Basic Grooming Tips and Techniques

There are some basic rules when it comes to grooming.

1. Avoid brushing wet hair. Combing wet hair is the best option as brushing can stretch the hair and cause it to snap. The only exception to this rule is when blow-drying, even then, a styling brush should only be used.

2. Wide-tooth combs are for best to remove knots or to disperse conditioner through wet hair. Fine tooth combs are best for styling or evenly distributing styling products through damp or dry hair.

3. Always wash your brushes and combs regularly to keep them clean and in tip-top condition and as this will help to keep your hair and scalp clean.

Add lift to your style

There are some quick and easy tricks you can use at home to give your hairstyle some lift. The easiest of these is to use Lady Jayne Self-Holding Rollers.

After blow-drying, wind 2cm x 5cm sections of your hair around the roller starting from the ends and rolling all the way to your scalp.

Tip: If you want more body use large rollers and if you’re after waves or curls use small rollers.

When you have finished, blow-dry on high to set the rollers. Once heated allow rollers to cool, take them out and… wha-la, lots of lift!

The other alternative is to use a Lady Jayne Ceramic Radial Brush. Whilst drying each hair section wind the brush up to the scalp and allow the brush to stay in the hair for 30 seconds to cool. Remove brush and you’ll get shiny bouncy hair.

Tip: invest in three or four brushes to use at once and you’ll save time- just like a professional.

Basic Brushing

Finding the right brush can be daunting. A basic rule is to select a brush where the handle fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

The second thing you should look for is a bristle that suits your hair type and what you want from your brush (styling, grooming etc). Click here for a guide to brushes.

The best way to brush dry hair is to start from the mid lengths to ends and then work your way up to the roots this will help remove any knots and stop breakage. Brushing your scalp is also very important as it helps blood circulate, remove flaky skin and spread the hairs’ natural oils.

Finish your style

Whether it is up or down, curly or straight, the quality of the final result will complement the effectiveness of your preparation.

If you are pressed for time, just concentrate on the areas that others will see, rather than all of it.

An insider tip is to mess up your creation once you have finished blow-drying and re-style it back into place. This gives separation and adds that professional edge.

Another secret is when pinning hair up, place the pin exactly where you want the hair to hold. Don’t be afraid of using too many pins you can then go easy on the hairspray!

Salon Straight Hair

Step 1
Straight hair is best achieved with clean hair that has been thoroughly washed. Comb through knots with a wide tooth comb. Remember to ensure your hair is towel dried - brushing saturated hair can cause hair to split. Follow the brush with your dryer on high heat. It is the stretching and the heat that is straightening the hair combined with the brush.

Step 2
Towel dry hair until it is 80% dry and then distribute a small amount of thermal protection styling product throughout your hair to protect your hair from heat damage.

Tip: Don’t use too much product and choose your product carefully to ensure that it won’t weigh your hair down too much or make it oily/greasy.

Step 3
Start by sectioning most of your hair off, leaving a section about 5cm wide at the nape of the neck. Position a Lady Jayne Radial Brush at the roots of the sectioned hair, apply the flow of air from a hairdryer on the brush and with a slight roll of the brush begin pulling the brush down towards your shoulders.

Tip: It is important that you keep tension in the hair, as this is what will give you perfectly straight hair. Keep the hairdryer about 3 to 5 cm away from the hair so as to avoid burning the hair.

Step 4
Let the section fall away, check that it is fully dry and move onto the next section without disturbing the one you just finished until it has cooled completely. Repeat instructions until all of your hair is dry.

Finish with a smoothing serum and a little hair spray to protect from moisture and the dreaded frizzies!

Then...

If you want straight hair to have some body:

Step 1
Using a Lady Jayne Large Ceramic Radial Brush, take a section of hair just above your ear and wrap hair around the brush.

Step 2
With the dryer behind pull the brush forward in front of you slowly unwinding the hair from the brush. Repeat until the whole head is finished.

Hot tips: only blow-dry the sections twice and once you get to the tips follow through with your brush. If you don’t, you will get curly ends.

This is what style is all about, very sexy, very NOW!

Step 1. Blow dry hair using a large Ceramic Radial Brush, focusing on the root area until hair is almost dry.

Tip: For best results, use thermal styling spray in the hair before drying

Step 2. Once drying is complete randomly section pieces of hair on either sides and place large Bendy Rollers (vertically) starting from the tips working your way up to the roots. To secure, twist the ends of the rollers around each other.

Run the dryer over the rollers for 3-5 minutes and then allow them to cool.

3. Once cool, unravel the rollers and gently run fingers through the curls to separate.

4.Finish with a small amount of styling aid. Flip hair up-side down and light spray some hair spray.

It's so easy anyone can do it!

This style is a must-have for those with wavy hair or for those who are after raunchy bed-head hair.

For those with curly hair:

Blow dry hair using a medium or large Ceramic Radial Brush until a soft wave is achieved.

For those with straight hair:

Blow dry hair using a medium or large Ceramic Radial Brush, focusing on the root area, until hair is almost dry.

Then set hair in medium (for the front) and large (for the back) Self Holding Rollers. Run the dryer over the rollers for 3-5 minutes and allow them to cool. Once cooled unravel the rollers and gently run fingers through the curls to separate.

Tip: For best results, section hair prior to setting.

This is where the fun begins! Pick up large sections of the hair behind the ear and roughly twist (similar to a French Roll) and pin hair back with Bobby Pin.

Repeat until the desired look is achieved.

Tip: Make sure that you leave plenty of slack on top to create a wave

If you have fine to medium hair, this is the perfect style for you.

1. Comb medium-hold styling products through the hair and then create a side part using a Tail Comb.

2. Start blow drying hair away from the part with a medium Ceramic Radial Brush in a forward and down direction (not to the side but directly in front of you).

3. Now take sections of your hair and scrunch them in your hand with a small amount of product to create a more natural look. Repeat process until desired flicks and waves are achieved.

Tip: The secret to this style is to keep flicks under eye level.

Think glamour, elegance or 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s'. A basic French Twist is a favourite hairstyle worn by celebrities who want to create a 'WOW' factor.

1. Pre-set your hair with Self Holding Rollers to create volume.

2. Remove rollers and brush curls out gently with a Cushion Brush.

3. Sweep hair back into a low ponytail slightly to the left and secure with a clear rubber Snagless Elastic. If you are confident in getting a tight twist don’t use the elastic as its purpose is to simply hold you hair in place.

4. Start twisting hair from the ends until it is tight. When twisting the hair, it should be pointing to the sky.

5. When the twist feels tight and secure fold the entire ponytail under itself and curl the folded ponytail.

6. Secure into place using Rubberised Bobby Pins (the rubber coating on these pins give then extra grip, keeping the style secure for longer) or Side Combs along the twist in the hair.

7. Cut the snagless elastic if you don’t want it to show in the hair.

8. Brush hair lightly to pick up strays and flyaway hairs with a Multi Tuft Styling Brush.

9. Finish with some hairspray and you’re ready to go.

The Perfect Ponytail

Ponytails are the easiest way to change a look. If you’re after stylish yet sexy look, go for a low ponytail. For a sporty look, go high.

1. To create the perfect pony, shampoo and blow-dry straight.

2. Grab a Multi Tuft Cushion Brush and gently brush all your hair toward the nape of you neck making sure to brush all the way to the ends.

3. Put your favourite ponytailer around your wrist and brush you hair into a pony one section at a time (this will ensure your hair is smooth and taught).

Tip: For a sleek style, go for a low pony. For a weekend sporty look, go high. This should be positioned at the crown of the head and will work best if you put you head upside down and tie the pony up whilst your hair is dangling towards the ground.

4. Fold the hair through the ponytailer until it is central and tight.

5. Split the pony in half and pull back on the band to secure the pony tightly.

6. To accessorise, try a shell Ponytailer Shield or with a glamourous headwrap from our Instyle range. These accessories will make any ponytail more sophisticated for the office.

7. Add some serum and a shot of hairspray for that final touch.