Your blueprint to the man bun and topknot hairstyles

The man bun has skyrocketed in popularity since 2013, so I thought that creating this site would provide the answers to the many questions that many of you must have. I’ve sprinkled this site with my own perspective of the man bun as a barber and as someone who too wears (what is also known as) the bro bun.

I will introduce the man bun to you through the 5 Ws (What, When, Who, Where and Why) and the single H (How):

• What is a man bun?
• How to style a man bun hairstyle and which hair products to use?
• When was the man bun trend started?
• Who started the manbun trend and who wears this type of hairstyle?
• Where was the man bun started and where is it most popular?
• Why is the man bun hairstyle so popular?

Click here for the 5 Ws and the H

How to get volume in curly hair is a never-ending struggle for many of us.

You can create volume with products but the most effective products can’t be used when you follow the ‘Curly Girl’ routine. But there is a product-free way to get extra volume in curly hair and that’s using clips when you wash your hair.

My latest video is all about how to get volume in curly hair using clips. It’s also a kind of apology to curl clips from me as well.

You see, I recently filmed my current curly hair routine video and I realised that I don’t use clips in my routine any more. In that video, I didn’t use them very well and I made it seem like they weren’t necessary. However they do work really well when you use them properly.
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Personally I love using hair volume powders but they’re not permissible in the ‘Curly Girl’ routine and so if you’re strict CG, this curl clip tip might be the answer for you.

Which clips work in curly hair?

I recommend using traditional pin curl clips for this step.
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There are specialist clip available such as Devacurl clips but the classic hairdressing pin curl clips work just as well and for a lot less. I bought this bulk pack of pins years ago at a hairdressing supply store and you can also find them online here and here.

Getting a haircut can be exciting and scary at the same time, especially when you are trying out a new stylist. Communication is one the most important part of our craft as hairstylists; without it, we will never be able to know what you want. It’s almost as if we speak a different language than you do, called hair talk. Here are 25 of the most important haircut terms to help you better communicate with your stylist!

The Haircut Terminology You Need to Know

A long time ago, when I wasn’t a hairstylist, my mom and I went to see the same hairdresser to get our haircut. After having our consultation together, it turned out that, in the end, I got the haircut my mom wanted, and she got what I wanted. So, you can imagine how we looked. Luckily, we are super easygoing and just let it grow out. But, that’s not the case for everyone. These words and phrases will help you better understand hair-cutting terminology, so you can better explain to your stylist what you want and actually understand what she is saying to you!

For healthy locks, nourishment and recovery are key, say experts

Our moods aren’t the only thing getting out of control this summer. Your locks get unruly too.

Every season, a multitude of women work hard to shed a few pounds before jetting off to a beach holiday. But a word of caution: while you’re pursuing pure bliss in the sun, sea and sand, your hair gets a pretty rough deal. Chlorine, sunshine, saltwater, dry air and humidity can prove to be a damaging combination, often times causing excessive breakage and more.

No fun in the sun

“The UV rays dry out and can harm the outer layer of the hair shaft and this is more obvious in colour-treated hair,” says Dr Cagatay Sezgin, Hair Transplant Surgeon, American Aesthetic Medical Centre. “On the other hand, hair grows fast during summer due to increase in blood circulation.”

As much of a necessity as it is, air conditioning also sucks the moisture right out of your strands. “It dries and dehydrates the hair causing frizziness and weak hair,” says Dr Ramachandran Rajagopal, Specialist Dermatology and Venereology, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais. “Chlorine in pool water or salt in seawater dries out the hair, while sweat and dust causes dandruff and split ends. Frequent use of top knots and ponytails can cause hair loss because of pulling on the sides of scalp.”

Shield your head

It’s one of the best ways to protect your hair from the sun’s rays. And if a baseball cap is killing your look, get a scarf or a wide-brimmed hat. “The best way to screen hair from the sun is wearing a scarf,” says Dr Mayur Bhobe, Specialist Dermatologist, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation. “If it’s not to your liking, then use a leave-in conditioner.”

Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in pools, but it’s also a harsh chemical bleach that can wreak havoc on your hair. “Wear a swim cap, rinse hair after swimming, wash hair with a shampoo especially formulated for swimmers and follow with a good conditioner,” advises Dr Roula Amer, Consultant Dermatologist, American Hospital Dubai. “Choose a shampoo that’s sulphate free as it removes excess dirt and oil, or one that lists dimethicone as an ingredient to increase shine and moisturise.”

Do not shampoo before you go for a swim, as this will rob your hair of all protective oils and make it extra vulnerable to the chemicals and salt in the water. “Once you’re out of the pool and have taken a quick shower, use a shampoo that has ethylene tetra-acetic acid,” says Dr Bhobe. “This will remove any harmful effects of chlorine.”

According to research, excessive sun exposure is the most damaging factor, with UVA rays fading your colour and UVB leading to breakage. “There are many useful sun protection formulas such as oils, sprays, creams and shampoos,” says Dr Amer. “They contain ingredients such as coconut and sunflower oils, tamanu oil, zinc oxide and vitamin E, which help in protecting hair from damage caused by chemicals and UV rays.”

Tackle the frizz

Summer is the season of frizzy hair, and when heat and humidity are at an all-time high, that fuzzy halo comes out in full force. “Use more conditioner to coat the hair so that it doesn’t absorb moisture from outside and become frizzy,” says Dr Rajagopal. “Apply a leave-in conditioner from roots to hair ends and cover with a towel. If frizziness is severe, leave it covered overnight with the towel. If this does not help, use a hair mask once or twice a week.”

Is a nourishing mask applied at home enough to coax hair into good condition? “If you have healthy hair, applying a hydrating mask once a week is enough, but if your hair is dry you may need to apply it two to three times a week,” says Dr Sana Sajan, Director, American Aesthetic Medical Centre. “It all depends on your hair condition.”

Be cautious while using an overnight hair conditioning mask, as it sometimes does harm than good. “When moisture is absorbed into the hair shaft, the inner structure swells and causes tension on the shaft,” says Dr Bhobe. “As your hair dries, it contracts back to normal, but the constant expanding and contracting of the hair cuticle results in hygral fatigue, which leads to breakage.”

With more and more salons offering high-tech conditioning treatments, people turn to them for a hair fix. “If you know how to take care of your hair then there would be no need for expensive and high-tech solutions,” says Dr Sezgin. “Keep yourself well-hydrated and avoid colouring as much as possible, especially blonde. Avoid blow-drying and tight braiding and look out for harmful ingredients in shampoos and hair dyes.”

Avoid heated tools

Heat styling tools are great for giving your hair that perfect look, but they can also ruin your hair. “They are not only harmful during summer, but all the time,” says Dr Sajan. “Hair is made up of protein and heat destroys this protein layer.”

As heat styling breaks down the hair’s hydrogen bonds, applying concentrated heat from a curling or straightening iron can be very damaging. “Bubble hair is a condition that emerges from excessive heat application on damp or wet hair. The hair fibre is weakened from this internal damage, leaving it dry and brittle. As far as possible allow hair to dry naturally in summers.”

There are many natural remedies that deliver great results when used for hair growth. “Dull hair can be tackled by rinsing hair in organic apple cider vinegar before shampoo,” says Dr Rajagopal. “Eggs are rich in protein and help recover damaged hair. Mix a quarter cup plain yoghurt with quarter cup mayonnaise and one egg white and distribute evenly in hair. Leave for 30 minutes and rinse thoroughly with water. For hair loss take two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds and soak overnight. Make a paste by mixing with yoghurt and massage into the scalp. Rinse with a mild shampoo after one hour.”


This article is from Gulf News

Let this be your reminder that you are overdue for a hair appointment.  OK, maybe not all of you but the rest of you know who you are.  

​Hello.  Hello.  Hello.
 
I hope you’re having a nice summer and this finds you well.  It has definitely been a warm, if not hot summer.  A few of you even braved the extreme temperatures abroad.  I’ve enjoyed your travel stories and can’t wait to hear more. I may not have any trips planned for the near future but rest assured I have been taking notes.  

Vacations and summer heat can wreck havoc on your hair. Last month I shared several articles with information and tips about caring for your hair in the summer.  I have another article for you this month that reminds us how UV rays, chlorine, humidity, and hot styling tools can be stressful to your hair.

Eating right, avoiding stress, and even how you towel dry your hair all contribute to a healthy head of locks.  I have a couple articles on ways you can improve the health of your hair.

I don’t think you and I have a communication problems when it comes to hair talk.  Even so, you might find the 25 haircut terms helpful if and when you’re wanting to try out a new style. They might even help you understand some of the lingo I’m saying to you!

There’s an article you may wonder if I’ve included it because I’m growing my own hair out.  That is not completely true. I have a few guys with long hair sitting in my chair that I’m sure will find this article helpful. This men's hairstyle has hung around for a while now. The article is a well thought out tutorial and blueprint on the 5 Ws (What, When, Who, Where, and Why) and the single H (How) of the man bun, aka the bro bun. Check it out.  

I haven’t talked curly in a while. I stumbled across a nice article on how to add volume to curly hair.  I learned this technique a few years back when I became a certified “Deva Inspired Stylist”.   I hope some of you Curlies will put this Curly tip to use.

That’s just some of what I have for you this month.
 
Enjoy!