Back To Classics

First off, Happy New Year everyone! It's 2012 and what better time to try new hairstyles than now? Many women want to try something different around the new year but are usually afraid to do anything too drastic.  They are afraid of cutting it too short, especially in California where everyone has long beachy hair.  So what's the solution?  Try different styling techniques!  With long hair, looking different is difficult if long layers are all you have, but once you start incorporating curls or waves, it can create a whole new look.

What do little black dresses, red lipstick, and retro inspired waves all have in common?  It's classic.  When in doubt, always go back-to-basics classics.  Throughout the decade, the Hollywood glamour look has always been a classic red-carpet style and many celebrities are constantly bringing it back, such as Kate Bosworth, Christina Aguilera and Megan Fox among many others.

After our most recent blog, we had many compliments on Leeya's article regarding glamorous finger waves and also several inquiries on how to achieve that look. Well, you guys are in luck because I will show you how step by step in the simplest way possible!

Before you begin, make sure you have some tools handy.  For this particular look, I'm using medium pin curl clips, a 1 inch curling iron, a paddle boar bristle brush, a large hair clip, and a few combs to help part and separate.  You can use any size iron you want, but just remember- the smaller the barrel size, the tighter the waves, and vice versa. Ok, so let's get started!

This is Leeya's 'before' picture.  She has naturally thick and curly hair, but it's blown out as you can see.  I've decided to use the 1 inch barrel on her because her hair is so long and I want to see definition.  At the same time, it won't be too tight of a curl due to the weight of her hair.  I went ahead and parted her hair on the side she is most comfortable with, and thoroughly brushed out any tangles or snags she may have so that the hair is smooth, clean and ready for my first step.

So starting around her part, I began my first row of the pin curls. I'm using about 1.5"x1.5" sections, since we wanted looser waves.  If you want a tighter waves, then take smaller sections.  The key is to make sure the pin curls are rolled all the same direction on the same row.  It doesn't matter if you go clockwise or counter-clockwise first (I chose counter-clockwise), but it just all has to be the same. As you can see, I did pin curls all the way around her parting, starting at her hairline moving in a horse shoe shape at the crown until I finished my last curl on the other side of her part. You can also see that all my curls are pinned in the middle so that I don't put dents into the hair.  Then continue on the the next row, starting one one side, creating another horse shoe under the previous horse shoe until the last curl ends on the other side of her face.  The difference this time is to change the direction of the curl opposite to what was done previous.  My previous pin curls were counter-clockwise so this entire row will be clockwise.  This is what will be done on each row; alternating the direction of the pin curls. 

Continuing these steps, alternate the direction of the pin curls until the entire head is pins into perfect rows.  If you started on a side part, you will end up with a weird diagonal section, but don't panic! Just curl it the same as the rest, still alternating directions.  When all the pin curls are done, you should be able to see neat rows, and each row going clockwise or counter-clockwise.  After it's all done, I put Leeya under a hood dryer with cool heat for about 20 minutes.  I wanted to make sure all the curls had completely set and not still warm.  If you are at home, just wear the pin curls around the house for as long as you can until you need to style it, if time permits.  If you need to leave the house, just wrap a scarf over it and pop on some large sunglasses....you'll really look retro for an outing!

After the curls have set, take out all the pins one by one and what you'll see is Shirley Temple hair!  Every curl should be very defined, cool to the touch, and have lots of voluminous bounce.  Now, using just your fingers and hands, separate the curls so that it will be easier to brush through.  At this point, if you're liking this look, you can also rock the Rita Hayworth style which is also very glamorous and sexy, similar to what Gwen Stefani likes!

For a more sleek and polished look, take the boar bristle brush, pressing through slow and firmly from roots to ends until all the curls take formation into uniformed waves.  If it is easier, a round bristle brush can also be used, brushing the underside of the hair in a downward motion until similar results are achieved.  You can choose whether you want the bottom to curl up or under, which I had opted for the latter.  At this point, the hair can be moved and brushed as many times as needed to create the perfect waves you want.  Try teasing it, tucking a side behind the ear, or adding a cute barrette.  If you feel even more ambitious, try bobby pinning the ends up into a messy bun for a cute up-style.  Either way, this is definitely a classy look that anyone can try, no matter what length or texture hair a person has.

Leeya's 'after' photo

Finally as a finishing touch, add some rouge, a bit of gloss or some lush red lipstick,and you're ready to hit the town Hollywood style!

Happy Styling!

 -Christine