How To Wear A Wig
Want to switch up your hairstyle or color, but don’t want to fully commit? Then wigs are the way to go. They are an easy and affordable option for switching it up. So where do you start?
Picking The Right Wig
Sizing The Wig Properly
- Not all wigs are one-size-fits-all so you need to measure your head size first. (FYI: The average head size is around 21 x 14 x 13 inches.) Once you have your exact measurements, it’ll be easier to find a wig (and wig cap) that fits perfectly onto your head. Here are the three basic measurements you’ll need:
- Circumference: Wrap the measuring tape around your head by beginning at the hairline and working it back to the starting point.
- Front to Nape: Start at the middle of the hairline and run the tape down to the nape of your neck.
- Temple to Temple: Place the tape above your left temple (above the ear) and wrap it across the middle of your head to the right temple.
Choosing A Wig Type
There are three options when it comes to wig types: human hair, synthetic hair or a combo of the two. When it comes to human vs synthetic hair, there are a few pros and cons depending on wearability, cost and management:
- Human Hair: This is just what you expect—wigs made from actual human hair. That means that the texture is easy to manipulate and you can cut, color and heat style the hair with no issues. These wigs also look and feel the most natural. The downside is that they can be pretty expensive. Plus, if you’re looking to wear this look daily, it can be a lot of upkeep.
- Synthetic Hair: This type of wig is the most affordable and low maintenance option. Synthetic wigs are pre-styled which can be limiting, but if you are looking for a wig to spice up your look for the day then it’s a great option. However, because of the weaker strands synthetic hair has a limited shelf life (think: three to six months) and won’t look “as natural” the more times you wear it. You also can’t style them with heated tools or use any styling products.
- A Combo of the Two: Yes, a mix of synthetic and human hair exists. You can enjoy the best of both worlds with this combo wig that offers a natural look without breaking the bank. But, can you use heat tools? Read the wig’s specific instructions to make sure it is heat-resistant, most are not.
Also, think about your goals for your style before making your purchase. If you’re looking for longevity then definitely go for a human hair wig. If you are looking for something for a quick style for a party or Halloween then a synthetic or combo wig would be perfect.
How To Wear Them
First you have to prep your hair. The goal is to keep your hair as flat as possible to avoid any weird bumps when you put the wig on. If you have short hair, brush your hair back and pin it in place. Use gel or mousse to keep your hair slicked back. If you have long hair, braid your hair down in corn rows and wrap all the ends together for a flat surface. If you aren’t much of a braider then wrap your hair around your head using hair pins to secure it in place.
Now it’s time for the wig cap. Start at the back and adjust the cap so it sits firmly on your hairline. Secure it in place with either bobby pins, wig clips, wig glue or wig tape; whichever method you prefer.
Once you have your wig cap on and secured place the wig on your head. Using both hands, start at the bottom and pull it onto your head. Slowly press down on the hairline so that the wig hairline lays on top of the gel and begins to connect and mold along your hairline. Once the wig is on start adjusting it so that it covers the whole wig cap. Once you have the wig in a comfortable position give your head a good shake to make sure that it doesn’t move.
Reference: https://www.purewow.com/beauty/how-to-wear-a-wig
Tips For Picking A New Style and Color
With the start of a new year, a lot of people decide to take the plunge and completely change up their hairstyles. A new style and a splash of color can make a world of difference. If you’re considering a new look here are some steps to help guide you along the way.
THE NEW STYLE
Pick a style based on your face shape. It’s a fact that certain hairstyles look better on certain face shapes so it’s definitely worth taking into consideration.
- Heart Shaped Face – This shape looks great with medium and long length hair. When thinking of ways to style it, think sweeping fringes and tousled curls to fully accentuate the shape. Remember you can make your hair longer with hair extensions!
- Oval Face – If you’re going for a short style, it’s best to opt for a blunt cut or strong lob. Medium and long hair also work with this face shape, while soft, vintage curls really finish the look.
- Round Face – If you’re set on having short hair, don’t do it by halves. A pixie cut will look super smart and will help in adding length to your face.
- Square Face – A fringe in some shape or form really suits this face shape, either sweeping across the cheekbones or incorporated in soft layers.
THE NEW COLOR
You should always consult with your stylist before the final decision on color, but it’s good to have an idea of what you want before you go in for your appointment. While old beauty rules don’t apply and you can make your hair any color you want, we recommend picking a color that compliments your skin tone. You can still do any color you want, it’s just about finding the right shade of that color that best matches your skins undertones.
How to Figure Out Your Undertones
First, wash your face, it needs to be completely free of makeup. Any makeup residue could alter your skins natural color. Then pick a room with a large window or other sources of natural light. While looking in a mirror, hold a shirt in a bright shade of green or blue against your face, then take it down and hold up a different shirt in a shade of red or yellow. If you think your skin looks better against the blue shirt, you likely have cool-toned skin. If it looks better against the red shirt, you have warm-toned skin.
If you’re still unsure then you can do a vein test. Flip your wrist over and look at your veins. If they appear greenish then you have warmer undertones. If you see blue or purple then your skin tone is cooler. If your veins look like a mix of blue and green or you think the purple shirt looks just as good as the orange shirt then you most likely have neutral undertones. Neutral undertones are the most flexible with colors. Once you’ve nailed down your undertones the color picking fun begins.
Warm Skin Tones
Warm skin tones tend to shine when paired with a warm hair color as well. If you’re looking to go lighter then try a blush-y, pinky blonde. Golden beige and buttery blondes are two of the best shades for someone with warm undertones.
If you are looking to go brunette you should lean towards shades like caramel, butterscotch, or clove. Reds are basically the same concept try sticking to golden copper hues.
If you want to experiment with highlights or ombres and you have warm-toned skin try making those lighter pieces blush-y blonde but not too golden.
To try out rainbow colors, the same guidelines apply: warm shades like coral, rose gold, apricot, and yellow would be good choices. If you want to try blues and greens, try placing them toward the back of your hair, keeping warmer colors towards the front.
Cool Skin Tones
Look for cool hair colors to complement cool undertones. Platinum, beige blonde, and baby taupe blonde are great choices for cool skin. These guidelines work for highlights too, and purple shampoos will be your best friend as a cool blonde.
Some brunette shades recommend for cool skin tones are dark chocolate and espresso. For red’s opt for shades like merlot, burgundy or subtle shades of mocha.
People with cool skin tones will find shades of blue, green, and purple easiest to pull off in the rainbow category, though you can always play around with cool reds and pinks too.
Neutral Skin Tones
The luckiest of the group, neutral skin tones can really do any type of blonde, from super cool platinum or pale beige blonde to a more golden blonde or amber blonde.
Angelina Jolie is a great example of a neutral brunette, with her mocha-colored strands. Redheads can run the spectrum from auburn or strawberry blonde to cabernet. And, of course, this means you’ll probably be happy with just about any type of rainbow effect as well.
TRY THE LOOK ON FIRST
There are some websites that have App’s that will allow you to upload a picture of yourself and try on different hairstyles and test out different colors like:
https://www.lorealprofessionnel.co.uk/style-my-hair-page
https://www.thehairstyler.com/virtual-hairstyler
https://www.ulta.com/discover/vto/hair?origin=menu
https://stylecaster.com/virtual-makeover/
How To Fake Curly Hair
No matter what kind of hair you have you can achieve natural looking curls. Heated styling tools and some pre-styling prep will make all the difference. If you are against heated styling tools then you can braid freshly washed hair and let it dry overnight. That won’t give you ringlets, but it will give you some full-bodied waves.
NEVER BRUSH FRESHLY WASHED HAIR
Brushing or combing your hair will only encourage it to look straighter. Instead, using conditioner and a wide tooth comb, remove any tangles in the shower.
GENTLY TOWEL DRY
Rough towel drying can cause tangles and breakage, instead wrap your hair in a microfiber towel and use the press and twist technique to get rid of extra moisture.
APPLY PRODUCTS
A curl enhancing cream will help you achieve bouncier curls. Apply it to your mid lengths to ends, scrunching your hair as you do. Then apply your heat protector.
BLOW DRY TIME
Pop on your diffuser and set your blow dryer to low. As you dry keep scrunching your hair. This will help give the hair some extra texture to hold the curls. Make sure hair is completely dry before moving onto the next step.
TIME TO CURL
Pull out your curling wand, plug it in, and let it start heating up. If you don’t already have a curling wand and are looking to buy one there are a few things to keep in mind. Barrel size is important. The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl, the larger the barrel, the bigger the curl. Also, some curling wands come with clamps to hold the hair in place and some do not. The ones that do can leave creases on your curl. We recommend a clipless styling wand like our Pro Styling Wands so you don’t have to worry about crease marks. We also recommend starting with a ¾” to 1” barrel to start with. They create very natural looking curls that have good hold.
Separate your hair into sections between 1” – 2” and, starting from the back and working your way forward, wrap each section of hair around the barrel and hold for 3-4 seconds then release. Hold the curl in your hand for a few seconds to allow it to cool, it will help set the curl. Also, by alternating the direction and size of the curls you will get a more natural looking finished look.
FINISH THE LOOK
When you’re done put about a dime sized amount of curl cream in your palms and rub them together, then scrunch your hair liberally to define the curls.
Oily Hair 101
As frustrating as oily hair may be, you can train your hair to be less oily. It’s all about spacing out your washes and using the right products. Over washing will end up causing your scalp to produce more oil. Be patient, the results won’t happen overnight, but stay with it and after a couple of weeks you should start to notice a difference.
Avoid Sulfates
Sulfates can over-cleanse and dry out your scalp causing your scalp to overproduce oil to compensate for the dryness. So, to help keep the oiliness to a minimum look for shampoos that are sulfate-free. Clarifying shampoos are also great at removing build-up.
Get A Good Dry Shampoo
If you really feel like you can’t go a day without washing your hair you can fight the urge by investing in a good Dry Shampoo. Instead of just blindly spraying it though, part your hair into small sections from ear to ear and spray the products at the roots. This technique will ensure that your entire head is covered.
Try A Texturizing Spray
If the Dry Shampoo isn’t working for you, then try a texturizing spray. It’s a great way to revive two- or three-day old hair without adding to much oil.
Do An Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
Use warm water, not hot, as it may dry out the scalp. Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic enough to restore the pH balance of your hair and help remove any buildup. But, mild enough that it won’t strip the hair of any nutrients and is safe on color treated hair.
Exfoliate Your Scalp
Scrubs not only feel divine, but they are amazing at keeping your hair looking healthy and clean by removing any product build up and oil.
Allow Your Hair To Air Dry
Blow drying to much can cause your hair to produce extra grease, so skip the heat from time to time and allow your hair to air dry instead. After washing add some leave in conditioner to your ends and try to avoid touching your hair to much while its drying. Touching your hair to much may cause frizz, especially in wavy and curly hair.
Use A Sweat Band
If you work out then you know sweating only leads to oiliness. Using a sweat band at the hair line will help absorb sweat and cut back on the extra greasiness.
Clean Your Hair Tools
Dirty brushes and tools can distribute oil and grime through the hair. You should be cleaning them at least one a month.
The 4 Seasons of Hair
Just like our skin, our haircare routines should also adjust with the seasons. Different weather affects our hair differently. Read below for some tips on keeping your hair healthy all year round.
WINTER
- Hair Oil Is Your Best Friend! The cold air in the winter can make your scalp dry and itchy due to the lack of moisture in the air. This can result in scalp irritation and flakes. A hot oil massage with oils like argan oil, coconut oil or olive oil will help keep your scalp and hair moisturized.
- Washing too much can also dry out your hair and scalp, so try to avoid frequent hair washes. If you can, try to keep the washes down to two times a week with a Sulfate free shampoo like our Biotin infused shampoo.
- Never skip conditioning or masks during the winter. Using conditioners and masks like our Biotin infused hair care line will help keep hair hydrated, moisturized and healthy. When conditioning, be sure to concentrate on the ends to help prevent dryness and split ends.
- If you use hated styling tools, keep the temps a little lower than you would at other times of the year. Using high heat on heated styling tools during the winter can make your hair brittle, making it more prone to breakage.
- Don’t go out with wet hair. Cold air expands the hair shafts, making them prone to breakage. It could also cause your color to fade.
- You can also use a hat or a scarf to cover your hair when you go outside to keep your hair from getting stressed. Using a silk scarf, or lining your hat with a silk scarf will also help prevent static.
- Take luke warm, not hot showers. Hot water can remove the natural oils and moisture from your hair. It may also dry out the scalp and cause flakiness. Give a cold-water blast at the end to seal the cuticles.
- Since heaters, which dry out the air, are a must during the winter months you need a way to combat that dryness and keep the moisture in the air. We recommend a humidifier to help balance out the moisture levels inside and help prevent dryness.
SPRING
- Fight Spring frizz by using a serum like our Biotin Infused Hair Serum or our Infinity Drops. They will help deal in the moisture and smooth the cuticles.
- Detangle your hair before your shower. Detangling hair when dry, rather than wet, will cause less breakage.
- Wash hair thoroughly after any beach or pool day to remove any chemicals or salt build up. While salt is great for texture it will lighten your color and chlorine sitting on your hair baking in the sun is a recipe for disaster.
- A healthy scalp is the base for healthy hair. Use a clarifying shampoo to keep the scalp healthy and remove any build up.
- Spring clean your styling tools. Clean your styling tools thoroughly to remove any product build up and get rid of any tools that you are no longer using.
- Now that the cold weather has passed, consider a trim to remove any dry or damaged ends.
SUMMER
- The sun can be torture for the hair so try using a scarf or a hat to keep hair protected when out in the sun. This will not only provide protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, it will also help your scalp retain moisture.
- Restrict yourself to lose, rather than tight hairstyles. Tight hairstyles can damage the hair because they pull and tear the hair. This is even more detrimental to hair that is dry from the sun and summer heat.
- Wash less and condition more. Frequent washing can strip your hair of its natural oils stimulating more oil production and causing your hair to look greasy, making you feel like you need to wash more. If this happens, try using a dry shampoo to soak up the additional oil.
- Summer is another time of the year when you want to reduce the heat. Try keeping the temps on your styling tools a little lower than you would at other times of the year. Using high heat on heated styling tools during the Summer can make your hair brittle and cause breakage.
- Run your hands through your hair after you apply sunscreen to your body. This will help give an additional layer of UV protection.
- Use a wide tooth comb to detangle hair, rather than a brush, and never when hair is wet. When hair’s wet it is very susceptible to breakage and splitting.
FALL
- Use a leave-in conditioner like our Truffle Leave-In Conditioner or our Infinity Drops. They will help keep hair hydrated without weighing hair down, add moisture and shine, and help to prevent split ends and breakage.
- Look into getting a satin or silk pillow case. They help reduce friction and will help with frizz and static.
- Keep your curls moisturized and hydrated. Colder weather can easily disturb curly hair so it’s important to provide extra moisture. Weekly hair masks like our Color Safe Keratin Hair Mask can keep your locks hydrated and happy.
- If you are going to use heated styling tools make sure you are also using a heat protectant to help hair from getting dried out or damaged.
- Wash your hair once a month with a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up and unclog follicles.
How To Curl
Everyone loves bouncy spirals, but how do you get them? Here are some different ways to add some curls to your hair. Before you being though, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
- We recommend practicing with your curling iron or flat iron in the OFF position. It may seem silly, but this will allow you to practice these techniques without putting unnecessary heat on your hair while doing so. After you feel confident in the gestures go ahead and turn on the heat.
- Always use a heat protectant spray when you use heated styling tools. Working with heat protection is vital to the health of your hair. Heat doesn’t just dry hair out, it can destroy the integrity of the inner structure of the hair, and even decrease the longevity of that beautiful color that you invested in at the salon.
HEATED TOOLS
Curling Iron Curls
Photo Ref: https://www.samvilla.com/blogs/hair-tutorials/6-different-ways-curl-your-hair
- Start by picking the barrel size you want to work with. The larger the barrel the bigger and looser the curls, and the smaller the barrel the tighter and smaller the curls. We recommend our 1” Pro Styling Wand.
- Then, take a small section, about ½” and mist with a thermal heat spray from at least 6” away to protect the hair. Wrap the entire section from base to ends around the barrel of your styling wand. Make sure to wrap the sections around the curling iron all in the same direction. If you want to curl away from the face, twist and wrap in the outwards direction from your face and vice versa for inward curls.
- Hold the section around your curling iron for about 5-10 seconds.
- Remove your curling iron and hold the curl in your hand for a few seconds to allow the curl to cool. This will help set the curl. Once your entire head is curled, shake the curls out with your fingers to loosen and add more volume. You can finish the look off with a flexible hold hairspray.
HOT TIP: Allow your spiral curls to really cook! Spiral curls collapse because they either didn’t get enough heat or they didn’t cool long enough to set the style!
Flat Iron Curls
Photo Ref: https://www.samvilla.com/blogs/hair-tutorials/6-different-ways-curl-your-hair
- Take a medium size section about 1 in to 1 ½ in wide and prep with a thermal heat spray.
- Hold the section in one hand and your Straight Ahead flat iron in the other with the iron vertical and your palm facing the head.
- Pinch the section at base and, as you pinch, fold your hand so your palm faces you (still holding the section with left hand). Slowly slide flat iron down to the end of the hair shaft and release hair, this will allow the hair to spring into a ribbon curl.
- Remove your flat iron and hold the curl in your hand for a few seconds to allow the curl to cool.
- Use your hands to shake the curls out and finishing with a flexible hold hairspray to keep the curls in place.
NO HEAT CURL TECHNIQUES
- One of the easiest ways to get loose waves without heat is to braid your hair at night and sleep with the braids in. That way, when you wake up in the morning, all you have to do is undo the braids and apply a smoothing hair oil, like our Biotin Infused Hair Serum, to tame any frizz.
- Scrunch time! If you’re blessed with hair that has some texture, this is probably the simplest technique. Spray some sea salt spray on damp hair, from mid-shaft to ends, and scrunch upwards. This technique will encourage your natural waves for that chic beach vibe.
- You might think hair rollers are more your grandma’s thing, but they don’t have to be! These babies can easily give you heatless glam curls. On damp hair, start rolling sections from the bottom up and secure with a bobby pin. Let it dry for two to three hours or overnight. You’ll have gorgeous waves and can apply hairspray, like our Blow Out Spray to set them.
- Find an old t-shirt. It might sound a little strange, but it really does work. First, twist a T-shirt into a roller shape and tie the ends together to create a large DIY halo. Then, put the halo on top of your head, wrap pieces of hair around it, and pin the hair in place. Leave your hair in the halo overnight, and in the morning, you can remove all the pins to reveal soft, bouncy curls.
- The sock bun technique is a creative, but also effective method. Cut the tip off of an old sock and roll it up to get a doughnut shape. (Or, you can just get a donut hair bun, but that’s no fun!)
- Once you have your sock bun, pull your ponytail through the hole, and then pull sections of your hair through it to create a large bun. Again, let the bun sit overnight, and pull your hair out to get gorgeous wavy locks.
How To Get The Perfect Blowout At Home
A gorgeous blowout is like a work of fine art. The look appears effortless, but behind the smooth, shiny locks is a great deal of technique. If you’ve ever tried to give yourself a salon quality blowout at home only to stop midway through filled with fatigue and frustration, take heart. This seemingly elusive skill can be mastered. With a little patience and the right tips, you’ll be able to get a salon-quality blowout from the comfort of your own home, regardless of your hair type.
First, make sure you are using quality tools, starting with the hair dryer. Don’t feel like you have to go for the “usual” hairdryer either. We offer a range of hair dryers from ones that utilize Far Infrared light as a heat source, to handheld blow dryer brushes that are perfect for doing the double duties of drying and styling. If you’re using a regular hair dryer, your brush will be equally as important as the dryer. The right size round brush will depend on the length of your hair. The longer the hair, the bigger the round brush. For short hair, try a 1.5-2” brush; for medium: 1.5-3”; for long: 3-5”.
No matter which method you use, always be sure to use a Heat Protectant to shield your hair and prevent any damage. Heat protectants have come a long way since the early ’00s. These won’t weigh your hair down or make it greasy—in fact, some of them, like our Heat Guard, even help with frizz, hold, and volume.
Secondly, you should pre-dry your hair to cut down on styling time and to help build up some body. Using your fingers, lift a section from the top of your head and pull it taught. If you have thick or coarse hair, use the hottest setting on your drying. If your hair texture is medium or fine, use the medium heat setting. Using the full-speed heat option (if you have one on your dryer), direct the heat towards your roots, where you want the most volume. Repeat until your hair is between 30-70% dry (those with curlier textures will want less pre-drying while those with straighter textures can get away with more).
Once your hair is about 70% dry separate it into four sections, One at the crown, one on each side, and one in the back. Sections may be subdivided or customized depending on the length and thickness of your hair. From each section, take a 1½” portion of hair and pull it taught with a round brush using 1/4″ turns of the brush. Gently pull the hair up as you dry; avoid pulling hair down. (This builds volume). Use the hottest setting on your dryer if you have very thick or coarse hair. Use the medium heat setting otherwise.
The dryer may be switched to its lower speed setting if that option is available. Be sure to keep the airflow parallel to the section being dried. (Use the dryer nozzle attachment to avoid roughing up the hair cuticle and creating additional frizz.) Repeat drying steps with each portion of hair until completely dry. Then, set each dry portion with a blast of cool air.
Finally, apply a light layer of flexible setting spray, like our Blow Out Spray, after completing your blowout.
Some Mistakes To Avoid:
- Over-twisting the brush. Avoid completely twisting the brush near your scalp. This can create unfortunate tangles. To catch your hair on the brush, do a small quarter-inch turn. Holding your hair taught with the brush, bring the brush down to the mid-lengths of the hair and then begin turning.
- Holding the dryer too close. Hold the dryer at least one inch above the hair. Pressing the dryer nozzle against hair can cause dryness and damage.
- Going too fast. Patience is key! For a sleek, no-frizz blowout, hair must by completely dry. Furthermore, being slow and methodical will allow you more control over the final outcome of the style.
- Did you find this article helpful? We’d love to see your at home blowouts! Email them along with your Instagram info for a chance to be featured on our page!
How To Add Volume To Thin Hair
Styling your thinning hair shouldn’t be something you dread in the morning. Even though our hair thins as we age, it still has a lot of life in it—we just have to treat it a little more gently and show it a lot of love. The process for giving your strands an extra splash of volume starts at the salon and carries through to your own hair habits at home.
Whether we’re mastering no-heat styling tricks or using every tip we know to add thickness to thinning hair, there are tons of ways to get that bit of boost. Below, you’ll find some tricks for adding volume to even the thinnest hair—including some of our best no-heat hairstyles and hacks. Say goodbye to dull, flat hair and hello to volume!
Get A Volumizing Haircut
Thin, aging hair will get a lift from a cut that is catered toward their hair type, whether it’s curly, straight or in between. There are plenty of hairstyles for both long and short hair that will add some volume, it’s just a matter of finding that perfect shape. Your hairstylist can help you figure out the right cut for you.
Trick the Eye with Color
By using a technique called hair contouring you can make your aging hair appear fuller just by changing up your hair color. Hair that is all one color can appear flat and lifeless, but by contouring it (adding highlights and low lights) you can instantly add more dimension, making it look more vibrant and voluminous.
Get a Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner
A volumizing shampoo and conditioner can work in tandem to add volume as well as moisture to aging hair without weighing it down. You can also add a fortifying hair and scalp serum that nourishes the scalp and promotes thicker hair.
Use a Hair Mask for Hydration
Another trick for styling thin hair is to make sure it is getting enough nourishment and moisture. A restorative hair mask, like our Keratin Hair Mask can be used up to 3 times a week to treat dry, brittle hair. A mask will knock out frizz and keep strands silky smooth.
Pick Lightweight Products
As a general rule, you should be doing everything you can to make sure that you aren’t weighing your hair down unnecessarily. Many products that are designed for volumizing are formulated to lift at the root and thicken strands. For fine hair though. This won’t always work because the hair ends up getting to weighed down and instead falls limp.
Spray Most Products Into Your Hand, Not Your Hair
By spraying products directly into your hair, you’re more likely to over-apply them or get product where you don’t want it. Your hands can massage products like serums, gels or mousse into the right places without overcoating your strands and making them fall flat.
Apply Products in Horizontal Layers
Of course, there are some products that should be directly applied to the hair, like dry shampoo. For those, instead of spraying them directly at the roots, separate your hair into layers horizontally and apply the product this way. That way you are getting some of that product underneath the top layer to provide lift and to keep the top layer from becoming weighed down.
Get Over Your Fear of Mousse
Unlike the mouse of golden years that dried out your hair and froze it in place, todays formulas are more elegant and hydrating. Comb a small coin size amount of volumizing whip or mousse from your roots to your ends on wet hair. Be careful not to apply to much or it will weight your hair down. Then blow dry to activate the volumizing products.
Blow Dry Your Hair Upside Down and Opposite of Your Part
Flipping your hair upside down when blow-drying is one way to add volume. By adding heat to your hair while it’s hanging over your head, you’re encouraging the root to stand up rather than lay down. Once it’s dry and you flip it back over it will have an added bit of lift. This works especially well for thin, curly hair since it easily falls victim to gravity’s pull, which loosens curls.
Another way you can add volume while blow-drying is to dry to the opposite side of your part. If your natural part is in the middle, give your wet hair a side part and dry it that way. If your hair naturally parts to the left side, dry it with a middle part or part it to the right. Drying your hair while it’s unnaturally parted will do the same. When you flip your hair back to your natural part, it will have a bit of volume where you dried it. You could also change your part completely. Tricking the hair by changing the part will move that root ever so slightly into a new position and before you know it, you’ll have instant volume.
Skip the Round Brush Until the End
Flip your head upside down and start by rough drying using nothing but your hands. This will lift the roots and roughen up the cuticle. When hair is 60-70% dry, flip it back over and start blow-drying using a ceramic brush to smooth ends and add softness to the style. Don’t pull too hard though or that will just flatten everything out.
Keep Dry Shampoo In our Bag
Dry shampoo and volumizing powders are the best friend of anyone with thin hair. They tend to give better hold and longer lasting volume than hairspray. With the dry shampoo, instead of spraying and then brushing out, leave it be. The powder and starch will build on each other. Try keeping a travel sized dry shampoo or volumizing powder in your bag for any midday pick-me ups your hair may need.
Backcomb Your Hair at the Crown
For a no-heat styling trick that will give you volume, try backcombing your hair at the crown. Instead of teasing your hair too high, tease it just enough to give it some life. Lift your hair up in layers and use a fine-tooth comb to backcomb it at the root. Top it off with a light pass of hairspray to hold it into place.
Set Rollers at the Roots
Another great, no-heat way to get some volume is by using sponge or Velcro rollers right at the root. While your hair is damp, place the rollers right at the root and then let your hair dry. This is a great overnight trick for volume when you wake up.
Use a Crimper
Before trying this one be sure to use a heat protectant spray, like our heat guard. Pull the top layer of your hair up so it’s out of the way, and crimp the roots underneath. You only need to crimp the hair closest to your head because you just want a little bit of lift for volume.
Clip-In Extensions
Extensions are good for more than just adding length, they can also add volume. The trick to making extensions look seamless is by having our hairstylist help you trim and color them to match your natural hair.
How To Manage Split Ends
Split ends happen when the ends of your hair become dry, brittle, and frayed. There are many reasons for split ends and these days they are quite common. Almost everyone will deal with them at some point. Split ends cannot be repaired, only removed or prevented with proper care.
What Causes Split Ends?
- Mechanical damage such as brushing excessively, drying the hair too roughly, and allowing your hair to rub against rough fabrics.
- Coloring
- Chemical treatments perms and relaxers (especially when not done correctly)
- Excessive exposure to heated styling tools.
All these things damage the cuticle on the hair shaft as you lose more cuticle layers the hair becomes weak, splits and frays.
How To Prevent Split Ends
- Get regular haircuts and trims, preferably every six weeks.
- Don’t wash your hair daily. When you do wash, consider only using conditioner and skipping shampoo.
- Choose all-natural shampoos that contain no harsh ingredients.
- Use a conditioner after shampooing or use a leave-in conditioner.
- Do regular mask treatments.
- Use a wide tooth comb to detangle wet hair. You don’t need to add pressure or brush vigorously, especially if you start at the bottom and work your way up.
- Do not rub your hair dry, instead apply pressure by gently squeezing the excess water out of the hair.
- Limit services that damage hair, such as coloring and chemical straightening.
- Use a heat-protective spray when using heated styling tools.
- Allow your hair to air dry as much as possible before blow drying and never touch the blow dryer directly to the hair.
- Take supplements that strengthen the hair, such as biotin and folic acid.
- Some hairstyles, like ponytails and hair twists, can cause split ends. Limiting how often you wear these hairstyles and using softer hair ties may help prevent damage.
- Consider a silk pillowcase or silk hair wrap for when you sleep.
Ways To Remove Split Ends:
The only real way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off. Because once a hair is split, there’s nothing that can magically fuse the pieces back together again forever. But if you’re super anti-haircut, especially if you’ve been trying to grow your hair out, ask your stylist to try hair dusting or candle cutting.
Candle Cutting
Candle cutting requires twisting a section of your hair and burning it halfway through with a lighted candle. It’s thought that burning off your split ends can create a seal to help protect the ends from splitting again. Still, some hair care experts worry it may actually cause split ends and damage hair follicles.
After splitting your hair into small sections, the hair stylists twists them around before running a flaming candle along it, without getting too close to the scalp. Candle hair burning has been promoted as an alternative to trimming away split ends and keeping them away for up to 3 months, but it also promises to deliver other benefits.
The most obvious drawback of this hair treatment is the fact that hair is flammable. Even with an experienced hair stylist, there’s always the risk of one wrong move that could set your hair on fire and cause plenty of damage, and in the worst-case scenario, you’ll walk out of the salon with your hair a lot shorter. If you want to try candle cutting, definitely do your research and seek the help of an experienced professional. Doing the method on your own may result in burned hair or skin.
Hair Dusting
Hair dusting is a technique in which you don’t get rid of any hair length, but only the damaged hair tips. This can be done by snipping the very bottom of each hair strand. Think of it in terms of removing fuzz from clothes. So, if you’re trying to grow out your locks for summer or simply to rid damage from color treatment or heat styling, hair dusting will get you there with zero hassle, but a whole lot of flair.
The technique works on any hair type or texture, but for ladies with very wavy or curly hair, the stylist will need to smooth it out to see the damaged ends that need to be dusted. It won’t thin out your hair either—in fact, in the long run, it does quite the opposite. By removing split ends regularly, you keep the damage from creeping up your strands. That’s incredibly important for those who color treat or style their hair with heat tools regularly.
Not all stylists are masters of hair dusting though, so make sure to verify that your hairdresser can do the job properly. It goes without saying, dusting needs to be up to snuff for the outcome to be hair that looks and feels enviably healthy.
Fall Hair Care Tips
The change in the weather can definitely be confusing for your hair. There are some changes to your hair care routine that can help keeps those lovely locks healthy and shiny.
Boost the Moisture
The same itchy, dry skin that irritates you during winter also irritates your hair. The cold air can cause dry, itchy scalp as well. So when the air starts to turn cooler it’s time to add a weekly hair mask to your routine like our Color Safe Keratin Infused Hair Mask or switch up your shampoo and conditioner to ones that are more moisturizing. It will help moisturize and energize your scalp to relieve discomfort, while also helping to reduce buildup so that your scalp can stay clean and healthy.
Fight Frizz
Even though the humidity is gone it doesn’t mean that you are done dealing with frizz. The static frizz caused by the heat and friction from our hats and scarves can be just as problematic. To combat the frizz and help keep fly-a-ways in place try using a serum like our Revitalizing Moroccan Hair Serum or our Infinity Drops to help protect and enhance your hairs natural luster. They work by coating the surface of the hair, helping to lock in moisture and shine while also blocking out things like dryness and friction.
Pump Up The Volume
It’s easy to pump up the volume when the air is full of humidity, but as the weather gets colder it may cause your hair to go flat. Try using a volumizing spray or a volumizing blow dryer like our Volumizer Pro or Air Styler to help give hair a much-needed boost.
Massage Your Scalp
Get your boar bristle brush/ essential oil mixture of choice/scalp massager ready and be sure to use it at least once every 2-3 days. A relaxing 10 to 15 minute massage will increase the blood circulation in your scalp, speeding up new growth and will give you healthier hair and scalp in the long run.
Time for a Trim & Maybe a Color Change
The combination of indoor central heating and the extreme change in weather conditions from rain, wind and autumn sun can affect the health of your hair, making it more prone to damage and split ends. Light doesn’t reflect well from damaged hair either so it can be dull and lackluster. The solution? Pop into your favorite salon and go get a trim. You’ll soon have the new shiny autumn hair of your dreams.
You may also want to consider going darker with your color. Summer is synonymous with sun-kissed hair, with highlights a staple for pretty much all shades. But as your time spent outside shortens as the weather gets colder, those highlights will fade. We recommend beating nature to the punch by going a shade or two darker for fall. Coloring it darker allows this transition to happen easier and evens out the color.
Give the Pony Tails a Rest
It’s a cute style for those warm summer days, but during the colder weather can cause breakage and unnecessary scalp stress. Instead wear your hair down or softly pinned up.
Now that you have noted down these hair care routine little tips and tricks, you are ready to welcome the new season along with a pumpkin spice latte and stunningly good hair! Did we miss any tips that have worked for you? Feel free to share them in the comments section below.