The holidays are here and that means parties, parties, parties. I get questions all the time on ways to style hair at home for that upcoming party. I think that this is a great excuse to make time for you. Give yourself a treat and make an appointment with your stylist to have your hair and makeup done for the party. In some situations this may not be possible, so if you have to do it yourself, here are a few tips.

The key to success is to keep it simple. Don't try to make it perfect and don't try to fight what it is your hair really wants to do. I suggest getting yourself some hot rollers if you don't already have some. I tell clients all the time that hot rollers are my personal secret weapon at home. How I style my client's hair in the salon and how I can actually style my own hair at home is completely different. When I want to style my hair quickly and easily with guaranteed results, I grab the hot rollers. Using hot rollers is foolproof; they do the work for you. Other supplies to have on hand are bobby pins, hair tie, styling product (gel, mousse, etc.), hairspray and accessories (e.g. pretty clips or a headband). Using hot rollers really is easy, so dig your rollers out of the back of the closet or buy yourself some and start practicing. One tip is to not do too much when you take them out. Just tip your head over and give it a shake. If it seems too big and crazy, don't worry - it will relax before you get to the party into the perfect holiday hairstyle.

My clients often ask me what products I use at home. So I decided to compile a list of a few of my must haves. Here are my top five:

1. Coconut Oil - a.k.a. miracle in a jar. There isn't anything you can't use this stuff for. I have a jar of it in every room of my house. It is what I use to both moisturize and cleanse my skin. You will be so amazed at all the things you can do with it; just go and Google the benefits of coconut oil. Coconut oil is antibacterial, so I also put it on rashes, cuts and scrapes for myself and the kiddos.

Every single one of us wants that perfect hairstyle and we are constantly changing our minds as to what we think that is. With Pinterest, the internet and all the hairstyle magazines we can purchase, the options and latest trends are at our fingertips. I love the idea of using pictures to communicate with your hairdresser. They are a great communication tool to use to show what it is you are actually trying to explain with words. What I want to share with you is the proper way to look at those pictures that grab your attention. Almost every single photo that you see is full of what I call smoke and mirrors.

When you are looking at photos, think about what it is you really like about the picture. What is it that grabs your attention first? Are you sure it is the hairstyle, or is it the way it looks on that person? This is especially true when it is a photo of a celebrity. Halle Berry is absolutely gorgeous, and I love her short pixie cut. But not everyone can pull off a cut like that, and it may not look as good on you as it does her. In these situations, I suggest you put your thumb on the face of the person and look at the hair itself. You also could black out their face with a sharpie. Doing this will take your focus off the person, and then you only see the hair.

I want to address something that I see in the salon time and time again. I know that we all want the perfect hairstyle. But I notice a lot of people will go and try a new salon or a new stylist in hopes that in one visit a miracle will happen. I call this setting yourself up for failure. Stop and really think about what you are expecting. You are going to a new salon assuming that since you heard that they are so "great" then they should be able to do what you want. After all, they are the professionals - why can't they give you the hair you have been wanting? Why can't you find a hairstylist to give you the cut or color you want?

These are all good questions, but the problem lies elsewhere. The reason I want to address this is not to offend you, but to educate you. I want each of you be able to go to your next hair appointment and leave with the style that you have always wanted. There are many factors that play into the outcome of getting what you want and also being realistic about your options.

Most of the time when it comes to hair and fashion we tend to talk about and give advice and updates on the latest trends to women only. Our poor men get lost in the shuffle.

While most of you men out there head to your local barber for your quick and 'cheap' haircut, or even better, cut your hair yourself, I happen to know that there are plenty of you out there who do really care about your appearance and the type of service you receive. I believe that even those of you who do go to the quick and cheaper place for your haircut really would love the service and expertise you would get at a salon, you just haven't given it a shot yet.

Most of the time when it comes to hair and fashion we tend to talk about and give advice and updates on the latest trends to women only. Our poor men get lost in the shuffle.

While most of you men out there head to your local barber for your quick and 'cheap' haircut, or even better, cut your hair yourself, I happen to know that there are plenty of you out there who do really care about your appearance and the type of service you receive. I believe that even those of you who do go to the quick and cheaper place for your haircut really would love the service and expertise you would get at a salon, you just haven't given it a shot yet.

There is something we should be thinking about year round, but even more importantly in the summer. Rain or shine it should be a priority in your day - and even more so if you plan to be outside for any length of time. What am I talking about? Sunscreen of course. It is important to protect yourself and your children. We make sure we put sunscreen on our body, but have you thought about your hair and your scalp?

Your hair can be severely damaged in the heat and sun that comes with summer sun and temperatures. Many professional products contain UVA and UVB protection. You want to use products that contain sunscreen to protect your hair from damage, but also to protect the beautiful hair color you paid dearly for. The biggest culprit of blonde hair getting dull or brassy or darker colors fading is the sun.

One of the biggest complaints I am getting from clients is, 'My hair is so frizzy, what do I do about it?' Most of you out there have curly, wavy hair and you don't even know it. I am willing to bet that is why the frizz is showing up.

Frizz is lack of moisture, plain and simple - and the solution starts right in your shower. If you have curly and/or frizzy hair, you automatically need more moisture than the average head of hair. You have to invest in quality shampoo, conditioners and styling products - and by quality, I mean professional. Trust your hairdresser to give you a prescription of take-home products that are going to make styling your hair a breeze. Hair that is frizzy needs a specific hair care regime and even more so in the summer months.

I think it is safe to say that summer is here for good. We all know how quickly a summer in Maine goes by, so let's not spend all kinds of time doing our hair and makeup and getting ready. Get outside and soak it up while you can. Here are some quick and easy tips to simplify your hair and makeup routine this summer.

Nothing says summer like a few blonde highlights. Nothing can leave you feeling brighter inside and out. But all the lightener that is leaving you with a great new look is just the beginning of the beating your hair starts to take as the weather gets warmer. Sun exposure and chlorine wreak havoc on your hair. This is the time when you should be protecting your hair at home by adding a leave-in conditioner to your routine to replenish the moisture you are losing this summer. I also recommend scheduling an in-salon intensive hair repair treatment. Paul Mitchell recently came out with their Awaphui Wild Ginger KeraTriplex intensive in-salon treatment that is amazing! It will leave your hair 80 percent stronger after the first treatment and really does help to repair dry or split ends. This treatment offers intense strengthening, moisture and shine to transform your dry, damaged hair.

Schools are about to finish for the summer, but that doesn't mean you are free from the risk of lice. It is a topic none of us really ever want to talk about, but if you have children you should be aware of this very common and persistent problem.

Recently I have been made aware of many reported cases of lice in the Bangor and Ellsworth area. Head lice is out there, but if taken care of promptly and properly will go away as fast as it came.