HairBoutique Blog

Can anyone with any type (thin, medium, thick) or texture (straight, wavy, curly, kinky, mixed) of hair use a round brush?   Yes.  Would they want to?  Maybe not.  For more info read Hair Brushes 101.

A round brush can be both a friend to your hair and the ultimate enemy.  The type of round brush you select and how you use it will determine if it can ultimately help you achieve a fabulous hairstyle or leave your tresses damaged.

What is a round brush?  It is a hair brush with bristles wrapped around a round head attached to some type of handle. It may or may not have a hollow core and can be made of a wide range of materials.  Round brushes may be thermal or not.

A thermal brush generally contains a head with a hollow or full metal core.  As the metal core heats up from the direct air flow of a hot blow dryer, the core shapes the hair from the inside out.  If the metal core of the brush get too hot during blow drying, use your cool/cold shot on your blow dryer to cool down the brush and prevent it from scorching delicate strands.

The length of your hair and the desired finished hairstyle directly determine which size brush to use.

The latest round brush technologies include ceramic, ionic and tourmaline infused, to name a few.  While the key components of a round hair brush remain static, the technology of the round brush is constantly changing to incorporate the latest advances.

All brushes, round or not, basically consist of the following key components:

1. Brush head - which can range in shape (round, flat, curved, etc), size (small, medium, large, extra large) and made up of a wide range of bristles from 100% boar to plastic.
2.  Brush core - some brush heads are created from a solid core which can be wood, metal, plastic or a combination of materials.  Other brush heads are created around an open core which can also be made from different materials.
3.  Brush bristles - ranging from short to long, sparsely arranged throughout the head to thick and full, with or without ball tips, made from boar, plastic, metal or a combination of materials.
4.  Brush handle - which determines the comfort for using the brush.  Depending on the hairstyles action desired for the brush, the handle may range in size, shape, length and diameter.  The handle may be constructed from a wide range of materials.  Some types of brushes may not have a handle.  This is true for some men’s brushes.
5.  Brush weight - some brushes are designed to be heavy and others are designed to be light.  Round brushes come in an array of sizes from purse or pocket size to full blown professional size.
6.  Brush function - depending on the styling goals of a round brush the design will vary.

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Recently I have received several questions about blow drying soaking wet hair and whether it’s OK to crank up the blow dryer while hair is still soaking wet.

One of the big mistakes hair consumers make is trying to blow dry hair that is too wet or still dripping.

There are couple of reasons why blow drying wet hair is not advised. (more…)

Yeah, I know, it sounds….um…a little suggestive, but trust me, this is a favorite hair technique for anyone with hair that is medium to long.

Super long haired folks are huge fans of the wet hair bun, also referred to as wet buns or wet bunning.

(Images of Jaime King - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved).

Have I done wet bunning on my own hair?  Yes, I have been doing the wet bun deed since 1988 when I first got serious about having super long hair.

Wet bunning means simply to towel blot excess moisture, detangle and then apply the desired styling/conditioning products before wrapping damp strands into a big fat bun at the back of the head.  This is a way to air dry and encourage texture along with other benefits.

When I oil my hair with my favorite oil - HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil I use the wet bun technique.  My favorite leave-in conditioners for wet bunning my own hair?  Phyto 7, Phyto 9 and Rene Furterer.

Why would anyone do wet bunning to their own hair?  There are lots of advantages to the technique if it is done correctly and with your hair’s best interest at heart. (more…)

Some things about hair most of us take for granted.  Such is the case with the ponytail.

Anyone who has grown their hair to a certain point reaches the touchstone of pulling it back into a tail of some kind.  A new pony, regardless of the length signifies change and growth.

(Image of Paulina Rubio wearing a loose side textured pony - DailyCeleb.com - all rights reserved).

A ponytail consists of:

1. The base, where the hair is secured.
2.  The tail.

Ponytails, like all hair styles, go through different phases.  Although it’s always acceptable to wear a ponytail, as far as hair trends, sometimes they’re in and sometimes they’re out.

There’s a lot of info floating around in the hair world regarding ponytails, but some important facts get lost in all the tail noise.

Listed below are some important facts and tips for ponytail fans:

1.  Ponytails Are Appropriate For Any Age, Race Or Sex

Everyone from babies to grandparents, male and female or any race can wear ponytails.  It’s a universally loved and appreciated hairstyle.

If you love to wear them, feel free to rock the style, regardless of current hair fashions or opinions.  It’s your hair, so enjoy it.  Ponies are quick to create, fun to wear, keep hair out of your eyes and can be sassy, sexy and flirty.

2.  If you’re going to wear your hair in a ponytail on a regular basis it’s important to alternate where you capture the base.

If you wear your hair at the top of your head one day, the next time wear it a few inches below the first base location.  This prevents consistent wear and tear with elastic bands and pulling of delicate strands at the very same base point on a repeated basis.  Repeated wrapping of a pony at the very same place will weaken the roots and may lead to rips, tears and knotting.

3.  It’s just as important to be careful wrapping your hair into the pony as it is taking it out.

Again, this is due to the fact that you are pulling and manipulating strands into a band of some kind.  If you love the pony look and plan to wear it frequently invest in the most “hair friendly” elastic pony bands available.  Never use a rubber band unless you don’t care about damage where the base of the ponytail sits.  Rubberbands will rip, pull and damage strands.

4.  A wet of damp ponytail is most fragile.

Remember that hair is most delicate and prone to breakage when wet.  If you wrap your hair into a pony while it’s still wet or damp use extra care.  Never brush your hair when wet so if you are going to pull your hair into a pony be sure to only use your fingers or a wide tooth comb.

5.  Understand The General Advantages of Blax Versus Bungee Ponytail Elastics & Cords

I have polled many celeb hairdressers of the years and a large number use either the Blax or Bungee style elastic bands.  Both have ponytail advantages but should be selected according to personal preference and according to budgetary goals and constraints.

The advantage of the Blax (favored by Celebrity Hairdresser Ken Paves) is that they are inexpensive and can easily be cut off to avoid any hair pulling, ripping, knotting or snagging.  The Bungees (favored by Robert Hallowell) are cords with little ends that open and close.  Bungees have more strength and can be used to anchor ponytail bases in a wide array of heights.

Other great ponytail elastics are available from companies like Scunchie, Smoothies, Karina, Elle Girl, Camilla and Evita Peroni.

6.  Ponytails are a great starting point for other hairstyles from braids to updos.

Many hairdressers who create chignons, updos or other elaborate party hairstyles will start with one or more ponies secured strategically throughout your head.  Ponytails provide instant hair control for coiffing additional curls or textures that are then pinned skillyfully in place.

Experiment with taking your ponytail to the next level by wearing it at various strategic points along your head from very hair to very low - at the base of your neck.  Wear a pony to one side or if long enough, twist it into a soft two or three strand braid.

7.  Ponytails are appropriate for any type of hair accessory.

A casual hairstyle like the pony can instantly be glammed up with a gorgeous clip-in flower, crystal encrusted ponytail clasps or other pony hair accessories.  You can use a wide barrette in place of a base elastic or you can play with a wide array of sharks, jaws, claws or similar clips to achieve a new ponytail look.

8.  Ponytails are only limited by your imagination.

Over the years I have seen ponytails in just about every possible setting or style.  They are often worn on the catwalks with a unique signature such as having multiple stacked ponies or wearing a pony as a faux Mohawk.  Of course there are the splayed tails that can be teased and sprayed to flow in the wind.

9 . Ponytails can work for any hair type, length or texture.

Yes, even short tressed people can instantly clip on a ponytail extension to lengthen their hair.  Super curly or kinky hair may not be as easily wrapped into a pony in its natural state but if you are dreaming of wearing your hair in a tail, you can do so with a little pre-straightening time.

Ponytails that have lots of texture are beautiful and interesting.  Don’t think your tail has to be bone straight.  Mix it up and let your own texture flow or add a few extra curls of waves.

Professional hairdressers may or may not agree with my ponytail facts because everyone has their own opinion of the famous hair tail.  I have met hairdressers who believe there is a time and place for ponytails.  They believe ponies should not be worn for celebrity or high fashion events.  Others think they are fabulous regardless of the events.

Bottom line, its your hair and you should wear it exactly the way you like it.  So without further ado I encourage you to go pony up.

Additional Notes

To view additional ponytail styles along with thousands of hairstyles don’t forget to visit HairBoutique.com’s Hairstyle Gallery.

If you have ponytail ideas to share I would love to hear them.  Please post a reply or stop by the HairBoutique.com HairTalk Gallery and share your ponytail or other hair thoughts and philosophies.

Other related ponytail topics include:
Ponytail Hairstyles
The Perfect Add-on Pony - Tips for an instant ponytail.
25 Ways To Jazz Up Your Ponytail

Elizabeth Reaser won fan adoration from her role as an amnesiac on Grey’s Anatomy.

After leaving Grey’s Anatomy after her story line ended, she took on the quirky role of Bella Bloom on the short lived Ex List on CBS.

Elizabeth is generally known for wearing her tresses long and full of sassy waves and curls.

November 17, 2008 was no exception when the beautiful actress appeared at the Los Angeles premiere of Twilight. Elizabeth was wearing her stunning tresses coiffed into a very long and lush curly hairstyle intertwined with loose waves cascading from a center part.

Elizabeth’s sensuous curls and waves framed her square shaped face and highlighted her gorgeous eyes, lips and skin.

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