3 New Ways to Add Hair Bows to Your ‘Do!

Lady Gaga made them famous, and now we stare at them puzzled of how to make them. I am talking about hair bows! Not fabric hair bows, but hair bows made from the hair on your head to make a bow. Go it? 😉 These little bows are adorable and are easy to make. I will show step by step how to create this looks with my darling model, Katie. All of these looks are heat-less  and go great with second day hair. Let’s begin!

The ponytail bow is first and is one of the easiest. Back comb around the crown of your head to take your ponytail into a more sophisticated style zone. Pull into an elastic in the upper mid section of your head. Pull out a piece of hair that is thick enough to create a bow and spray it with hair spray. This will ensure no fly- aways. Using a small elastic, pull the section of hair you just sprayed through the elastic to create the first loop. Tighten the elastic and then add the other end of the same piece of hair to create the second loop. There should be a small section of hair still remaining – this is what you’ll use to cover your elastic. Fluff the bow loops to create a little more body. A different way to do this look would to create the ponytail in a half-up-half-down style and create the bow.

This style is a bit harder beacuse of the fishtail braid. Pull hair to the side of your head and begin your fishtail braid. Once you get about 2 inches of braid, it’s time to pull out a small piece of hair – this will later turn into a bow. Keep braiding and pull out another piece of hair before you reach the end – this is for the second bow! Take the first strand of hair you pulled out and loop it through the braid. Use an elastic to secure the loop. Separate the loop into two loops. Use the remaining hair to tighten and wrap around the elastic. Secure in the fishtail braid using a bobby pin. Repeat with the second strand of hair to create another bow. So cute!

Last, we have the most dramatic look of the bunch. We have to admit, this one might not be the most wearable but it is definitely my favorite.  Flip your head upside down and french braid up the back of your head, starting at the top of your neck and ending close to the crown of your head. Use hair spray to secure the braid. Pull the rest of the unbraided hair into a high ponytail. Use an elastic to create one large loop – be sure to leave hair at the end to secure your bow. Separate the loop into two loops. Wrap part of the remaining hair around the center of the bow. Use bobby pins to secure remaining hair around the center of the bow.

Comment down below which one is your favorite!

Rosemary Avocado Coconut Oil Hair Mask!

From 410 degree curling irons to ripping the knots out, our hair goes through a lot on a daily basis. We embrace so many beauty rituals for our skin, but what about the hair? Hair masks are the easiest ways to nourish your hair back to the way it was before months of damage. Using all natural ingredients, like this mask, brings hair down to the basic oils that helps it stay strong. This easy to make, deliciously rich hair mask is a great natural treatment for dry hair. The rich oils from the avocado and coconut oil make your hair feel soft and thick. The rosemary will also contribute to soft, shiny hair. On top of that it is a great scalp simulator, fights hair loss and also is anti-bacterial. Let’s begin!

For this mask you will need 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, a bowl, an applicator, possible shower cap, and 10-20 drops of rosemary essential oils. Scoop all of these ingredients into a food processor and blend until creamy.  I use an old basting brush to apply the mask to hair but you can also just spread it on with your fingers. Make sure you massage it into your scalp, too. Don’t worry, it won’t turn your hair green!

Apply evenly and massage into scalp. Try to use all of the mask and any excess oils. If your ends are dry, apply an extra amount at the end on the hair from your ears down. Wrap the hair up in either a plastic bag or a shower cap for 30-60 minutes. For more damaged hair take the full hour.

Rinse it gently out of your hair and finger through the damp pieces to get all of the mushy goodness out. If you can’t get all of it out in the sink, hop in the shower and moisturize your hair with a conditioner out so your hair won’t have clumps of avocado in it.

Upcoming Fall 2013 Hair Trends!

As is so often the case in fashion and in life, the fall runways were a study in contrasts. Hairstylists everywhere breathed a sigh of job-security-inspired-relief to finally see hair that was actually done: Riotous volume at Marc by Marc Jacobs, punk pin-curls at Givenchy, and princessy plaits at Rodarte. Real women were simultaneously reassured by the simple elegance of messy low ponys at Oscar de la Renta, easy texture at Proenza Schouler, and barely-there waves at Pucci. Those of us who like a little surprise looked to Rag & Bone’s insta-bangs, created with a clever side part—no scissors in sight. I know, to some this sounds like gibberish, but Fall 2013 is going to be booming. This season, there’s something for everyone. Let’s begin!

Spring ponytails were positioned at the nape and ironed to emphasize their sleekness. For fall, the position stayed put, but textures differed. The messy, sleek, and bouncy low ponys are predicted for fall. For a messy pony, tie hair at the nape of the neck then pull small pieces of hair out to frame the face. For a sleek look, gather the hair tightly and hair spray any fly-aways. To get the adorable bouncy low pony, gather the hair a little higher than a normal pony and with a 1 inch curling iron or wand curl the hair in large sections. If you wanted to cover the rubber band with hair, take an 1 inch piece of hair from the pony and wrap it evenly around the band then tuck it into the hair tie.

Why make the commitment of full-on bangs when a simple part can give you a believable (and beautiful) approximation? These side faux bangs have been blowing up the runways. Creating a low side part and sweeping the hair over the forehead gives the illusion of bangs. For thicker and chunkier sections, bobby pin them down behind the ear.

Sometimes more is more. Limp hair is out and volume is in! To get this look, curl the hair and let the curls set. Then back brush the curls with a boar bristle brush (say that 5 times fast!). To get a more tamed look, apply a smoothing cream or a frizz spray to the intense sections. The longer the hair the more it actually looks like volume and not an afro, but short hair girls can still get volume. Just apply mousse to damp hair before styling for more control.

There’s nothing new about a braid. Braids are still at the top of the list for Fall 2013. Incorporating them into buns and peek-a-boo braids that are threaded into long hair. Some of the most popular are french, twists or plaits, reversed, princess, and waterfall. Braids are an easy everyday do for any one who only has a few minutes to spare. They are also perfect for bridal and prom occasions.

Deconstructed buns and knots are mostly situated at the nape of the neck this season. Most of them are messy with just a few hairs pulled out on the front to frame the face. To get a knot, put the hair in a low pony and then coil the hair around the hair tie and secure it with a hair tie and bobby pins. For a deconstructed bun, there are many ways. You could make a pony at the nape and then braid the pony into one braid and wrap this, much like a top knot, around the hair tie. Or you could create a low messy bun and pull it apart to your liking.

Undone curls are a hot item this upcoming fall. For extra loose curls, curl the hair with a 1 inch curling wand and then brush it out with a paddle brush. Set the look with either hairspray or massaged a light pomade through the locks. For more volumous loose curls, curl the hair with a 1/2 inch curling wand or iron and then brush the curls out. Take a teasing comb and tease the crown and large sections of curls. Flip the head over and spray it with hairspray to set the look.

The final look is one that is on the wild side. Designers all over the runways have been sporting a punk movement. Colored extensions, piecey cuts, and slicked back looks. Finally, you get to embrace your inner wild child! For the colored look without the commitment, simply rub hair chalk on certain strands. Hair chalk is great for temporary color without the Kool-Aid. It washes out with shampoo and is perfect for this look. The picture above is merely an extension pony, but buying wigs that are a different shade than the hair on the scalp creates an edgy feel. Finally, my favorite, is the slicked back look. Brush hair back and tease the front. Pin the sections near your ears back with clips and cover them with your hair. Apply gel or hairspray to alleviate any fly-aways.

 

The Most Flattering Hair Part For Your Face Shape!

One of the easiest ways to change your look is switching how you part your hair. While many of us find a natural part and stick with it for years, have you ever wondered if that style is really the most flattering for your face-shape? Experimenting with a fresh comb-created angle will give you a chance to find the ideal balance to highlight your features. But the best part? It’s an instantly gratifying transformation. Let’s begin!

Heart-shaped faces tend to be wider in the cheeks. A middle part complements this shape, but only if you have long hair. If you have short hair or too many layers around the face, it can have the reverse effect.  That’s because the cropped fringe will bring the focus to the wider area of your face. A side part will also work by allowing hair to covering the larger forehead and cheek area and make the face look thinner.

 

 

 

 

For circle shaped faces, use a deep side part to showcase your strongest side. Don’t know which side is your best? Use a blank piece of paper to cover half of you face while looking in a mirror. Then switch sides. Whichever half you prefer the most wins! Round faces need a curtain of hair to lengthen the shape and balance the features.

 

 

 

 

Square faces should enhance a deep side part that will soften the forehead and jaw line.  The long layers create a rounded oval by falling diagonally across the face and hiding harsher angles. The ideal place to start your deep part is directly above the arch in your eyebrows.

 

 

 

 

 

People with oval faces have it the easiest! They can pull off any part, any side, any way, on any style.  So why not try them all? Experiment with sides and angles for a mini makeover each day! Or try creating a youthful zigzag part.

How To Grow Stronger And Longer Hair!

“Long hair, don’t care” seems to be all over the Twitter and Instagram feeds of  girls with lengthy locks. Long and healthy hair is the hottest accessory going, but how does one achieve hair growth? Nearly one month ago I vowed that I would follow these steps until August, or when Summer ends. I have always had medium/long hair, but never really long. So far I have noticed my hair is a lot stronger and healthier. Growing out your hair can be time consuming process, yet if you stick with these lively steps your hair will have guaranteed growth. Let’s begin!

When it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put in your tresses that counts- it’s what you put in your body, too. Just like every other part of your body, the cells and processes that support strong, vibrant hair depend on a balanced diet. The nutrients you eat today help fortify the hair follicle  and the scalp that surrounds it. Of course, there’s more to your hair than what you eat. Smoking, hormonal imbalances, and not enough sleep can also affect how your hair looks and feels. No magic nutrient or pill can make up for those concerns. For example, many people talk about the vitamin Biotin for hair growth. I have used this supplement in the past and experienced stronger nails, but also more acne flare-ups and dehydration. It was cystic acne, too. Certain foods or a multi-vitamin can supply enough biotin for hair growth, and no side effects. These foods include: salmon, walnuts, oysters, sweet potatoes, eggs, spinach, Greek yogurt, blueberries, and poultry. Exercise, drinking enough water,  and enough sleep will help keep stress levels down and decrease hair loss.

For stronger hair, there is one thing to do: NO MORE HEAT! Heat protectants are great, but no matter how much you put on you are still damaging each strand with up to 410 degrees. You can still get the same styles heatless. For curls, go to sleep with small foam curlers in your hair and when you wake up you have perfect spirals. For straight hair, invest in extra large curlers so when you wake up the curls are so big that they are actually straight. If you don’t want curlers then you can side-braid or french braid your hair before an event. Applying heat every now and again is fine, but if you want fast growth then no heat is best.

Using good products and deep conditioners will help nourish your hair. I recommend using Organix Coconut Milk shampoo + conditioner. Coconut or almond milk is really good for softer hair, and I prefer the Organix line because all the products are organic and very inexpensive. Apply conditioners from your ears down first, then get the scalp. The hair on your scalp is new hair so you want to nourish the old hair, then the new. I pair this with the Organix Awapuhi Recovery Mask after the shower. These products won’t promote hair growth in one night, but they will make your hair less brittle and using more organic products will help the natural hair grow.

The last few tricks are ones that my trusted hair dresser, who I have been with for nearly 8 years now, told me. Every night before bed, brush dry hair out gently for about 5 minutes straight. This will get the dead and loose hairs out, and spread healthy oils all throughout your head. The key is to be gently and use a soft brush. The final tip is to not wear your hair too tight. A tight ponytail or braid could rip the hair follicles and cause even more damage. Follow these steps, and your hair should be growing in no time!

Before I started following these steps, I had to cut my hair. This is my 2 months of growth. In August I will post a before + after from start to finish.

Dazzling Buns!

No.. not the buns on your backside.. The Bun in your hair! Women across the country are taking part in a “boring” bun rebellion. Arm yourself with bobby pins, grab the hairspray, and ditch any previous attachment to the uninspired hair-do’s of yesteryear. Buns are the craze and can be seen anywhere from high fashion to on the streets. I feel like I am constantly looking for alternatives to the pony-tail, as a solution for second day hair. This tutorial will show different ways to wear a topknot, sock or donut bun, and the infamous messy bun. Most of these hairstyles can be accomplished with medium to long hair, but if you have short hair you can try as well. It might need some adjustments though. Let’s begin!

Instead of a plain pony, why not try the top knot? You will need: elastic hair band, bobby pins, hairspray, and two hands. We have all seen the celebs, like Miley Cyrus, with those adorable little buns. This style is probably one of the easiest to create and can be worn anywhere. I wear topknots everywhere from the gym to a night-out. To create this, start with taking your hair and holding it above your head. Start to twist downward until your hair is a coiled up. Slowly roll it down and create a small bun on the top of your head. Secure the look with an elastic, clip in bobby pins for support, and spray with hairspray to secure the look. And yeah, that’s it! For a more formal look, incorporate braids into your hair before you wrap it into the bun.

 

 

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The donut or “sock” bun has been used by people everywhere. It is called the donut bun because at local beauty stores they sell a hair implement which looks like a donut and creates this outfit. They are available in light or dark colors.  If you don’t want to purchase this donut, then you can create it out of a sock. Take a sock and cut the toe section off. Roll it into a small donut and it works the same. In order to build this bun, start with either putting your hair in a high pony or gathering your hair above your hair. I prefer to put it in a pony for more security, but in the picture below of my roommate she just holds it at the top. Slide the hole of the donut or sock through your hair. This part is very difficult to explain. Push it down while pushing hair into the hole of the donut. Try to turn the donut inside out each time. This will create the bun. If you have layers, keep pushing those layers in and use bobby pins afterwards to secure any loose hairs. For a more formal bun, tease the pony before putting the donut through for a more voluminous bun.

 

 

Finally, the bun that women for years have had trouble with: The messy bun! This bun is so versatile that every year it gets incorporated more and more into high fashion. To start, gather your hair into a low pony around the nape of your neck, but don’t secure with a hair elastic. Instead secure the hair into a small bun with a small rubber band elastic. No special type of bun just a small bun. Now, slowly piece apart the bun letting strands poke out. Bobby pin it down to secure, and hairspray the look. For a more formal look, tease the crown of your head before creating the bun, or curl the pieces that poke out with a curling wand.

 

To add a special touch to all of these looks, you could simply just add accessories. Adding a sparkly headband or floral bow will add the perfect touch. My bow below is from Topshop. Whenever I want to enhance my bun I also add a french braid in below the bun. Tilt your head down and french braid or inside-out braid (where you just french braid but go under instead of over) from the nape of your neck to where you want the bun to start.

      

Beautiful, Bouncy Curled Hair!

Curly versus straight. That, my friends, is the question. Whether it’s formal events or just something different, I love to curl my hair. With upcoming graduation and summer, I thought this tutorial would be perfect. Time to ditch those thick jackets and dive into crop tops and gorgeous curls. This look is very low maintenance and only requires a curling device, hairspray, hair tie or large clip, hair protectant, and a comb or brush! Other essentials can be added to create more volume. Let’s begin!

This look can be either used with clean hair or 1-2 day old hair. The older hair holds a curl better because of the excess oils already in the hair, but you don’t want really greasy curls. For this process I used a curling wand. I prefer a wand rather than the curling iron because, for me, it speeds up the process because you don’t have to use a clamp and the curls are a lot more fuller. My curling wand is the Remington Pearl Ceramic Ultimate Curling Wand. I seriously love this wand more than anything. I have the smaller one because I like the tighter curls and being able to brush it out for looser ones. The great thing about this wand is that the base is 1 inch and it decreases to 1/2 inch as you continue down, allowing different size curls. It says it is “infused with pink sea pearls” on the box, which is kind of weird, but it does have a smooth texture on the barrel. I got it at Walmart, and is available online too, for only $21.49, without tax.

To start off, plug the wand into an electrical outlet and set it to whichever heat setting you prefer. I usually set it to one click before the highest of 410 degrees. Next, add a heat protectant. Since we are using such high temperatures this is a necessity.  At these temperatures you could bake cookies on your curling iron! The heat protectant I have been using for years is the Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray. It seriously works and was voted one of the best heat protectants in several beauty magazines. Spray this all through the dry hair and gently comb it through with a wide-tooth comb. I suggest using a wide-tooth comb because it is a spray and will dampen your hair, so if you slam a brush through there it will create damage.

Next, separate your hair at the crown and either pin it up with a large clip or tie it back with a hair tie in a small bun. If you want to add a frizz-calming spray, now would be the time. Gently massage either a frizz cream or Argan oil through the separated pieces. Now, it’s curling time! Take a 1 inch portion of hair from the separated pieces.

Now wrap the hair over the bottom of the curling wand starting the closest towards your hand. Wrapping it around this way will create a fanned-out look that will make your face appear brighter. Twist around the full wand and hold it for 8-12 seconds. Depending on how thick your hair is the times will be different for all. Once you release, the trick to beautiful curls is to cup the curl in your hand. Meaning, as you release the curl let it curl up in your hand as it lets go from the wand. To do this, put your hand towards the end of the wand with your palm facing upwards. Release the curl and the curls should form a little circular section on your hand. Hold in there for  3-5 seconds and it will ensure the curl will hold its form because it cooled in the coiled position. Once you finish that side of your head, hairspray the curls. For the other side, you will need to switch your hand position, but keep going under the barrel of the wand. Hairspray each side then release the clipped sections and continue curling them. Not everyone is going to need as much hairspray for every section. Many just spray at the end, but hair-spraying does keep contain the look all day long.

For super natural, shiny curls I recommend using Suave Vibrant Shine Spray after the whole head of hair as been curled. This will bring a healthy glow to the curls and make them more inviting. This product is available at drug stores and is extremely inexpensive. The part I love the most of this product is that when you shake it up you can seen little sparkly minerals inside it. Yet, when you spray it the outcome doesn’t look like childish with sparkles everywhere and you can’t even notice the sparkles. I also love that the product is a liquid spray, but when you apply it, it doesn’t make your hair wet. It’s like a dry spray and works wonders.

That’s all! Pretty easy to achieve voluminousness curls. This look is perfect for either a date night or a shopping spree. To accompany this look, I like to add either a shimmery head band or a cute bow, like my picture below. This picture was from Winter break when my family and I all visited North Carolina. My bow is from H&M. For looser curls, just finger through the fresh curls to achieve your desired look. For more of a beachy wave, take a brush or wide-tooth comb and gently go through the curls. If you are going to prefer looser curls or waves, then I suggest not applying hairspray at first or buying the larger barreled wand.

This look probably takes 15-20 minutes for long hair, like mine, and 10-15 minutes for short hair. If you have a curling want and don’t want to buy a wand, you can just wrap your hair around the barrel and not clamp it down. This look is very cost efficient and lasts all day and all night!