Everyone from JENNIFER WILLIAMS and PORSHA STEWART to LALA and BEYONCE have finally put their hair on top.

The high bun, an updated version of the classic bun, gives more of a playful elegance, and is the perfect way to show off your natural beauty. Low maintenance and simple to create, the high bun can be the go to hairstyle for red carpet glam, or super market sexy.

Michael Duenas, founder of Hair Room Service and celeb stylist breaks down this chic and surprisingly damage free style! Whether you have medium-long to long hair, natural hair, or hair pieces to create a faux high bun, check the steps:

For many reasons, DIY (Do It Yourself) has become all the rave in hair care in the last few years.

Many women have concluded there are few hair care technique and styles they don’t need a stylist, and are skipping out on weekly or bi-weekly hair salon visits.

While we agree it’s more economical and empowering to start doing your own hair, we don’t recommend totally ditching your hair stylist.

As the New Year approaches, and we are on strict budgets to recoup from holiday spending, we still insist that they are few style techniques that professional help will always be needed.

From weaves to coloring, scroll through 5 hair techniques and processes that should be left to the professionals.

With so much talk about natural hair, you’d think the term “natural” hair was one size fits all. However, there are many different types and it goes beyond the hair typing number system created by hair stylist ANDRE WALKER.

Here are a few things you should know…

Fine or Coarse?

All black hair is not coarse as some mistakenly believe. Most natural hair is soft, but some women have fine hair as opposed to coarse.  Fine hair doesn’t necessarily mean the texture is loose. Fine strands will appear thin when examining a single strand and fine hair is more prone to breakage.  More delicate handling of hair during detangling helps fine hair.  Coarse hair will appear very thick in size when one strand is examined compared to fine hair. Those with coarse hair may need extra moisture and water as to keep it from being overly dry. Wash and go’s are not usually ideal for coarse hair.

High Porosity or Low Porosity?

High porosity usually is the result of heat or chemical damage. This type of hair typically absorbs a lot more water which is good for maintaining moisture. However, there is a such thing as too much water. If too much water is absorbed, it could lead to frizzy or puffy hair with little definition. Using emollients and staying away from humectants are key.  Low porosity hair may not soak up water as well as someone with normal or high porosity. The threat of product build up is more common with these hair types. Humectant products helps lift moisture from the air and into your hair.

Density of follicles

You can have fine hair but have follicles closely together, or have coarser thicker strands that are farther apart. Hair that is shorter but has more follicles may appear fuller than hair that is longer yet has less follicles in the scalp. Women that have less hair follicles can try different styles such as small twists for twist outs that will give a fuller appearance than thicker twists.

The exciting part of natural hair is discovering your hair type and it is more complex than believing just because another woman’s hair looks similar to yours you can do everything exactly as she does. Keeping track of what type of products work best on your hair type, and experimenting with different  styles are a natural’s best tools to understanding their hair.

We’re sure you’ve heard the saying “black don’t crack,” and while their is some truth to it, taking care of your skin in the sunny summer months is imperative.

Brown skinned women have more melanin in their skin, which adds some protection from the sun. That doesn’t mean however we don’t need any protection from the sun.

We are still at risk, although much lower to get skin cancer from to much sun exposure.

It is important to note during the summer months women with skin of  darker hues should still use sunscreen, to avoid  photoaging, noticeable skin damage from the sun.

When the summer rays  beat down , women of color need to know just how to keep their skin out of harm’s way.

Here’s what you need to remember.

1. Women of darker skin tones don’t need as high of a SPF as someone who has fairer skin. Use a sunscreen that is SPF 15 -SPF 30 and apply it anytime you will be out in the sun for an extended period of time.

2. After swimming or getting out of water,  if you will still  be in the sun, you will need to always apply sun screen.

3. Invest in a moisturizing product like those included in the  RX FOR BROWN SKIN line that prevents damage  to your skin.

4. Sun damage can also wreck its havoc on your lips causing them to burn. Many lip products now include SPF to protect your lips. For complete coverage  try, MAC Lip Conditoner Stick SPF 15 that protects against UVA/UVB rays.

Take care of your skin, while you enjoy your summer so that you can enjoy your skin for a lifetime.

Summer can be a beauty junkie’s worst enemy when it comes to makeup.

Though many cosmetics are slowly using more organic ingredients, in general, makeup is made of a combination of chemicals that react to the sun or your sweat.

This can cause your makeup to look runny, melt, smudge and easily rub off.

It’s best product handy to keep your summer look in check.

ANDREA FACE-Q’s FRESH UPS seek to eliminate that problem  for any woman on the go.

The fresh ups are made from linen and can be used to remove and blot excess oil and moisture. They can be used on your cheeks, forehead, and/or nose to keep your appearance fresh all day.

With 65 sheets per packet and priced at just $4, this is summer must -have!

Andrea Face-Q Fresh Up Wipes are available online and at drugstores nationwide.

Known for her dramatic makeup looks, rumor has it that KANYE WEST‘s actually prefers his  girlfriend KIM KARDASHIAN  toned all the way down.

WEST like many fellas find makeup looks that result in  a more natural appearance more attractive.

Now if giving a more au natural look is something you are going for, know that there is no magic formula to clean appearance.

Wearing makeup while maintaining a natural appearance is actually quite easy and  you can still enhance your features without wearing makeup that is way too obvious and overdone.

Check out Juicy‘s four tips for getting the natural look!

Step 1. Use foundation that correctly matches your skin tone.  Don’t use heavy bronzers or cream. Still apply your moisturizers, cover up, or any other product that improves your skin.

Step 2. Find eye shadows slightly darker or lighter than your skin tone. Beige, brown, taupe, light pink, and neutral tones are best to try.  If using more than one shade make sure that you carefully blend. Shades that are too dark or too bright won’t produce that natural appearance.

Step 3. A few strokes of mascara is perfectly fine, but for a more subtle look don’t use eyeliner. You also may want to opt to not use your false lashes when trying to obtain a natural look.

Step 4. Natural doesn’t mean skipping lip color – it is highly encouraged. However, you should use sheer, nude, or light shades. Lip glosses and tinted lip balm usually works better to avoid bold and bright colors.

Before all of these companies flooded the market promising to cater to natural hair and women of color, CAROL’S DAUGHTER was already producing products that nourish, strengthen, and deliver protection to black hair.

Now, embarking on a new path, Carol’s Daughter has  recruited SOLANGE KNOWLES (who already served as one of the faces of the hair care brand) for a new hair blog on Carol’s Daughter’s new web site, called the Transitioning Movement.

Since doing the “big-chop” almost three years ago we have watched SOLANGE’s hair transition which made her a natural hair celebrity icon. Every Monday, Solange will post a new blog revealing her experiences in transitioning and caring for natural hair, while there will be other posts throughout the week that allow women to learn the how-to’s of going natural.

The site is dedicated to women  ready to give up relaxer who need help in learning how to care for their hair, and will feature blogs, videos, hair advice and more.

Carol’s Daughter explained the inspiration for the new site founded on the idea that every woman should celebrate her own unique beauty.

As women transition from relaxed to natural hair with protective styles, the big chop or long or curly grow-outs, Carol’s Daughter says their aim is  “to support them as they brave the change with fun, informative and helpful features.

For a sneak peak at what’s to come on the web site visit www.transitioningmovement.com.

AFRICAN PRIDE continues to tap into the benefits of shea butter by adding another shelf of products Shea Butter Miracle Collection.

Maybe you’ve neglected your feet all winter, but now as the weather warms up it is time to give your feet proper care, especially if you plan to wear sandals or open-toed shoes.

There is nothing wrong with going to the salon,  but it never hurts to have a do-it-at-home method for all your beauty needs.

Sometimes you may just want to give yourself a mini-pedicure in between salon visits and this is how you can easily do it yourself. Check it out!

1. Gather your materials. A foot spa is ideal, but if you can’t afford one, a basic foot scrub product will do, or soak your feet in the tub with some bath salts. Other tools needed: pedicure paddle/pumice stone, manicure/pedicure sticks, nail clipper, toe separator, choice of nail polish, foot cream.

2. Before soaking feet, clip your nails straight across and remove any old nail polish.

3. After soaking feet, use your pedicure sticks to gently remove any dirt hiding under your toenails, as well as push back and oil cuticles.

4. Take your pedicure paddle or pumice stone and softly rub the bottom of your feet to reduce callouses and/or harsh heels. For those suffering from extreme callouses try BUTTER LONDON’s Rock Off Glycolic Callous Peel (.02 oz, $30, ULTA).

5. Skip using base coat for your toenails, simply apply and then re-apply your nail color. Use toe separators to make applying the polish easier. Polish left, middle, right side of toe and be sure not to use an excessive amount of polish. Finish with a top coat that is chip-resistant.

6. As a rule of thumb, even if your toenail polish stays on for a long time it is still best practice to remove it every two weeks for healthy toenails. While you can repeat the pedicure process every two weeks, daily washing of your feet and using a foot cream to reduce cracks and dry feet will maintain clean and moisturized feet.

Slip your toes in a cute pair of sandals, and walk it out!