In addition to the fact that about a billion stylists have beaten all of us over the heads with the warning that our blow dryers are frying our hair, I'm also just plain lazy with my locks. All that brushing and styling and heating — I'm exhausted just thinking about it. So, when I found some great ideas for how to fashionably style wet hair, I jumped at the opportunity and thought I'd share.

Taking inspiration from Alexander Wang and Chanel runways, these oh-so-simple tutorial will teach you some fashion-forward ways to make wet hair look impossibly chic, saving you time and effort in the a.m. What’s not to love about that?

The Swooping Bun

Modeled after the pearl-bedecked manes seen at Chanel's spring '12 show, this ladylike coiff effortlessly marries sophistication with cutting-edge style. 

Add some gel to your hair and create a slightly off center-part using a wide-tooth comb. Since this 'do is all about sculpting, I recommend using a stronger hold gel. I like to use a drugstore brand because cheap gel is always the best kind of gel for styles like this, where you want a more defined look. It stays wet-looking and helps hair maintain texture, so you don't show up to work with your hair looking one way, then have in-between frizz by lunchtime.

Comb back the sides around the ears; hold it parallel to the part, then comb down to the temple and sweep toward the back of the hair around the ear to sculpt the hair into an artistic shape.

Gather hair into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with an elastic.

Run your fingers through the top of your hair — where the comb lines are from earlier — and wiggle them to help define those lines even more. 

Loosely twist the hair.

Hook your fingers near the top of the twisted tail and wrap the hair upward. 

Continue twisting the hair into a loose figure-eight. It should be a bit droopy and hanging down. Pin in place.

By keeping the comb lines very defined, it ages down the look and roughs it up, keeping it from looking too prissy or matronly. The sculpting combined with the styling gel helps create a defined, dressed-up 'do that's practically a work of art.

















And et voila, an easy way to make wet hair look great!  Hope this speeds this up for you in the morning.

xoxo,
Angelique

12 New Hairstyles for Summer

Warning: there are some truly awesome hairstyles ahead. If you're not careful, you will fall into the trap of wanting to try all of them at once ... and that might result in one of these celebrity hairstyle disasters. Yikes.

If you can control yourself, the upside is you won't have a shortage of new hairstyles this summer -- exciting, right? All of these hairstyles are perfect for warm weather, and there's really no better time to try something new than summertime. It's gorgeous outside, and you deserve to look as pretty as possible while you enjoy your freedom for the next three months.

And the cool thing about these hairstyles is that I didn't just pull them out of my a--, uh, I mean, make them up on my own. I actually looked into ideas from celebrity hairstylists Kevin Ryan, Jeffrey Martinez and Kara Silverman and the re-creation of celebrity looks and tips they gave on how to get each of this summer's hottest hairstyle trends. They walked me through 12 gorgeous celebrity looks, and gave me this piece of advice: "Braids, updos and headbands are the way to go for summer styles."

You can take it or leave it, but I'm definitely taking it -- I especially love the fact that these 2012 hairstyles can stand up to warm weather. Now I just have to decide which one to try first. Although last time I checked, there were plenty of days in summer to get to all of them. Whew.

Kim Kardashian's slicked back bun

Not only is this look totally gorgeous, it also gives your hair a day off from heat styling, says Ryan. Here's how to get Kim Kardashian's hairstyle:

1. Start with damp hair. Apply a dollop of leave-in conditioner and distribute it through your hair using a wide-tooth comb.
2. Brush all of your hair into a ponytail at the back of your head. Make sure your hair is nice and sleek, and secure it with an elastic.
3. Twist your ponytail around the elastic to create a thick bun, and secure the ends below your bun with bobby pins.
4. Apply a dab of styling gel to your palms and run them over your hair to tame flyaways.

Reese Witherspoon's full waves

Full, beachy waves are big for summer, especially when they look perfectly undone. All you need is a diffuser and some salt spray for this style, says Ryan. Here's how to get Reese Witherspoon's hairstyle.

1. As soon as you get out of the shower, towel dry your hair and mist it with salt spray.
2. Blow dry your hair with a diffuser to bring out your natural waves.
3. If your hair is naturally straight, use a 1-inch curling iron to curl small sections of hair.
4. To keep your bangs from "sticking to your sweaty forehead," just pin them up like Witherspoon does here, says Ryan.

Taylor Swift's soft waves

Not a fan of beachy waves? Brush them out for a soft, romantic look instead. Here's how to get Tayor Swift's hairstyle:

1. Start by applying smoothing cream to damp hair. Blow dry using a round brush to smooth out your hair.
2. Add a deep side part for a touch of glam. Take large sections of hair and wrap them around a 2-inch curling iron.
3. Brush through your waves with a paddle brush to loosen them, and mist them with anti-frizz hairspray to prevent flyaways.
4. Bring your hair over one shoulder for a romantic finish.

Selena Gomez's straight and sexy look

Straight-haired girls, you're in luck. Going pin straight is one of summer's sexiest trends. Here's how to get Selena Gomez's look:

1. Start by boosting your roots with some volumizing spray. Lift your hair in sections and spray it from underneath.
2. While your hair is still damp, massage some protective oil into the ends of your hair to prevent split ends.
3. Blow dry your hair straight using a paddle brush. Aim the blow dryer down the hair shaft to minimize frizz.
4. Once your hair is completely dry, use a 1-inch ceramic iron to straighten your hair in small sections. Mist your hair with shine spray for a super sleek finish.

Kirsten Dunst's braided updo

"Loose updos are a must-have look for summertime," say Martinez and Silverman. They're easy, simple and romantic. Here's how to get Kirsten Dunst's look:

1. Apply texturizing mousse to damp hair and allow it to air dry.
2. Wrap sections of hair around a 1-inch curling iron to create texture throughout your hair. Finger comb through your waves to muss them up.
3. Gather all of your hair back into a loose bun, and secure it with an elastic.
4. For an extra glam touch, slip on a braided headband to complete your updo.

Gwen Stefani's fluffy curls

Here's a shocker. This summer, let the humidity do its work. Instead of flattening your natural curls, play them up like Gwen Stefani did here. Here's how to get the look:

1. Start by applying volumizing mousse to damp hair, and let it dry naturally.
2. Touch up your curls with a 1-inch curling iron. You want to get small, spiral curls, so curl small sections at once.
3. Use a teasing comb to tease your curls in layers. Lift up each layer and mist your curls with strong-hold hairspray from beneath.
4. Take a small section of hair near your face, and twist it to the side for a quirky touch. Secure with bobby pins.

Ashley Tisdale's highlighted waves

Highlights are a gorgeous way to update your hair for summer. To get Ashley Tisdale's color, ask your stylist for honey or amber highlights (depending on your natural hair color). Overall, you want to add light and depth to your hair. "Just remember to use spray shine and UV protection to keep them looking healthy," say Martinez and Silverman.

Bar Refaeli's polished ponytail

Summer is also the best time to "get creative with your ponytails," say Martinez and Silverman. Bar Refaeli's polished ponytail looks effortless, and it's easier than you think. Here's how to get the look:

1. Apply blow dry gel to towel-dried hair and blow dry it with a round brush.
2. Separate your hair into four sections, and wrap them around large hot rollers. Once they're cool, take them out and brush through them.
3. Smooth your hair into a high ponytail, and secure it with an elastic. Wrap a piece of hair from the ponytail around the band to hide it for a more polished look.
4. Apply a dab of styling gel to your palms and slick them over your hairline to tame flyaways.

Paris Hilton: fun hair accessory

A hippie headband or bejeweled clip like Paris Hilton's will summer-ize any hairstyle. "Wear ones based on your face shape, say Martinez and Silverman. Here's how to get the look:

1. This trend works on any hairstyle -- straight, wavy or curly. Start by styling your hair the way you want it.
2. When you're looking for the perfect headband, "wear ones based on your face shape," say Martinez and Silverman. "Flat bands are great for round faces, thin bands are perfect for heart shaped faces and thick bands are the right call for oval shaped faces."
3. Now use a teasing comb to tease the roots of your hair for some extra volume. Slip on the headband and push it up to create a bump at the back of your head.
4. Mist all over with anti-humidity hairspray to set the look.

Nicole Kidman's piece-y braid

Messy braids are perfect for that "casual summer look," say Martinez and Silverman. And a sassy side braid like Nicole Kidman's? Even better. Here's how to get the look:

1. Start by parting your hair slightly to the side.
2. Towel-dry your hair and mist it with texturizing spray. Rough dry it with your hands to add more texture.
3. Gather all of your hair to one side, and start braiding it from the nape of your neck. Angle the braid over one shoulder, and secure it with a clear elastic.
4. Tug at the braid to loosen it a bit, and mist all over with anti-humidity hairspray to prevent flyaways.

Ginnifer Goodwin's edgy pixie

This almost makes you want to chop your hair off, doesn't it? Well, there's no better time than now, as "there is nothing quite as liberating as a new cut at the beginning of summer," says Ryan. If you're thinking of copying Ginnifer Goodwin's look, make sure the cut will suit your face shape.

 

Ke$ha's beachy bedhead

Believe it or not, there's actually more to Ke$ha's look than rolling out of bed and heading out the door. Even if you're not sure it's your thing, "give bedhead a chance," say Martinez and Silverman. Here's how to get the look:

1. Part your hair down the center, and run a generous amount of thickening mousse through your hair.
2. While your hair is still damp, separate it into several medium-sized sections. Braid a few sections, and twist the other sections. Secure all of your braids and twists into a bun at the top of your head, and let it dry naturally.
3. Once your hair is dry, take out the braids and twists and run your fingers through your hair.
4. Mist your bedhead waves with salt spray, and scrunch them with your hands for a beachy vibe.


Hope you enjoy playing with all the different hairstyles as much as me!

Lazy Girl's Guide to Hair Care

Picture the laziest girl in the world. I'm totally imagining myself, are you? Because I am the ultimate in lazy when it comes to making myself look pretty. I love the results I get when I spend some extra time on my makeup and hair, but it happens so rarely.

OK, makeup is a bit easier, you can just swipe and go when you're short on time. As for my hair, I always will it to magically transform and become perfect right after I step out of the shower. And I always believe it will happen, until I look in the mirror and see the abundant amount of frizz setting in. Pop. There goes my bubble.

And then I realised something. Even lazy girls like myself are willing to check out a really good hair guide if it means not having to worry about looking like a walking bad hair day every morning. Especially if it's filled with shortcuts and tips to make the low maintenance girl's life even easier.

So I tracked down some serious tips and tricks off the internet, to get everything we need for the ultimate hair guide for lazy girls. Seriously -- just read through it and you'll love how great your hair looks, not to mention all of the time you save every morning.

Start with a low maintenance cut

You don't want to spend all of your free time at the salon, so stick with a cut that doesn't require much time or touch-ups. The best choices? A simple bob is really nice, and adding some layers will give it texture. Bangs are also low maintenance, and you just have to trim them every few weeks. But you can do that yourself at home.

Another important thing to remember is to choose a cut that works with your natural hair texture. For straight or wavy hair, go with a one-length bob that sits just on the shoulder so when it grows an inch it won't have a drastic effect. For curly hair, layers at the jaw line grow out soft.

Take dvantage of wet hair

Updos look the best when they're styled on damp hair, especially if you're going for the sleek look. First, towel-dry your hair and brush it really well. Then, create a side part and brush your hair back into a tight ponytail or bun. This way, you won't get the frizz while your hair dries.

Cut back on blow dry time

Instead of blow drying your hair right out of the shower, try this "ancient secret" both hairstylists swear by: To cut drying time in half, add a pump or two of blow-dry lotion (try: Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow Dry Lotion, £12.90) and rough dry with your hands until your hair is about 60 percent dry. It's faster than trying to immediately straighten sopping wet hair.

Then, clip up the top half of your hair and use a round brush to blow dry the bottom half first. Always start drying the hair underneath. This adds volume from the inside out. To finish, unclip the rest of your hair and blow dry section by section.

Remember to add volume

Flat, limp hair is a dead giveaway that you were too lazy to wash your hair that day. (Remember, you may be lazy but you don't want people to know that.) You can instantly take your hair from flat to voluminous by using a volumizing product -- whether its sprinkling a tiny bit of volumizing powder into your roots or misting all over with a volumizing spray (try: Sebastian Volupt Spray, £12.75).

Style your hair naturally

If you've got curly hair: Right when you get out of the shower, towel dry your curls and put in a bit of hair serum (try Osis Body Me Fullifying Volume Serum , £9.75). Then let it dry naturally for gorgeous, bouncy curls.

If you've got wavy hair: First, spritz all over with salt spray (try Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, £15.95). Then section off the hair into two parts and loosely braid. Allow the hair to dry and release the braids when they're 80 percent dry. This will create disheveled, beautiful beachy hair.

If you've got straight hair: Use an essential oil on damp hair (try Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nutrition Oil, £30.41) as it helps the hair stay non-frizzy and keeps the shine and texture as it dries naturally.

Skip the shower altogether

If you miss a washing or two, don't worry -- it's easy to make your hair look freshly washed. You'll want to hide the fact that it's dirty, obviously. In that case, dry shampoo is your best friend. (Lately everyone in the office has been raving about Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo, £15.30, yep, we're all a little lazy.) Concentrate on the crown, the top part of your scalp where it's the oiliest. Lift up your hair in sections and just spray it on the roots, doing three or four layers of this.

The ponytail

Ahh, everyone's favorite "I've got no time" hairstyle. A lot of people think this look is for those without any style or personality, but the good news is that the boring pony has revolved to become fun, flirty and still super easy. Just tease the top of your hair for some height and wrap a piece of hair around your elastic for instant chic-ness.

The sleek bun

This polished style is so easy to do, it'll become your new favorite look for the office. For a sleek, structured look, start with wet hair or spritz dry hair generously with spray gel and comb through. Brush it back into a high ponytail (or position it at the nape of your neck) and twist it into a ballerina bun. Use bobby pins to secure any loose pieces of hair.

The messy bun

The messy bun is another quick and easy style. Gather your hair loosely into a ponytail at the back of your head. Wrap the elastic around your pony once, and then pull the pony halfway through before twisting the elastic around. Repeat the "pull and twist" method to secure the bun. Use your fingers to tug at the bun and loosen it up.

The braid

Braids are awesome because they look gorgeous no matter how flawed they are. In fact, they're even cuter when you make them look beachy, with pieces falling out here and there. A side swept braid can be done in under a minute, and you don't need freshly washed hair to pull it off.

Twisted waves

Divide your hair into four sections and do a braid in each section and then twirl it around and pin it up into a bun. Let it set, and then take it out once it dries. You'll have this really cool hairstyle. Sort of Vanessa Hudgen-esque, don't you think?

Keep these must-have products within reach

You can pretty much recreate any lazy girl hairstyle with these must-have items, recommended by experts:

• Dry shampoo: Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo, £15.30
• Hairspray: L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray, £7.51
• Blow dry lotion: Redken Satinwear 02 Ultimate Blow Dry Lotion, £12.90
• Volumizer: Sebastian Volupt Spray, £12.75





My hair looks and feels great with these super amazing little cheats. 

Will you try any?

xoxo,
Angelique

 

The Perfect Hair Blow Dry

Hairstylists are kinda like superheroes. Not only can they transform your look with a few scissor snips, but they know how to do something far harder -- hold a hairdryer and a brush at the same time ... and not drop them! (As you can tell, this is a skill I don't have.) And with those two tools, they can take wet, bleh hair and turn it into a shiny, straight showstopper, aka the perfect hair blow out.

Of course, I don't have the cash to get a blow out every time I wash my hair (they run £25 and up per appointment and I wash my hair a couple times a week). So I really only have one option: I need to learn how to blow out my hair on my own. It seems like a daunting task, so I decided to reach out to people who knows everything about blow outs, my hairdresser at Essensuals.

Not only did I get an amazing tutorial with step-by-step pics, but my stylist was able to answer a lot of my blow out questions, from how to section the hair when it's wet to how to achieve amazing volume just by the position of the hair dyer. But before I get started with all that, you have to have the right tools for the perfect hair blow out: a hair dryer and a brush.

According to my stylist, the best type of hairdryer is an ionic one. An ionic hairdryer is a high-tech, newer type of hairdryer that doesn't get as hot as the traditional dryers, but still dries the hair quicker. These dryers also cause less damage to the hair because they aren't so hot. However, this doesn't mean you have to ditch your old-fashioned dryer. Since older model dryers do get so hot, these work best for those with really curly hair that need the extra heat to get their hair super straight.

As for the right brush, my stylist recommends a natural boar bristle brush because it is "soft on the hair." He also says to steer clear of a metal brush since "the heat from the blow dryer also makes the metal on the brush extremely hot, which can further damage the hair."

Now that you've got your tools ready, it's time to get started on your perfect hair blow out. Scroll down for the step-by-step blow out tutorial.

Prep the hair

To get the perfect blow out, you have to prep your hair. This means using the right shampoo and conditioner for your type of hair.

• Most "normal" hair types: Use moisturizing products, says my stylist, and that goes double if you have curly or frizzy hair.
• Fine hair: Stay away from moisturizing shampoos. "These types of shampoos have a lot of oil in them, and oil weighs down the hair," he explains.
• Colour-treated hair: Look for sulfate-free shampoos because sulfates can strip out hair color.

Once you've washed and towel dried your hair, begin to brush out the tangles. My stylist says to start at the bottom of the hair and work your way up as you comb through each section. This causes less hair breakage -- and pain.

Get protected

Heat tools damage hair. BUT, if you use the right products before you blow dry, you can minimize that damage. Before a blow out, my stylist uses his specially pH balanced water, which opens the hair shaft, allowing product to reach the core of the hair. Then, heapplies a heat protection spray. He recommends KMS Free Shape Hot Flex Spray, £2.50.

Finally, after adding the product to your hair, "be sure to comb your hair out thoroughly," he says, since you don't want the product in just a few places on the hair.

Start sectioning

Now that you've prepped your hair, it's time to section it before you blow dry. First, part your hair. Next, my stylist recommends sectioning the hair into four pieces -- two sections in the front, two sections in the back. The front sections should contain all the hair from your temple to the back of your ear. Use a clip to gather each section of hair.

To section the back, continue your part down the back of your head. Gather the hair from behind the ear to the part and clip. Do the same to the other side.

The reason for this type of sectioning: your brush. The width of your brush should match the width of the section of hair. If your hair is wider than the brush, then each section of hair won't have the same amount of tension when you pull the brush, he says. Some pieces will loosely hang off the brush or won't even be caught in the bristles. (If you don't use equal tension throughout your hair, you'll see bumps and ridges in your finished blow out.)

Rough dry

According to my stylist, you don't want to start your blow out with sopping wet hair. (If so, the whole blow out process will take much longer than it needs to be.) Instead, rough dry the section of hair you're about to begin working on. He says you should aim for the hair to be 60 percent dry before you start the blow out process.

Get the right hold

It's time to officially begin the blow out. Start with the first section around your face. Take the bottom half of the section, and clip the top half back up on your head. Next, brush out the hair, rolling the brush up and under the hair. In your other hand, hold the blow dryer about 2 inches away from the hair.

If you want your hair super straight, you can use a hair dryer with a nozzle for a more concentrated stream of air. But if you're looking for overall volume, forget the nozzle. Without a nozzle, "the heat will move throughout all of your hair, not just stay on one spot," he says.

Direct the air

As you blow dry, make sure to aim the dryer down hair shaft. If you blow dry against the hair shaft (pointing up), you'll cause your hair to frizz.

For added volume or a slight end curl, roll the brush under your hair, and blow dry from underneath your hair. "Rolling creates volume throughout hair. Usually this technique is best used around the crown or at the sides of the hair -- not so much in the back," says my stylist.

Continue to pull the brush through the hair and roll it under as you blow dry, keeping a consistent tension with the brush. When hair is fully dry, you should move across to the next section, concentrating on the bottom half again. "Try to dry the sections evenly across the head, from right to left (or vice versa). It's about working through your hair at the same level," he says. Only when you have finished the bottom half of each section, should you move onto the top half of each section.

At the front

After you have finished most of the blow out, take a piece of hair from each of the front sections, and gather them together. (This would be the place where your fringe would normally fall if you don't have them.) Treat this section the same as the other sections, rolling the brush up and under, while blow drying from underneath.

Before the front section is completely dry, roll the entire piece of hair up to your scalp and clip the roll in place. As the section cools and dries further, your front piece will hold the volume and curl better. (And for a few minutes, you'll look like Bettie Page, so there's that.)

Continue blowing out the rest of your hair.

Brush back

Once you have finished the blow out (and your hair is completely dry), remove the clip from your bang area. Uncurl it, and pull that piece toward the back of your head, brushing the section back. Once you've brushed it a few times, release your hair, and it should fall naturally, dividing along your part. And since it was clipped, there should be added volume along the edges of your hair and at the root of your hair.

Final look

Your blow out is complete! Well, almost. Before you run off with your amazing hair, make sure to apply a post-blow dry product, like a shine serum or flyaway spray. If you're looking to eliminate flyaways, my stylist recommends silicone-based products instead of oil-based ones. "This gives hair more shine and makes hair light and flexible," he says.

Also, don't use too much product -- it'll make your hair look greasy. One or two pumps should be enough. And remember: "The more you touch your hair, the greasier it gets as well," he says.

Now, you're officially done!






Now that I've had a masterclass in 'blow dry's' I'm going to try my best to do this on a regular basis. 

For all those going back to work after the 'long-weekend' of Golden Jubilee celebrations -- I hope you have a lovely day that doesn't drag on too much.  I know we are all probably feeling a bit worse for wear this morning.

Enjoy your day ;)

xoxo,
Angelique 

Jubilee Special How To: Kate Middleton's Braided Updo

Considering it is the Golden Jubilee 'long weekend' I thought that I'd do a special post to celebrate the Royal Family.  There is no-one better to post about then the new 'darling' of the Royal Family - Kate Middleton.  She's won over so many hearts with her amazing style and the fact that she loves shopping in the average high street store. 

Who doesn't envy Duchess Kate's style? When I saw this braided chignon she wore last week at the Olympic-themed concert at the Royal Hall in London, I was given another reason. But good news: after fawning over the style for a while, I have figured out how to recreate at home. And luckily for me, the hairdo isn't as hard as it looks.

How to attempt it:

Step 1: Spritz your entire head with a soft coat of shine spray, such as Gold Glimmer Shine Spray by Moroccanoil (£20.10, amazon.co.uk).

Step 2: From looking at the picture, you can see that you have to separate the hair into five sections - two pieces on top for the twists, two underneath for the braids and loose hair on the bottom for the chignon.

Step 3: Twist the top pieces and hold with bobbi pins at the crown of your head. When twisting, make sure to keep the hair a little loose to create that body Kate has in the front.

Step 4: Leaving the two sections below the twists to the side, gather the rest of your hair and place in a low chignon at the nape of the neck.

Step 5: Braid the two loose sections just below the twists. Kate has French braids but a classic braid would work just as well. Bring the braids toward the center and wrap around the chignon, keeping in place with bobbis.

Step 6: Finish with a light hairspray like Fekkai Sheer Hold Hair Spray (£20, Debenhams) to keep hair in place without that crunchy texture we get from many hairsprays.


This updo may be a little too much for any old day but I'm definitely keeping it in mind for my next big night.

Will you try this princess 'do?

Enjoy the Jubilee :-)

Dye Time: Hair Colour Trends to Try

Hello lovelies,

WHAT an amazing weekend it has been!  The temperatures here in the United Kingdom has soared to around 25 degrees Celcius and it feels amazing to be in the sun again.  I really enjoyed the double BBQ's we had on each day of the weekend - because we don't get to do that too often!

So the weekend really got me into the weekend mood!  I thought about colour and having lovely colours in your hair.  This is fast becoming THE trend of the spring/summer period. 

A few years ago: Unusual hair colour like greens, pinks, or blues automatically earned you the label of "freak" or "punk." Manic Panic was the dye of choice, and you could only find it at special stores like.
Now: Pastel pink hair has made its way into the pages of "Vogue," and celebs are wearing turquoise tips on the red carpet. "Unusual" hair color has officially gone mainstream and top salons are jumping on the new dyed hair trends.

While we don't know why people have changed their attitude about coloured hair, it's a change that makes me very happy. Another way to express yourself and get creative with your hair? What's not to love? Plus, there are a variety of techniques and ways to wear this hair colour trend, so it's easy for any girl to try.

Whether you're looking for a bold, long-term commitment like dipped tips, or a quick and non-damaging method like chalking, I got the info. Now all you need to do is to scroll down.

Seeing Colours

Teal green. Deep blue. Pale peach. These are just some of the colours girls are trying right now. But the most popular shade? All the girls want pink -- and there are hundreds of shades of pink. Adding that all kinds of pastel shades are hot right now. It's almost summer so girls are going for lighter colours, plus pastels don't cause as big of a contrast with many natural hair colours. It creates more of a subtle effect.

Darker jewel tones are also very popular. Beet purples and deep blues are finding their way into the mix. Another bonus to choosing a deep jewel tone like blue is the variety of hues that appear when the colour begins to fade. I love blue because it eventually fades to a turquoise green.

As for the colours to avoid, I haven't seen a lot of primary colours, like bright red or yellow, or deep green.

Colour Me

Now that you've decided to experiment with a little colour, what colour should you choose? I'll let you in on what shades work best depending on your hair and/or skin tone.

Pink: This works best on blondes, however a brunette with a warm skin tone could wear a deep rich pink or a pink with a little more red in it. Pinks would also be fun on redheads.
Blue: For girls with dark hair and an olive complexion, I recommends navy, while blondes should try a turquoise or pale blue.
Purple: All skin tones suit purple, but Iespecially love it on a dark brunette.
Green: I only see this working on a blonde, it's a tough shade.

Time for a Dip

Dipped tips are the most popular way to wear this hair colour trend. The process requires a pretty big commitment because the hair must be bleached before any colour is applied -- even if you're already blonde. Because this process is complex, many stylists recommend that you get your tips dipped at the salon. You can also get a wider variety of hues since the colour is mixed to your preference.

This is how the process works: First, the stylist applies the bleach to the ends of the hair. After the hair has turned a light yellow colour, the stylist blots the hair. Then, she applies the colour pigment to the bleached areas. Once the colour has set, the stylist rinses the hair, revealing the final colour. If you've already experimented with the ombre look, you have a leg up. This is great for girls who had the ombre look. They already have the bleached tips, so they just need to add colour.

Keep in mind, bleaching your hair will damage it, so it's usually easier to trim the coloured ends off rather than try to re-dye them.

Stay Colorful

How long will your colour last? Depends on how much you wash your hair and whether the dye is permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary. According to my stylist, if you use semi-permanent colour and you wash your hair every other day, you can expect the colour to last four to five weeks. But if you wash your hair every day, you're looking at two weeks.

In the meantime, my stylist recommends using a colour safe shampoo and a leave-in conditioner with UV protection. (Tip: Stay away from clarifying shampoos. They'll rinse out your colour immediately.)

Refreshment Please

If your dipped tip colour is fading or completely washed out, there is a way to refresh your colour at home. To keep your ends vibrant, I offer up this trick: Add a few drops of store bought concentrated colour, like Manic Panic, to your conditioner. Once you have the desired density of colour, apply to your tips, pushing the formula up the hair shaft. Then, leave it on while you shower, rinsing it out at the end.

Block that Colour

Dipped tips not your thing? Looking for more impact? Try colourblocking. Much like colourblocking your clothes, colourblocking your hair is a "dye technique that creates a defined geometric accent of colour". One way to do this is to dye your hair at the crown one colour and use another colour from the nape down.

Since it's such a precise method, it is recommended that you get your hair colourblocked at a salon. You really need to know your head shape and how the hair falls to get a good colourblocked look.

Tie-Dye Your Hair

If colourblocking is too dramatic, try the tie-dye method. It's when two to three colours are applied to the hair so that the colour fades from dark or light (or vice versa). I think of this as a fun version of ombre for longer hair.

To get the look, start by pulling the hair into a ponytail at the nape of the neck. Next, section the hair into multiple parts and secure each section with another elastic. (Tip: It's important that the rubber bands are tight.) Finally, apply the various colours to each section in the order you would like them to fade. Once the hair has been processed, remove the elastics and "squish all the colours through the ends."

Clip It In

Want something less damaging than dye? Coloured hair extensions are a great compromise. Many stores sell clip-in coloured hair extensions, like Buy Hair (try Remy Clip-in Streak, £3.95). They're easy to place in your hair (simply clip them on), but you can run the risk of looking like a little girl depending on how many you use and where you place them.

Less is more. You don't want a whole head of clip-ins. Instead, aim for a few strands, but put them in a peekaboo area. This means placing the extensions underneath several layers of hair and not directly on top. It should be hidden enough to make people wonder if they saw something or not when they catch a glimpse.

Besides buying a pre-dyed hair extension at a store, you can also have them custom dyed at a salon. Not only can you pick the exact colour you want, but you can also decide if you want to mix colours on the same strand. Plus, your colour will last a lot longer. Store bought extensions use fabric dye to get their colour, which loses its colour faster than a salon extension. At the salon, they pre-bleach the piece and use real hair dye.

Chalk It Up

Not ready to dye your hair at all? No worries. You can still get in on the dye trend in a less permanent way. The solution: chalking, which has been spotted on celebs like Lauren Conrad and Kate Bosworth.

Chalking involves colouring your hair with soft pastels or sidewalk chalk. Since it only lasts until your next shampoo, this look is super non-committal. And unlike other dye jobs that require you to bleach your hair before colouring, this doesn't, which means less damage to your hair. No surprise that it's a favorite with many hairstylists. Chalking is something every girl can do.

And if you're worried that chalking won't show up on darker hair colours, don't. You can get it to show up very well on brunettes. It's just about heavily applying the colour.

Chalking 101

Ready to chalk? Swing by your local craft store and pick up some sidewalk chalk or soft/dry pastels. Just make sure you don't buy oil pastels. Oil pastels won't work, and they'll leave your hair a greasy mess.

Before chalking, I suggest applying a good pomade, like Sebastian Matte Putty, £12.75, to the hair.This creates a gritty surface for the chalk to stick to. Chalking doesn't work nearly as well if the hair is dry. You can also just wet the hair for a similar effect.

Once you've applied the pomade and selected a piece of hair to chalk, I recommend twisting the strands before chalking. This is so the colour doesn't look so deliberately placed. Colour the twisted strand heavily, then let it go. Finally, mist your hair with hairspray to lock in the chalk.




I hope you've enjoyed this summery special.  Let me know how your weekend went!  I'd love to know.