Finished looks.

Wanted to share some of my work

Blow Dry Styles:

Cuts, Color, Styling, Updos! :)

One of my favorites... this beautiful girl went from a hot mess to a beautiful brunette in two color correction appointments. ! Love her. Love her hair. :)

 

 (This one I am proud of. Created this all on my own!)

Bridal Hair and Makeup

   

 

Just for fun! Makeup

part 2. Wait? What? How do you do that?

As discussed in my previous post. The best way to get your hair to do what you want it to do, is to predry the roots, up to 50% of the strands. After that, however, you're going to need to finish off by blow drying the remaining 50% of your locks. 

There are several finishing looks for your lengths. You can have a smooth finish, a full finish with curls or a natural end result. Here's how...

For the smooth finish: grab your favorite finishing brush. The brush you choose will be based on how smooth you want the finish to be. Personally, I've noticed that a good finishing brush (like the Sam Villa 9-row finishing brush) give me the control I need to achieve a sleek finish. Another great brush you might want to check out is a styling brush. These brushes have added bristles which add shine to the hair, which most of us appreciate.

For a full and/or curly finish: grab your favorite round brush. Most of us are familiar with round brushes. However, their use can be a mystery. There are several things to think about when choosing a round brush. First, how big of a curl do you want? The length of your hair and the size of the curl you desire will affect your choice. (I recommend meeting with your stylist to discuss options.) One fantastic secret to using a round brush is achieving a full curl, without an extra styling tool. The way you do is, is by locking the brush. To lock the brush: roll the section of hair, in the brush, all the way to your scalp, remove the heat and allow the hair & brush to cool. Once they have cooled, gently unwind the hair. Do not pull the brush out or you will ruin the curl and probably end up with a nasty tangle. Round brush finishes are possibly the most difficult to achieve. 

To all my long-haired ladies. Let's be real... round brushing your hair will be a challenge. If you haven't spent a lot of time working round brushes I highly recommended that you meet with your salon professional before you just stick a brush in your hair. It might not end well.

Finally, if you want a natural, relaxed finish: use your fingers, or grab your paddle brush. This is a very simple way to finish your blow dry. Utilize your free hand and pull it through your ends. If you want a little more control, use a paddle brush instead of your fingers. Honestly, the paddle brush is my favorite for this casual finish. The sheer width of the brush gives stability and control to the tresses. Some people prefer their fingers, so you can choose what works best for you. 

It's okay if you aren't 100% satisfied with your first, second or third time doing these blow dry finishes. When I was in school, we would spend three full days of class every four weeks learning to blow dry. I promise, it's difficult for everyone at first. Just keep practicing and soon you'll begin to love your results!

Leave a comment below to let me know which style you like best. 


HERE ARE SOME OF THE RESULTS

  

First is the smooth predry with the smooth finish. This entire look was achieved with the Sam Villa finishing brush, listed in my post. 

This second look is the round-wrap and the round brush finish. Full of volume. Full of curl. 

I did not use a hot-tool outside my blowdryer and brushes. I hope you like these results and I'll look forward to your comments below. 

part 1. Wait? What? How do you do that?

There are a great number of ways to blow your hair dry. Unfortunately, not every one of those ways will give you the look you desire, or leave you with the result you intended. This post is to help guide you through some of the first, and most important, steps it takes to achieve the look you desire. 

For the most of us the earth's gravity pulls our hair downward. (For the fortunate few whose hair defies gravity, this article will still give you tricks to achieve the look you want.) Start by asking yourself, do you want volume, control or a natural fall. The second, do you want it to be smooth, have curls or lay naturally? Of course, you may have a different answer for these questions each time you wash your hair. And that's okay because once you finish this artilce, you'll know how to achieve all of the above in their various combinations. For the purpose of this article, I am going to address each one individually. 

To make it easier for you, the first part of this post will be all about a great predry. You might not know what that term means right now, but finish this post and you will. 

Let me start by saying that you need to incorporate the proper products in your blow dry routine in order to see the best results. No matter what you do with your hair, professional products purchased at a salon or professional retailer are the only way you can see salon results at home. On to the topic at hand...

Volume. Most of us want as much volume as we can get. Many times I hear women say, "I flip my head upside down to get volume." and honestly, that's about what it takes. In order to achieve max volume at your roots, each section of your hair needs to be combed away from it's natural falling position. For instance, in the crown, you'll want to comb all the hair toward your face, and blow dry the roots, plus up to 50% of the rest of the hair strand. When you have dried about 50% of your strands, you can take the next section, comb it toward your face and blow dry the root +50% of those locks. It sounds complicated, and it is. Like all good things in life, it takes some practice to get used to, and then your whole world will change! (If you would like a one-on-one demonstration of this technique, feel free to book an appointment with me at Salon Oasis and Day Spa, while you're in Kansas City, and I can demonstrate it.) :)

Control. This means you want as little volume at the roots as you can possibly get. For this technique, comb each section in the direction the hair falls and blowdry the roots +50% of your strands. This is a little less complicated than the "volume" technique, but it does require some practice. 

Natural fall. This is possibly the most simple method of blow drying the hair. When you are standing in front of the mirror, take your opposite hand, spread your fingers open and gently move your hair back and forth until 50% of the strand (starting at the root) is dried. Like the "volume" or "control" method, you will want to practice this. Still take section by section so you can manage it all. 

This has already turned into a very long post. Stay tuned until next week when I'll teach you how to finish blow drying your hair. 

Travels to India. . .

Well everyone. You know how much I want to work with orphans overseas?! The opportunity has arrived! 

In January 2016, I hope to take my first trip to India. WE CARE of India will be launching their women's resource center and I have been asked to join the team going. Of course I want to go! If you have time, or think of it, please cover our trip in prayer.

In India, women are considered less-than. Women can be beaten by family members if they are found to be pregnant with a girl. Little ones can be abandoned and left to fend for themselves on the streets. It's a very scary place to be a woman. 

WE CARE of India is an organization devoted to empowering women. Their business partner, who is from the USA has developed a fantastic business model in which she has created a high-end accessory line which allows her to both give employment to artisans in India and also use a portion of the income generated for the orphanage. The maps below are where they are currently partnered in India. Check out their website for more information and full details. 

 

  

If you are intereseted in gorgeous, supple handbags and scarves check out Lions in Four. "Lions in Four is a globally-minded, socially conscious, affordable luxury brand; a modern company with a rich, old soul." Learn more about Lions in Four at their website.

As for my trip to India. I need to raise $3,500 by September for the trip. If you would like to donate, please make that donation payable to me. I will be raising my own support. Keep an eye on my blog for jewelry sales. I have already started making pieces that I intend to sell for support raising. It should be an adventure and I'd love for my internet-family to be part of it. 

Back again....

Hello to my darling friends. 

I have been on vacation in Salt Lake City, so I abandoned my blog posts. Ha Ha. Get it? Well, I'm back now, and have a renewed fervor for blogging and for the passion in my heart for helping orphans and women off the streets. 

While in SLC, we noticed a very large population of homeless people. There was so much sadness in the air. A sadness which reached into my heart. 

Sadness because pity on homeless people in the United States does not come naturally to me. Regardless of the pain I've seen while I've worked with them. Regardless of the how I've served them or the countless heartbreaking stories of what they have been through. 

When you pass a homeless person, in the United States, what's the first thing you think? Do you think, "scam artist", "loser", or do you think, "you're in the USA, you've got plenty of chances", or, "there are homes & shelters to take care of them, I don't need to help". 

Homelessness can be a delicate subject, depending on who you talk to. I'm guilty of jumping to judgement. All of those questions, I have made myself. How can it be then, that the one thing I want to do most in this world is empower women, and children, who most likely have no place to call home. How can I love one and despise the other? The contradictory thinking is an embarrassing quandary. 

Who am I to judge? Who am I to say who is worthy of love or compassion? Why am I the first to jump to judgement? Those questions leave me feeling inadequate and undeserving of the love and compassion Christ shows. I suppose this is exactly why the mercy of Christ is as important as the love of Christ. When we fail he is there showing mercy to us. Which teaches us all the more to have mercy and show love to those around us. 

The strength he gives, enables me to continue to grow and love others. Obviously, I have a lot more to learn about what true love means. I look forward to growing in ways I've never known. To learn a heart of compassion that I've never experienced. 

Anyone have thoughts to share? Leave a comment below and share some stories with me. 

Love you all. 

2015: Hair Trends

Spring 2015

Such beautiful colors and patterns are expected for spring fashions 2015. 

Those same colors and textures have made their way into their haircut and color trends for the spring. 

Ombre is definitely here for another season

As well as fabulous balayage hair color techniques

Another fun color technique is the hair is painting and fading

This technique is the same principle as the ombre, but remains within the same color family. Pictured here, burnt orange to the lightest orange. I've seen red to pink and deep purple to the lightest lavender. 

 Loose, undone curls are also very popular 

 Pastels and gorgeous layers with fabulous curls.

Braids fantastic texture, design and pizzazz to everyday looks

Another, and one of my favorite trends this spring, is the bob!

Okay everyone! Now you know what you should be doing with your hair this spring! Set up an appointment with your stylist today. 
......

Here's a bob I did today, Feb 17, 2015

And some layers: