Category Archives: Uncategorized

Everyone loves a good ponytail, but after a while you get tired of the same look, so here are some ideas to help spice up those tails!

THE TWO FOR ONE

Craving a long, full ponytail but lacking have the length for it? This two-ponytail hack will save the day! Start by sectioning your hair into two sections, a top and bottom, from ear to ear. Next, use an elastic to secure the hair in the back and then tease your hair at the top. Now pull the top section into the shape you desire and use a second elastic to secure it to the bottom section. Give them a little fluff and a light spritz of medium hold hairspray, and you’re good to go.

Photo ref: www.cosmopolitan.com

THE COMB OVER

If you’ve got long, thick hair then this big and wavy ponytail is for you! Begin with a ponytail at the base, then take the left section and sweep it to the right. With the right section, twist a little and sweep it over to the left. Add a little curl for texture, tease it a little, pull it up, and you’re done.

Photo ref: www.onecrazyhouse.com

THE SIDE TAIL

Tired of the classic ponytail or high pony? Then give the side ponytail a try. Start with the ponytail at the ear level, giving volume to the ends and wrap a piece of your hair around the elastic.

Photo Ref: www.latest-hairstyles.com

ADD SOME BRAIDS OR TWISTS

These quick and easy styles are great for a day at the office, lunch with the girls, or a night out. Start on each side of your hair and braid towards the center at the back of the head. Gather the ends and all your other hair then secure into the sweetest looking ponytail. If you’re not great at braiding, you can accomplish the same look with twists.

Photo ref: www.onecrazyhouse.com

THE BUBBLE PONYTAIL

Start by teasing the hair at the crown to give a little volume in the front. Then, sement the hair in sections about ¾ of an inch apart and secure with a hair tie. Give each section a little pull on each side to fluff it up like a bubble. You may need to adjust the ties up or down a little as you fluff.

Photo ref: www.popsugar.com Instagram @beatenb

ADD ACCESSORIES

You can add in all kinds of accessories to spice up your ponytails like scarves, flowers, gems and barrettes. Get creative and go wild!

We get asked a lot if you can use our heated tools on extensions. The answer is yes, depending on the material of the extensions. If they are human hair absolutely. If they are synthetic hair then they may not. A lot of synthetic hair becomes damaged when heat is applied to it.

It is also important to remember that human hair extensions, just like your natural hair, can suffer damage from the heat or from overusing heated styling tools. So keep in mind …

• Don’t overdo it. Just like you wouldn’t mistreat your hair, it’s important to give your hair extensions a rest from heat tools every once in a while. Doing so will help them last much longer.
• Use a heat protector like our Heat Guard. If you use high-heat tools like curling irons/rods or straightening irons, make sure to use a heat protector spray before you start with the tool.
• Curl before applying. If you curl your hair with an iron, it’s a good idea to curl your extensions separately. This is because of your natural hair and the extensions will have different textures and may require different curling times or higher/lower heat. By doing them separately, you reduce the risk of damaging your own and the extensions. Once applied, you can make small adjustments for blending.

Using A Hair Dryer

We recommend using one with multiple heat settings, like our 3800 Turbo Infrared Blow Dryer. When wearing hair extensions, it is best to use the lowest heat setting, and if you have the time or patience we would recommend using the cool setting, even though this can take considerably longer. If you are wearing pre-bonded glue hair extensions we would recommend using the cool setting when drying the roots of your hair. Too much heat from the hairdryer may cause the bonds to become sticky if it is hot enough to melt the keratin.

Using Hair Straighteners

You definitely want a straightener with multiple heat settings. Unlike the hairdryer we would not recommend using the lowest setting though, as this can cause you to have to go over your hair many more times to straighten it which is not healthy for your hair. Therefore we would recommend some trial and error in testing out different settings until you find one that is able to get your hair as straight as you would like it without going over the hair multiple times, or without having the heat up to the highest temperature. You will be surprised at how low the setting can be for this, as just because hair straightens have the highe heat setting it doesn’t mean you need to use it to get your desired effect.

Using Curling Wand

Curling wands are also absolutely fine with human hair extensions, however will also take some trial and error in how long you will need to leave the hair wrapped around the barrel to create your desired curl or wave. And as we mentioned above, the extensions may curl slightly different than your own hair so take your time with small amounts of hair to get an idea of how long you will need to leave before removing.

Using Heated Rollers

Heated rollers can also be used on hair extensions, and are particularly good for achieving a wavy look as they are not as hot as curlers or straighteners, and are therefore better for your hair. You will however need to pay special attention when applying them to ensure they are done so in a neat manner and do not become tangled around any of your bonds. If you have pre-bonded glue extensions be careful to make sure that none of the heater rollers is sitting against a bond, as this could cause the bond to begin to melt.

If you have natural hair creating a hair routine that will help your curls achieve their utmost potential in terms of health and curl definition can feel like a handful. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

LOOK FOR DEEP CONDITIONERS

Rocking free-flowing curls means keeping up with regular deep conditioning treatments, which can drastically help strengthen curls. We suggest using a hair mask once every two weeks — minimum once a month.

INCORPORATE A DEEP CLEANSE EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE

When it comes to washing curls, which are naturally drier, less is definitely more. Many hairstylists recommend only lathering up with a gentle, non-oil stripping hydrating shampoo once a week to every two weeks, especially for thicker spirals, and, if needed, rinsing with conditioner in between instead.

DETANGLE IN SECTIONS

Detangling your curls in the shower while they’re well-coated with a hydrating conditioner is the best curly-girl strategy to avoid breakage, and whether you’re using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to work through knots, you should absolutely be detangling in sections. With natural hair tending to be on the thicker side, working in sections (note: always begin detangling at the ends of your hair and working your way up) really allows you to get down to each knot. Sectioning is also a game-changer when it comes to ensuring a thorough product application, especially when applying curl-defining products. Sectioning is key when it comes to great definition.

TRY DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES FOR CURL DEFINITION

When you’re blessed with natural hair, you’re often dealing with various curl patterns on one head of hair. And the tighter your natural hair is, the less distinct your curls will be, even when the hair is wet. So, if you’re seeking an extremely defined and looser curl look, try testing out some tried-and-true curl defining techniques on natural hair that’s been freshly shampooed and conditioned. These techniques can be time consuming, but the best part is that the style results can last up to a week with the proper maintenance.

Popular techniques to define and stretch out coils include finger coiling, which, just as it sounds, requires taking small sections of hair, adding some product and twirling the strands around your finger to help form and hold a uniform spiral. Once one spiral is created, move on to the next section.

Another favored technique, especially for elongating the look of kinky coils, are two-strand twists outs. The method requires grabbing a small section of hair, finger combing it, applying a styling product, separating the section into two and twisting those parts around one another like a rope until you reach the ends. Allow the twists to set overnight and unravel them the next day to reveal a wavier pattern throughout your mane.

You can also try the shingling method, which starts with separating the hair into four sections and applying leave-in conditioner evenly to each by finger-raking it through from root to tip. Next, using your thumb and index finger, a curling cream or gel is applied and smoothed over individual curl strands within each section. Once you’re sure the hair is well-saturated with styling product, move on to the next sections.

For each method above, continuously working on wet hair is key, so keep a spray bottle nearby and spritz the hair whenever necessary to keep it nice and damp. To help with all that sectioning, opt for plastic clips to keep parts separated and to hold hair out of the way. Most importantly, don’t touch. After completing a technique, leave your hair alone so it can dry thoroughly without any disturbance.

PROTECT YOUR HAIRSTYLE OVERNIGHT

A trusty hair bonnet, which works to reduce friction and retain moisture while you get your sleep, is an essential for preserving your natural hairstyle or curls. Also, trading in your regular pillowcase for a satin or silk option is also great for avoiding dried out strands and hair snags. If day-two hair needs a refresh, we recommend giving it a spritz with a curl refreshing spray. If you don’t have a refreshing spray, you can put a little bit of your favorite conditioner in a spray bottle with water and shake it up.

EMBRACE THE FRIZZ

When you’re used to sleek hairstyles, frizz has a really bad rap. But when rocking natural hair, stop trying to wrestle with nature. Embrace the frizz, it’s part of textured hair’s DNA. If you’re always trying to get rid of it, you’re not going to get the styling results that you’re looking for.

TIPS FOR STRAIGHTENING NATURAL HAIR

ALWAYS USE A LOW HEAT SETTING

If you are opting to blow dry your hair make sure you do it on a low heat setting. Blow drying your hair expels water from your hair so if you blow-dry on a high heat setting you are potentially speeding up the process of expelling water and having your hair dry for a longer than needed period of time. By blow-drying your hair on a much lower setting, you make the process of losing moisture slower meaning your hair will retain much more moisture and thus having less potential for damaged hair.

Also, allowing your hair to partially dry before you straighten it means that you can have less exposure to heat. Less exposure means less chance of your hair becoming damaged in the straightening process.

USE A HEAT PROTECTANT

A heat protectant provides a shield so that your hair is not protected from excessive heat.

START ON FRESHLY WASHED HAIR

If you are going to straighten your natural hair then its best to start on freshly washed hair so there is no product build-up. Having a lot of product on your hair before you straighten it can cause your hair to fry from the oils and butters that you may have previously used. You don’t want that so make sure you have clarified your hair before you begin.

DEEP CONDITION

Deep conditioning really is a must if you are considering straightening natural hair because it ensures your hair is well moisturized before you begin the straightening process. The more you can do to ensure your hair stays well moisturized the safer your curls will be from damage when you do straighten it.

ONLY FLAT IRON DRY HAIR

For the best, longest-lasting results, only flat iron hair that’s totally dry. Doing otherwise is just a recipe to fry your hair. Does this mean you have to blow dry it straight first? Not necessarily. You can always wet wrap your hair and sit under a hood or bonnet dryer until it’s dry—this is a gentler drying method and the wrapping technique smooths your hair just like blow-drying would. You can also let your hair air dry until it’s about 80% dry, and then blow dry it the rest of the way.

GO SLOW AND STEADY

Flat ironing is a technique that requires slow, controlled movement, but also avoiding letting the iron sit in one place for any length of time. Move it, but don’t rush it. Begin as close to the roots as you can, and pull the iron down in one smooth motion. If you hurry through it, you may have to go over that section again—and each additional pass makes damage more likely. Keep the flat iron at two passes max.

WORK IN SMALL SECTIONS

Smaller irons (1 1/2 inches or less) are better for tackling small sections of hair. Try not to press pieces wider or thicker than 1 inch at a time, even if the bigger iron is cheaper. You’ll do a better job of straightening the entire section when you don’t have to deal with too much hair at once. Big, chunky sections won’t straighten properly.

FINISH WITH A SERUM

Lastly, after styling, it is always a great idea to finish everything off with a lightweight serum for some extra shine.

Sun protection is a must for your skin and your hair. Color, strength, and moisture all get lost much faster as it has no protection. Those without color-treated hair aren’t off the hook either, uncolored hair still breaks down from sun, chlorine and salt. The cuticle becomes damaged creating a rough, dull outside on your hair which then doesn’t reflect light and shine in the same manner.

How does sun damage the hair?

The VA and UVB rays from the sun can damage your color and style in several different ways:

• Prolonged sun exposure can break down your hair’s outer layer of lipids, which act as natural protection from environmental elements. This is one of the major causes of dry hair and frizzy strands, because without this layer, your hair isn’t able to retain moisture.
• It can also damage the internal structure of your hair, weakening it and making it more prone to breakage and split ends.
• If your hair is dyed, it’s even more susceptible to internal and external damage, since color treatments can leave your hair dehydrated and vulnerable. Dry hair tends to be more porous, which means dye is more easily washed out. Plus, UV rays act like bleach on your strands, breaking down color and making them fade or go brassy faster than usual.

What are the signs of sun damage?

If you’re out in the sun for long periods of time, you may start to notice changes to your color and style. Signs of hair damage from the sun include:

• Discoloration: A dramatic color change is a telltale sign that UV rays have reacted with the melanin in your hair.
• Change in texture: You may find your once-smooth hair is now dry, rough, and brittle and doesn’t swing freely like it used to.
• Split ends: As the sun penetrates your hair, your strands become more fragile and prone to breakage.

How can you protect your hair?

• Scarves and hats both provide good barriers, however keep in mind that not all hats protect equally. Hats that have a ultraviolet protection number are the best at minimizing sun exposure. Otherwise, choose a tightly woven fabric over an open weave straw hat, which can let in UV rays.
• Avoid exposure during the hottest part of the day. If you need to go out try to do so in the morning or late afternoon.
• Consider adding SPF to your hair care routine.
• Keep your scalp healthy. While your hair does offer it some protection from the sun, it is not complete protection. Too much sun on your scalp can cause sunburn and dryness, which can affect the roots of your hair.
• The sun is brutal enough on its own so try using your heated styling tools a little less during the hot summer months to help keep your hair strong. When you do pull out the tools, be sure to use a heat protectant to guard from heat and UV light, like our Infinity Drops. For after styling UV protection check out our Biotin Infused hair serum, formulated to protect hair from environmental aggressors like harmful UV rays.
• To protect hair from sun damage you will want to have a solid moisturizing routine. Our Color Safe Revitalizing Keratin hair mask does wonders for protecting hair and restoring its natural moisture.

The sun will always be an issue, but learning how to protect your hair will help you maintain a healthy head of hair while still enjoying your fun in the sun.

^{Ref: www.hairstory.com}

Choosing the right hair care products is something we all ponder over. Being bombarded with advertisements definitely doesn’t help. Finding the best products for you begins with understanding your hair’s texture and natural state.

DRY, COARSE HAIR

You should be using a hydrating shampoo. Look for moisturizing products with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and grapeseed oil. These ingredients will form a coating on the hair shaft.

Deep conditioners with essential oils and fatty alcohols are the best for hydrating dry hair and getting it smooth and well moisturized.

OILY AND FINE HAIR

Avoid shampoos that have moisturizing or deep conditioning properties. Instead, go for products that are designed for your hair type. Clarifying and clear shampoos with ingredients like what protein are the best to remove excess oil from the scalp and hair. Add a volumizing shampoo to make your hair look fuller and bouncier.

Use lightweight conditioners and use the right amount to avoid making your hair feel greasy. A leave-in conditioner is an excellent alternative to keep curls hydrated and fresh.

CURLY HAIR

Those with curly hair often have problems managing their curls, and the humidity in the summer can be murder. Most curly hair is thick and dry, so go for a luxurious shampoo with natural ingredients like shea butter. Remember that harsh chemicals can make your hair drier, so avoid products where you see chemical additives as ingredients.

Conditioners that have proteins and silicone work best on thick and curly hair. For frizz control, choose products with soothing, moisturizing ingredients like wheat protein and soy.

COLOR TREATED HAIR

Color preserving shampoos with fewer chemicals are the safest bet. These shampoos also keep you hair well hydrated and shiny.

For a conditioner, pick one designed for color-treated hair. Usually, these contain sunscreen-like UV filters that protect your hair and help the color stay vibrant longer.

Avoid products that contain sulfates, ammonium, and sulfur. Read the labels on shampoo and conditioner bottles thoroughly to ensure you are choosing a healthy option.

FRIZZY HAIR

This is a very common problem in humid weather. Refrain from over-using heating styling tools. Instead go for hair mousse or gels that have polymers or copolymers – ingredients that coat your hair to fight frizz.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SPRINGTIME HAIR

Looking good and staying healthy comes from the right combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and caring, and the same goes for your hair. With these tips and a healthy lifestyle, you can get that shiny, healthy mane this Spring.

Ref: https://www.thekewlshop.com/blogs/news/springtime-haircare-tips

Everyone knows the basics of taking care of long hair, but the needs of short hair are quite different. Here are some pro tips to help:

Comb Less Frequently

Short hair doesn’t need to be brushed as often as long hair and it is less likely to tangle. Brushing it through with fingers is generally enough to shape and style it a bit. For styling use your fingers to give you the shape lifting where you need to get volume at the root.

Use A Cotton Bud To Get Rid Of Flyaway Strands

We’ve all been there, you wake up in the morning and your hair is defying every natural law possible and sticking up in eight different directions. If you don’t have time for a shower, then wet a cotton wool ball and dab it at your hair to get rid of misbehaving root lift stick outs.

Tame Volume With Products

A shorter cut maximizes natural volume so the trick is to utilize products that add texture and hold. It’s important for short hair to have structure so finding the right products is essential.

Trim Your Hair Regularly

Trim your hair every three to six weeks. This may sound excessive, but shorter hairstyles, especially closer crops, require a little more maintenance than a usual cut. Shirt hair is all about getting a great cut. Getting the structure, length and thickness right for your face shape is key.

Wash Your Hair Daily

Short hairstyles require more washing. This is because they can become greasy faster, although the exact number of times your hair will need washing will depend on how your hair responds to the level of oil produced by the scalp.

If you do decide to wash daily, try investing in a moisturizing mask, like out Keratin Hair Mask, to help combat any dryness. You may also want to invest in a better shampoo like out Revitalizing Moroccan Shampoo infused with Argan Oil, Biotin and Keratin, if you will be washing more regularly.

Rinse With A Blast Of Cold Water For Extra Shine

Next time you wash your hair, finish it off with a quick blast of cool water. It will sooth the heat damage done during showering, which can often result in splintered cuticles.

In today’s age of intense dye jobs, pin straight blowouts and bouncy curls, it’s no longer a question of “is my hair is damaged”, but “how bad is it?”. Now, before you throw in the towel or start feeling hopeless because you’d rather give up carbs than your flat iron, there is hope. With hair care products amping themselves up with natural ingredients to help repair the damage there are some tricks you can use to keep your hair healthy and happy.

GET IT WET LESS

Water makes hair swell from the inside, which forces the cuticle up. When that happens over and over again, you get frizz and breakage. Don’t wash your hair more than you have to. Whenever you can skip a day, that’s great. Instead, embrace a dry shampoo that’s a hard-core oil and odor absorber.

GET SMARTER ABOUT YOUR HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Our Keratin, Biotin & Argan Oil infused shampoo & conditioner are rich in vitamins A & C, natural oils and botanicals like Aloe, Jojoba Seed Oil, Olive Oil and Macadamia Seed Oil. These gentle formulas not only help hydrate the scalp, but also help to clean hair follicles so your hair can grow fuller and longer. They make great treatments for dry and brittle hair and will leave your locks smooth and shiny. Forget split ends and dead hair forever.

CHANGE THE WAY YOU CONDITION

We all know they smooth frizz and make your hair softer and shinier. But if you own a blow-dryer or flatiron, you should also know that conditioners are critical to heat protection. It’s just as important as heat-protectant spray, if not more, because conditioner is better at coating the hair. Like our Truffle Leave-In Conditioner; infused with truffles, biotin and other natural ingredients, it absorbs deep into the roots, hair follicles and scalp to help nourish, moisturize and strengthen from the inside out. This allows for more residual conditioner to be left on the hair.

ADD LAYERS

Since heat is the worst thing for your hair, double down with a heat-protectant spray. But recognize that if it’s going to work, you’ve got to apply it the right way: Grab small sections of damp hair and mist each one up and down the length (two or three spritzes per section). When you’re finished, comb your hair to distribute the formula—heat protectants are pretty useless if they’re not applied all over, getting there takes only a few seconds. Look for one that protects hair up to 450 degrees (it’ll say so on the label).

COTTON IS BEST

Your cotton Madonna Virgin Tour tee is gentler on your hair than a towel for drying. Its why top hairstylists keep them on hand. They don’t rough up the cuticle as much, so you don’t have to work as hard to smooth the hair and make it look healthy.

COOL OFF

If your hair feels hot after you blow-dry or flatiron it, that means it’s still frying. Hit the cold-shot button on your dryer to not only cool it off, but also to set the style.

GET CREATIVE

If you air-dry your hair overnight, you can minimize damage and free up time for snoozing, coffee, yoga or whatever in the morning. One trick that works for all hair types: Sleep with damp hair in two loose braids. It smooths frizz, loosens curls, and gives straight hair beachy waves.

TREAT YOURSELF

Weekly scalp treatments, like our Keratin Color Safe Revitalizing Hair Mask, make a bigger difference in the long run than you’d think. Keeping the hair follicles clean prevents the blockage and inflammation that leads to thinning hair later in life.

SHINE BOOST

Both our Revitalizing Moroccan Hair Serum and Infinity Drops are infused with Keratin, Biotin, Argan Oil and have been designed with no preservatives to help dry, lifeless hair come back to life! The unique blend of natural oils and botanical extracts, like Jojoba Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil and Macadamia Seed Oil, help to hydrate and seal the cuticle, providing optimal nourishment, hydration, and silky softness to help tame frizz.

They slide effortlessly through hair and work wonders for all hair types, from fine to coarse. Everyone can enjoy smooth locks with a just a few drops of these miraculous serums.

It’s when you can’t go out to get your haircut that you really begin to appreciate your hairstylist. Let’s be honest—even once we are able to leave our homes after quarantine is over, chances are that it will be pretty difficult to get a coveted appointment at hair or nail salons.

The good news is that, just like you can bring the nail salon home with you, you can bring your hair salon home too. If you think your hair is getting a little rough around the edges, consider trying your hand at a home haircut.

Before cutting your own hair, ask yourself the following:

IS IT TIME TO CUT YOUR HAIR, OR CAN YOU WAIT?

If you can wait to cut your hair, you may be better off waiting for a salon to open— but how do you know if you can wait or not? Here are some tell-tale signs that you may be overdue for a haircut.

If the ends of your hairs are splitting in a million directions (or even just 2) or you see little white bits at the ends, it needs a clean-up. When the hair starts to break or split it will keep travelling further and further up the hair shaft creating breakage higher up in the hair, or causing you to get a bigger “trim” than you expected!

If you are going to give yourself a home haircut, stick to simple trims of anything 1 inch or less of the length of your hair. This kind of subtle cut won’t make a drastic difference, so if you mess up, you won’t notice it as much. It’ll also be easier to salvage down the road.

MAYBE TRY A HAIR MASK INSTEAD

If your hair is pretty healthy, or just slightly dry on the ends, try a hair mask at home first before committing to a home haircut.

Use salon quality hair masks, or masks with keratin, fatty acids, or vinegar. Because vinegar is acidic, it can be used to help lower the pH of the hair. This will tighten the cuticle, which makes hair look shiny, and seals split ends.

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

Here’s what you will need:

• Sharp scissors – be sure to use the sharpest scissors you can find. Better yet, hair dressing scissors. Your kitchen shears will not be acceptable for this!
• A long comb that is not too fine
• Broom/ dust pan
• A blowdryer
• 2 hair clips

STEP 1: FIND AN OPEN SPACE

Clear a space to cut your hair where it’s not falling onto a counter or into the sink or shower drain. It’s much easier to just sweep up off the floor than trying to get it out of the sink and off the counter.

STEP 2: DRY YOUR HAIR COMPLETELY

Before you cut your hair, it’s important to dry your hair completely.

When the hair is dry, it has slightly more volume. This way, when you cut, you will see exactly where the hair will sit. If you cut your hair wet, however, once it dries and bounces up, you may find that you ended up cutting off more than expected. This especially rings true for bangs!

The best way to dry your hair if you have straight or wavy hair is to blow dry your locks smooth. For curly hair, however, we suggest to let your hair air dry naturally, or however you usually style it. Once it is totally dry and you determine how much hair you are going to cut, to cut half of that.

It will spring up more than you want, and you will end up with a 2-inch haircut when you were only trying to cut 1 inch.

STEP 3: THE BASICS OF HAIR CUTTING

When deciding on how much to cut, always cut less than what you think you need to cut off. We suggest trying to cut a small piece first to see if the length is as you like. Then, use that as a guide when cutting the rest of your hair. Go slowly, adding small sections to the guide until all your hair is cut.

How to cut your own hair in layers

If you are going to layer your hair, proceed with caution. We suggest not trying to cut your layers yourself, and only making subtle tweaks.

1. OVERDIRECTING

At most, if you notice splits in your layers, part your hair normally, then split the hair in half down the back bringing it forward over your shoulders. This is called over directing

When your hair is brought forward and you cut the ends, you will naturally create that slight U shape when it falls back. The hair is wrapping forward leaving length when put back into place. That should help create a softer feel through the perimeter.

2. THE HORSESHOE PART

If you do decide to cut your layers though, a general rule of thumb is the higher the lift, the softer the feel. To do this, start by creating a horseshoe section from temple to temple and around the back of your crown, at the widest part of your head.

The area closest to the back of the head/horseshoe should be where the longest length stays and nearer to your face is where it can be slightly shorter.

Brush all the hair straight up (if some falls away leave it) and angle the hair up so it creates a straight line from your face to the tips of your hair. Slide your fingers to the very tips where you see the breakage bits and or where you can see right through the hair.

If this is a lot of hair, don’t cut it—it should only be about 1 inch or less.

3. POINT CUTTIN

Once it’s safe to cut, point your scissors at your hair to create a point cutting effect.

When point cutting, open your scissors as you place them in your hair ends, and only close them as you are sliding away. “This is the best way to avoid cutting your fingers or creating a hole in the hair. Point cutting is also an easy way to hide any mistakes and soften the finish.

You can apply the point cutting technique to the lengths/perimeter of your hair and to soften a blunt cut.

Getting rid of split ends

You may find that your length is just fine, and that you just want to get rid of split ends. Fortunately, this is pretty easy!  Before you even cut your ends however, try a vinegar treatment to help seal them first.

When cutting, bring your hair forward, and part where you usually do. Then, bring your hair forward over your shoulders, and cut slightly less than you think you need to. Make sure to check that the length is the same on both sides. This is also a good strategy to use to make sure you cut your locks all one length when you are giving yourself a trim.

When you are cutting your split ends, make sure you keep your chin up. Look in the mirror and do not look down. You will angle your hair down and end up taking off too much length by accident!

How to cut face framing layers

To cut trendy face framing layers, first start with your regular part, then a vertical section down to the front of your ears.

Comb this section inch by inch over directing forward at about 40 degrees. The bottom of your first inch section shouldn’t lift higher than the corner of your eye or cheekbone.

Next, slide your fingers down keeping your fingers straight, not angled, as the hair sticking out should now be at a slight angle. Point cut a little at a time. For guidance, follow the shape originally created by your hairstylist.

How to cut the back of your hair

Cutting the back of your hair may seem like a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. To cut the back of your hair, always angle the hair forward. It is a more natural look to have the hair slightly shorter in the front than the back and the over direction will create this. This will also help you to see the front and what you are cutting so that you can ensure that you have an even and balanced cut.

How to cut curly & wavy hair

The reality is that everyone has a different hair type, so take this into consideration before you start cutting.

Curly hair is a unique (and fabulous) texture that cuts slightly differently. Fortunately, our specialist Dee has taught us how to cut our curly locks without having to leave the house (at least for the time being.)

For curly hair, first air dry your hair. Then, style to your desired shape and cut only what seems to be out of place. According to Dee, if you have curly hair, always cut half of what you planned to cut.

1 inch will look like 2 inches, because with curls and waves, the shorter that hair the stronger the curl.

How to cut your own bangs

If you do not have bangs, this may not be the best time to try to give yourself some. Instead, experiment with clip in bangs and decide if you want to make the style permanent once you can see a professional hair stylist.

If you already have bangs and want to maintain them during this time—or are feeling daring and want to cut your own bangs—here’s how to cut your own bangs at home.

Disclaimer: proceed with caution!

STEP 1:  BLOW DRY YOUR BANGS

Blow dry your bangs and style them as you usually would. Part your hair down the center, and then create a triangle that is 1 ½ inches back from the hairline with the sides angled to meet at your pupils/center of your eye.

This may seem like a small section, but it will fan out fuller once cut and styled and you can always add more later.

STEP 2: CLIP YOUR HAIR BACK

Clip all the rest of your hair away so you can focus on your bangs.

STEP 3:  START IN THE CENTER OF YOUR TRIANGLE

Start with a 1/4 inch section in the center of your triangle. Comb this down using a wide tooth comb with very little tension and find where you want the length to hit. This is going to be your guide.

Cut less than you think, because you can always cut more.

STEP 4: KEEP YOUR CHIN UP

If you’re looking down, you are more likely to cut too much length. If you cut too much, add a tiny bit of hair from each side off the center and cut slightly longer where you want it. You can “curtain” your bangs to hide the mistake in the middle.

STEP 5: SPLIT HAIR IN THE CENTER

Split your hair in the center once you have found the desired length and have moved to the next side. Add another 1/4 inch section to the “guide” from either side.

Keeping the hair you have already cut straight down in the center and over direct the new section to meet the guide. Then, cut the new section to the length of your guide.

STEP 6: CUT STRAIGHT DOWN IN THE CENTRE

If you are trying to create a more curtain or angled fringe, work side to side, over directing from your center part. Have your guide pointing at the opposite pupil or center of eye and bringing each added section over to meet your guide. Then, cut the added sections to the length of your guide.

STEP 7: ADJUST

Once all hair is cut, you should have your desired fringe. If it feels too narrow, make your triangle slightly bigger and add more hair 1/4 inch at a time!”

Dos and don’ts of cutting your own hair at home

• Use the sharpest scissors you own.
• Use a comb that is not a super fine tooth. A slightly wider helps to give less tension so you don’t end up with an uneven cut.
• Do not try to use clippers like the pros do to cut your length, it cuts fast and a lot of hair at once.
• Don’t cut over a carpet, or in an area you do not want little bits of hair flying around, hair tends to get everywhere!
• Always cut half of what you plan to cut, and go shorter in increments if need be.

Although we have provided instructions, it is best to leave layers and bangs cutting to the pros.

Have any more questions on how to cut your own hair? Drop them in the comments below, and we’ll be happy to help.

Ref: www.luxyhair.com

Decoding your curl type can be confusing. Several different textures can exist on one head alone, which all have to somehow look cohesive when you rock a style. Plus, there’s been some debate as to whether the typing system, originally started by hairstylist Andre Walker and modified by folks in the curly community, is divisive or even too narrow. But controversy aside, many people have found that even if it isn’t perfect, it can be super useful in at least being able to identify your curl pattern (or patterns) so you know where to start when it comes to hair care. Follow the easy tip sheet below (complete with recommendations for your hair-care stash) to help you better ID your curl type.

WHERE TO START

Your curl type is determined by the shape of the follicle that your hair grows out of from your scalp. The flatter or more oval shaped the follicle, the curlier your hair; while the more circular the cross-section, the straighter your hair. Your curl pattern is also identified by the shape that the strands of hair make, whether they kink, curve, or wind around themselves into spirals.

Most textured gals have more than one type of pattern on their head, so you may have a combination of, say, kinky, coily, wavy, and curly. To identify your curl shape and pattern (or patterns), it’s best determined while your hair is sopping wet. 1s are straight, 2s are wavy, 3s are curly, and 4s are coily.

The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil pattern. A’s have a wider pattern size, B’s medium, and C’s the smallest of the three. The real beauty of identifying your hair type is that you’re better at understanding how to care for your texture so you can have more versatility.

Type 2 (Wavy)

Type 2 waves are bendable, can be fine to coarse, and have a definitive S pattern that lays closer to the head.

2A

2As have a fine, barely-there tousled texture that’s very easy to straighten. People with this texture have to be wary of using heavy styling products that can easily weigh their strands down, rendering them limp and lifeless. 2A waves lack volume at the root. We recommend using an airy, water-based mousse to add a bit of oomph at the base and to make hair look fluffier and fuller.

2B

2Bs are flatter at the crown with defined S-shaped waves starting from the mid-length. Strands are thicker in diameter than a 2A, and you’ll have to put in a bit of elbow grease into getting it straight. To enhance your natural surfer-babe waves, a Sea Spray for sexy texture that’s never crunchy or stiff.

2C

2C waves are thick, coarse, and more susceptible to frizzing. The S-bends are well-defined and begin at the roots. Use a non-lathering, sulfate-free shampoo so as not to strip essential moisture from strands. We also recommend layering a leave-in conditioner under a mousse to lock in your hair’s natural wave pattern while adding hydration.

Type 3 (Curly)

Type 3 curly hair can range from loose, buoyant loops to tight, springy corkscrews which have some sheen but are prone to frizz.

3A

3A strands tend to be shiny with large, loose curls that are about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Scrunch some Defrizzing Curl Cream into your dry hair to help emphasize the curl texture. But keep your hands (or brush or comb, for that matter) from touching your curls afterward, or you run the risk of having a halo full of frizz. To maintain those juicy springs, simply spritz your hair with a curl refresher when it needs a boost.

3B

3Bs have coarse, springy ringlets with a circumference similar to a Sharpie marker. This hair texture can get dry, so look for styling gels that have humectants in them to attract moisture to strands. Try applying a styling gel when your hair is wet so you’ll get definition without frizz.

3C

3C curls are tight corkscrews that range in circumference from a straw to a pencil. Strands are densely packed together, giving way to lots of natural volume. Frizziness can be an issue with this type, so use a sulfate-free, creamy cleanser so as not to dry out your hair.

Also, try layering a mousse over a styling cream when the hair is sopping wet to allow curls to clump together and dry faster. Your co-wash reveals your curl pattern, while your styling product captures it.

Type 4 (Coily)

Coily hair, commonly referred to as Afro-textured or kinky hair, is naturally very dry and spongy in texture and can be soft and fine or coarse and wiry. Strands form very tight, small curls of zig-zags right from the scalp and are prone to major shrinkage.

4A

4As have dense springy, S-patterned coils that are the circumference of a crochet needle. If you’re a fan of wash and go’s, styling should be done more frequently to keep this coily texture popping with soft, pliable strands. A curling cream with a leave-in moisturizer is a must for adding more moisture to daily wash-and-go styling.

4B

4B strands are densely packed and can bend in sharp angles like the letter Z. A good Moisture Spray is all that you need to keep coils and kinks refreshed and hydrated between shampooing, or as a style quick-pick-me-up during the day. Styling creams are also great for this hair type because they are thicker and are great for palm-rolling or shingling, two types of product distribution methods that stretch out coils and clump them for greater texture definition and elongation.

4C

4C hair is similar to 4B textures, but the tightly coiled strands are more fragile and have a very tight zig-zag pattern that is sometimes indiscernible to the eye. This hair type experiences the greatest amount of shrinkage, about 75 % or more than the other textures.

Since shrinkage and dryness are major concerns for these tightly-coiled folks, use a liberal amount of leave-in moisturizer to max the length of those strands. Castor oil is also a great hydrator and sealant for this very dry texture.

Ref: https://www.allure.com/gallery/curl-hair-type-guide

What comes to mind when we say ‘beach bum’? A beautiful sun kissed girl with gorgeous wavy hair as a result of the sea salt laden air. Who hasn’t dreamt of having relaxed looking hair like that? We sure have! So, we scoured the internet to look for ways to get those gorgeous waves in your hair in the most effortless ways possible.

1. Princess Leia Buns Technique

The force will surely be with you when you embark on this journey to get wavy hair. All you need to do is roll up your hair into 2 buns (a la Princess Leia) and you will end up with the hair of your dreams the next morning!

What You Need:

• Hair brush
• Anti-frizz serum
• Bobby pins

How To Style:

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your hair while it is still damp.
2. Apply anti-frizz serum to your hair to prevent it from frizzing up as it dries.
3. Part your hair down the middle.
4. Pick up a 2-inch section of hair from right near the left side of your parting.
5. Start twisting it while adding more and more hair to it from both sides.
6. Once this twisted section of hair has gone past your ear, twist the hair the rest of the way down until the very end.
7. Roll this twisted hair into a bun and pin it down behind your ear. You could also use some hair elastics to further secure it in place.
8. Repeat the same process on the right side.
9. Sleep with these twisted buns in your hair overnight.
10. Next morning, open up your buns and shake your hair out.
11. Rub a little bit of Argan oil all over your wavy hair to give it some shine.

2. The Hair Knotting Technique

What You Need:

• Hair brush
• Claw clips or double prong clips
• Hairspray

How To Style:

1. Brush out all knots and tangles from your damp hair.
2. Grab a 3 inch section of hair from the front and create a loop with it near the roots.
3. Pull the tail end of the hair through the loop, but not all the way through.
4. Clip this knotted section of hair to your head.
5. Create such knots with all your hair.
6. Leave the knots in for a few hours until your hair dries.
7. Spritz on some hairspray before opening the knots.
8. Brush out your hair to give your waves a softer look.

3. Twisted Crown Technique

What You Need:

• Bobby pins
• U-pins
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style:

1. Part your damp hair down the middle and divide it into 2 sections, one on each side.
2. Simply twist the hair on your left, right until the very ends.
3. Place this twisted hair across the crown of your head and pin it behind your right ear.
4. Insert more bobby pins and U-pins to further secure it in place.
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 on the right side.
6. Keep these crown twist in your hair overnight.
7. Spritz on some light hold hairspray over your hair before unraveling it and shaking out the waves.

4. The Scarf Technique

What You Need:

• Texturizing spray
• A scarf
• Hair elastic

How To Style:

1. Spritz on texturizing spray all over your damp hair.
2. Tie a hair elastic just a couple of inches above the ends of your hair.
3. Tie a knot at the center point of your scarf.
4. Hold your scarf behind your head and flip the end of your ponytail over it.
5. Start rolling the scarf towards your head while wrapping your hair around it.
6. When you have reached the roots of your hair, tie the end of the scarf at the top of your head.
7. Sleep with this wrapped up hair overnight and remove it in the morning to get gorgeous wavy hair.

5. The Straightened Braids Technique

What You Need:

• Hair elastics
• Flat Iron
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style:

1. Starting out with dry hair, tie all your hair into several braids, depending on how thick and long your hair is.
2. Loosen your braids to make them as flat as possible.
3. Clamp down your straightening iron at the very top of your first braids and hold it there for a few seconds.
4. Then move down your braid a little, clamp your iron down again, and hold it there for a few seconds.
5. Keep repeating this until you’ve reached the end of your braid.
6. Repeat this procedure with all your braids.
7. Spray on some light hold hairspray before opening your braids.
8. Shake out your hair to create more volume in your waves.

6. The Hair Scrunching Technique

What You Need:

• Volumizing mousse
• Towel

How To Style:

1. Apply a dollop of volumizing mousse to your hair right after you step out of the shower.
2. Towel dry your hair as much as possible.
3. Bend your head forward so that your hair falls in front of you.
4. Now start scrunching your hair from the ends by balling it up in your hands and squeezing it for a few seconds.
5. Keep doing this every 10 minutes until your hair completely dries.

7. The Snake Braiding Technique

What You Need:

• Hair elastic
• Light hold hairspray
• Hair brush

How To Style

1. Brush out your damp hair to remove all knots and tangles.
2. Flip all your hair forward, in front of your head.
3. From near your left ear, at the nape of your neck, start Dutch braiding your hair in a horizontal manner.
4. To do so, pick up a 2-inch section of hair and divide it into 3 strands.
5. Braid this hair by flipping the side strands under the middle strand and adding more hair to the braid with each subsequent strand.
6. Once your Dutch braid has reached near your right ear, change your pattern and continue braiding in the opposite direction.
7. Keep braiding this way so that all your hair is braided in a ‘snake’ pattern.
8. Once you’ve run out of hair to add to the braid, simple braid the rest of the hair down. Pin this tail of your braid to your head.
9. Leave this ‘snake’ braid in until your hair is dry.
10. Spritz on some hairspray before opening your braid.
11. Brush out your hair to reveal gorgeous, wavy hair.

8. The Fishtail Braid Technique

What You Need:

• Texturizing spray
• Hair elastic

How To Style:

1. Spray texturizing spray all over your almost-dry hair.
2. Split your hair into 2 sections.
3. Take a thin section of hair from the outer side of your left section and add it to the inner side of your right section.
4. Take a thin section of hair from the outer side of your right section and add it to the inner side of your left section.
5. Keep repeating steps 3 and 4 alternately until you reach the end of your braid, then secure it with a hair elastic.
6. Sleep in with this braid overnight.
7. Next morning, open your braid and shake out your hair to unravel your waves.

9. The Friar Tuck Technique

What You Need:

• Hair brush
• Sea salt spray
• Elasticated headband
• Silk scarf
• Dry shampoo

How To Style:

1. Brush out all the knots and tangles from your dry hair.
2. Part your hair down the middle.
3. Dampen your hair by spritzing on sea salt spray over it.
4. Put on your headband in such a way that it lies across your forehead, and all your hair lies under it.
5. Pick up a 2-inch section of hair from your left side, flip it up and tuck it under the headband.
6. Now add more hair to that section and flip and tuck it the same way.
7. Keep repeating steps 5 and 6 until your reach the back of your head.
8. Then repeat the whole tucking procedure on the right side.
9. Tie a silk scarf around your hair to prevent it from frizzing and leave it on overnight.
10. Next morning, remove all your hair from the headband and brush out your tangles.
11. Finish off by spritzing on some dry shampoo to give your waves more hold.

10. The Flat Iron Technique

What You Need:

• Dry shampoo
• Flat Iron
• Sea salt spray
• Light hold hairspray

How To Style:

1. Start off by spraying dry shampoo at the roots of your hair.
2. Section off the top half of your hair.
3. With a flat iron, curl the lower half of the loose hair at the bottom.
4. Unclip the hair on top and repeat the previous step.
5. Spritz on some sea salt spray and scrunch your hair with your hands to give your waves some more texture.
6. Finish off with some hairspray to prevent your waves from unraveling through the day.

Ref: www.stylecraze.com