everything i know about japanese digital perm

I have gotten so many questions about my digital perm that I've decided to do another post to try to offer interested perm enthusiasts some more info. Please post any more questions you have that I might not have answered and let me know if you have any Japanese salon recommendations in the U.S.!

I don't know why this type of perm isn't being done everywhere, but unfortunately it's not, which means that it's still pretty difficult to find a salon that offers this service...

Q: Can I wear my hair straight after I get a digital perm?

A: Yes, definitely! If you want your hair straight, really all you have to do is brush it. The curls are so loose and bouncy that they can easily be brushed out to straighten them. If you want super straight hair, just use a flat iron and your hair will be straight until you wash it again.

Speaking of brushing, I actually don't own a brush anymore since I only wear my hair in loose curls. I use a good strong conditioner, finger comb it when I first get out of the shower, and then no more brushing because they will pull the curls out...I actually love it!

Q: Where did you get your digital perm done in Japan?

A: I had my first digital perm ever in Harajuku in Tokyo at Anny Hair, although I'm sure that most salons on the same street will have talented stylists who know all about the digital perm. I recommend flipping through their many magazines to pick out an image that shows exactly the level of "curliness" that you want in your hair since the digital perm will be designed specifically for your style. The stylists I worked with at Anny Hair is no longer there, but I still recommend it!

Q: Where can I get a digital perm in the U.S.?

A: In New York, I used to go to Tany at Kiwa Salon (234 W. 27th St, 212.620.3846)

In San Francisco I go to Mr Kudo at Arty Salon (1680 Post St, 2nd Flr, 415.931.4405)

If you don't live near NY or SF you should find a Japanese or Korean hair salon in your area and call to ask them if they do digital perms. If they don't, they might have another similar perm service that works well on Asian hair that could have a similar look...

{Mr. Kudo and his assistant at Arty Salon}

Q: What type of hair does a digital perm work on? Does it only work on Japanese hair?

A: I asked Mr. Kudo at Arty about this and he said that he has tried the digital perm on a caucasian client and wasn't able to get the perm to work. According to Mr. Kudo, the digital perm was invented by performing experiments specifically on Japanese hair and the entire process was designed around this. I am half-Japanese and Mr. Kudo had some difficulty on my first visit because he had to adjust the design of my perm to work on my type of hair. You will notice that analysis of your hair is a very important part of getting the digital perm.

So the bad news is that unfortunately I haven't heard of any salons being able to master the digital perm on non-Asian hair...but hopefully there are some experiments in the works...

Q: How do you style loose curls and what products do you use?

A: Every girl with a digital perm probably has mastered her own special technique for getting her curls to look perfect. Here is my daily method that I learned from Tany in New York:

• When hair is wet, apply some sort of anti-frizz serum and finger comb through hair. I use Kerastase Oleo-Relax. Like I mentioned before, I don't actually use a brush or comb because I think it pulls out the curls.

• Separate the hair into about 5-6 sections and twist using your fingers (in that ditzy schoolgirl kind of way...)

• For a naturally curly wavy look, I just apply a curl enhancing gel and let it air dry. I don't really have a favorite curl gel yet (give me recs if you have any!), but right now I'm using Garnier Fructise Curl Shaping Spray Gel and it seems to be doing the trick without being too sticky or stiff. I found a list on Elle.com of the Best Products for Curly Hair, so I will probably try some of those next.

• For a loose bouncy curls look (I call it my "Hills hair" because I feel like those girls always have professionally curled bouncy hair at all hours of the day) I blow dry the twisted sections. Start by drying the roots of your hair for just a few minutes and then blow each section dry while constantly twisting the hair around your fingers to keep the curled shape. I also twist the hair and then cup it in my hand (like a squished spring) and blow dry that way for awhile. Try to keep twisting the hair to keep it curled while also separating the sections a little to dry all the hairs in the section.

• To finish off the bouncy curls I use Nigelle Contrastmove Wax, but any fiber wax will work. If you haven't used a fiber wax before it's more like clay than regular hair wax and it's not greasy. Rub the wax on your fingers and then use it to shape the curls, especially the ends.
  

Q: How long does the perm last?

A: I get a perm probably about twice a year, but I think the hair stylists recommend that you come in every 4 months. The perm is fairly pricey ($150-$250) and takes a good chunk of time (3-4 hrs), which is why I stretch it to 5-6 months. Even though the perm starts to straighten a little after awhile, I would say that it never really goes away like the old perms did. The reason I end up going back to get a new perm is more because my hair has grown out than because my hair is straight again. But if you get sick of the wavy hair, you can always just brush it out and it will be straight.

Q: What if I don't want a layered haircut?

A: Then you shouldn't get a digital perm. The stylists who perform the digital perm treatments consider the specific haircut that is paired with the perm as a very important part of the process. If you don't want your hair greatly thinned out and layered, then you probably want to talk to the stylist about getting a different type of perm. I was very nervous about the massive amount of thinning the first time (I am used to having tons of hair and suddenly my ponytail was super skinny!) but it works perfectly with the curls and ensures that you don't get an 80's style frizz puff ball triangle head.

Any more questions?? Let me know...

Related articles...

• japanese digital perm

searching for a camel coat...

I am obsessed with finding a gorgeous camel coat!

The search is officially on! I've already decided that it will be my splurge item for fall 2010 if I find something perfect because I know it's a classic that I can keep forever and ever. Even though camel is a huge trend for fall, I'm somehow having a lot of difficulty finding exactly what I am looking for...

These are what have caught my eye so far...

{nordstrom.com: smythe "cadet" wool blend}

You can't tell in this pic, but it has an adorable peaked tail hem in the back and structured shoulders...but is it too trendy? I want something that I can where in 20 years..

{net-a-porter: dkny wool peacoat}

This is a very classic look and an affordable price, but I might want something a tad more exciting...

{saks fifth avenue: gucci kite cut overcoat}

Wow, how gorgeous!! And how cool would I be if I was considering a Gucci? Well that would be in an alternate universe of course...

pantone fall colors 2010

What's your favorite fall color?

The Pantone Color Report for Fall 2010 is available for download at the Pantone website:

PANTONE FCR 2010

The color report includes the ten colors that most describe the collections that were debuted at New York Fashion Week in February. As an architect I'm a huge Pantone user, so it's fun to see the fashion world described by this color matching system. The color report gives famous designers an opportunity to display their favorite color pick and describe how they used it.

Since I'm big into the natural earthy tones, I have already been drawn to the Woodbine and Oyster Gray, but I would love to mix some Lipstick Red or Lagoon into my wardrobe!

{image: Pop Deluxe}

Also, how cute are these Pantone coffee mugs that I found online? Pop Deluxe has 29 colors available that you can pick separately or buy in sets of 4 perfectly coordinated colors. They have a fun selection of their basic palette...

Related articles...

• fall 2009 colors and pantone love
  

rachel zoe project: rach v tay

{image: love, taylor}

If you are not obsessed with every show on the Bravo channel, then you can immediately skip reading this post...this is for my fellow unashamed Bravo reality addicts who religiously watch all episodes of the Rachel Zoe Project no matter how disgusting they may be...

So as someone obviously interested in the business and art of styling, I have to be intrigued by a show about the (probably self-proclaimed) "most famous stylist in the world" Rachel Zoe. As a lover of the Taylor character on the show (I must refer to these "reality stars" as characters) whose addiction to wearing Wayfarers indoors, 24/7 bitchiness, and realistic inability to deal with the annoyingness of Rachel and Brad was a reason to actually sit through the entire hour of the show, it is completely weirding me out that this entire new season is focusing on Taylor bashing....it's really just not classy to use national tv to attempt to blacklist a former employee. Yucky yucky.

So of course I've been searching for the little white-haired stylist online and I found her at Everyday Minerals with her own blog called Love, Taylor. The blog is quite cheesy and happy with outfit posts, styling tips, Everyday Minerals make-up plugs, and zero Rachel Zoe bashing. I think I will follow her on twitter for a little while and see if the real deal is at all interesting...

Ok there's my reality tv fluffiness for the day...

more on skinny cargos

{image: revolveclothing.com}

Now that I've posted about skinny cargo pants, I've been noticing them in Fall ad campaigns everywhere! Check out this trend guide in Revolve Clothing's online magazine entitled "precious cargo" for styling ideas....

precious cargo by Revolve Clothing

I don't love all of the looks, but I like that they styled the pants in lots of different colors with various tops and shoes and provide links to everything shown. And please disregard the horizontal hippie-inspired headband in all the looks...really not a good look for anyone except maybe Nicole Richie...

related articles...

• skinny cargos...i actually love them
  

skinny cargos...i actually love them

{image: Nordstrom.com}

Leighton Meester is wearing them on the set of Gossip Girl and all of your favorite jeans designers are carrying them in their Fall collections, but are skinny cargo pants actually cute??

I have to admit that it took me about a year to try this skinny version of what Abercrombie survived on back in the mid '90s. The idea of dressing up cargo pants and pairing them with heels just sounded too ridiculous to me...but now here I am and I find myself actually loving my new pair!

I snagged my own pair of Sanctuary "Peace" Skinny Leg Cargo Pants at the Nordstrom sale in Herb (Army Green), but they still have them available (at full price...sorry I didn't tell you earlier...I just wasn't sure how I felt about them). If you're not willing to drop $250 on some trendy cargos that might go out of style by next year, I would definitely recommend these at only $118. Here's why I am loving them them:

• military green is one of my favorite colors for everything...such an under-appreciated neutral
  
• more comfortable than skinny jeans
• more flattering than flared baggy cargos
• surprisingly do look cute with heeled booties! (although I wear them with flats)
• the pockets don't actually add bulk...they actually are flattering because they break up the skinniness (if that makes sense)

My Sanctuary cargos are pictured above and I actually am obsessed with the gray lace-up military boots that are also pictured (another exciting Nordstrom Anniversary Sale find!)...but we'll talk about those another day...if you are interested, they are Charles David "Regiment" Boots, now available at full price.

{j brand "houlihan"}

I like all of the seams and zippers on these...embellishments break up the skinniness! I wouldn't wear them with clogs, though...too much "Fall Trends 101"...well, maybe you can pull it off with the right styling...

{current/elliott slouchy skinny cargo}

These look pretty darn comfy and would have been perfect for summer...

anthropologie: winterize your summer looks

{summer}

Any ad that shows you how to style a piece is so much more successful than an ad that shows a piece on its own.

I love taking my summer dresses into fall and winter by adding layers, cardies, tights, socks, and boots (or if you live in San Francisco, this might just be taking my summer dresses into summer...seriously does it ever get into bare leg season in that city?). Summery colors and prints are a fun way to brighten up your dismal winter wardrobe, so I try to find ways to layer under and over my sleeveless dresses so I can wear them year-round ...

Anthropologie dropped a cute little email in my inbox that showed ways to style one of their simple cotton summer tank dresses for colder temps. I'm not sure if I'm into the coat layered over coat look (winter), but I love the styling of the different styles of boots!

The ankle socks are one of my favorite looks for Fall...

{spring}

{fall}

{winter}
{Images: anthropologie.com}

bee house teapots

I am in love with the beautiful colors of these japanese ceramic Bee House teapots...

I indulged myself with a lovely matte rose version that is a happy little plump pot and perfectly sized for the one to two cups of green tea that I like to enjoy every evening. The teapots come in every size and shape imaginable, so it's quite fun to just poke around on the Bee House website...

I discovered my Bee House teapot at Teavana but I've seen these at coffee and tea shops all over. There is just something so cute and satisfying about the shape of these pots...

gap pants are back

So I took about a ten year hiatus from shopping at The Gap...no offense to this mall staple, but I thought of myself as too "edgy and fashion risky" to shop at this plain jane store where I used to stock up on too-short cotton tees in every color of the rainbow and patterned shift dresses in middle school. I had an idea that The Gap was mostly about mom jeans, ribbed tees, and khaki slacks...but I'm happy to report that I was wrong!

Well, to be honest, maybe they have "been back" for a long time and I was just too caught up in department store shopping to give them a chance, but their new ads and capsule shoe collections have me running to the mall asap! Denim-inspired styles and clean pants are in, so the Gap can stick to what they're known for and still be fashionable.

{gap slim crop pants}

I ended up loving their black slim crop pants. I basically live in skinny black pants at work, so finding an affordable pair was quite exciting ($49.50 full price...I think I can trade in 4 pairs for one pair of theorys...) They also had cute boyfriend jeans and some slouchy cotton trousers than can be rolled up for a boyfriend trousers look.

{gap always skinny zipper jeans}

Now I just need to find out where to get those cute peep toes...

dolce vita sale

{dolce vita noah}

If you have a love for sky-high heels with leather, straps, and studs then you will be as excited as I am about the dolce vita sale that is going on right now. The sale is advertised as having an extra 25% off and free shipping...the only catch is that all sales are final, so you better love what you get!

I am still fairly obsessed with all dolce vita shoes. They all have a similar rock and roll style, but somehow I just find myself wanting more. Someday I will get tired of the over-the-top straps, studs, and leather, but until then I am loving this line.

Unfortunately the dolce vita capsule collection for Target was so disappointing that it's not even worth posting about...the idea was amazing, the execution was not.

Here are a couple cute sale picks (sorry about the tiny pics...)

{dolce vita colette}

{dolce vita spencer}

{dolce vita irene}

{images: shopdolcevita.com}

Related articles...

• dolce vita sale
• dv by dolce vita sale finds
  

back for fall

I have obviously taken a long break from Hello Kelli, as is evident by the lack of posts since June 1. I decided to take the summer off, but now Fall is coming up and I want to get excited about fashion again.

I will report back about my last Norma Kamali for Wal-mart post soon...but I will say that I definitely did not return anything! Definitely a success...

In addition to reporting about fashion, I will also now be including skin care posts! I wrote a daily article for Splendicity.com (before it disappeared) and I would like to continue to share my thoughts and experiences about new skin care products and procedures. I have tons of samples that are sitting in my apartment, so I am thinking about doing a big Giveaway...although I don't want to pay for postage so I'll have to figure out a way around that.

What am I excited about for Fall?? I will do a complete post soon, but right now I'm loving lace-up military boots, cashmere sweatshirts, skinny cargos, fluffy arm warmers, designer collabs everywhere, anything in military green or navy, and oh and I can't think of anything else but there is so much more...