CUTE-TIP #42

Are your sassy curls falling flat? Define them with a light spritz of spray gel, then twist or scrunch small sections of your hair with your fingers; This simple step will coax that lovely 'do back to life. 

Breaking It Up

          Hey all here's a look at one of my recent ensembles. For starters I decided to curl my hair and I think it turned out pretty gorgeous if you ask me. ;-] Prior to heat styling, I used John Frieda's Dream Curls spray and an olive oil moisturizing shine serum. (Product pictures soon to come.) I then parted my hair in the middle of my head (half up/half down style), clipped the top half to keep it apart, and separated the bottom into 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections- wrapping them vertically and horizontally around the barrel of my 3/4" Conair curling iron.

          I repeated the same steps on the top half of my hair, but did more horizontal curling- especially at the crown. I also alternated the direction of my curls to add some depth and variety to my style. After the curling was all done, I rubbed a few more drops of the moisturizing oil in my palms and put my head upside down to zhuzh my hair; This simple step adds a little umph and breaks up the curls a bit so they aren't so "done".

          Now for the clothes. In my office, we can wear jeans (as long as they are in good taste, whatever that means haha) so I take advantage of that option most days. This particular look included black washed skinny jeans from Forever21 last year, a beautiful floral peplum top from H&M for $12.95, and a black cropped gauze cardigan from JC Penney for $14. I kept it really simple with my jewelry, wearing some new earrings with a grid of stones and a square shape from Forever21 for $3.80 and a statement ring with a round rhinestone inlay and a black & white crackled stone. Black flats were the finishing touch to this outfit. I loved it, how about you?       -  J

CUTE TIP #41

After showering, squeeze the excess water out of your hair with a towel, rather than wrapping it up while you dress. Letting your strands air dry for at least 10 minutes before styling will lessen frizz and save your precious follicles. Try it!

Hey Ombre!

          The hot hair trend for the last couple of months is Ombre coloring. This effect gives hair a dual (and sometimes triple or quadruple) colored look, so you have the best of both worlds: Dark & Light. For those afraid of dyeing their hair completely one color or not into the highlighting idea, Ombre hair dyeing might be just the trick; From a subtle color difference, to adding purples and pastels, the combinations are endless with this color process.

So what's your verdict on this multi-tone hair trend... Yay or Nay? Let us know below.

CUTE-TIP #36

Rub a dryer sheet over your hair for a quick frizz and static-cling remedy; Sleek & chic hair is now in your future!

Date Night

           
          A few nights ago I went on a date with one of my best girlfriends from highschool; Dinner and a movie style. For this cute little outing I wore one of the new swing shorts I bought from H&M last week for $10. My slightly ruffled top is from Aritzia by Wilfred which I got for about $15. And of course I wore my usual jean jacket and gold payless sandals! 
          
          For my hair, I curled it the same way as my "Can't Be Tamed" hair curling tutorial. Instead of leaving it down though, I braided my bangs back (because it's hot and they're annoying) and then I started to fishtail the top of my hair but stopped once I reached the nape of my neck and tied it into a ponytail. 

          
         Now for accessories I wore my two favorite necklaces, my Return to Tiffany heart tag necklace and a peace sign necklace that my friend bought me from Bittersweet. I wore plain silver peace sign studs and four of my favorite bracelets: a faux tiffany bracelet, evil eye bracelet, pandora braclet, and a bracelet this same friend bought me from Italy. I also stacked some silver rings on my fingers. 

          Finally for my purse. I didn't feel like wearing a big bulky purse since I was just going to the movies. So I decided to wear my Coach messenger bag that I bought from the Coach Outlet at Crossings Mall in Pennsylvania. 

CUTE-TIP #19

When it comes to fishtail braids, the thinner strands you use- the better it will look; Thicker strands create a more normal braid.

Heads or Fishtails?

         
         Fishtail braids are everywhere nowadays and celebrities like Kendall Jenner make them look effortlessly chic. This braiding style adds a pulled together yet edgy vibe to your look and can be worn dressed up or down because of it's intricate detail. Plus, even if it's a little messy, it still looks good!

         If you plan to fishtail your hair before going out, I suggest straightening your hair first; This way your braid comes out nice & neat. For a more relaxed daytime look, I usually just use my natural curly hair, or braid it while wet. Here are my steps for fishtail braiding:



         Step 1: Divide your hair into 2 sections.                                                                                   Step 2: Take a strand from the right end. 

  

Step 3: Bring the strand over into the middle. 

*CUTE-TIP: When it comes to fishtail braids, the thinner strands you use- the better it will look; Thicker strands create a more normal braid. *


<< Step 4: Now take a strand from the outside of the left section, while tightly holding onto the strand from the right side. 

Step 5: Bring the left strand into the middle and over the right strand. >>

<< Step 6: Grab the strand that was on the right side and merge it with the larger left side section. 

Step 7: Repeat! And make sure you do it very tightly. >>

Now you're done & ready to hit the town!

How To Make A Headwrap

Have you guys seen the headwraps at stores like Forever21 and Macy's? I know I have and now I'm obsessed. The couple that I have so far are beyond cute, I absolutely love them. But have you ever wondered how to make them? It's actually quite easy. Here are a few quick steps to help you make one, using scarves you probably have at home.

Step 1: Find a square scarf. The one I used is one of my moms old polyester scarves.

Step 2: Fold the scarf diagonally in half into a triangle.

Step 3: Fold the scarf over several times, so you end up with a long thin rectangle.

LOL I look like a maniac, don't mind me.

Step 4: Wrap the scarf around your head and cross the ends into an X shape. (pictured)

Step 5: Now twist your X around so the center is a tight twist. (The ends should overlap so they are the opposite of Step 4.)

Step 6: Simply wrap the ends around to the back of your head & tie a knot.

Step 7: Tuck the excess fabric underneath the headband to create a neat look.


Headwraps work with any hairstyle. Whether you plan to wear your hair down, in a messy bun, or in cute braid... you can't go wrong with a headwrap. Especially if it's homemade!

You can also make a headwrap using a scarf that's long, thin, and rectangular, instead of square-shaped. Skipping the folding step, go straight into wrapping it around your head, and then twist at the center.

CUTE-TIP #12

When it comes to shampoo and conditioner experiment with different ones. That way you can find which one best suits you!

CUTE-TIP #11

A sale is the perfect time to stock up on lots of different shampoos and conditioners.

How to Maintain Your Curly Hair

          If you are like me with curly hair that has a mind of its own, then you know it's annoying to maintain... ESPECIALLY in the summer when its hot & humid. These conditions mean only one thing for your hair: Frizz. Damn that frizz, taking over my life and all.

          Never fear, Crisanta is here to tell you how to maintain your out of this world locks. First things first, shampoo and conditioner. It's important to find the right one for you, everybody is different, so where as one product may work like a charm for you it may not work as well for other users. The trick is to constantly experiment with different shampoo's and conditioners. Personally, once a bottle has run out I go for a new brand; I never use the same shampoo type twice in a row. Experiment, experiment, experiment. Especially when there is a shampoo sale at Shopper's Drug Mart. *CUTE-TIP: A sale is the perfect time to stock up on lots of different shampoo's and conditioners.* Here are a few of my experiments that really paid off:

Ojon Tunu Elastic


          The best, and I mean THE BEST, shampoo and conditioner I have ever used is Ojon Tunu Elastic. They use nuts from the Ojon tree in the rain forests of Central America. After the first time using this product I instantly found that my hair was softer, shinier, smoother, healthier and most of all curlier. But it was a nice "curly", curls I wished I could make with a curling iron. It was amazing. The best part is that you only need a little dollop of it and it will cover your entire head. 

          Another amazing thing about these products is after rinsing out in the shower, all that's left to do is style & go; No additional styling products necessary. The only downside to all this awesomeness is that it's really pricey. Both the shampoo + conditioner total about $50 (CAD), and I've only seen it sold at Sephora and various hair salons. However, if you are able to get yourself into a MAC/Estee Lauder warehouse sale, they go for a total of $12 (CAD) which is totally worth it!

For details on other products by Ojon check out http://www.ojon.com/products/search/esearch.tmpl?search=ojon+tunu .


Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying


          Now if you can't afford to buy Ojon shampoo and conditioner don't worry there are so many more products out there. Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying shampoo and conditioner for example, is great because it takes away most of the frizz, and once I'm out of the shower I rarely need to put any product in.

          However, I have noticed that my hair gets very oily after using this shampoo and conditioner duo and then straightening my hair. I start looking like a Greaser or Severus Snape. (If you don't know who they are, go read a book or at the very least watch a movie. Hahahah just joking.) But anyway, that was the only real issue I had while using this product; Other than that it's pretty great. As a bonus it is 92% biodegradable... Woo! Go Green! 


For product details visit http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/fructis/index.aspx#products|PureClean|PureCleanShampoo .

       
Herbal Essences


          My next favorite product line is Herbal Essences; These products have never done me wrong. If you have long hair the Long Distance Relationship shampoo and conditioner will work wonders. I have long hair myself, but I prefer to use shampoos that are targeted for curly/wavy hair like the Tousle Me Softly and Totally Twisted shampoos and conditioners.

          Tousle Me Softly is a good choice for a naturally soft and wavy look, where as the Totally Twisted will play up your curls; Both are amazing products that I alternately use on a regular basis. Once I'm out of the shower, I use the corresponding hair mousse dedicated to that line for styling. If you have really frizzy hair the None of Your Frizzness shampoo and conditioner is a great buy! All of the Herbal Essences products do exactly what they tell you, and they smell amazing which is another reason I love them!

For details on all the Herbal Essences products take a look at http://herbalessences.com/en-US/hair-products .



SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN


          Once you've washed your hair using the shampoo and conditioner that fits your hair needs, the next step is deciding which products to use for leave-in or styling. You don't want to drench your hair in a bunch of products because that will weigh down your style and over treat it. So again you need to find what products work for you! Like I've mentioned before in a previous post, {Check out Can't Be Tamed: How To Tame Unruly Hair"} my favorites are Lush's R&B, Chi Silk Infusions, Macadamia Natural Healing Oil, and Marc Anthony Moisture Gloss. Other good products are Sunsilk Captivating Curls hair cream, TRESemme No Frizz Shine Spray, and as previously mentioned the Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly and Totally Twisted mousse.

For details on all of these products visit the following websites.
TRESemme
Lush
Chi Silk Infusions
Macadamia Hair Products
Marc Anthony
Herbal Essences
Sunsilk Captivating Curls

CUTE-TIP #10

After your shower but before applying any product, gently comb through your damp hair with a wide-tooth comb. Attempting on dry hair will get you two express tickets to Frizzville and Puff City. ;-]

CUTE-TIP #4

You don't need to drench your hair in different styling products. One or two good ones will do the trick.

CUTE-TIP #3

When curling your hair, wrap section around the curling iron and AWAY from your face.

          Do you have curly hair that has a mind of it’s own, and just constantly looks a big mess? I do. It’s so annoying. One day it will decide to look nice and one day it decides to just look ridiculous. I’ve always wanted to curl my hair nicely like how the celebrities do but I could never figure it out. I used to straighten my hair and then curl it with a regular curling iron but no matter how much hairspray I put in, the curls always went limp and ended up looking like an even worse dull mess.

          However, I have recently learned that the real trick is to curl your natural hair. When you straighten your curly hair you are denaturing the proteins in your hair to make them straight. When you curl it over your newly straightened hair, you are attempting to bring the proteins back to its original form. This is how you get a “hot mess”.  So here are the steps to perfectly curl your hair; to make it red carpet worthy or at the very least- not a crime against the public. ;-]

Step 1:

         First things first, make sure your hair is dry when curling it. *Heat Styling + Damp Hair = Fried Frizzy Hair* If you have frizzy hair like me use some anti-frizz right after you wash your hair while it is still wet. My personal favourite is Lush’s R&B Hair Moisturizer. It is $20.95 (CAD) for a 3.5 oz tub. This may seem a little pricey but I can tell you that it is completely worth it. You only need to use a little bit for your whole head. And the tub itself lasts over a year. I’ve had mine for over a year and I use it ALL the time.  For a product review and description of R&B go to http://www.lush.ca/R-B/03080,en_CA,pd.html

Step 2:

          Make sections in your hair like you would when straightening it. This is important because you don’t want to miss a single strand. If you don’t section your hair you might end up having one strand that just looks mad awkward. Make the sections relatively thin, not too thick. If you take sections that are too thick it may not curl as nicely as desired.

*CUTE-TIP: BTW Some people are convinced that they need to use so many products in your hair. You really don’t; if you have one or two really good products it will really do the trick.* The most important thing is to find a hairspray that won’t dry hard and will leave a more natural look. (More about that later.)

Step 3:

          Curl. Choose a curling iron that works for you. It doesn’t have to be some ridiculously expensive new one. The curling iron I use is my mom’s Conair from the 90s, and it’s still going strong. I think it’s a 1” barrel I’m not actually sure. But the trick is to wrap the section of hair around the curling iron AWAY from your face.*If your iron has a clamp feature also… you can open it, wrap hair around the barrel, and then release the clamp to secure for about 15 seconds. Try both ways of curling with your iron and choose which works best for you.*

Step 4:

          Hairspray. Like I said before, if you get a good hairspray your curls will last. I’ve tried so many different hairsprays, and the best one by far is TRESemmé Naturals Finishing Spray. After you’ve curled an area just spray it all over the curls. You don’t have to worry about stickiness or it hardening. It keeps your hair soft and natural looking. It smells great too! It’s also an amazing product because it keeps your curls intact even after a good night’s sleep. Mine is from Shoppers Drug Mart, bought on sale for $3.99(CAD). But you can buy it from any drug store. For product details and exact instructions on how to use this product, go to http://www.tresemme.ca/Products/Naturals/Naturals-Finishing-Spray/ .

Step 5:

          Continue sectioning, curling, and spraying your hair. Once you are completely done do a final spray of your head and run fingers through your hair. Once the spray has dried you can use an anti-frizz serum to keep your hair silky and smooth. I would stay away from using crème type products like the R&B. You can use them on dry hair but after curling my hair I prefer to use a serum. Whichever serum/oil you use just put a little dab in your palm and run through your hair evenly.

Here are 3 that I can recommend and that work equally well:

• The first is Chi Silk Infusions it’s about $24(CAD) for a 150 mL bottle. You can buy it from any drug store, beauty supply outlet, salon or even Wal-Mart. My sister got a 15mL sample bottle for free from the beauty supply outlet, so if you’re sceptical about spending that much money you can always try it for free. For product review and description go to http://www.walmart.com/ip/Silk-Infusion-Reconstructing-Complex/14648427 .

•  The second option is Macadamia Natural Healing Oil, it works great. It is about $14(CAD) for a 30 mL bottle. You can buy it from any beauty supply outlet, salon or drugstore. For details on the product go to http://www.macadamiahair.com/products/detail/healing_oil_treatment .

• The last product is Marc Anthony Moisture Gloss. All you need is one little pump and it works wonders.  This product is just under $10(CAD) and you can get it at any drug store, beauty supply outlet etc. For product details go to http://www.marcanthony.com/products/moisture-gloss-hair/daily-drops .

Step 6:

There is no step 6. You have tame hair now, so work it!

Haha… Here’s my finished product:

Hair? Tamed …… Style? Still Wild <3