Hair Styling Tools

Just as with clothing, trends with hairstyles come and go.  I like to call it recycling.  Why not?  We are definitely in a world where recycling is so very important.  What is so amazing is that if you hold on to things long enough, whatever it is, it will resurface once again.  Such as is with parting your hair on the side.  For how many years now have females been parting their hair down the middle?

What seems to be coming back into fashion now as displayed by many of the celebs, is that sultry hairdo that is swept to one side.  Mostly you see the part on the side with a slight wave or slight curl to the hair.  This particular style is actually very easy to achieve.

1)  Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo and then blow-dry your hair.

2)  Part your hair with a styling comb on whatever side seems to work best for you. 

3)  Take no more than a 2 inch section of hair and using a larger diameter curling iron wrap your hair around it and hold for approximately 5 to 10 seconds.  Continue to do this around your head till you reach the other side.

4)  Flip your head over and shake out the curls.  If necessary, take a brush to help loosen some of the curls that may not want to fall free.

5)  Spray your favorite shine spray.

6)  If you are feeling nostalgic, pull out an old hair barrette or clip that you haven’t worn in awhile and pin back one of the sides of your hair.  Or, you can put your hair behind your ear on one side. 

Lastly, apply the makeup, spray on your favorite perfume and you are ready to party!!!!!

With the holiday season behind us and the New Year well under way, for many of us January can be a very depressing month.  The parties have taken a dramatic drop-off and the weather can be at its bleakest.  New Year resolutions are in place but are we sticking to them?   

I say that sometimes the simplest change can make a huge difference in one’s outlook.  What about a new hairdo?  It doesn’t have to be as drastic as cutting off your long locks.   So, instead of just looking at your collection of styling combs and styling brushes, use them to create that new look.  It actually could be as simple as changing the part that you wear on the left side of your head to the right side of your head.  Or, perhaps you always wear your hair straight.   Take your curling iron or your hot rollers out and curl away.  And, if you have curls, there are these hair styling tools called hair straighteners (lol) that you can use to straighten away.  What about wearing hair styling accessories such as beautiful barrettes?  Lastly, if your hair is long and you always wear it down, why not pin it up?

While these are not monumental ideas, it doesn’t always take money to make a change.  Just look in your bathroom or dressing area and see what is already there that you can use to make that simple change to your current hairstyle.  You  just might receive some unsolicited compliments and it certainly will bring a smile to that face of yours.

Have you ever thought about where the comb came from?  Who invented it and when?  After a little research I found that historians report that combs have been around for at least the last 5000 years.  Plenty of time to improve on such a vital hair styling tool, wouldn’t  you say?  Combs were actually carved out of wood and bone.  Pretty resourceful!!  Ivory and tortoise shell were also used.  Another interesting fact is that in some cultures, combs were worn in the hair to display a certain social status. 

Well back to the 21st century.  As we all know, the majority of combs are made out of plastic.  There are still some wooden combs around and then there are high-end combs that can be made of gold, platinum or steel.  There are styling combs, decorative combs, detangling combs, and even flea combs.  Let’s not go there.

As we all know, there are hundreds of different type combs in the marketplace and each type has its function.  Depending on what you are looking for, there are usually several brands and variations to each type comb.  While combs are very important hair styling tools, the decorative comb has become very popular over the years in creating sophisticated and chic updos.  In fact, decorative combs can be found in many arts and crafts faires as artisans have become very creative in designing unique and one-of-a-kind hair combs.  The comb has truly become a member of the hair styling accessories club.

Whatever type comb you use, the most important thing to remember is to keep it clean.  As we all know, hair product can build up on the comb as well as any dirt, dust, dandruff and other particles attach to the product on the comb and need to be removed to keep your hair healthy and clean.

While many of us are always concerned with keeping our clothes up to date and wearing the latest fashions, it appears that hair styling appliances are now making a fashion statement.

It isn’t just the technology anymore that calls our attention to new items in the marketplace.  If an item appears sleeker, shinier, or even more colorful, the consumer is attracted to it like bees are to honey.  This isn’t a bad thing.  In fact, it makes sense.  Change is good and why not take advantage of the fact that many of us like to try something different.

So, what is out there in the hair appliance world that will catch the eye of the fashion conscious?  Le Angelique hair straighteners have a wonderful assortment of animal prints, camouflage, and even a tattoo print for those who like a little style while their styling their hair.  While Le Angelique offers the traditional black flat iron, they also have pink, lavendar, fuchsia, a zebra print, a tiger print, a gold leopard print, a white leopard print, and a red leopard print.

For those who don’t know anything about the Le Angelique hair straighteners, you really should check them out.  They offer a 3/4″ turbo styler which has tourmaline plates.  This iron is also dual voltage and can be taken internationally as long as you buy the adaptor for it.  The 1 inch professional model comes with advanced ceramic heat technology.  This tool also straightens, flips, and curls.  The extra added bonus to purchasing a Le Angelique straightening iron is that they offer a lifetime warranty.  Both flat irons are extremely affordable and available online.

It has always appeared that when you see someone wearing a ponytail, it is someone who has longer hair.  Well, don’t fret because there are ways to pull short hair into a ponytail aka “deertail” due to the shortness of the tail.  You can also create a ponytail style using the currently popular hair extensions.

If you can pull your hair back and secure it with an elastic band, you will instantly have a ponytail.  The problem with short hair, however, is that you may have a lot of strands that just aren’t long enough to pull back into the band and that is what needs to be dealt with.  Thank goodness for the multitude of haircare products available in the marketplace.  The two items that are needed the most are bobbie pins or barrettes, and some firm holding mousse or gel.   However, if you want to leave out the short side hairs of your haircut and only pull back the back of your hair into the tail as shown in the picture above, this too works and actually looks pretty good.

After you have washed and towel dried your hair, the mousse or gel is applied.  You will probably want to apply more to the sides of your hair before you actually blow dry your hair.  This extra added product will enable you to tame the sides of your hair more as it is pulled back into the tail.   You can also use stylish bobbie pins or barrettes on both sides of your head to help hold down the loose hairs.

As for the rest of the style, it is an open book of choices.  You may want some of the side hairs that grow in front of your ears to hang down to add a little volume closest to your face.  If the strands are not too short, you can use a very small barrel curling iron to create a curl that can be spread apart with your fingers after curling so that you don’t have that ringlet look. 

To finish off the style, you will definitely want to use a strong holding hairspray and/or shine spray to give it the hold that is needed as well as that polished shiny look.

For those of you who don’t want to have the “deertail” type ponytail, but have short hair, why not try a hair extension or synthetic add-on ponytail?  Most hair extensions are easy to use and usually just clip right on to your existing hair.  You will want to make sure that you use a color that is compatible with yours or has the look that you want to achieve. 

When using a hair extension or add-on, it is best that you start out with clean hair.  Select the spot that you want to secure the extension and make sure that you have enough of your own hair to pull over the extension so that the appearance is seamless.  You may want to also use some type of jeweled pin or barrette to help camouflage where your hair and the extension merge.  Once the styling is complete, apply a light hairspray and you are ready to go.

Well, I’ve covered finding the right look for day or night, some ponytail styles for both formal and casual, and some do’s and don’ts in wearing ponytails.  Now I’m going to address the how to’s for those of us who have bangs and want to wear our hair in a ponytail.

Since bangs are coming back into popularity, many of us already have them and yet, there are still those times when we want to be able to wear our hair up in a ponytail and not yet end up looking like we are in elementary school.  However, for some of us, we don’t mind looking a few years younger.

The nice thing about bangs is that there are still many options as to how to wear them as well as change up the look of the ponytail.  No matter what look you go for however, be sure you use the right hair styling tools when styling your hair.  Whether it be the brush, the curling iron, or the hair product that you use, continue to take good care of your hair.

Side-Swept Bangs

In spite of the length of your bangs, you still should be able to sweep them to the side to get a more sophisticated look with your ponytail.  The first thing to do is to wet your hair.  Next, part it on one side and then blow dry your bangs with a large round brush toward the opposite side of your face.  Use a gel or mousse to keep your bangs pushed to the side.  After your hair is dry, use large velcro rollers to roll your hair around the roller from the ends to the roots.  After about 20 minutes take your hair out of the rollers.  Brush your bangs with a boar bristle brush to the side of your face and spray with a super hold hairspray.  Take the balance of your hair and pull it back into a ponytail about mid-point at the back of your head.  Or, as in Julie Benz’ picture above, pull your hair back and secure the ponytail off to whichever side you like and let it drape down your bodice.  Be sure to use a protective band to secure the ponytail.  To give the ponytail some more definition, use a large barrel curling iron to curl under the ends of the ponytail.  Another way to change up the style would be to back comb your hair at the crown prior to pulling it back into the pony.  Add some chic earrings and you now have more of an elegant look. 

Front-View Bangs 

Again, based on the length of your bangs, there are many ways that they can be worn.  Rashida Jones as pictured below has her bangs somewhat pieced together with her ponytail reflecting a slightly texturized look.  To achieve this you take damp hair and apply a decent amount of styling lotion to coat the hair.  Blow dry the hair using your fingers to run through it as you dry.  Take a vent brush to dry the bangs straight down.  Then you pull your hair back into a low positioned ponytail and you are done.

Or, what about Alexa Havens also pictured below with her grown out bangs parted down the middle and hanging on both sides of her face.  The ponytail, while not pictured here could be worn at mid-point on the back of the head or even closer to the nape of the neck.  While there is an ever-slight curl to the bangs, the ponytail could easily be curled with a mid-size barrel curling iron to add some elegance to the style. 

It’s clear that the options of how to wear a ponytail with bangs is endless.  Perhaps you can create something unique that others will really like and you too can set the next trend.

Part 3 in a 5 Part Series on Ponytails 

As with almost anything, there are always do’s and don’ts that need to be considered.  This even holds true with wearing your hair in a ponytail.  Fortunately these do’s and don’ts are intended to help keep your hair healthy, be informational, and most importantly result in having a positive ponytail experience.

PONYTAIL DO’S

1)  If you are on a ponytail binge, do allow your hair a break every couple of days. 

2)  As you are creating your ponytail style, apply some extra strong holding gel on shorter layers and hair strands that have the potential of falling out.  These dampened strands of hair will not fall out or stick out as the strands of hair start to dry.

3)  To eliminate flyaway hair, do spray a bristle brush with hairspray before pulling your hair back into a ponytail.   

4)  Do accessorize whenever you have the chance.  Ponytail styles can be a lot of fun and can be dressed up or dressed down. 

PONYTAIL DON’TS

1)  Never go to bed with your hair in a ponytail.  Unfortunately, a ponytail can cause stress and strain on your scalp.  There is also the possibility of the tail getting tangled up around the pony elastic.

2)  Don’t neglect the treatment of your hair just because you are putting it up in a ponytail.  Continue to use good haircare products such as conditioners, detanglers, shine sprays, hair sprays and whatever else you normally use on your hair. 

3)  If you are wearing a ponytail for a dressy occasion, don’t wear just an elastic band to secure the pony.  Dress your pony up with a jeweled hairpin, jeweled barrette, or anything that makes a elegant statement.

4)  Don’t use your everyday run of the mill rubber band to secure your ponytail as these break and strip the hair strands.  Use one of the more hair friendly elastics that are in the marketplace. 

5)  If your hair is long and/or thick, don’t continually wear a high ponytail.  The weight of the ponytail can cause tension headaches.  Alternate by wearing the ponytail with the base near the nape of the neck.   

This is part 2 in a 5 part series where I am discussing anything and everything to do with wearing the classic ponytail hairstyle.  As I’ve been researching, it is truly amazing how many ideas have been explored and created out of simply pulling one’s hair back into a ponytail.  While you can dress up or dress down this style, the creativity to make it more than it ever started out to be can be left up to anyone’s imagination.

While yesterday I provided a couple of different ways to spruce up the ponytail look for a formal or dressy occasion, today I’m going to share a couple of idea sof how to wear a ponytail style that will work for both a formal or casual event.  Let’s say you have a special date planned for the evening but you want your hair already styled prior to the date because you have errands to run.  How about trying a Fishtail Braid?  This is a ponytail style but actually taking it a step further and braiding it.  Here are some instructions to achieve this style:

1) Pull your hair back into a ponytail tightly.  If you were to take your finger and draw an imaginary line from where the top of your ear starts to the center of the back of your head, you will have the right placement of the hairband and where the ponytail should start.  This should be about a little more than halfway from the top of your head and about a quarter of the way up from where your hairline starts above your neck.

2)  Separate the ponytail into two sections, rather than the usual three.  Start out by holding the two sections of hair with your left hand

3)  With your right hand separate a small section from the outside of the right section of the divided ponytail and join it with the entire left section of the divided ponytail.

4)  Next you are going to reverse how you are holding the hair and switch hands.

5)  Now with your left hand you are going to separate a small section from the outside of the left section of the divided ponytail and join it with the entire right section of the divided ponytail.

6) Continue to repeat steps 3 and 5 until you have the desired length of the braid.  Finish the braid off with whatever tie suits the occasion. 

 As you can see by the picture of Diane Kruger above, her fishtail braid has been loosly woven.  While she has chosen this style for a gala affair, this style will definitely work for any casual activity you may be involved with. Especially today, where wearing jeans with a fancy top will work for an evening out be it casual or a somewhat dressier occasion. 

For the second ponytail style,  I’m going to share a style that is extremely easy to achieve and yet it can take on a glamorous look or can be worn with casual attire as well.  When looking at the front of the hair, you think that the style is actually a chignon.   After looking at the back, you will automatically see that the back is a ponytail as portrayed in the picture below.  

To achieve this slicked back look, start by parting your hair on the side and use haircare products that you usually select when you are wanting to smooth down any flyaway hair that you may have.  My personal preference is a new Super Serum I was recently introduced to by Potions International.  The next step is to use a protective elastic band to hold the ponytail near the top of the head.  After this is done, attach the ponytail to the nape of your neck with a couple of large bobbie pins to hold the section in place.  To give the pony a sleek look spray some shine spray on the hair and off you go.

Now that I have provided some ponytail styles that will work for both formal and casual wear, in Part 3 of this 5 Part series, I will address some of the do’s and don’ts associated with wearing ponytails.   

Who would have ever thought that wearing a pony tail would actually be the style that you select for going out for a formal evening affair?  It is also a very inexpensive way to style your hair and doesn’t necessarily require an appointment with your hair stylist. 

Since celebs set the trends, the place to look for the current styles are in fashion magazines, online news articles and even more popular now than anywhere else are the online blogs.  After perusing these resources, it is obvious that there are many ways to achieve a variety of  ponytail styles as well as how to accessorize them.  Whether you are looking for a casual yet chic style, or an elegant or polished look, there is a ponytail style just for you.

In the first of a series of five articles this week, I’m going to be sharing how-to’s, do’s and don’ts, and helpful hints for styling your hair in a ponytail.

Let’s start with some ideas for pulling off the chic, glam, sophisticated (whatever you want to call it) longer pony tail style that works for that dressier occasion .

You can start by parting your hair on one side, down the middle, or even not at all, but you do want to pull your hair back into a low hanging pony.  If you don’t have naturally curly hair and you use professional curling irons, select the appropriate size barrel to determine what size curl or wave you would like.  Depending on the thickness of your hair, you can either divide the ponytail into sections, or take the entire tail and curl under the length of your pony to give it shape, or hold your curling iron parallel with the strands of your hair and wrap your hair around the barrel.  This way you can achieve ringlet type curls which you can either let cascade naturally, or you can run your fingers through the curls to give them more body and a more natural looking curl.    If you have flyaways sprouting up on the crown or along the part line, be sure to use a little gel or your favorite hair styling serum.

Another classic way to wear a ponytail is to brush all of your hair back into a high hanging ponytail.  If you do not have bangs make sure all of the hair is pulled back with no loose strands falling out.  If you do have bangs and are able to side-sweep them, do so.  If your hairtype is straight, you may only need to ever so slightly curl under the ends of the tail with a large barrel curling iron, a flat iron, or even using some large curlers with extra hold hairspray for a short period of time to give it that uniform look of body.  Let the tail hang naturally from its high perch.  What you are creating here is the sleek, yet sexy look.  If you are fortunate enough to have thicker hair you can also take a section of the tail and wrap it around the ponytail holder to cover it up and tuck it in using hairpins that blend in with your hair.  While the style is simple, it opens the door for accessorizing. 

The accessories for ponytails will either dress up the style or dress it down.  For the elegant look, there are several options.  You can take any hair jewelry, like jeweled hairpins to keep some of the loose flyaway hairs pinned back.  To hold the ponytail up, there are a multitude of ways to disguise that ponytail holder to create the sophisticated look.  Look in your jewelry box or borrow from a friend or family member an old brooch that will add sparkle to the style.  All you have to do is open the brooch and insert it over the ponytail holder.  Clasp it and you now have a creative hair statement with a simple addition of a piece of jewelry.  Of course, there are also many beautiful jeweled hair accessories in the marketplace that you can choose from as well.

If you choose not to decorate the ponytail or your hair itself, certainly accessorizing the neckline with a beautiful necklace or wearing some long dangling earrings or large shaped earrings with posts will also play up the sophisticated look you are going for. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I will discuss ponytail alternatives that can either be updos or are more appealing to the casual dresser.

It’s summer and for those of us who have longer hair who want to get it up off of our neck, shoulders or back, it’s time to put our hair up and still try to have it look ok for going out in public and not just for staying at home.

While at my last hair appointment I noticed that my hairdresser had her hair up off her shoulders and she had it twisted up into what looked like a french roll with a red metal clip which actually matched a very stylish top she was wearing that had red in the print.  I asked her what this clip was and she said that these hair jaws were something she had recently bought from her product supplier.  Not only were they great to use as a beautician for sectioning and pinning up hair as she was doing cuts, but she liked using them for putting her hair up with in a style.  The fact that they came in colors such as pink, blue, white, black, and red, allowed for her to let them show and color coordinate with what she was wearing. 

Further research on this product resulted in finding out that these are the Silique Jaws Clips, which come two to a package.  They are ideal for thick and even curly hair.  These clips have a no-slip design and easily grip the hair.  These sturdy clips, however, are gentle on your hair.  They are a very inexpensive way to put your hair up since they retail at approximately $5.00 for a package.