Double Waterfall Rolled Braid Hairstyle

Time:  13 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins
Skill level:  medium+


I hope you all had a great Christmas holiday,

and that today you are
spending time recreating 

with friends and family.

(Or back at work for a lot of you, I'm sure.)



I remember working retail around the holidays, and you never got a break from shoppers either before, or after Christmas.  I also worked in the

Updo Twisted Side Bun Hairstyle

Time:  8 Minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins, 1 elastic
Skill level:  easy


When I was just starting junior high,
(and not so good at doing hair) my friend would always ask me how many bobby pins I was wearing.  She knew I used a ton, 

(because you could see them all over in my hair).  

So it was always the topic of conversation:



"Bella, how many bobby pins did you use today?"

"

Inflated Knotted Bun

Time: 15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, bobby pins, necklace (optional)
Skill level:  medium


I tried to bring this post to you yesterday, but yesterday...


was insane from start to finish!



I'd stayed up most the night prior with a fevered child, so I was already bleary-eyed when the day started.  But no time to sleep in, I had to drive the kids to school 

(yes they could've

17 Christmas Holiday Hairstyle Ideas

Need a great Holiday Hairstyle?




We've compiled a list of some of our favorites for the season.



I hope you find something here that treats you right.  Whether you want intricate, or beautiful, or easy, or unique--you can find something like that on our list.

(Or visit our All our Hairstyles page)



If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see, we'd love to hear it.  You

Bohemian Twist with a Bow Hairstyle

Time:  12 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, bobby pins, hairspray (optional)
Skill level:  Medium


So...what can I do to make your holiday season less hectic?


*I could post gift ideas for the kiddos, the office, the neighbors.
*I could post great recipes for cinnamon roles, egg nog, wassail, honey-glazed ham, and pumpkin cake.
*I could organize your guest lists for an upcoming party.

3 Minute: Bump with Center Part Hairstyle

Time:  3 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins
Skill Level:  easy


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

And I absolutely cannot WAIT! 

I've already set up my tree and my friend's tree. 
I wasn't expecting to set up their tree (seeing as it wasn't even Thanksgiving yet) but we couldn't help ourselves.  
When we were done, her little sister dragged a blanket from her room and

Throwback Thursday Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!


I can't let this holiday pass without being thankful 

for these two little sweeties who I have the 

great privilege of sharing this blog with.

They are wonderful girls and I'm so grateful they are mine.



I thought you might like seeing a few of their younger pics.

Bella's always had thick, long hair for me to play with.

Lanie's didn't grow past her ears

3 Minute Hairstyle Quick & Easy

Time:  3 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, hairspray (optional)
Skill level:  easy


I mentioned on a previous post that half my hair
had fallen 
out this year for some unknown reason.  
I thought it was alopecia, because a few of my cousins have had it.  Some of you suggested it was from heat on my hair.  But it wasn't breaking off and falling out; it was falling from the root! 

And

Are you looking for a Thanksgiving Hairstyle?

Need a fun Thanksgiving hairstyle?




Here are two of them 

using simple craft feathers from the dollar store 

and some bobby pins.



If you don't have any pilgrim hats and costumes, but need something festive, try one of these.

Miriam

Click here to see more of our Holiday Styles

Wet Hairstyles: Rope Braided Bun

Time:  3 minutes
Supplies:  brush, elastic, bobby pins
Skill level:  medium


This hairstyle is a double whopper for procrastinators like me!

Because it's a
3-minute do and a wet hairstyle.



I seem to be in a chronic hurry.  

I always think I can pinch in ten last minute things before 

I have to be somewhere and then I find myself 

with soaking wet hair and no time.



Can you relate?

Flirty Fishtail Ponytail Hairstyle

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush, 2 elastics
Skill level:  medium


I saw a little girl sporting a hairstyle like this the other day.
 

And I couldn't tell if she was just raggedy after a day at school (and too much rolling around on the playground) 

so the top of her fishtail had come out, 

or 

if it had been intentionally started halfway down the ponytail.  



But either way it gave

Quick & Easy Bohemian Headband Twist Hairstyle

Time:  3 minutes
Supplies:  stretchy headband, brush/comb
Skill level:  easy


I couldn't do this hairstyle for the last few weeks because
 

it hurt my head too much.

If you've read my bio, you know I want to be stunt double.  But I'm still getting over a concussion I gave myself three weeks ago when I missed my back handspring and fell on my head.  

My mom hasn't ever put me in gymnastics

Classic Updo with Pin Curls

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins, accessories (optional) Here's our link to how we made the embellished bobby pins
Difficulty:  medium


Halloween's over...let the holiday parties begin.




There is always somewhere to go this time of year 

and often it's somewhere fancy.



Whether it's a winter wedding, an office party, or a school formal, this hairstyle will have you

Happy Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween to all of you




I hope you got all your little goblins decked out 

and your candy bowls stocked.

I've heard weather reports canceling some halloweens in the midwest.  If that's you, I'm so sorry.



As for us over here, my house is a disaster zone from last minute costume sewing and pumpkin carving, 

but the kids are having a ton of fun.



We got some farm fresh pumpkins

Halloween Hairstyle: Spider Web

Time:  20 minutes
Supplies:  several small elastics, comb/brush, spiders
Difficulty:  medium


This hairstyle turned out
so fun.  

And it's not hard, yet a little time consuming.



But it's perfect for any Halloween party or 

school day leading up to the big day.

Or hair-do for those of you without costumes, but who still 

love to do something for the holiday.



I got the scorpions

High Side Bow with a Bun

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 2 elastics, bobby pins, hairspray
Difficulty:  medium


This week has been so crazy!

In addition to everyday chaos, we've
been to the doctor, the dentist, a fall festival, take your parent to lunch day--twice.

But the fall festival was the topper.



Tons of games and booths for the whole family.  An old-fashioned log-sawing contest, bobbing for

Crazy Hairstyle for Dr. Suess Day

This isn't an official style. 

Nor am I recommending it for fashion. 




But I had a reader request an idea for a hairstyle 

for Crazy Hair Day at school.



I didn't have time to film anything, but I remembered what I'd worn for Dr. Suess day a few years ago.

It has a clothes hanger inside and my hair is twisted and braided around it right up to the curved tip.

I hope that helps, Ali.

Spider Lace Braid Halloween Hairstyle

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, spiders, bobby pins (or the spiders on clips)
Difficulty:  medium+


I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

(Actually, I love all the fall & winter holidays.  But Halloween's especially fun.)




And I can't wait to carve these pumpkins.  

I carved an awesome Superman pumpkin a few days ago, but it's not going to make it to Halloween.  

But these will.

My mom

How to Get Big Barrel Curls

Time:  15-20 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 1" curling iron or wand, hairspray
Difficulty:  medium


I get asked all the time how I curled my hair like this.  

But I took
the picture two years ago, 

and I didn't happen to film it that day.  

So I just did.  And ever since I compared the my hair now to this picture, it's confirmed it.



You may watch the video and ask yourself the same

Monster Headphones Giveaway (you'll thank me later)

This post is brought to you by:  

Monster Headphones  and  BlogHer




It's October, and to me, that means it's time to start


Christmas shopping.  

I always start my shopping this time of year for three reasons:

1.  Prices are usually lower instead of falsely inflated in December.

2.  The kids are at school and it's easier to shop without them seeing what I'm looking for.

3.  I'm

Cinnabun

I received this fun hair style from Mario Russo Salon,  I can't wait to try it out.  I hope you all enjoy!

In case you’re looking for any new “it” hair trends, Mario Russo, owner & lead stylist of Salon Mario Russo in Boston, has shared with us a fun variation of the sock bun, which happens to be one of his favorite looks for fall. Appropriately called the “Cinnabun,” this bun is actually more of a hair wrap than a traditional bun. For those of us who have cut up all our socks in hopes of creating a perfectly round sock bun – it’s time to set them aside and embrace the new “it” bun. Even better…unlike its namesake, this Cinnabun is guilt-free!

Below, please find Mario’s step by step tips on creating the Cinnabun as well as his insight on why this look is hot for fall.

Attention lovers of the sock bun – there’s a new style hitting the streets that’s as fun as it is elegant. Ideal for women with mid-length to long hair, the Cinnabun borrows from the symmetry and clean lines of everyone’s favorite indulgent treat in order to create a guilt-free hairstyle that is sure to turn heads. Perfect for a day at work or evening out on the town, this beautifully structured coil can be easily dressed up or dressed down. Want to add an extra something? The addition of a bedazzled thin headband or more casual stretchy headband can quickly change the look and feel of this style, making it adaptable for every occasion.

How to Score the Cinnabun

·         Begin this look with a classic blow-dry. Using a round boar bristle brush and hair drier on medium heat, smooth hair from roots to ends while blow-drying hair under.

·         Once hair is dry, apply a pea-sized amount of a smoothing serum to tame any flyaways. My go-to is Oribe Smooth Style Serum.

·         Using a fine tooth comb, begin to pull all of your hair to the back of your head. Sleekness is key for the front of this look – it should appear seamless and tight. Use the comb to achieve the desired smoothness in the front.

·         For extra interest, place a stretchy or decorate headband at crown of the head. This will help you to better achieve the smooth finish as well as give the style an added twist.

·         Gather hair into a ponytail at the back center of your hair and secure with an elastic.

·         Take a 1 to 1.5 inch of hair near the base of the ponytail and create a very small loop with the hair. The loop should loop under and face down towards the neck. Pin the small loop with bobby pins, fastening it under the elastic of the ponytail. Think of this as the center section of a flower. It will act as focal point for the rest of the Cinnabun.

·         Separate the remaining hair into two parts, one to the left and one to the right of the center loop.

·         Take the left section first, and loosely begin to wrap it around the loop. Lightly using a fine tooth comb, make sure the hair that’s being wrapped is smooth. As you begin to run out of hair to wrap, take a few bobby pins and secure the ends of the hair under and into the bun.

·         Take the right section next, and loosely begin to wrap it in the opposite direction around the loop. Again, lightly use a fine tooth comb to make sure the hair that’s being wrapped is smooth. Pin the ends under and into the bun.

·         Smoothness is key for the Cinnabun. Before finalizing the look with hairspray, take the fine tooth comb and go over any section of the bun that needs to be smoothed out.

·         To finish the style, liberally apply a strong hold hairspray all over the look. My favorite is MoroccanOil Luminous Hairspray.

10 Best Hair Apps for your Iphone

Top 10 Best Hair Apps for iPhone and iPad

http://www.iphoneproguide.com/top-10-best-hair-apps-for-iphone-and-ipad/

Sep 272013

With today’s iPhone and iPad, you have a wealth of technology at your fingertips. You can practically manage your entire life from this smart little devices –including your hair regimen! Whether you are looking for hair tips, virtual hairstyles, a tool to try on new hair colors or figuring out the perfect up-do for that big event, your iPhone has you covered! Check out this list of 10 awesome hair apps for iPhone and iPad –they’ll change your life.

1. My Aveda Style (RLC Online)

The Salon worthy brand Aveda has come out with an awesome iPhone hair App  to help you with all of your hair needs. They have great how-to’s, and updates on the latest hair trends. You can get custom product recommendations to help you best utilize their collection. And what’s great is that you can chat to live Aveda experts, and even buy their products right off the app! This is a great app for the Aveda lover.

2. My L’Oreal Mirror (L’Oreal USA)

While this iPhone app isn’t strictly for hair, its hair-transforming abilities are incredible. A fun play on the phrase, “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” My L’Oreal Mirror is made to bring out your inner queen. One of the best aspects of this app is its voice-recognition ability. Just tell it what you’re looking for and your hair desires will be fulfilled immediately. You can find the latest trends, video tutorials and more. This app will become an instant favorite, so go ahead and download it!

3. How To Make Hair Look Fab –Premium (Webelinx DOO)

This is a great app for hair care and styling. Get access to over 450 hair tutorials and learn to do your hair like a pro! Want to learn how to do a chignon up do or French braid? Look no further! You’ll find cute cuts for short, medium and long hair. The hair care tips is also a great section to keep your hair strong and shiny. There are also over 500 celebrity pictures to help you find the best hair style for you. This app is perfect for preventing bad hair days.

4. Up Do Styles (Bytamin LLC)

Are you searching for the perfect up do for that big event? This simple but elegant app comes with 75 beautiful ideas for up dos. While this app does not have tutorials, it is the perfect tool to take to your stylist. Each hair style has several angles you can view the hair style from. And the best part? You can save your favorite looks to use over and over again! Whether you are looking for a retro look, a sophisticated and elegant hair style, or something more trendy, this hair app  has what you’re looking for.

5. Beautylish

Beauty Tips, Makeup Tutorials and Hair Styles (Beautylish, Inc.) –This iPhone app also is not exclusively for hair, but its hair style feature is amazing. There are both photo and video tutorials available for hair styling. Find out the latest trends on hair, and find divine wedding looks on Beautylish. You can order product straight off this app, and save your favorites. This app also connects you to a beauty community where you can upload your photos and connect with other beauty lovers.

6. Hair Brush Guide (Olivia Garden)

If you are a fan of Olivia Garden professional hair brushes, this is the app. It simple, chic layout is designed to help you find the perfect brush for your hair needs. The Hair Brush Guide has a built in quiz to help you find the best brush for your hair type and preferred hair style. Even if you do not plan on buying a brush from Olivia Garden, it gives you a good idea of what type of hair brush to purchase. If you want to save your hair a lot of trouble and time, the Hair Brush Guide is for you.

7. Hair, Nails and Makeup (Webelinx DOO)

This is another multi-purpose app with a great hair section. Hair, Nails and Makeup focuses on helping you to recreate expensive hair styles in your own home. There are lots of video tutorials for hair, for any length. From simple to complicated, there is a wide range of hair styles to choose from. If you want to save money but still look great, grab this app!

8. Hair Try On by Taaz (Taaz, Inc.)

With all of the makeover games cluttering the app world, it can be hard to find one that is actually useful. Hair Try On, thankfully, is one of them. With this app, you can try out lots of different hair styles in different color combinations. All you do is upload your photo, and you can instantly see how the latest celebrity hair styles look on you. You can also save your favorites, show it to your hair stylist, and share them on Facebook and Twitter. So if you’ve been searching for a hair makeover app for adults, look no further.

9. Men Hair Styles (App Cookies)

While there aren’t a lot of hair apps for men, this is an excellent choice. With this app, you can find the top trending looks for 2013. And not only can you find great photos with hair style ideas –this app comes with hair guides and tutorials to help you keep your hair looking as great you did the day it was cut! Men Hair Styles does not require Wi-Fi, so you can access it anywhere. This app is perfect for stylish and powerful men.

10. Clairol My Shade (P&G Productions)

This app is perfect for achieving salon results from a box of hair dye bought at the grocery. Clairol My Shade lets you take a photo of your roots to help find the perfect shade for you. A quiz will help you find the best hair color based on your preferences, and you can even upload a picture of your current hairstyle to help you visualize the results. This way when you buy that box of hair dye, you won’t be making a blind guess. And if you’d rather buy a box of dye from a different company, this app will lead you on the right path –just look at the hair dye description. If you plan on dying your hair at home, you need this app.

The Best Fringe for Your Face - Boston Salon Owner Offers Insight

I received this great article and wanted to share it with all of my readers.  I hope you enjoy!!!

It seems as if bangs are a trend that never seems to fade away.

For the past few years, we’ve seen the resurgence of bangs as a beauty must-have, time and time again. From Michelle Obama’s debut of fringe in January to Hayden Panettiere’s recent blunt bang moment on David Letterman, bangs continue to stay relevant on the beauty and celebrity scene.

Over the past 20+ years that Mario Russo, owner & lead stylist of Salon Mario Russo in Boston, has been styling hair and operating his two eponymous hair salons, he’s seen countless women sit in his chair and ask what type of bangs are best for them. As a result, he decided to share with us his go-to guide on how to choose the best bangs for your face type and hair type, and what to ask your stylist for so that you end up with the fringe you desire.



The Blunt Bang
Posh yet oh-so-bold, the blunt bang is one that makes a statement.

Face Type:
For someone with an oval or square face, blunt bangs can be very flattering. To make the style less severe, angle off the sides of the bangs to be a bit longer than the rest of the fringe. This will help to better incorporate your bang into your hairstyle.

Hair Cut/Hair Type:
If done correctly, blunt bangs can compliment both long and short haircuts. Typically, blunt bangs work best on women with thicker hair, so that there is enough hair to work with to really define and shape the bang.

Ask Your Stylist For:
Heavy fringe that dusts just below the eyebrows.


The Side Swept Bang
Versatile and unassuming, the side swept bang compliments many different face and hair types.

Face Type:
A round face can benefit from a side swept bang because it creates a flattering, angular look that will help to make your face appear longer.

Hair Cut/Hair Type:
Whether you have thin or thick hair, side swept bangs can easily be styled and blow-dried off to the side of the face. Make sure your bang is cut thick, so that it doesn’t appear too soft or too wispy, which for a round face, can be unflattering. Side swept bangs work well with both long and short haircuts, especially cuts with layers and angles that provide the hair with more shape and definition.

Ask Your Stylist For:
Soft, feathered bangs that sweep your cheekbone. Ask for a side part verses a center part to create more definition.


The Wispy Bang
Playful and youthful, wispy bangs can be a great choice for someone who doesn't want to commit to a full bang.

Face Type:
Heart-shaped faces can benefit from wispy fringe because of the way the hair is layered and feathered. This texture softens the shape of the face and wispy bangs are easy to style in multiple ways – off to the side, towards the face or back.

Hair Cut/Hair Type:
Thinner hair is ideal for light, wispy bangs because it can easily be cut and shaped to compliment the rest of your hairstyle. A mid-length cut with layers and angles is my favorite style to compliment a wispy bang. The combination of the light bang with a layered cut makes for great movement in the hair.

Ask Your Stylist For:
A soft bang that can easily be styled off to the side or pinned back. Incorporating an angular shape to the bang will make it most flattering when worn to the side. The shortest part of the bang should hit around your eyebrow, while the longest should hit around your ear.

Half French Twist & Giveaway

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, hairspray, bobby pins
Difficulty:  easy


Keep Reading for details on our giveaway for this beautiful infinity hair clip.

I'm up to my elbows in frosting, but I licked my fingers clean enough to post.



In case you were curious,
I posted a picture of how cute my cookies are turning out.  And they're so buttery and yummy too.

First I plan to eat a

Jasmine Ponytail

Time:  5 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 3-7 elastics depending on hair length
Difficulty:  easy


I wish I had hair like Jasmine from Aladdin, but


nobody's hair is that thick and long.  

Lucky this style gives you the illusion your 

hair is thicker than it really is.



Do you like my rainbow?  

I love this fall weather.  The colors look so vibrant when it rains.  And...my mom just made

Snapshot Sunday 9-29-13

Ode to fall:

I love you, but I'm sad to see the summer go.





I'll miss the tall alfalfa fields so brilliant green on every side of my house (thanks to my farming neighbors)



I hate parting with my magic petunias.  

I didn't even plant them last spring and somehow they survived the harsh winter and came back on their own. 






I'll miss this view out my bedroom window:  fresh baled

Rolled Waterfall French Braid

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins
Difficulty:  medium+


My cousin wears her hair like this all the time 
and calls it a
waterfall french braid.


I couldn't figure out how she did it, because it's 
not a typical waterfall french braid.


And it looks so thin and delicate. 



If you could look straight down at her head like an aerial shot, it would look like a flat french

Chopstick Twist Hairstyle & Giveaway

Time:  5 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, bobby pins, 2 hairsticks/chopsticks (even pencils)
Difficulty:  easy


Giveaway Time!

If you love these beautiful hair sticks, they (or another pair like them) can be yours.  Keep reading for details.



I've got a lengthy bucket list.  

You may have heard
me talk about it before:

Ride a pig

Go bungee jumping

Run a marathon

tons

Fohawk Hairstyle

Time:  5 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, gel/texturizing wax, blow dryer (optional)
Difficulty:  easy


I took the fam to the library tonight because I'm all out of good reads and so were the kids.  And who knew
(well probably everyone in town except me) there was a parade heading right down the street in front.  

(Well, Bella knew.  She'd already left for the parade with friends, but I

Snapshot Sunday 9-15-13

We've been having quit a bit of excitement around here, 

and a lot of it has been focused on Lanie.




She just had a birthday and celebrated by getting her ears pierced.  It was a great day, and she was super brave.  She tried so hard not to even flinch when the piercing gun clamped shut.  And she's been loving her ears.  

But then:



Bye, bye, Happy Birthday Girl.





Not long after

High Bun with a Braided Ring

Time:  7 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 2 elastics, bobby pins, hair texturizing wax or hairspray (optional)
Difficulty:  easy


My mom has a term for rainy days that she's used 

as long as I've known her:  "Worm Day!"




When she was in elementary school, there was an older kid in the neighborhood who would chase the girls with earthworms every time it rained, and throw them in their hair.

Roaring 20's inspired Headband with Curls Hairstyle & Giveaway

Time:  20 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, curling iron/wand, headband
Difficulty:  medium


Giveaway Time!!!!

Woohoo!!!! (keep reading for details)



I was playing around with some
hairstyles a few months ago (because that's what I do in my spare time to keep bringing you fun styles) and I came up with this one.



I thought it was fabulous and came out to show the fam.



My dad said, "Hey

Add Protein & Moisture to over-styled hair

Time:  20 minutes to apply, 20 minutes to sit on hair
Supplies:  2 - 4 eggs, 1/8 - 1/4 Cup of Honey, hair clips or barrettes 
Difficulty:  easy, but somewhat messy






What are we doing with these:  eggs and honey?

No, it's not a cooking post.


It's a salon-quality hair treatment at home!



If you're like me, and Bella, your hair suffers damage every day from UV rays, styling products,

Snapshot Sunday 9-1-13

We get two questions all the time:

1.  Where do you
get your ideas?

2.  What do you do when you're not styling hair?



You want the Answers?

1.  Ideas are everywhere:  at school, the grocery store, the mall, the park, magazines, online.  Anytime I see a cool style, I file it away in my brain for later.  I usually don't do the exact thing they did, but it gets my mind going on how I could

Celebrity Hairstyle: Julianne Hough Braided Band with Barrel Curls

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, wand or curling iron, bobby pins, hairspray/texturizing wax
Difficulty:  medium


If we all had professional stylists, we'd look like red-carpet walkers every time we left the house, right?




Right.



But the rest of us "normal" people are just left to copy what the stars do.  

Which is just what we've done.  

(Imitation's the highest form of

Waterfall Bohemian Twist with a Bow

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 2 elastics, bobby pins, hairspray, pomeade/gel
Difficulty:  medium+


We decided to splash into our new rural roots today with an authentic fish scramble.

For those of you who don't know what that is...I didn't either.  But it had been the talk of the town, so we had to go and see.

It was a giant tarp draped over big bales of hay and then tied down

Stylish & Fun Earring Holder DIY

Time:  45 minutes
Supplies:  scissors, stapler, frame, 1/2" trim (length depending on frame size), wood paint & paint brush (or use a new frame), 1/2 yard of 5/8" ribbon, name card (made of scrapbook paper) optional
Difficulty:  medium


I'm not much of an earring wearer.

My ears have
always gotten infected unless I buy expensive earrings.  And who cares about glammed-up ears while a

French Braided Swept Ponytail

Time:  8 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, bobby pins
Difficulty:  medium


Another hairstyle for those busy days when you still want
to look nice, but need your hair out of your face.



So next time your alarm clock rings. 

And you're sure it's fast by two hours, 

because you just closed your eyes and you're so tired!



Instead of going for the standard ordinary ponytail, try this

Getting Body & Curls with a Center Part

Time:  20 minutes from totally wet hair
Supplies:  brush/comb, blow dryer, root elevator spray (I got "Big Sexy Hair" from Walmart for less than $5), curling iron (I used 1 1/2"), hairspray
Difficulty:  medium


You know what I love about long hair?


It's always there when I want it, and when I don't...I just pull it up in a pony or bun.



Because some days, you just want to let your hair

Teeth Whitening at home with Hydrogen Peroxide

Time:  10 minutes to as long as you'd like

Supplies:  Hydrogen Peroxide, q-tips

Difficulty:  easy

So my mom ran into a cousin she hadn't seen in a while, and her teeth were GLEAMING WHITE!




I mean.  

You could have read next to them in a pitch-black room.



So we asked her the secret...



It's Hydrogen Peroxide.  Simple as that.

The bottle says it's an "oral debriding agent".  It

Back to School Dinner Ideas: Beef Freezer Meals

Since we're working on our "Back to School Unit"

for hairstyles; I thought, why not share with you one of my BEST tricks for back to school:  
Freezer Meals!




They are the greatest idea since sliced bread.



So while it's still summer.  And I still have some time (and some kids at home to help me). I try to make a bunch of meals and store them in the freezer for those hectic school

3-minute Do: Bump with a Flower Bun

Time:  3 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, 2 elastics, bobby pins

Difficulty:  easy


Sometimes getting up on time for school can be a challenge.



Especially with
homework, regular work, a social life.  It leaves you so tired, you'd give anything for more sleep.  Who cares about hair?  Half the time I'm throwing on my make-up while riding the bus. 



But that's not a problem with this

Double Piggyback Braids

Time:  10 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, clear elastic
Difficulty:  medium+


Announcing our...............BACK TO SCHOOL HAIRSTYLES 

Hoorah!




It's officially August, and you know what that means.

I suppose some of you lucky guys don't start back into school until September, and some of you started in July.  

But most of us go back pretty soon.

And you like to look pretty, right?

How to: CURL Layered hair

Time:  12 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, curling iron (I used 1 1/2".  You can use what you have.), hairspray, root elevator spray (optional)
Difficulty:  medium


I'll tell you what...


Curling layered hair--if you're a beginner--can be a nightmare.

But it's a cinch if you know the secret trick.



(Here's another secret trick:  I also curl my hair like this when I have it blunt-cut as

Waterall Braided Web

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 3 clear elastics, pomeade/hairspray
Difficulty:  medium


I can't believe it's already the end of July.

Where has the summer gone?




I was just getting into the groove of no school:  plenty of time to catch up on all that stuff you can't ever get done, hanging out with friends, staying up late, running barefoot, swimming, popsicles, getting a little

How to: CUT layers in your hair

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  comb/brush, scissors
Difficulty:  medium


Bella has had long blunt hair for years.  

And we have
a lot of people ask us for layered hairstyles.

So we figured, how about a change?

She wanted to play with layers and create different hairstyles.



Her new layers have about a four-inch variation.

Plus, the sides are slithered/feathered cut (starting at her

No Heat Beach Waves

There are loads of diferent types of these no heat tutorials for this beachy hair look, and the reason to that is that most people (including me) just love that messy hair. And if you don't, just remember - embrace it! It's an all time (or maybe I should've said immortal) hairstyle that goes with everything! It's playful and can give that 'wow' effect on your whole look. So, I had to do some serious searching to find the perfect tutorial that can do the trick - and i found it! It's an easy breezy tutorial posted by the amazing Aimee Song from Song of Style. All the credit goes to her and her amazing trick!

1. Part your slightly damp hair into two sections (right and left) and start twisting from the root to all the way to the end of your hair. Make sure you twist well!

2. Using a bobby pin, pin the end of your twisted hair to the crown of your head.

3. Twist the other side of your hair in the same direction (I normally twist outwards) and pin to the crown of your head like the first side.

4. Let your hair dry naturally overnight and in the morning, unpin the ends. Shake your head and pretend your in a shampoo commercial, and voila! You got waves! If you'd like to hold the waves, top off the look with a lightweight hairspray such as the Vida Sassoon Pro Series Flexible Hold Hairspray.

How To: Waterfall French Braid

Time:  8 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic

Difficulty:  Medium

Reverting to the basics:


Some of you have emailed and asked for a tutorial on a waterfall braid without any other bells and whistles.



So (drum roll, please) here you go. 

(Drums aren't bells or whistles.)



A waterfall braid is simply a french braid, but instead of reaching for a new strand on the bottom side of

Neck Bow with twisted bump

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, hairspray, bobby pins, elastic, embellishments (optional)
Difficulty:  Medium+




I hope you're enjoying summer as much
as we are.



It's wonderful to be out of school, no homework, no busy schedules, water activities, endless playtime (or so the kids think).

But it's also HOT!

Too hot!



So here's not only a beautiful and cool hairstyle.  But a

Double Giveaway Time!

I used to have a business making
and selling hair accessories.  



Can you tell I love everything about hair? I don't have the business anymore, but I do still LOVE them.

And I'm sharing that love with you.



I'll split this lot of 28 hair accessories between two winners.

WHY?



We put in a ton of time and creative juices into this blog, and we want the word to spread.



There are 4

Beachy Wave Barrel Curls with Wand or Curling Iron

Time: 15 minutes
Supplies:  comb/brush, wand or curling iron
Difficulty:  medium


Lately I've been working on my bucket list:

Pet a
goat

Go hot-tubbing in a giant cheese vat

Sky diving

(So far I've done the first two.)



Another one I just finished (inspired by my favorite song, which you'll hear when you watch the video)...



I made signs that said, "Don't" and "Believing" and hung

3-Minute Hairstyle: Side-Swept French Braid

Time:  3 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins
Difficulty:  medium


I have taken Spanish at school for the last two years.  

And I have to say,
aside from mi Español becoming muy bueno, I picked up this cute hairstyle idea.



There's a girl in my class who often has her hair swept back in a french braid.  

It's so linda (cute), I had to copy the idea.



When you are in a prisa (

Patriotic Hairstyle, 4th of July Braided Star

Time:  15 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, 12 clear elastics, curling iron, 36" of ribbon
Difficulty:  medium


We had a few followers write in and ask us how to do this braided star. 

So
here you go.



It would have been much easier to do on Bella's long hair.  

But we did it on Lanie's hair to show you that it can be done on shorter hair.



If you have 4th of July plans, or anything this

Fun & Pretty Patriotic Style

Time:  15 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins, patriotic bows (here's how to make them), red & blue markers, hair chalk, or hair mascara

Difficulty:  easy


Patriotic hairstyles aren't just for little girls...

Neither are bows.




You may have thought our post, promising a patriotic hairstyle using these darling bows, would be for little girls.

But guess what?

They look great on

Black hairstyle

There are many favorite black hair styles around like braided, locks, sleek and straight, curly, short and funky or twisted and intricate hair styles. Whatever hairstyle you wish to choose, it is important to pay special attention to your facial features and bone structure. This is because some of the black hair styles can take your most beautiful facial features and make them even more stunning!

 One thing to remember for the perfect black hair style is to take account of your build. For example, a close cropped black hair style does not suit one with a large frame. So remember to just make sure that your style and frame balance each other! The shape of the face too has to be taken into consideration when choosing the correct black hair style. Basically, there are five face shapes; oval, round, square, heart and rectangular. Whatever face shape you may have, it is better to choose a hair style that makes your face appear more oval. The reason the oval face is identified as the best facial shape is because of the perfect symmetry of some of the facial features it has, like the distance from the lips to the bottom of the chin.

 If you do have a heart shaped face, you can make it appear more oval by positioning the weight of the black hair style at chin level. For those with round faces, it is best to minimize the cheekbones with some height in the bang. For square faces, it is better to have a hair style with short edges and texture directed towards the face. And for those with triangular shaped faces, more height and fullness should be present at the crown. With these generalized hints on black hair styles, you should go to a beauty parlor to get your hair cut accordingly!

Patriotic Fohawk

Time:  11 minutes
Supplies:  brush/comb, pomeade/gel, plain old markers and white chalk, blow-dryer
Difficulty:  Medium


This image reminds me of a parade.

I can see
all the kids sitting on the curb-side waving flags, watching the floats go by, racing for the candy they throw.  

Can you see it too?



I get such a feeling of pride when I see our flag and hear the national anthem.  It's an

Multi - Ribbon Hair Bows

Time: 12 minutes/Bow

Supplies:  assorted ribbons, scissors, hot glue, alligator clip or barrette, ruler, lighter/matches or fray-check

Difficulty:  medium+


I love hair bows!


Any regular hairstyle becomes 

a darling hairstyle with a simple bow or two.



But it can get spendy getting them in several colors for each matching outfit. 

(I know, I have two girls, and an obsession for cute

Flirty Ponytail

Time:  2 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic

Difficulty:  easy


Who doesn't love a quick, yet pretty, hairstyle?

I don't know what it is about
summer, but I'm always looking for something just like that:

Fast and beautiful.



If you've already got some curl in the bottom of your hair, this style takes about two minutes.

That's it.



If you need to add in a curl, that's just

Puffed Diagonal Dutch Braid

Time:  7 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic

Difficulty:  Medium

We took a trip to a nearby lake last weekend.

My son and his cousin started out early
in the morning 

doing a little target shooting with a BB gun.  



A moose came splashing through the water, drinking, about 

100 feet away from them.

My nephew got a ridiculous idea to take a shot at it.



He's only ten.  But

3-Minute Hairstyle: Donut Bun

Time:  3 minutes

Supplies:  brush/comb, elastic, bobby pins

Difficulty:  easy

Are you looking for a great summer hair-do?


Well, look no further.

Here it is.  

I was just fiddling around, trying to think of a 

new style I could bring you all, 

and I came up with this one. 



I've been sporting it almost every day for the last week. 

I love it!  

And I hope you will too.



It

No Heat Curls: Cocoon Curls

Time:  8 mins to roll;  8 mins to take out

Supplies:  brush/comb, bobby pins, hairspray

Difficulty:  Medium



Here are the few quick steps to beauty




I'll tell you what---coming up with no-heat curling ideas that turn out beautifully, is a tricky business.




But we've found one.



I learned this trick from a neighbor of mine. She said that back in the day (how far back "the day" is

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

You'll also want to make sure you style your hair properly to avoid some of the more common pitfalls associated with long hair. As such, the purpose of this article is to provide a compilation of expert tips and best practices for long hair.

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

Stunning Long Hairstyles 2013

You are what You Eat

First and foremost, always keep in mind that a balance of the right minerals and vitamins is essential for healthy strong hair. The best foods for your hair are those with lots of proteins, Omega 3 fatty acids, calcium, and vitamins such as A, B, C, E, B6, B12 and zinc.

In terms of protein, fish and seafood always make good choices, especially salmon, tuna, anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, and oysters. Chicken (no skin), eggs, beans, pork, and certain beef products also contain good amounts of protein. Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese are also excellent sources of protein. The vitamins needed to nurture your hair can be found in a wide variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, strawberries, oranges, broccoli, spinach, and asparagus.

Hair Care Best Practices for Long Hair

In terms of your day-to-day regimen, there are some things that you ought to put into practice if you want the most stunning long hair possible. Avoid washing your hair every day; in fact 2-3 times a week is plenty. And remember to condition your hair every time you use shampoo. Also, occasional deep conditioning treatments will be rewarded by keeping your locks glowing and shiny. And if you're going to be wearing a formal hairstyle in the near future, ensure that your hair is in tip top condition by taking time out to give it a deep conditioning treatment a few days before the big event.