Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Hair: Beach Waves with a Flat Iron!

How to create Beach Waves using a Flat Iron

 

I was browsing YouTube for hair tutorials, and I came across a bunch of beach wave tutorials. There are so many video tutorials on how to do it, and there are many different techniques.

I tried it out myself using my 1" Jibere flat iron, which isn't the best flat iron for creating curls, but it's the only flat iron I have right now. **As a side-note, using a flat iron with rounded edges will work the best for smooth curls. Plates with square edges can cause crimps in the hair, and the flat iron won't glide through the hair as easy.

Step 1: Start out with completely dry, brushed hair. Distribute a heat protector to all of your hair to minimize breakage. I like using Tresemme Heat Tamer Protective Spray or Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Heat Protector.

Step 2: Section your hair off in four sections, starting underneath your hair, take one inch sections of hair at a time, clamping the flat iron near the roots, and slowly pull the iron down rotating the iron in a half-way turn. Slowly bring the iron down the stand of hair, making sure the iron is slightly turned the whole way down.

**The way you hold the iron wand how long you hold it through the strand will impact the look of your waves. Holding it horizontally will create more rounded curls, and holding it vertically will create looser waves. Also, holding the iron for too long down the stand can cause tighter waves. If your waves are too tight, don't worry, because they can be combed out later.

Continue with the rest of your hair, going through each section. When you get to the area of hair that falls on the sides of your face, make sure to rotate the iron away from your face.





Step 3: (optional) For a more natural effect, lightly comb or brush through your waves. (Don't worry, you won't ruin all of your hard work).

Step 4: Finish your hair off with a finishing cream or balm. All you need is a little dab and work it through the curls with your fingers. This will define the curls and reduce frizz. (Although frizz isn't a bad thing when you want to look like you've been at the beach!) My favorite finishing cream of all time is Bed Head After-Party Smoothing Cream.


I didn't use a finishing cream because I wanted my hair to look really natural and effortless - frizz and all. I love the look, and it's so simple to do! It's a great look for the daytime or for going out!

I also went for a more natural, summery makeup look today using one of my favorite summer foundations - Make Up Forever Face & Body.



Face: Make Up Forever Face and Body Foundation #34 (Perfect light, summer foundation!)
Ben Nye Blue Neutralizer Concealer
Chanel Bronze Universel Bronzer

Eyes: Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils Mascara
Urban Decay "Midnight Cowboy" eye shadow (in the corners of my eyes near my tear ducts)

Brows: Urban Decay Twice Baked Eyeshadow (Yes, this eyeshadow has shimmer, but it doesn't show up unless applied heavily)

Lips: MAC Spice Lip Liner
MAC Sandy B Lipstick

Hope you liked this look! Let me know if you give it a try. 

9 comments:

  1. great method. I use a similar technique

    love your hair

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  2. love the hair, it's super cute,chic and sexy!

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  3. How do you always manage to look so beeeeyooootiful!? I would hate you if you weren't so nice.ha ha

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  4. you're so pretty, and damn lucky to know how to use the flatiron to curl, i can't quite master it, so i use a curling iron ;-)

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  5. i love your eyebrows.. how do you shape them like that? lol

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