Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hair 101

hair


I'm one of those girls who reads beauty tips (at least hair tips) and walks away frustrated. I don't get the hair jargon and all the fancy schmancy products that I'm supposed to use. To be honest, lately I've just been using whatever products are under my bathroom sink. I have a system that works pretty well for me. It may not be for you but maybe you can take away a tip or two that might help your hair regimen. 

Sleek & Straight

You might remember this post I did ages ago on how I style my hair straight. I always start with some kind of root lifter or mousse to give my hair a little texture. While silky hair is fabulous, I can't stand the way it feels on me. The roots seem to get stringy quickly and they take on a greasy look way too fast. I do like to use a little argan oil on the ends of my hair because I like the tips to be smooth. After applying mousse, I pile all of my hair up on my head (minus a small back section) and start blow drying with this:

ULTA beauty product
This is the best brush for straightening hair that I have found and is available at Ulta for only $18.99. It's so much easier to use than a round brush and I am able to get the back, normally hard to reach, areas. As I dry each section, I let down another section from the pile on my head until my whole head is dry. When I'm finished, I usually have a pretty flawless blowout. Sometimes I will go over a very thin layer around my head with a flat iron to give it extra shine. 

The best part about using this brush, as opposed to strictly a flat iron, is that my hair stays full looking. Normally when I use only a flat iron my hair comes out looking, well, flat.

Full, Curly Hair

Curly hair is what I do when I feel lazy. I normally wash my hair, blow dry it halfway and do my make-up while the rest dries on its own. I use one large hot roller to roll my 'bangs' (they aren't really bangs, but the front part of my hair) away from my face. Then I use about seven medium (one inch) rollers throughout my hair. I usually leave them in for twenty minutes until they are cool and then let them down. If the curls are a little too perfect, I will separate them with my fingers and then spray with Aussie hair spray (flexible hold). I typically spritz my hair, do what I need to do around the house, and then go back for a final spritz. I find that after the first spritz has dried, I usually miss a section and can catch it on the second try. The flexible hold hair spray helps to keep my hair from looking too stiff.


Top Knot

A top knot is what I do with my hair when I am feeling the laziest. It is super easy, quick, and has been my go-to hair style for several years now. I pull my hair up into a high ponytail and smooth out any bumps with my brush that may happen in the process.



Next, I give the ponytail a twist once to the left (while still holding the ponytail high above my head). Only then, after giving it a twist, do I wind it around the base of the ponytail. I secure the base with several bobby pins and place a few throughout the top of the bun to secure stray hairs.


I realize that these pictures may not be the most professional, but let's face it: I'm a mom and my kids were beating on the door during these pictures. So even if the video I took would have worked, there probably would have been children in the background demanding entrance to my bathroom.

So there you have it. The not-so-glamorous hair routine of a busy mom to two little boys. If any of this helps you or inspires you, bless you.

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26 comments:

  1. I'm right there with you when it comes to trying new hairstyles! They always looks so great but end up being a total flop for me :( I used to straighten my hair all the time but in the last couple years I've become addicted to curling my hair! I love your top knots, once again they don't look nearly as good on me!

    xo jen

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  2. I'm impressed you got a hair tutorial up at all:) Being a mom changes everything! I wish I could pull of a top knot as well as you do!! Curly is my go-to or just a messy pony.
    xoAmy
    www.dreamingincashmere.com

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  3. The pictures turned out fabulous, hun. lol. You'd never know they were beating down the door. Adore this post, love. If you get a sec, I'd love to hear your thoughts on my latest. xo

    www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

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  4. Cute looks. The top knot is my favorite.
    ♥ xoxo Cori

    www.purecanesugarfashion.wordpress.com

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  5. That brush looks so much easier than a round...I have about three and I don't use any! Thanks for this post, I'm terrible with hair and need all the help I can get!

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  6. I love your hair straight and your buns are always so polished!

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  7. I love your hair regardless of how you style it. It always looks awesome. I really like the top knot on you! You look SO chic.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  8. You look gorgeous wearing all 3 styles Amy!

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  9. That brush is so neat...I've never seen anything like it before! My hair is naturally wavy so I can never get my hair straight with just a blowdryer but I'm going to look into it.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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  10. Speaking of lazy, I'm wearing a top knot today (and have most days this week). It's the best thing to do when I need that extra 15 minutes of sleep. :)

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  11. I typically wear my hair straight since it's naturally straight and doesn't require too much work. I do like to add some curl/wave sometimes. I miss my top knot a lot... I donated a foot of hair to Locks of Love before Thanksgiving and don't have the ability to do a top knot anymore. At least not yet... It was a fantastic quick go-to hairstyle.

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  12. Great tutorial, too bad my hair is short. I'm hosting a link up next thursday April 11. Show me your favorite Spring trend. Hope to see you there.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  13. Looks great! I can never figure out any hair tutorials. Sad thing is, I have pretty good hair for styling, I just can't get it right! Maybe one day :)

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  14. Love your to-the-point tutorial! The top-knot is my laziest too...and sadly I wear it about 4 times a week. But as I'm sure you know, it's the best for the southern humidity!

    -Meagan
    Gloss and Threads

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  15. Aww you look so cute with your top knot! Love it!

    Kayla
    www.lovelucygirl.com

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  16. I love doing my hair curly and also in a bun! Too bad my hair never stays curled for more than 5 hours :(


    -Vogue&Heels
    vogueandheels.com

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  17. thanks for the tips! I always get frustrated with my hair so this helps.

    xo Andrea
    www.sophisticatedsass.com

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  18. Oooh...I am interested in that brush. I use a round brush but always looking for new tools. It looks like it might even work with my extensions! Yay!

    Jill
    Classy with a Kick

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  19. Great tips! I'm going to have to try your top knot...I use the "sock bun" but want to try a more natural bun :)

    xoxo,
    Andrea

    www.andreaeveryday.com

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  20. Lol having extremely curly hair, I don't get to do a lot of the cool hair trends. It pretty much does what it wants. I do down, I do pony tail, I do top knot (a lot). I do wish I could wear my hair straight some, but it would take a HOURS!!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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  21. Thanks for the hair tips.. I will have to try that brush for blow-drying it looks great! I'm so low maintenance when it comes to my hair.. shower at night, let it dry while I sleep, then I wake up and go!


    http://simpleeasystyle.blogspot.com/

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  22. What a neat brush for blow-drying! I have never seen one like that before!

    Fizz and Frosting

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  23. Love these different looks on you. I definitely need to start playing with my hair more and trying new styles... thanks for the inspiration!
    xL

    www.themarcystop.blogspot.com/

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  24. Love your prada sunglasses!!!!

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  25. You sound like an amazing mom! Great post and thanks for the tips

    -terry
    Terrydunakim.blogspot.com
    Love Me to Pieces

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  26. I can't believe you ever have a bad hair day with your gorgeous hair - it always looks perfect.
    Certainly know what you said about straightening hair - hairdressers tend to do it with mine and the first thing at home is... changing back to my own style as it just looks too flat and I don't have thick hair!
    Funny you show the double hairbrush as I never saw it before until my son (!) bought one last week.

    Annette
    Lady of Style

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