Looks by Design...

Side Swept Bang Theory

2012-01-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

There are many different kinds of 'side swept' bangs. The longer version, shorter, choppy, just pushed to the side. Sometimes with people's hairlines and natural lay of their hair, the hair will just do this. Most of the time it is how you blowdry and what styling products you use and how it is cut. I tell clients side swept is FAKE. We are MAKING our hair do this. Cameron up there, does not wake up and have her hair look like that.

Some of the tricks of the trade are:

The cut. Side swept bangs, depending on the style you are wanting, are not 'side swept' but actually trimmed a little shorter on one side. They are cut shorter so they 'sweep' over, ABOVE the eye. Not too much shorter, but shorter and very blended as they get longer.

The style. When you are changing your look, or trying side swept, you need to part your hair pretty far over. That is part of the look. If you look at photos, the part is about the middle of the eye or past the outside of the eye. Play with that parting. (Parting is such sweet sorrow.) It may seem weird at first, but that's part of the look. Its very retro and 70's looking. Sometimes a cowlick prevents this, so part on the side you have to fight least with. If you are 'forcing' this look, it takes some blow dryer manipulation, styling product and re-training of your hair.

Blow dryer - The girl in the video I posted shows one way. Guiding the hair on a brush in the direction you want. The other way is to completely confuse the hair. Take a brush, blow dry, over exaggerated, to one side. Blow dry so the hair is going down over your face, brushing and blow drying. Then blow straight down into your face, brushing, then to the other side. Over and over, side, down, other side, then end with going the direction you want it swept. Sometimes clipping over to the side with a bobby pin or clip and letting it air dry helps. But you don't want crimps or marks, but you could flat iron those out. Just keep in mind whether blow dryer or flat iron...keep SWEEPING OVER, SWEEPING OVER.

Product - Use whatever product works best on your hair. Applying mousse when hair is wet before blow drying helps hold, using wax after when dry, on fingertips and 'sweeping' it over, or loads of hair spray to just plain hold it there.

No one looks like this naturally. (MAYBE as select few, with low hairlines.) so play with it!!!

good, simple, at home vid. She blow drys and she cuts it herself. SHE CUTS THEM DRY. Notice though it is not one big CHOP...she uses a razor, she 'carves' away at the bangs little by little. Be careful!! Have fun!!!

The Truth about Hair Serums

2012-01-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

There are so many serums out there, for de-frizz, heat protection, shine...not all are good for all hair types, or even for what you think they are for. Hair serums can provide protection from the sun, smooth split ends, smooth frizz. Nothing fixes split ends but cutting them off, but serums can smooth down those ends and fake it till you can grow your hair a little bit more until you can get them cut. Serums are just a band aid really because they have silicone in them that coats the hair. You need to feed your hair with a good diet of healthy foods if you really want shine. What we eat and ingest and put in our bodies, is in our hair. So quit smoking, eat right, exercise and your hair will show it. Constantly putting serum on the hair will coat the hair, make it so it does not get nutrients and vitamins and oxygen. Start from the inside out. Serums are just a topical solution to a deeper problem.

If you want JUST SHINE...use a spray. Sprays are good for fine hair, that can't take much product before it weighs down the hair or makes it look greasy. Shine sprays do not do anything for hold, style or protection. And if you add heat to your hair after you spray, they give you that 'static' look. Like someone just rubbed a balloon on your head. It is just for shine. Spray and don't touch. Spray shine is more for if your hair looks dull, you want one more day before you wash it, or you just want it to look super shiny, because it will and its fun.

If you straighten your hair, you'll want a specific 'heat protection' or 'heat defense' that you use before you use the iron. When your hair 'steams' it will be the product you are steaming, not your hair. The anti frizz serums are better than nothing, but you should really use 'heat protection' serums. Remember that hair dryers are also HEAT. Put on damp hair before blow dry, apply more serum before the flat iron as well. The flat iron will 'seal' in the silicone and protect the hair, keep it smooth and keep those split ends smoothed. Ceramic plated flat irons and ionic irons and dryers are the best...as they dry from the inside out. Ionic means it emits millions of charged particles called ions that bond to your hair, breaking down moisture molecules with very little heat.

More about flat irons here This site is a great place to read and be able to decipher what all that stuff on the boxes means...'ionic' 'ceramic' 'titanium' etc.

Serums for curly hair are going to depend on the texture of your hair. Is it fine/wavy? Thick and super curly? You are going to have to try different brands. If its just for frizz, apply when soaking wet, apply again when a little more dry but still damp and maybe again in the day if you see frizz. All of that is going to depend on the weight of your hair and how much product it can take. Play with the amounts. Don't follow directions...put on dry hair if it just says for damp...use a spray if that works. There isn't one product for one type of hair.

In a nutshell:

Use sprays for lightness in product and super 'fake' shine.

Serums and oils for heavier hair, for de-frizz and for styling protection. Do your own thing...ITS YOUR HAIR. Eat right and have fun!

Winter Hair Care Tips

2012-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

Winter Hair Care Tips:

After researching online (google) and after having hair for over 45 years, and being a hairstylist, I have compiled some tried and true, no gimmick tips for winter hair care. Hair is dry and frizzy in the winter and everyone hates their hair. The weather has changed and you too must change your routine/product use to keep it tame and loveable.

1. Be nice to your hair. If you don't use conditioner everyday, start using it everyday. I don't wash my hair everyday - as no CURLY GIRL SHOULD. Sometimes tho, after working out, I will just use conditioner as my 'shampoo' just to give it some extra moisture. But put moisture in it. Love it.

2. Rinse with cold water, I know its hard but it keeps hair undamaged and shiny. If you have a shower massage thingy, or a shower head that comes off - use that or you will be doing your own polar plunge in the shower with your whole body immersed in COLDNESS. It does smooth down the cuticle and hair looks shiny.

3. Try not to use a lot of HOT stuff - dryers, irons etc. If you can let hair dry on its own as long as possible do that. With my curly hair I barely touch it with the towel after I wash it (curly girls should use cotton t-shirts or paper towels) put on my AnGel, with soaking wet hair spray in some thickening spray (non descript, sometimes I use Aveda, sometimes Pantene - sprayed on my crown only) Then I DON'T TOUCH IT ANYMORE. I let it air dry as I get ready and it dries in the drive to work. I'll clip it up at my crown for some body. (remember to take those clips out when you get to work, or you look like an idiot) For you super straight girls - let your hair air dry as long as possible - blow dry DAMP hair, not soaking wet hair - then use yer straightener IF YOU MUST. Sometimes with the round brush, you can get it straight enough to barely need your flat iron.

I saw some tips for dry shampoo - but I have never tried that...if you have tried this let me know!

New Clients!!

2011-07-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

Before

After

Before After

During!!

Doing Hair for Denver production of The Thorn

2011-04-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

1920's Updo...

2011-04-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Thanks Lily!!

Awaiting pics with her beautiful dress and RED lipstick! Will post as soon as I get them. My flatiron ended up being the best tool for this amazingly enough!!

Photos of my work:

2009-02-22T23:27:00.000-08:00

Prices listed here on this blog page are my traveling prices, where I bring my creativity and talents to you in your own home or your desired location. I've been doing hair in and around Denver for the last five years...love photoshoots and fashion hair... I'm constantly updating my photos and here are some of my favorites!

on the spot wedding... Lilly as Silk Spectre...

As Barbarella...

pixie... wedding hair with extentions...

performance ready...

party hair...

another curly girl

photoshoot...

Have scissors will travel! Cuts, Special Occassion, Color, Style. Photo shoots

Please contact me at JUDYWOLF@ROCKETMAIL.COM

Check out my blog on LIFE BEHIND THE CHAIR

Just posted new pics!! Thanks! - Judy