Posts Written On December 18, 2012

The Wavy Baby

“For the past 10 years, the hair vibe has been all about a sleek, straight look,” says Lee.  “Girls are done with that now because it’s too much work.  Wavy, tussled hair is so versatile because with just a touch of heat and a little bit of product, you can pull off a textured hair style with either curly or straight hair.”

1.      To achieve this look, section off hair, spraying each section with Lee’s Flat Iron Protection Spray before you wrap each section around a hair wand or curling iron one by one.

2.      Wrap the ends of the sectioned hair around the roller taking care not to buckle the hair. Then wind the roller down firmly towards the scalp. Keep winding until the roller sits on the roots of the hair.

3.      Continue around the whole head always taking the same width of hair. Leave the finished set to dry naturally (roughly 20-30minutes) or dry with a diffuser attachment on your hairdryer to speed up the process. Remove each roller and brush through the hair following the direction of the set.

4.      Now that you’ve done all that work, don’t let it go to waste. Finish with Lee’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray for a more lived in look or if you want a stronger hold on your style, polish off with his Hold Tight Firm Hold Hair Spray.

The Big Bang

If you don’t already have thick straight hair, this look is a little harder to recreate, but not impossible.  Another good alternative are side swept bangs which work on almost every face shape and with every haircut. “Bangs have been seen on nearly every celebrity this year and are still on trend for 2013. Lee’s Hold Tight Firm Hold Hairspray is the perfect product for either look because unlike other hairsprays on the market that leave hair with a crunchy, crispy look and feel, Lee’s hairspray is specifically designed to leave hair feeling as good as it looks, while giving hold to all styles without the stiffness hairspray is known for.

• ·         For the Big Bang:

1.      Begin with wet hair and apply a walnut size amount of the Lee Stafford Double Blow Mousse ($7.99).

2.      Aim a hairdryer with a diffuser (to combat frizz) down the hair shaft. While blowing out bangs, try not to move the hair too much, as this will create body.

3.      If you want a slight side flick, use a round brush and roll into the hair going backwards. Put the heat of the dryer on it then let the round brush cool down a little before you take it out.

• ·         For a Side Swept Bang:

1.      Follow step one in the Big Bang.

2.      Use a round brush to roll the hair up, and blow dry hair on the side where you want the bangs to sit.

3.      As you blow dry your hair, be sure to point your hair dryer down at your bangs, holding the dryer directly above the brush. When the hair is dried, lightly spray with some hairspray to hold it in place or secure in place with a cute clip.

** Lee’s Stylist Secrets:

• ·         “I always say ‘leave it up to a professional to cut your fringe!’ It’s not as simple as just chopping off your hair with a pair of scissors. You want bangs to suit both your hair texture and face shape as well, but if you’re really desperate to trim your bangs, it’s important to know that you must cut slowly and UPWARDS into your bangs. Simply cutting across your forehead will give you a fringe line that’s too blunt and difficult to correct professionally later on!
• ·         The right bangs can soften and balance your features. Lee’s general rule for fringe is strong, square bangs better suits a narrow face because it opens up the face and narrows down the forehead. With big eyes, you can pull off a great “coy” look, peeking out from beneath. Asymmetric or side sweeping bangs are the most flatting for a rounder shaped face; however, be careful if you have a low hairline or a small, round face – as it can become disproportionate and drown your features.

(Please note: all of the products listed above are available at ULTA stores nationwide or online at ULTA.com.)