Hair

What is one of the main things girls obsess over (besides Channing Tatum)? Our hair! As a girl I know how critical it seems to look good during special events and school. I also know how hard it is to get my hair looking good and how it is even harder to keep it that way. Some girls take the easy route and cut their hair short. Other girls already have naturally beautiful hair and just have to run a brush through it and go. And then there are girls like me with hair that just never seems to cooperate. I love my long hair, but it is such a pain to have sometimes. I'd like to share a few of my special tricks and favorite do's that keep my hair looking fabulous all day.  

tips for textures

First things first, get your hair in the right condition by using the right conditioner. If you have thick tangled hair, use conditioner. Only apply it to the ends of your hair, but never to the roots. Applying conditioner to your roots can leave it looking oily even after washing it all out. If you have fine hair (like me) don't use conditioner at all. I have found that my hair is easier to style, especially curl, if I haven't used conditioner in my last wash. Conditioner is made to make hair smooth, but if you  have thin hair your hair is smooth enough without it. The main thing is don't use too much conditioner. Depending on your length, half a palm full should do fine. 

careful with the heat

Using heat on your regularly is definitely not a good idea. I know it's hard for some girls not to use heat, but there are other alternatives. Overnight hair tricks work great. Whether you just braid your lovely locks or try more difficult techniques, it is definitely better for your hair than a straightener. If you don't know how to braid or don't like the way it looks, there are plenty of tutorials on the internet for overnight hair styles. Also, there are many apps with hair tutorials. Updos are a fun and cute way to avoid using heat. Buns are definitely in right now. There are also many tutorials on the internet for cute updos. For those girls who just can't find an overnight technique and don't like updos, try using heat protectant sprays, oils, and shampoos. Never apply heat oils to your roots. Only apply it to the ends of your hair. Applying it to your roots will leave your hair looking oily instead of shiny and healthy. Also, never use heat for more than 10 seconds at a time on your hair. Its best to run the straightener or curling iron through all your hair and then go back over it after. My personal favorite heat protectant shampoo is Pantene's new heat protectant shampoo and spray. It can be found at Walmart. You don't have to avoid using heat all the time, just be careful and try not to do it everyday.

Cute and Easy Updos

Sock buns are definitely my favorite updo. They're easier to do with long hair, but medium hair will work as well. If you have lots of layers this updo may not work for you. To make a sock bun you either need to make a sock donut or buy one. They are simple to do and when you take them out after awhile they make beautiful curls and waves in your hair.
How to make a sock bun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koRcJhZEWao

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Messy buns are a fun hairstyle for any girl. For any girl who doesn't like looking too girly and has more of a tomboy side, messy buns are perfect. You can girly them up with a braid or bow if you'd like. My favorite thing to do is braid my bangs back into my messy bun. For a messy bun you need a hair tie and a few bobby pins. The amount of bobby pins you use is your choice. 
How to do the perfect messy bun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjlccU0al0M

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Another easy updo is just a simple pony tail. There are plenty of ways to make a boring ponytail into a beautiful updo. You can add bows, clips, ribbons, braids, bumps, etc.. I like braiding my bangs back and teasing the top layer of my hair with my ponytails. Basically all you need for a ponytail is a hair tie and whatever you want to use to personalize it. 
How to make a cute ponytail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_urESj8LX30

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Let Your Hair Down
overnight and quick ways to leave your hair down and looking gorgeous

My favorite overnight hair trick is a simple french twist on either side of my head and then down into a braid. All you need is 4 hair ties.
1. Take a shower. Make sure your hair is clean. Wait until your hair is 90% dry to continue to step 2.
2. Split all your hair into two sections. Start with the first section. Grab two small strands of hair from the section. Cross the strand closest to your face over the other strand. Add another strand of hair to the strand farthest from your face now. Continue crossing the strand closest to your face over the other strand and continue adding more hair until you reach the ends of your hair. Leave a few inches of hair untwisted. Secure the twisted hair with a hair tie. Braid the left over hair and secure it with another hair tie. Do the same thing with the other section of hair. Leave it overnight or for a few hours. Take out the hair ties and comb you hair lightly. You should have lots of beautiful waves in your hair. I usually add a little bit of hairspray to keep it in place. You can also brush your hair to loosen up the waves. This will give it the beachy wave look. 

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For a tight crimped look just braid your hair. Do small braids all over in your hair. If you have thicker hair you will have more braids. Do this when your hair is 90% damp. Sleep with the braids. All you will need is hair ties. When you take the braids out, spray some hairspray in your hair to keep it from frizzing. 

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