Tips On How To Make A French Plait Hollywood Style

If you are like me, you might remember your mum plaiting your hair for school when you were a small child - yes I remember some pretty embarrassing hairstyles, including the obligatory two plaits with ribbons. However, I totally approve of the new fashion for wearing plaits in our hair this season. The craze may have been started by Jennifer Aniston at the 2009 Oscars, but since then the style has been seen on many other celebs including Hayden Panettiere and Princess Beatrice.

The style may look pretty tricky, and you will probably have to practice once or twice before you get it perfect, but as long as your hair is at least three inches or around seven centimetres in length around the hairline, you should be able to create a hairline French plait or braid. You will need the following items before you start:

• Scrunchie or large hair band
• Comb
• Water spray
• Hair mousse or styling cream
• Hair grips/clips and small hair band

Here is how to create the look:

• Loosely tie back your hair behind your ears (leaving the section of hair in front of your ears and all around your front hairline free) using the scrunchie or large hair band.
• Using the water spray, dampen but don't soak the hair around your front hairline and comb out any tangles.
• Apply a golf-ball sized ball of mousse to the area to be styled, or if using styling cream, a smaller more appropriate amount.
• Now commence a plait or braid on your hairline where you want the plait to start. If you want to follow Jennifer's style then start the braid at the far left hand side of your forehead hairline. Divide this section of hair into three fairly slim strands and then do a left over centre strand and then right over centre strand as with a normal plait.
• Next working along your forehead hairline, left to right, with the next left over centre strand, pick up a small amount of hair directly underneath the left strand, and then do the same when working with the right strand by picking up a small amount of hair underneath this strand.
• Carry on working along your hair line in this way until you have plaited along your front hairline. Finish off the ends by plaiting them together normally and then secure them with the small hair band. Clip the end of your plait under your hair or behind your ear if it reaches.
• This style looks fabulous worn with the rest of your hair in loose waves, which you can create using your hair-straighteners. See the blog on "How To Create Perfect Waves With Your Hair Straighteners"

If You Have Dull, Brittle Hair With Split Ends Read On To Find Out How To Solve These Long Hair Problems.

I know lots of attractive women who have short hair and who look absolutely amazing, but this has never ended my love affair and fascination with having long hair. I have spent the last 10 years or so battling with the main problems you can have when you grow your hair long and sometimes when my hair is tangled after washing for a few seconds I think of running to the hairdresser and getting a short, short cut ... but this thought only lasts for a minute - I don't want to be parted from my long locks. However, I thought I would list here some of the problems with longer hair and a few of the remedies and cures that I have found helpful. I hope that they help you too if you have long hair or you are in the process of growing it.

How To Help and Repair Hair That Is Brittle and Dull

Firstly, if possible, cut down on the amount of chemical treatments you apply to your hair, such as colours or relaxing solutions for curly hair. Also try and let hair dry naturally and reduce the use of hair straighteners and curlers. However, if your hair is suffering already, you need to treat your hair to help it recover. Use a mild shampoo as infrequently as possible, sometimes even just rinsing your hair through in the shower in the morning if you wash your hair daily and then applying a rich conditioner. Ideally use a hot oil treatment at least twice a week as well.

How To Improve The Look Of Split Ends

It is not really possible to repair split ends - once they are split the only remedy is to have them trimmed off at the hairdresser. However, you can stop them becoming any worse and improve the look of them (they tend to look fuzzy) by applying a leave-in conditioner which will improve the condition of your unhappy hair. Split ends are caused in lots of ways, not just by hair being exposed to the elements such as sun and wind, but by combing hair when it is wet when it can stretch by up to 25%, or just by vigorous brushing which can disturb the hair cuticle.

How To Stop Your Hair Breaking Off

Hair breakage can have many causes, but one of the main ones is having a high peroxide or high tint colour applied to your roots month after month at the hairdressers - where the new colour seeps onto the already colour treated hair it can break off as it becomes extremely over-processed and weak. In addition, if you colour your hair and then clip it up or tie it back you can suffer breakage at the hairline where the hair is pulled away from the scalp, and also where the band or clips are fastening the hair. To avoid breakage, don't over-colour your hair, treat it gently, don't tie it up whilst sleeping and apply the best moisturising conditioner you can afford.

What To Do With Knotty And Tangled Hair

One of my pet hates is trying to get knots and tangles out of my hair even after it has been conditioned - of course using a wide tooth comb! There are specific detangling products available which can help, but the main causes of tangled hair are dry ends which need trimming or hair which has highlights or has been lightened by several shades.  This happens because over processing the hair with highlighting treatments causes the cuticle to become porous rather than smooth leading it to tangle easily.  Again a leave in conditioner which will temporarily smooth the cuticle is the answer to easier combing.

Tips On How To Get A Beautiful And Stylish Supermodel Fringe

Like many girls I know, I've had shoulder length hair for more years than I care to think about, but the last time I had a fringe - well it wasn't too much of a success. I had it styled at a very well known hairdressing salon (think of the initials "T" and "G") but it was just too trendy and totally did not suit me. At the time it was de rigueur to have a straight, very short, and block cut fringe above the eyebrows - now this may have worked for some catwalk supermodels, but on me - it just looked bizarre and out of place. I could not wait for it to grow out long enough so I could clip it up. Of course, whilst I had been at the hairdressers, I "aahhhed" and "oooohed" along with the stylist pretending that I was comfortable with this ultra-trendy image - and then cringed when I got home. Does anyone else feel familiar with this scenario... 

Anyway, I think that I may take the fringe plunge again soon, but having learned my lesson as above, I think I will be following the tips below which are courtesy of a certain British supermodel's hairstylist, and I don't think you can really go wrong (I hope..).

Supermodel Tips To Get The Perfect Fringe

• Keep your fringe a bit longer - nothing above the eyebrows please - as I found out to my cost - this is a very strong look which is hard to carry off.
• Beware of fringes if you have curly hair - a fringe that is relatively long when it is straight can become curly in damp weather and will spring up.
• When you go to the hairdresser speak to your stylist and ask them to leave the fringe slightly longer than you think you will want it - if you do need an extra few millimetres trimming off they should be happy for you to call back and many hairdressers will re-trim the fringe at no extra cost.
• The benefit of a fringe is that it can soften a look if perhaps you have a very high hairline or very strong features.
• A fringe can be very sexy if it styled right - with your fringe a little long, break it up using a little styling balm or spray and separate it into different sections. Use your fingers to break up the sections and keep them in place with a little hairspray.
• For more detailed hairstyling tips and tricks that can make the most of your hair and help you avoid any styling mishaps this book is highly recommended.

How To Get Shiny, Healthy And Beautiful Looking Hair Without Breaking The Bank

Now Spring time has definately sprung and the evenings are lengthening, there is nothing better than having a head of well looked after, shiny hair, that you know will look as good at the end of the evening as it did when you set out for work that morning. Forget about the hair sprays, gels and serums that can cost you serious pennies - there are lots of cost saving and natural ways to improve the health of your hair from the inside, and also simple treats to apply to your locks to give it extra shine and body.

What Gives Your Hair Shine on the Outside

• Hair has an outer protective barrier called a cuticle and this needs to be kept smooth to create shine.
• Imagine that the cuticle of your hair looks like a tiled roof, with the tiles all nice and flat - if something comes along and ruffles up those tiles such as rough towel drying, the tiled roof looses it neat appearance and shine.

How To Get Shiny Hair By Enhancing Your Diet

• Hair is made of keratin which is a form of protein so make sure that your include in your diet proteins such as lean meats, fish, beans, low fat dairy products and eggs.
• Also look to add to your diet brazil nuts, almonds - maybe add them to your morning cereal, along with flaxseeds. All of these are good sources of omega-3 fats, and they can increase your hair's shine over time - but be patient, it will take time, and it will be six months before you see the results but it will be worth it.

Giving Your Hair A Proper Deep Clean

• Use a clarifying shampoo every other wash to remove the residue of any hair products which can clog up your shine.
• Every week or so, add a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda (found on the baking aisle in the supermarket) to your shampoo, and this will froth up and give a deep clean to your hair and scalp.

Condition Your Hair With Something Yummy

• Hair gets dried out with sun, wind, air-conditioning and general styling so look for conditioners which contain shea butter or olive or avocado oil. These will moisturise your hair and fill in tiny cracks in the hair shaft.
• When buying a product such as a conditioner with a relatively expensive ingredient, such as shea butter, make sure you check what percentage of ingredient the product contains. Remember the nearer the beginning of the list of ingredients the product is - the higher the concentration.

Style Your Hair With Heated Products Only When Necessary To Retain Shine

• Each time you apply heated products to your hair, even with protector products, you are drying it out and creating damage, which will reduce the shine.
• If you can get a great haircut, the styling by the hairdresser will reduce the amount of styling you need to do each day, saving you time, money on products and also saving your hair!

What To Look For This Spring In Floral Designs - Flower Power Is Still Number One!

Floral patterns from pretty rosebuds to oversize bright flowery designs are still new and fresh for this spring as can be seen from the new season lines that are shooting up in the high-street stores - and which were preceded by the spring-summer fashion shows.

However, after several months of winter dressing, sometimes a helping hand is needed for the transition to spring-wear, especially where bright colours and vivid patterns are involved. No worries, however, as following a few simple tips will help you easily build colour and freshness into your wardrobe.

• The easiest way to bring colour to your life is to look for a blouse or top that you love in a frilled, floral design, and then team this with some really casual jeans and sandals for a laid-back look.
• The prettiest way to wear floral is either a sun-dress or tea-dress in a retro floral fabric. Wear this with tiny pearl beads at the neck and wrist and wedge sandals or espadrilles and look super-girly.
• Look for pretty fabric corsages that can be pinned to a vest or t-shirt, which match one of your other accessories or garments for a quick and easy floral-girly hit.
• Similarly, flower jewellery adds a feminine touch to even a plain outfit, look for sterling silver and semi-precious or murano glass flower jewellery.
• Shoulder bags can be glammed-up and brighten up a spring outfit when made from fabrics which incorporate floral patterns and designs.
• Hair accessories are great - use combs or slides decorated with flowers to pin up your hair into a super cool chignon.

What's your favourite floral item and why do you like it - let us know.