I’d call a truce over this one…

Whilst she might still remain one of my many arch nemeses I have been absolutely in love with this style since I first saw this picture. What’s not to love? It’s a super feminine twist on a usually lackluster ponytail. But if you’re like me and are a buffoon with a bouffant there’s always an alternative.

For a look that’s perky and chic style hair as normal, tie back and gently wrap small sections of hair in a hair curler. For a super prep vibe, tie your hair with a small ribbon, personally, I’m a big fan of lace – nothing is sexier than lace!  Or just wrap a strand of hair around the band and secure it in the back with a bobby pin and there you have it.

Wall of Fame and Shame: Fringe Edition

Wall of Fame

There’s one cut more than any that strikes fear in the heart of the masses – the fringe. Sure, pretty much anyone can do a side fringe but a full fringe can truly be a cruel hearted bitch.

I was always told that my face could never, under any circumstance could do a fringe, but anyone who knows me will know that I won’t listen to reason when I have my own opinion about something. Fortunately, it did work for me.

Once considered a cut for five year olds and people with high forwards the fringe is one style we see coming back year after year.

So you’re taking the plunge but what now? Do you want it blunt or chipped into? Long or short? Personally, I like my fringe long and chipped into, like Jennifer Lopez (above) with a look this sultry how could you go wrong?

Sadly, for as many of those who do get it right, like my lovely ladies on my Fringe Wall of Fame (above) there are just as many who get it wrong.

Generally, I don’t like fringes to be too blunt. I think it can be harsh and make it look like a strategically carved coconut helmet, a look that is so last year nor do I like a fringe that is super short, maybe I’m just biased because my white girl afro needs to be a certain length to run my straightener through it but I digress, so here’s some of the worst offenders…

Wall of Shame

P.S How AMAZING are Katy Perry’s eyebrows?

.There’s one cut more than any that strikes fear in the heart of the masses – the fringe. Sure, pretty much anyone can do a side fringe but a full fringe can truly be a cruel hearted bitch.

I was always told that my face could never, under any circumstance could do a fringe, but anyone who knows me will know that I won’t listen to reason when I have my own opinion about something. Fortunately, it did work for me.

Once considered a cut for five year olds and people with high forwards the fringe is one style we see coming back year after year.

So you’re taking the plunge but what now? Do you want it blunt or chipped into? Long or short? Personally, I like my fringe long and chipped into, like Jennifer Lopez (above) with a look this sultry how could you go wrong?

Sadly, for as many of those who do get it right, like my lovely ladies on my Fringe Wall of Fame (above) there are just as many who get it wrong.

Generally, I don’t like fringes to be too blunt. I think it can be harsh and make it look like a strategically carved coconut helmet, a look that is so last year nor do I like a fringe that is super short, maybe I’m just biased because my white girl afro needs to be a certain length to run my straightener through it but I digress, so here’s some of the worst offenders…

It’s like World War III in here!

There’s something which never ceases to amaze and confuse me, hair straighteners. Really, they are a gift from the hair gods above – especially on bad hair days but for anyone who’s actually been shopping for one of these magic wands the amount of buzz words around them are a little excessive.

We all know about GHD’s, pretty much the iPod of the hair straightening world but is it really THAT great? I myself have one, sure it is in fact GORGEOUS but does it deliver? Honestly, mostly yes but with my white girl afro even with the best serums, straighteners and hair spray it’s about 3 hours until it starts getting a wave to it. With it’s curved edges along the plates it enables you to curl your hair as well. 2 products in one? Super check! Although this may be a bit tricky at first with the amount of youtube tutorial videos there are avaliable you’ll be a pro in no time! Sleep mode? Check. I don’t know about you but there are times when I forget I’ve left my straightener on. Luckily for me this little lamb can turn itself off after 30 minutes if unattended. One of the downsides with the GHD is that the temperature control is automatic meaning you can’t turn it up or down to adjust it to your personal needs. And now finally the plates, I’m sure you’ve heard it all from ceramic tourmaline, GHD’s boast to have “Advanced ceramic heaters and aluminium plates” which I’m pretty sure would mean nothing to a lot of people. Essentially, it’s to help lock in your hairs natural moisture, making your locks sleek and luscious as well as to protect your hair from excessive damage.

How many of you have bought a straightener with ceramic coated plates? Let me tell you this, as soon as the coating wears off you’ll be tugging and pulling your hair out with that thing. Not pretty and definitely not a good look.

But this technology really isn’t anything new, so what about ionic straighteners? It kind of sounds like something from Star Trek doesn’t it?

Maybe it’s how scientific it sounds but when you hear about the Bio-Ionic Straightener you really just want to put all your eggs in that basket. Containing “Natural Ion Complex™ (a blend of 32 natural-occurring minerals” their straighteners use a whole heck of science to explain why their straighteners are just so DAMNED good.

Available in multiple styles you still have the option of getting a straightener with a curved edge or “floating plates” as it’s sometimes called so you can curl, straighten and glam yourself up to your heart’s content.

What about the cheaper alternatives? I know from working in salons that just because something is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be better and I would never recommend something I haven’t used myself so let’s go through a couple more cheaper alternatives.

Silver Bullet. I have no beef with this brand, sure it gave me the worst burn ever, I walked home with my thumb in a bottle of water – not joking, but performance wise I really can’t say anything bad. It heats up relatively fast, you can get some with curved edges so you can curl. Rest assured that it can play with the big kids like GHD and Bio-Ionic.

Remington. For a straightener you can get anywhere – coles, K-Mart, Target etc; I’ve used a couple different straighteners that Remington have brought out, I personally have never been overly impressed with them but if you’re just starting out using straighteners and don’t want to shell out $300 just yet, then this might be a good TEMPORARY straightener for you.

Some straighteners offer a “wet to straight” option, I’m not really a fan of this. After my first attempt I vowed never to do it again. As if the image of steam coming off your hair isn’t bad enough there can be a horrible hissing sound, all in all not very re-assuring is it? And not to mention the steam burns. Ouch.

Regardless of how much you spend in a straightener if you’re not using  some form of heat protection you’re going to damage those lovely locks of yours. But have you seen how many choices there are out there? So I’m going to share with you one of my own personal favourites and something that I use regularly.

Redken Iron Silk 07

I LOVE this product. It’s been on my bathroom window sill for a few months now and I doubt it will be being replaced anytime soon. Lovely packaging, soft scent and it actually works! Redken is a little high in price but for something that works and lasts and I would definitely look into this.

Hair gods, if you’re there, it’s me La Petite Mademoiselle

Now before you get any crazy ideas, I’m not a Miley Cyrus fan, I’m ECSTATIC that this new album will be her last because she wants to focus on her acting career. More power to her, providing I don’t have to see it. But can I just say how much I love her colour? Like wow-eeeee?

I’d like this colour now please, alright?And kind of that dress. I’ll pass on the shoes though.

Thanks.

P.S. Hayden Panttiere did it too. So yeah, I’m sold.

Is it just me or is it uncannily similar to LiLo’s old colouring? You know before the crack and the bleach?