Extreme Heat Hair Alert – Part 2 of 2

Posted on: July 25th, 2012

The Top Knot

Hot, humid, sticky weather… not the best beauty forecast. While part of you is thinking of surrendering your fashion look and just going with whatever hairstyle keeps you cool, the reality is that you have to find a way to at least look amazing while getting into work before your hair has a total meltdown.

A heat alert rule of thumb; as long as your hair is touching your skin you will manufacture more heat which will produce more frizz, so keep it up and off of your neck. Here is an idea that keeps the hair off of your neck for a much needed cool down.

image from glamour.com

GET THE LOOK:

  1. Ponytail: Gather hair into a high ponytail.  You want to have a bit of a dishevelled finish so don’t pull your hair super tight or smooth.
  2. Add texture: After you have secured it with an elastic, add a dash of Dream Waves Beach Spray to the pony; you want to add a bit of texture so that the hair’s natural movement is showcased. Use your fingers to move it through the hair.
  3. Add more texture: To add a bit more texture you can use your fingers to tease your hair; this adds dimension without a finished look. Hold the ponytail up and “rake” your fingers towards the base of the pony.  In essence your fingers are the brush. This will add texture.
  4. Bun it: Once this is finished take the ponytail and loosely wrap it around the base of the ponytail in a circular motion, adding bobby pins to hold it in as you go.

It’s the instant cool answer to the sweltering heat.

CHECK OUT OUR MESSY HIGH BUN VIDEO TUTORIAL! http://youtu.be/Eq91_4DNWRM

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Extreme Heat Hair Alert – Part 1 of 2

Posted on: July 19th, 2012

The Braided Bun

Remember in the middle of that wicked cold snap a few months ago when you where thinking “bring on the heat!”  Who says you don’t get what you ask for.

There is just one rule in the extreme heat hair alert… keep it off of your neck!  As long as your hair is touching your skin you will manufacture more heat which will produce more frizz (we call this school of thought “fashion science”).

Here are a couple of ideas that keep you cool while looking hot.

images from samanthafranz-jessicasimpsonbraide.buzznet.com & lovingyou.com

GET THE LOOK:

Two modern ways to wear this bun: 1) low at the back or 2) high up (shorter haired hotties should go with the first bun).

  1. Add texture: Take freshly washed hair (keep it damp), spray it with Dream Waves Beach Spray for a bit of texture (this makes it easier to manipulate) and draw it into a ponytail. Wrap it tightly with a covered elastic which will help to keep your hair protected from breakage. You can smooth the hair with a bit of Moisture Gloss Daily Drops to give it high shine.
  2. Camouflage: Cover the elastic by taking a little section of hair, wrapping it around the elastic and pinning it after it is wrapped. This way it has a polished finish.
  3. Braid it: Braid the ponytail (a regular braid is fine for this) and if you want something a bit more exotic looking try fishtail braiding it before you pin it up. Once finished add another elastic on the end to stop it from unravelling, twist it around the base of the ponytail and pin in place.

Not only will this keep you fresh, it gives you “cool cred”!

CHECK OUT OUR BRAIDED BUN VIDEO TUTORIAL! http://youtu.be/rja0NYJ9x1A

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Hard Water and the Fashionista

Posted on: January 6th, 2012

This is a cautionary tale my friends. When we are in the middle of a dry winter it is difficult enough to keep our hair hydrated and healthy. During these hard hair times, the last thing one should be adding to this dilemma is hard water.  
 

 

The Problem with Hard Water 

image from servicemagicconnection.com

It’s those pesky minerals, good for some things, your hair not being one of them. (Apparently havoc on the pipes as well…who knew). The minerals build up over time both on your hair and on your scalp…not an attractive look by far. 

Hard water is alkaline; it keeps the cuticle open, which gives it a rough finish making it easier to tangle and harder to rinse out.  It also takes the shine away leaving hair looking dull and flat.  Sort of like old roof shingles. 

Hard water can discolor colored hair; give you itchy scalp and less body as well as dull looking. You’ll find that hard water makes it difficult to get lather, no matter what shampoo you use. 

 

 

Easy Solutions for Hard Water

There are a few solutions available.

  • A shower head water filter is not costly and works well.
  • There are clarifying shampoos but you must use with caution since they can strip everything, even the good stuff.
  • The classic tried and true is vinegar; it clears everything out and leaves hair with a killer shine as a bonus.  
  • Rinsing with distilled water is also a well known method.

 

Though soft water may taste bad, it is delicious when it comes to your hair. 

Hard Water Map – USA

image from electrostoreonline.com

 

Hard Water Map – Canada

image from espressotec.com

  

Check out some great winter hair care tips: http://www.marcanthony.com/blog/2011/01/winter-hair-woes-%e2%80%93-dryness-frizz-and-static/ 

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Spring Trend: Seventies Boho Goes Couture

Posted on: March 18th, 2011

Images provided by fashionista.com & lidmagazine.net

If the poetic bohemian and the sophisticated couture junky spawned a love child, you’d end up with this season’s spring/summer hair trend – a throwback to the seventies peace, love and now, polished hair.

Fashion Inspired

Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion is all about a nod to the seventies; but not the old, super busy, brightly colored, patterned seventies. This season’s look is a retrospective of seventies silhouettes more so than a direct copy of the original. We love it; it looks so fresh and perfect for spring and summer.

A Softer Mood

To keep pace with this look we have softened the look of our winter hair and added movement. Think Veruschka and Lauren Hutton; that sort of polished natural finish that makes you think that perhaps, you would have this hair if you just had a tiny bit more time in the day.

It has an ‘I do not care’ feeling mixed with ‘yes I get my hair done’. Think Boho goes couture. This melding of moods might seem difficult to achieve but is actually quite simple and so sexy when done right. The disheveled wave has gone glamour and is less natural than the last time around. This wave is polished and sexier.

Boho Couture for the Straight Girl

With this look it is better to start off with a bit of extra volume than not enough. Add Instantly Thick™ Hair Thickening Cream to clean, wet hair and use your fingers to add the volume needed. Flip hair over and try to work up as much volume at the crown as you can. Dry as you normally would.

Once hair is dry spray a section with Pro Finish Ultimate Hold Hairspray and, starting at the crown, roll the sections in large Velcro rollers. The larger the rollers the looser the wave. Keep the sections neat but don’t fuss if they are not even; this will help to keep your finished look polished but natural. Leave the rollers in as you prep for work (about 30 minutes).

When ready take out the rollers, add a bit of Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops to your fingertips, toss your head forward and gently work it through your hair for a bit of polish. When you flip back touch up any wayward bits with the remaining product and give yourself a light spray of Hairspray for hold. Voila! Sexy spring hair.

Boho Couture for the Curly Girl

This will take a bit of work, but it is not overly complicated. Spray Style Straight™ Blow Straight Potion to clean, wet hair.

If you have wavy to loose curls flip head over and dry hair as you gently tug it straighter. You want to use your hands to remove some of the curl as it dries. Once hair is 75% dry use a large round brush to smooth out any frizz your natural curls may have. When hair is finally smooth, spray well with Pro Finish Ultimate Hold Hairspray and begin to add Velcro rollers section by section like your straighter counterpart. Once you remove the rollers, finish with Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops for a touch of shine.

If you have tight curls blow dry using a comb attachment to stretch out the curl. Once hair is dry curl your hair in random sections using a large barrel curling iron and alternating the direction of each curl. If you end up with too much volume at the crown, use the curling iron to smooth out some of the volume. Finish with a light layer of Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops and Voila! Curly girls can go Boho Couture too.

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The Salsa! Rhythmically Inspired Holiday Hair

Posted on: December 1st, 2010

This sexy number will keep you cool no matter how late you go. Notorious for synchronizing contrasting beats and movements, this Salsa gives you the best of both refinement and ruffle. With windswept waves gathered in union to form a low, sophisticated chignon, this look gives you a sexy type of elegance that only a Salsa can.

1. Wash: Begin your warm-up by washing and conditioning with Strictly Curls™ Curl Defining Shampoo and Frizz Sealing Conditioner.

2. Scrunch: On damp hair, apply Strictly Curls™ Curl Enhancing Foam, and gently scrunch to get a bit of texture going.

3. Dry: Allow to dry naturally or if time is an issue, use a diffuser.

4. Curl: Use a medium to large barrel curling iron and twist random bits of hair around it. Do not curl all of your hair as you do not want the look to end up overly finished. Instead you want to keep a natural sort of messy vibe. Add a small amount of Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops for a high shine.

5. Bun: Use your fingers to loosely pull hair back to the crown forming a low ponytail, and then use your fingers to make a low, loose bun while pinning it in place. Feel free to leave a few pieces out as the mood suits you; after all, sexy is as sexy does.

6. Finish: Complete with a spray of Pro Finish Ultimate Hold Hairspray to hold the look in place as you shimmy on the dance floor.

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The Rumba! Rhythmically Inspired Holiday Hair

Posted on: November 25th, 2010

Stay on the dance floor all night long with this flirty number. Much like the dance, curvaceous lines, strong attitude and fast, free-flowing movement are the only way to pull this look off well. Naturally straight or giftedly curled, this look works with all hair types. Carefree, Rumba-worthy waves are just a click-of-your-heels away.

1. Wash: Set the stage by washing and conditioning with Strictly Curls™ Curl Defining Shampoo and Frizz Sealing Conditioner.

2. Prep: If your hair is straight add a bit of Strictly Curls™ Curl Defining Lotion to shake up some extra wave.

3. Dry: Quickly rough-dry your hair with a blow dryer. If you want to slightly loosen your natural curls blow dry with the assistance of your fingers, stretching out the curls as you dry.

4. Spray: Once hair is dry lightly spray all over with a bit of Pro Finish Ultimate Hold Hairspray and section the hair in 1 ½ inch panels.

5. Curl: Next you will need the help of a large barrel curling iron to curl each section from mid-shaft to ends. The best way to work this look is by switching the direction of the curl, which will give it a more natural feel. One section will be curled left-to-right while the other is right-to-left, and so on.

6. Tousle: Once your hair has been curled apply some Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops to your fingertips and give it a quick tousle to break up the waves, which will give you a slightly messy finish with a bit of extra sparkle on the dance floor. Perfect for late-night Rumba mayhem.

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Get Ahead of the Curve – Free Yourself from Frizz

Posted on: November 9th, 2010

Curly hair is notorious for chaotic frizz, dryness and disarray. It is the number concern of curly haired women, especially when autumn’s cool breeze begins to dry hair out – which is only the starting point for the moisture barren winter. Get ahead of the curve and follow helpful tips, tricks and secrets to tame frizz before the winter months begin.

WASH LESS

1. Curly hair tends to become dehydrated which can cause hair to be frizzy. Over-washing hair can worsen the problem by stripping the hair and scalp of its natural moisture. Read more…

CAREFUL HANDLING

2. Many curl wearers don’t realize that controlling frizz is also about the preparation and handling. During your condition and style it is essential to create as little movement as possible in the hair. Read more…

COLD WATER

3. Since curly hair tends to have a problem keeping the cuticle closed, you should do everything possible to close it and keep it that way. Read more…

DELICATE TOWEL DRYING

4. Do not rub vigorously with a towel. Instead, wrapping your hair in a towel during the styling process will help to scrunch the curl, minimize curl disturbance and speed up the drying process without adding frizz. Read more…

Hydrate Daily

5. To ensure you hair has sufficient moisture, we recommend using a daily leave-in conditioner. Read more…

Shield Humidity

6. Since excess moisture can also cause your hair to swell and become frizzy, you should always use a hair care regimen that is formulated to repel humidity. Read more…

Frizz Free Drying

7. It is best to dry using a method that works with your hair’s natural movement instead of against it. After your styling product has been applied, nothing dries curls quite as frizz-free as leaving them to dry on their own. Read more…

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Fall/Winter Trend: Time To Put Those Curls Into Check

Posted on: October 19th, 2010

For those with curls, it’s time to tame them. Don’t get us wrong …we’re not declaring war; it’s just time to settle them into something a bit more controlled for fall/winter. Fall fashion is more polished than the easy-wear frocks of summer; so now is the time to add a bit of sophistication.

Remember, everyone’s curls are different and the level of refinement you achieve will vary from one person to the next. The goal is to get your curls a notch or two looser and more polished that your usual coils.

MORE MOISTURE

All curls need a bit of extra care. We bemoan humid summers, but dry autumns and winters effect curls as well. You’ll need to seal in a bit of extra moisture so you don’t end up with limp, brittle, dry curls.  Adding more conditioner to your program will help to create moisture right from the start of your beauty routine. Try using a generous amount of Strictly Curls™ Frizz Sealing Conditioner. Extra moisture equals softer curls, less annoying frizz and a more refined finish.

BIGGER TWISTS

Follow your usual routine of applying curly hair products to damp hair. If your curls are tight and springy after prepping, while still damp, take larger sections and twist while lightly pulling on them to loosen the curl; this will create a more relaxed curl.

POLISH

Finish with some more moisture to keep the look full of shine and polish. Once hair is dry go through your curls with a bit of Moisture Gloss™ Daily Drops one section at a time. This may be time consuming but the end your curls will thank you.

Super soft shiny curls and new boots…we can’t think of a better way to say hello to fall.

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