SUMMER HAIR TRENDS: RETURN OF THE CRIMPER

It's been far too long since we last had a crimper revival. 

Remember that old crimper you had in middle school? Dust that thing off and get crimpy with it.

 I was delighted to re-discover mine after weeks of searching.  Though it was fun rummaging through all of my middle school drivel, (an array of bright notes passed between classes, gel pens, sparkly smiley face stickers, a Furby and a stack of old year books) my most pleasant discovery was my long lost crimper. 

The end result = mermaid hair. Jealous? 

You should be. Need some tips to pull off the perfectly crimped coif? Check out these six easy steps!

Crimping Iron $130 / Forever 21 Hair Brush  $3.80 / Bumble and Bumble - Holding Spray  $21 / Kiehl's Shine Spray $16 / Target Fine Tooth Comb $10 / Fekkai Advanced Thermal UV Protectant $25 + Bobby Pins! 

1. Dirty hair always works best.  The day after a shampoo will provide the most volumous results.  

2. If you need to crimp the day of a shampoo - apply generous amounts of dry shampoo to roots then spray in a good bit of hair spray throughout the entirety of your hair and start crimping. 

3.  Invest in good product! Cheap hair products get cheap results. Ya dig?

4.  Three very important words: HEAT PROTECTANT SPRAY. 

5. If you're the type to only wash your hair every 2-3 days, switch up styles to keep your crimps looking fresh. An up-do with some bobby pins or a tight pony will give you a sleek business look if you've got a 9-5er and have to appease your boss by down playing your crazy tresses. 

6. Be bold! Many crimping irons have various plates you can interchange to make your crimps larger or smaller. Some even have metal plates with heart shapes on them. Mind blown, I know. 

Need some crimpspiration? How about these sassy crimped styles as seen on the runway! I'm in love with that wrapped pony. How great would that be on a hot summer day? 

(Images via Getty)

TEN MINUTE DIY: FOIL YOUR FRIENDS - GOLD FOIL HAIR HOW TO

HOW TO - GOLD FOIL HAIR

It doesn't take much to amuse me. If it sparkles, I'm all up on it. My last Ten Minute DIY: Sparkle Keys is a manifestation of my glitter obsession. Not to mention the fact I own nearly all of Martha Stewart's loose glitter collection. I'd eat the stuff if it was edible. I'm starting to sound crazy...

 Next to my love of glitter, comes gold. Now. Let me just dust off my best Dutch accent for you. -- I LOVE GOOOOLD! Hope you caught the reference. Now, moving on:

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Tools/Products:

1. Sponge Brush

2. Hair gel & hair spray

3. Tweezers

4. Small comb

5.  Gold leaf foil - DO NOT USE GOLD LEAF PAINT

6. A friend who is willing and can be paid in beer. 

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INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Slick back hair to create flat surface. I used styling gel and a small comb then waited for it to dry a bit so that the hair was sticky - not wet.

2.  Have the mini foil pieces all laid out so they are easy to pick up with tweezers and apply.

3. Pick each piece up with the tweezers, and using either the flat spongy side (make sure it's dry!) or the rounded wooden end of the sponge brush - push foils lightly onto hair until they appear secure then spray each foil chunk with a light misting of hair spray.

4. I know that sounds easy, but getting these little buggers to stick can be difficult if you're not using the right consistency of styling gel - which is all the more reason you'll need to hair spray the living crap out of your hair after they are all in place. 

Katy was such a good sport. I helped her style a shoot this past week and had a great time playing around with my gold foils. You can find Katy's blog here and her art here. 

Photo via Steve Harman

GWEN STEFANI // GET THE LOOK

With No Doubt back on the scene, I found it appropriate to celebrate lead singer and style icon Gwen Stefani's incredible style evolution over the past several years. 


There wasn't a little girl growing up in the nineties that didn't absolutely adore her. We related to her music, her ever changing wardrobe and her no bullshit attitude. And yeah, her bright hair color and grunge meets chic look was appealing too. I won't deny it.

GET THE LOOK:

1. Want Gwen's colorful coifed hair without the commitment? Kevin Murphy Color Bugs to the rescue! They are appropriately titled for their cute shape and brilliant colors - but the best part is: They wash right out. 

You can find Color Bugs at any Kevin Murphy salon. If you're unable to find a Kevin Murphy salon near you - give Amazon or Ebay a try, or you can even do it yourself with pastel art chalk & a collection of great tutorials HERE. 

2. To liven up your festival wardrobe or just to add a little fun to your summer, purchase a pack of these adorable Bindis from Topshop. 

1. Color Bugs / Kevin Murphy $25, 2. Bindi Collection / Topshop $12

Surviving the nineties was no small feat, and I've got to give credit where credit is due. Gwen not only survived, but flourished. Between 2000 and 2012 her career wasn't the only thing flourishing - her style was too. She managed to tuck her festive Indian influences and bright blue hair away for an old Hollywood appeal that only a blonde could fully express. 

GET THE LOOK:

 1.Incorporate feminine floral headdresses, barrettes and crystal accessories to emulate a 1920's flapper vibe. 

2.Try some deep red/plum lipstick! 

3. Groom those eyebrows to achieve Gwen's signature high arch. 

1. Floral headband by Newlook $4 2. White Bow by American Apparel, $10 3. Crystal & Pearl Comb via debenhams, $54 4. Pink headband via Cheap Monday, $14 5. Rosettes by H&M, $4 5. Spiked Headband via Gojane, $14

Gwen in Stella McCartney 

GET THE LOOK: 

Steal Gwen's brazen look by choosing a body contouring dress with cut outs or sheer panels in peek a boo places. If you aren't brave enough to go completely sheer (Dress 3) You can do a faux sheer look by choosing a dress with alternating black and nude tones. (Dresses 1&2)

1. Chevron Bodycon Peplum Dress via bankfashion, $54 2.Cut out mesh dress via nelly.com, $85 3. Caged Bodycon Dress via Lipsy, $85

IMAGE CREDIT

1. Getty 2. Jeff Kravitz 3. 2004 Billboard Music Awards/Getty 4.  2005 Billboard Music Awards/Getty 5. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty