Hair And Beauty

10 Tips for a Professional Blow Out

Apr 15

1. The right tools make all the difference.

Your tools will make the biggest differences with a blow out! Do you want a smooth and shiny blowout? Use a round boar bristle brush. For a more volume and curl, use a wide metal brush. A nozzle on the end of your blow dryer will also help to ensure your hair cuticle gets as smooth as it possibly can.

2. Use the right product.

As much as the right set of tools will help you achieve a phenomenal blow out, so will the right product. My favorite go-to product is Bumble and Bumble Grooming Cream. Look for something that plays to your hair texture and be sure not to put too much. You will know if you’ve used too much if after your hair is fully dry it is too stiff or greasy looking.

3. Pre-dry your hair.

Before any brush touches your head make sure you pre-dry your hair. I pre-dry about 90% because if I didn’t it would take me a good hour to dry and I’d have very little arm strength left. If you have fine hair you might want to pre-dry to about 70%.

4. Section off the appropriate amount of hair.

When sectioning your hair, the rule of thumb is to not take more hair that the size of your brush. I like to take a little less to ensure every piece of hair is dry. The neater the sections the easier and quicker it is to get through your whole head.

5. Root direction determines volume.

If you pull the hair up when drying, it will create volume. If you pull it downward, it will create less volume. I adjust root direction all over. I start with less volume at the bottom and always pull straight up on my top section.

6. Keep good tension but don’t pull too hard!

Good tension is key in getting a smooth blowout. You want to be sure the hair is smooth and flat in order to get the best possible results. Just don’t putt too hard, it will create breakage.

7. Make sure every strand is 100% dry before moving on.

This step is extra crucial in a long lasting blowout. If you hair remains even the slightest bit damp the blow out will likely fall flat over the next few hours.

8. For smooth ends, really work them with the nozzle and brush.

If a section isn’t looking dry or seems a little fuzzy with flay aways, really worth that section with the brush. Point the nozzle down the hair shaft to blast it dry and close the cuticle. It will get there, you just need to give it some love.

9. Bangs get separate treatment.

Bangs are special. They never seem to do what you want them to. There are so many ways to dry bangs, seriously, google it and you will find countless videos and tutorials. My rule of thumb is to use a flat brush and brush in the opposite direction I want them to fall in. I use my forehead as a surface to smooth them out. It really depends on the style you are going for and your hair texture. Experiment and remember what works best for you!

10. Finish the right way.

Now that you have given yourself the perfect salon blowout it’s time to ensure it lasts. I like to flip my head upside-down and give my hair a cool blast from the blow dryer. I follow up with a light aerosol hairspray like Aveda’s AirControl and then give my ends a little separation and shine with Bumble and Bumble Brilliantine.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Mar 21

Last week I started experimenting with natural beauty remedies. First on my list to try was an apple cider vinegar rinse. I have been reading about how effective it is to get rid of product build up and it seemed to make sense. You might be thinking, “I don’t have build up,” you’re wrong. Unless you are clarifying weekly or only using baking soda and vinegar to wash your hair, you’ve got some. Build up can come from so many sources, the minerals in your water, your shampoo and conditioner, your styling products, it’s really hard to avoid. Oddly enough, one of the biggest offenders is the conditioning agent that make our hair feel softer. It’s a double edged sword!

A lot experts suggest using a clarifying shampoo every once and while to curb build up, but in the end you are just spending more money for a product you will most likely forget about. The apple cider vinegar rinse worked AMAZING! It was like pressing a giant reset button and it was a much more affordable option. I suggest doing it once a week, at most. The rinse will also strip your hair of natural oils, so doing it often will leave your hair feeling dry. After my rinse I used a boar bristle brush when blow drying my hair to pull natural oils back through my hair. I highly recommend this rinse! I loved it!

For rinse. Combine 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Wet hair. Apply mixture to scalp, massage in and let sit for 3 minutes. Rinse.

Perfect Ponytails

Mar 18

A ponytail might seem like it’s something too easy, but before I went to beauty school most of mine were worn to the gym or just to get may hair out of the way. I was constantly having to re-do my hair because it was always falling. Not to mention, I rarely wore ponytails because it gave me cheer flashbacks and the thought of them gave me headaches.

I love the way a polished ponytail looks, but it’s not so easy to pull one off without looking like you didn’t have time to do your hair. Here are three steps that I think make a perfect ponytail.

Step One: Gather the top section and use a small rubberband to tie it up. This is my favorite part, this is where you can add volume to the top, slick it down, get creative. I like to give a teeny bit of volume and run my fingers through the top to give it a slightly messy texture.

Step Two: Tilt your head back when gathering your hair for your ponytail. This part, you might think is better done by flipping your hair over and gathering it upside down. WRONG. Thats how you get saggy diaper butt hair. You know what I mean. By tilting your head back, you are ensuring the backside of your ponytail is clean and that makes all the difference. Meet your pony tail to the rubberband used for the top section and tie together.

Step Three: If you want to go the extra step, take one small section of hair and wrap around your ponytail. I like to wrap a few times and then shove it back through my hair tie, but you could also use a bobby pin underneath the ponytail.

Dress c/o Go Jane

Copycat: Jennifer Lawrence’s Up do

Feb 28

I know, I know the Oscars were last Sunday and, in the blogosphere, I am super late on this, but Jennifer Lawrence (who, I think needs to be my best friend) had the most amazing up do! I generally don’t get into award season, but I had to give it a try. It was so loose and elegant, but still really structured, all the things that make a great up do! Not gonna lie, this one took me a few times and when it came down to it, all the difference was in the backcombing. If I did it again, I might curl my hair first, but I was looking to simplify.

Step One: Gather the top section of hair, in a horseshoe shape. Back comb, liberally. Just when you think you’ve gone too far, just add a little more.

Step Two: Lightly run your fingers over the top to break up the backcombing and give a piecey look. Pin top section right below the crown, leaving some lift in the front.

Step Three: Take a small 1 inch section from either side of your head, Twist and cross in the back, covering your bobby pins near the crown. Pin in place. Move down in 1 inch sections, pulling towards the crown and criss-crossing all sections as you pin to give a braided effect.

Step Four: Pull remaining hair back into a ponytail, using a small elastic, (not a full blown rubberband) and backcomb. When pulling hair into ponytail, lean your head back, this will help with keeping the bottom of your ponytail tight. Unlike before, backcomb until you have nothing left to backcomb, we are talking poof ball, as much as possible!

Step Five: Take poof ball ponytail and twist into a bun and pin securely to the nape of your neck. Hair pin as needed.

Dress: Difference Between White and Saffron Dress/ Modcloth

Bronzer Debunked with Kimm DiCato

Feb 14

I am super confused when it comes to bronzer, so I turned to my friend and professional makeup artist, Kimm DiCato to answer some questions that have been running through my head. Kimm specializes in print, runway, bridal and theatrical makeup and has such a beautiful portfolio! Check her blog at KDCat Makeup Artistry or her super informative facebook page for updates!

1. What is the proper shade you should be looking for when picking out a bronzer? Are there certain undertones you should be concerned about?

Bronzer can be warm but avoid anything too orange

2. When applying bronzer, every magazine has a different way they say is best, but does it really depend on face shape? Some say to swipe it over you cheeks and forehead to look tan, other say to contour. Is there a rule of thumb when wearing it?

Bronzer is not for contouring!!!!! The point of it is to add a hint of sun kissed color to your face. I like to do a big 3 down the side of the face then a backwards one down the other. Starting at the temple then across the cheek (not under the cheekbone) then sweep down across the jaw to the chin (again not under the bone). The key is to do light pressure (no heavy handed bronzer please!!!).

3. Are certain brushes important when applying?

Fluffy natural hair brushes are best. I like an angled one, but it doesn’t have to be angled

4. What are some common mistakes you’ve seen that can be easily avoided.

The most common mistake is that people use bronzer that has shimmer in it!!!! Eek! I don’t know about you but my tan never seems to shimmer like glitter. Shimmer is the killer to making bronzer look natural.

5. What is your favorite brand to work with?

My all time favorite bronzer is by a brand called prestige. You can get it at drugstores like Walgreens and it is enormous and lasts forever!!!