The problem is, I hate my curls. I don’t hate all curls, though, and in fact, sometimes I straighten my hair…and then curl it!

Sxc.hu

One of my favorite styles is finger waves, they have a great retro-class appeal to it. If you want to embrace your ’40’s starlet, I consulted celebrity hairstylists Eugene Toye, Ryan Cunningham and Eddie Ngai from the Rita Hazan Salon, who say this style works best on naturally wavy hair although these waves can be re-created on any hairstyle.

To make this work for you, you may want to seasonally glam it up with a sexy jeweled headband. Then, get started! Here’s their how-to:
* In order to achieve this look you will need some gel, hairpins and some curlers.
* Once hair is curled under, you will want to pin the curls in place at the nape of the neck.
* Long straight pins are the key to securing your locks and holding this updo in place. Make sure to insert pins in opposite direction!

Sexy! Now get on your favorite flirty dress and heels, and go find yourself a mistletoe…and a man to stand under it! After all, isn’t that the only part of this season worth enjoying?

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Create Hot Finger Waves

The look gives you that voluminous, wild, “supposed to not be perfect” look.

Image: Redken

I for one love to be a little wild, and so to recreate the look, the salon offered these steps:

1. Mist Redken’s Wool Shake on damp hair and towel dry. Wool Shake will give you hair texture and increase volume.

2. Grab 1 inch sections and wrap hair around a 1 ½ inch barrel curling iron while leaving ends out. Remove iron and wind the curl back up the scalp and clip to cool.

3. When the curls have cooled, unclip and shake out curl.

4. If you want more volume, take a brush and very lightly tease each section once.

So, get wild – just remember, you probably should be expected to be pretty fun, to match.

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Do You Like It Rough?

Ouidad.com - A great diffuser is an asset in dealing with curls!

Can you roll out of bed, though, and still achieve something as stress-inducing as great curls?

It’s absolutely worth a try – all you need is the right products and a great diffuser -

Let it be noted I’ve spent a lifetime doing everything possible to HIDE my curls – whether by relaxing, or straightening, or blowouts – it’s really encouraging that there’s all these great, easy, tips out there now to work WITH them rather than against them.

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Super-Fast Curl How-To

Why am I excited about this? I’ve been craving just that for a while now, and now I have a bit of a guide to trying it myself.

An important note – Nadine has newly Brazilian’d super smooth, fabulous hair – but for us girls who nature gave ridiculously curly frizz, you can do this too!

Folica.com - CHI 2 in 1 Ceramic Auto Digital Curling and Flat Iron

What I learned yesterday when I visited Hallie Bowman (Pantene celeb stylist) – if you have really curly hair and want to make those sexy spiral curls, you can blowout/flat iron your hair straight as you always do – and THEN follow all the instructions illustrated above. You’ll even get that sense of pride that you are showing off what nature gave you. Except, obviously, you aren’t. You just may be improving on it.

Thanks, Nadine, for these great tips!

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Sexy Ringlet Curls

OK, I am…just a little.

But I’m also concerned. Because…well…heat, humidity…we all KNOW the sort of hair situation that leads to.

But then I got to thinking…when it’s hot and humid and your hair is mis-behaving—why not just go with it?

It’s possible to create awesomely messy sexy beach waves, says Phil Mania, owner of Mania’s Hairstyling in Park Ridge, NJ.

It’s always easier to work with the elements rather than go against them.

You can get the messy “just spent the whole day at beach look” with a product such as Surf Spray from Bumble and Bumble.

The seaweed extract and sea salts in Surf Spray will retain moisture in your hair and help duplicate that “beach dried hair.”

Regardless of how curly , flat, straight or frizzy your hair is using the right product will help you achieve the hottest looks of the summer. (Or any season, for that matter!)

Phil Mania helped us out with a how-to for creating a sexy beach style, and illustrats it below.

1. Spray damp hair with your foundation product, either B&b Prep or Tonic. (Prep for fine texture and Tonic for medium to coarse textures)
2. Work a quarter size of B&b Gel into your hair. (Thicker textures may need more)
3. Scrunch your hair in an upward movement.
4. Mist the hair with B&b Surf Spray, this product will add volume and texture to the hair.
5. Diffuse hair or let air dry. For added volume, flip your head over if diffusing.
6. Once hair is dry, mist with B&b Does It All Hairspray, to set the style.
7. For a more polished look, use a curling iron. Wrap small sections of hair around the curling keeping the ends loose.
8. Optional: Add an accessory. It’s simple but chic: A bright, beachy pony holder or head band gives flair and style to even the simplest summer outfit.

Images: Mania’s Hairstyling

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Messy Beach Waves

But that’s alright, now you have the tools and the tips to get the job done right. Jeanie Syfu styled the winning model’s hair from last week’s episode of The Fashion Show into perfectly shaped, glossy curls using just a few key steps.

1. Apply TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Root Boosting Spray throughout damp hair, and rough dry with fingers.

2. Take a 1″ curling iron and create an ‘S wave’ pattern, curling vertically from roots to ends. Spray each section with TRESemmé Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray as you curl.

Want to know the rest of the steps? Check out TREsemme’s Style Seeker to find out how to create your own version of the winning runway look.

Image: Bravo/NBC Universal

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Get The Look: Bouncy Curls

Well, if you are savvy enough to be reading my blog, you probably already know the answer. Curling Irons are a reverse flat iron, and what you need for everything from loose spirals to tight ringlets.

The type of iron that you opt for, will depend on the type of curl that you want and the type of hair that you have. Curling irons with small barrels create tight curls while those with large barrels produce waves. Although fine hair curls easily at lower temperatures, you’ll need an iron with higher heat settings if you have thick, coarse hair.

My favorite curling iron of the moment is Pro Silk’s 1 inch ceramic digital curling iron, it has a versatile ergonomic design and a dgital LCD temperature control that instantly heats up 428F. I am a fan of its swivel cord, and it really did create awesome ringlets without burning or drying out my hair! Check it out – and be ready to ride the waves this summer!

Image: Pro Silk

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Choosing and Using a Curling Iron

It’s totally not necessary. And today, in honor of Earth Day, celebrity hair stylist offers tips on how to achieve curls and texture that will make you hot to trot – with no electricity required!

For long hair, follow these steps:

· After shampooing spray your entire head with the David Babaii for WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray scrunch and/or twist sections then allow to air dry.

· Once dry, if added texture or volume is desired flip your head over and back, give it a quick shake.

· To set it all in place, lightly spray your hair with hair spray.

For short hair, follow these steps:

· Towel dry freshly washed hair thoroughly to begin the foundation.

· Spray your entire head with a Beach Spray and allow to air dry.

· When hair is dry apply some David Babaii for WildAid Molding Paste and arrange texture until you are happy with the look.

Image: Sxc.hu

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Curls and Texture as Easy as 1,2,3…

ME!

(I, Aly, secretly have really terrible curls.)

LA LOOKS’ new Straight Out Styling Gel is a cool new product that is made with Keratin Amino Acids. The keratin penetrate the hair shaft to repair damage and help straighten wavy or curly locks, while Glycerin keeps the hair from becoming dry or brittle. You know those Brazilian treatments that are all the rage right now? They are done with Keratin proteins too! Similar concept – way cheaper price tag.

Because I feel the pain of each and every one of you who shares my hair crises and wants a better life, five of you will win their very own L.A. Looks Straight Out Gel. To have your chance to win, please tell me the trials and tribulations you have endured to maintain your own unruly locks. Five winners will be chosen at random from the answers. Deadline is March 15.

Image: L.A. LOOKS

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Giveaway: L.A. LOOKS Straight Out Gel

When I have a little bit of time to prep myself which is far in between these days, I usually turn to my trusted curling iron. Adding waves to my hair adds a little bit of styling in my long hair which I wear down most of the time.

To achieve this look, I actually shared the step by step process at Beauty Bento Box back in October of 2007. I’ll repost it here for reference :

1. Apply mousse while wet then blow dry
2. Hold the curling iron vertically, gather sections of hair in between the barrel of the iron. Hold for 20-30 seconds. Depends how curly you want it. Keep holding the iron in vertical position.
3. Repeat process. Don’t pick the curls until all sections are done.
4. Use your fingers to pick the curls.

An essential curling hair tip I have is to keep holding the curling iron in vertical position for this kind of waves. Horizontal position will achieve a different kind of waves on your hair.

I have choppy bangs right now but I still take out my curling iron once in a while to give my hair some waves when I have time. I don’t curl my bangs though, just the rest of my hair. It actually looks pretty if I say so myself. I have no pictures though  because I find myself always in a hurry afterwards. Just imagine the pictures above with bangs .

(Image : Drugstore) (Images © DJW/Beauty Gizmo)

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I Turn To My Trusted Curling Iron For Curls