HAIR STYLE

Every woman is special and unique. There are hairstyles for everybody. A hairstyle should always compliment ones face and body and should also relate to ones lifestyle. Working people who cannot dedicate much time for hair grooming can go in for short hairstyles. A lot of new hairstyles have been innovated, keeping in mind everybody requirements.

Straightening Hair –
Straightened hair is considered trendier these days. A hair relaxer or straightener as it is commonly called, is a chemical solution. When applied to curly or wavy hair, it aids in changing hair structure. It breaks the bonds that form curls and can be reformed into a straight pattern. It is better to get this done from a professional, because in this process hair is stretched and can be damaged. Straightening is permanent. It has to be repeated only when new curly or wavy hair grows.

If you have curly short hair and crave for long straight hair. Then you can get them straightened and can use hair extensions. These add length and volume to the hair. These are made of nylon fiber or real hair. They can be attached to a person’s natural hair using heat or glue to form a seal. It is better to get it done from a professional. They are available in all textures and colors.

Perming -     
It is a hairstyle where the hair is curled permanently by using chemicals. The hair is wrapped around the rollers and a chemical solution is applied to it. Molecular-bond in the hairs, are broken down by these chemicals. Rollers create curly shape by reforming these bonds. It is better to get perming done by an expert stylist, fearing under-processing, where the hair will have little or no wave.

After day to day wear and shampooing, the curls may relax a little. But they never wear off entirely. After sufficient hair growth when you go for trimming or haircut, your perm will be cut off. Most people need a perm after every 3 to 4 months. That is when your hair lacks body and does not hold the style you desire. Perming is completed within 2 to 3 hours. Even people with curly hair can for perming to achieve a particular style, to even out the curl or to re-direct the natural curl into a manageable pattern.

Blow Drying And Styling Your Hair -
The shape and volume of your hair can be improved, provided you use appropriate blow-drying technique and styling product. A hair dryer is an essential equipment to dry your hair if you are in a hurry, you can even style your hair when you are drying it. Purchase a dryer that has adjustable speed and temperature setting. Use clips, to separate sections of hair as you dry it. A diffuser is ideal for drying curly hair as it spreads out the airflow, so hair can be dried easily.

Which Brush Should I Use?  
Select the right brush for everyday styling and Hair care. The bristles of a brush are made of, either plastic, nylon, metal or a combination of these. They are embedded in a handle. Always choose a brush, which has long, smooth, blunt and widely spaced bristles to avoid tangles. Brushes with metal bristles should be avoided as they can scratch your scalp. Press the bristles into your palms to check their sharpness.

To meet everybody’s requirement different brushes are available.
1. Styling brushes are used both for blow drying and grooming and are widely used.
2. Bristle’s of a grooming brush ensures, that your hair is not pulled.
3. Circular brushed are styling brushes. They can create curls or can flick the ends of the hair when blow-dried.
4. For grooming long hair paddle brushes are the best.
5. Vent brushes have holes or vents along the back and are good for blow-drying because they allow hot air to pass through them.

Styling With Rollers -
Nowadays whether it is a casual hairstyle or a formal wedding hairstyle, curls play an important role. New hairstyles have been invented keeping curls in mind. You can create tight curls or add waves to your hair by using same basic tools and techniques.

Rollers can add volume to your hair. There are 2 different types of rollers, heated and cold rollers. Heated rollers can be used on hair that is completely dry and for cold rollers the hair should be slightly damp. You can use rollers in the below described manner –
1. Start with small sections of hair at the front of your head, as it is easier. Comb this section of hair upwards.
2. Neatly wrap the ends of your hair around the roller. Weigh the roller down towards your scalp without tangling your hair.
3. If it is a Velcro roller, it will grip your hair by itself. In heated rollers pins or clips are present to fix them in position. Wind-in-rollers have to be secured by pins. Bendy foam rollers produce soft, spiral curls.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 and work around the whole head.

Leave cold rollers in till your hair are completely dry. Heated rollers should be left in your hair for about 20 minutes, till they are cool. Finally remove the rollers and comb your hair through. Bobby pins or clips can be used to pin curls to produce deep wavy or ripple effects.

Styling With Tongs –
Here heat produced by the tongs will curl hair quickly and effectively. They boost the volume of fine hair. To create curls wind your hair around the barrel of the tongs. Now to maintain the curls for a longer time, after creating curls allow your hair to cool completely before brushing or combing.

Styling With Flat Irons or Crimpers –
Flat Irons or Crimpers and Straightener have 2 reversible metal plates. One side is flat and smoothes curly, frizzy hair. The other is ridged and gives hair a crinkled effect. People with layered haircuts can use crimpers/flat irons to style their hair to perfection.

Scrunch Drying For Curls -  
The curls of wavy or curly hair can be curled further by scrunch drying. Firstly wash your hair and towel-dry it. Then apply plenty of mousse (styling product). Tip your head forward and blow the roots of your hair with a dryer. This gives your hair volume. Then squeeze handfuls of your hair with your fist as you dry it. You can even attach a diffuser to your dryer. This promotes drying of your hair with warm air without blowing your curls.

Blow-Drying Your Hair Straight –
You can blow dry wavy or curly hair into a smooth sleek shape by following the below steps. Before starting, dry your hair with a towel or with a blast of warm air from your dryer. Excess moisture is thus removed. To protect your hair from the heat of a dryer, apply some styling product to your hair.
1. Now clip the hair that you are not working on. Start at the back of your head and blow dry small sections of hair starting with lower layers first. Then work on the sides and finish with the top of your hair and fringe.
2. Dryer should be held at about 10cm from your hair. Place a brush at the roots of your hair, and to dry each section pull the brush through to the ends. Let airflow from the dryer be-down towards the hair shaft. This will give a shiny appearance to your hair. Keep the dryer moving so it doesn’t burn your hair.
3. To curl the ends of your hair, curve them around the brush. If you want your hair to hold this shape, you can blow a final blast of cold air.

Platting Your Hair –
Platting your hair is an easy task. Whether you have long, short, curly or wavy hair you can always plait your hair. A French plait may be a little complicated initially. But with regular practice you can plait with expertise. For a French plait,
1. Select a section of hair from the front of your head and divide it into 3 equal parts.
2. Take the right section of hair over the middle one and then the left section over the middle one to plait your hair once.
3. Now gather a thin strand of loose hair next to the right section and one next to the left section and plait them once.
4. Continue plaiting in this way, taking a few strands of hair from each side to join in with the plait. When you reach your nape, plait in an ordinary manner. At the end secure with a covered band.
(Use a small band for a fine plait and for a thick plait use a larger one).

Hair up-styles –
Innovative hairstyles can be made even with medium, short or long haircuts. And for that very special occasion you can always transform your regular hairstyle. Few of them are discussed below –

Mini Twists –
1. Neatly divide your hair into sections. Twist each section till it begins to twist back on itself.
2. Cross 2 kirby grips over each other to secure each twist. Let the ends of each twist remain spiky.
3. Short hair at the ends can be smoothed flat with a gel. To hold your hair in position, use a hairspray. For a funkier party look you can apply streaks of hair mascara to your Mini twists.

Snake Twists –
1. Brush your hair at the back of your head and secure it with a covered band to form a ponytail.
2. From the outer edge of your ponytail, pull small sections of hair. Twist each section till it begins to twist back on itself.
3. Pin each twist of your hair above the covered band with the help of a Kirby grip. Create as many twists as you want.
(In Snake twists you can twist either all your hair in your ponytail or just some of it).

A Spiky Chignon – is a very sophisticated hairstyle.
1. One side of your hair should be brushed back sideways. From the nape of your neck to your crown, at the center of the back of your head insert a row of Kirby grips.
2. Gather your hair to form a low ponytail. Lift up the ponytail and twist it towards the pins, till it forms a roll at the back of your head. Allow the edge of your ponytail to flop forwards.
3. Secure the roll with Kirby grips. Push each grip into the edge of the roll. Then change the direction of the grip. Catch a piece of the hair and push the grip under the roll. To hold spiky top in place use hairspray.
Gel, Mousse, Pomade, Wax, Hairspray, Setting lotion and Blow drying lotion - 
Some of the above styling products add volume to your hair and should be used before hair drying. Others can be used only when the hair is dried. Few are used to sculpt your hair. Never use more than the required styling product because your hair may appear dull. Follow the instructions on the container. Some of the most widely used styling products are –

Setting Lotion – Before using rollers, this liquid is applied to towel dried hair. It may leave hair feeling a little hard but can perfectly hold the curls produced by the rollers.

Blow Drying Lotion – As the name indicates this liquid has to be applied to towel dried hair before blow-drying. It leaves hair with a softer feeling and protects hair from the heat of a dryer.

Gel – It is available in the form of jelly or spray, it can be applied to damp or dry hair. Mainly used to sculpt hair. It is a little messy to apply, but the wet look gel can give dramatic effects to your hair.

Mousse – It comes in foam form and can be applied to both dry and wet hair. Good for scrunch drying. To add volume and texture to the hair conditioning mousse is the best. Leave-in mousse (conditioner) helps in reducing the damage caused by heated appliances by forming a barrier around the hair.

Hairspray or Fixing Spray – It is a fine, quick drying varnish used to hold styled hair in place. Comes in a wide variety, but it dries hair if left for a long time.

Waxes, Creams and Pomades – All these products have to be applied to dry hair and are available in different forms. This enhances the tousled look in straight hair and reduces frizz in curly hair.

Finding The Cut To Suit You –
A good haircut will hide bad points and emphasize the good ones. No single style suits all. Every person is unique and different. A hairstyle is designed keeping in mind the face, body shape and lifestyle.

Few people have the perfect oval face, which is a hair designers delight. But for many this shape has to be created either by adding height or fullness to areas that fall short or creating closeness where the arc is extended. This is the method to create a balanced look. Go to a reputed salon and tell them what you are looking out for in a haircut. Tell them about your lifestyle and the time you can dedicate for styling your hair. They will suggest you a haircut genuinely.

Haircuts To Suit Your Face - 
To find the shape of your face, firstly use a headband to keep your hair off your face. Stand in front of a well illuminated, mirror. Use an old lipstick or crayon to draw the outline of your face on the mirror. Carefully trace the shape of your head, your cheeks and your jaw. Compare the shape of your face with the ones described below.

Square – Here the forehead cheeks and jaw are almost equal in length. You should consider taking a side parting which will make your face look less square. A fringe will soften your hairline. Choose a layered hairstyle that falls onto your face. Avoid center parting, severe angular haircuts, hair pulled back and very short haircuts.

Heart – Here the face is wide at the forehead and cheeks and is narrow at the jaw. Consider having wispy fringe that will make your forehead look narrower. Curls or waves at the level of your jaw will make your forehead look narrower. Avoid short fringes and parting at the center, which will make your forehead look broad. Avoid fullness near your cheeks because it will make your chin look too narrow and pointed.

Long – In this case the face is narrow with a high forehead or long chin. Consider having curls at the sides of your face because it adds width. A fringe will make your forehead look narrower. Your hair should not be longer than your chin length. Avoid straight, long one-length cuts or hair pulled off face.

Round – Here the face is full near the cheeks and is as wide as it is long. Choose hairstyles that brush forward and frame your face to make it look slimmer. Keep the sides of your hair sleek or short to make it look slimmer. Avoid one length cuts and hairstyles with a round outline. Don’t comb your hair back, off face. Avoid bubbly curls or full hair.

Oval – Here the length of the face is equal to one and half times the width at the cheeks. Almost any hairstyle will suit this face. This is the perfect face.

Adding Shine –
Glosses, serums or shine sprays are styling products that are fine liquids and coat the cuticle of your hair with oil or silicone. They are particularly good on black hair for sleek smooth styles. They give hair a healthy and shiny appearance.