Give It To Me Straight

We’ve talked dirty hair, curly hair, and some of my favorite hair products. Now it’s time to give it to you straight: the 411 of washing and the basics for straight hair. Not sure if what I do is anything clever or special by any means… but many of you have asked. So here it is. Oh and my advanced apologies for the wonky faces during the styling segment. For whatever reason, beauty tools (particularly my newest Jose Eber favorites) seem to get the best of me! And to keep your dreadlocks clean and moisturized, make sure to use dreadlock soap.

1. Aveda’s Scalp Benefits, the perfect shampoo that my hair never seems to get used to.
2. Beyond the Zone Frozen Stiff Hairspray, keeps hair in place without being sticky stiff.
3. Claw Clips, gotta have ’em to section hair when styling
4. Paul Mitchell’s Strength, use twice monthly for an added oomph of strength & volume
5. Jose Eber’s Infrared Blowdryer, minimizes the time spent on drying my hair from 15 min. down to 7 mins. AND… it doesn’t damage hair. You know that silky smooth feeling your hair gets after flat ironing? My hair has a similar feeling after blow drying with this baby. It’s friggin’ awe.some. For reals. Ellen thinks so too!
6. Jose Eber’s Ceramic Flat Iron, is every bit as good as my tried and trusted CHI. In fact, I prefer it over my CHI’s nasty habit of pulling my hair. Occasionally the plates seem to snag my hair. Not the case with this hot pink pretty who also has a LIFEtime, yes I said LIFEtime warranty. Same goes for the above mentioned dryer.
7. Aveda’s Paddle Brush, is not just a brush. And if you’re a brush snob, you’ll totally relate with me when I say not all brushes are created equal. Something about the bristles helps keep hair breakage to a minimum while also functioning as the perfect “teaser” for adding volume. No, I don’t tease with a comb, friends. That would result in a serious case of rats nest. Not cute. Or healthy for the hair.
8. Want to try Jose Eber’s tools for yourself? They’re giving Pink Pistachio readers 20% OFF using code: PISTACHIO20 at checkout!

Shampoo & Condition
Lather up your shampoo in your hands before massaging it into your hair. WHY? If you put directly into your hair, and THEN lather…you’re creating unnecessary frizz, breakage, and added build-up. The water can’t wash away the shampoo when it’s in such a concentrated form (thus the build-up). Rinse. Condition from roots to ends (yes, even the roots). Let sit and before rinsing, lather more shampoo into your roots only, before rinsing both condition and shampoo away with cold water (sealing the hair follicle).

After The Wash
Run a brush through your mane, upside down, from end to roots. Ring out the excess water. Wrap a towel around it and let it rest on top of your noggin’. CAUTION: DO NOT FALL TO THE TEMPTATION TO RUB DRY!!! One, you’re not a dog. Two, you’ll only add extra frizz and breakage! No, no, NO! Behave already.

The Blow Dry
Remove the towel upside down. Whhaaat? Yes, bend over. Look at your cute lil’ toesies for the next 7-10 minutes and try not to pass out. DO NOT USE A BRUSH to smooth out the kinks from the towel. Just leave it be. Blow completely dry on high, hot, heat… ONLY USING FINGERS if moving the hair around is necessary. Once COMPLETELY dry (damp is not dry. don’t cheat, or your hair will be flat) flip your hair back. You should now be standing right side up and your mane will be wildness! This is a good sign.

Um…hi bloodrush?

Turn your blow dryer to the coldest setting on high. Use your fingers to pull your hair straight up towards the ceiling while concentrating the cold air at the roots. Got the pic? Lifting the hair, while blasting the roots with “cold shots”. Do this all over the crown and sides of your head.

Your hair should now be even more WiLd!!! RAWR!! You’re doin’ it right…TRUST ME!

Ironing
Pretend you’re pulling your hair back into a ponytail using a claw clip. Leave a little of the underneath and flat iron it. Start about 2 inches away from the roots. By ironing at the base of the roots, you’re deflating all of your hard work! Now, wouldn’t that be a shame. Work your way up, letting more hair down each time. You should end up with a lil’ ponytail just for the crown.

Now The Crown: Start from the back and work to the front (forehead). I take small sections and flatiron straight up towards the ceiling (remember, we’re not gettin’ the bad boy iron anywhere near the roots). Don’t worry about your “part”. This comes later. You’re working from the back forward, straight up the center (Have I lost you? Maybe a video tutorial would’ve been helpful?)…

The Spray
Teasing, isn’t just for the 80’s. Yet another confession: I tease. And so will you in 3 sections: crown, right side, & left side. Take the back section of your crown and slightly tease using a paddle brush. NO FINE TOOTH COMBS ALLOWED! Lightly spray at the roots. Repeat the “light” teasing on the left and right sides of your crown. Again, spraying at the roots afterwards.

The Part
Using a comb to part is only reserved for elderly grandpas in adorable suspenders. We use fingers. We’re not creating a clean line, unless doing what my loverbuns calls, “the booty crack” straight up the center. Center parts are cute for the right looks, but for side parts – we use the fingers! With one hand on each side of the location of the desire part, pretend you’re digging for buried treasure by brushing hair out of the way. It will create a more natural look. Turning the finger into a pointer is not the objective…might as well bust out the comb! Buried treasure…is the key! Use a light all-over-go-around with the spray. If you experiment with keeping your fingers in your roots while you spray, you’ll create depth and “pieciness”.

You should now look so gorgeous that your mirror gets jealous!

And one more wonky face just in case you didn’t get enough…
Happy Monday, friendlies!