How To Style Your Hair | Daily Hair Care

IF YOUR HAIR IS...

TYPE (STRAIGHT/WAVY/CURLY/TIGHT CURLS): The natural state of your hair before any treatments or styling.

TEXTURE (COARSE/FINE): Thickness of the strands of hair. Coarse hair tends to be less shiny and harder to colour. Fine hair can be sensitive to colour. 

DENSITY (THIN/THICK): The amount of actual strands of hair on your head. The longer it takes your hair to naturally dry, the thicker the density.

STRAIGHT+FINE+THIN: Add graduated layers to build up weight and volume. If you're speaking to your hairdresser, these are technically called convex layers.

STRAIGHT+FINE+THICK: Refer back to your face shape, since your hair is usually very manageable and whatever works best for your shape will work for your hair type. Layers are usually great, particularly if you want to add any volumes up top.

STRAIGHT+COARSE+THIN: Graduated layers are best. A round brush can help you get your texture in check, but you will still want to add weight and volume. 

STRAIGHT+COARSE+THICK: This is usually found in women with grey hair. You typically want to remove length from around the face to avoid getting the dreaded frizzy tangle. 

WAVY/CURLY+FINE+THIN: Even though you have curls, you still want to add volume. Ask for graduated layers. 

WAVY/CURLY+FINE+THICK: Your hair may be fine, but you have a lot of it, so you'll want to minimize the volume by adding layers to remove the triangle and cutting out some weight.

WAVY/CURLY+COARSE+THIN: Before you make any moves here, consider how you wear your hair. If you like to blow it out, give it some layers for movement. If you wear it curly, go with long layers around the face to keep it from looking bulky. 

WAVY/CURLY+COARSE+THICK: Layer it up! Taking out weight is key with this hair type. You'll want to remove the volume but keep the length. 

TIGHT CURLS+COARSE: This is a very specific hair type and requires a specialised skill set, so be sure that the person cutting your hair knows what they are doing. Generally a hairdresser should cut your hair down when it is dry, because if it is cut wet it will shrink up afterward and become an entirely different shape. If your hair is short, add layers to build volume. 

TIGHT CURLS+FINE: Follow the same insturctions as above, but go easy! Fine, tight curled hair should be cut with caution because you can see the shape change so quickly.

Finding The Right Haircut For Your Face Shape | Daily Hair Care

FINDING THE RIGHT HAIRCUT

At some point we all have made that spontaneous decision to drastically alter our hairstyle. (This is known as a 'breakover' because it happens just after a break up or a major lifestyle change.) Unfortunately, more often than not, this leaves us with regret followed by a lot of bad-hair days and ponytails. Now, when I'm considering making a drastic change to my hair, I start by trying on wigs in the similar cut or colour or using an online version of what I am contemplating. More than a few times this has steered me away from a poor hair decision. Whilst these methods can be helpful in the decision-making process, no computer or hairpiece will ever be able to perfectly predict what you're going to actually end up with and how you're going to maintain it. 

   We've all be drawn to a hair style or cut that we're convinced will be perfect but that our hair doesn't actually have the texture to support. When that happens you have to have a fall back technique and time to get your hair into salon shape every morning, which can be a huge commitment. It's always great to bring pictures of styles we like to our hairdressers, but be sure to be honest and open with your hairdresser about your ability to execute the upkeep on your own, and be flexible when your hairdresser guides you to a solution that might fit better into your schedule and skill set!

   To help find your best look, here are some simple guidelines for different face shapes and hair textures. Keep in mind that these come from a general consensus and basic principles. Everyone is different, so listen to what our hairdresser is telling you will work for your face shape.

IF YOUR FACE IS...

Square

Renee has a square face shape

Your forehead and angular jawline are roughly the same width.

   Play down with your strong jawline with a longer length and soft waves. Don't cut bangs, the will draw the eye to your jaw. While you might feel compelled to use your hair as a curtain, it's better to open up your face. Wear your hair parted to one side, which will soften up your face's angles. If you want shorter hair, try a wavy bob so that it breaks up the lines of your face.

Oval

Selena and Rihanna have oval face shapes

Your forehead and jawline are of similar width and your face is long.

   Count yourself lucky because, if you have an oval face shape, you're pretty much safe no matter what style you chose. Almost anything will flatter. The key is finding the best cut is to look at your forehead. If it's shorter you want to steer clear of bangs. If you have a longer forehead though, bangs are key, since they prevent your face from appearing too long.

Emma has a round face shape

Round
Your cheeks are full and wider than your jaw and forehead.
   Your face already has plenty of width, you will want your hair as long as possible to narrow it out. You can also add a little volume at the top of your head since it will draw the eye upwards.

Nicole has a heart shape face

Heart Shaped
You have a wider forehead and cheekbones and a narrow jawline.
   You definitely want to have some sort of soft, side-parted Reese Witherspoon-style bang. Don't cut them too blunt and straight, otherwise they'll make your chin look pointy. Go for a medium long length with nice, choppy bangs.







Long and Narrow
Your face is narrow from temple to chin and long.
   To counteract the length, you a long bob, or you can go longer if you have curly hair, in which case you should add some layers for nice shape and volume. Bangs can work here too, since they will help break up the length of your face.

Reader Question Answered | Daily Hair Care

READER Q: HOW DO I GET MY HAIR TO GROW FASTER?

A vital part of getting your hair to grow faster is to protect the hair you already have. If your ends become damaged, you'll have to chop off a considerable number of inches to prevent the damage going further up the shaft. If you're trying to grow your hair out, it's more important than ever to pop into your hairdressers for trims, as weird as it sounds. You can also do small things to speed up the growth manually, but keep in mind that there are no miracles, never shell out for products claiming to grow your hair!

TO PROTECT THE HAIR YOU HAVE

• Work conditioner through your hair in the shower with a wide toothed comb so that you're not trying to brush through tangles after you get out. 

• Minimize the amount of heat you use on your hair. Before you use a hair-dryer or a straightener, apply a serum to protect the strands. Never try to straighten or curl wet hair, the heat will steam out the water. In the long run it can be very damaging. 

• Don't pull your hair into a overly tight ponytail. Not only can you pull your hair out, it can also damage your roots. There's a reason too tight pony tails give you a headache!

• Avoid sleeping in your ponytail secured with an elastic hair band. Instead try a loose braid or bun secured with a scrunchie.. yes, they still have uses. 

TO PROMOTE GROWTH

• Eat well. Your follicles need a good mix of proteins and vitamins (A, C, E, B3, B6 and B2 are all key) to promote healthy growth. You also want to be sure you're eating enough iron, which is found in tofu, lentils, beans, spinach and lean beef. 

• When you are shampooing or rinsing your hair with water, massage your scalp with your fingertips. This can increase blood circulation in the area and could help promote growth.

• Avoid stress, which can cause hair to fall out.

• Sometimes I take prenatal vitamins. They're not scientifically proven to help hair grow longer but I've always noticed a difference. (They've also scared my boyfriend too!)

 

Natural Hair Masks | Daily Hair Care

NATURAL HAIR MASKS

I don't apply hair masks as often as I apply face masks, but every month or so I like to mix up something in the kitchen, comb it through my hair, then wrap my head in a warm towel or shower cap, which allows the natural heat of your head to emit, and watch a movie. Here are the recipes I use most:

COCONUT OIL

Coat the ends of your hair with a tablespoon of coconut oil and then twist it into a low bun and seal it with clingfilm. At a minimum, leave it for thirty minutes, it's best if you can sleep with it in. Then shampoo and condition your hair as normal in the morning. 

AVOCADO 

From caringwhispers.com

Mash up an entire avocado and mix it with four tablespoons of yogurt and one egg white. You don't want this on your scalp either, just on the bottom two thirds of your hair. Leave it on for at least thirty minutes. The egg and yogurt are a major injection of protein for weakened hair whilst avocado softens the strands. Make sure the water isn't too hot when you rinse it out or else the egg will become cooked and stick in your hair!

OLIVE OIL AND MAYONNAISE

This one is a bit tougher to stomach. Mix together a concoction of equal parts mayo and olive oil to give dry, brittle hair a shot of moisture and antioxidants. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way up, stopping short of your scalp. After thirty minutes, wash out with lukewarm water. 

Shampoo and Conditioner | Daily Hair Care

WHAT'S IN A SHAMPOO?

Shampoo is a relativity new concept. Historically people used body soap to wash their hair, which due to the residue, left their hair dull and their scalps itchy meant that they didn't wash their hair often. Around the early 1900's, chemists started experimenting with products, and soon after, shampoo's hit the market. It wasn't until the 70's that people started to lather up their heads with any real frequency. 

   These days, shopping the shampoo aisle can be quite perplexing  there are products for every complaint, from dandruff to frizz. They span over a huge range of prices. While I believe shampoos with more natural ingredients are worth the extra money, a lot of bloggers have tested and have proved there is little difference from the lowest prize range and the very tip top. So next time you're browsing this aisle, remember, you don't need to spend a small fortune on a bottle of shampoo. 

   Keep in mind that shampoo is for cleaning your scalp, not your strands of hair, so focus the product on your roots. If you have oily hair, chose a shampoo that is clear - those that are creamy or pearlescent generally contain more conditioners, which you do not need to apply to your scalp. Many grease-fighting varieties contain astringent ingredients that are helpful, like tea-tree or citrus oil or herbs like rosemary and sage. 

   If your scalp is flaky, you should look for products that fights dandruff. The active ingredient in these is usually 'zinc pyrithione', which has anti fungal properties. Other products actually slow the rate at which your cells die and need to be sloughed off. 

   If your scalp feels tight and itchy, look for a moisturising shampoo that's packed with hydrating ingredients like shea butter and nut oils. This can help combat flakiness. 

WHAT'S IN A CONDITIONER?

Unlike a shampoo, conditioners can change the quality of your hair, since they coat and adhere to the cuticle of the strand and lend it all sorts of properties. Again, conditioners are not changing your hair's inherent properties - just modifying the outer layer. Conditioners with lots of humectants deliver moisture; those with lots of panthenol  attach to overly fine hair and create an illusion of volume; those with polymers make hair look sleek and glossy and untangled; and those with heat-adsorbing polymers protect your hair from curling irons, blow-dryers and straighteners. 

   Because conditioners are packed with ingredients that are intended to attach to the strand, you don't want to apply conditioner to your scalp - instead, deposit a majority of it on the bottom two thirds of your hair, specifically the back of your head, where the hair is most directly exposed to the elements. 

   Every month or so, I like to wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo to help strip some of the residue left by conditioners. Excessive build up can eventually start to make my hair look and feel limp. I also always ask for a gloss or deep conditioning if I have just had my colour done  It makes a difference in keeping my hair looking healthy longer. 

Which shampoo and conditioner do you use? 

Do you find one works better than another? 

xx

  

Drugstore and High End Face Products (Linked to YouTube Video!)

You're here, either reading this straight from my blog or from the link under my newest YouTube video. If you haven't seen my video, check it out, and if you are from the video, definitely check out the rest of my blog. I guarantee if you love one you'll love the other. 

Let's get right into this. I'll be showing you one alternative of each product I showed you in my video. These are my favourite choices of both. 

High Street       .......       High End

Face Wash

Olay Gentle Foaming Face Wash at £2.99

KOH GEN DO Oriental Plants Clean Foam at £45.00

Cleanser

Superdrug Hot Cloth Cleanser With Muslin Cloth at 5.99

Eve Lom Morning Time Cleanser at £60.00

Toner

Simply Pure Refreshing Toner at £2.59

Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 10 Percent Toning Complex Clarifying Toner at £40.00

Moisturiser

Simply Pure Light Moisturiser at £2.59

Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturiser at £58.00

Eye Cream

Superdrug Naturally Radiant Brightening Eye Cream at £5.99

L'Occitane Immortelle Eye Balm at £38.00

Face Masks

Clearasil Vitamins & Extracts Wash & Mask at £4.99

Fresh Rose Face Mask at £55.00

Update: New Bedroom!

So, I have yet to do a room tour on YouTube as my room is.. how can I say? Not the nicest looking! haha!

Don't get me wrong, I love my room because it's mine and it's my space but it isn't all colour coordinated like many YouTubers, and it's quite clutter-y. My walls are a pastel orange with a feature wall of orange and I have an orange carpet. If you follow me on Instagram you would have seen.. it's a mess most of the time. 

I'm not going to redecorate, this time next year I hope to have moved so I will definitely do a room tour then! My room at the moment is kind of a storage room for everyone else, a big bookcase from when my brother and I were kids so it's full of kids books, a desk full of old school work etc etc.. 

I'm getting a new addition to my room next week though.. a king size bed with a memory foam mattress. I have already purchased a pug duvet set for it. Yay!

I'll show you that when it arrives. But for now I am off, I thought I'd give you a little post whilst I wait for my Youtube video to upload. Only 117 minutes left.. sigh. 

Check me out on Instagram.com/devonh1995

On twitter - @devonh195

Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgC_SFLV2ViBKFKsGTNnpAA

Have you got a cluttered room?

Are you proud of your room? Let me know

xx