Hair conditioner myths and half-truths

Whatever your hair type, conditioner can add lustre to your locks.

Hair conditioner is a surprisingly recent addition to the standard beauty product range, but its quality and effects have improved radically since it was introduced, and it's now an essential for most women – and many men, too. Its benefits include strengthening hair and leaving it softer, shinier and easier to manage. According to Dr Steve Shiel of Pantene, conditioner protects and repairs and, regardless of hair type, anyone with hair over 10 centimetres long can benefit from using it.

Some myths and half-truths persist, however, that make some people reluctant to use conditioner, claiming that they don't like the effect it has on their hair. Shiel suggests that many of the people who say hair conditioner leaves their hair feeling dull or lank have not given the newer products a chance, or are simply using the conditioner incorrectly. In fact, modern hair conditioners are designed specifically to increase the feeling of lightness, and their main objective is to leave hair softer, shinier and sleeker by reducing static build-up.

The way in which the conditioner is applied is absolutely key to achieving these results. Typically, the roots of the hair do not need extra conditioning, so the product should be applied from half-way down the hair shaft and extended downwards to the tips. The quantity used is important, too, with the tendency being to use too much. Exactly how much you need will depend on a number of factors – the length of your hair, how dry it is, how often you condition, and even the type of conditioner you use – but a dollop the size of a walnut should be plenty.

So, with that in mind, let's take a look at four basic myths:

• “After conditioning, my hair feels greasy”
  As long as we apply the product correctly – from mid-way down the shaft and downwards to the tip, avoiding the roots – the effect will be to moisturise the needy zones, not over-moisturise the areas of hair that don't need it.
• “Conditioning leaves my hair flat with no volume”
  Make sure you're using the right type of conditioner for the effect you want to achieve. There is a wide variety of products on the market, so choose the one that's appropriate depending on whether you want your hair to look sleeker, to define the curls or give body and volume etc.
• “You only need to use conditioner on damaged hair”
  Conditioner certainly has a restorative function, so should be used on coloured and damaged hair, but it also has a preventative function and helps protect from external factors that can cause damage – the weather, aggressive hair treatments, the hair dryer... As always, prevention is better than cure.
• “Conditioner takes the shine away”
  One of the things that conditioner will do, if applied correctly, is to close the hair cuticle – the outer layer of the hair – and make it smoother. This makes the surface sleeker and more reflective, meaning that your hair should look brighter and shinier.

Straight talk about hair irons

Whether you call them flat irons or straighteners, many women find these gadgets an essential element in their beauty toolkit. Hair irons have been around for over a century but in recent years there have been many technological advances and improvements.

In the past, lack of temperature control and the use of low-grade materials meant anyone who aspired to straighter hair put their locks at risk with each use. Now, however, most hair irons are made of ceramic, which experts agree gives better results as well as being much gentler on the hair. The secret lies in the fact that temperature is more easily controlled and heat more evenly distributed. It's worth spending a little more for better quality hair irons with ceramic heating elements rather than a cheaper model that has a coating that only looks like ceramic and that will wear off quickly.

Even with modern technology, you need to be wary just how often you use a straightener, but by following our suggestions, you should get the best results.

• Unless the model you are using specifically says it is suitable for wet hair, only use a flat iron on completely dry hair.
• Wash your hair and apply conditioner – the straightening process is tough on your locks, so they're going to need nourishing to compensate.
• If you use a hair dryer, you can start the process at this stage by encouraging your hair into the straight style you are aiming for while you blow it dry.
• Once dry, divide your hair into small thin sections and work on each in turn, making sure each strand is tangle-free before you straighten it.
• You may not need to actually straighten every single section. Carefully choosing which sections to treat may be sufficient to reduce the frizz and will have a less damaging effect in the long term.
• As you slide the iron down the shaft of the hair from the roots towards the ends, you shouldn't stop, but should cover the whole length in one smooth movement. Jerky movements will tend to open the hair cuticle and take the shine out of your hair.
• Remember that moisture will make your barnet frizz again, so carry an umbrella and don't expect the effect to last in humid atmospheres.


Note that any heat treatment has a tendency to weaken the hair, which makes it more brittle and difficult to comb. There are heat protection products available which you should be using if you often use hair driers, curling tongs and flat irons on your hair.

Redhead: red hair color women's hair trend

When I penned Fashionising.com's bible of hair trends for 2011 I promised one more addition to the list of 2011 hair colours. Why? I did so not because of looming deadlines, but because this particular colour trend deserved it very own article.

For the past decade century, you see, most of the fashion industry has been obsessed with blondes. Be it on models or on A listers, blondes are reputed to have more fun. Make no mistake, blonde hair isn't going anywhere with 2011 seeing both peroxide blonde and golden blonde as 'on trend'. But with the end of the 2000s and the start of the next decade it's time for the blonde bombshell to make way.
Introducing the redhead bombshell.

Picking a hair colour for 2011

I've alluded to this before, but now let me put pen to paper, or at least fingers to keyboard, and come out and say it. Every year Fashionising.com works hard to provide you with inspiration for the year's trends, hence we're currently putting together the take on 2011's hairstyles and 2011's fashion trends. But hairstyles are only a part of the equation; another part is made up by the year's haircuts and another its hair colors. And what will they be, might you ask?

Fairest of them all

As the fashion weeks roll on we expect to see many a variation on Abbey Lee Kershaw's blonde hair. Spotted with her shoulder-length bob worn sleek and with a side-part, we can't help but love both the colour and style on Abbey - and we have little doubt they'll be on the 2011 hair trends list.

Lily Allen's new short hairstyle

Taking her cues from Kate Moss' short hairstyle, Lily Allen has joined the ever-growing list of stars sporting the bob hair trend. Lily's chin-length bob with side fringe has been cut with layering to create a textured look.

Thanks to the likes of Miss Moss, the bob in its various forms is likely to carry on as a 2009 trend, though those daring enough might opt instead for the pixie crop.

How to create the waved bob

We caught up with ghd at the 2011 AFI Awards as they created a beachy wave on actress Caitlin Stasey. Here are the steps from Heading Out Hair's Caterina DiBiase, working exclusively with ghd, for how you can recreate the style.

1. Work in ghd Maximise Mousse all through the hair, then dry in.
2. Section off the hair then use your ghd Salon Styler to create some loose, semi-curls (they need to have bend, but not be fully curly). Start curling a few inches down from the roots.
3. Spray the hair with ghd Sea Spray to create a relaxed, beachy texture.
4. Finally, blast the hair with a hair dryer to break it up.

The key to the look in 2011 is not to overdo the curls - the more relaxed and understated, the better.

Waved bob hairstyle

As the longer bob creeps its way into our 2011 hair trends guide, the question starts to arise: if you go down the path of a shoulder-length bob, how do you keep it interesting and varied? Most of the examples we've seen have leaned to straight, or with a modern take on the 70s-glam blow wave. But here's another trend that's arising as a result of 2011's shoulder-scraping cut: the waved bob.

2011 hair trends: 2011 hairstyles for women

The year marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2011's fashion trends are all about revival. True, there is a unique undertone of a modernist style appearing, but take some of the most iconic styles of the 20th century, infuse them with quality, and you'll find the basis for the dominant styles of 2011.

The year's hair trends are no different. For fashionisers in 2011, hair is all about revivals and evolution. With styles and colours we're seeing the best of 2010 reborn, whereas cuts are offering reworked and luxurious revivals of styles that sit perfectly with the year's clothing trends.

2011 Hairstyle Fashion, Bridal Hair Jewelry Fashion 2011

Bridal Hair Style

Bridal Hair Jewelry Fashion 2011, Hair comes the bride was named “One of the best” at InStyle Hair Jewelry! Our hair accessories are high quality, modern design.    Most of our parts in stock and ship right now!

If you are looking for a simple bridal hair jewellery for your beach wedding, the princess tiara for your black tie event or a silk flower hair    court case, we are fulfilling one of the largest selection of wedding accessories.

Hair how to: double hair knot

Of all the 2011 hairstyles we've featured to date none has struck a chord quite as much as the double knot hairstyle - its effortless look impressing many a fashioniser.
When I first penned our guide to the trend we included a brief summary detailing how the style had been created on the catwalk, but asked our readers to let us know if they wanted something more detailed. Well, you asked and we have again put pen to paper.
Read on for the full how to, and don't forget that if you'd like to keep up to date with all the latest hair and fashion trends .

The confidence cut for 2011

I'm still looking for the perfect term to describe this cut of suit. At first I'd termed it the flair cut, but it took only a moment to realise that that would imply that I was advocating a return to flared trousers and suits. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead flair was meant to describe the extra, potentially overt, details it has; this is a cut of suit for a gent who can comfortably wear those extra little details that Joe Average generally lacks the confidence to wear out of fear of derision.
So for those of you who are looking for that extra something, both in their clothing and in their life, I proffer up the (potentially temporarily named) confidence cut. As with all fashionable men's suits for 2011 and 2012 it's cut that's about the male physique and the revival of classic suiting elements. Unlike the previous 'sleek cut' single breasted suit described, however, it features one additional key attribute: instead of a slim to medium notched lapel, 2011's confidence suit cut is all about peaked lapels. In this regard, the suit cut sits as something of a 1930s and 1970s revival - back then peaked lapels were the only kind worth having.

A single breasted suit with dual buttons and pointed lapels.

With its obvious appeal, the confidence cut can be more than just a single breasted suit cut, however. When it comes to on-trend double breasted suits, it's also the dominant cut.

Haircuts for Curly Hair Types of arround new year 2011

Harder to style, curly hair usually becomes a major issue for women having to deal with it. However, it is characterized by uniqueness and a special beauty that allow you to play with different styles, whether you want something romantic and sweet, sexy and glamorous, or wild and mysterious. Therefore, even though it might look rather difficult to find the right haircuts for curly hair, in fact, this amazing jewelry can easily be styled based on your personality, style, but also different trends.

Haircuts for Curly Hair Types

Curly hair is known for its fragility and high maintenance. Moreover, when it comes to finding the perfect haircut, but also proper styling, you can say that good days are over and you are about to enter on a mined field. Still, it doesn't necessarily have to be this way. Your so-called untamed locks shouldn't be an impediment to go for flattering and stylish haircuts.

Here are a few examples for you to draw your inspiration and be ready to wear your adorable curls with pride and self-confidence. From shorter to medium and long haircuts, everything is possible for those mesmerizing long curls of yours.

Curly hair can look stunning, regardless of its length, especially when it is well taken care of. If you are not too convinced that you want to give up to your beautiful long curls, you still have the possibility to find the best version for you despite the fact that long curly hair requires more maintenance than any other hair types. Long curls are often very wild and frizzy. In order to avoid this, you should add soft layers into them. Layers will help you control your curls and if you make a side parting you'll have less volume. The best thing about long curly haircuts is that despite the fact that they don't allow so many haircuts, you can instead choose among a wide variety of hairstyles.

Haircuts for Curly Hair Types

Harder to style, curly hair usually becomes a major issue for women having to deal with it. However, it is characterized by uniqueness and a special beauty that allow you to play with different styles, whether you want something romantic and sweet, sexy and glamorous, or wild and mysterious. Therefore, even though it might look rather difficult to find the right haircuts for curly hair, in fact, this amazing jewelry can easily be styled based on your personality, style, but also different trends.

Curly hair is known for its fragility and high maintenance. Moreover, when it comes to finding the perfect haircut, but also proper styling, you can say that good days are over and you are about to enter on a mined field. Still, it doesn't necessarily have to be this way. Your so-called untamed locks shouldn't be an impediment to go for flattering and stylish haircuts.

Here are a few examples for you to draw your inspiration and be ready to wear your adorable curls with pride and self-confidence. From shorter to medium and long haircuts, everything is possible for those mesmerizing long curls of yours.

Curly hair can look stunning, regardless of its length, especially when it is well taken care of. If you are not too convinced that you want to give up to your beautiful long curls, you still have the possibility to find the best version for you despite the fact that long curly hair requires more maintenance than any other hair types. Long curls are often very wild and frizzy. In order to avoid this, you should add soft layers into them. Layers will help you control your curls and if you make a side parting you'll have less volume. The best thing about long curly haircuts is that despite the fact that they don't allow so many haircuts, you can instead choose among a wide variety of hairstyles.

by Boons
by Watkins Wright

by Royston Blythe
by Mark Leeson

Short hairstyles can be so hot on your naturally curly hair! If your face shape and features allow you to, you can choose a short haircut for your curls. However, as this type of haircut totally emphasizes and draws the attention towards your face, being a real forward-facing crop, you should be very attentive and find a flattering one. From extremely short haircuts to soft, choppy layers, from rock to retro, from bohemian to wild, there is a wide range of short haircuts for curly hair. For example, a pixie haircut can easily be made on curly hair. This low maintenance short cut can bring femininity to your looks, especially if you have sweet facial features. As it is so short you just need a styling product, your fingers and you are ready in no time.

There are some women whose curls are not very well defined and styling them becomes a real challenge. In this case, a '60s inspired short haircut suits the best. Characterized by longer bangs and shorter hair at the nape of the neck, this amazing cut screams femininity and sweetness. Use some hair wax for styling. If your hair is rather thin and curly, another cut that implies a minimum amount of effort to do it is the “ à la garçonne” style that flawlessly frames the face. For the more daring personalities, a short curly hair can become a punk-rock style statement. For a more edgy style, try the undercut, shaving the sides and leaving your curls on top.

by The Colour Room
by Anne Veck Hair

by Paterson SA
by Camille Albane

If a short haircut is more practical, medium-length hairstyles are rather versatile. As the excessive bulk is the worst enemy of curls, one must visit the hairdresser in order to solve the problem. Layers are the best solution for both short and medium-length curly hair. They give a great structure to your look and are easier to style.
You can also try a curly bob that makes it easier to play with different hairstyles, especially retro and glamorous ones, but also add mesmerizing hair accessories to complete your looks.

Even though you might find it rather hard to give up to your long curls, you should know that medium works amazing on curly hair. In fact, this tends to be one of the best choices for those of you who have curls. First of all, this length allows a myriad of styling possibilities and suits almost every type of face shape. So, you can dare and cut your curly hair to shoulder-length and have layers done into your it. It is so appropriate when wanting something more fresh that can radically change your look.

by Burlesque
by Jamie Stevens

by Franck Provost
by Gina Conway

Taylor Swift's Party Hairstyle

Divide wet hair into six or seven sections, and blowdry one by one using a round brush. "Drying small sections instead of large chunks makes the hair super straight," notes Ammon Carver, artistic director for Matrix. "If your hair's naturally curly like Taylor's, pull your locks tightly as you draw the brush through — the tension stretches out curls." Once you've blown out all the sections, run a flat iron quickly through the ends of your hair (this will help keep it from kinking up later on). Finish by smoothing on a frizz-fighting cream or serum.

Red Carpet Hairstyles

Classic Hairstyle

After applying a straightening cream on your damp hair, blow dry with a round brush. Then, brush you hair back and twist it into a low chignon. Later, pin the chignon and fold it neatly with the help of hair pin and clips. There you are! You have your very own classic red carpet hairstyle.

Ringlet Curls
This is a very sophisticated hairstyle with ringlet curls. All you have to do is to center part your hair first. Then apply curl enhancing gel or mousse all over your curly hair. Use a drier or iron to set the curls and make neat ringlets. Now, in order to keep the frizz at bay, set the longer layers in front and shorter at back with serum. And here you have recreated your own fabulous Halle Berry look.

Choppy Chic Hairstyle
Wish to look sweet, sassy, and sexy at the same time? Best suited for medium length hair, first of all get your tress chopped with uneven ends. Apply straightening gels to set them. Front locks or fringes will give you a sexy look. Experiment a bit by highlighting your hair or wearing colorful hair mascara on this hairstyle.

Long Wavy Locks

The long wavy locks will add volume to your hair. Try mixing the wavy curls with the help of hair iron and hold them in position by applying a hair spray and intense shine hair serum. Highlighting these curls will add glamour to your entire look.