Are you are bored with your look? Want to do something bold without changing your existing hair style? How about bangs! Creating a bang is a substantial change to your look so how do you know if it will work for you? Here are a few tips for figuring out whether to bang or not to bang!
If you have a long forehead (a lot of space between the bridge of your nose and your hair line ex Rhianna or Tyra Banks), bangs are a great option for you! It’s only common sense that if you have a large forehead, covering it with bangs will eliminate that illusion. If you have a short or narrow forehead, bangs are not a very good option for you. Having a bang in this instance will make your whole face appear shorter. If you have a narrow forehead and are still insistent on having a bang, at least keep them short (as shown top left) to elongate the face as much as possible. Here are some tips for common face shapes;
Round faces- Steer clear of a bang that is straight across as it can make the face look wider. Your best bet is a bang that is cut straight across with the sides left a little longer (Jennifer Hudson pic). This is better than a completely rounded bang which can tend to make the face look even rounder.
Long faces- If your face is long, be careful not to choose too round of a rounded bang as it can make the face appear even longer. Keeping the bangs at eyebrow level or longer is a good idea.
Oval faces- If you have this face shape, you are one lucky duck! People with oval shaped faces can do just about anything with hair style or colour and are pretty much guaranteed to look great!
So, it’s that time again. It’s been six weeks and there’s no putting it off any longer. You need your colour done but the dilemma is the same; do you spend the money (and have it professionally done) or cheap out (and make a trip to the drugstore)….that is the question! Learn why having your colour done by a professional with professional products is be better for your hair and potentially your pocketbook!
Many people argue that using drugstore colour is great because of the convenience and low cost, but I am here to give you the facts on why it’s in your best interest not to use it. Buying a box of hair colour at your corner drugstore is convenient and cost effective for you but have you ever sat down and really thought about the downside?
A box of hair colour at the drugstore usually costs under ten dollars but here’s what you need to consider. When you get your colour done at the salon, you are not only paying for the product itself, but the experience and knowledge of the colourist. In my opinion, this is worth the cost alone! Do you really want to take the chance that the box that said light natural blonde you may actually turn your hair a medium ashy brown?
The problem with drugstore colours is that they don’t have eyes or a brain! Only a pro can assess your hair and take the many factors into account that help determine the right formula for you, not only to achieve your desired colour, but with minimal damage. Whether the hair is virgin or has been coloured, what the porosity level is, hair type (coarse, ethnicity, etc) and underlying pigment are just a few factors involved in the formulating process. Whether more than one colour may need to be applied another thing to consider. Often there can be up to three formulas needed when there is regrowth, multi tones and/or porosity levels to consider. A box at the drugstore will never be able to customize like that!
Although drugstore hair colour’s convenience and prices are tempting, stick to your guns! Paying a little extra is worth it for your hair’s sake and will save you money on corrective colour in the long run. As far as convenience goes, you can book your next appointment before you leave the salon…it doesn’t get much easier than that so go on and splurge…your hair deserves it!
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need any fancy gadgets or expensive gimmicks to get volume in your hair. All you need is a comb or brush! Here’s how you do it!
Apply a styling aid (mousse, gel, serum, etc) to your wet hair and blowdry/straighten as normal. When you are finished, grab your comb or brush. If you’re going to use a brush, a bristle brush works best and they‘re very inexpensive. You can purchase one at your local drug store. A vent brush won’t do the job and a round brush will only get entangled in your hair.
Where ever you hair is parted, take a section about half an inch below the part and about two inches wide on each side of your part. Hold the section up by the ends and drag the comb/brush down to the root on the under side repeatedly until you start to form a base of ‘nesting‘. This is called teasing and has been a girl‘s best friend for ages!
After your base is a half to an inch thick, lay the section back down. I know what you’re thinking…now my hair looks like a rat’s nest! Not to worry! Take your comb/brush and lightly stroke the top being careful not to penetrate to the underneath.
Finish with a bit of spray or pomade to tame fly always and, voila!
If you are still feeling the need for bigger hair, you can add a section in the crown area or simply continue to make as many sections as you wish!