Heat Protector!

If there's one thing that I've learnt since training to be a hair stylist, it's the importance of heat protector.
I've never been someone who really bothered with it before, I just assumed it was a bit of pointless product mainly sold as an extra way of making money. I was very wrong!
Heat protector does exactly what it says on the tin, it protects your hair from heat by putting a protective coating over the hair, it also reduces friction in your hair so helps create a nice shiny smooth finish. Like sun protector for your hair!

Here is a fab quick test to see how a heat protector actually works - it really opens your eyes I think!

• Spray some heat protector onto the top of one hand, rub it in and leave to dry for a few seconds
• With your hairdryer on its highest temperature, blow hot air onto both the hand with the protector on and the hand without
• Count how long you can cope with the hot air on each hand, I've found that I can handle the heat for about double the time with heat protector.

How good is that?
I've tried it with two different brands so far, a Wella one we use in the salon, and a superdrug own brand I had lying around the house. I have to say neither of them seemed to be better or worse than the other, and both of them allowed me to bare the heat for twice as long as the hand without any product.
So don't worry about splashing out on a really expensive brand and sending your bank account into dispair, if you haven't been using a heat protector when styling your hair, now is the time to try it out!
Try the test out for yourself and let me know if you've found any stand out products!

Test shoot, behind the scenes

As I've already mentioned, I've been doing a little bit of session styling for a local photography studio, just for some test shots for the models.
I thought I'd share my very first attempts with you - I need a lot more experience, but that will come with practice, but for a beginner, I was rather pleased with the outcome. I'm still waiting on the pictures, but in the mean time, here's some behind the scenes snaps I took with my phone:

  

The makeup was done before the hair, so I went for a strong up do Top Knot to match, I think it gives an oriental feel to the whole look 

 

 In session, photographer was taking shots from shoulders up

 

 Very Curly Mohawk - look requested by model

 In session, curly mohawk flows over the cheekbone.

The brief I was given was "Big and Wild" 

I wanted to make the blonde mohawk much bigger with more height, but the model was doing a nursery run straight afterwards, and as it was just a test shoot, we decided to keep it a bit softer. I still think it works, just not as wild as the original plan. I think these pictures will be a nice contrast to the stronger look of the other model

I struggled with the dark hair, as the model had been out the night before and not washed her hair before the shoot, so I was limited in what I could do. Wearing it down was just not an option but I loved the almost "cone" like top knot I decided on, I really think it tied the makeup in, and the model really went for eery poses infront of the camera. Hopefully it will all transmit in the final photos and look as good as I'm expecting!

It was all good practice but definately highlighted my lack of experience!

I'll get the final pictures up soon!

Turquoise hair

Well, after mentioning i'd like to try turquoise hair I thought I'd look up some images for a bit of inspiration,

Here are some of my favourite:

 another curly mohawk - must be my current favourite style!

I love the matching nails and the clashing hair bows *swoon*

They remind me of mermaids or My Little Pony, I'm a long way off being able to go turquoise yet as my cerise pink is still very vibrant, but I think a little bit of research and inspiration is always useful, especially when like me, you have to pre-lighten your hair to reach a shade, the last thing I'd want is to decide I didn't think you'd like it after a bleaching process, my poor hair!

What do you think? Would you dare to go turquoise? I'd love to see what colour you've been or would like to be!

Hairy Mary's introduction to all things Hairy!

So, I've been training to be a hairstylist since the beginning of the year, not long, but enough time to know I love it - some of it at least - blow drying can be really boring! I'm been extremely lucky to be able to say I'm training with Liverpools top salon, Voodou.

In the mean time I've managed to sneak into the world of session styling! It's quite scary and i'm learning new things as I go on, but hopefully I'll have some pictures from the shoots to show you soon!
While I was there they convinced me to have a little go in front of the camera, it was my first time and as it was just for a bit of fun I thought I'd give it a go.

I've had some of my pictures back already, I'm quite pleased with them, you can tell I've never done this before, but it was a great experience!

 

Photography : Stephen James-Photography

MUA :  KAHO Makeup

Hair: I did the hair myself, curly mohawk - curled with hot rollers, and combed and pinned into a mohawk - my hairs a layered above shoulder bob - if you'd like how to, just let me know!

 The colour is Cerise by La riche Directions, I love this brand so expect a lot of posts involving them. I left it on a little longer than I intented, but I think the results are extremely vibrant - its been on for 3 weeks with very little fade - each wash seems to make it more vibrant rather than dull looking,definately a favourite.

I'm hoping to get a few how to's up for colouring with directions dyes, I know I could never find much info on the shade I wanted to go for, because people don't always let you know what colour they were when they put the new one on, so hopefully they'll help someone!

I'm thinking about changing to a turquoise shade once this fades, what do you think?