blow dry 101

Lots of requests for a very basic blow out. Here’s your step by step! I’ll do one for curly hair and one for fine hair as well. These are the basics steps for anyone with wavy and/or thick hair.

Tools: Blow dryer with the nozzle, leave-in conditioner or detangler, protective serum or frizz taming serum, medium to large round brush, clips.

1. On wet hair, spray leave-in conditioner or detangler so that you’re not ripping at your hair as you brush it out. See here for details on that. Always best to apply leave-in or detangler right out of the shower, before the hair starts to air dry. Spraying it on air dried hair may cause the hair to feel sticky in the long run.

2. Like I always say, blow your bangs/fringe section out FIRST. The sooner you blow this out, the more control you’ll have over parting + cowlicks. People always tell me how much difficulty they’ve had with this section, and once they’ve tried blowing it out while  it’s totally wet, everything changes. The wetter the better when it comes to the very front section of your hair, or any uncontrollable cowlick for that matter. You want to stretch the hair from left to right while blowing it out. That will give you the most flexibility with your part. Your nozzle should be ON!

3. Once you’ve tamed the front section, let the rest down and take a little moisture out, but not too much because it will end up dry in some places and wet in others. Try to keep the dryer moving and do your best to keep the hair evenly damp.

4. Now apply a frizz tamer, argan oil, or protective serum. Whatever you and your hairstylist like the most. I like to apply this after I rough dry. The hair needs more protection and smoothing when there’s direct brush + blow dryer contact. If you put it in before this, it may not be as helpful. You don’t need a lot! Just a little applied from the middle of your hair to the ends.

5. Next move to the back. Pull the sections around as you dry. Stretching them will help smooth them. Notice Lauren’s using a boar bristle brush. Brushes with lots of natural bristles are great for smoothing because they grab the hair and get lots of tension. The difference in brushes can be found here! Always turn your head to the side when blowing out the back. It’s easier on your arms and you get more access to the root area which is important in the back sections. Work your way up,  section by section until you reach the top/back.

6. Then you’re on to the sides. Divide the left + right sections and clip them up (see image 6). The most important thing on the sides is getting even tension. Make sure the hair is laying evenly on the brush. Also, since you started in the back, this will have air dried a little. Wet it a little bit if you think it’s getting too wavy. Once the hair starts drying and developing it’s own wave, you need to wet it a little or you’ll just end up with more frizz. Stop for knots! Comb them out nicely or bad things can happen!

7. After you’ve blown your hair out entirely, go back through and handle the fly aways! My favorite technique for that is blowing all the little hairs underneath the big hairs. In other words, using your blow dryer with the nozzle attached, push the little hairs underneath the longer heavy hairs. The longer heavy hairs will sit on top of the little hairs and weigh them down! It’s my favorite trick and works so much better than loading the top of your head with hairspray.

8. After you’ve gotten dressed and the hair has cooled, the fly aways should be tamed. Now go back in, take off the nozzle, flip your head over and “stir it up”. This gives you a more natural, piece-y look and keeps it from looking too done.

Prim and proper hairstyle

TOOLS:  2 clear elastics, 5-10 large bobby pins, tail comb or teasing comb, firm holding hairspray and a hand mirror.

TIP: I always advise looking in a second mirror between each step to check your balance. You don’t want to get too far and then have to start over.

tips!

 While I never recommend bleaching out the ends of your hair at home, if you want to do the fun colors yourself, maybe get the tips bleached out by a pro + then play with the temporary colors on your own. The best things about this color– you’re able to hide it in a bun for work if you need to, AND you’re only doing a couple of inches on the bottom so it won’t kill you to cut it off if you get over it quickly.

TOOLS: highlighting comb, clips, foils, color brush, hair bleach with the appropriate volume (always seek a professional when using bleach), light pink color, dark pink color, light blue, dark blue, clear gloss.

Step 1 Highlight the tips of the hair using hair bleach with the correct volume. I lightened the bottom 3 inches of hair, making it as light as possible without causing any damage. As you can see above, I like to “feather” on the bleach. Painting a jagged line makes it blend better.

Step 2 Fold up your foil and let it process until it reaches a pale blonde. Use the appropriate heat if necessary.

Step 3 Shampoo and lightly condition bleach out of the hair.

Step 4 Blow hair completely dry. If it’s still wet, it will soak up less color.

Step 5 Place the hair on a foil. Imagine the bleached out part being split into 3. You’re going to leave the top 1/3 blonde.

Step 6 Next, paint the light blue (or whatever color you choose) on the entire bottom 2/3.

Step 7 Paint the very tips (or bottom 1/3) using the darker version of that color. It should look almost feather like. Be sure to blend. Last, rinse out the color. I highly suggest washing them out one piece at a time and towel drying well so the colors don’t bleed into each other. If they do, you may see a “marbleizing” effect. I love when the colors all swirl together like that, but if you’re looking to keep them more defined, keep them away from each other when they’re wet. I like to finish up by sealing it with a clear gloss. That’s a professional use only product so if you don’t have access to it, you don’t have to do that. Blow dry and…Tah Daaah!!

This is such a fun summer trend and I hope everyone finds their own fun way of doing it. This is the time to get creative. Once it fades from the sun, pool, beach, or general wear, it becomes a pastel version which I think  is equally gorgeous! Color care shampoo can help keep your bright color from fading. Condition well and again, don’t let the wet strands sit next too each other too long if you don’t want the colors blending.

fun bun

n a world where we can’t stop running late, the fun bun is probably the quickest way from A to Chic. This look comes in über-handy when you wake up late and you’re rushing out the door (or even if you have plenty of time). It’s such a high-brow/low-brow look. Meaning it can be paired with anything from jeans and a tank to a chiffon tiered dress. It’s amazing for the summer because some days when it’s really hot outside, allwe want is to get that hair off our neck + shoulders! You can leave this plain & simple with no accessories, pair it with a headband or add a little sparkle by bobby-pinning in a jeweled brooch at the base. This works with ANY hair type from curly to frizzy to pin-straight. It’s also amazing for those days when you know your hair needs to be shampooed but you JUST DON’T WANNA! Spray some dry shampoo at the roots and follow the steps below. This is a more messy alternative to the ballerina bun…

Step 1: If your hair is straight, use a 1″ curling iron to curl everything under. This will make it easier to tuck pieces into the bun. When they’re straight, they tend to pop out more. If you have wave or curl you can skip this step if you want to.

Step 2: Flip your hair over and gather everything into a ponytail on top of you head, securing it with an elastic ponytail holder.

Step 3: On the last time around with the ponytail holder, only pull the ponytail through half way.

Step 4: Take the loop you’ve created and spread it out. Don’t over think it. Just widen it and allow it to be somewhat messy.

Step 5: Take the tail end and wrap it around the ponytail base.

Step 6: Pin the end of the ponytail to the base using a couple of hair pins/bobby pins.

Step 7: Gently pull on pieces and then pin them. This will give your top-knot a slightly more messy texture.

Step 8: Spray a veil of medium hold hairspray all over. Don’t smooth down all of the fly aways, just lightly tuck the pieces that have gone rogue!

the boho braid

My look is inspired by all of the bohemian braids on the 2011 runways. It can be worn at the beach or dressed up with heels & jewelry for a summer night out. It’s also the perfect accompaniment to cozy knits & denim as the weather cools off in the coming months.”

Tools:

• 2 Claw clips
• Bobby Pins
• Hair tie, preferably matching your hair color
• Fine tooth comb
• Hairspray

Steps:

1. Start with wavy hair. If your hair is naturally straight, curl some sections to give it texture.

2. Separate the hair on the left & right sides of your head. Using your part as a guide, continue the part down the middle of the back of your head. To maintain the effortless, imperfect look, use your fingers instead of a comb. Tie one section with a hair tie to keep it out of the way.

3. French braid the free section of hair back to the nape of your neck & secure with bobby pins or a clip. To add more texture, try a Reverse French braid: Alternate crossing the 2 outer sections of hair UNDER the middle section instead of over. To make the look more free-spirited, leave out bangs & short layers around your face.

4. Repeat Step 3 on the other side of your head, clipping the French braid at the nape of your neck.

5. Gather the hair into a low ponytail below the clips & secure with a hair tie. When the ponytail is secure, remove the clips from the braids.

6. Time to add some volume! With your fine tooth comb, tease 1” sections of hair where they come out of the pony tail, keeping the ends less distressed, & secure with a medium hold hair spray.

7. Create more volume & texture in the braids by lightly pulling the loops apart with your fingers.

8. To finish the look, wrap a section of hair from underneath the pony tail around the hair tie. Secure with bobby pins.

the twist braid

• Start this like a regular braid, but drop the top piece through to the bottom and leave it there.
• Gently twist the 2 pieces you’re left with upward.
• Add a new 3rd piece in between + drop it through.
• Twist again and repeat. Keep going until you get to the back. Tie it with a clear elastic, tuck the end under, and secure with a bobbypin.

Remember there are only 2 main steps to this braid: twist + add a new piece. Imagineyou’re just making a twist with only two pieces, but each time you do, you feed a new piece of hair through before you make the next twist. So you never actually keep the new piece. It’s really easy once you get it going. Try it on a friend first so you can see what you’re doing and how the pattern develops. Then try it on yourself!

hair one sided braid

Well, lately this little lady’s had a new favorite. Check out this gem. It works on literally any hair type – short, long, curly, pin straight, anything! It’s so great for those mornings when you’re in a rush, but need something to pull your look together. Think of it as a french braid, but you only add in new hair from one side (the top). Follow these steps + be patient! You’ll get it…

• we like to part slightly off-center for this. on the heavier side, grab a section at your hairline. split it into three.
• start it just like you would a regular french braid.
• next add in a piece of hair from the top, still like a regular french braid.
• now skip the part where you’d grab a new piece from the bottom + keep braiding instead.
• then take another piece from the top + add it in.
• continue with this pattern until you have 5-7 sections added in.
• once you’re just past the ear, stop adding in new hair. Just do a regular braid + tie it off with a clear elastic.