HIGHLIGHTS
Curls and spirals and waves…oh, my!
02/17/11 11:58AM
http://celebsalon.sheknows.com/curly-hairstyles/marion-cotillards-super-curly-hairstyle/
To start, when your hair is wet, dab a little bit of scrunching gel in it (mousse works too, but “Cosmo” recommended gel and I just happened to find an inexpensive scrunching gel at the store). I usually let my hair air dry a little bit to cut down blow-drying (thus heat exposure) time; then, finish drying your hair completely with a diffuser. After your hair is completely dry, twist small pieces of hair around your finger and, when your hair is nice and tight and balled up, pin that little chunk of hair to your head with a bobby pin. Repeat this until all of your hair is twisted into small balls and pinned to your head. I sprayed my hair wtih a little spritz of hairspray to help them hold their shape a little better while they sat pinned to my scalp. After 5 mintutes (my hair is pretty thick so I left it in a little longer in order to make sure the curls would come out very tight), take all the pins out and let your hair down. Now go in an use your fingers to massage the roots of your hair, comb through your tresses and just mess your hair up a little bit. The curls are all different sizes, and your fingers will give it that “just played with” look that is absolutely irresistable!
My curls have lasted all day, and I have to say, as the day goes on and they’re exposed to wind and moisture, they’re definitely looking more messy and swept away…that’s a good thing, though. The nonchalant hairstyle is definitely an “in” look now, designed to look fabulous while giving off the impression that you didn’t spend hours on your hair. And you definitely did not spend hours, because the whole process took me about 30 mintutes (air-dry time included).
This technique is a fast, fun way to get those carefree, windswept, fun, bouncy curls you’ve always wanted, so give it a try! Remember, the messier and less “put together” the curls look, the better. Just go crazy with the styling and have fun…and of course, don’t forget to rock your look confidently all day long!
Happy (Hairy) Valentines Day!
02/14/11 2:26PM
courtesy of 360 digest
Cut it out!
02/03/11 11:56AMOkay, so I mentioned a while back about how I’ve recently developed an affinity for cutting my own bangs. After all, it’s fast, convenient and best of all, FREE. But I started to wonder about the rest of my hair after I posted that article. I mean, I certaintly didn’t want to show preference to one part of my hair. And with a college student’s budget, hey, it’s not just trimming the bangs that was getting costly. So, I did that one thing you’re never supposed to do: I trimmed my own hair. Yup, that’s right. I got a pair of shearing scissors (because those grade school ones were definitely not going to do the trick) and just went to town. And you know what? The results were surprisingly fabulous!
Would I recommend this little money and time saving trick to everyone? No. It wasn’t easy, I was nervous the entire time (what if I accidentally chopped off a big chunk?!?) and to be honest, not everyone has the steady hand and precision to cut their own hair. I’m somewhat of a hair rebel, though, and I was just itching to try my own hand at hair-cutting. I decided, too, that if I were to royally screw up my hair, I would just settle into complacency and sport a ponytail until a professional could fix it up.
However, I’m sure some of you are intrigued. I’m sure some of you are saying to yourselves, “Hey, I have the hands of a surgeon. I could SO do this!” Well, for all of you fabulous readers, I’ll spill my sercrets. To start, I made sure my hair was wet (it’s a lot easier to get a smooth, even cut on wet hair with no product in it). I used a comb to evenly part my hair in the center of my head. Then I simply grabbed a chunk of hair between my index and middle finger and, with the tips pointing upward toward my face so I could see what I was doing, just started trimming away at the end. When split or dead ends are the only concern, it’s really quite easy to avoid taking a lot of length off, thus eliminating your fear that your hair will end up uneven. I simply repeated that grab-and-trim process on both sides of my head (once it’s parted in the middle, grab the hair at the back of your head and pull it to the appropriate side, acting as if it’s part of that side of your head). Do a quick check in the mirror to make sure both sides are even and clean, then blow dry and style as you normally would!
The entire process was nerve-wracking the first time, I’ll be honest. However, the more I trimmed up my tips, the more I realized it was similar to cutting my own bangs…just on a bigger scale! With a steady hand, good scissors, and precision, I was able to eliminate my dead tips and help my hair on its way to growing longer and healthier!
Celebrity secret: long hair w/ lift at the roots
01/16/11 1:54PM
As we eagerly follow our favorite magazines into the spring season (mantra: just have to get through Feb!), poring over the new looks and styles and products that help us achieve them, I’ve noticed a common trend in celebrities with long hair: volume on top.
Frankly, this look is hot. It’s sexy. It’s not easy to achieve without a stylist. Unless… I feel like I recently discovered the secret when I went in to (gulp) get a haircut. I’ve been growing my hair with great success since spring 2010 and the secret to my success with avoid the shears. It’s amazing- just don’t cut it! However. For the past couple months I’ve slowly been coming to terms that looking like a sheepdog did not sexy long hair make. I went in to see my stylist and having learned long ago that it is best to be as specific and neurotic as possible when describing what you want your hair to “become”, I asked her how to keep my length while freshening my look.
The celebrity secret to volume on top? It’s a cut! It’s called the round perimeter. Basically a round perimeter means layers around the face- lots of them- with a couple dragged through the back at varying lengths. The great part is she simply trimmed a half inch off the longest layer in the back.
I started to realize what I stumbled upon as she began to dry and style my look. A little root spritzer and shine serum and a blow dry, et voila. My length was in tact and my hair had volume at the top thanks to some clever layering. I can grow my hair to my butt and keep this style for unweighted down, modern hair.
And for that my friendly readers, you are welcome! I would love to use some before and after pics in a future post if any of you decide to try this. In the meantime, check out the models and celebs with long hair in the magazines, it’s not at all stick straight anymore.
PS. Apparently this spring’s makeup trick is to look slightly rosy, like right before you’re sun-awakened skin begins to base tan. Hmm…
Hair Styles from Real Simple Magazine
12/20/10 11:47AMI came across these easy-to-create hairstyles on realsimple.com and wanted to share. I can’t wait to try the classic twist style for my night out at the Nutcracker!
We want to know: what are your favorite holiday styles?
Winter Hair Terrors: Static Edition
11/29/10 8:03AMWhile summer heat and humidity brings frizz and lots of big volume to hair, the winter poses a slightly different problem. I’m sure you’ve all experienced it: you throw on a sweater or pull of a hat-which, by the way, you’re supposed to wear to keep your hair safe from damage in the cold winter months-and suddenly your hair stands on end. Literally. Static is a huge problem for hair in the wintertime, and let’s face it, it’s not pretty. With less moisture in your hair, those strands are a lot more prone to some hair-raising debacles. There are a few tips and tricks to reduce static this season, though; so if you plan on busting out the favorite winter hat, take note!
Leave-in conditioners are said to be the most effective way to re-energize your hair and restore moisture to the strands. It will revitalize your hair and return it to its former rich, luscious glory. Leave-in conditioners are a great way to get your hair back in healthy shape this winter, reducing your chance of static strands too!
If you run into a sticky static situation when you’re on the go (which happens to me quite often in the winter), it can be a little unnerving to have to settle those strands in public. However, I’ve discovered that a little bit of body lotion will do the trick! I always carry lotion in the winter-this season zaps moisture from your skin, too-and when I feel those fly-aways coming on, I rub a little lotion on my hands and run my finger through my hair, trying to add some volume as well as replenishing the moisture. This is a quick fix to solve an immediate fly-away fiasco, so pouring hand lotion into your hair isn’t going to solve the problem. If static is a persistent problem, you’ll definitely want to invest in a leave-in conditioner. For an on-the-go solution, though, lotion is a fast remedy.
Finally, friends of mine have swore up and down that cold water helps alleviate static. Now, I’ve never personally tried this tactic (something about dousing my hair in cold water in the middle of winter seems a little painful), but people claim that rinsing their hair in cold water at the end of a shower will help to lock in moisture and prevent static. If static poses a problem in the winter, I’d try this trick out a few times and see if it works for you as well!
So there you have it: a few tips and tricks to get you through the winter months static free and keep your hair looking as lively and vibrant as possible all year round!
http://unipr.waikato.ac.nz/news/images/20080512OpenDay.jpg
Calling out all “closet curlies”
11/23/10 10:05AM
Fun Fabulous Frizzless Curls
I hate umbrellas. I refuse to own one. Guess what? Rain comes down at an angle rendering these awkward apparatuses utterly useless. Since this is a blog about hair and not my beef with umbrellas, I’ll discuss a better defense against the elements. Curly hair.
I’m still amazed by all the people I know who secretly have waves, curls and spirals. Even more amazing is sometimes they successfully hide this fact for years! Suspect someone of being naturally curly? Watch them next time it rains. They are the ones running around frantically with raincoats, bandannas and the biggest umbrella on the market. They are the ones desperately plugging in their flat irons at their desks, in restaurant bathrooms, and even car jacks. (Full disclosure: we at Carousel Strands LOVE this as we sell flat irons and frizzy hair keeps us in business). However, we also want to help you look your best at all times- rain or shine. And, sometimes this means you need to rock the curls.
It’s time to come out. And we promise you that with our tips, everyone will accept you as you really are. A closet curly.
First, skip the gel. Yup. We said it. Most of us are crunchy about curls because our curls are crunchy. Below are a list of products that are amazing for natural looking lift, bounce and shine.
Pantene Root Lifter Spray- this inexpensive product helps you avoid flat hair near the roots. Never a good thing, a flat top looks especially goofy when paired with fluffy curls.
Bumble South (by Bumble & Bumble) Surf Spray- natural curls respond to salt like plants to the sun- they bloom. It never fails.
Psssssssssssssst! Dry Shampoo. It’s not only for unwashed hair. Wait until your curls are half dry before you spray. Dry shampoo not only adds all over volume, it holds curls in place without the stiffness of a hair spray.
What are your favorite products for curly hair? Tweet us @carouselstrands or email to info@carouselstrands.
There’s nothing like…
11/08/10 5:43AM…experiencing a string of great hair days. I’m convinced that life is the sweetest when you’re really happy, and there’s something innately comforting and uplifting about having everything just fall into place-literally! Here’s to hoping my streak of fabulous hair days doesn’t crash and burn anytime soon.
Wishing all you fabulous readers the best hair days you could ask for!
Not your grade school headbands
11/07/10 4:07PMI rarely leave the house without hair accessories, be they clips, pins, headbands or the occasional pair of sunglasses on my head. In fact, it’s safe to say I’m obsessed with hair accessories. As a child, I had containers full of hair bows, ribbons, decorative pins, colorful clips and headbands that sported every hue of the rainbow-and beyond. As I’ve grown up, I’ve abandoned some childhood familiarities. For example, I no longer sport ribbons and bows in my hair, and the colors of my hairpins and clips are more subtle to blend into my hair. But one constant that I refuse to eradicate is my love of the headband.
http://supergluecantfixthis.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/headbands.jpg
I own close to 20 headbands that I wear on a regular basis. They vary is size, color and ornateness; and recently, I’ve begun to venture into the realm of patterns. Headbands are a quick and simple way to touch up my hair on a day when I’m not feeling too hot about my look. They are the perfect accessory to compliment your outfit for a night out on the town; and on the days when I feel like my wardrobe isn’t making too much of a statement, my headbands add a splash of color and fun to my ensemble.
For a while, I bought simple colored bands that would blend with my hair color. However, the newer styles of headbands were too irresistible to pass up, and I started purchasing headbands with bows on them. From there came ornate decorations, like gems and crystals, and finally came the bold and beautiful patterns that I use to spice up plain colors. No longer are headbands for little girls to pop on their heads before they hit the swing set; headbands are becoming a mature and classy addition to your wardrobe and hairstyles.
My favorite headbands come from one of two stores: Forever 21 or J.Crew. These stores supply the most versatile styles and designs at good prices. The headbands are attractive, comfortable and definitely good quality. So if you’ve yet to try on one of the new, stylish bands, what are you waiting for? You’ll love the new style of your hair with a headband in it, and I guarantee the perfect band will spruce up any outfit.
Bangin’ Bangs
11/03/10 11:10PMEver needed a quick bang trim but don’t want to schedule a hair appointment for such a small procedure? Sure you have! If you have bangs, you know that those little puppies require regular maintenance that doesn’t necessarily coincide with the rest of your hair’s schedule. Don’t worry, though!
I’ve had bangs for over eight years now, and while they’ve varied in style and frame, they’ve definitely been a staple in my hairstyles. I just like the way bangs look with my face structure (I’m 100% Polish and thus have a heart-shaped face), and I think they add a little splash of style and flair to my hair. But obviously, to keep them at the right shape and length, I have to make sure they’re regularly trimmed. Instead of making a hair appointment (and paying money!!) for such a simple task, I’ve undertaken the process of trimming my own bangs. And you know what? It’s super easy, inexpensive and best of all, with these simple tricks, they look amazing!
For side-swept bangs, pull all of your bangs forward over your eyes. Then, angle them in the opposite direction as the one in which you part your hair (so if your bangs sit on the right side of your face, pull them to the left). You’ll need thin hair-trimming scissors to make the perfect cut, so once you have those, trim away. I usually cut straight across my bangs-since I pull them off to the side, they’re already angled; thus, making a cut straight across the pulled-to-the-side-bangs won’t change the shape.
To get straight-across bangs that lie flat on your forehead, make sure all the hair is even across the crown of your head, and pull it down over your eyes. Gently cut straight across, without pulling your hair to one side or angling it. So simple!
A few points to remember:
-make absolute sure your hair is dry! When bangs are wet, we tend to cut them to the length at which we want them; however, once hair dries and gets some body, the bangs always end up being shorter. So make sure they’re dry and you’ll get the perfect length!
-to get a perfectly even trim, I use a strip of tape and lay it across my bang “boundary”-that is, the length at which I want it. The tape sticks to hair and provides a rule of sorts that makes sure you get the cut right where you want it!
-never, ever try to engage in this process without a mirror. You will NOT get it right. Go slowly, and make sure that your steady hand is following the exact path you want to your bangs to follow.
Doing quick trims on your bangs can actually be easy and free; just make sure you’re careful, totally focused and in possession of the right tools (don’t worry, this broke college student easily afforded a pair of shearing scissors for hair!). I’ll admit, I’ve perfected the art of bang-trimming to the point where I recently started trimming the tips of my hair to take care of split ends and save some money! Tips on that will come later, but for now, just try your bangs. And as always, remember that if you have a slip-up, hair does grow back! Rock your style and you’re sure to shine.