Archive for the ‘hair’ category

Tip: Losing That Freshly Dyed Pong

May 6th, 2010

Some hair dyes tend to leave a bit of a stench in their wake (not looking at anyone in particular Clairol Nice ‘N Easy). A simple way to get rid of it is with an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse:

  1. Wash out your hair colour as usual.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of ACV to a large glass of water and pour over your hair. Give it a bit of a smoosh about and then rinse out.
  3. Condition your hair.

Done! ACV makes a great rinse any time for clarifying your hair and leaving it nice and shiny. And as long as you use it after shampooing and before conditioning, you won’t end up smelling like salad dressing.

Wild about Wildilocks

April 11th, 2010

There’s a new hair salon in town, and it’s rather special. Wildilocks is from Australia originally, but now they’ve opened up a branch at 225 Cuba Street (where Eyeball Kicks used to be – don’t worry, Eyeball Kicks is still around). As well as being a salon, Wildilocks also sells clothes, accessories and hair products. As you can see from the listings on their webstore, they’ve got a particular focus on the gothy-ravey-steam punky aesthetic, so if you’re after oversize goggles or Special FX hair dye, this is the place you want to go.

I’m particularly intrigued by their pricing structure – you pay per hour (billed in quarter hour increments), with stylists ranging from $55 to $85, depending on their expertise. Another awesome service they offer? Vintage hair dos! I was lucky enough to get to model for them as Dom and Charlotte were trained by Kat from Australia, and the Victory Rolls I got were seriously awesome. Photos are after the jump.

» Read more: Wild about Wildilocks

Advice from a curly girl

December 10th, 2009

MeganWegan has the best hair ever – curly and bobbed with lots of shine and moxy. But it’s been a rough road for her. Here’s the story of her hair and advice for curly girls everywhere…

megan

When I was about ten, a girl asked me if my hair was a wig. Looking back, I can see why she did that, my hair was this horrible, curly, coarse, mousey mullet. And that stuck with me. I hated my curls. I pined for the hair I had as a child, wavey, glossy, blond locks. I was cute!

So, from the age of 13, when I grew out the mullet (and no, there exists no photos of that period of my life) til the age of 30, I had the same hair. It was varying lengths, and a multitude of colours, but it was almost always the same shape, and always always could be tied into a ponytail. I rarely wore my hair out, because it was too annoying, and too frizzy.

And then. Then I found Erin. I had been to Erin, at Glory a few times already, so I knew I trusted her. I knew I liked her. Not only did she like my curls, she knew how to cut them. And then one day I was sick of my hair. Horribly sick of it. And she said the magic words: “How do you feel about a shaggy bob?” And I felt excellent about that.

Until, that is, I saw exactly how much length she was taking off. More than half my hair. I’d no longer have the security of a bad hair day ponytail. I’d have to do it every morning, instead of just chucking it up. I had a fringe.

But here’s the thing. It’s so easy. It takes maybe five minutes longer than putting it up. Because it is cut for my curls, not in spite of them. It’s not a picture I saw in a magazine, that I wanted, that is impossible. I grew it longer for my friend’s wedding recently, and hated it. And it made me lazy, because I just could put it up again.

I spent 20 years buying expensive product. I don’t have to any more. I love Paul Mitchell Round Trip, but when I run out, I use a supermarket mousse, and it is fine.

So, ladies, the key is a good hairdresser. One who you trust, who understands your hair, and who will make you take risks. This is good advice for anyone, but especially for those of us with curly hair, because lots of hairdressers don’t get it. It took 30 years, it could have gone horribly wrong, but I finally love my curls.

In the news: The curly hair gene

December 8th, 2009

BackBlondeCurlyHairSmallApparently only 15% of Europeans have curly hair like me. Yet the chances of inheriting curly hair is 90%. I don’t quite get how that works.

But anyway, finally scientists have found the gene responsible for curls. Which means they can more accurately profile crims from DNA samples, AND create new treatments for straightening curly hair that don’t involve heat.

The article seems to assume nobody wants curly hair. That’s pretty mean. But I’m not really one to comment, as someone who has fought my curls all my life.

Read the article here (from the telegraph.co.uk).

PS I did a little google-ing and one of the scientists involved is a Kiwi girl. Still can’t make sense of the percentages though.

Redken Shampoo Amnesty

November 13th, 2009

Have you noticed these signs outside hair salons recently? Looks like a pretty good deal. I can recommend Redken Fresh Curls.

SHAMPOO AMNESTY


TRADE IN YOUR


SUPERMARKET SHAMPOO OR


CONDITIONER TO RECEIVE


$10.00 OFF


A REDKEN PROFESSIONAL


SHAMPOO OR CONDITIONER*


*Limit two products, terms and conditions apply, see in salon for detail

Review: Dry shampoo. That’s right, dry shampoo!

October 12th, 2009

We’ve had a fair amount of discussion here at ppp on greasy hair and I’ve collected a few great tips. I have a fringe and don’t like washing my hair that often so I now wash my fringe separately (instead of washing my whole head); pin back my bangs over night so my forehead doesn’t grease it up; and have talc at the ready.

batiste tropicalBut life has changed for me somewhat, having discovered Batiste Dry Shampoo. It really is like a shampoo in a can.

The idea is that you spray the can at your hair, just like you would with hairspray, wait a moment and then brush. Perfect for between washes and emergencies.

It sprays a fine powder that absorbs the grease immediately and leaves hair feeling soft, clean and completely degreased.

And it’s great for curly-haired girls like me. I spend ages straightening my hair and usually wet hair products ruin my straightening. But since this is a dry product I can spray it any time and my hair will remain straight.

I use it on just my fringe, or all my hair depending. And I love it. I bought the one with the tropical fragrance and it smells devine.

You can by it from Radius Pharmacy and probably others. It’s about $20 for a big can, but if you want to try it before investing in the big can, a mini-can only costs $9 and is the perfect size for handbags.

And the winner is….

October 10th, 2009

Thanks for all your entries in the Super Stick hair remover comp. You guys came up with so many awesome characters with moustaches. But there can only be one winner…

Tania!

Tania, congratulations and I’ll email you shortly to get your delivery address off you.

btw, I generated the winner by picking a number from random.org.

Another amazing giveaway

September 29th, 2009

superstickRemember my review of the amazing, hair removing spring called Super Stick? Well, the trademe seller I bought it off sent me a second one to give away to you guys! Thanks Lin-2006!!!(I recommend lin-2006 as a trademe seller btw, they were really nice and fast.)

So anyway, to win one of these Super Sticks just leave a comment on this post telling me who your favourite mustachioed character is.

I will draw the winner on 10th October.

Entries from NZ only please (I can’t afford overseas shipping).

Tousled locks

August 20th, 2009

tossled

I watched this vid and tried it myself. It’s brilliant. I have curly, frizzy hair and I normally pull and tug  my hair straight when I blow dry. But this technique is much gentler and leaves my hair much softer and bouncier.

I didn’t use hot curlers as shown in the vid, and instead used a smaller radius brush at the end to add a few tighter curls. The tip about apply the hair spray before doing the tighter curls is a good one. If you spray after creating a curl, while hair is still warm, the curl tends to fall out…in my experience anyway.

Vintage Clothing Extravaganza this weekend!

July 24th, 2009

You no doubt know that we love us some dressing up and vintageness, ala Amy’s 30th, so we were quite stoked to receive this from Kylie:

Vintage Clothing Extravaganza this weekend!

This Sunday 26th July 1pm onwards at the Kelburn Church Hall, 81 Upland Road
Do you want to look the part but don’t know how? Are you looking for inspiration? Do you need some new threads? Then this event is for you!

Join two of our resident vintage gurus Amy Jansen-Leen and Ness Kirkham as we step back in time to educate you on the vintage world of style from the 1920’s jazz age through to 1940’s wartime. We will cover fashion, make-up advice and hairstyling tips for both men and women and everyone will receive a booklet to take home to refer to.

Shopping galore!
We have well over a hundred pairs of shoes for sale from $5-30, several racks of vintage and vintage inspired clothes from $5-80 and lots of accessories catering for both ladies and gentlemen so make sure you bring plenty of cash along (or visit the ATM down the road before you arrive)  as it is CASH SALES ONLY!

Order of proceedings:
1pm – Ladies to be seated, styling session to commence
2.30pm – Ladies shopping session with Amy and Ness on hand for advice
3.30pm – Gentlemen to join us as we break for afternoon tea
(everyone to bring a pretty plate of savoury or sweet nibbles for the table)
4pm – Gents styling session
4.45pm – Gents shopping session with Amy and Ness on hand for advice
5.45pm – Curtains close on ‘The Extravaganza!’

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the door (limited ticket availability on the day) and can be purchased in class or reserved by emailing vanessakirkham@hotmail.com or calling 021 345 716. Friends, family or colleagues interested in the era are very welcome to join us.

On behalf of the Full Swing Team “)
www.fullswing.co.nz

If you’re going along, do let us know how it went, please.