The Perfect Backcomb

THE PERFECT BACKCOMB

Teasing your hair is one simple and easy way to get volume into your hair. Backcombing works great to style a fashionable bump on the top front part of your hair, or to add body to the back of your hair. No matter how you style your hair, it’s sure to look fabulous if you follow these steps for the perfect backcomb.

VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Using the right type of shampoo and conditioner can make a big difference when you actually begin to backcomb your hair. Shampoos and conditioners that add volume are the best kind to use. Using a shampoo and conditioner that are moisturizing or made for dry hair could cause your backcomb to fall out. Therefore, avoid these and go for a shampoo and conditioner that will add volume! Also, if you use  a lot of product in your hair, you may want to use a clarifying shampoo before backcombing your hair. 

HEAT PROTECTANT

Any time you are going to use heat on your hair, it is important to put a heat protectant in your hair when your locks are still damp. This will keep your hair healthier longer. If you have plans to backcomb your hair, make sure you use a product that adds volume. Run it through your hair from the scalp to the tip to make sure you have it evenly distributed.

BLOW DRY YOUR HAIR UPSIDE DOWN

Blow drying your hair upside down is another way to give your hair volume. Toward the end of the blow drying process, you can flip your hair up and brush your hair back. 

START AT THE FRONT

Section off the part of your hair that you want to be backcombed and then begin to tease starting with the front section. While you work your way back, you will be binding the pieces at the front together. If you start at the back, you lose out on this extra hold.

GO BIG

While teasing, don’t just stop at the root, keep backcombing your hair up the strand. Your hair should be standing straight up on its own before you move on to the next section. The more volume you get, the better your backcomb will look. It may look pretty crazy at this step, but your end result will be fabulous.

SMOOTH OUT

You can smooth your hair out using your backcomb brush, or any other thick-bristled brush you may have. Be sure you are just lightly brushing over the very top layer and not putting the bristles too far into the hair. This will smooth out your backcomb so that it looks good, but still have tons of body.

SPRAY AND STYLE

Use a strong hold hairspray to keep your hair full of body and to tame down fly-aways. Now is the time to add bobby pins if you just backcombed the front section of your hair into a bump. If you backcombed your hair into a pompadour, you may want to use bobby pins to pin back the sides of your hair as well. Now you’re ready to show off your fabulous backcomb to the rest of the world!

Hairstyles without heat

HAIRSTYLES WITHOUT HEAT

The easy hairstyles and tips I’m going to talk about today will enable you to have gorgeous hair every day without the help of a hairdryer, curling iron or flat iron! These heatless hairstyles will save your hair and keep it from breaking so much -- and they look great! Here are a few heatless, effortless hairstyles to help you get started.

FRIZZY CRIMPED STYLE

Wash your hair an hour before you’re planning to go to bed, give it about 30 minutes to dry naturally, then braid it into a lot of thin, tight braids. Leave the braids overnight, undo them in the morning, style your hair and voila! This is a great trick if you have oily, curly or straight hair!

beach WAVY HAIR

How easy would it be to get a head full of shiny, perfectly polished waves without a double or triple barrel curing iron? Well, it’s actually pretty easy, otherwise this surfer girl wavy hair style just wouldn’t be on my list. Start by shampooing and conditioning your hair. Let your hair dry until it is slightly damp. Use a wide toothed comb to ensure that there are no more tangles. If you have hard to curl hair, rub a little texturizing paste into your hair. Now take a hair tie, twist your hair and put it up in a messy bun. Wait for your hair to dry completely and then slowly take off the hair tie and style as required. Remember, the more hair ties and the more buns you make, the tighter your curls will be.

WILD CURLY HAIR

Want some more simple hairstyles that don’t require heat or heat protectors? Cut an old t-shirt/sheet/pillowcase into long strips, then wrap sections of your half dried hair into them by placing the end of each section on the center of the strip and rolling up. Once you’re done, just tie the ends of the strip together and move to the next section. And remember, the smaller your sections are, the tighter your wild curly hair will be.

NATURAL LOOSE CURLS

Don’t you just love those romantic, natural loose curls? Well, this easy hairstyle can also be achieved without any heat and here’s exactly how to do it! Start with dry, clean hair, then slightly wet only the bottom half of your length. Apply styling mousse on the damp part, comb it to distribute the mousse evenly, then put it up in a tightly rolled bun. Allow your hair a couple of hours to dry and form, then let it down and enjoy your natural loose curls! This can work for any type of hair!

2013 Summer Hair Styles

2013 SUMMER HAIR STYLES

Instead of your usual ponytail to keep your hair up, how about sporting some new ways to wear your hair this summer? Whether your hair is short or long, there are some fresh new ideas for hairstyles that will please everyone. 

THE MERMAID

The mermaid has luscious, flowing waves like a mermaid’s hair and is braided at the top around the sides for a little elegant, yet youthful twist. This would be a great poolside hairstyle next to that new swimsuit you’ll be wearing this summer!

KNOTS AND TWISTS

If you want an updo that isn’t too fancy but still gives you some style, choose a twist or braided knot. This works for medium-long length hairstyles and can be very helpful for keeping those locks off your shoulders to keep you nice and cool this year.

SOFT AND SWEET CURLS

Bangs are back, and so are soft, sweet curls. How about combining the two in this creative hairstyle? Curls that are soft and not too harsh are perfect for short, medium or long hairstyles. To get this look, use hot rollers instead of curling irons, a sleek hair balm, and ask your hair stylist to give you longer, blunter bangs if you want to try adding bangs.

THE BOHO BRAID

The Bohemian (Boho) trend is hot right now, and especially in the world of summer hairstyles. To get this look, let your hair air dry to give it a wavy, loose look, create two braids from each side of your hair in alignment with your forehead, and join them at the back of your crown so they meet in the middle. This look is really popular with celebrities right now and could be done with any length of hair.

SOFT AND SWEET BUN

Twisting your hair into a soft, silky bun at the top of your head is perfect for a casual or more elegant outing. If you want to add some style, try adding in a bandanna  headband or scarf. I love this look for days by the pool when I still want my hair to look pretty without it getting in the way!

SHORT AND SHAGGY

Maybe you don’t even want to think about your hair this summer and want to cut it off, or maybe you have short hair and just need to add a little flair to your hair. This short and shaggy look would be perfect to keep your hair out of your way and still add a little style to your locks. I think this look would be super-cute with any hair color and would be awesome for those hot days of summer when you don’t want to mess with your hair.

THE LONG BOB

If you’re thinking of trying a new hairstyle or a new hair cut this summer, try the long bob! Add in a few highlights and you’ve got yourself one trendy hairstyle. This would be easy to maintain and would look great for casual outings or more formal ones. If you’ve got the guts to cut your hair, go for this look, which still gives you some length, but is also short enough to be low-maintenance and keep your hair off your back.

Red Carpet Inspired Updo's

GORGEOUS RED CARPET 

INSPIRED UPDO'S 

Keeping your hair off your face is vital to staying calm and cool, and what better way than to rock the latest catwalk trends? Here’s the red carpet inspired updo's.

GLAMOR MEETS WET LOOK

Two of the biggest looks of the season are wet look hair and retro vintage styles. There aren’t many red carpet inspired updos that can carry off both looks perfectly, but I’m loving this one! Giorgio Armani teamed a slick side-parting with plenty of wet-look style, pulled back into a classic bun at the back of the head. Striking pastel eyeshadow and nude glossy lips are a great way to wear this look for the daytime, or add a bright red lip to really ramp up the retro.

THE NEW BEEHIVE

Plenty of leading ladies have rocked the beehive recently, so it was no surprise to see Marc Jacobs giving it a chic new makeover. You create the look in the same way, adding plenty of volume at the roots, but sweep your hair out the side rather than back.

BUN FUN

It’s no wonder that this look is a celebrity favorite – it’s super easy to do, and ideal for those days when you haven’t got much time! Chanel gave the look a modern update by creating a straight center parting, and spraying the hair with a shine boosting spray, before tying into a low slung bun behind the neck. It’s a great look for wearing with statement makeup, as it’s chic without being too bold.

RETRO BOWS

For an off-duty style, loosely tie a colorful scarf through your hair. When you need a more together style, this Louis Vuitton look is perfect. Create a small classic beehive, keep your parting clear, and add a big retro bow on a satin headband. It’s perfect for day-old hair!

BOUNCY PONYTAILS

Reese Witherspoon’s retro style with everything from the backcombed fringe to the big volume, and her smoky eye and nude lip finish the look perfectly. Frederic Fekkai created the look, and recommended treating hair with a volume and texturizing spray, before a smooth finish serum. Then blowdry hair to add volume, using a big brush, and split the hair into two sections. Comb the fringe back, and secure. Curl the bottom of the ponytail to add movement, and secure with plenty of hairspray.

TEXTURIZED

Scarlett Johansson looked gorgeous with this hair, so it’s no surprise to learn that it was created especially for her. Frederic Fekkai wanted to show off the “real Scarlett,” and so opted for a hairdo with plenty of natural movement and texture. Get the look by working a volumizing styling whip through towel-dried hair, before using a hairdryer and round brush to create big, tousled waves. Secure the hair using a grip at the back of the neck, and add more curls with a curling iron. Spray with hairspray, and tease the curls for more volume. Clamp the ends of the hair with a flat iron to create a sleek finish, and ruffle – this look is all about being imperfect yet gorgeous.

Spring Hair Trends

HAIR TRENDS FOR SPRING

As winter comes to an end, the hair trends for spring start to take over. The hairstyles seen on various runways shows for spring are the perfect combination of daring and wearable. 

KNOTS

One of the most popular hair trends for spring 2013 is a tight knot. They are classy, composed, and ever so chic. To get the coveted tight knot look, blow-dry your hair and use smoothing serum to keep fly-aways in check. Create a ponytail at the nape of your neck, tie your hair around, and secure with bobby pins. This is the perfect hairstyle for work to keep your hair out of your face and secured for the hectic day ahead of you.

BRAIDED BEAUTY

The great thing about this style is the variety of ways you can wear it. This spring, braids are all about putting a twist on the classic hairstyle. You can always try an adorable milkmaid or a simple messy braid. Waterfall Braids are a hott trend these days too! So get your braids going and don't be afraid to rock it out.

DROP IT LOW (PONY)

Similar to the knot trend, this is a classy and perfect way to keep hair out of your face while looking fabulous.  It may seem that there is only one way to rock a low pony, but designers across the board have shown subtle variations between them. You can play around with hair bands, make your hair sleek or messy, and even switch up your part to have some fun with it.

SLICK IT BACK

The “wet” trend that showed up last spring has been toned down to one of the most popular hair trends for spring 2013. Rather than having an all over wet look, this season it’s all about being slicked back. Take your roots and gel them back for a bold look. Make it your own and add volume or play around with the part of your hair. Just be careful with this look and try to avoid making your hair look super greasy.

ALL DRESSED UP

One of the easiest hair trends for spring is to add hair accessories. The best thing about this trend is your accessories can be as bold or understated as you want. Whatever you feel comfortable with, go with it and have fun!

ALL MESSED UP

This personally might be my favorite hair trend this season because I love the appeal of an effortless look. Regardless of if you prefer your hair up or down, anyone can rock this "too cool to care" style.

CATCH THE WAVE

In my opinion, big waves will always be in style. They can emulate the over-the-top style from the '60s, or take on a rock n’ roll vibe. This is especially good for the spring and summer months when the heat begins to damage your hair. If you are lucky enough to have naturally wavy or curly hair, let it air dry and add some smoothing serum to rock this style. If your hair is naturally straight, add some curling product and curl just a few pieces with a wand.

The best thing about these hair trends for spring is that they are all about having fun. Whether you like wearing your hair up or down, put-together or messy, there is a style for you. Don’t be afraid to play around with these trends and see what you feel comfortable in. 

Shedding Hair

how to COpe WITH SEASONAL HAIR SHEDDING 

Seasonal hair shedding can be such a nightmare! There are ways to make sure even the most serious of shedding doesn’t bother you that much. You don’t have anything to risk but a few minutes of your time! Take a look at this list of easy cures for hair shedding problems that have been driving you crazy, try them out and start enjoying every season:

BRUSHING MORE OFTEN

Even the ladies with wavy to curly hair have to start working on their relationship with a brush or a comb! I know you think it ruins the curls and makes your hair look like you've stuck your finger in a socket, but it’s the only way to get rid of the dead hairs stuck in the mass of healthy, live ones. Try to comb yours twice, once in the morning and once before bed but you can do it more often if you’d like. In case you’re worried this will mess up your curls, here’s a trick, run wet fingers through your hair once you’re done brushing, or spritz some water, and give your curls about 15-30 minutes to air dry and regroup.

LEAVE YOUR HAIR LOOSE

Take your pick among tons of great styles to help you look your best each day but remember to untie your hair while chilling in the comfort of your own home. Styles that put a lot of stress onto your scalp and roots are not the most ideal choice for all day round wear anyways! And that’s not all, ponytails and buns won’t let the loose hairs fall out naturally, increasing the chances of them getting all tangled with the healthy ones as well as the risk of damaging your hair while trying to detangle and remove dead hairs.

AVOID HEAVY STYLING PRODUCTS

You don’t want dead hairs sticking and tangling with your healthy ones, so the solution is to avoid mousses, hair gels and all the other products that make your hair sticky. We’re not talking about long-term commitment here, of course, just something you may want to think about in those days when your hair seems to shed more than it grows.

EXPERIMENT WITH BANGS

Once the seasonal hair shedding had stopped you’ll probably end up dealing with a lot of baby hairs! Now’s the perfect time to give bangs a go. A stylish full fringe will help you hide that unruly peach fuzz at your hairline. The worst of shedding usually happens in autumn or early spring which means you’ll definitely have enough time to grow out your bangs before the next hot summer!

STYLE IT RIGHT

Speaking about baby hairs, fuzz, frizz and all the post shedding drama, remember what I told you about ditching heavy styling products? Well, you can forget about it at this point! Once all the old hair has fallen out and there’s tons of new frizzies to worry about, you could use all the help a hairspray, gel, pomade and shine serum can provide! Use gels and hair sprays to nail down a perfectly glamorous sleek bun or chignon or opt for a shine serum to help smooth down those tiny fly aways.

AVOID CERTAIN COLORS AND/OR FABRICS

It’s actually quite simple, in the case that your hair is dark, you should probably stick to darker colors and vice versa. It’s not a rule you should follow for months thus limiting your outfit choices, merely a cool trick to help you look your best even in those days when the shedding gets unbearable. Choose your fabrics carefully as well! Rougher or static-y fabrics will prolong your agony and make the loose hairs stick while silkier, softer or less static-prone ones help them roll off undetected.

Fall Hair Trends

HAIR TRENDS FOR FALL 2012

Hair trends for fall are unexpected, interesting and always pretty, which is why we have to share them with you! So, are you ready to fight the frizz? Have you taken your hairdryers, curling irons and brushes out to battle the fall weather? Are you ready to work hard on perfecting all those complicated styles that are almost always impossible to replicate? Well, we have the trends, and tips right here to guide you through getting the look you desire! 

*Messy Braids


Loose, messy, and kind of boho, braids are all the rage this fall. Try getting a little spice to your braid by adding some flowers or ribbon.  Let that braid get frizzy, no need to get picky with this one.  The messier the better for this look. A braid is a perfect way to get the hair  out of our faces. Great for summer it also flows straight into fall!  Need some tips on braiding? Call the salon and set up an appointment today and one of our girls would be glad to guide you! 


*Center Part for your Hair


Wavy, Curly or Silky smooth, Your hair must be parted in the center this season! Many celebrities have already embraced it, even if your used to a side part, switch it up a little and try it out.  You will for sure get some great compliments from family, friends, & coworkers. It not only looks good but makes the face more symmetrical and slim (who doesn't love a slim looking face).  Not bad for something simple to try out and give your self a change you've been hoping for! 


*Ponytail


High, low, messy, or clean cut, a ponytail is the most stylish way to deal with the bad hair days from our fall weather!  Some would suggest to wear it low, have a messy look, and pin it down for a different looking ponytail, while others like a more elegant, sleek, low ponytail with a center parting.  Why not try a few different ways to give that pony a good galloping! Regardless of how simple or extreme it is, a ponytail is one of this fall's hottest hair trends.  


*Bouncy Curls & Waves


Natural soft and playful waves have won the hearts of everyone from celebrities to your average girl. We love the air dried look of your natural waves.  Try some curl cream and scrunch away.  If you have trouble with achieving the natural wave try wrapping larger sections of hair around a curling iron in places that maybe a little more straight. Both natural and curled, the bigger and bouncier the better! 


*Messy Buns


The epitome of style and glamour, we recommend low messy buns. So incase you get tired of your ponytail, or need an easy evening look in under 5 minutes, all you need to do is part your hair to the side, let the natural pieces fall around your face, tease a ponytail, and pin away. Such an easy fall look!


*Fresh out of bed


I know what you  must be thinking, you always want a style that you can jump out of bed and voila ready to go, but you never seem to get that look.  Well you're in luck today, the fresh out of bed look is a huge hype this fall. Every style you choose to wear this fall can be absolutely sleek or a hott mess, so enjoy this season of hassle free hair. 


*Frizz


We aren't kidding when we say frizz is in. Instead of fighting that crazy frizz and using all your anti-frizz hair products, getone glossy hair gel, use to form a sleek low ponytail and let nature do it's thing. If you have a problem with getting frizz, no problem, simply tease a little and spray you have that frizz look in seconds.  


*Accessorize


Hope you saved all those headbands and crystal pins from the past because guess what, they are back in style.  This fall grab your crystal embellished headbands or chic feathery hair pieces and transform a plain ponytail or hairstyle to a trendy party look.  All you need is a minute to add them to you hair. You will be flashing away a new look that will have everyone loving your hair.


Need more help? Call 330-733-0700 and set up your appointment today with one of our stylist at Nicole Jeffrey's Salon & Day Spa.  We would be happy to help you get that fall look you've been craving!