beach-y mermaid hair we all dream about. Martha Lynn here, and I am so excited to share a technique that will have everyone doing a double take whether you are on the beach or in the boardroom: these are the curls that […]
I probably have more clients coming in the door wanting to make a big change in the spring than any other time of year. There’s just something about those first weeks of warmer weather that makes us feel ready to embrace change and freshen up our hair and wardrobe. Whether you’re thinking of making a […]
With the temperatures heating up, it’s time to start thinking about the ponytail, an easy breezy go-to look for summer. Martha Lynn here, and I have all the details for taking your pony to the next level. I think the trick is to make it look a little special while keeping it effortless, so you […]
I love a good transformation! We all have our “go to” day-to-day looks, but it’s always fun to transform ourselves by simply upping the glam for a special occasion. Martha Lynn here, with a special SXSW-inspired edition of Pretty Simple: When Lauren walked into my salon, I couldn’t believe she was the same girl I […]
Bright blues and greens were all over the runways at the NYFW Spring 2014 shows, and I think we will continue to see these oceanic colors all through the summer. Martha Lynn here, and if you are too timid to go full on 80’s with a bold eye shadow combo, a soft shimmer of color […]
Start date night off right with a classic look that is the perfect ode to the sweet romance that ensues on Valentine’s Day. Martha Lynn here, and we’ve got you covered for a timeless Valentine’s Day half-up, half-down style. In my opinion, nothing’s more romantic than cascading curls topped off with a pretty bow. The unexpected combination of […]
It is the holy grail of makeup — that “I’m not wearing makeup” makeup look. Martha Lynn here, and I personally have always had to fight dark circles around my eyes, so you can be sure that on any given day I have some sort of concealer on. In fact, I think it was my quest for […]
It’s official: awards season is here! And there’s nothing quite like the red carpet to get the little girl in me to fantasize about cascading ball gowns, show-stopping high heels, and of course, trend setting hair and makeup. I love seeing how Hollywood starlets take classic, glamorous looks and give them a youthful, laid-back update. […]
If the new year has you itching to update your look but you’re hesitant to do something drastic, then changing up your part might be just what the doctor ordered! The side “swoop” bang is super low maintenance and can give your look a little update that’s a much lower commitment than chopping true bangs. […]
The smoky eye still stands to be one of the most requested “how to’s” I hear from clients. Martha Lynn here, and I’m super excited to finally let you in on the tips and tricks I use to create this gorgeous, but still laid-back look. Best of all, this technique can be used to update your everyday […]
If you feel like you get tangled up when you pick up a curling iron, then this technique is a great option for you. Martha Lynn here, and I absolutely love how quickly you can curl a head of hair with this swift little trick. And (get ready for it) we use a flatiron to […]
Anyone else still obsessed with fishtail braids? Martha Lynn here, and there’s nothing I love more than a style that can accomplish two things at once, and a “half-up” look manages to give you the best of both worlds — the romantic feel of your hair down, partnered with the polished look of an updo. […]
There’s no denying that matte lips are everywhere this fall. Martha Lynn here, and this is one of my personal favorite trends of the moment, especially when done in dramatic wine and berry shades for a dressed up evening look. Rather than heading out to the department store to purchase a matte version of your […]
When it comes to our hair, we often want it all: a ‘do that’s all at once “straight, smooth, not-too- ‘done’ looking” but also “voluminous, wavy, and full of body.” I’m always striving to achieve hair that flaunts the best of both worlds, and this technique gives volume at the roots, yet keeps the ends nice and sleek. […]
Creating a “cat eye” is one of the most commonly requested makeup tricks I hear from clients, and while the look definitely makes a big statement, the technique couldn’t be easier. The mod trend is everywhere this fall, and if you’re hesitant to go full-on 60’s, the cat eye is a way to give a […]
Two weeks ago, I shared a Rolled Chignon tutorial that’s great for medium-length hair… well, today’s ‘do goes out to all my Rapunzel’s out there! I’ve been spotting lots of braids out and about this summer, and with the triple-digit heat in Austin, I had to give the trend a try. Claire’s long hair is […]
A couple of months ago, we chopped a good 5 inches off Camille’s hair to give it a fresh and healthy boost for summer, taking it from long-and-layered to medium-with texturized ends. Many of the updo tutorials we’ve done in the Pretty Simple series thus far have been great for long-haired ladies, so with Camille (and many […]
We don’t often think of knotting our hair when styling, but I’ve been using the technique to create simple-yet-intricate hairdos for years. I’m always on the hunt for hair styles that can be put together in a few easy steps, but when complete, make everyday hair look and feel a little more special. In this […]
Full disclosure: even makeup artists can feel timid when it comes to the world of contouring. Martha Lynn here, and I think my hesitation comes from the fact that when contouring goes wrong, it’s so wrong. I recently decided to enlist the help of some other pros and master the art of playing with light and shadows…and […]
Martha Lynn here, and today’s ‘do is inspired by a chic chignon I’ve been spotting around Pinterest lately… and once I sat down to give it a shot, I even surprised myself with how easy it was to recreate. I’m loving this technique because it works with any hair length (past the chin) and any […]
Martha Lynn here, and I have to admit that I never met a top knot I didn’t like. What started out as a casual way to throw your hair up has – in the last year – turned into a full blown fashion obsession. Whether you just need another rainy day style in your back […]
As a stylist and salon owner, I face pleading clients on a daily basis who are desperate to achieve salon-softness hair on their own. To their surprise, my response is always ‘me too!’… The way I recommend clients blow dry their hair at home is totally different than the way we stylists do it in the […]
