Showing posts with label hairstyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hairstyle. Show all posts
Thursday, April 3, 2014

ABC - Another BAD Creation by @LovingYourHair

Can you say pretty? I can and it is pronounced Teyonah Parris. Last night at the Mad Men Season 7 premier party, Teyonah Parris looked gorgeous from head to toe. Her hair was in a fabulous updo by Felicia Leatherwood, aka @lovingyourhair on Instagram. Felicia described it as combination of "puff twist meets curls with a kriss cross Updo in the back." Whatever it was, it looked fabulous. Here are some photos:


Image via Instagram/@lovingyourhair

And the whole look was beautiful:


Image via Instagram/@teyonahparris
And:



Image via Instagram/@teyonahparris
 I am a huge fan of the show, and I'm glad to see that Teyonah is taking part in Season 7. I wonder if her character will rock an Afro this year, or stick with the wigs/press-n-curls that she's worn for the past year or two. I'm hoping that she has a new look, and a larger part this season, but we'll see on April 13th when the show premiers on AMC!

Today's Hair - 4/3

This is me pretty much in real time...




My hair is in two wet flat-twists right now. I washed and conditioned my hair, oiled it, use various leave-ins and am trying Karen's Body Beautiful as my sealant. But I'm trying to decide what to do next. 

Should I let my hair dry like this and do a big twist-out for tomorrow, or think of this as a style to stretch my hair, and twist it tonight? I can't decide - but I will keep you posted.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014

My Hair Last Week - Somewhat Inspired

So I posted this pic early last week and called it hair inspiration:


I was inspired. Not to try the exact style because I knew that I wouldn't wear it out, so I made modifications. I actually pulled out my rollers twice over the past week. The first iteration included me putting my hair in a ponytail then rolling the ends for an imagined curly bun. It turned into a 70's bouffant/prom hair, but I liked it. I allowed the drop curls to be kind of stacked into my bun. Here are some photos:




Again, not photogenic, but you get the idea. 

Later I disturbed the curls a little and despite sweating it out I wore it like this:


I then decided to roll it all, although I used far fewer rollers than Ms. Dugas. I put it up in another bun. Here are the photos:








After the rollers, I had one more wave of inspiration - actually I just knew it was going to be another couple of bun days, so I changed it up a little by twisting all of the my ends into 5 large double-strand twists. I tucked them under and pinned them down. Here were the results:


The next day I undid the twists, pinned down the hair a little and did a little flat-twist bang.





Let me know what you think, and please forgive me for these photos. I'm going to start setting up my "real" camera, so I can put up decent photos on this blog....and if you would like to find a collection of easy (and cute) hairstyles, find my book, One Hairstyle, Thirty-one Ways, on Amazon.com. 

Monday, March 24, 2014

Hair Inspiration - Flexirod Set by Aevin Dugas

 

I love drop curls whether you use flexirods, rollers or curl formers. I just  rarely think to do them because in my head they take a long time and I don't think they hold on loose natural hair (but I did feature them as a style in my book, One Hairstyle, Thirty-one Ways available on Amazon.com)...and the photo above proves me at least 1/2 wrong. And I need to remember that in my past attempts I did not try to set the hair with anything but water, and I think it needed more holding power than that - especially if done without heat.

I came across this photo of Ms. Aevin Dugas, Guiness Book of Records record holder for the world's largest Afro, saw that world of curls and am inspired to throw some rollers in my hair and see what happens. I know that I will likely end up with a curly puff, and not a whole head of flexirods.

I'll start with the steps I believe she used to create her look:

1. Dampen hair lightly with a leave-in conditioner and oil of your choice.

2. Section the hair into fairly small sections as you go - probably ending up with between 20 - 30 rollers (depending on the length and thickness of your hair).

3. For each section of lightly dampened hair, coat the strands with a gel or thick cream of your choice.

4. Roll each section of hair from root to tip in an upward motion - attempting to get continuous movement of the hair, so the layers of hair don't overlap on the rod.

5. Let the hair set until dry, or speed the process along by sitting under a dryer.

6. Dampen hands with oil to release the rods.

7. Remove the rods in the opposite direction from the way they were installed in order to maintain the curl. 

8. Gently split the curls until they reach the desired fullness. 
 
Remember you can do this style on loose natural hair, twists, locs, or braids. Try it out let me know how you like it, and if the steps are clear. And please check back to see my interpretation of the style.

 


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Hairstyle: Today's Hair - 3/12


Early in the week I rocked two huge puffs, but yesterday I was ready for a change. I realized that I've never done a style with flat twisted or braided up sides (like a faux hawk), and I figured that yesterday was as good a time as any to try. 

After 40 minutes, a comb, and about 10 hair pins I ended up with this...



I kind of love it...and all that I imagine it can be. In its current state, I:

1) Parted the hair from about my temples to right behind the ear on each side of my head;

2) Formed four (4) flat twists in each section to just behind the ear, and twisted the hanging pieces to the end;

3) I repeated step 2 on the other side;

4) I pinned up the sides as I decided what to do with the rest of my hair;

5) I decided to do rows of large double-strand or two-strand twists. I ended up with 14 twists (4 rows of 3 twists and one row of 2 twists in the very back);

6) As I completed each row of twists, I took the ends of the twists and twirled them together into a single unit and tucked the unit under. I then pinned the unit in place (it was similar in technique to the non-braider's braid); and

7) Finally I unpinned the sides, and pulled the ends toward the middle of my head. I allowed the twists to criss-cross, then pinned down the ends. 

I'm planning several variations on this style - including roller-setting the twists and wearing it as a faux hawk. Later this should end up as a cute twistout as well (possibly with one side remaining twisted and the rest worn loose). 

Let me know what you think - and if you plan to try it.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Update....Today's Hair 3/5

I've updated the style since my first post on this style. I took out the yaky hair and re-twisted the back to get a looser, fuller twist.  I pinned up the end of the ponytail, and I redid the bang as just a tucked under piece of loose hair that I pinned down. I still used the other half of the first ponytail to connect the back with the rest of the hair. Here are my results:

I really like it. And you can even sort of see the color in the last pic...I'm not opposed to trying the original style again (with kinkier extension hair), but I liked this for going into the office. I might try to do it as a more of a convertible style in the next go around. As in, with extension hair and a ponytail for the weekend, and tucked under for the weekdays. Click here for the original instructions and style. And remember, if you are looking for easy, cute and sophisticated styles - check out my book, One Hairstyle, Thirty-one Ways! Both editions are available on Amazon.com, and you can find the links from the home page.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Hair Inspiration - Today's Hair 3/4

I saw this look on Instagram and decided that it would be a cute, simple protective style to try. It looked like I could wear for a week or so, so it seemed like a winner. 

Source: Unknown but via Ladyinfluence on Instagram

I thought I would need:
3 or 4 elastic bands
4 hair clips
comb
brush
gel of choice
Bobby pins
Blow dryer
A bag of kanekolon or Marley extension hair

Am I the only woman around with bundles of hair at home? I went to my hair drawer to complete this look and found four different types of hair for extensions, and a wig. But no kanekolon or Marley hair, so I used the yaky hair that I had. Unfortunately, it was very straight and a 1b with cranberry highlights. I was feeling dubious, but I pushed ahead anyway.

Directions - as I imagined them:

1. Separate the hair into four sections, with the first section to become a bang. Clip each section until needed.

2. Lightly blow dry each of the three sections of hair that are to be ponytailed - if the hair has not been stretched previously. 

3. If it has been stretched, or after it's been blown out, comb the hair into 3 fairly tight ponytails using your gel of choice.

4. Lightly blow dry the front section of hair until it is fairly straight, and form a bang. 

5. Take the extension hair and incorporate it into the hair hanging from the ponytails. You should be forming a large two-strand twist that runs from the first ponytail to the end of the extension hair. 

The easiest way to incorporate the extension hair is to use it at its full length. Wrap the hair around the base of the first ponytail and use the two pieces of extension hair and one unit of your own hair to begin braiding. Do two or three rotations for a braid, then switch to a two strand twist that incorporates both your hair and the extension hair.

5. Be prepared to cut, burn or ponytail the ends of your two-strand twist. 

This style can be completed without extension hair, but you will likely have more fullness with the added hair.

Here are my results with the yaky hair:

I got really close to the original style - and I'm kind of proud of myself. I did end up using the straight yaky hair and I was right, I didn't love it. The texture and the color felt very different, a little too different, than my own. Also my blow dryer died while blowing out my second ponytail, so I had to revamp the style a little. I put all of my hair into 3 sections instead of 4. I split the first ponytail. I put half of the ends of my ponytail towards the back and added hair as described above. The other half I put forward and braided with yaky hair to form a braided bang. I swirled it up and pinned it down. I put the end of the two-strand twist into a ponytail holder and let it hang. Oh and I used straight aloe vera as my gel of choice.  

Overall - I wouldn't use this hair for this style again. If I had used hair with more texture, I wouldn't have felt the need to blow dry my own hair. In the future, I would also likely form a bang with one large twist pinned up instead of using so much extension hair.

I have an idea on some changes, so check back tomorrow for an update!  Here is the link to the new look

If you are looking for easy, cute and sophisticated styles - check out my book, One Hairstyle, Thirty-one Ways! Both editions are available on Amazon.com, and you can find the links from the home page.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Hair Inspiration - Updated 11/12!


I saw this style on Instagram via @missbeespeaks, and I fell in love! It's a double protective style, twists (flat-twists) and an updo....That is my favore combo! Anyway, I'm going to try this tonight and give you an update tomorrow. I see that it will require me to pull out a comb and mirrors, but I feel up to the challenge.

Do you love this as much as I do? 

======================

So it's been a few days but I did try the hair inspiration. Or at least a variation on the hair inspiration that worked for me and my time constraints that day. I attended the Learn and Luv Your Hair event sponsored by Carol's Daughter and featuring Taren Guy. It started at 6, but I didn't start my hair until after 5:30, I had to do what I could, as fast as I could. So 45 minutes later I finished my hair, and I was finally out of the house by 6:40...Anyway here are the steps as I imagine them, and I will also let you know what I did differently.

Tools: Detangler (Large toothed comb), bobby pins, sharp comb for parts, 2 ponytail holders.

Products: I used Alikay's Lemongrass spray and Dulce curling cream, Eden Bodywork's Coconut Shea Leave-in, and oil 

Time: My version took about 45 minutes, but I think that the full version would add about 20 minutes - especially if you did more flattwists and less doublestrands in the front.

Steps:

1. Gently detangle hair. I did a post yesterday about how I need to change my approach because I was NOT gentle with my hair.

2. Part you hair from left to right, just past your ears.

3. Put the back section into a ponytail. This is only temporary if you plan to flat-twist the back.

4. Separate the front section by making an angled part, either at the right or left temple (you decide).

5. Put one section of hair into a ponytail holder or clip, temporarily.

6. Take the other section begin forming flattwists. In my version there were only 4, but the inspirational style has 6. Double-strand twist the ends of the hair. When you have completed the flat twists, take the ends and twirl them together toward the crown of the head, and forming a single twist. Pin the now single twist at the crown, in preparation for either adding it to the ponytail or incorporating the ends into a bun formed from the other flat twists. 


I didn't love my little swirl, but overall, I loved the style.

 
7. On the other large section of hair in the front, separate the hair into sections to form doublestrand twists. In the inspirational style, it looks as if the first column or two of twists began as flat twists for the first 1-2 inches, and then were double-strand twisted to the ends. I believe that the rest of the front was done in doublestrand twists. In my version, I double-strand twisted the entire front section. I ended up with about 17 of them. 

8. Take the ends from the front section and form a finger-roll as a single unit. Turn the unit to the side, so that it forms a swirl or a loop, and pin it down as needed, preferably right above the ear. 

9. The inspirational style resulted in approximately 8 flat twists going up the back of the head toward the crown, with the ends being formed into doublestrand twists. All of the ends at the crown were then used to form a loose bun, and pinned in place. My version added the ends of the flat twists into the ponytail, and formed twists with the rest of the hair. I then formed a bun with the twists. I then decided that I had too many twists in the front of my head, so I took about a third of the twists from the front of my hair and Incorporated them into the bun formed from the pony tailed twists. 

I liked the outcome - and I even received some compliments, and some commentary from Trudy, 4CHairChick, at the Learn & Luv Your Hair event on Sunday. She said that she thought it looked more professional without the flat twists in the back. I loved them though, and if I ever feel like taking the time, I am going to try it.