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Six secrets for easy ways with hair-styling  If you are looking for a variation on normal plaits, you can braid simply the front section of your hair at each side of the temple and then scrape these back and let the rest of the hair hang straight down. This is a great way to add interest to a one-length style. If you are bored with the traditional three-strand plait and want to try something different, use just two sections of hair and weave them together. When you get to the ends of the hair, secure the braids with a band.
TOPKNOT
Ensure hair is tangle-free, then comb it towards the crown of the head and scrape into a high ponytail. Secure with a ponytail tie, then wrap the hair in a circular motion round the tie in a bun shape. Secure with hairgrips or bobby pins, for a modern finish, splay the ends out and mould into an interesting shape, then fix with a light hairspray. You could reposition the bun at the nape of the neck or the middle of the back of the head.
DROP CURLS
If you have shoulder-length or longer hair which is straight or has a natural wave, you can create an interesting finish by curling the mid-lengths (just below the ears) and ends. Start at the front with 2.5cm-wide sections of hair and wrap them around heated tongs, working from the mid-lengths to the ends. Clasp hair in tongs for thirty to sixty seconds, depending on your hair type: fine hair will absorb heat more quickly. Unravel and then move on to the next section. If you are using heated rollers, follow the same procedure but wind hair from the ends up the airshaft until you reach the top of the ears. Secure in place and move on to the next section.
STRAIGHT
To blow-dry your hair dead straight, first apply mousse, then comb it through and partially rough-dry the hair. Take a 2.5cm section across the hair at the nape of the neck with a comb and pin the rest of the hair out of the way. Using a round brush, dry this section. For the best results, glide the brush from roots to ends and direct the air flow from the hair dryer down the hair shaft, following the brush as you work. Make sure that each section is completely dry before you move on to the next one. Gradually proceed up the head, working in 2.5cm sections. After drying, smooth on a small amount of serum to give the hair a polished finish.
SCRAPE BACK
Ideal for one-length styles, longer hair with layers or if you are growing a fringe out. The secret is to ensure that the hair is absolutely straight and ultra-shiny. If you're not expert at blow-drying your hair straight, get to work with heated straightening irons. Once hair is straight, comb it off the face and make two partings (using the centre of each iris as a guide) back to the crown. Hold this section at a 90-degree angle to the head, scrape a hair comb the same width in and push back, so it grips the hair, taking it off the face. Push back until the comb feels secure.
PLAIT
To successfully plait the hair, comb through to remove tangles and then divide into three equal sections. Weave the left section over the middle section, then weave the right section over the middle section, repeating the process until you reach the end of the hair. Secure with a band. Once you have finished, you can spritz the hair with a fine mist of hairspray to keep it in place. It you feel the total look is too neat, simply ease out a few strands of hair around the front. If you pull too much out by mistake, you don't need to start again from scratch. Using small pins, scoop hair back into the plait and secure in place.
Stylingwork
Style Savers
When you are travelling, it's always possible to get more mileage from your hair-styling appliances. When you are packing, wrap your necklaces around a hair roller and secure in place with a hair elastic. This will ensure that chains do not tangle and get knotted. Also, hair-dyers can be used to dry lingerie and any other small items of clothing after washing.
Mirror Image
If you have a symmetrically shaped hairstyle, you should alternate the hand in which you hold the dryer in order to ensure that both sides of the hair look the same. Once you have mastered the knack and it comes naturally, you will be blow-drying like a professional. As a side effect, this is a good way to tone the muscles on both arms and hands.
Satin Slip
If you always wake up with bed-head hair, you could try changing your pillowcase. Satin pillowcases allow the hair to slide across the pillow gently as you move in your sleep, whereas cotton causes friction and disrupts the hair. Using a satin pillowcase also means that you will not end up with crease marks on your face if you tend to sleep nuzzled into the pillow.
Easy Curls
To curl hair with a natural wave, take random 5-7.5cm sections of damp hair, twist tightly and literally scrunch up into small balls and secure in place. Leave to dry naturally, only unravelling when the hair is completely dry. To finish, do not comb through but tip your head upside-down and use your fingers to break up the curls and enhance the movement created.
Simple Steps to successful hair-styling
Root Lift
A foolproof way that is guaranteed to achieve root lift which will not drop shortly afterwards is to work through the roots with a vent brush. While you are blow-drying your hair, lift individual sections as you go. You will also find that tipping your head upside-down or leaning your head to one side as you blow-dry has the effect of maximizing the hair’s volume.
Flyaway Hair
If you have a problem with static, flyaway hair, you could always try using an anti-static clothes spray. You should never apply this directly to the hair, but can spray a small amount on to a comb or hairbrush and then gently run it through the hair. However, you should go lightly at this stage, as over-zealous combing or brushing is likely to result in more static.
Steam Style
When you run a bath, close the bathroom door so the steam from the water doesn't evaporate, then spray your hair with setting lotion and put rollers in before getting into the bath. The steam will help set the curls. Remove the rollers when your hair is completely dry and run your fingers through the hair to break up the curls and to add definition.
Thickening Treat
If you have baby-fine hair and want to make it look fuller, hairdressers recommend spraying the hair with dry shampoo. This will add body and make the hair easier to manage. Just remember, less is more, so try to be as light-handed as possible during application. To remove, you can simply brush the hair.
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