Hair Bleaching Tips for Creating Great Blonde Hair Color

This blog post offers advice on hair bleaching safely and effectively to get a true blonde hair color.

This process requires alot of maintenance as the regrowth begins to show within only a few weeks.

If you want a blonde color with a bit less coloring frequency, try foiling hair to add blonde highlights.

Hair Bleaching Tips

Stick with no higher than 20 Volume peroxide for on-scalp bleaching. If you are foiling hair, you can use up to 40 volume peroxide with your bleach powder, but not when it’s coming in direct contact with your skin. For very dark hair, bleach may need to be applied in two separate sittings, with a fresh batch each time.

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Insider Hair Bleaching Secret:
As a rudimentary way to reduce the discomfort of bleach on a sensitive scalp, add a packet of “Sweet n’ Low” to your bleach mixture. Not sure why it works, but it does seem to alleviate some of the biting effect bleach and high-lift hair colors can have on the scalp. There are also professional products which can be mixed with bleach or hair color to desensitize, but they’d be difficult to get unless you know a pro who might be willing to help you out.
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Getting an unblemished all over blonde hair color can be tricky. Particularly if you’re dealing with existing haircolor from past “experiments”. To get a consistent color, you need to start with an even slate…meaning root to end the hair strand should be near the same color level before you apply the hair color or toner.

If there is existing color on the hair, read these tips for hair color removal before you bleach your hair.

In some cases, a high lift blonde hair color will do the trick, but not if there’s already color on the hair…too unpredictable. And some high-lift colors can leave your hair with a brassy hue, making it difficult to achieve a platinum blonde shade. If that’s the case, hair bleaching and toning is necessary.
Hair Bleaching Application Tips

Methods for applying bleach to hair vary widely depending on the existing state of the hair and the desired result. A few rules of thumb that apply in every case are…

* Don’t overlap bleach on previously colored hair. It’ll either cause a banding effect or, worst case scenario a “chemical haircut”.

* Apply to the darkest areas first so they process the longest.

* Clean up any spills promptly, whether on hair, clothing or furniture.

* Have all supplies on hand and ready before you begin.

* Work quickly…but carefully! ;o)

Start applying bleach in the back of the head where hair is usually darkest, working you way up to the front in half inch sections. Apply bleach quickly and thoroughly…oh, and carefully too!

If it takes you too long to get through all the hair, let the bleach process until the lightest section is at the right stage, rinse, then re-apply starting from the other side (in the darkest area) and cover only the hair that needs more lightening.

Bleach loses its effectiveness if it dries out, so cover the hair with a plastic cap, and if it’s a particularly difficult head of hair to lighten…apply some heat. If you use a blowdryer to apply heat, add a diffuser attachment to spread that warm air around evenly or you could end up with “hot spots”. Yes, hair bleaching is finicky, but well worth the effort when done correctly!

Processing

All bleach processing times differ depending on your desired end result. Successful bleach lightening is a visual thing, watching for the underlying pigment to be lifted high enough that your finished color can be achieved.

If you’re going for a very light blonde color, the underlying pigment must be raised up to a pale-yellow stage. However, if you’re pre-lightening very dark hair to create warm golden highlights, the yellow-orange stage would be the time to rinse off the bleach and tone the hair. If you’re bleaching hair, you must have a good grasp of the chemistry goin’ on behind the scenes.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | May 6, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; Turning Curly Hair On or Off?

Angela Christiano believes a drug will soon be developed that can allow naturally curly haired people to turn their natural curly hair on and off through a type of switch.

WSIL TV/3 in New York tonight reported on the recent findings of Geneticist Angela Christiano and her colleagues who have been studing people with a form of curly hair that is known as “wooly hair”.   Angela recently reported her findings in the Journal of Natural Genetics.

According to Angela, who was interviewed for this news segment by Channel WSIL in New York, “wooly hair”, when studied under a microsope, reveals a series of “splits” that can be spotted throughout the entire hair fiber.

As Angela noted, these splits can cause hair breakage and sometimes it can lead to severe hair loss.  Angela is very excited about her discoveries related to wooly hair and believe that the splits are due to a mutation in one gene.  Even better, the protein that leads to the mutation in the gene is found on the cells surface.  Angela believes that soon a drug will be created that will allow the manipulation of hair growth, hair loss and even hair texture.

What does this mean for curly hair?  It means that a drug may be developed to allow naturally curly haired people to turn off their curls and change their texture to straight.  Angela describes this process as a “switch”.

A bigger question is whether or not people would opt to change the texture of their natural hair and whether or not curly haired people would decide to go straight or not.

The Channel WSIL news team visited the New York salon (Devachan) co-owned by Curly Girl best selling author Lorraine Massey to interview Ana Paula Cota, one of the curly hair experts at work.  When asked if she would be willing to trade in her natural curls for a straight texture Ana Paula Cota was quoted as saying she was born with her curls, probably for a reason, and would die with them.

The question of the moment for all naturally curly people.  Would you or would you not use the switch to instant lose your curls?

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | May 2, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; Hair Mistakes to Avoid

There are a number of different hair mistakes that most women make. One of the main reasons is because they do not realize that what they are doing can actually cause a lot of damage to their hair. Here are some of the common hair mistakes that you will want to avoid.

Common Hair Mistake #1: Avoid Wearing Tight Ponytails

There is no doubt that tight ponytails may look good. Unfortunately, wearing tight ponytails on a regular basis can be very damaging to your hair. The reason is because they can cause breakage. If you want to continue wearing ponytails, the best thing to do is create looser ones by opting for a scrunchy rather than a tight elastic band. Also try cutting down on how often you wear them.

Common Hair Mistake #2: Don’t Overuse Hair Styling Products

Most people use at least one hair styling product, such as hairspray, gel or mousse. What most people do not realize, however, is that overusing hair styling products can be very bad for the hair. Not only will it cause your hair to experience damage, but it may also cause you to develop dandruff. The best thing to do is limit yourself to a certain amountof one hair styling product when you choose to use it or go natural whenever possible.

Common Hair Mistake #3: Always Use Leave-in Conditioner

A lot of people neglect to use leave-in conditioner when styling their hair. It is really important to make sure you do. Even if your hair is not already dry, it can always use more moisture to prevent the problem from occurring. Using leave-in conditioner, in combination with the regular usage of a good moisturizing conditioner, whenever possible is always a good idea.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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There’s no better way to transition from winter to spring than by adding bright colors into your now overly-muted ensembles. But there’s no need to be garish about it — just add a bit of peak-a-boo color under a jacket, with a pair of stylish new heels or even an unexpectedly bright handbag. Read on for some easy examples.

My personal covetous favorites of the moment are the electric jewel tones showing up in the shoe aisle. Check out these blue wedge heels from BCBG.

But it’s not just blue that I’m coveting. How about these awesome sling back wedges from Nine West (they come in orange or pink satin)?

Picture these bright beauties with an otherwise neutral outfit: dark denim, charcoal trousers, even a monotone suit with a blouse from the same family of jewel tone. I love this pretty top (great with the blue shoes) and shell from Banana Republic.

Now don’t get me wrong — I’m not encouraging you be too matchy-matchy. But by mixing and matching these pieces subtly (using layering to downplay their presence) you’ll actually amp up the style power of the color.

I’m not one for overspending on handbags, but my general rule of thumb is as long as the design is simple, it will probably hold up over several seasons. And it’s so easy to add color to many different outfits when you have a few bags in interesting colors!

Check out this nice green hobo bag by Lucky. It’s not too pricey, and the great shade of green gets noticed but doesn’t steal the show.

I just love this simple bag from Cole Haan. It will add pizzazz to your look, but will also translate well over time and season. Imagine it again in the fall against a backdrop of gorgeous leaves! It’s definitely on the pricey side, but I can guarantee you it is very well made.

And you can’t go wrong with this russet beauty from Ann Taylor, which will also look great this fall. Bags are the easiest way to start the climb out of winter’s blues and into spring’s hues.

Also invest in a colorful spring jacket of the overcoat variety. Here’s a great one to start with from the Gap. I love the yellow and the green if you can pull it off — remember, don’t decide ahead of time that you can’t. Try this on!

This longer green coat from Ann Taylor Loft just screams spring (without being too shrill).

So even if March came in like a lion, make sure you ease into color, and keep in mind that it should always look like you’re wearing your clothes, not vice versa.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | April 20, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; Treat thirsty hair!

Your hair has it rough all year long, but winter can wreak even more havoc on strands due to the lack of humidity that can sap moisture from tresses and deplete shine. Try not to shampoo every day, because it strips natural oils from your hair, particularly if hair is already dry. Waterless or dry shampoos like Psssssst ($6; drugstore.com) are effective ways to get rid of odor and dirt between shampooing. Also recommended is using a hair mask with intensive moisturizers, such as shea butter and jojoba and avocado oils, once a week to give your hair a boost. If it’s severely damaged, try Kerastase Forcintense, an at-home treatment that helps restore strength to hair when used for five consecutive days.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | April 14, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; THE POB, POSH’S BOB

Victoria Beckham is proving herself to quite the trend setter. The latest trendy new hairstyle called the “Pob” or Posh’s bob, is popping up all over Hollywood.

This striking asymmetrical short cut, that is somewhere between tousled and messy, and smooth and sleek.
Asymmetrical Bob, Inverted Bob - Rihanna

Find a skilled stylist who is comfortable with texturizing via straight razor to get the right amount of life in your hair. Discuss with your hairdresser what aspects of the cut will suit you, and where things should be adapted to be most flattering to your face shape and styling skills.

Asymmetrical bobs, recently seen on stars such as Rihanna. The base of an asymmetrical bob is the shorter-in-back graduated or A-line bob. It is this sliced and razored.

This style suits pretty much every head of hair - Fine hair gets quite a lift this way and heavy, thick locks get a weight lifted out.

This cut is meant to move hair forward, framing the face to the point of almost obscuring features with the sultry way the hair falls in the eyes.

Tips for styling the Pob

* Use a texturizing shampoo and conditioner in the shower.
* Towel dry your hair and work in a small amount of anti-frizz balm and a dollop of volumizing mousse through your hair.
* Using your hair dryer and a round brush, smooth hair towards your face, boosting more movement in your hair.
* To style a cowlick, try blasting the heat on the unruly piece of hair first in one direction, then in the next direction, and after repeating a few times, the hair should sit the way you want.
* Once dry, use a bit of pomade or wax to spike up the shorter pieces and seperate longer strands. Use a small amount and rub between your hands to get the product soft, warm and pliable.
* When your hair is styled, finish off with a touch of glossy shine serum and a spritz of finishing spray. Throughout the day you can touch and fluff up your hair.
* Shorter styles usually require a bit more maintenance than longer ones. You’ll need to get regular trims every 4-6 weeks, and keep that color fresh as there is nowhere for roots to hide.
* You won’t need to wash your hair everyday as choppier styles usually hold up well with slightly dirty hair.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | April 7, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; What Your Hair Color Says About You

Natural or colored, your hair shade affects how the world sees you… and how you see yourself.

Alot of our self-image is based on the perceptions of other people. You partially view yourself through others’ eyes and act accordingly. That’s why the color of our hair tends to stereotype us.
Here’s the deal of what that means for all you redheads, blondes and brunettes. We’ve also got tips on how to keep your hair looking shiny and gorgeous, whatever the color.

Red Hair

There are very few natural redheads - only 3 perfect of the population is said to have fiery locks. For centuries, redheads have had to fight stereotypes. For many, red hair atop a female head automatically conjured images of wild women, hotheads, femme fatales, sexpots.

Redheaded women are often portrayed as strong, independant women. They are usually seen as feisty Irish “tough girls”.

“Red is the new blond,” says Tim Rogers, editorial stylist and spokesman for Charles Worthington hair and beauty salons in London. “She is a head-turning hybrid between the moody brunette and the bubbly blonde. She’s not afraid to have fun and get noticed.”

Red hair compliments brown which seems to be the color in fashion this season. Brown hair with brown fashion can look dull, while red adds more depth and contrast. Red hair also seems to have more shine, which can make your hair look more healthy and beautiful.
Red Hair Care Tips

Accentuate the fire and shine of your red hair with color stay shampoo and hair treatments. The best way to stop color fade is by using products specifically designed for colored hair.

Blonde Hair

Do blondes really have more fun? Maybe. Blonde is a happy color that reminds us of sunny days at the beach.

People see blondes as having more youthful vitality than other colors, and blonde hair can make you look younger. There’s a subtle correlation between youth and blondness, since babies and children tend to have lighter hair than adults.

Q. What is the difference between a blonde and a shopping card?
A: The shopping cart has a mind of its own.

She was so blonde, she stood staring at the frozen orange juice because it said “Concentrate”.

Do we still think blondes are dumb? Many people say we don’t anymore. The Dumb-Blonde jokes are old. Modern blondes are perceived as powerful, independent and of course, still very sexy.

Blonde hair tends to require alot of attention to keep it looking glamorous and healthy, so blondes can give off the impression of high maintenance.

Brown Hair / Brunette

Brunettes project a grounded, stable image. Darker colors also connote earthiness. If you are wanting a more serious, sophisticated look, try a darken brunette hair color.

76 percent of American women think the first female president will have brown hair, according to Allure magazine.

According to a study into hair colour and the intensity of attraction, 51% of men thought brunettes were more attractive. Brunettes were described as intelligent, independent and self-sufficient. Two-thirds of the men said the brunette women appeared stable and competent.

Women with medium-length darker hair such as Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Garner areperceived as smarter and more fun loving.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | April 1, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; How To Avoid Split Ends

Ahhh the agony of split ends! Your hair’s worst enemy. Split ends are caused by over brushing, exaggerated backcombing, brushing wet hair, coloring and perming, vigorous towel drying, elastic bands, hair accessories and your health.

PHEW! Is there anything that doesn’t cause split ends!!??

Unfortunately there isn’t much you can do to repair your damaged hair once you have split ends. The only effective way to rid your hair of split ends is to have them cut off.

Once you get your hair cut and all the split ends removed, do not ignore your hair! You should trim your hair about every six weeks to prevent split ends returning.

A lot of women think the length of their hair is more important then their split ends… “I’m trying to grow my hair… If I skip my next trim my hair will grow longer, faster!”

WRONG! Do not ignore your split ends, because once they are there, they will only get worse. The longer you leave them, the further they will climb up the hair shaft. When you finally go for a trim, you will have no choice by to chop off even MORE of your hair!

It is better to have regular trims and keep those split ends at bay!

There are a few products that can temporarily cure your split ends by sealing and coating the split ends and smoothing them down. However, as soon as your hair is washed or brushed, they will re-appear. Intensive conditioning treatments offer a temporary solution by reconstructing the hair shaft.

But the only real solution for split ends is simply to avoid them.
How to avoid split ends:

* Do not brush your hair when it’s wet. Wet hair stretches up to 25% and is most vunerable. Use a wide tooth comb to gently de-tangle your hair.
* Give your colored or permed hair the extra care it deserves. Use appropriate hair treatments.
* Heated appliances such as hair dryers and straightening irons can dry out your hair and make it brittle. Avoid these appliances as much as possible. If you have to use them, use a protective product.
* Let your hair dry naturally whenever you can; have a day, perhaps Sunday where you don’t blow dry your hair, use product or straighten your hair.
* Rather than towel drying your hair, try to blot it gently instead.
* Avoid using rubber bands to tie up your hair. Use covered elastic bands, preferably the ones without the metal, as these can pull and tear your hair.
* Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your health and diet can affect your hair condition - a low fat diet can cause dull, dry hair which will split faster because there is not enough lubrication on the hair follicle.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | March 24, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; All About Curly Hair

For those of you with curly hair, you’ll admit it can be both a blessing and a hassle. When your curls look good, they really look good. But all it takes is a slight change of weather and you’ve got frizz problems!

It’s true, curly hair can sometimes need a bit more care and attention than straight hair to keep it looking its best. Hairstyle.com has curly hair information and advice, hairstyles for curly hair and curly hair care tips that will have your locks looking their best.

It is important to understand your hair - once you understand what works with your curly hair, you can really enjoy your hair and learn to love it.

HOW TO STYLE CURLY HAIR

If you have wavy hair:

Give your naturally wavy hair more defined curls. Take small sections of your hair while its damp, and roll them up into little balls. Secure them into place with pins. Once your hair is dry, unpin your hair. Do not brush, instead just use your fingers to piece out your curls.

Not every stylist knows how to cut curly hair. Ask various salons if they have someone who specializes in curly haircuts. Curly hair needs to be cut wet so you can see the natural shape.

Layers can look great with curly hair, but don’t get the layers cut too short as your curly hair will turn into a pouf.

To get perfect ringlets, start with damp hair.

Step 1: Apply a dime-sized amount of serum AND gel through hair from mid-strand to the ends.

Step 2: Take small sections from the top of your head & twist them down to the ends. Let them fall.

Step 3: Dry sections with a diffuser from roots to ends. (Don’t scrunch your curls otherwise you could cause frizzing, instead cup the hair from below).

Step 4: When hair is almost completely dry, bend over & shake curls loose. Massage hair at the crown, this will add body.

Step 5: Flip hair back & finish styling with your fingers. Do NOT use a brush.

TWISTED UPDO

Hair twists and updos are always a very popular style. Sweep hair into a ponytail that rests at the back of the crown. Allow your curls to billow out over the top of the base. Secure the ends loosely against the back of the scalp to form a soft curly bun.

HALF UP / HALF DOWN STYLE

Once you have washed, dried and applied some product in your hair to really define your curls, this style is quick and easy to do.

Using your thumbs, position them just above your ear lobes. Slide your thumbs inwards at a 45 degree angle, towards the center of your head. When your thumbs meet, lift that top section of hair and tie it into a ponytail. Either tie it at the back of your crown, or try a looser, more casual look and tie the ponytail lower down.

SIDE SWEEP

A sexy side ponytail - a sleek smooth crown, that ties behind one ear and displays a beautiful cascade of loose curls.

Use a flat iron to straighten your hair from roots to middle of your hair. Brush your hair to one side and tie into a low ponytail. Separate the ponytail section into 1 inch sections and use a small to medium barrel curling iron to create ringlets. Holy the iron in place for up to 30 seconds.

CURLY HAIR CARE

* The best products for curly hair are alcohol-free products. Curly hair is naturally more fragile and dry than straight hair. Products that contain alcohol dry out your hair, and you want to avoid these products if your hair is curly.

* Minimize breakage by allowing your hair to air-dry as often as possible.

* Some curly haired women will skip every other shampoo and just use conditioning rinses. Shampoo at least once a week to avoid greasy hair and a build up of products, but if you shampoo too often this will dry our your hair and leave it frizzy.

* Use a moisturizing shampoo to help hydrate the scalp.

* Tip: Comb some conditioner through your hair before shampooing.

* On non-shampooing days, rinse your hair with warm water, apply conditioner and rinse well. This will give you clean hair, without stripping away the protective oils.

* Apply mousse to still-damp hair and spread from roots to end. This will help control frizz.

* Other ways to control frizz - use some leave-in conditioning products, or anti-frizz hair serums.

* DO NOT use a brush on your curly hair. Use a widetoothed comb or your fingers to detangle your curls.

* Always comb the conditioner through your hair when washing it. This will help evenly spread the conditioner from root to end. Detangle your hair before rinsing out the conditioner.

* To control frizzy hair, use an anti-frizz serum to smooth the frizz, add shine and condition your hair. Most serums contain silicone which sits on top of the hair shaft and protects hair from heat.

WANT CURLY HAIR?

Do you want curly hair? You might want to look into getting a perm or body wave.

A perm does not mean a scary, crimped Poodle-Do of the 80s. Perms have come a long way, and the result is a much more natural look. A perm can add body to limp hair, give you sexy loose waves or the corkscrew curls you’ve always wanted but weren’t born with.

PERM

Perms work best on thick, strong hair that hasn’t been colored. If you have a few highlights or even a full color, that is ok. But heavy highlighted, double processed hair can leave your hair fragile and slightly damaged. The strong chemicals for a perm could totally kill your hair if its already damaged.

If you’re not sure if your hair could handle a perm, ask your stylist. They will want to know your hair history and can tell you if you are a suitable candidate for a perm.

Here’s a trick to try at home. Take a few strands of hair and put them in a glass of water. If they float, your hair is healthy. If they sink, your hair is damaged and is soaking up moisture.

A perm will take about 1-2 hours, depending on the length of your hair. The way it works- chemicals are used to break and reform the structural bonds of your hair. After the hair is wrapped on a perm rod and the hair is placed in the physical shape we want it to take. The size of the rod determines the tightness of the curl. A chemical solution is applied which raises the cuticle of the hair strand and breaks of the bonds that of your natural hair wave pattern.

After this chemical solution has been rinsed off, a neutralizer is used to reform the bonds of the hair and sets the new curl pattern.

If done correctly a perm will last about 2-6 months.

Body Wave

What is it? A new take on the horrid old “perm”. It’s a loose body wave and gives hair movement and volume.

How does it work? It depends on the natural texture and condition of the hair. If the hair is dead-straight, large curls are done to create a soft, natural wave. If the hair already has a slight wave, the natural curl is emphasised by focusing on the bottom layers of the hair. This is all achieved with large rollers and strong setting solution.

What hair types are (most) suitable? Those with healthy hair who are looking for a little bit of oomph, or those with the kind of limp hair that just sits there.

Which hair types are not suitable? Anyone with bleached, overcolored hair.

How long does it take? Usually around one and a half hours.

How much does it cost? From $60 to $150.

Temporary methods for curling your hair

HOME-MADE RAG CURLERS/ROLLERS

You will need to make 40 rag curlers depending on the thickness and ultimate length of your hair.

Use clean old sheets or old t-shirts to make the rag strips. Make sure they are natural fiber and lint free! Cut or tear into strips about an inch wide and 6 inches long. If your hair is very long you made need longer strips.

Wash your hair and let it dry until its just a little damp. Section your hair into ½ - 1 inch sections. Take one of the rags and lay it alongside the section of hair. Wrap the hair around the rag in a spiral, leaving enough cloth at the top and bottom so you can tie the ends together. Make sure the end of the strand isn’t sticking out anywhere. The tighter you wrap the hair the tighter the curls will be.

Finish wrapping up the rest of your hair and then go to bed! The rags shouldn’t be too uncomfortable at all.

The next morning, untie the rags gently and you should have some beautiful sausage curls.

If your hair is hard to curl, use some gel or setting lotion before rolling your hair.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
visit my homepage.

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Posted by: hottiehair | March 19, 2008

Hottie Hair: Las Vegas; All About Straight Hair

If you have been blessed with fairly straight hair, then you are lucky and the envy of many women. Thick hair that is mostly straight, with maybe a slight wave is usually the easiest hair to style. Your natural wave loves to be curled and styled, and yet is easy to straighten and looks fabulous worn straight.

Women with tight curly hair, or fine, dead straight hair that has little body and refuses to hold curl (yes, that’s me!) struggle to style our hair at times.

If your hair is not quite as straight as you want it, you have some easy options to temporarily straighten your hair: straightening products, hair dryer or straightening iron.

If your hair is really not straight and you want to get rid of your curl permanently (well, at least 6 months), you have the option of professionally straightening your hair.

HOW TO BLOW DRY HAIR STRAIGHT

Hair Dryer

Blowdrying your hair straight is definitely the cheaper option to permanently straightening your hair - all it takes is a few tools and products and a bit of practice.

What do I need?

- A hairdryer

- A large round brush. The size of the brush will depend on the length of your hair - your hair needs to be long enough to wrap around the brush once.

- A large paddle brush for final smoothing.

- Clips to keep hair out of the way. Large flat clips that hairdressers use work best.

- Styling products - products that protect your hair from moisture and hold the style. Moisture is what reverts the hair back to its natural wave, so products like mousse protect hair from moisture as well as heat damage.

- Gloss or serum to smooth over hair, remove frizz and finish off the look

* Start by washing your hair with a volumising range. Browse our Volumising range.

* Comb with a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles. Partially blow-dry your hair to get rid of excess moisture.

* Spray a volumising tonic on your hair, or a handful of mousse spread from tips to ends for extra oomph.

* Pin hair up and take out small sections at a time to blow-dry. Hold the dryer in one hand and a styling brush in the other.

* Place the brush underneath the first section of hair and position it at the roots. Keep the tension on the hair (without tugging too hard) and move the brush down towards the ends, while directing the air flow down the hair, following the movement of the brush.

* Blow-dry using a large, round brush with a metal core. Wind hair completely up the brush, focusing on creating lift at the roots. Gently blast hair with a hair-dryer until dry.
Browse our range of Hairdryers.

* Curl the brush under at the ends to achieve a slight bend. Continue until the back sections are completely dry and then repeat on the top sections of hai

* Finish with a light, flexible hairspray. Browse our range of HairSprays.

* Remember, practice makes perfect!

HOW TO USE A STRAIGHTENING IRON

What do I need?

Hair Straightener

- A temperature controlled straightening iron

- Styling products - products that protect your hair from moisture and hold the style. Moisture is what reverts the hair back to its natural wave, so products like mousse protect hair from moisture as well as heat damage.

Things to remember:

Also start with clean, DRY hair. If possible, use a leave-in conditioning spray after washing your hair, but before starting to straighten.
Hair must be completely dry, as slightly damp hair will respond badly to straightening. Also using a heated appliance on damp hair causes the hair to “cook” from the steaming, swelling the hair shaft and forcing the protective moisture from the cortex of the hair.

Use a flat iron appropriate for your hair length. Wider irons are suitable for very long hair, but most women are better off using an appliance with heating plates 1″ to 1 ½ ” wide. These smaller irons offer better control and are lighter in weight.

Section your hair into small, manageable sections. If you try and straighten a big chunk of hair at once, you will get an uneven result. The hair on the outside might straighten but hair in the middle won’t have been straightened. Work on smaller sections and you will get a much straighter look.

Use a small amount of styling product to maintain the style. Using a spray of hairspray on the straightened sections, or a small amount of mousse or gel when drying your hair, will extend the life of your hair style. Your straightened hair will last longer.
Instructions

Take a small section of hair. Starting at the roots, work the flat iron through the length of your hair slowly, but keep the iron moving.

After each draw, comb your hair smooth.

Continue, piece by piece until all of your hair is straight.

PROFESSIONAL HAIR STRAIGHTENING

Permanent Straightening

What is it? It’s a perm that improves the condition of the hair as it straightens it. There are a few names for it - Bio Ionic Professional Haircare System, Japanese Ionic Hair Straightening - yet they are all the same.

How does it work? First a treatment to prep your hair. Next, a setting solution. Then a rinse and light dry off before hours of flat-iron work. After this, you have straight hair. They rinse again and apply a solution so your hair remembers to stay straight. A quick dry off and iron and you’re done. But no washing your hair for two days.

What hair types are (most) suitable? Those with thick, healthy, unbleached hair are the best candidates.

Which hair types are not suitable? Fine, weak or dry hair or hair that is overly processed/colored. However there are lotions that cater to variations in strength and thickness, meaning those with fine but strong hair can still get the treatment.

How long does it take? Usually about five hours. If the hair is very thick, curly or long it can take up to 10 or 11 hours.

How much does it cost? It can range anywhere from $150 to $1000 depending on the salon and the particular solutions being used (ie Bio Ionic is more expensive than Japanese solutions)

Some quick-fixes include using permanent straighteners and relaxers- most of which you can find in supermarkets and drug stores to apply in your own home.

A relaxer is best suited for people who have hair that is especially difficult to style. This usually applies to people of African or Caribbean descent who have coarse and frizzy hair. The relaxer is a strong chemical substance that is applied to dry hair and then left on the hair anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. The relaxer works chemically with the composition of your hair, weighing it down in certain areas and removing curls. Relaxers must be reapplied to new hair growth.

CryStyle
HottieHair.com
Master Hair Stylist in Las Vegas

For more info about my hair salon work in Las Vegas,
directions to the hair salon or to make an appt with me
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