LOVE: Short and Soft and Sweet Japanese Hairstyles

May 14, 2013

in Life

japanesecuts

My Pinterest account is predominately devoted to collecting hairstyle ideas, with the exception of a few random craft and  interior design ideas that  will likely never be reproduced. In my short cut folder I have noticed more and more adorable photos of Japanese women wearing super soft, textured styles. Most of them are round shapes, meaning they are shorter in the front and longer/heavier in the back, which I love, love, love. All of the photos seem to originate from Beauty-Box.-jp, which is a huge resource for Japanese hairstyles. I just need to ask for help from my Japanese friends in order to navigate the site.

Lovely Links

May 6, 2013

in Life, Style

I’m currently on maternity leave and, like me, my baby likes to stay up past midnight every night. Luckily, she is an absolute delight, so our time is spent chilling on the couch, trying to let dad and sister get their sleep. This quiet time leaves me plenty of opportunity to wander the world wide web. Here are some lovely hair related links that I have run into along the way…

DIY Clear Hair Barrette Stunning barrette. Stunning fashion blog.

Easy Vintage Wave Tutorial on the Aveda Canada blog.

Nineties Fashion Photography  There are a lot of 90’s references in hair/fashion these days. Although I was born in the early 80’s, I started to become aware of fashion in the 90’s. Brings back memories.

What Does Each Curling Iron Do? Every wonder?

DIY Dry Shampoo With oatmeal!

Beachy Hair Colour A beautiful hair colour makeover on my favourite hair colour inspiration blog.

Neon Geo Bobby Pins I keep meaning to make these to add to my usual monochromatic dress code.

And the best for last…

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This is probably the most beautiful and romantic hair tutorial ever created.

Video by Tiger in a Jar for She Lets Her Hair Down.

Tiger in a Jar

She Lets Her Hair Down

Inspiration: Wavy Bobs

May 5, 2013

in Style

When I was in grade 3 had my long hair cut into my first bob. I remember choosing the style out of the Sears catalogue (it was 1993) and the ensuing dilemma of deciding to have it styled under or flipped out. Leaving the salon after having it done, I felt light and bouncy (ends blowdried under). And free. I also recall how easy it was to shampoo it in the shower compared to my long hair. Since this incredibly memorable experience, I have had many hairstyles, from pixies to med-long lengths. But, the bob has always remained my favourite hairstyle. Here’s why I love it:

1. There are limitless ways to update it. Every year there is a new version of the bob that becomes a major trend in the world of hair and fashion. 2013 is all about  wavy bobs and bobs with natural texture and minimal graduation and layering.  It is often best to texturize the hair and possibly add some slight internal disconnection to make it swing and enhance natural texture.

bobs

2. It grows out easily. One of the least desirable aspects of cutting hair short is the inevitable grow-out phase. Unless you angle the back, or graduate the shape sharply, it will grow out beautifully and rather painlessly.

3. It’s femimine. And feminist. Historically, women have cut their hair short during times of relative equality. For example, women had a lot of social freedoms in the 1920’s flapper era and as a result they were empowered to cut their hair by the thousands. Hair was worn long for 100+ years previous so at the time there were no hair salons; instead they crowded barber shops. I have read accounts of women fainting left and right because it was it was such a big deal to cut off their long locks. There are also stories of husbands divorcing their wives over their hair. (Unfortunately Victoria’s Secret shoppers aren’t very supportive either.)

4. It looks great at any age and can be modified for any face shape. Very few cuts are edgy, high fashion and ultra classic at the same time.

5.  Works with almost any texture. The only hair type I would caution doing a bob on is incredibly thick, coarse, textured hair. However, there are some more advanced techniques that can make it possible (undercutting, internal layering.) I highly recommend finding an experienced and well trained hairstylist in this case.

6. Repairs damage. Sometimes the only way to “treat” damaged hair is to cut it off and start fresh.

 

Tutorial: Double Knot

May 1, 2013

in Style, Tutorials

DOUBLEKNOT

 

ONE: Section hair in half as shown. Create one high pony tail just below the crown of the head.

TWO: Taking fine, horizontal sections, tease the hair towards the face to fill out the shape.

THREE: Tie the two sections together to form a knot.

FOUR: And then again.

FIVE: Tuck the tails under and bobby pin the shape, adjusting as necessary in a mirror. Check the shape from every angle.

You can stop here if you want a more formal, classic look. But if not,

SIX: Mess it up, gently using your fingers to add texture.

Note: Style performed on second day wrap dried hair. Prior to styling I used Kevin Murphy dry shampoo to absorb oil and add texture.

Hair Rescue: Treating Damaged Hair

May 1, 2013

in Colour, Style

BLONDE

A couple of months ago I decided to take myself blonde. Really blonde.  I needed a pick me up during the winter months I guess.  There really is something magical about going lighter/brighter; I felt so much better afterwards! The psychological effects of hair colour never cease to fascinate me.

I am naturally blonde but had coloured my hair darker for about 6 months. I really enjoyed trying out different shades of brown, and even tried red for a few weeks around Christmas. But as we all know, almost all blondes go back to blonde eventually (that’s why it’s a good idea to try to avoid permanent hair colour when going darker: it’s easier and more gentle to lift back out again. A topic for another day…)

There are 2 primary ways to go back blonde from dark. The first way involves using rounds of highlights to slowly become blonde again. It takes time, but it works very well in many cases. The second, known as a colour correction, involves one or more applications of lightening/bleaching concoctions and toners. Generally speaking, the first method is more gentle.

I chose the second, and now my hair is super blonde (yay!) but weak and damaged. I was actually preparing to cut it off, but have recently changed my mind. It’s collar bone length which is so convenient, especially since I am a mom with 2 little kids. Top knots and pony tails are my go to styles and I’m just not ready to part with that flexibility.

So, I am treating my very damaged hair really really nice in order for it to stay on my head. I have fairly high standards…the moment it looks nasty it will be gone. I already have Pinterest boards dedicated to super cute short cuts and bobs. But for now, these tricks are working:

Shampoo once per week and use conditioner instead the rest of the time.

I wish I could go a whole week without washing my hair, but I grew up washing it daily and I love to get my head wet in the shower. I have reduced going under the water to every second day, but instead of shampooing I just use conditioner. It cleans and moisturizes my hair surprisingly well. This probably wouldn’t work very well for fine hair, but for medium to thick hair that is dry and/or damaged it’s great.

Reduce heat styling

There are so many ways to style your hair with little to no heat. Air drying is one of them. Stay tuned for more…

No tight elastics

I wear my hair up often. Even if I take the time to wrap dry it or curl it, it inevitably ends up on the top of my head in a pony tail or a top knot. I just make sure that I never pull the elastic too tight because it will cause breakage. I’ve seen it many times. I also have a favourite leopard print scrunchie that I go to often. Sure, some people make fun of it, but I the 90’s are back and all…

SCRUNCHIE

Oils and Serums

More than anything else, these products make my hair feel as though it is worth keeping around. I use them daily and my hair not only looks healthy (it’s not) but feels amazing! My favourite oil is coconut oil. Once a week I apply it at night as a pre-wash, sleep with it in my hair (usually braided) and then wash/condition/style as usual in the morning. It both moisturizes and prevents further protein loss, resulting in less breakage.

Right now I am also using Kevin Murphy Young Again. It’s a lovely light weight serum that has a heat protectant in it. It’s pretty dreamy as far as hair products go. I put in one or 2 pumps while my hair is damp, often before I brush it because it detangles as well. It makes my hair feel silky and smooth without heaviness, even though it’s…not. It’s a great foundation for further styling as well. If my hair is a little frizzy or I have fly aways, I will put a drop in my hands, rub them together  and then apply it to my mid lengths and ends to smooth it further.

Honorary mentions in this category also include Davines Oi Oil and Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid.

 Be extra nice when wet

Hair is exponentially more delicate when wet than it is when dry. My hair is even more so than normal hair due to all the lightning products (ie bleach) that I have used lately. It is seriously lacking in keratin, making it rather weak. In order to prevent as much breakage as possible I use my fingers or a wide toothed comb to detangle it in the shower and gingerly use a towel to squeeze (not rub) out as much water as I can. Then I either let it air dry with some serum and maybe some curl enhancing creme. Or I delicately brush it out and wrap dry it before styling it further. For really damaged hair that is very tangled it is often beneficial to dry it first and brush/detangle it afterwards to avoid pulling to hard on the hair strand when it’s wet. As far as preventing more breakage, this step has been key for me.

 

 

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Grey Hair Don’t Care: OPTIONS!

April 22, 2013

in Colour

Grey Hair Don’t Care

 

Grey hair is a fact of life for (almost) all men and women at some point. Basically, there are 3 choices:

[click to continue…]

Tutorial: Wrap Dry technique

April 19, 2013

in Style, Tutorials

In my opinion the Wrap Dry  is the most universally useful hair styling technique of all. It consists of blow drying the hair while wrapping it around the head, creating smooth and volumized hair.  It’s totally worth mastering. Here’s why:

It reduces styling time. Once you learn the technique it is pretty much the quickest way to dry the hair. – It limits damage. The dryer is constantly moving, so there is little chance it will burn your hair.

It produces a smooth finish with natural volume and movement  on almost every hair type, from fine and straight to thick and curly.

It’s easy. Compared to round brushing or even flat ironing, once you get the hang of wrap drying hair, it’s a snap! -It’s a great base for further styling. If are going to flat iron, curl or round brush* your hair, you can prepare it by wrap drying it first; guaranteed, you will have to take less time to complete additional steps. Also, minimizing the use of hot tools, specifically flat irons, is good for your hair. The flat iron is best used as a finishing tool to add shine and seal the cuticle vs as a straightening method.

*If you are going to round brush your hair, wrap dry it until it is 80% dry and then style with the round brush.

You’ll need:

A good brush. A boar bristle brush or large paddle brush is ideal, but the Denman brush or even a round brush can also be used. Just make sure the bristles are tight enough to provide tension.

Mason Pearson, Aveda paddle brush, Denman, boar bristle round brush

Mason Pearson, Aveda paddle brush, Denman brush, boar bristle round brush

-Heat protectant. It’s a good idea to always use a heat protectant. Most smoothing products have heat protecting properties, as well as frizz control.

-For added volume and movement, use a mousse, volume lotion, or volumizing spray too.

-If you have coarse, curly hair you can use a liquid gel for extra hold.

 

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Tutorial: It’s a Roll

January 10, 2013

in Style, Tutorials

Here is my first attempt at a hair tutorial. I am very hesitant to post it because I’m not exactly pleased with the results- I look so unhappy! And it doesn’t clearly illustrate the steps needed to complete the hair style. Why? Because it’s really hard to take photos of oneself whilst doing one’s hair. For me it is anyway! So, I wasn’t unhappy at the time, rather, in deep concentration. Next time I will definitely remember to crack a smile.

This blog is about more than hair. Sure, that’s my topic because it’s something that I know and something I do, but it’s also about me learning how to take photos and use Photoshop. Later I will also practice code on this site, but not yet (it still hurts my brain.) Hopefully I become exponentially better because there are so many things I want to post!

it'saroll2 one: Start with hair that has been prepped with some sort of styling product- mousse, volumizing creme, even workable hair spray- anything to give it texture so the style holds.  Make deep side part- I have a fringe, so the part had to be further than that to cover it. I did the roll only on one side because I think it’s generally more flattering so the other side is brushed smooth.

two, three, four: Separate the hair into 3 separate pony tails, placing small plastic elastics at the bottom of each one (two.)  This makes it so much easier to roll the hair up. Once rolled, place one or two bobby pins in horizontally and then a few in vertically to secure.

five: Continue to work around the head, rolling and pinning the second and third pony tails. (Note: because I wanted one side to be smooth, I overdirected all of that hair into the ponytail at the back of my head before putting in the third elastic.) It takes a bit of fussing to match them up and create a fluid roll, but it’s possible. And it’s ok if it’s not perfect anyway. It’s vintage inspired.

Platinum Blonde

January 5, 2013

in Colour

platinum

 

Platinum blonde is beyond being a seasonal trend. If done well and taken care of, it’s the most striking of all hair colours. A very technical service to perform, it requires a lot of maintenance which is both costly and time-consuming. But this only makes it all the more desirable.

If you are bold enough to go for it, or already have it, here are a few recommendations to keep it looking it’s best:

Find a great colourist.

If you try to perform this service on your own, it will be almost impossible to avoid breakage or to achieve an even tone. A colourist will also be able to advise you if it’s possible or not. Depending on the health and history of your hair, you may not be able to get all the way to platinum and a professional will be able to give you the best advice to avoid a MAJOR disaster (ie MAJOR breakage.) If you have a tight budget and lots of time, find an awesome hair school (they do exist)- there are educators there to help students, making it safer than doing it yourself.

Retouch new growth every 4-6 weeks max

If you wait longer you risk having yellow bands appear roughly half an inch away from the scalp because the heat of the scalp processes the hair closest to it the fastest. They are difficult to remove, especially without causing breakage.

Replace moisture and protein

The bleaching process removes both from the hair, leading to breakage and dryness. Ask your stylist to recommend a treatment. To prevent protein loss during the shower, do a coconut oil pre-wash.

Use a REALLY good conditioner

…even a deep conditioner, every time you wash your hair. And limit washing. And heat styling. Just be really, really nice to your hair. Remember, it’s most fragile when it’s wet. Sometimes, drying it before brushing it is a good idea.

Consider purchasing a shower filter

Hair that is very porous will absorb elements from the environment. Some older buildings have copper pipes, which can make blonde hair green. On the same note, wet your hair first in the shower and then put on a shower cap when swimming in chlorine pools. Hair can only absorb so much water, so wetting it first prevents the pool water from moving in.

Use violet shampoo and conditioners

Purple is opposite yellow on the colour wheel and will neutralize brassiness in the hair.

Also, blonde hair oxidizes over time, creating brassiness (like rust!) Consider clarifying shampoos to help remove this, in addition to unwanted buildup from product and pollution. Condition, condition, condition afterwards.

 

2013 Hair Trends

January 2, 2013

in Style

edit (1 of 1)-2

Here are a few of my favourite trends that will be sticking it out for 2013:

1. Textured fringes

2. 60’s 

3. Natural (looking) straight hair

4. Natural texture

5. Waves

6. Really long hair/long layers

7. Bobs

8. Hair COLOUR- brighter blondes, richer reds, etc.

9. Simple updos

10. Hair accessories

Just keep your hair looking soft and not overly “coiffed” and you won’t have anything to worry about. And think about a bright lip to go with it! It’s all about the lips going into 2013- check out this gallery at BeautyEditor.ca for inspiration.

Photo by Jamie Jupp//Hair and Makeup by Jena Jacquot

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