How to wear a turban

I have always admired turbans but wasn’t sure if I could wear one. Now I have two and I wonder how I ever got along with them!

Turbans are now a permanent fixture in my hat wardrobe and a must for bad hair days.

Turbans are like beanies for girls. Don’t get me wrong - I own two beanies and love them, but really have only worn them to football games. Turbans are more comfortable than beanies and infinitely more stylish. Case in point - I wore a turban to work today – Turbans 1 Beanies 0. 

Here’s how I wear my turbans.

Look number one – Winter turban

Turban from Sportsgirl $19.95

Look number two – evening turban

Turban from Sportsgirl $29.95 includes brooch

Look number three - "I vont to be alone darling!" turban

Turban from Sportgirl as above.

I had to try with all my hair up as it reminds me of glamourous actresses from the 30s and 40s. It’s untouchable, reserved glamour.

I love it.

You’re convinced and need to have one? Here’s my shopping guide:

Top it off with a turban by hairromance featuring printed hats

Hair accessory
$48 - shopnastygal.com

Vintage shade
atelier-mayer.com

River Island printed hat
15 GBP - riverisland.com

Vintage style hat
rokit.co.uk

So, are you going to wear a turban? How will you wear yours?

Less stress for your hair – Original & Mineral

Last week I saw on Twitter that Original & Mineral were looking for hair models to test their brand new range of colour. I retweeted it but I wasn’t thinking of going along myself. But I changed my mind as it seemed to good an opportunity to pass up. 

Original & Mineral is not your usual hair brand. They say

The root cause of bad hair days is stress so we’re calling time on the chemical overload.

I know we shouldn’t be using so many chemicals, but I don’t often seek out more ecological products. I tend to pick products that work best for me. Original & Mineral claim their ammonia free colour and low chemical products work just as well, if not better than conventional products. I wanted to find out for myself.

Original and Mineral will soon launch a new range of peroxide and ammonia free hair colour, and this is one of the final stages of product testing. They were looking to test on scalp and natural hair, and unfortunately all my natural hair is hidden under the blonde (shock, I know) so I wasn’t able to be in the test group for their new colours.

Since I was already in the chair, the lovely Alan at Atlantis Hair in Paddington  suggested I try the Clear Gloss colour treatment. It’s a clear colour, and works to lock in colour and moisture, treating your hair and protecting your colour at the same time. Plus is it leaves your hair super shiny and so it’s a great treatment even if you don’t colour your hair.

Here’s my hair before & after. Seriously a bad before but I’m very impressed with the after - very shiny and felt so soft. 

Clear Gloss is a great for when you’re just getting a root touch up and it will give your hair a shiny lift. You could also book it in before getting a blowdry mid-colour as it really made my hair colour feel like new.

The Clear Gloss is painted onto the hair and left to process for 20 minutes. After washing my hair (best bit – the head massage – thanks Amy!) Jacqueline applied Atonic thickening spritz (also a heat protectant) and Frizzy Logic Shine Serum. The Frizzy Logic is made from cold pressed Argan Oil and smoothed my hair without an oily finish or weighing it down.

I was excited to see Atlantis Hair are also a Cloud Nine Salon so Jacqueline used the wide straightener to smooth my hair and add some gentle flicks. Yes, I feel my straightening addiction is coming back...

Original & Mineral is currently only available in selected salons in Australia and New Zealand but is planning to move into the US market. I’m really interested in their ‘Clean colour technology’ and would like to try their hair colours to see how they compare.

Do you use ammonia free colour? Are low chemical products important to you? What brands and products do you use?

How to wear a headscarf like Blake Lively – extra tip

When I added Blake Lively to my list of Hair Idols my friend loved the headscarf and asked how to do it. So I posted a how-to on this Gossip Girl hairstyle here.
 

Then Eliza asked a question in the comments about how I hide the pin at the back.

My best tip for pinning hair is to try and weave the pin through you hair, catching the section you want to pin and the hair underneath. If you try for too much hair it always falls out, but weaving the pin through smaller sections twice makes for a secure bobby pin. 

Looking at these photos now I’m not sure if they really explain how I put the pin in (as it’s hidden underneath) but think about weaving the pin through and I hope it works in your hair. 

I have a blogging challenge in mind that I hope will have you all Twisting & Pinning. Stay tuned…

Do you have any hair questions? Drop me a comment or email thehair@hairromance.com

How-to Easy Braid Hairstyle – Hair Romance Reader Question

Q:

I would absolutely love to know how to do this following hairstyle: it’s the third picture, on the right.
Could you possibly tell me how to do it? thank you!! :)

Here at Hair Romance we love a braid or two.

I haven’t seen this style before so I was happy to try and figure out how it was achieved.

It’s a backwards braid (or inside out braid) that’s only adding in sections from the top. It’s done by braiding the top half of your hair around each side to meet at the back to make this super cute half-up-half-down hairstyle. 

Don’t worry, I’ve broken it down even further with some how to step by step pics below.

What is a backwards (or inside out) braid?

Normally with French braids you have three sections that weave together over the top. Backwards is simply weaving together from underneath. You still add in sections just braid underneath and this leaves a plait on top.

Step 1 – Part your hair – I did mine on the side but this style is also cute with a centre part.

Step 2 – Take a section at the front and split into three.

Step 3 – Plait together in a French braid, bringing the sections in from underneath.

Step 4 – Braid in section from the top only, leaving the rest of your hair to hang down under the braid.

Step 5 – Finish the first side in a plait and secure with an elastic.

Step 6 – repeat steps 2-5 on the other side.

Step 7 – Tie the two sides together with an elastic. Hide the elastic by wrapping a section of hair around it and pinning it underneath with a bobby pin.

Step 8 – Loosen up the braid to give it a messier finish and you’re ready to go.

I think my braid is a little too neat compared to the original picture but both styles work. 

What do you think? Would you give this style a try? Do you have any hair questions you need answering? Drop us a comment below or shoot me an email at thehair@hairromance.com

Cloud Nine Straightening Irons – It’s a miracle

This is the straightening iron of my dreams.

This is my hair before and after using the Cloud Nine straightening irons.

Do I really need to say which is before and which is after?

The photos speak for themselves but let me tell you a little part of my hair journey and my quest for straight hair.

It’s been five years since I last owned a hair straightener.

I developed an addiction to my ghds, much to the detriment of my hair. It’s a long story, and if anyone is interested maybe I’ll tell it one day but suffice to say I lost a LOT of hair.

So I went cold turkey and gave my irons to my sister.  The Oracle helped my hair back to its former glory and I have since embraced big volume blow-dries and my curly hair.

However I still longed for the smoothness that only comes from irons. Over the last five years I have had my hair straightened by the Oracle on occasion, and straightened my hair at my sister’s, and at friends’ places before we go out…OK, OK, so maybe not completely cold turkey, but my home has been straightener free. 

Then I heard about the Cloud Nine straightener. I heard it was from the people who started ghd and I started to get curious. I was lucky to get my hands on one and couldn't wait to try it out. The straightener looks similar to the straightener I knew but with some pretty important differences: 

* Patented Korean rock mineral plates that are super smooth to create more shine. That’s their blurb but the plates look pretty and not a snag anywhere so they might be right.

* Adjustable heat settings. Yes – seven heat settings from 70 degrees to 220 degrees Celcius. I did my hair on 200 for this shot.

Fine-haired girls should be cheering as these lower heats will allow you to straighten your hair without flattening it. Thick hair will still need high heat but the lower temps are great for touch-ups and styling. 

* Universal voltage 

So it can travel with you and never has to leave your side. This could be an issue for me.

* Swivel cord

For me, this is the best thing. So much easier to handle and no tangling yourself up in the cord. Genius. 

My straight hair is back! However, with the adjustable heat it doesn’t have to be so flat anymore, I can still keep some volume and shape in the style.

My best tip for irons is to use heat-protectant products. Heat-protectant sprays and treatments will help prevent damage from (over)straightening your hair.

Have you had a straightening addiction? Do you use heat-protectant products? What’s your favourite?

Sweet twist and pin variation

This is another of my favourite twist and pin updos. It’s deceptively simple to do and looks both sweet and stylish.

Like the French roll twist and pin, this is a great hairstyle for when you are don’t have time to dry your hair. You can easily do this style in wet hair and it will dry with a nice wave in the ends. You can even cheat by just blowdrying the top of your hair to keep it smooth. This hairstyle will hide the rest away in these sweet twists on the nape of the neck. This updo is also perfect for a second (or third!) day blowdry.

Hair product tips

• Starting with wet hair? Run some Moroccan Oil through your hair from midlenths to your ends.
• If your hair is a little dry you may want to use a serum to smooth down any flyaways.
• A spritz of hairspray will make it last all day.

Step by step

1. Part your hair on the side.
2. Take a small section of hair at the left behind your ear and twist and pin on your neckline.
3. Do the same twist and pin behind your right ear and pin on your neckline.
4. Then separate the rest of your hair into equal sections and repeat, twisting into little buns and pinning on the nape of your neck.

Through many attempts I found that if you do the left and right first, it’s easier to keep a straight line. If you start at one side you tend to go up and it’s hard to keep the sections even. This hairstyle looks best if you have hair all one length or long layers. It will be hard to style with short layers unless you use a lot of product. 

As always I recommend using good hair pins in the same colour as your hair.

Have you tried this style? Tweet me a pic or tag Hair Romance on Facebook. Drop me a comment below to let me know how you go.

French roll twist and pin how to

French rolls were a huge trend on the red carpet so far this season and here’s a twist & pin version I’ve been wearing for a while. 

I love this hairstyle for when I don’t have time to blowdry my hair. It’s easy to do in wet hair and means my hair dries smoothly with a nice wave through it. This is another fabulous hairstyle for after the gym in the morning as a great work hairstyle. 

This is my third day hair after a brilliant style by the Follicle Oracle so this is also great hairstyle to hide the kinks and get another wear out of your straight hair.

Hair product tips

• Starting with wet hair? Run some Moroccan Oil through your hair from midlenths to your ends.
• If your hair is a little dry you may want to use a serum to smooth down any flyaways.

Step by step

1. Pin back your fringe, or the front section of your hair. I like a little bit of height but not too much of a bump.
2. Taking a section from each side of your hairline and bring together into a twist at the back of your head.
3. Twist the section around your finger and pin into a small bun
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until all your hair is twisted and pinned into a line.

Today I did four twists but that’s the beauty of the Twist & Pin, there are endless variations. Try up to seven twists for this style.

Have you tried this style? Tweet me a pic or tag Hair Romance on Facebook. Drop me a comment below to let me know how you go.

How to wear a headscarf like Blake Lively

My lovely friend, whose name I shall protect, does not know who Blake Lively is. The shame!!

I caught up with her for dinner and drinks Friday and she kindly told me she’d been reading my blog and loved the girl with the long hair. She said, I am going to do my hair like her, how do I wear a scarf like she does?

I did take her request seriously and will give a how to wear a headscarf like Blake Lively below, but I can’t get over her not even recognising Blake since she has foxtel and watches tv. I think my poor friend is stuck in SATC mode and needs to upgrade to Gossip Girl.

Anyway, I digress.

How to wear a headscarf like Blake Lively

The key to this look is that the headscarf is purely a hair accessory. It’s not holding back any of the hair, it is merely placed around the finished style.

1. Tease your hair at the crown of your head by gently back-combing
2. Leaving some hair loose around your hairline, take a small section from each side and pin at the back to keep some volume in your hair. I did this twice, twisting the sections together and hiding the pin underneath.
3. Take your headscarf and tie in place between two sections of your hair. Leave some hair loose underneath.
4. Tuck the top of your ears under the scarf and play with your fringe until you are happy and you’re done!

I used a square scarf folded on the diagonal but almost any size scarf will do as long at it fits around your head.

What do you think of this look?

Maybe you’ve got a how-to hair question? Shoot me an email at thehair[at]hairromance.com or write in the comments below.

New Year’s Hair Resolutions

Here are three simple steps to ensure you have a happy hair romance in 2011.

Repeat after me:

1. I will love the hair I have.
2. I will work with what I have and get a fabulous haircut that suits my face.
3. I will have fun with my hair and try new things.

Why not try a new colour, play around with hair accessories and hats or master the Twist & Pin?

Have you made any New Year's resolutions? Have you broken them already?

Inspired Hair Romance



Photograph by Henry Sun



I thought I was using this site as a procrastination tool. A way of avoiding other things I really needed to be doing. So I took an enforced hiatus to try and regain my focus and get some “real” work done.

But then while discussing it with a couple of my lovely girlfriends on Friday night, one told me a great story. She said she had been to a hen’s party the week before and had worn her hair in a side bun as she had been inspired by my blog. Another mutual friend was there and she had used the twist and pin to do a new style in her hair. Then they all started talking about Hair Romance!

I was so excited because that’s why I started writing Hair Romance - to help you to love your hair and to make the most of your hair. To try something new once in a while and make hair easy and fun.

Embrace your own hair romance and never have a bad hair day again.



Photograph by Henry Sun



I’m so happy to be back and can’t wait to tell you about my new favourite hairstyle!

PS. Did you notice my new address? www.hairromance.com Maybe some design changes coming soon too...watch this space!

How to – the Twist & Pin

This one technique can create an infinite number of styles. It’s my favourite styling trick and it’s so easy to do but creates far more complicated result that will make people stop you and ask “how did you do your hair?” wherever you go.

I’ve shown the twist & pin in curly hair here and here is a straight hair example.

First step, decide if you want a part or if you want some height at the front. Then take small sections of your hair and twist it round your finger like so.

Then grab a bobby pin and pin through both sides of the twist like so and try and anchor the pin the either the hair below or another twist.

Keep going until all your hair is twisted and pinned. It really is as simple as that.

Go on and have a practice yourself. Two simple tips –

• Buy some good quality hair pins, the stronger the pin the more hair it will hold.
• Try and hide all the ends for a smart finish or leave them out for a more relaxed look.

Short hair – I adopted this technique when I was growing out a short haircut so it’s perfect for shorter styles and bobs. You won’t get really round twists but you can really create a dynamic style.

Long hair – if your hair is too thick or too long to manage in individual twist & pins, section your hair into a ponytail and then take sections from within the ponytail and twist and pin all around the ponytail to hide the elastic. Once you have worked out a few styles this way, experiment with two or more ponytails – one above the other – so you can created different shapes with the twist and pin.

Leave me a comment to let me know what you think. I’m happy to answer any questions and would love to see your twist and pin styles. Send me a pic via email, or facebook or twitter. 

What to do when your blow dry gets caught in the rain

Like Cinderella staying out after midnight, all the artifice breaks down when my blow dry senses a hint of moisture in the air.

Be it a humid summer day or a rainy winter morning, I have totally wasted my time doing my hair. No-one would know I had set my alarm early in order to wash and blow dry my hair as I arrive looking like I’ve slept in and run my fingers through my hair backwards.

And days like today are in between. A good umbrella or hat might get me there or I could drown on the way out.

So here are some of my tips for salvaging your hard work. Don’t just give up and settle for a middle of the road ponytail, a quick bathroom stop and you can transform.

Fuzzy ends? - Carry bobby pins.

With just one pin you can use a section of hair to tie a pony tail like this. Just one pin!! With more pins the possibilities increase exponentially.

Fuzzy fringe? – Try a braid.

French braid your hair around your hairline taking in sections at the front only to hide away that fringe. Finish it behind your ear for a neat finish. If you can’t braid your hair just part your hair and twist the front section along the hairline, using a couple of pins to keep it in place. Too easy.

All your hair is a mess?

Combine both techniques and you’re all set.

Looking like a drowned rat?

Scrape all your hair up into a high pony and pin it into a neat bun. Kind of like a genie knot. Simply irresistible.

Good luck out there in the rain and good luck for the Melbourne Cup. Any tips for the winner?

Would love to see your hair pics. Email me, find me on twitter or facebook too.

My hair has the power to change the weather

Even Trump's legendary helmet hair is susceptible to the weather

Do I style my hair according to the weather or does the weather change because of my hair?

With naturally frizzy hair, the weather is extremely important when planning a style that has to last all day. Humidity loves frizz and frizz comes out to play in a bad way. So, I regularly check the weather to plan when to blow dry my hair and how to style it.

Tell me then, how come when I check the weather and it’s supposed to be fine and then I blow dry my hair straight it rains?!

Several possibilities –

• My beloved hairdryer is super powerful and may contribute to global warming and change weather patterns.
• My hair has the power to change the weather.
• I need to find a better weather report service.

So, if like me, you get a frizz attack what do you do? I recommend prevention rather than cure – start with a good conditioning treatment or use a leave in conditioner before drying your hair. Then a serum or finishing paste used on the ends will catch flyaways.

My other little trick is hairspray. Spray it across the top of your head (not straight down on your hair) so it hits all the fuzzy bits standing up and then smooth them down with your hand. It’s a sure fire way to lose the hair halo. Try it today. The weather in Sydney is partly cloudy with isolated showers in the morning and a top of 19 degrees and I promise not to blow dry my hair. 

Hair Trends - The Chignon

Love the return of the loose knot - so simple but looks complicated.

These shots from Jason Wu fall 2010 via Refinery 29

Again another great style for the second day. I wore a similar style last week (another twist & pin) and will give this knot a go next week.

What to do with curly hair on the second day?

So you created beautiful curls with your lovely Parlux hairdryer, applied a conditioning treatment and used a serum to control the frizz and had a great day out with fabulous hair.

Then you slept on it and woke up looking like you just walked out of a bush backwards.

This is the reason most curly haired girls hate their hair. Unlike Queensland, it's beautiful one day and knotted the next.

What to do? Well, you can wash your hair and start all over again but if like me, you love a sleep in, relax a little while longer then grab some hair pins and just "twist & pin"!*


Start at the top and take sections of hair, twist and pin in place. Using your part as a guide to decide where to start sectioning, then take small sections and wrap them around your finger a put the bobby pin through the whole curl to secure it in place. I've left mine quite messy as I think it works better with the curls.
Have a play - hair is fun and it's so easy to experiment. Would love to see your styles.
* I almost called this blog Twist and Pin as it's my most common answer when people ask how I do my hair. I may make it my registered trademark...

My real hair

I have curly hair.

People with straight hair will not understand what a realisation this statement is for frizzy haired women.

It took me years to accept my real hair. Only with the undertanding of hair products and my diffuser do I understand my real hair. Now it can curl free.

I often feel like a different person with big curly hair.

Hair Today

Here's my hair today. This is the first time I have blowdried it myself since having it done by the fabulous Rohan.

I swear by the Parlux professional hairdryers. They are the ultimate. It was the first hairdryer I ever bought and that was almost 10 years ago. I know, I can't believe a girl with naturally curly hair didn't own a blowdryer!

Having curly hair I don't attempt to iron my hair on a regular basis anymore, but prefer a softer blow wave look. I use a round bristle brush and a conditioning treatment and finish with a little gloss serum.

The Parlux changed my life. More on that later.