hair

THE FISHTAIL BRAID

Friends… our videos are back! Hooray!!! First up is the fishtail braid. The hardest thing about doing a fishtail braid on yourself is getting it started. In this video, I’m giving you one of my favorite secret tricks… start with a clear elastic then cut it out at the end. By starting with a clear elastic at the top, you never have to worry about holding 4 confusing pieces together to get your braid going. You can just go straight into it!

Tools: 2 clear elastics, scissors, patience.

Steps:

  • For a smoother braid, brush your hair out first. For a messier braid, leave the natural texture and separate the hair with your fingers.
  • Create a ponytail using a clear elastic.
  • Split the ponytail into two separate pieces.
  • Take a piece from the first side and pass it to the 2nd side.
  • Next take a piece from the 2nd side and pass it back to the 1st side.
  • Once you’ve finished your braid, go in with your scissors and CAREFULLY cut the clear elastic at the top.
  • Optional: gently pull on the pieces to loosen it up if you wish!

When you’re fishtail braiding, don’t think too hard! You’re simply making X’s. Also, remember that when you take the little piece from one side and pass it to the other side, you don’t need to keep track of it. Now get to it and show us what you’ve got! Tweet photos of your fishtails to us on twitter @TBDofficial.

Xx Kristin Ess

hair

GET EXCITED!

photo and post design by kristin ess

Okay, lady bugs! Our video tutorials are back. HOORAY! By far the #1 request in my inbox has been for THE FISHTAIL BRAID! After you watch this tutorial, all of you will know exactly how it’s done. I’m including one very tricky little secret and Lauren’s going to show you how it’s done. Even the most uncoordinated person will be able accomplish this intricate ‘do. That’s a big promise and I’m stickin’ to it. Don’t forget to stop by Friday!

Xx Kristin

hair

FIRST DATE HAIR

post designed by kristin ess

Going on a first date is always nerve-racking. What to wear, what to say, where to meet, etc… Let me tell you one thing you don’t need to over think– your hair. Recently, I asked 20 guy friends for their opinion on a girls’ “first date” hair. 16 out of 20 guys agreed, a lovely lady’s hair shouldn’t be the focal point. First I showed them photos of very basic hairstyles like the simple ponytail, a basic blow out, every day waves, + natural curls. Next I showed them the hairstyles our female readers have requested the most- the fishtail braid, the fun bun + twisted sister. Hands down, the more simple hairstyles took the prize with the guys. Try to keep things pretty and natural. You should look like yourself at your most polished. If they’re not into that, don’t even start thinking about second date hair.

Xx Kristin

hair

WEEKEND-SPIRATION

posts designed by kristin ess

We do the messy bun around here A LOT. It’s just a fun, quick, pretty hair style. One of my biggest inspirations for “beautiful mess” hair is Brigitte Bardot. It doesn’t get any better. She did it just right every single time. Nothing too structured, always looking like she got out of bed like that. Style wise, Lauren reminds me a lot of her because you can always see that there was effort, but it never looks forced. In beauty, it’s really important to learn to work with what have and to feel comfortable. Nothing is more gorgeous than that.

 

Bianca Jagger… the epitome of chic. Here’s the perfect example of someone with short hair who really had accessories figured out. Go to the flea markets and grab a couple vintage pieces for your hair. One night when you’re wearing a simple black dress and just don’t know how to accessorize it, throw your vintage hat or pin in your hair! Instant glamour with very little need for anything else.

 

Louise Brooks and Clara Bow. Both incredible icons. Here, Louise represents the sleek, straight, shiny bob of the 1920′s. One decade later, the bob was still around, but the texture had changed. Whenever I look at reference photos for shoots, or red carpet, I can always tell the difference between 1920′s and 1930′s styles by whether the bob was straight or wavy. Halloween is coming up and whether you’re going to be a flapper, a “Great Gatsby” girl, or a silent film star, be sure to know which hair style compliments your outfit the best!

 

OK, if there’s one person from the past who’s hairstylist I’d want to be, it would be Lana Turner. I love Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake as well, but no one had as much hair fun as Lana Turner. In every single photo her hair is styled differently and always to perfection! She was the first hair crush I’ve ever had. Makes me want to put everyone’s hair in rollers and sculpt away. What a stunner!

 

What’s more inspiring than a signature thing? Not much. Billie Holiday is the perfect example. When I put gardenias in someone hair for an event or a wedding, they always say “I feel like Billie Holiday”. In beauty, she is as important as the flower itself! How inspiring is that? What’s your signature thing?

 

Last but certainly not least, Jane Birkin. She popularized the boho-chic look more than anyone. Her stringy surfer-girl strands of hair were always paired with minimal makeup. She always kept it very simple, but was never underwhelming. Doesn’t she make you want to air-dry your hair??

Xx Kristin

hair

A CLEAN CANVAS

photos: justin coit + thebeautydepartment.com post designed by kristin ess

Lots of requests for a very basic blow out. Here’s your step by step! I’ll do one for curly hair and one for fine hair as well. These are the basics steps for anyone with wavy and/or thick hair like Lauren’s.

Tools: Blow dryer with the nozzle, leave-in conditioner or detangler, protective serum or frizz taming serum, medium to large round brush, clips.

1. On wet hair, spray leave-in conditioner or detangler so that you’re not ripping at your hair as you brush it out. See here for details on that. Always best to apply leave-in or detangler right out of the shower, before the hair starts to air dry. Spraying it on air dried hair may cause the hair to feel sticky in the long run.

2. Like I always say, blow your bangs/fringe section out FIRST. The sooner you blow this out, the more control you’ll have over parting + cowlicks. People always tell me how much difficulty they’ve had with this section, and once they’ve tried blowing it out while  it’s totally wet, everything changes. The wetter the better when it comes to the very front section of your hair, or any uncontrollable cowlick for that matter. You want to stretch the hair from left to right while blowing it out. That will give you the most flexibility with your part. Your nozzle should be ON!

3. Once you’ve tamed the front section, let the rest down and take a little moisture out, but not too much because it will end up dry in some places and wet in others. Try to keep the dryer moving and do your best to keep the hair evenly damp.

4. Now apply a frizz tamer, argan oil, or protective serum. Whatever you and your hairstylist like the most. I like to apply this after I rough dry. The hair needs more protection and smoothing when there’s direct brush + blow dryer contact. If you put it in before this, it may not be as helpful. You don’t need a lot! Just a little applied from the middle of your hair to the ends.

5. Next move to the back. Pull the sections around as you dry. Stretching them will help smooth them. Notice Lauren’s using a boar bristle brush. Brushes with lots of natural bristles are great for smoothing because they grab the hair and get lots of tension. The difference in brushes can be found here! Always turn your head to the side when blowing out the back. It’s easier on your arms and you get more access to the root area which is important in the back sections. Work your way up,  section by section until you reach the top/back.

6. Then you’re on to the sides. Divide the left + right sections and clip them up (see image 6). The most important thing on the sides is getting even tension. Make sure the hair is laying evenly on the brush. Also, since you started in the back, this will have air dried a little. Wet it a little bit if you think it’s getting too wavy. Once the hair starts drying and developing it’s own wave, you need to wet it a little or you’ll just end up with more frizz. Stop for knots! Comb them out nicely or bad things can happen!

7. After you’ve blown your hair out entirely, go back through and handle the fly aways! My favorite technique for that is blowing all the little hairs underneath the big hairs. In other words, using your blow dryer with the nozzle attached, push the little hairs underneath the longer heavy hairs. The longer heavy hairs will sit on top of the little hairs and weigh them down! It’s my favorite trick and works so much better than loading the top of your head with hairspray.

8. After you’ve gotten dressed and the hair has cooled, the fly aways should be tamed. Now go back in, take off the nozzle, flip your head over and “stir it up”. This gives you a more natural, piece-y look and keeps it from looking too done.

Xx Kristin