Making the most of your hair has never been easier and with the wide range of hair shaping tools available today, you can pretty much create any hairstyle you wish.
Blow-Dryer
Description: a blow-dryer is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your hair dry in a hurry and uses a motor to blow heated air into your hair.
Uses: blow-driers are mostly used to take the moisture out of wet hair but can also be used to make your hair straight, curly or add a wave by simply using different heat settings, attachments and your hair brush.
Great for: all hair types.
Tips:
- To get a professional result, blow-dry working from the roots down and finish with a blast of cool air to boost shine and control fly-away hair
- Blow-drying up the hair shaft will cause the hair to frizz
- Tip your head upside down and blow-dry down the hair shaft to add volume
Hair Straightener
Description: a hair straightener is a tong-like device that has two heated plates which are run down the hair shaft to straighten hair strands temporarily.
Uses: hair straighteners will flatten hair like no other tool can and now even come in wet-to-dry versions which eliminate the need to blow-dry wet hair before styling. A straightener can also be used to add curl to hair (get a professional to show you how) and is the best way to add the flicks in flicked out hairstyles.
Great for: all hair types.
Tips:
- Use a slim line straightener when trying to add curls or flicks
- Apply deep conditioning treatments to your hair if you regularly straighten to balance any damage that may be caused by the heat
- Work in small sections to get a smoother finish and start from the under layers of your hair
Curling Iron
Description: a round shaped implement that uses heat and its shape to temporarily change the structure of hair.
Uses: curling irons are used to add curl to the hair and come in different sizes to create different kinds of curls.
Great for: all hair types.
Tips:
- A skinny curling iron will give you tight, small curls
- A thick iron will produce large, bouncy curls
- A triple-barrel iron will give hair waves
Hot Rollers
Description: are usually round in shape and come in different sizes. Hot rollers heat up and are applied to the hair and then left to cool down - leaving a curl behind.
Uses: hot rollers are mainly used to add curl, but unlike a curling iron, are clipped into the hair while they work which leaves your hands free to do other things. Hot rollers are especially good for styling the entire head and adding body.
Great for: all hair types.
Tips:
- Use different sizes to create different curls
- Try to use rollers on hair that has been washed the night before to get a better curl and longer hold
Velcro Rollers
Description: rollers covered in Velcro to grip your hair strands without the use of pins or clips.
Great for: adding volume, body and soft curls to your hair.
Tips:
- Velcro rollers don’t heat up, so they are less damaging to your hair than traditional heated rollers.
- If your hair is naturally smooth then Velcro rollers are the best option to use as they are less likely to get tangled in your hair.
- Never try to roll up a section of hair that is wider than the width of the roller because it'll take forever for your hair to dry or set.
Hair Brush
Description: brushes are usually made of different kinds of bristles and come is all shapes, sizes and varieties.
Uses: a hair brush is used to detangle hair and is also a great styling aid.
Great for: all hair types.
Tips:
- Clean your hair brush every fortnight with a little warm water and shampoo to remove dirt and styling product residue.
- A round brush is great for curly or wavy hair.
- Use a flat paddle brush for everyday styling.
- Do not brush wet hair- use a comb instead and detangle gently, working from the ends up.
- Using a brush with round plastic balls on the end of the bristles will help to avoid breaking the hair strands and will not scratch the scalp.
Comb
Description: usually made from plastic, a comb has one row of narrow or wide teeth (depending on the type).
Uses: detangling your hair, removing knots, working shampoo and styling products through your hair and styling.
Tips:
- The most important time to use a comb is always when your hair is wet. If you use a brush on wet hair then all you will do is snap and break your strands.
- To clear out tangles with the least amount of hair damage, opt for a wide-tooth comb and start at the ends of your hair and work up towards your roots in smooth, light strokes.
Diffuser
Description: attachment that can be applied to your blow-dryer.
Uses: a diffuser is mainly used to bring out texture and curl in wavy or curly hair. It works by changing the air flow of your blow-dryer.
Great for: naturally curly and wavy hair types.
Tips:
- Set your blow-dryer to the lowest heat setting for the best results with the least amount of hair damage.
- Lightly scrunch your hair as you diffuse to further encourage your curl.
Hair Pins
Description: hair pins come in all types of shapes and colors.
Uses: keeping hair in place or dressing up a specific style (in the case of decorative pins).
Great for: buns, updos, half up styles and ponytails.
Tips:
- If you don’t want the pins to be easily seen, buy them in a color that is as close to your hair color as possible.
- Bobby pins are helpful in keeping other hair accessories such as headbands in place.
Headband
Description: headbands are accessories that sit around the head, but unlike scarves you don't wrap them around your head.
Uses: keeps the front sections of hair out of your face and helps to hold certain hairstyles in place.
Great for: adding an extra touch to updos.
Tips:
- Use thin, different colored headbands to create an interesting style.
- For thicker hair, wider headbands are the go.
- Headbands are perfect for disguising greasy roots and taming kinks.
- If you’re having trouble trying to get your headband to stay in place then mist your hair with a little bit of hairspray before putting in your headband to get it to stay put.
