Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide loves beauty and we love selfies. Put the two together and you can see why Instagram is one of our favorite places! Here’s a round-up of the week’s most fabulous mane moves from the photo-sharing site…

Lea Michele

CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/MSLEAMICHELE

Emmy Rossum

CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/EMMYROSSUM

Carrie Underwood

Gwen Stefani, Rachel Zoe & Nicole Richie

CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/NICOLERICHIE

Alexa Chung

CREDIT: INSTAGRAM.COM/CHUNGALEXA

Wherever there’s beauty, Sophisticate’s is there! Dozens of people—salon owners, stylists, friends, family and local business owners—attended the Chicago launch of Theorie, a line of hair care tools designed for salon professionals, and Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide was on the scene, getting all the details on the fast-growing tool brand.

Theorie’s Carrie Robinson (left) and Salon 1800 owner Helene March.

The launch was held at Salon 1800, an upscale, modern salon located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The sleek space was filled with attendees excited to learn more about the product line’s tools and participate in product demonstrations.

Theorie launched in February, selling only to the trade through distribution channels. The brand then made an appearance at 2013 Cosmoprof, which was held in Las Vegas, NV, in July. “We hit the ground running. They were literally in line waiting for us at that show,” says Carrie Robinson, Vice President of Sales for Theorie. “It’s been insane.”

On display at the launch were Theorie’s SAGA Touch flat irons, 4 in One Digital Curling System and SAGA 3100 Hair Dryer, all of which feature smart, innovative designs and incorporate breakthrough technology.

“We brainstorm. We’re a small company, so we really pay attention,” says Robinson. “We asked a lot of smart questions from a lot of smart stylists like ‘What’s the first thing that goes on your iron?’ [They responded] ‘When you set it down when it’s hot, it melts the cord.’ So what did we do? Heat-resistant textile cords that are 11 feet vs. nine, so they’re crafty for moving around the chair.”

Robinson says they also wanted to incorporate fashion into the tools’ designs. “We wanted to be the Tom Ford of tools in our industry,” she says of the sleek designs and packaging. “Beauty meets fashion…it’s all about those two coming together.”

Theorie, which is based in Fort Lauderdale, FL, is growing rapidly. If you’re interested in finding out more details about the pro tools, check out YourTheorie.com online. “We’re having fun. We’re on a great ride,” says Robinson. “It’s been a whirlwind.”    

It’s that time of the year! Cool weather is upon us, so it’s time to break out the Uggs and start reevaluating our hair care routine. This winter, say goodbye to dry, lifeless strands with these five easy tips that will leave you with a well-moisturized mane. Mario Russo, owner and lead stylist of Salon Mario Russo, gives the scoop on how to get strands that will stay sexy all season long…

Brush Your Hair — Only When It’s Dry
Brushing hair while it’s dry has amazing benefits!

• Using your favorite brush, ideally one with natural or boar bristles, brush hair from scalp to ends.
• Brushing hair disperses the oils from your scalp onto the rest of your hair and adds moisture to areas of your hair that tend to be dry during the winter.
• Brush your hair daily, if not twice a day (morning and night) for best results.

Use a Silk Pillowcase & Add a Humidifier
The term “beauty sleep” is no joke! Switching your pillowcases from cotton to silk can be an easy way to protect and perfect your hair during the winter. Additionally, putting a humidifier in your bedroom will bring moisture back in the air and help your locks.

• The friction from a cotton pillowcase can add extra frizz and snagging to your hair, whereas, your hair will slide across a silk pillowcase as you sleep and cause less rubbing and friction.
• Silk pillowcases will also cause less ridges in your hair, which is ideal for someone who showers the night before and doesn’t style their hair in the morning.

Don’t Go Outside with Wet Hair — Always Wear a Hat
Taking this step will help combat frizz and dryness.

• When you have wet hair, the change from a warm temperature to a cold temperature can cause hair icicles which leads to breakage and split ends.
• The cold, dry temperatures against wet hair can also add unwanted frizz, especially to the hair that’s closest to your scalp.
• Always wear a hat or head scarf outside — preferably one with silk lining to avoid undesirable friction/frizz. Hats will also lock in moisture in your locks.

Say “Goodbye” to Towel-Drying — Wrap Damp Hair with a T-Shirt
The thick, ridged cotton of a towel will only add extra frizz and friction to your already dry winter locks. Instead, find an old t-shirt and put it to use!

• Put the t-shirt on and then pull it over your head, wrapping it like a turban & knotting it around wet locks. Let the smooth cotton of your t-shirt sop up extra water before you blow-dry.
• Gently unwrap the t-shirt when you’re ready to blow-dry and using only the palms of your hands, apply a smoothing cream to damp locks. Using your fingers is often too aggressive on temperamental dry hair, whereas, the palms of your hand are smooth and will glide across your locks as you apply the product.

Change Your Shampoo & Boost Your Conditioner with Olive Oil
When the temperatures are at their coldest, your hair needs a change in products. Switch out your summer shampoo and conditioner and incorporate one that advertises itself as “hydrating”.

• Using your new shampoo, cut down on the amount of times per week that you lather up. Every third day is ideal if you can stretch your style that long.
• Incorporate a leave-in conditioner into your routine and if you can splurge, go to the salon 1 to 2 times a month for a professional deep conditioning treatment.
• For an at-home boost, add a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado to your conditioner. This will help to seal in moisture and add shine.