Hair Styling Tools

It would seem that the crimping look that was popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s  is making a comeback.  More models and magazines are featuring the crimped hairstyles, which can vary from crimping your entire head of hair to only crimping certain sections of your hair.  No matter what you decide in terms of a style, there are several things one should know about the crimping process before you start.  Precautionary measures are always very important to follow,  so that you can ultimately enjoy a new style and not have to worry about damaging your hair.

In considering whether or not to proceed with crimping your hair, if your hair is already damaged from chemical processing, or if your hair is prone to breaking, crimping is not for you.  If you have fragile hair, it is recommended that you use a good moisturizing shampoo as well as conditioner prior to using the crimper.  In fact, if you can find a leave-in conditioner that serves as a heat protector, that is even better.  If you don’t use a leave-in conditioner that protects your hair from the heat, then use another product that is specifically designed to protect your hair from the heat before using the crimper.  Also, when washing and conditioning your hair, be sure to rinse your hair with cold water as this will seal the shafts of your hair, which will also aid in protecting your hair.  Some additional things to consider when using a crimper are to never crimp your hair when it is wet, or even damp.  Make sure that your hair is completely dry.   

Another consideration to make regarding crimping is how often should you do it?  Again, if you are concerned about damaging your hair, crimping should not become a daily routine.  Generally, crimping will last until the next time you wash your hair.  So, if you can let your hair go without being washed for several days, you can enjoy the crimping affect for the same amount of time.  One additional thing to remember is that since crimping may cause some breakage to the hair, it is best to avoid crimping the very ends of the hair.  It is best to stop the crimping just above the ends.  

So, what are the positives in crimping your hair?  Well, if you want a look that makes your hair appear as if it has more volume and possibly give it some height, then crimping is a great option.  Crimping can also add body and texture.  There are a variety of different ways you can style your hair with crimps and each one can be uniquely different from the next.  Whether you crimp part of your hair or all of it,  you can achieve many different looks by using the crimper.  Some styles include crimping just the bangs, or crimping different layers of the hair so you have a blend of both straight and crimped hair.  You can crimp a portion of your hair and put it up in a bun while either all of the hair left down can be left straight or partially crimped.  You can even crimp just the portion of hair that you put up in a pony tail and leave the rest straight.  This is where crimping your hair can get to be fun due to the endless number of possibilities and styling for the occasion.

Before you start shopping for crimpers , it is strongly recommended that you test out whether or not you really like the “crimped hair look” on you.  First you may just want to ask your hairdresser if he/she can crimp your hair so you can see what it looks like.  Or, you can wet your hair and braid it all over in very tight braids.  Once your hair has dried you simply remove the braids and you will get a very good idea of what it would look like if you had actually crimped it.  The only difference is that it may appear uneven due to the possibility of different size braids.  That is one of the positives of using the crimper is that your hair will have an even uniform “crimped” look.

There are several crimpers in the marketplace.  There are different sizes and different brands.  Some crimpers are part of a kit that includes a flat iron, and others are just exclusively crimpers with no other options.  Everyone has their own opinion as to what will work best for them.  Perhaps you have an opinion you would like to share.  Please feel free to respond to this article.  We would love to hear your comments.  

Have you ever been in a situation where the diffuser for your hairdryer breaks or gets lost?  Now what do you do?  You can try to track down the company that manufactured your hairdryer and hope that you can order just a diffuser for your particular hairdryer.  If that doesn’t work, you can try to measure the circumference of the barrel of your hairdryer and then buy one hoping that it fits. 

Or,  are you preparing to travel and have run out of room to pack that awkwardly shaped diffuser you use when blow drying your hair?  Well, I think I have found the answer for you, and the answer is the Hot Sock Diffuser!

So what exactly is a Hot Sock Diffuser?  This diffuser is made of soft, flexible, lightweight foam.  Its unique design gives you better overall diffusion while adding volume to your hair.  This small diffuser fits right over the end of your hairdryer and will adjust to almost any size hairdryer.    It is great for travel as it weighs only ounces and will fit inside your purse or pocket, or anywhere in your luggage without taking up any room or adding unnecessary weight. 

Hopefully, the Hot Sock Diffuser will solve your dilemma the next time you are in need of a diffuser and can’t find the right size.  If anyone has any comments regarding the Hot Sock Diffuser,  I welcome any and all replies.  Or, if you have found another universal diffuser out there that bears sharing with others, please let us know.

Summer is here and for many it is time to travel.  For those of us who are the real planners, we make a list of everthing that we need to pack so that we don’t forget to leave anything behind.  The packing list always varies, depending on where we are going and what amenities our destination has to offer.  The one thing that never gets left off of my list is my travel hairdryer. 

Most hotels, resorts, spas, and other vacation destinations all offer hairdryers.  What I find, however, is that the dryer that is provided is not what I am accustomed to using and I ultimately end up with a bad hair day.  Little things that we become accustomed to, such as the cool shot option on the hairdryer, or the concentrator attachment, seem so insignificant, and yet these are items that become routine and make our getting ready for the day complete.

Many of us take our everyday hairdryer with us on our trips.  However, in today’s world with the limited amount of luggage one can take on a trip, and weight restrictions, it has become necessary to very carefully plan and pack the essentials.  Therefore, if it turns out that you are short on space or weight in your suitcase, some of the travel hairdryers in the marketplace can very easily be a great substitution for your everyday hairdryer.  Many of the travel dryers are now foldable, thus they take up less space.  Some models are very small and yet pack a punch when it comes to the wattage and airflow.  Cool shot, attachments, and other options on the dryer are now becoming standard in travel dryers so that some people simply use their travel dryer as their everyday dryer.   Another feature of many travel dryers is that they are dual voltage.  This is an essential feature for traveling internationally. 

So, before you schedule your next trip, be sure that you know if your destination spot provides hairdryers, and more importantly what kind do they have.  You certainly don’t want to spoil your vacation because you couldn’t style your hair in the manner to which you are accustomed.    

When it comes to determining what size flat iron is best for your hair, you are actually wanting to know what plate width is best for  you.  To answer this questions, there are a couple of factors that play into making your decision.

First and foremost, the length of your hair is the most important factor in determining what size flat iron will do the best job for you.  Secondary to this is what exactly you want the flat iron to do for you, i.e., straighten hair, flip hair, curl your hair etc. 

So what is the universal plate width that will accommodate all hair lengths?  Generally, the 1-inch plate width can be used for all hair lengths, however, the 1-inch plate width works best with medium length hair.  What is considered medium length hair?  If your hair length is above your shoulders, and past your ears, you can call your hair medium length.

Ok, we established that a 1-inch plate works best with medium length hair.  What about short length hair?  Or, what if you have bangs?  If your hair is above your ears you have short hair.  So, what size plate width works best with short hair or bangs?  Well, you need to find a flat iron that has a plate width that is less than 1 inch.  These slimmer plate widths are out there and a 3/4 inch plate width works very well with these shorter hair lengths.  The issue with short hair and bangs is that you are using the flat iron and trying to style your hair, which is only a few inches from your head.  It is for this very reason you need the slimmer plate widths to handle the shorter strands of hair to avoid burning your scalp and lessen the chance of overheating your hair and resulting in dry, brittle hair. 

So what plate width do you use for long hair (hair that reaches your shoulders)?  If your hair fits this description, or if you have very thick hair, you should be using a flat iron that has plate widths of 1 1/4 inches or larger.  Plate widths are available up to 2 1/4 inches.  The biggest advantage of using the wider plate flat irons for longer hair is the obvious, which, is that it will save you time as well as reduce the risk of damage by having to go over the same strands of hair multiple times. 

Selecting a flat iron is always a personal choice, however, if you are out shopping for your first flat iron, the above recommendations should be helpful until you become more informed and have personally experienced using the different sizes.    

It seems like no matter what kind of hair someone has, they always want what they don’t have. This means that people with stick straight hair are envious of those with curls, and those with curls look longingly at those with straight hair. But if you find that your curls are sometimes out of control and get tangled easily, it’s a good idea to invest in a flat iron. By applying heat, flat irons allow you to non-chemically straighten your hair. Depending on the amount of heat you apply and the hair products you use, this effect will usually last about one day.

If you like the look of your hair straight, it’s a relatively easy hairstyle to complete in the morning. Even if your hair is long, it should take no more than ten minutes to straighten all your hair. It will also often leave your hair smoother and shinier than usual. Just be aware that straightening your hair on a daily basis can sometimes lead to damage. To avoid this damage, make sure that you use as low a heat as possible, and skip flattening your hair whenever possible.