Tools and Products Needed
Tools
Hairdryer: A good hairdryer with adjustable heat and speed settings is essential. It can be used to create volume, smoothness, or add texture depending on the style you want to achieve.
Flat Iron: Useful for creating straight, sleek looks or for adding subtle bends and waves. Look for a flat iron with ceramic or tourmaline plates as they are less damaging to the hair.
Curling Iron or Wand: Comes in various sizes to create different curl patterns. A smaller barrel will give tighter curls, while a larger one will result in looser waves.
Round Brush: Great for blow-drying and adding volume and shape. A medium-sized round brush is suitable for most short hairstyles.
Wide-Toothed Comb and Fine-Toothed Comb: The wide-toothed comb is used to detangle the hair gently without causing breakage, especially when the hair is wet. The fine-toothed comb can be used for more precise styling, such as parting the hair or creating detailed looks.
Hair Clips and Bobby Pins: These are handy for sectioning the hair during styling and for holding the style in place once it’s done.
Hairspray: Provides hold and helps keep the style in place throughout the day. Choose a hairspray with a flexible hold for a more natural look or a stronger hold for more elaborate styles.
Texturizing Product: Such as texturizing spray, sea salt spray, or a texturizing powder. These can add volume, texture, and a bit of grip to the hair, making it easier to style and giving it a more lived-in look.
Styling Wax or Pomade: Used to define and shape the hair, add shine, and control flyaways. They are especially good for creating a more polished or edgy look.
Different Styling Options
The Sleek and Straight Look
Washing and Conditioning: Start with clean, towel-dried hair. Use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner to make the hair easier to straighten and reduce frizz.
Detangling: Gently comb through the hair with a wide-toothed comb to remove any tangles.
Applying Heat Protectant: Spray a heat protectant all over the hair to protect it from the heat of the hairdryer and flat iron.
Blow-Drying: Use a round brush and the hairdryer. Start at the roots and work your way down to the ends, pulling the hair straight as you dry. Focus on smoothing the hair and creating a sleek finish. For more volume at the roots, you can blow-dry the hair in the opposite direction briefly before styling it straight.
Flat Ironing: Once the hair is mostly dry, use the flat iron to straighten it completely. Divide the hair into small sections and run the flat iron over each section, starting from the roots and moving slowly down to the ends. Make sure to keep the iron moving to avoid burning the hair.
Finishing Touches: After straightening, you can apply a small amount of styling wax or pomade along the hairline and ends to smooth down any flyaways and add shine. Spray with hairspray for a long-lasting, sleek look.
The Voluminous and Textured Look
Prepping the Hair: Wash and towel-dry the hair as before. Apply a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray to the roots and throughout the hair.
Blow-Drying with Volume: Use a round brush and the hairdryer. When blow-drying, lift the roots of the hair with the brush and direct the heat at the roots for a few seconds before moving down the hair shaft. This helps create volume. You can also turn your head upside down while blow-drying to add more lift.
Texturizing: Once the hair is dry, use a texturizing powder or a sea salt spray. Sprinkle the product onto the roots and throughout the hair, then gently scrunch the hair with your hands to distribute the product and create texture.
Backcombing (Optional): For even more volume, you can backcomb the hair at the roots. Use a fine-toothed comb and gently comb the hair towards the roots in small sections. Be careful not to overdo it as it can make the hair look messy. Once you’ve achieved the desired volume, smooth the top layer of the hair over the backcombed section with a wide-toothed comb.
Styling and Shaping: Use your fingers to style the hair, lifting and shaping it as desired. You can create a messy, textured look by tousling the hair or go for a more defined style by smoothing and shaping specific sections. Add hair clips or bobby pins to hold the style in place if needed. Finish with a light to medium hold hairspray to keep the volume and texture.
The Curly or Wavy Look
Preparing the Hair: Wash and condition the hair, then apply a curl-enhancing product such as a curl cream or mousse. You can also use a heat protectant spray.
Using a Curling Iron or Wand: Depending on the size of curls you want, choose the appropriate curling iron or wand. Divide the hair into small sections. Start at the roots and wrap the hair around the barrel, holding it for a few seconds (usually 10 – 15 seconds depending on the heat setting and your hair type) before releasing. You can curl the hair in different directions for a more natural look. For example, alternate between curling towards the face and away from the face.
Cooling and Setting: Once all the hair is curled, let the curls cool down for a few minutes. This helps set the curl shape. You can gently run your fingers through the curls to separate them slightly and make them look more natural.
Finishing: Spray with a flexible hold hairspray to keep the curls in place. If you want more shine, you can apply a small amount of hair oil or serum to the ends of the curls. You can also pin back one side of the hair with a decorative clip for a cute and stylish look.
The Updo or Half-Updo Look
The Half-Updo:
Gather the top half of the hair and secure it with a small elastic band or a decorative hair clip. You can leave the back of the hair down for a more relaxed look or curl or straighten it for added style. To add volume to the half-up section, you can backcomb the hair at the roots before gathering it. You can also twist the gathered hair into a small bun or a knot and secure it with bobby pins for a more polished look.
The Updo:
For a short pixie cut, you can create a faux hawk updo by using a small amount of styling wax or gel to slick the hair up in the middle and secure it with bobby pins. For a bob or a slightly longer short hairstyle, you can twist the hair at the back and secure it with pins to create a small, low bun. You can also add accessories like a flower or a jeweled pin to embellish the updo. Another option is to braid the front sections of the hair and then pin them back, creating an interesting and textured updo.
Maintaining the Style Throughout the Day
Carry Touch-Up Products: Keep a small travel-sized hairspray, a texturizing spray, and a comb or a small brush in your bag. If your hair starts to lose its shape or becomes flat, you can use the texturizing spray to add volume and texture and then use the comb or brush to restyle it. A quick spray of hairspray can help hold the new style in place.
Protect from the Elements: If you’re going to be in a windy or humid environment, consider wearing a hat or a scarf to protect your hairstyle. When you take off the hat or scarf, gently fluff up your hair with your fingers and use a touch of styling product if needed to restore the look.
Nighttime Care: Before going to bed, loosely tie your hair up with a silk or satin scrunchie to prevent it from getting tangled or losing its shape overnight. You can also place a silk or satin pillowcase on your pillow as it reduces friction and helps keep your hair looking better in the morning.
Conclusion
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