hair

FINDING YOUR FACE SHAPE

post/design: Kristin Ess

There are so many face shapes in this world. It seems like every time I read a story about finding “the right haircut” there are only 4 (maybe 5) face shapes to choose from– but not everyone can be squeezed into those little boxes. Over the years, I’ve spoken with many people who have always thought they were one face shape (and followed the guides for that face shape) only to learn that their face was another shape entirely. Perfect example– one of my clients had  always thought she had a heart shaped face just because she had a pointed chin like Reese Witherspoon. The thing is, you can have the pointed chin of someone who has a heart-shaped face but if your hairline is more narrow, as my client’s was, you would fall more in the diamond family.

For today’s post, I’ve created a guide that should help you find your real face shape and in my next few posts, I’m going to be talking about what to do with each one. I really hope this helps and please keep in mind that it’s very common to fall into more than one face shape family!

UPDATE: Find the tips and tricks for your face shape by clicking these links!

hair

HEAVY SIDE PART

photos/post/design: Kristin Ess

Obsessed with this side-heavy look- and as you can see below it’s all over the red carpet. It’s kind of got this sort of 90′s feel to it which I’ve really been digging. The weight of the hair feels very a-symmetric and it takes a whole 15 min to create this look. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Find your super-deep part. Try lining it up with the very outside of your brow first. If that feels like it’s just too much, go a little closer in and line up with the arch of your brow.This could potentially feel a little uncomfortable at first if you’re not used parting so far over. If you really hate having that deep side part or if your hair just won’t cooperate for some reason, try doing what I did on Lucy Hale below– see how I went on a diagonal? It starts a little closer to the center and then diagonally goes into a heavier part. This way you get all the weight of the hair on one side but it doesn’t feel overly swooped. Don’t be afraid to take a blowdryer to it to get it to behave!
  2. Use the finer side of a comb + some strong holding hairspray to make the side tight as you see in photo 2. Don’t over spray, you just want the hair close the head and the fly-aways to stay down. If you really wanted to go for a sleek side, you could gel it and give it that “shaved side” appearance which feels equally edgy + girly!
  3. Now split the hair diagonally from the back of the part to the opposite corner of your neck. Start the braid behind your ear and go down and around as you see in photo 3. Use a tiny clear elastic to secure the braid on the opposite side of your neck. This elastic will be hidden underneath the other side with all the hair.
  4. That’s it! Now you’re free to create whatever texture you want on the heavier side– smooth waves, messy waves, curl, straight, anything you like. Personally I like the messy waves with a little volume (like you see in the very top photo) but you really can do this using any natural texture.

hair

DIY: GLITTER BOBBY PINS

post + photos by kristin ess, graphic design by eunice chun

If you’re a girl-on-the-go, chances are you’ll have to put your hair up in a quick updo, bun or chignon from time to time. That’s great if you’re rushing to work or a meeting, but what happens when you’re heading to a wedding, on a date or to a holiday party after work. This tutorial will show you a great way to add a little extra sparkle to your ‘do. Here we go:

You’ll need bobby pins, Elmer’s glue, glitter, wax paper, hot glue gun + a little fabric in any pattern you like!

1. Create your favorite shape using Elmer’s glue on a piece of wax paper- letters, hearts, stars + dots look amazing.
2. Cover the glue with your favorite glitter.
3. Let it dry over night then peel the glittery shape you created up slowly from the wax paper.
4. Add a cute fabric to the back to stabilize the shape and make it more durable.
5. Attach the bobby pin to the back with hot glue or craft glue.

These will be a great little addition to any hairstyle, particularly chignons!

hair

SETTING YOUR CURLS WITH SPONGE ROLLERS

photos/post/graphic design: Kristin Ess

How can you not love big bouncy curls… at least for those epic 20 minutes they typically last!? I know we all swoon and pin the hair we see in old photographs of Brigitte Bardot + Rita Hayworth, and even more modern manes via Victoria’s Secret and Gucci runways. They all share one voluminous secret– a good set. It’s something we rarely do anymore because we just can’t seem to find the time. The thing is, just like anything else in life, if you want that hair you’re gonna have to work for it. Here’s my favorite way to incorporate an old-fashioned roller set into a 2012 way of life: READ MORE…

hair

HALLOWEEN BEAUTY HELP (PART 2)

We’re back with a few more tutorial ideas that might help you pull together a beauty look for your costume! Good luck and be safe out there!

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