Special Occasion Style

Saturday May 5th is a very special day for my best friend Somer Dunaway. She turns the big twenty-one. For her special day she came to me for advice. She had no idea what she wanted to do for her hair for the big day. She showed me her dress and explained to me how she wanted her hair out of her way so she wouldn’t be bothered by it all night.

I gave her a couple of suggestions but as we discussed them, none of them seemed to work. Somer began searching on the internet and I told her that should could look at my blog for any ideas. She looked at my page and decided that she would like a top knot like I had done for my photoshop project.

This hairstyle would be perfect for her. After we both agreed that this would be perfect, she looked on pinterest and found this unique re-take of the top knot.

Since I have never added a braid to the hair style, we decided that it would be a good idea to practice before the big night. In my video I have Somer as my model. It was important to do the actual hairstyle on Somer that way I could work with her hair texture and thickness. She could not be anymore excited to work this updo for her 21st!

Heat Index: Hot Hot Hot

How hot is too hot? In the last few blog posts we have talked about how to protect your hair, maintain healthy hair and last week what the essentials hair tools are. All of these posts have warned you about the damages that heat can cause on your tresses.

But why does the dial on your flatiron and curling iron goes up to scorching temps? How hot is too hot when it comes to your hair? These hot tools are essential in your hair routine, but they can cause breakage, split ends, and a crispy texture. Using a heat-protectant spray can help, it is important to turn down that dial to your hair’s desired heat!

Flat Irons

We love the sleek look our straighteners create, but it comes at a price. These hot tongs can burn the hair inside and out. It is crucial to never go about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As soon as you go above the 400-degree level you’ll spot split-ends almost immediately. Around 451 degrees is when hair begins to melt. There is no reason to get near that number, no matter what style you’re trying to create. It is safe to stay around 290 degrees if you have fine, dry, fragile or damaged hair. If you have thick, coarse hair, stick with 300 to 350 degrees. If you use a flat iron regularly always remember to condition your hair with a deep conditioning mask once a week.

Curling Irons

A curling iron operates like a flat iron but creates the opposite effect. You can treat these two tools in the same manner. The 300 to 350 degree zone is the optimal level of heat your curling iron should reach. It is okay to go to a higher level of heat, like 360 to 375 if you are just taming troubled ends. However, if you are creating a more structured look and have to hold your hair in the iron for more than a few seconds, go with a lower temp, like 275 to 300 degrees.

Blow Dryers

The dyer, a timeless staple of the hair styling world, can cause much more damage than we would hope for. Unlike curling irons or flat irons, blow dryers rarely come with a degree-setting dial. The temps the dryer sends out can make the water inside the hair boil cause the outer coating to bubble up. This will give the hair a frizzy coarse texture. The key with blow-dryers is to keep it on the medium setting. Many women use the high heat setting in hopes to rush the drying process. However, dryers with high heat and low fans end up baking your tresses. It is important to purchase a blow dryer that has a powerful fan speed and combines heat, that way you don’t have to use a high heat setting to get faster results. A helpful tip is to consider only blow drying your hair halfway, then letting it air-dry from there on.

The Bare Essentials

 

The secret to crafting all hairstyles, apart from practice, patience, and products, is having the right tools. It is not necessary to spend an entire paychecks worth on hairstyling tools but it is important to have the right essentials.

Never underestimate the power of a good blow dryer. The more powerful your dryer, the better. A strong blowdryer, like an ionic or tourmaline, will speed up your drying time which will then reduce your hair’s exposure to damaging heat. Having an ionic or tourmaline dryer is was good option because they both produce negatively charged ions, which cause the hair cuticle to remain flat, eliminates frizz, and gives hair more body. My favorite blow dryer can be found here.

Flat irons can be blamed for destroying and drying out our hair. If you desire the sleek straight look invest in a flat iron that will provide the least damaging features, like a tourmaline iron. The tourmaline iron uses infrared heat that penetrates the hair faster than a normal flat iron. Meaning that your hair will spend less time passing through the damaging clamp. Another tip is to blow dry your hair straight and only use the flat iron as a de-frizzing tool. An inexpensive tourmaline flat iron can be found here and it’s pink!

Lastly, a good curling iron will last your years and years. Since you probably will not curl your hair every day it isn’t a big of a necessity to have either an ionic or tourmaline curling iron however, it couldn’t to purchase one with those features. A good size barrel would be 1 1/4 in curling iron. This is a good size because it can create loose waves but still gives you a defined curl. My absoulte all time favorite curling iron, I call him my Baby, can be found here. Baby is also very inexpensive!

Master of the Cut

Introducing the very talented Heather from Tangles Salon in Bowling Green, KY! I had a moment to talk to Heather the other day and she was kind enough to answer a couple of my questions.

Heather, 26, is a Bowling Green native. She pursued her dream in becoming a professional hairstylist directly after graduating highschool. Heather attended Lindsey Institute Of Cosmetology located on 1056 Shive Lane. Soon after she graduated from cosmetology school she was hired at Tangles. At the Tangles Salon the atmosphere is friendly and relaxing. Heather has been working there ever since; developing a friendship with each of her clients.

In the podcast you are able to hear the sounds of the salon. Each unique sound defines the salon experience which adds character to the interview. Please listen and get to know your lovely neighborhood hairstylist!

Product Rave!

A must have product that every woman should have! Introducing It’s a Ten Mircale Leave-in Conditioner. The blue bottle spray is promised to leave your hair with these 1o miracles instantly.

1. Repair dry damaged hair

2. Adds shine

3. Smoothes and controls frizz

4. Seals and protect hair color

5. Flat iron spray and thermal protector

6. Detangles

7. Stops hair breakage

8. Creates silkiness

9. Enhances natural body

10. Prevents split ends

Now it sounds like this product is too good to be true, but It’s a Ten has it all. It is an ideal solution for smoothing hair, eliminating frizz, and restoring and nourishing tresses. This product can barely stay on the shelves in hair salons and it is even conveniently found in the drugstores. The 2-oz Leave in cost only $11 dollars. The money is well worth it because you are getting almost ten different hair products in one.

Spray the conditioner directly to your hair or to make the product last spray about 2-3 pumps into the palms of your hands. Rub your hands together to evenly distribute then glide you hands through the strands of your hair. Style and welcome all of the compliments. So hurry up and grab yourself a bottle of the miracle; your hair is begging you to!