Doll Hair Care Twiddle Stic Review

As promised here is my first review on Doll Hair's curling innovation, the Twiddle Stic. I bought these at the resent Pro-hair Live and have been dying to find the right project to use them.
I was asked late last night if I could help on a Harlequin themed body paint shoot, and I knew immediately that this was the perfect opportunity to give them their first use!

It was a very long day, myself and the MUA Topaz Diable (what an amazing name!) worked really hard to get the right result, but I think the results are really great considering I hadn't even taken them out of the box before today!

Here is a candid photo, but there will be professional ones ready very soon...

The back of the head shot is before I seperated the curls, when I did do this I decided to keep them quite defined though I could have really broken them up to create a more afro type look.

I decided to use the smallest of the Stic's (Twisted Tallulah) as I knew I wanted the tightest curl possible, and started at the nape and worked my way up. As I got higher up the head I definately had developed a knack, after initially struggling to get the curl right to the end.
The website says to "Wrap, twiddle and slide"
Step one being to take your section of hair, and twist it round the stic, I wrapped the hair with my left hand whilst holding the stic, along with the straightening irons in my right hand round and then pushed the hair together so it was in a tight coil, and kept hold of the stic and the ends of the hair with my left hand.

Step two, twiddle, using my straighteners, I gently clamped the hair and literally just flicked my wrist up and down, which moved the twiddle stic back and forth, and made sure I heated the whole coil - now for the tricky bit, the ends  - I thought on and wore a heat proof glove, but with practice I probably wouldn't need it (better safe than sorry though ouch) As you approach the end of the hair, I found rolling the stic round, like you are loosing a screw so the hair follows it, whilst still keeping the straighteners gently clamped was the best method.
Initially I was twiddling the straighteners, clamping and unclamping as I went, this was not the quickest method, created a slightly frizzy result, and gave more of a zig zag than a curled result. Twiddling the stic ensures even heat distribution and a shinier healthier curl - which when using the larger sizes would be more important.

Step Three, slide, as simple as it sounds, gently slide the hair coil off the Stic, and leave to set. The hair actually doesn't get very hot at all and the Doll website does state:

"When a straightening iron, curling wand or tong is used directly on hair, they transmit intense heat that removes moisture which can damage hair. The Doll TwiddleStic’s unique CoolCurl™ heat absorbing technology instantly absorbs the heat applied to the hair from the iron, helping to keep the moisture content and cooling the hair while it curls - creating long lasting curls in excellent condition"

 Before using the Twiddle Stics, as impressed as I was with the curl, I did think that this was a bit of an exaggeration but I know when using my straighteners on their own, hair can sometimes feel too hot to hold for a few seconds, I've definately felt the burn on my neck from my own hair, so I really did notice that the coils were noticably cool.

I was picking quite small sections at a time, but actually, once I had seperated the coils into the curls I wanted, I definatly could have saved a lot of time by taking bigger sections and still achieved the same results.

All in all, after initially struggling with curling right to the end I was really impressed with the results, and more importantly so was the MUA who had organised the shoot for her own portfolio. They definately take some practice, so don't give up too quickly, but if like me you start at the bottom and work your way up, you'll be a pro by the time you get to an area that needs to be done properly!

Oh before I forget, I achieved these curls on freshly washed hair with no product used at all, at Pro hair Live, when I was given a demonstration by Gary Sunderland - the creative mind behind Doll hair care, he was very clear when he told me product would cause a build up, so on his advice I didnt use anything on it at all, and trust me, our model Sally will only be getting rid of her afro when she washes it out!
(However, I did spy that he had some top secret products on him - that he wasn't using - but I imagine he is developing some fab products to use with either the twiddlestic's or some of Dolls other range - his straighteners have a handle on, which I really need in my life, next thing on my list)

I will add the final images once the photographer has edited them, we're hoping for a "puppet-esc" haunted outlook!


*I purchased the twiddlestics with my own money and these views are my own*

ProHair Live

I was at hair show ProHair Live in Manchester this weekend,

there were some really great shows from the main stand, creative and bridal for loads of inspiration, I was there all day and still missed out on loads of shows - if only I could be in several places at once!

Here are just a few pictures from the day:

 Beautiful colour and curls

 taking hair to new heights

 chic and classy

 hair "tattoos" - really inspired by patterns after seeing some fab colours on patterns

 

 look at that orange...and I can't end without showing you a mohawk style!

I got some great products to try, I wanted loads more but it would be far too easy to buy everything that was on offer. I went there wanting some new curling options, which I got, so i'm pleased I stayed very sensible!

Some products I will be trying and blogging very soon include:

Quif - Blast creative colour - as a La Riche directions colour user, i'll really have to be wowed

Tiddlestics by Doll (planning a photoshoot based on their own campaign, i'm really excited about these)

Curlformers by Hairflair - an innovative way to curl hair with minimal effort and minimal heat 

 * These companies have not paid me to review their products, I have paid for these products myself and the reviews will be my own views*

I can't wait to go to another show!

Oxfam Spectacular

On saturday I was one of the "models", along with my fiancee for the Oxfam Spectacular in Liverpool, there was a vintage catwalk and performances from the beautiful Mimi Amore, Kitty Kimono and Renee Boudoir.
I've never done anything like this before so I really was nervous!
There were 8 girls, including myself who I had to do hair for, but with two hours til show time, and the only two plugs being used to heat the freezing cold room we were in, and no other hairstylists turning up, it just wasn't possible to do the vintage hairstyles I had planned.
We sacrificed one heater to allow me to try to work some magic using GHD's to curl. 3 of the models did their own hair too, which was really helpful.
The catwalk got delayed by half an hour too, so by the time they were ready for us to go on, we had been in a freezing cold room for 3 hours.
My shoes were huge platforms, and whilst usually very comfy and easy to walk in, when you can't feel your toes, they become your worst nightmare...
The show was based in a rickity old building and the floor was very uneven, sadly with frozen toes and inappropriate shoes, I was that dodgy model who stumbled through her walk! *Red face*
It happened at the very beginning of the walk, and whilst I didn't fall, I really did wobble for several steps! Thankfully I composed myself and finished the walk with a smile!
There was an interval for the burlesque dancers to perform whilst we changed for the second walk, where I borrowed a different pair of shoes and tried to warm my poor toes up!
The second walk was much better, and the dress was gorgeous, then it was a super quick change into the third and final outfit and a race to get back up the stairs before our turn!
Aside from my stumble, which really knocked my confidence, it was really fun, the other models were really fun and we had a good giggle.
Sadly we couldn't stay for the final burlesque show as my lovely mum was looking after our two boys, and my youngest - Ezra who is 8months, became poorly during the evening so we had to rush back to check on him. (He's fine by the way, just a little virus)

All in all it was a nice day, I tried something new, I did some hair and I met some great people, hopefully will have some pictures to share soon, but in the mean time, here's one of me in outfit one (and those naughty shoes just out of shot...)

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?