A Hairstyle Blog: 2012

Holiday Hair-spiration

I have two brand new holiday hair tutorials posted over at Yes To Carrots: a low side ponytail and a fun holiday updo. Go check them out... click HERE!

PS>> Love the red bow in the updo? Snag one here!

Wedding Hair

Wedding Week is going on over at Aunie Sauce. To read the post all about wedding day hair, CLICK HERE. It's my very first Yes To Stylista post with Yes To Carrots... and yes, it covers all the details about the hair. Thank you for helping me decide which 'do to pick!

Wedding Week posts:
THE GUESTBOOK │ THE HAIR │ THE FLOWERS │ THE DRESS │ THE WEDDING │ THE HONEYMOON

Wedding Hair Styles

With our wedding just three days away (oh my—three days), I have been asked questions about my hair almost more than anything. "How are you going to wear your hair?" seems to come up every time the wedding does.

And guess what? I have no idea how I'm going to do my hair on the wedding day. NO IDEA.*

Recently, I had my hair curled for my bridal shower, and afterward, I went home to play around with some styles. I took some photos to help make a note about what I liked and didn't like. I have a little archive of wedding hair ideas on Bye Bye Beehive, so I adapted some of those styles to make new ones.
Here are a couple of my ideas for wedding hair styles.

THE TWISTED HALF-UP STYLE. This one is so easy. It's the base hairstyle for most of the other ones featured here. It's really similar to this style, but instead of just pinning it back, I twisted the hair as I pulled it back & before I pinned it, creating a pretty and soft design in the back. It would be great to add a little pearl or flower hair clip to hide the bobby pins or gap between the twists.

THE PINNED UPDO. I took the Twisted Half-Up pictured above and simply pinned my bottom half all up to make this easy updo. It took about 10-15 extra bobby pins. I would just grab a strand of hair, twist it and then pin it into place, creating a little "poof" (best word I could come up with) of hair with each pin. In the end, I had about 10 poofs that came together to create the definition in this updo. I pulled and tugged at each one to make this style look nice and full.

THE TWISTED PONYTAIL. You've seen this one before. This time, I didn't pin the last couple pieces up so high, so instead of creating a waterfall look, they simply cascaded down the ponytail. To create this look, all you do is just twist & pin (going under the curls to hide the pins). It's so simple and stays in place all day if you add a little hairspray.

THE TWISTED LOW CHIGNON. I started again with the Twisted Half-Up style, and instead of pinning smaller pieces of hair all over the place and higher up like the Pinned Updo, I took a couple large sections of hair, pinned them in a low bun, and then tugged on them to make the chignon just a bit bigger. I think this style would be really pretty with a couple loose curly strands falling down from the bun.

THE SIMPLE TWIST & PIN. As the name implies, this one is simple. You tease the hair at the crown of your head, twist back the front pieces & pin them under your hair, and you're set. This style is perfect for the easy-going-hair-all-down kind of bride.

And there are 5-easy wedding hair styles. Each of these took me less than 10-minutes, with some of them taking much, much less.

*FYI: in case you're wondering, I will not be wearing a veil, and my dress is not strapless.

Which is your favorite?

Straight Straight Hair

Photos: Taylor Love Studios // Top: Romy // Bracelets: c/o Threads // Hair: c/o Hana Elite Flat Iron

Over the last year, my hair has transformed more than I ever thought possible. It has grown over 6-inches. Since I haven't colored my hair since May of 2011, I've found that my natural color is apparently a light brown (it looks lighter in the photos)... I've always thought I was a blonde. Imagine realizing that fact about yourself—that you've been wrong about your natural hair color for 26-years. Oops. It also isn't as "stick straight" as I always thought. In fact, it's actually quite straight in the front, but the back tends to take on a little awkward beach wave if I just leave it alone. Some days, that's OK. Other days? I want it to look nice. And I'll tell you what—in the time that you've been reading this blog (some of you a little over a year), you have never seen my hair as straight as it is today. I promise you that. Since I wasn't able to use a straightener for the entire last year due to my Bye Bye Beehive project, I didn't even remember what my hair looked like after being straightened. And let me just say—I love it. So yes, today's post is about hair. Straight hair. And as I sit here writing this to you, I promise you, this is a product I stand behind.

__________________________________________________________________________________

This past July, I was contacted by a representative from Misikko about reviewing a blow dryer. Clearly, since I was in the middle of my 365-day no-hair-styling project, I had to tell them I couldn't do it. I was bummed, too, because I would have loved a new blow dryer. But then, a week after finishing Bye Bye Beehive, I sent Misikko a reply, letting them know that my project was finished and I'd like to review that dryer for them. They instead asked if I would like to review a Hana Salon flat iron. I was thrilled, to say the least, since I haven't owned a flat iron in years. I asked them, "How did you know?!" They were so sweet and the shipped off the flat iron that next day.

To say that I was impressed with the packaging would be an understatement. I was expecting just a flat iron. I got an entire box full of goodies. A flat iron, an iron case, an iron mat, a brush, lip gloss, eyelash curler, an ornament and even rose petals. You guys... rose petals. I emailed them right away to see if this was a mistake—all of it for me? My rep reassured me, this is how each Misikko product is packaged. Their guarantee of "OOOOOOHS and AHHHHHHS" is right.

Now, it's one thing to ship your product in the most eye-appealing package ever, but the real question is—does the product work?

I put it to the test. I showered the evening before I used it and went to bed with wet, un-brushed hair. When I woke up, my hair was pretty wavy—much more wavy than it normally air-dries. I busted out my straightener, heated it up (which only took a couple seconds), and got to work. Less than 3-minutes later, I had stick straight hair. Straight straight hair.

Now, I know I don't have the curliest or waviest hair you've ever seen, but for me? This is the best hair straightener. Let's just say, my hair stayed straight all day. I am in love. I think the only disadvantage of this beauty is the price tag. To be honest, my jaw dropped a little when I saw that the price for this was over $200. Maybe it's just me, and the fact that I haven't owned a straightener in years, but if I were shopping around, that's just not something I would go for, especially since I could get about 10+ new tops at TJ Maxx for that same price.

But—for those who live and breathe by their straighteners (and I know some of you do), when it comes to flat irons, you've got to see it as an investment. And this flat iron is an incredibly made, high quality hair styling tool. It has 100% ceramic plates, adjustable heat settings (I used mine on a lower setting since my hair straightens easily), it doesn't smell when it heats up, and it didn't make my hair smell like it had been burned, which so many flat irons out there are notorious for.

I have to say, I'm a fan. Misikko, you won me over. Do any of you have this flat iron? How long does it take to straighten your hair? Do you prefer straight or wavy? Let's talk hair!

Dutch Halo Braid

Hairclip: c/o Lilla Rose // Glasses: c/o Firmoo (use code 44378b2c8d for 15% off any order) //
Boots & Leg Warmers: Runway Fashion Exchange // Photos: Taylor Love Studios

The halo braid has made a couple appearances here before. My first attempt can be found here, and my second here.

My hair is quite a bit longer now than the last time I did it in February, so it was a little harder to get my hair to all fit under the opposite side's braid. For a numbered tutorial for this style, see either of the posts linked above.

You basically do two French or Dutch braids and then tuck the braids up and under the other side's braids, pinning as you go. When you do a regular French halo braid, it's not a problem, since there is extra space under the plaits to hide your tucked-up braid. However, when you do a Dutch halo braid, you have to be tricky with how you get your braid to hide under there. Maybe a video tutorial for this would be good, and that's something I'll consider posting.

I think my favorite recent twist to this braid is the little Flexi Clip I added that I received from Lilla Rose. You can see a really cool shot of it in the second photo. It adds a little bit of sparkle, a little bit of class, and an unexpected little pop to this fun hairstyle.

I'd love to see your version of the halo braid! Tweet me and tag @auniesauce and #halobraid. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

THE FINALE

Over one-million pageviews.

598 comments.

365-Days.
$330 donated.
($1,380 raised overall).
158-days until I almost quit.
130 posts.
100 bobby pins.
59 hairstyles.
25 braids.
20 buns.
12 monthly updates.
7 big-hair withdrawals.
5 rules.
4 trims.
4 hair measurements.
3-minutes to curl your hair without heat.
(And 3 of my own failed attempts to record my version of the Friar Tuck).
2 gray hairs.

One mission.
One girl.
One entire year...
zero regret.

The BIG HAIR BEREAVEMENT is over.

But don't worry, Bye Bye Beehive isn't going anywhere.
Neither are these hairstyles.
Plus, I just cut mini-bangs.
I have to show you how to style those, right?
Right.
♥

Day 365.

Photo: Taylor Love Studios // hair curled with this method

Day 365.

Today.

The. Last. Day.

I can't believe just one-year ago I was typing up my Day 1 post.
I was beginning an adventure and I had no idea where it would take me.
And yet, I'm still here.
I didn't die because I didn't have big, teased, helmet-hard hair.
In fact, these days I like my hair more than ever.

I'm getting my hair "done" today.
Done = measured, trimmed, washed and ... styled.
No color changes. No drastic cuts. No little face-framing highlights.
Nothing.
To be honest, I love my hair these days.
Maybe it's the more natural me, the more easy-going version, the true version.
It's just me.

I love it.

Come back tomorrow for measurements and the project wrap-up post.

And for a little smile... remember the counter in the bottom righthand corner that always said
"Days Til BBB End"?
Check it now.
OMG. I. MADE. IT.

Virtual high-five.

Ombre, Braids & A Contest

Photo: c/o Matt Martin Photography

Ombre.

Waterfall braid.

Curls.

Perfect.

Granted, this was one of the two occasions this year
where I had my hair done for a wedding (in May), but the girl who did it is amazing.

And... the photography?

Amazing.

The photo was done by my friend, Matt.

I got to meet him when I went to said wedding down in Oklahoma.

And... something cool?

ATTENTION, ATTENTION! Calling all 2013 Brides! Matt Martin Photography is giving away a complete wedding photography package to anyone living outside Oklahoma. He loves to travel and will come to YOU!

How does it work? Enter HERE by October 31. Three finalists will be chosen, and a voting period will be held from November 15 thru December 15th. The couple with the most votes at the end wins!

What comes with this prize package?

full wedding day coverage by Matt
complimentary engagement session
handcrafted box of 4x6 curated prints from your wedding day
online proofing and ordering gallery for 3 months

So, what's the catch? None. The one thing you must do if you win is pay his travel expenses. And honestly? Just Expedia.com that little trip... you will save thousands. If I were getting married in 2013, I wouldn't even let him open up this contest. I would automatically declare myself a winner by default.

For all the details, click here. There's even a little contest of my own if you read to the bottom. To be honest... you'd be silly not to enter Matt's contest. Want more proof he's awesome?

Told you. Now go enter and win the package from the best photographer ever for yourself.

LOCKTOBER

Well all, it's that time again... LOCKTOBER.

Here's to celebrating all things hair.

Do something for your hair, and more importantly, treat yourself to something this month. Maybe it's a new cut, or a new funky color you've been wanting to try, or maybe even tie-dyed tips or a feather (are feathers even in anymore?). Any way you do it... have fun and celebrate your amazing hair!!

Let's make LOCKTOBERFEST last all month long! :)

Twists to a Bun

Bye Bye Beehive, is over in

6 days.

Six days.

6-days until I can use a blow dryer.

6-days until I don't have to go to work with a wet mop of hair everyday.

6-days until I probably won't go back to the crazy teasing, hair spraying, and highlighting

I was so attached to before.

I think the coolest part about this year-long project

is all that I've learned about myself.

You'll hear more about it in... 6 days.

Anyway—one of my favorite things to add a little spunk to a 2nd-day hair style

is to create a couple of twists or braids and secure your hair into a messy bun.

It's adds texture, it catches the eye, and it totally hides the fact

that your hair is dirty major (with some dry shampoo, of course).

Because sometimes, just sometimes, that extra 10 (or 40) minutes of sleep

is just oh-so worth-it.

Blonde-a-Bye.

When I began Bye Bye Beehive 350 days ago, I was a blonde.

Do doubt about it.

Now, my ombre hair is out in full-force.
Daniel, my fiancè, and I just had our engagement photos done.
It was really evident in the photo above that my natural color is no longer blonde.
Ash blonde? Maybe.
Warm brunette? Probably.
Weird.

I've been a blonde for about 24 of my 26 years of life.
This whole BBB thing has really made me re-evaluate everything when it comes to my hair.
I'm getting married in 66 days... and I'm considering not dyeing my hair for the wedding.
Just leaving it as-is.
EEK... too many decisions.

Still thinking about it, obviously.

What's your pick?

Twisted Pony

Recently, I tried out a new kind of ponytail, similar to this twisted side pony that I did. As soon as I finished it, I knew I needed to share it!

Ready for the steps?

I was going on second-day hair that day, so I bobby pinned my front pieces up into a bump.
Just like in the twisted side pony, I gathered a small section of hair at the nape of my neck and secured it in a low ponytail with a clear elastic band.
Working from the bottom to the top with the loose hair, I gathered small sections and began twisting them backwards and pinning them around the clear elastic band.
I would twist and pin a small section from the right, and then switch it and twist and pin a section from the left.
You don't have to twist the pieces back, but as you can see in the top right photo, it gives the hair some cool definition.
Try to hide the bobby pins. If you can't, it's OK!
Once it was all pinned, I separated and tugged on a couple pieces to give my hair a bit more volume and texture.
Finish with a light veil of hairspray!

I'd love to see you try this look!
If you do, make sure to tweet or instagram me a photo with the hashtag #twistedpony!

the lack of...

Necklace: c/o BrideBlu // Headband: c/o Coco and Cocoa

As the days trickle down to the end of this 365-day project,

(21 days left, to be exact),

you may be wondering,

"What is she going to do once it's up?"

I considered just keeping going with the whole BBB thing,

starting a no-shopping project,

starting a no candy or pop for a year kick,

and many other ideas.

But you know what?
I think I just want to be me.

No crazy projects,

no dilemmas, deadlines, have-to's.

Just me.

I know you've seen a slow lessening of posts over the last few months,

as this whole thing came into full-focus.

To be honest, it's hard to keep up a crazy hair schedule all the time.

I prefer to actually just let it do it's thing.

Shower & air-dry.

That's it.

No brush, hair ties, bobby pins in sight.

The important thing, to me,

is that I will do it.

The whole thing.

No teasing. No blow drying. No frying. No dyeing.

(except for the two weddings (1, 2) I was a bridesmaid in).

I am going to finish it.

365 days.

Still going strong.

Month 11.

29 days left.

29 days until I can use a blow dryer.

29 days until I take my final measurements and figure out how much $$ I owe.
29 days until I can even think about what color I'd like my hair to be.
29 days until I go purchase some hairspray (yay!).
29 days until I can do whatever I want with my hair.
29 days until I can go, "Aaahhh, it's over."

29 days until I probably don't change anything at all...
except for an occasional blow-dry-sesh.

Topsy Tail Twist

Glasses: c/o Firmoo.com

Last week, The Beauty Department posted an amazing tutorial for a funky topsy tail bun.
First, let me just say, I'm a huge fan of the topsy tail.
Second, this style is so easy.

Gather hair in a ponytail at the nape of your neck.
Secure with an elastic band.
Pull the elastic band to the bottom of your ponytail, leaving about 1-2 inches of hair at the end of the ponytail (or until your shorter layers don't start falling out).
Separate the hair in the gap of the ponytail right down the middle into two pieces.
Bring the ponytail up and through the gap, creating an upside-down topsy tail.
Repeat, repeat, repeat... the hair will begin to twist into coils!
Once it's all coiled into a bun, secure the end of the ponytail underneath the bun with bobby pins.
If your shorter layers fall out (like mine did), let them hang loose or pin them back. I gently twisted mine back and pinned them underneath one of the bigger twists (top right photo).
You can tug on some of the pieces to give it some body and hide the part in the back.
You can also tug on the coils to make them look a little bigger and more full. I had to do this because my bun was so small at first!
A visual learner? Want to see how it is done? Visit TBD!

The Beauty Department recommended wearing this style slicked back and straight,
but I actually prefer it a little more loose and casual-looking.
I think it's perfect for a day at the office or a nice wedding updo.

I'd love to see your version of it. Tweet me or Instagram a photo with the hashtag #topsytailtwist!