AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

Just got off the phone with hair god Oribe (think Jennifer Lopez and every super model and movie star. Ever.) who made me feel better about my lifelong bad hair day by telling me that Kate Winslet can't do much with her own hair. Cameron Diaz, however, can. The bitch. I'll have his candid comments on Victoria Beckham, Megan Fox, Jessica Simpson and others in the Pioneer Press next week. But I just have to share this one now: Kate Gosselin. All he knows about embattled "Jon & Kate Plus 8" star is "someone had an affair." But the hair? He likes it! "These days, it's all about being a character. Sexy in the front; crazy in the back. It suits her."
Oribe's new product line will be available at Spalon Montage in June.

With stray grays and blah browns threatening a hostile takeover of the sandy, sun-struck territory at my part, I knew what I had to do. I promised color guru Jason Backe, when he made me a Clairol blond, that I'd see this experiment through by touching up my own roots. The rubber gloves in the box made me nervous - like there was potential for this project to go horribly awry. I brushed the goop on the roots where my hair wants to part, but there was so much left. So I started flipping my hair to the other side and dabbing dye on those roots too. Then I worried the touch-up was touching too many non-touch-up hairs and I might end up with a partial Gwen Stefani. But, 10 minutes later, I dutifully rinsed and voila, no damage done; roots seemingly covered. Saved time and gobs of money. I might do this again!

The fashion show I hosted at Oakridge Country Club yesterday focused, refreshingly, on dressing for your age, not the trends. Sure, there are some general rules...the above-the-knee sundress and slinky maxi dress would have looked silly on the 73 year old model, Arlene. Aisha at Belle Reve had planned to dress our "senior" in a long sleeve top...until she got a look at her arms and decided to play them up. It's all about knowing your assets at any age. Arlene rocked it - from head to toe. She arrived with her short hair in a standard, coiffed gray-hair 'do: blow dried and curled. Pamela Cruz (looove her) from Bella salon in Edina decided to shake things up by straightening Arlene's hair and styling it seductively over her eyes. You're never too old to rock a blow-out! With short hair, Pamela says now is the time to try it straight. But the stick-straight thing looks very tired on longer hair. Go for loose waves and more volume, she said. I'm trying!

Where are the Bravo cameras? The Mall of America announced this morning that it wants to open a concept salon/spa (Progressions Salon must be thrilled) and is seeking a hairstylist or salon manager to give the place some personality. Next comes the contest, the challenge, the TV show, right? Not this time. There's no catch. The chosen partner will be a part owner without making a financial investment. That stylist or manager will be involved in decision making from the ground up, including salon design.  “This is a new and exciting creative business model for Mall of America – something we have never tried before," said Maureen Bausch, executive vice president of business development at Mall of America, in a statement. " We are searching for the best of the best in the local market that can help the salon be exciting, trendy and successful.”
Any local stylist or salon manager up for the challenge should contact Bausch at [email protected].