Kaye Wright's Blog, page 15

Short Relaxed Hair|Mastering the Short Hair Mold

Mastering the Short Hair Mold For Your Short Relaxed Hairstyles.

Short styles are some of the most beautiful styles available to women. Whether you spike it all up or wear a perfectly smoothed and coifed pixie into the office, the statement you make with your hair can speak volumes.

At the same time, an undone short cut can make you look like you had one too many last night and didn’t bother to get yourself together before coming out of the house the next morning. Doing your own hair at home can put you at risk for giving off an image that isn’t necessarily true to life.

Learning what it takes to get your short hair in order at home is a process. There are a few steps involved, and of those steps, some simply have to be mastered. There is no way around it. One of the crucial steps that must be mastered, is the mold.

The wet mold of a short relaxed hairstyle is what sets the stage for how the style will ultimately turn out. If the mold is off, the style will also be off.  Or, fixing it will require some tricks that are hard on your hair. To help you avoid that, I’m going to give you a few pointers that will help you nail your mold every time.

First off, start with clean and well moisturized hair. Dirty hair or hair that is dried out and in need of a good conditioning, is like putting makeup onto a dirty face.

Next focus on the product. Not all products work on all hair types. Learn your hair type and find a product that provides shine, hold and that doesn’t flake. This will likely take some trial and error, but it is what it is.

Third, you want a good comb. Preferably one that has smooth teeth and a sturdy handle. You need the comb to push the hair into the desired direction, so you don’t want a flimsy comb or an old beat up one with only a few teeth still in place.

Fourth on the list is the type of method you use to dry the hair. You can tie your hair down with wrap strips and allow it to air dry.  This method works, but I find that the hair is not as smooth as it is when you apply heat to dry your mold. A hooded dryer is best, but if you are in a crunch, a blow dryer has been known to get the job done.

I hope this helps you master your mold and create more polished styles. For styling ideas, check out these short relaxed hair videos.

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SHORT HAIR PRODUCTS Elasta QP Design Foam Review

Short Hair Products – Elasta QP Design Foam Review.

The search continues for a new wrapping foam. I have tried many in the past, but so far, I’ve only tried one with the specific intent of reviewing it in hopes of finding an alternative to my beloved Nairobi Wrapp It Foam.

I posted a video on my YouTube channel about my adventures with the Creme of Nature Argan Oil Wrapping Foam, and from the comments of my subscribers, I’ve gotten a few more suggestions with regard to what foams should be on my “TRY IT” list.

Today is Short Hair Products Elasta QP Design Foam Day. I bought this product a few days back. It was inexpensive, coming in at under $10.00. I have heard of the Elasta QP line and I have used some of their products on my natural hair. I figured it was worth a try, so I dove in.

Wrapping my hair as I normally do, I had already washed and conditioned it with the Kera Care Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. The first thing I noticed was that it had a pleasant smell. One point for the QP. Next, I took note of how watery the product is. That isn’t necessarily good or bad, just different.  My hair was very wet and I ended up dabbing it a bit with a dry towel before I continued to apply the product and wrap my hair.

Not wanting to mix up too many variables all at once, I wrapped my hair in a simple wrap. Under the dryer for 25 minutes and I was ready to style.

The product claims to be for “wraps, setting & styling.” It further claims to be moisturizing, non-sticky and gives body & control.”  I will say that it was not sticky. I tend to be pretty heavy handed with product application, but even still, I didn’t get that residue or sticky feeling with the Elasta QP. As for moisturizing, ummmm, not so much.  My hair was a little more dry than I’m accustomed to. Nothing horrendous, just a tad bit drier.  Since my hair is so short, it’s hard for me to gauge how much body and control this product gives, so in fairness, I will skip that claim.

I will say that this foam dried really fast. My dry time ranges depending on the product I use and the length. At the moment, it’s cut pretty short, about 3 inches at its longest point, and I have been sitting under the dryer for about 35 minutes. With the Elasta QP, I sat under the dryer for 20 minutes (because I was rushing) and my hair was about 95% dry, so I’m confident that it would have been completely dry within 25 to 30 minutes. I have very low porosity hair, so my hair takes FOREVER to dry, even though I’m a bald headed scallywag.

My biggest complaint was that my hair was super duper crunchy when it dried. I had to use a wide tooth comb to break the mold, and at some points it actually hurt for me to comb through the hair. This may have been because I used too much product, but I can’t say for sure that it isn’t just the formula that caused the crunch.  I may try this again and use less when I apply it, to see what results I get.

Overall, this would do in a crunch. It wasn’t bad. It’s not the best I’ve ever used, but it isn’t a terrible product, either.

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Wrapping Foams For Short Hair|Creme of Nature Argon Oil Wrapping Foam

Wrapping Foams For Short Hair! So I tried Creme of Nature Argan Oil Wrapping Foam.

I mentioned in an earlier post (ALL ABOUT WRAPPING FOAMS FOR SHORT HAIR) that I would report back on how this search was going.  Well I got out of my comfort zone and temporarily let go of my obsession with Nairobi Wrapp It Shine Foam. It is my GO-TO! But I need options.  A short haired girl always needs options, right?

A few weeks ago I picked up the Creme of Nature Argan Oil Style and Shine Foaming Mousse and I gave it a whirl. I’m sad to report that I did not like it. It made my hair crunchy and dull. Womp! Womp! I did a review on it. You can watch the full review in my video  SHORT RELAXED HAIR PRODUCTS to see my full speech about why I didn’t like it.  I have also posted another video ALL ABOUT WRAPPING FOAMS FOR SHORT HAIR on other wrapping foams that are ok, but not my go-tos. I wrote a POST about it as well.

So the search continues. I actually picked up another foam today that I will try. Once it has had a chance to woo me, I will come back and give you guys the 411. Until then, let’s praise the Nairobi Wrapp It Shine Gods!

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The Messy Pixie – Short Relaxed Hair Tutorial

This is a great style for when you want to amp things up with your short hair. This style was achieved with a simple wet mold, curled with a flat iron and a little paste was used to add texture. It’s meant to look messy and undone, so there is not a lot of smoothing with the wet mold. Wide and loose finger waves were used to create the base for curling.

For the wet mold I used Nairobi Wrapp It Shine foam. Just before applying the Nairobi, I added some olive oil to my freshly relaxed hair. From there I sat under a hooded dryer for about 30 minutes before beginning to curl the hair.

The hooded dryer I use is by Gold N Hot and it is great for short hair styling at home. It gets as hot as I need it to, and it’s fairly portable. I usually sit and scroll through my phone or read emails while I let my hair dry.

To curl my hair, I used a Jilbere 1 1/2 inch flat iron and a Curlmaster 1/2 inch flat iron (similar flat iron for short hair).

To see how I created this style, watch the video tutorial below and enjoy! If you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel, you can click SHORT HAIR TUTORIALS to subscribe and see more short hair styling videos.

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How To Accessorize Short Hair For Spring

How to accessorize short hair for spring.

Spring is here and that means we get to shed the winter coats and add some fun and color to our lives. Short hair is so versatile. And although, it’s often overlooked, Springtime hair can be just as beautiful as long hair. The best part about sprucing up short hair is that it’s simple and easy and it can be super affordable. Adding a hair accessory or going for a more flirty mold, is all it takes.

In this tutorial, I show you how to perfect your mold for a perfect Spring look. After the mold, curl the hair and add an easy accessory for a little flavor. I show you each step and the accessory I chose to add to my look.

If you want to see more short hair styles, check out my YouTube channel, my Instagram page, my Pinterest Boards, and follow me on Facebook.

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The TOP 4 Short Hair Hacks for Short Hair

The TOP 4 Hair Hacks For Short Hair

Hair hacks are all over. We see them on Pinterest, on Instagram, on YouTube and in magazines. The issue, is that most, if not all, of them focus on long hair or medium length hair. Short hair is rarely included in the hacks that have run rampant on the internet and in the beauty industry.

I came up with these Top 4 Hair Hacks For Short Hair to share with women who want to know the inside scoop on short hair.  If you know of any more hair hacks for short hair, please share them below.

To refresh an old wrap, dilute wrapping foam with water and spritz your hair lightly at night after you have wrapped it. This will give you a perfect fresh looking mold the next morning.
For a firm, but pliable hold, spray the teeth of your comb with hairspray and run it through the section you want to have hold, just before you curl it with a heat styling tool.
Use the back edge of your comb to smooth your nape area when applying wrapping foam to wet hair.  The flat surface will help the hair to lie down and the results will be a perfectly flat and sleek looking wrap.
For volume, add two or three rollers to the crown of your head when wrapping wet hair with foam. After it’s dry, re-wrap all of your hair in a circular wrap and tie it down for about 20 minutes, then style as usual. This creates body and movement, even on short hair styles.

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Bad Hair Day Tips for Short Hair

Bad hair day tips – for short hair

The general quick fixes that work for bad hairs, usually, don’t apply to short hair. Because we don’t’ have the option of pulling short hair up, bad hair days are even more challenging.

Depending on why you’re having a bad hair day, there are options that do work for a pixie cut, or any short cut. Below are a few quick fixes that are categorized by the culprits of most bad hair situations.

If your hair is dirty and not manageable try these tricks.

Go heavy with oil. An essential oil is best. I use olive oil or coconut oil. Jojoba oil is generally nice, but for this it may be too light. The oil will weigh the hair down and help it lie flat to your head and hold whatever shape you’re going for.
Keep your brush or comb off your scalp. You want to rake over the top layer of hair and get it to behave. This will create an illusion of a ‘done’ hairstyle without dredging up the grossness on your scalp to add to the dirt in your strands.
Use hairspray so you don’t have to disturb the illusion you’ve worked hard to create. A hairspray with a medium hold will do. Nothing too light and nothing too heavy.  Too light won’t do the job and too heavy will mix with the oil and make things worse. Spray a nice mist and keep your hands out of your head for the rest of the day.

When a failed nighttime wrap has left you with a mess in the morning, do this. (For a visual of how to wrap your hair at night to ensure it is smooth the next morning, watch THIS.)

Use heat to tame the pieces of hair that are not going in the direction you want. A curling iron sometimes works better than a flat iron, with this scenario.
Lightly dampen the sections that aren’t properly molded, add a dab (look at my DAB!) of wrapping foam and redirect the section of hair. Tie a wrap strip around your head and leave it for a few minutes to let it reset.
IF the longer strands of your hair are out of the direction of the wrap, you can spritz them with some water and then take a stiff brush or a comb with small, close teeth, and comb the damp section of hair, making sure to get the roots. You can leave this to dry without wrapping it, unless your hair is very textured. In which case, you could tie it down with a wrap strip and then a headscarf on top of that and let it set for a few minutes while you get dressed

Water on dry, set hair, is the DEVIL! and the shower can be the devil’s helper. If your hair accidentally gets wet, this will help.

Use a small comb to lift the damp section of hair and blow it dry with a blow dryer. Once it’s dry, take a flat iron and bend it back into the direction of the original wrap. Wrap your hair again, tie it up and let it set for as long as you can.
You can also use wrap strips to re-wrap your hair and sit under a hooded dryer, if you have time.
Wrapping your hair with wrap strips (leaving the wet section wet) and sitting under the dryer until its dry, is also an option

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All About Wrapping Foams for Short Hair

All About Wrapping Foams for Short Hair

To be honest, wrapping foams are universal. There are no foams which are made particularly for short or long hair. However, the way wrapping foams are used, does differ depending on the length of your hair.

Short hair styles usually require the foam be applied all over all the strands of the hair, from root to tip. When the hair is longer, wrapping foam may be used more sparingly or only where it is needed to set the hair into position.

With that being said, the properties of the wrapping foam you choose for your short hair or pixie cut, do matter. Ones that are drying and heavy can coat the hair and deprive it of necessary moisture. Look out for excessive amounts of alcohol in the ingredient list of the one you choose. And most importantly, pay attention to how your hair responds when you try a new foam to wrap your hair.

That being said, I am on a mission to find a new wrapping foam that I can use frequently. This means that I need one that isn’t drying, that provides shine, that’s not heavy and that promotes moisture retention.

I read, researched and browsed the shelves of local beauty supply stores, searching for a new wrapping foam. Eventually, I decided that the first new wrapping foam I’d give a chance, would be the Crème of Nature Argon Oil Wrap Foam. I have tried other products from the Crème of Nature Argon Oil line, and I liked the results.

I will report back on how I like this product, the ingredients that are in it, and whether or not I will repurchase it.

If you want to see the initial style I created with this product, check out my YouTube channel HERE.

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Can You Save Money By Doing Your Hair At Home?

Short hair costs money. It just does. There are no two ways about it. How much money, however, is a factor that you can control. The common thought is that choosing a stylist who has prices that are lower than the average, is the way to go to save yourself a few bucks. That is an option…if you want your hair to look crazy, and if you want to deal with whatever else comes with that bargain basement package.

So, can you really save money by doing your hair at home?

Remember the adage that explains how you can only have two of three options when it comes to service? Fast, cheap or good. Choose wisely, ladies.  Choose wisely. So this post isn’t a complete downer, I will discuss the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. You can invest the time it takes to learn how to do your short hair yourself. Combined with the necessary salon visit, here and there, maintaining your hair at home can give you a bit of the best of both worlds.

At-home hair care is cheaper than salons. You save time and money. Once you master the basics, you will also be able to pull off a damn good looking hairstyle. And there you have it, good, cheap and … as fast as you have taught yourself to be.  Sorry, you can’t have it all.

Below is a breakdown of some of the basic costs of short hair care and a price comparison of how much you can save in a year by doing it yourself. They’re listed in ranges from low to high.  Thank me later.

As you can see, over a year span, you could save yourself as much as $700 + dollars. And that is just if you’re going to the salon once a month. The savings alone, are worth the time investment of learning to do your hair yourself. Even if it simply curbs the total cost a bit, by allowing you to visit the salon less frequently.

 

 

Hair cuts:

$15-$40 SALON                               $0 AT HOME (but does take time to master)

 

Chemical processing:

$50-$75 SALON                               $5-$10 AT HOME

 

Hair dye:

$356-$100 SALON                          $12-25 AT HOME

 

Shampoo/Condition/Deep Condition:

$25-$50 SALON                              $20-30 AT HOME (I suggest investing in higher end for these items)

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5 Essentials For Maintaining Short Hair At Home

Short hair can get pricey. Salon visits, products, coloring, etc. Because of this, at home hair care has taken on a whole new dimension. Styling and completely maintaining your hair at home has become quite normal for many women.

Short hair can present a little bit of a problem. It’s not as easy to make look presentable, as long hair is. Long hair can be easily put into a sleek bun, pinned back, or simply straightened, and look great. While a shorter haircut needs a bit more TLC to look as presentable.

Below are 7 essentials for maintaining short hair at home. If you are ready to take that dive, or if you have already taken that leap, and cut your hair, the tips below will help.

1.Wrapping foam – the right wrapping foam can make or break your style. You ant a foam that provides moisture and shine and does not leave your hair crunchy or sticky. A good wrapping foam can be the difference between you making it through the week without having to redo your hair, or not. I have an upcoming video on wrapping foams. It will cover my favorites as well as some alternatives.

2. Wrapping strips. Wrapping strips are used when your hair is wet and molded. The strips aid in the smoothing process. While the hair dries, the wrapping strips keep the hairs sleek and smooth as they transition from wet to dry. There are several types of strips on the market, so finding one you like should be relatively easy. **Be sure not to get neck strips, as they have a similar appearance to wrapping strips.

3. Moisturizers. Moisturizers are super important! Any head of healthy hair, must be properly moisturized on a regular basis. No product or technique can replace proper moisture. Think of it as you do skincare. Underneath your makeup, you skin needs to be healthy. No amount of makeup can make your unhealthy skin perform the way it would if it were healthy. Moisture breeds shine, and manageability.

4. Dryer. Invest in a good dryer, preferably one that is designed to evenly distribute heat.  An at-home hooded dryer is worth the money. They are not very expensive and it will save you time and money, in the long run. Any style that can be achieved in a salon, can be achieved at home with the right hooded dryer.

5. Styling tools. The flat iron or curler you use will play a huge role in the overall style you choose for your short cut. Cheap or poorly designed stylers are more damaging to your hair than you may think. Tourmaline and ceramic styling tools are the least damaging. The curls you create will look shinier and will have more body, when you use a well designed heat styling tool.

I hoped these tips helped. For a video walk-through of my personal styling tools, click HERE. I will update this post with the video about wrapping foams, once it goes live!

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