The minute you decide to take a shot at styling your hair, even if it’s only to get it to look halfway decent after a shower, you’re going to realize the need for some styling tools. Most of us have something laying around the house - a hairdryer, a pair of seldom-used curling tongs, a flat iron, what have you. But if you’re serious about styling your own hair, it’s important to know what the essential hairstyling tools are, how they work, the different ways in which they can be used and what you can do to get the best results, every time.

We’ve already talked about the different hairstyling products you can use to create a variety of textures, looks and finishes. Now let’s take a look at the different hairstyling tools you need.

The best part about starting your hairstyling toolkit is that you probably have a lot of the essentials – which means you can save a lot of money.

And once you get comfy with using these tools you’ll find that many of them can be used to create more than one kind of texture and look. And we sure love multipurpose, money-saving styling secrets around here.

Brushes
I can’t stress the importance of good hairbrushes enough: they’re the first step towards getting your hair to look and behave the way you want it to. You can’t jump into extreme styling without mastering the basics of hair health first. A quality hairbrush will help detangle and smoothen your hair and fight frizz, to get it ready for styling. There are certain brushes everyone should have on-hand: a basic brush for everyday grooming (whatever works best for your hair type), a wide-toothed comb for detangling post washing and to ease out backcombed hair and a round-barreled brush or a paddle brush for blow-drying.

Apart from your basic brushes you also have more specialized combs, which serve very specific purposes while styling. Rattail combs and pintail combs are excellent for creating parts and carving out details as well as for backcombing. Fork combs come in handy when you want to lift and move curls and waves or want to add a slightly grittier texture to a look.

Dressing combs are great for finishing a look and smoothing away flyaways.

You’ll find that there is an endless array of brushes and combs to choose from, ranging in size and material and type. Some will work for your hair while others won’t- it’s all a matter of understanding your hair type and listening to your locks. As a thumb rule, however, I do recommended using brushes and combs that sport rounded tips as these prevent snagging, tearing and stress. You'll also want to choose between materials: the debate on boar bristle vs. synthetic brushes continues to rage on in styling circles.

Crimpers and Wave-makers
Crimpers and wave-makers help achieve a very specific kind of hair texture, which is why they’re still a step behind other more popular styling tools like straightening irons and curlers. That said, specialized tools can be a great buy if you style your hair often and you want to be able to create detailed hairstyles at home.

Most newbie stylists prefer using small-barreled curling tongs or overnight braiding in wet hair to create the crimped effect. To recreate waves, the easiest method is to run a comb through curled hair to break it up a little. However, if you have an eye for detail or are advancing through the styling rungs, it might be time to look for more nuanced results. Try your hand at the alternatives, see if you like the general result and only invest in a specialized tool if you can see yourself using it frequently enough to justify the cost. It might make more sense to have your hair done professionally if you’re going to use the crimper once and then forget about it.

Curling Irons
Curling irons, rods and tongs are some of the most popular hairstyling tools. Most folks start out with hair straighteners and graduate to curling irons once they start enjoying experimenting with texture. Curling irons help get fast, defined results and are usually lightweight, which makes it a breeze to carry them around and recreate different looks as you travel. Curls never go out of style, and with the return of messy, tousled texture the curly hair trend shows no signs of quitting.

If you’ve never bought a curling iron before, start with a 1-inch barrel. This offers you the most basic curl size to work with. You can go half an inch higher and lower for tighter and looser curls. You might also want to look for a many-in-one curling wand that lets you screw on and remove differently sized curling rods.

Fasteners and Aids
Hair fasteners and styling accessories don’t necessarily qualify as tools, but they’re integral to getting hair texture right. They help you work faster and with more precision, minimizing errors and effort. From keeping sections of hair out of the way to securely fixing a style in place, these aids are the unsung heroes of the styling experience. Off the top of my head, you must invest in: hair ties, clamp clips, bobby pins, hair elastics that match your hair as well as transparent ones, sectioning clips and of course, decorative pins and clips for that extra touch of glam.  
      
Flat Irons
Flat irons are easily the most commonly used hairstyling tools the world over. Straight hair continues to be loved universally - it’s a classic that never goes out of style and suits just about everybody. What’s more is, not only does it wear well on its own it also helps accentuate a host of other hairstyles. Which is why buying a quality flat iron is always a great idea: they come in handy often and think of how much you’d be saving in terms of salon trips. If you don’t have a straightener or want to buy a new one, I recommend opting for models with 3-inch wide plates: these are the optimal width and are effective across the board. I also recommend buying flat irons outfitted with ceramic and tourmaline technology: a lot of the negatives associated with heat styling can be countered if you just use the right tools.

Foam Rollers
While curling irons are great for fast, easy curls not everybody is comfortable with heat styling. For long lasting, heat-free curls there is nothing like foam rollers. They’re an especially good idea if you like curling your hair regularly and are genuinely concerned about the amount of heat you’re subjecting your hair to. The results also hold up really well over the hours, which means you can wear your curls or curl-based hairstyles for a long time with no worry and minimal effort on your part. Then there’s also the matter of just how comfortable foam rollers are to use: simply pop them in, twist them around a bit until they’re fixed into place and wrap your head in a scarf and you’re good to sleep. It might take you a couple of tries initially to know just how to position them to your comfort, but it’s basically an effortless, painless way of waking up to a riot of curls the next day. They're also really great for adding texture, body and volume when styling fine hair.

The only hitch to using foam rollers, if you can really call it that, is that they work best when they’re left in overnight - so if you’re running late and you need to style your hair urgently, a curling iron may be more convenient.

Hairdryers
I almost hesitate to label hairdryers ‘styling tools’ because they’re an essential to hair care, and not just styling. Hair is at its weakest when it is wet, and hairdryers can help prevent knots and tangles, smoothen out frizz and flyaways and keep you warm and healthy on chilly days.

Moving beyond the basics, a hairdryer will help you prep your base for any hairstyle. Most stylists recommend working on freshly washed hair, which means you’ll need a hairdryer to tackle all the excess moisture. And whether you’re blow-drying straight or adding some waves and movement, a hairdryer is essentially ‘Step One’ towards any look. While the drugstore kinds work great for your run-of-the-mill drying needs, I recommend purchasing something a little more advanced for styling: a diffuser attachment is great for boosting curly textures while a thin, flat nozzle will give you concentrated airflow and heat for sleeker, straighter styling. There are so many great hairdryers available in the market, it's easy to get confused. Break your search down into categories: your hair type, styling needs, frequency of use, special attachments and features you want and of course, your budget.

Hooded Dryers
Hooded dryers are something of a niche styling tool. Remember those retro bonnet dryers from old films and posters? Hooded dryers are the smaller, more personal-use version of the same thing. They work wonderfully at emphasizing hair texture, strength and health in relaxed and natural African American hair. They’re by no means a must-have in your styling arsenal, but can be a handy addition if you’re looking to expand your kit or just love the idea of salon-style pampering at home.

Hot Rollers       
For those of you with a love for all things vintage, hot rollers are the ultimate lifestyle-accessory-cum-styling-tool. For curls that last forever, hot rollers can’t be beat. Don’t buy the first set you see though: there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to purchasing hot rollers. If you’re partial to ringlets and small, springy curls, you want velveteen hot rollers. If larger curls and Old Hollywood glam is more your thing, you want the traditional Velcro rollers. Apart from the type, you also need to take size into consideration: hot rollers also offer a number of barrel sizes, which ultimately affects the end result. If you’re comfortable splurging a bit, I think it’s a great idea to purchase a variety set that comes equipped with hot rollers of various sizes as well as holding pins to compliment them. You can play around with all shapes and sizes of curls, add volume and height to different hairstyles and travel in time to recreate all kinds of looks and moods.

If you already have some of these tools on hand, don’t set about replacing them just yet. Use my tips on decluttering your beauty stash and take stock of what you need and what you can do without. If you do decide to spend on new tools, make sure it is an actual upgrade and you’re getting something new and improved for the money you spend. Also remember, you don’t have to start out by adding everything to your kit: make the most of multipurpose hairstyling tools that can double up for a variety of purposes. Work on your skills and then invest in highly specialized gear that you can make the most of.
 
This article first appeared on About Style

The term ‘pH level’ is thrown around a lot in today’s society. We hear about the pH levels of household cleaners, the pH level of a fish tank, the pH level of baking soda…. But what about your hair? Did you know that your hair has a natural pH level, as well? Did you also know that this pH level is affected by the hair care products you use everyday? I sure didn’t!

The Importance of the pH Level
As many people will know, the pH level tells you how acidic or basic something is. For example, battery acid has a pH level of 1 and is VERY acidic. Bleach, on the other hand, has a pH level of 13 and is VERY Basic. A pH level of 7 is Neutral and includes things like blood and water. Your hair and skin are covered with a very thin fluid mixture of oil, salt and water called the mantle, which is naturally slightly acidic. The typical pH balance of hair is around 4.5-5.0.

So, what does this mean in regards to hair care products? The closer the pH level of your shampoo/conditioner/styling product is to the natural pH level of your hair, the more healthy and beneficial it is to your hair. Using a product that causes the pH level of your hair to drop can make it very basic can cause your hair to look dry, frizzy and become very brittle and easy to break. This is why using cleansers, such as baking soda (pH of 9) or even just water alone (pH of 7), can be very damaging to your hair with repeated washes.

What is the solution?
A common solution for balancing out the pH of baking soda is coupling it with apple cider vinegar, a natural base. However, often times these ingredients don’t perfectly balance each other or are unevenly mixed, resulting in some hair being treated with overly basic materials, while other hair being treated with acidic materials. You can read more about our verdict on the ‘No Poo’ method in this recent article.

Instead, we recommend choosing hair care products that match the natural pH level of your hair.  Balanced shampoos also protect your hair’s natural oils, known as sebum, rather than stripping it away, as is often the case with synthetic products.

Choosing the right hair care products that match your hair’s natural pH ensures the continued health of your hair’s mantle and gives your strands a healthy environment to grow healthy, strong and beautiful!
 
This article first appeared on Morrocco Method
 
Click here to learn more on How to Balance pH in Hair Naturally

And if you really want to get scientific click here for a very informative article:
The Shampoo pH can Affect the Hair: Myth or Reality?

How To Grow Out Your Hair Without Looking Like You’ve Given Up On Life
First things first, there’s something we need to make very clear. As you’ve probably seen with many a male celebrity, there is a world of difference between simply deciding not to cut your hair one day, and growing your hair out with actual effort.

And yes, you can tell the difference between the two. There are a few things you can do to make sure you don’t fall into the former category though, starting with…

Get As Many Opinions As Possible
Before you decide to go full-Fabio, do a serious evaluation as to whether the product of your spent time and effort is actually gonna look good or not. Take a look in the mirror, use a snapchat filter, ask your family, ask your Mrs, ask your mates, ask anyone how they reckon you’d look with long hair.

Also, don’t be afraid to cut it back if you don’t think it’s going to go as well as you thought. There’s no shame in trying, but we can’t all be Chris Hemsworth.

Match Your Style To Your Features
There’s a few things that can determine just how good your mane is likely to look, and they all rest on your face. Having thicker hair in certain places (for instance a heavier top and thinner sides, or vice versa), can help accentuate or balance the features of your mug, meaning it’s important to get everything proportioned correctly.

If you have large features (big nose, big lips etc.) or a rounder face, go for bigger, larger, more textured styles to soften them. Early Mick Jagger is a good example. If you have smaller features and a thinner face, a thinner, longer style is probably more suitable. Think Zlatan or Jared Leto.

Adjust Your Style As It Grows
Of course, before you reach a glorious mane you’re going to go through months of awkward lengths, styles and unruliness that’ll make you question whether or not you want to continue.

The answer to this issue is twofold. One, make sure you’re giving your hair the best chance to grow healthily by eating a decent diet and using conditioning products as it grows. Two. Don’t be afraid to get a little product involved to keep things looking presentable.

It’ll take time for your hair to reach a long enough length to weigh itself down and look properly natural, so you may have to compromise for a while.

Once It’s Grown, Let Your Barber Take the Reigns
If you’ve grown your hair out right, it should need as little maintenance as possible to make it look good. If you want to blow dry it, go for it, but lay off on the styling products, unless of course you’re trying out for a Motley Crue tribute act.

The hallmark of a grown-out hairstyle that works is that it should look good sitting naturally. If it doesn’t, then let your barber fix it or consider a change of style altogether.

That being said, take care of your hair. Short hair might let you get away with being a little more relaxed on the shampoo and conditioner, but as any girl will tell you, long hair won’t afford you that luxury.

Always Keep It In Check
Keeping your hair healthy often boils down to making sure you’re touching it as little as possible, but depending on how long you decide to go, you’re gonna have to figure out ways to make sure it’s not going everywhere when you’re playing sport, doing manual labour or even just walking in a windy day.

The key here is to experiment with what suits you. Take as much inspiration as you’d like when it comes to buns, ponytails, headbands, bandannas or whatever, as long as you’re avoiding the top knot.
 
This article first appeared on D’MARGE

by Kyle McManus
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With summer looming, millions of we gents are making travel plans.

Wherever you’re going, sitting on a plane, train, or boat for hours and hours tends to leave you looking and feeling past your best. Even if you start your trip without a single strand out of place, you’ll still probably look like a scruffy shadow of your former self by the time you reach your destination.

Basically, you need to travel-proof your hair, but that’s not as easy as it should be. Fear not though, chaps – we’re here to help
 
Tip #1: Wash and Go
Be sure to wash your hair during your morning shower before you head to the airport.

Why? By being thorough with shampoo and conditioner, you’ll give your hair much-needed texture and remove excess oils.

As a result, your hair scalp will be in better condition while you travel. If you style hair that hasn’t been washed in a few days, it’s bound to look worse after hours on a plane with all that oil and product mixed together.

Tip #2: Dry and Dry Again
Grab a travel-sized can of dry shampoo, and then just spray it lightly on oily spots throughout your journey (be sure to do this in the bathroom, so you’re not irritating your fellow passengers).

This is ideal if you want to top-up your style too, letting you refresh your locks ready for a dash more product.

Still, with that in mind, be sure to …

Tip #3: Go Easy on the Product
You want to look good when you touch down or step off that train. You want to drop your luggage off and get straight out there, seeing the sights and sampling the local delights.

Obviously, you want to style your hair just as you like it, so you still feel like YOU even though you’re halfway across the planet (or further!). Still, it’s essential that you don’t overdo it on the product – even though you might think you need more to keep it looking sharp during long periods of travel, you might end up overloading your hair, leading to an oilier, messy look later on.
 
Use as little as you can to maintain your style, and go with water-soluble wax or a light gel. Start with a small amount, and then add more as needed; don’t just slap a golf ball-sized clump on.
 
Tip #4: Resist Temptation or Sit on Your Hands
When you’re a few hours into a long flight, it’s easy to start feeling uncomfortable, frustrated, maybe even a bit stir-crazy. You’ll probably be tempted to run your fingers through your hair, check your style in the mirror, play around with the odd strand here and there …

Don’t do it!

While you might think you can make your style look better by constantly smoothing or twisting it into shape, you’ll keep adding more oil (from your hands). These will mix with those oils already on your scalp, too, making for a pretty unpleasant look and feel.
 
Tip #5: Mix it Up
Of course, you don’t HAVE to keep your hairstyle exactly the same while jetting off on holiday. What better time to try something new, fresh, and cool than when you’re breaking from your usual routine?

Maybe go for a shorter, lower-maintenance cut, or for longer styles, go for a top-knot. The less you feel the need to keep it perfect, the more travel-proof your hair will be!

We hope these tips keep you rocking your favourite look when travelling – have fun, and remember to keep it Rugged, Yet Smooth!
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This article first appeared on Rugged Yet Smooth

by Kelsey Rzepecki
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When it comes to your hair while traveling, it can be frustrating and time consuming when humidity or other drastic changes in weather throws your hair routine for a loop. Depending on when and where you’re traveling, you should take time to evaluate your current hair routine and prepare for different weather and climate changes that could require you to take a different approach when it comes to styling. But you might be asking yourself: where will I find a hair salon near me? While traveling, you will have to compromise on upkeep since you won’t have the comfort of your favorite stylist nearby. Remember these useful tips on your next great adventure!

Anyone can learn how to achieve easy and trendy hairstyles while out and about. These hairstyles shouldn’t take time away from your traveling adventures. Also, learn about some versatile hair products to take with you that were made to make your life easier while traveling.

Pre-Flight Blowout
Get a pre-flight professional blowout. Instead of spending a lot of money on a full-blown hair appointment before you leave, opt for a trip to a blow dry bar instead to save some extra cash. The service includes a wash, blow dry and style, then you’re on your way. You can make an appointment at a salon or simply walk in at a blow dry bar that’s near you. To achieve fresh, voluminous hair right off the plane, this is a hassle-free way to start a trip off because you won’t have to worry about taking the time to freshen up and wash your hair when you get to your destination. Added tip: just throw your hair up in a loose pony the next day to help maintain volume.

What to Pack?
Collect travel and sample-sized items. No one wants to be stuck lugging around full-sized bottles of hair products when they’re traveling. It can be hard to stray from your normal hair routine and part ways with your favorite products, but you really don’t have to. For the sake of convenience and space, utilize small sample packets of shampoos, conditioners and lotions - you name it and there’s probably a smaller version out there! Don’t forget to re-use old makeup tins and small perfume vials by transferring small amounts of your favorite products that you know you will actually use and won’t go to waste. You can always find TSA-approved sizes of plastic travel containers at Target, Walmart, or any other general store.  Keep the containers under 4 oz to take with you on an airplane.

Remember to keep it simple and think about the necessities: extra hair elastics, bobby pins, hair wraps or scarves and clips.  Put the items in a compact, small bag or secure container to easily find them because when we’re traveling we all know the less fuss, the better.

Easy Travel Treatments
There are natural hair care products and treatments you can do to keep your locks healthy anywhere. An easy remedy to revive your dry hair after a hot and sunny vacation is a coconut oil hair mask, feeding the hair with the natural oils and moisture it is craving.  Another alternative is an avocado hair mask that brings dull hair to life emitting a soft and silky texture while also adding shine from the heavy dose of natural oils.

Cute Travel-Friendly Hairstyles
Traveling can also be a great time to embrace and enhance your natural hair and texture since you’re not constricted by your usual day-to-day hair routine. Time to embrace the freedom of low maintenance styling. No hot tools required for these looks!

African hair braiding is a popular, low maintenance style that is perfect for traveling because the braids keep the style in place and can be worn for long periods of time while still looking fashionable.

A topknot or half-knot is a simple hair staple to combat flat hair and helps keep hair out of the face; especially, in hot and sweaty conditions. It can also preserve hair volume by giving your hair an added boost at the roots.

Braids are a go-to style because you can undo them later to reveal effortless, natural waves.

Must-Have Hair Products When Traveling
Travel-sized dry shampoo will fit easily in your purse and uses non-aerosol packaging, which means you won’t have to worry about it making a mess on an airplane. Just squeeze the bottle and a perfect-sized ‘poof’ of product comes out to absorb oil, prolonging your style and pumping up your hair’s volume.

Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer from Bumble and bumble: A multi-purpose product made for all hair types that protects, moisturizes and makes styling that much easier. Their unique lightweight formula is infused with six different types of oils that provides protection from UV and heat and also tames frizz and protects against hair breakage.

The Conair Vagabond Compact 1875: This is the best travel hair dryer to consider based on a high number of positive customer reviews and affordability. It is compact in size, has consistent drying power and includes a dual wattage dial that allows you to switch to 240 European wattage. It is compatible with plug adapters and has a foldable handle. A compatible watt converter is also an optional add-on that has 5 different adapter plugs for various wattages.

For those who can’t part without a dose of fast hair straightener style, CHI makes a ceramic travel set. This trifecta set contains some of their popular hot tools in compact sizes along with a sleek travel bag. The set includes a 3/4 inch straightener, 1000 watt hair dryer and a 1 inch curling iron.

Remember, the less product you bring, the less you have to lug home. You and your hair shouldn’t have to stress because traveling is not only a nice vacation for you, but it can also be a great break for your hair from the daily styling and damage we tend to put it through day after day.
 
This article first appeared on The Right Hairstyles