Beauty Techniques for the Fabulous Traveler at Toni & Guy
United Kingdom-based hairdressing company Toni & Guy recently hosted members of the media at its Santa Monica Academy for a Spring/Summer Beauty Forecast Party. I was fortunate enough to attend and be treated to a major pampering sesh that included not just hair but makeup and nails, too. And, as I am always on the lookout for tips and tricks to travel in style, I also picked the brains of a couple top stylists for the season’s best ways to look good on the go.
The evening began with a glass of champagne, and already it was off to a great start. Next came a stop at the hair washing station before I took a seat at Toni & Guy advanced educator Erin Patterson’s styling station for a blowout. As she expertly dried and curled my hair to red-carpet-worthy perfection, I asked for advice about the products—and styling techniques—to pack on my next trip.
“Embrace your natural texture and wash your hair as little as possible” Patterson said, adding Toni & Guy’s own Tigi Catwalk Session Series Salt Spray is a must-have for spring and summer travel. Simply spray on damp strands, scrunch (don’t pull hair down), and head out the door; the product is intended to provide a light hold and fight frizz—two qualities I definitely need in a hair product. For a bit of extra hold, Patterson recommends pairing the salt spray with Tigi’s Session Series Work It Hairspray, which is designed to provide a workable, medium hold and certainly left my lovely loose waves intact and touchable well into the days after the event.
Although I had only made an appointment for the blowout, Patterson decided my new wavy ’do would go well with a makeover, too, so I was whisked out of one styling chair and into another for a touch up of my makeup from Toni & Guy makeup artist Yvette Peraza. Peraza added Tigi Cosmetics golden shadow to my lids as she explained that travelers who want to pack on the lighter side but still be ready for any occasion should bring two shades of similarly hued, multi-toned shadow: a lighter one to use during the day and a darker one to use either alone or blended with the first for a more stylish night.
Another of Peraza’s expert tips was to pack a flesh-toned lipstick and several different colors of lip liner. The lipstick can be worn alone or over any of the liners to create multiple shades—and the liners take up little space in a travel bag.
From the makeup station I made my way to the manicure area, where Toni & Guy Academy attendees were painting fingernails with new Pet Head Dog Nail Polish. Yes, you heard that right; the super-fast dry, one-coat formula is designed to add a little style to your pup’s nails. Free of toluene and formaldehyde, the polish is safe for both humans and dogs and comes in four shades: Happy Pink, Fun Purple, Cool Teal, and Love Red.
While I don’t have a dog—and I doubt my cat would be too pleased to be treated to a manicure—I was excited to find a couple bottles of the nail polish in my goodie bag. When I travel I don’t always have time to give my fingernails a full pampering, but I have had occasion where I would’ve loved to add a pop of colors to them before heading out the door. Enter Pet Head nail polish, where a 10-second drying time means I can instantly class up any outfit with colorfully polished nails.
By the end of the evening, I felt perfectly pampered and excited about the new information I had learned from the Toni & Guy staff. I was also delighted to find there are more than 420 Toni & Guy salons in 42 countries, including 40 salons and 20 Toni & Guy Academy locations throughout the United States and Canada, so if I am away from home and in need of a expert to take care of my tresses, I know where to go.
