Hair Styling Tools

Sometimes we tend to get in a rut with an existing hairstyle and what seemed popular at one time starts to take the downward turn.  Such as with the “bob”.  While it has been trendy for the past couple of years to have the “bob” and it’s almost meticulous straight lines and layers, it appears that this particular cut has taken on a messier and yet softer appearance.

The new ”bob” cut has even more layering than before.  The ends are not as choppy or blunt, but more “fringy”.  If you currently have the old “bob” and it is on the somewhat shorter side, let your hair grow out a bit so that the length hits below your chin.  Then, when you see your stylist the next time, ask to have the bottom cut in a more loosly graduated style.  This will enable you to flip your hair more so that it has somewhat more of a bounce.   

When using your hair dryer to blow out your hair out after washing, take a somewhat smaller diameter styling brush than what you have previously used.  This will allow for you to get a little more curl and wave to the ends of your hair as you are wrapping the hair back on the brush rather than under.

Nowadays coloring our hair is just as routine as is washing our hair.  This is not only true for those of us who are experiencing a natural change in color due to age, but for all ages alike due to modern trends  With this in mind, it extremely important that special care be given to the hair and that the right haircare products are used on the hair for the simple reason that dyes can dry out and cause damage because dye consists of ammonia and peroxides.

Cutting Your Hair:   If you have highlights in your hair, make sure layering the hair is minimized.  The reason for this is that with layers, the overall effect may appear too choppy.

Coloring Your Hair:  The best results can be obtained if you get your hair cut prior to getting your color.  By doing this you will avoid your stylist trimming away any newly added hue.

Haircare Products:   A mild, moisturizing shampoo that is free of sulfates and paraben should be used so that when washing the hair, the cuticle is sealed. which, results in locking in the color and extending the life of the color.  There are two shampoos I recommend:  Potions Internations Super Moist Shampoo and CHI Ionic Color Protect Shampoo.  For conditioning the hair, there are three different products that are high on my list:  Potions Inernational Super Moist Conditioner, Potions International Hydrating Conditioner, and lastly CHI Ionic Color Protector Conditioner.  And, to help with fading of your color, a leave-in UV protective spray is a must.  The favorite product for this is Potions International Super Argan Spray-In.

Spornette has done it again!  One of the newest brushes added to their collection of awesome hairstyling tools is the Utra Lite Brush.  This Spornette hairbrush is by far one of the lightest brushes I’ve ever used.  What makes it so lightweight is that they have embedded the bristles in the barrel to save weight and material.  Pretty ingenious don’t you think?

Not only did I enjoy the lightweight feature of this brush, but even more importantly, the bristles of this brush grabbed my hair and held it in place while blow drying.  Each section of bristles have an extended ball tipped nylon bristle that adds to the penetration and holding of the hair without the hair getting tangled up in the brush.  I found that this made  it easier to unroll each section of my hair from the brush.  The bristles of the brush are evenly spaced apart, which,  allows for better airflow while drying.  

There’s even more to be said about the bristles and that is that they are natural procupine boar bristles that have been tourmaline infused.  Ok, so what does that really mean?  Plain and simple, certain natural minerals are ground up and are infused into the bristle.  When the brush is used in conjunction with your hair dryer, ions are released into the hair and this breaks the water molecules of your wet hair into smaller water molecules. Now, the smaller molecules more easily enter the hair and this results in promoting more supple, stronger, healthier, and shinier hair.  Spornette doesn’t stop there.  Nano Silver additives have also been added to the bristles, which, help eliminate odor causing bacteria.  Bottom line is that this additive will make your hair smell fresh and look cleaner.

The barrel of the Ultra Lite is tourmaline infused as well as ceramic.  The benefit of this is that  the heat from your hair dryer is distributed and retained evenly throughout the brush so that there won’t be any hot spots while styling.  And, for one last bonus feature, each Ultra Lite Brush has a removable sectioning pik at the bottom of the brush.  You really should check out this brush.  It is available in three sizes:  2 1/4″ barrel, 3″ barrel, and a 3 1/2″ barrel.

Picture yourself with long hair in the 1920″s and rather than women wearing their hair down, it is pinned up and pulled back into a roll.  Bring yourself forward in time to the Golden Globe Awards and you will see Amy Adams wearing stylist, Laini Reeves’ creation of  ”a modern textured” 1920′s look.  How was it done?

• Take your favorite styling cream and work it through damp hair. 
• Get your hair dryer out and blow-dry while using your finger to comb through your hair. 
•  To get the textured look, wrap a few sections of your hair around a waving iron (dual waver). 
•  Next, gather your hair and braid it loosely.
• Roll the braid up so the ends of the hair wind up against the nape of your neck.
• Secure the roll with pins.
• Lastly, pull out a few strands on both sides of your face to help soften the overall look.
• For a little extra shine, squeeze out a very minimal amount of hair serum and rub it on your fingertips (we like Potions Internation Super Serum).  Pat your fingertips  on random sections of your  hair.

Ok, so you ended up spraying way too much hairspray on your head and instead of that natural look, you are looking in the mirror at some very lacquered, weighed down hair.  Now what?  Harry Josh, a John Frieda International creative consultant, has devised the perfect fix.

Turn on your hair dryer to the coolest setting and gently brush through your hair while aiming  the blow dryer at your hair.  The force of the air from the dryer will help break up any flaky bit of dried spray.  Now all you need to do is rub a dab of your favorite styling cream haircare product into the palms of your hands and then gently smooth over your hair.  You will now regain the shine back into your hair and you are done.