Men Can Straighten Their Hair Too!

Growing up my older brother had really curly hair, which he used to spend what seemed like hours in front of the mirror trying to tame. His only hairstyle choices were extremely short so the curl would be cut out of his hair or something that involved curl. He just like many men born with curly hair would have done anything to get straight hair since to many of these guys curls are a girly thing they do not like on their own heads.

Of course many men do not think of it but they too can use a flat iron on their hair to get rid of their naturally curly hair and get those straight hairstyles they see on the men in Hollywood that the ladies love. Some guys might be reluctant to try this depending on their personality since to many this kind of grooming is just too feminine. But many of the companies that make hair irons try and actually cater to guys by creating models that they would not mind using as much. The popular pink hair irons that are all the rage with the women just would not work in a guy’s bathroom so you can get things such as a camo design from Chi flat irons that a guy would not mind using at all.

Since many men have short hair it is important that they use a flat iron that has a small plate size so that it is easier to run the hair through the iron to get the hair straight. And just like with women it is essential that men use a quality professional straightener that will not damage their hair and leave it dried out and unhealthy. After all the whole point is to look good for the ladies and you want them to still be able to run their fingers through your hair.

How to Hair Rollers

Back in 96 ( okay it was 86 but who’s counting) I was attending Hairdressing School in New Westminster, BC. We had these 1960’s like mannequin heads that we had to practice all kinds of hair styles on. These heads had the same kind of hair that Barbie did back in the 70’s and it was tougher than you would think trying to do anything with them.

The only fun easy part of hairdressing school was the roller sets, ohhhh the roller sets, easy, flip on roller, pin, next! Hair rollers are so easy in fact that a child could use them. They can make any flat hair incredibly “not flat” and do the least amount of damage. Follow these simple steps to achieve fuller, curly, smooth looking hair.

1. The first thing you will need are the rollers.

2. Wash your hair and use a setting lotion.

3. Begin at the front of your head with a rat tail comb and part your hair in two sections the length of the tooth part of the comb. Measure against the roller so you don’t have hair hanging off the sides.

figure 1.

4. Comb the section of hair forward and hold it tight with your fingers. You should be stretching the hair but not pulling it. Press the ends against the roller. Make sure to moisten hair throughout process as curls wont hold if you roll them on the drier side.

figure 2.

5. Roll the hair onto the roller keeping it flattened against the roller and make sure it is taught. If there is any slack during the rolling process it will show when you are done. Make sure it is neat and tidy the whole time. Carefully and securely place a clip to the each end of the roller. Your first roller is done!

figure 3.

6. Do this process all over always rolling back. When you are finished place a hair net over your hair and you can air dry or use a hair dryer. When your hair is completely dry remove net and curlers.

This is the best know “healthy” way to style your hair daily. Until next time Good Luck!

niki

How to Style Hair - Quick & Easy Hair

Some of us are very busy, we don’t have the time to wash, dry and style without getting up at 5am to get to work by 9am. Here are some easy hair styling tips to let you sleep in a little longer.

Apply styling foam and blow dry with a round brush. Appy a small amount of hair wax and use fingers to style.

It’s the short female business do and is popular with very dominant women. It’s a short hairstyle that shows the world you are a female and are in control.

Apply styling foam, blow dry for a few minutes leaving the hair still damp. Apply hair wax and style using fingers, twisting and styling however you like. This is also an easy hair style to wear without the blowdrying.

Apply mousse for waves and blowdry upside down scrunching your hair while drying it. Flip your head up and spray with a setting spray.

Perms are out, but one trend that is the hottest in salons is salt spraying. Don’t wash the hair everyday as dirty hair is easier to manage. Get the hair damp and use salt water in a spray to bring out the wavy curls. Since most hair has some sort of natural wave, the sea salt will bring this out and magnify it. Easy hair is all in what you feel comfortable with.If you do have time use a hair straightener, the temperatures do get hot enough to ensure a quick styling.

Till next time Good Luck

niki

Professional Hairstyling Tips

Here are some tips for various kinds of hair types:

For thin hair always use a volumizer, you should choose products that will specify that it wont weigh your hair down. Wait until your hair is almost dry and blow dry upside down. Do not use your hands to shake your hair while drying, this tends to make hair look frizzy once your done.

Pull your roots out with your fingers or a brush, firmly, hold the blow dryer to the roots for a few seconds, then take the blowdryer away and still holding onto your roots (almost pulling) let your hair cool down before letting go. Do this all over, tugging at your roots and holding hairdryer to them. This will give you volume from the root.

Try coloring your hair, this will give volume, manageability and body to fine thin hair. There are a ton of different colors to choose from and you could always just go with highlights or streaking. (your hair!)

For reviving a perm in between perms try using a curl enhancer.

This look can be achieved by using Aveda curl enhancer, a hair diffuser, ( which is used to blow dry curls that will not seperate them while drying) drying upside down and scrunching.

For thick frizzy, wiry type hair I would suggest using a defrizzer or shiner, a straight iron will also help to flatten, smooth and gives greater control. Bumble & Bumble is just one of many different brands for helping tame frizz.

Although I do not normally suggest buying products from a store I recommend only one if you do and that is Sunsilk. I have said it before and I will say it again, “I have had nothing but good come out of using their products.” They have a whole product line for this type of hair, shampoo, conditioner and defrizzers.

Most products from the store are watered down and contain wax. Next time you shampoo your hair put a little baking soda in with it and wash normally. You will feel a huge difference in your hair because you just stripped all of the store bought products out of your hair. But DO NOT USE if you have to go out, you will have what looks like dandruff but is in fact flakes of all the stuff that we call wax coming out of your hair. Do the baking soda method a few times until you do not see any flakes. Unbelievable isn’t it?

Salon products are concentrated and are PH balanced for your hair. A normal ph balance is around 5.5.

To keep your hair in the style that you like, you must see your hairdresser regularly. A good haircut must be maintained and I suggest not waiting any longer than 6 weeks between visits. Until next time…Good luck!

Niki

Hair Dryer Diffuser - How to Use a Finger Diffuser

The most common hair dryer diffuser is also known as a finger diffuser.

This dryer attachment is one of the most popular attachments as its main purpose is to add volume and define curls without frizzing up hair. It allows your hair dryer to give a softer blast of air instead of blowing your hair all over the place like a hair dryer will do with out an attachment.

A diffuser is best used on a lower heat setting, and although it makes for a bit of a slower process the end results can be very rewarding. A more defined curl, less frizz and softer looking curls or waves. The fingers on the diffuser work to help separate the hairs from each other for a fuller more voluminous effect.

HOW TO USE A HAIR DRYER FINGER DIFFUSER

To add volume using a diffuser tilt your head upside down and place the diffuser at the roots of your hair and move the diffuser down to the ends of hair as hair dries.

To help shape and define curls start with the diffuser at the roots and with circular motions work your way down the hair. Be sure to move in the same direction down the hair. To add volume with this technique lift the roots by keeping the diffuser at a 90 degree angle from the scalp.

Always use your dryer on a medium heat setting and at a lever 1 air speed.

To help set the hair finish with a cool shot.

Triple Barrel Curling Iron - How to Use One

A triple barrel curling iron can be a wonderful and easy way to add beautiful waves to your hair. Here are some simple steps to follow to ensure you get the best results.

1. Taking sections about 2-3 inches wide, place the section of hair between the top barrels and bottom plates. Be sure to stay about 1 inch away from the scalp.

2. Clamp the Iron shut and hold for about 5 seconds.

3. Move the waver down and to avoid ‘dents’ in the hair be sure to place the first barrel in the last so the waves look continuous.

4. Move down to complete the section of hair and to finish the edges tuck the ends of hair into the barrel with a tail comb.

Tail Comb

5. Repeat steps 1-4 but when working on the crown (top pieces) turn the iron up on a slight angle to avoid getting any harsh lines around the crown of your head.

6. When you have finished your entire head you can break up the waves gently with your fingers for a softer looking wave. Spray with a small amount of flexible hold hairspray and your done!

How to use a Curling Iron and get the Best Results

Depending on the size of the curls you want you first need to choose your tool. A curling iron with a large barrel will create large, loose curls where as a smaller barrel will create smaller, tighter curls such as ringlets.

Once you know what size of curls you want, using the curling iron is pretty much the same no matter what size the barrel is.

Always start with dry hair; curling you hair when it is wet will leave you with fried and damaged hair. If your hair is medium to long in length it is easiest to start at the back of the head whereas if you have short hair start at the crown.

Take a 1 to 2 inch section of hair and starting at the ends clamp the ends of your hair into the iron and roll the hair until you are about 1 inch from your scalp. Hold the iron for about 10 seconds then gently release the iron and let the curl fall. Repeat with the rest of the sections of hair.

Once the curls have cooled down you can set your hair with holding spray and use your fingers to help shape the curls.

Did you know that you can use your Hair Straightener to curl your hair as well? See how to curl your hair with a hair straightener.