amika Destination: NYFW Finalists

We have selected our top finalists for the amika Destination: NYFW competition—and now it’s up to you to join us in selecting a winner! These five finalists have worked to create runway-ready hair looks inspired by their favorite designers for the chance to join the international amika team this September for an all-expense paid trip to New York City. Your votes will decide which stylist will win the trip of a lifetime—a five-day event packed with education, a pro photo shoot, and Fashion Week events.

To Vote: Head to the amika Facebook page, and view the finalist photo submissions in the Destination: NYFW Finalists photo album. Make sure to Like the photo of your favorite entry, as the stylists with the most "Likes" for their runway-ready look will be chosen a the winner.

But before you cast your votes, find out what inspired each look, how they were created, and what amika tools + products each stylist used...

Steps:

1. Begin by blow-drying hair while using the Power Cloud Dryer and  Straight Up Smoothing Balm. 
2. Next, after using the Heat Defense Serumr, part the hair and hold it up with the Straightening Tension Comb and create curls with the 25mm Barrel Curler.
3. After the entire hair is curled, secure with Touchable Hairspray, and straighten hair along the hair line with the Titanium Glide Obliphica Styler.
4. Section hair and begin to braid on the side.
5. Finish this look by adding a flower for summer, and once again spray Touchable Hairspray to secure. 

Steps:

1. Prep the hair with Straight Up Smoothing Balm.
2. Blow dry the hair using the amika Power Cloud, and infuse hair with the Oil Treatment
3. Curl hair using the 32mm Tourmaline Curler. 
4. Using the Touchable Hair Spray to set, brush and mold hair into a high bun. 
5. Apply additional Straight Up Smoothing Balm to the hair, before using a hair extension to finish the base of the bun. 

Steps:

1. Begin by prepping the hair with Blow Up Spray and Oil Treatment. 
2. Spray hair with Perk Up Dry Shampoo and texturize using the Titanium Glide Obliphica Styler. 
3. Use bobby pins to create zig-zagged figure-8s into the hair. 
4. Backcomb to add body and shape, and use Touchable Hairspray to hold the look in place. 
5. Finally, create a fishtail side-braid, and once completed, pull pieces from the final look to make the style look undone. 

Steps: 

1. Create a center part at the top of the crown, while separating hair from ear to ear into neatly clipped and secure sections. Apply Heat Defense Serum to each section. 
2. Beginning at the nape of neck, using the 3P Triple Barrel Curler, take 1" sections and soft-set the hair—working up to the crown and repeat on the sides.
3. When curls are set, remove the clips, shake out the curls, and gently run fingers through hair.
4. Create a diagonal ear-to-ear part, and clip sections upwards.
5. Securely clip the back of the style up, to ensure it will not interfere while styling the front section.
6. Begin with the right side, and back comb the hair from the inside, and smooth with comb out brush and begin to roll inward to create first victory roll. 
7. Repeat on other side. 
8. Take down the hair in the back and slightly back comb hair to create volume. 
9. Set the look with Touchable Hairspray. 

Steps:

1. After prepping the hair with Perk Up Dry Shampoo and Oil Treatment, use the 25/28mm Curler to create curls.
2. Take two diagonal partings from recession to just in front of the ear, and style a fishtail braid. Smooth the braid with Leave In Cream. 
3. Tease hair at the crown and spray with Touchable Hairspray.
4. Begin to pin hair at the sides, and then take sections from bottom, and gently (and randomly) pin hair until it is all up—creating a draping effect.
5. Finish the look with Touchable Hairspray.

New York Fashion Week SS13 with Amika

We certainly did have quite the time during Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Week here in NYC. Amika was  out and about spreading "hair love" and of course indulging in our obsession with all things fashion. We partied and primped the night away at Sephora on Fashion Night Out, and collaborated with stylists and designers at the VPL and Zero+Maria Cornejo runway shows. The fashion bloggers at the Birchbox Blogger Lounge swooned over samples of our Nourishing Hair Mask and got styled by the best-of-the-best from the amika styling team. Honestly, words cannot even begin to do it all justice, so we're giving you a little visual taste of amika at NYFW. Enjoy!

Undone is the new "Done-Up"

Karen Walker SP'13

"Shhh please, with your silly little questions," was exactly what I thought when someone had the nerve to ask me, "Why do you do your hair, just to make it look like you didn't do your hair?" ...If you, like myself, neurotically followed all the runway looks from NYFW SP'13, the answer is no doubt quite obvious. Undone is the new done-up! 

Natural seemingly effortless hair flowed all over the runways at NYFW. There was clearly a lot of thought behind these undone tresses, all inspired by the concept that "less is more." Many of the looks seemed as though they didn't even require a tool to style... blasphemous, I know! Finger combing, natural texture, fly-aways, and (dare we say) even a bit of frizz were fully embraced at the latest edition of NYFW!

Donna Karan SP'13

Calvin Klein Collection SP'13

Proenza Schouler SP'13

And no this adorable head scarf is not just Lindsey Wixton's way of looking chic while getting her pre-runway primp on, this was the actual runway look for Marc by Marc Jacobs SP'13. Talk about, "Oh I just threw myself together (and ended up looking fabulous), no big deal."

xo Q!

(images via Style.com)

Backstage Pass: Cynthia Rowley Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show

amika provided the backstage hair team for the Cynthia Rowley Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show. Key hairstylist Shon, who has styled for magazines including ID and Italian Vogue Beauty, lead his team armed with amika styling tools and haircare to create hair look for the show.

Here is how he did it:

1. Mist hair with a volumizing spray for texture and volume. Shon used amika 2-in-1 Volumizing and Styling Spray.

2. Apply a serum all over for more separation and shine. Shon used amika Obliphica Heat Defense Serum.

3. Create natural curls with variation and texture by using curler with a variety of barrel sizes. Shon used the amika Triple Barrel Curler. Using different barrel sizes means the curls are not too perfect achieving the laid-back look the hair stylist and designer wanted.

4. Add an ample amount of a thick curl defining cream to the roots to create a slept in, almost greasy texture. Shon used amika Obliphica Curl Defining Cream.

5. Finish with shine spray all over for shine. Shon used amika Obliphica Finishing Shine Spray.

The final look was cool, slicked back and beautiful, an effortless yet chic way to wear your hair for Spring.

Cynthia Rowley's collection was very smart with great tension between feminine romantic elements and the structured silhouettes. We went crazy for the prints, especially the abstracted florals and metallic gold geometric prints.

The front row included Lindsey Lohan, Alexa Chung, Derek Blasberg, Lisa Edlestein and Chris and Adrienne Bosh.

For more backstage photos see our Facebook Album or follow us on Instagram. If you have questions about the look add a comment below.

Exclusive Backstage Videos from VPL AW2011

Amika adores VPL. The brand is at once utilitarian, sculptural and chic. The incorporation of subtly sexy undergarments and innovative materials makes each collection highly anticipated. This season, Amika provided all the tools used to create the hair looks for the VPL show. We were thrilled to get a backstage glimpse at the VPL Fall 2011 collection.



Recine, the lead hairstylist for the show, created an intricate origami inspired chignon. We spoke with him about his inspiration and how he achieved the look.



We also spoke to legendary model Hannelore Knuts, who provided creative direction for this collection. Amika is Brooklyn based and we found out she is our neighbor! Very cool.

The collection was an exploration in form and texture inspired by the sculptures of Piero Manzoni, Joseph Beuys and Dustin Yellin. Nude latex was paired with luxurious weighty knits, laminated nylon and neoprene. The fabrics, in warm metallics, nudes and bold rust orange, were layered and wrapped. They cut across and bound each other and the body.



Check out our video with backstage and runway coverage of the VPL Fall 2011 Fashion Show. You can find additional backstage and runway images on the Amika Facebook Fan Page here.

6 Quick and Easy Fashion Week Hairstyles

Fashion week is coming up. This time of year hardworking fashion girls are beyond busy but they still need to look great round the clock. Here are 6 fast and fashionable hairstyles for women on the go.

• Do a quick straightening with the Amika Ceramic Styler to make hair look clean and gorgeous. You can refresh the look each morning and in the evening, before you let loose.
• Everyone is wearing a hat this time of year and many keep them on indoors. If you are wear a hat, add some nice loose waves around your face using an Amika Tourmaline Curling Wand to look polished.
• Throw your hair in a messy bun. It looks romantic but keeps your hair out of your face so you can get down to business.
• Slick you hair back into a sleek high ponytail, the "pony to go." Go over the ends with an Amika Ceramic Styler for a finished look.
• The fishtail braid is very hot right now and it doesn't have to be executed to perfection. Do one quickly to the side (there are a lot of online tutorials out there to show you how). These braids also look great with a hat.
• Make people smile with a couple of cute and quick pigtail braids. They are girly and playful.

A big thanks to backstage hairstylist Michiko Boorberg for the suggestions!

Another fashion week veteran, one of our Amika models, also had a great tip! Carry an Amika Mini Purse Styler and bobby pins in your handbag. Then you are prepared to do a quick straighten and restyle wherever, whenever.