Tuesday How To

Today's style literally takes 2 minutes. It is something I am sure most of you know how to do, and have done at some point in your life. I tossed it in the lovely Marianne's hair late one night after we had been recording some other tutorials. It is fast, simple, and a fun way to add just a little something extra. Please excuse the sideways video, and the imperfections of the do. It was late, we went fast, and you will get the main idea! I decided to do it in half up hair but you could use it in any ponytail you like!

1. Pull your hair half up loosely and tie with an elastic.

2. Do this!

3. AND you are done. Told you it was insanely easy. I also like doing it with a a full ponytail then wrapping the tail in a bun underneath the twist. It is sleek and adorable. It also looks great with curled hair. Have fun with it and create a million different variations!

Make it last.

Number one complaint I get now that curled hair is the way to go? My hair won't hold curl! Oh but it will. Here are a few things that might help. Keep in mind I am referring to a hot set curl, not getting your hair to go naturally curly.

• Product. There are zillions of curl aid products. At the end of the day what do I like most? Good old classic hairspray. Professional strength aerosol hairspray will do the job. It will seal your curls like cement without making them crispy or flaky. After you are all curled up, just mist away! The key here is PROFESSIONAL strength and formulation. In this case, it makes a big difference. I just about dunk my head in this stuff after I curl, but no one would know it. I keep the soft look but get the tough hold. Love.
• HEAT! Time to make an investment my friends. You need a HOT curling iron. Heat has an amazing power over hair. If you want smooth, beautiful curls that last, you might need to toss the Wal-Mart special and invest in a new iron. It really is an investment. It will curl faster and hold longer. Totally worth it. My favorite brand? Hot Tools. They are affordable and definitely do the trick. Remember to use a heat protectant ALWAYS!
• Technique. To get a wonderfully shaped curl that withstands the test of time, start curling from the root rather than the ends. If you slide your iron to the very ends then roll it up, only the ends are getting maximum heat and curl. By starting at the root and working your way down, every inch of the strand is receiving that heat and shape. It will cause the entire strand to curl, not just the ends. 

Those are my top three tips for long lasting curl. You can always try taking smaller sections at a time and using a pre-blow dry styling aid as well. I have never met a head of hair I couldn't get to curl. If you are still struggling after trying these things, email me and we will see what's up!

Feature Friday

Today's feature is a product EVERYONE should be using. If not this very one, at least something like it. Satin Wear by Redken is the one I am lovin' these days. I have tried many, but always end up coming back to this one. Is it the smell? Is it the softness? Maybe both!

Who is it for? EVERYONE.
What does it do? Smooths frizz, prevents breakage and most importantly protects your hair from heat.
How does it do this? It is a blow dry lotion which means you put it in before you even dry your hair. This gives you the heat protection you need from blow dry to finishing work. It also contains filters and anti-oxidants to protect hair color from UV fade.
How do I use it? After towel drying your hair apply a pump or two of product and work it all the way through your hair. Then style as usual.

As usual this product smells fantastic. It is a simple product that really should be in everyone's daily regimen. Even if you don't choose this very one, PLEASE use heat protection daily!

Hot momma!

Meet Brita. Brita is a talented singer/songwriter and also a very busy mother of four. Brita was getting a bit tired of her brown with blonde highlights "a line" hair do. So we decided to change it up! It was so much fun, I had to share!

When we started brainstorming on ideas of how to change it up, we thought extensions would be a lot of fun and definitely give the dramatic look we were going for. But there are a lot of things to consider before jumping into extensions. Not only are they an investment, they can be a lot of work. It is always best to consider your lifestyle and all your options before taking the plunge.

There are TONS of options when it comes to choosing extensions. I will save that for another post, but let me explain why I did what I did with Brita. As I mentioned before, she is an extremely busy woman. As if four kids weren't enough, she is always busy recording new songs and videos and working from home. Her hair needed to be stunning AND practical. She also has a lot of sun and swimming coming her way in the next few months. Because of these things, I advised against a more "permanent" extension. They can be high maintenance and time consuming and you have to take care of them. So I made Brita a custom set of clip in extensions.

How do they work? Pretty simple really. They are extensions you can simply clip in and take out on your own whenever you please. As with everything, there are pros and cons.
Pros:

• They cause no damage to your hair.
• They don't have the maintenance of ever needing to be tightened.
• You can take them out whenever you don't feel like dealing with long hair.
• They don't cause discomfort as some other methods might.
• You can take them out for washing and styling purposes.
• They feel like a fun accessory.
• They are ideal for special occasions to add a bit of length or thickness.
• They are more affordable than other methods.
• When taken care of properly, the hair can last you longer than other methods.

Cons:

• It can be difficult and time consuming to get them in and out each morning.
• They usually aren't as perfectly blended as other methods.
• A hard tug from a toddler or anything else can pull one out, potentially leading to an awkward situation.
• They can't take super short to long, they have more limitations than other methods.

I can't say clip ins are my FAVORITE extension, but they can be ideal for some people. As you can see, I think Brita looks fabulous! 

You might be thinking why not just go buy your own clip ins from the beauty supply? Why should a stylist be involved? By getting a custom set you will guarantee they fit your head, match your color, and your natural hair can be texturized as well as the extension hair cut to make it all blend nicely. Also, we use higher quality hair that will look better and last longer. That is why a stylist should be involved. 

Loyalty

Are you a stylist hopper? Do you go to someone different every time and no one seems to get it right? Well I have a thought on this matter. I recommend to stay with someone for 3-5 times before really deciding to make the switch. Why?

• It is very rare that someone will give you everything you have ever dreamed of in one sitting. So unless something beyond terrible happened, or you can't stand their personality, give them another chance. 
• Touching up someone else's work is not always easy. So when I am working off of something someone else has done, I don't consider it my best work. Your hair will look better if the same person consistently works on it. 
• If you are going to someone new to fix what a previous stylist has done, it might take more than one sitting to get it back to where you want it. Again, miracles can't always happen in one sitting.
• When a stylist gets to know YOU and your HAIR it helps them. They can think of new styles for you, they know what will work well with your hair, and they can make you feel more comfortable speaking your mind. 

So let me qualify all this by saying if your experience was terrible and you hated everything about everything I don't think you need to go back. But if nothing really bad happened and you are ok with it, try sticking with the same person. Now what are a few things to look for in a stylist?

• Someone who takes time to listen and discuss your hair with you at the beginning of EVERY appointment.
• Someone who makes a point to seek continuing education to stay current.
• Someone who is willing to leave their comfort zone and do new things.
• Someone who respects the integrity of your hair and cares about keeping it at its best.
• Someone who makes you feel comfortable and you enjoy chatting with.
• Someone who stands by their work.

Stylists are a dime a dozen out there. All of them want you to choose them. Consider your needs, and choose the right fit for you. Then stand by them! If you are a stylist bouncer you are starting from scratch every time which makes everything harder than it should be.

Tuesday How To

I have had a few people ask for some more ways to wear their hair up. I will address this fully in an upcoming post, but I thought I would demo a SUPER fast up-do that you might not have thought of before. It literally takes less than 10 minutes and it GREAT for all different lengths of hair. I often do it to my above the shoulder length hair. Here goes!

1. Part your hair where you please. I usually choose a side part but either way is great.

2. Repeat on the other side.

3. After your twists are done and secured, simply pull your hair into a ponytail. You can leave it like that if you would like. I like twisting into a simple bun. If your hair happened to be curly the day before, chances are you will have a nice elegant pony already done for you! It is always great to make the most of any hair do. Use it as many ways as possible. Change it up and try different ways of styling the hair in the back.

4. To add a finishing touch use some pomade to put unruly fly aways to rest. And you are done! Piece of cake huh?

Bling

We are going to take a time out from hair today to allow me to share something else I am passionate about. GLITTER TOES! Chances are most of you have heard of glitter toes by now, but have you experienced them? Please let me share why they are the best invention in the world and why I love them with my heart and soul.

• They are adorable. Their cuteness tops even the most magical polish. Pictures do not do them justice. They shine and sparkle more than you can imagine.
• They last for SIX WEEKS! Show me a polish that can do THAT.
• They always look nice. Always. No more sandal anxiety.
• They can make even the craziest looking foot instantly fabulous. So don't be ashamed if you have crazy feet. You will be in love I promise.
• They are durable. Mine have always lasted through running, swimming, and even long hikes in my super stylish hiking sandals (sarcasm).
• They cost LESS than even a bargain pedicure. It is sort of a no brainer. Cuter, longer lasting toes for less than a pedi? Sign me up!
• They are gel, not acrylic. So there is no bad smell!

Want some more good news? My dear friend Stacy, who I met my very first day of hair school, is going to be offering glitter toes from my salon on select days. She is only charging $20 for a full set (less for girls under 12), and let me tell you she is the BEST around. Your toes will be perfectly smooth, shiny, and will last for weeks. We guarantee it! So don't miss out. Let your toes come out and enjoy the sun and be proud to flash them around. Email me with questions and for appointments! Embrace the summer weather that is on its way!