Hair Flex Studio Styling Brush

As long as people have had hair, they have needed some way to tame tangles and most importantly, show off their personal style. Hair brushes have been around for thousands of years, but changed dramatically in the mid 20th century with the introduction of space age plastic, synthetic fibers and blow dry styling. What started out as a very basic implement, the hair brush has morphed into a highly specialized styling tool. One example is the Hair Flex Studio Styling Brush.

While working in my hair styling studio and on motion picture sets I found the need to use several types of styling brushes to create a finished hair style. I thought why not design one hair styling brush that could do all most everything. Drawing inspiration from the original “five fingered comb” (the hands and fingers), I then set out to design a flexible styling brush that combined “three basic hair brushes with a built-in comb” and functioned like our hand and fingers. With technology being what it is today, I discovered a new heat resistant flexible “rubber-like” material used in the aerospace industry that made the design and functions required possible.

It combines a “paddle brush, shaping brush, straightening and waving brush” with a "built-in comb" and "air flow net" to make blow-dry styling safe, quick and easy. And if time is money, then this versatile bad boy says….ca ching!

As you can image it’s my favorite styling brush and comes with all the “bell’s and whistles” you’d expect of a styling brush in the 21st century. The ultra light slim, "pro-style handle" is ergonomically designed to "reduce wrist strain". Simply squeeze the handle to “lift for volume, pull to straighten, crimp and wave, flip hair up or under, scrunch and spike, defuse and detangle". Its provides unlimited hair styling options making the Hair Flex Studio Styling Brush "the world’s most versatile hair brush". To see a demonstration visit http://www.hairflex.com/

The Hot Air "Round" Hair Styling Brush

As long as people have had hair, they have needed some way to tame tangles and most importantly, show off their personal style. Hair brushes have been around for thousands of years, but changed dramatically in the mid 20th century with the introduction of space age plastic and synthetic fibers. What started out as a very basic implement, the hair brush has morphed into a highly specialized styling tool. One example is the “hot air round styling brush".

Blow dry hair styling can be a time-consuming and awkward process involving holding a hair dryer in one hand and styling brush in the other. The hot air round styling brush combines a hair dryer and round styling brush making it easy to handle and shortens the drying time without damaging the hair. The effects are the same as using a round brush and blow dryer, though not nearly as challenging. Hot air blows out from the center of the round brush barrel, drying and styling your hair at the same time. Independent heat and speed settings with 1500 watts of styling power and round brush attachments adjusts for any hair length providing endless styling options.

The hot air round brush is one of my favorite hair styling tools! The ultra light slim, pro-style handle is ergonomically designed to reduce wrist strain. This streamlined beauty comes with all the “bell’s and whistles” you’d expect in the 21st century. The Tourmaline crystals inside the dryer’s round barrel send out negative ions (good stuff) to seal the hairs surface layer and control frizz. Simultaneously, the ceramic far-infrared heat preserves moisture inside the hair shaft for a super shine. The air flow is increased by 40% while the ionic generator breaks up water molecules to further speed drying time. And if time is money, then this bad boy says….ca ching!

While the top of the line hot air styling brush is geared toward repeated use by professionals, they can be beneficial for personal use as they will no doubt last longer and give you professional results. If you’re willing to pay a few extra dollars a professional hot air round styling brush is well worth the investment.

Hairspray

People have used natural compounds such as (clays, wax, tree sap, sugar, starch and gums) to hold their hair in place since antiquity. The early 20th century hair fixatives used a resin-like substance made of alcohol and shellac was dispensed from an atomizer bottle. This proved unsatisfactory because the nozzle would clog, soaking the hair making it stiff and almost impossible to remove. The lacquer in the spray was so sticky that the floors of beauty salons became quite tacky. By 1950 a clog free value was designed for dispensing gases under pressure and the first aerosol hairspray was born.

In 1950, Helene Curtis became the first to use the generic term "hairspray" for its newly developed aerosol product called Spray Net. By the end of the decade, aerosol hair sprays had inspired the creation of hairstyles that would have been impossible without them. The Beehive and Bouffant hairstyles involved teasing the hair on top of the head to keep its full and puffy looking. Hairdressers spent hours creating these towering styles and used tons of hairspray to keep it rigid and in place for a week or more. As a result hairstyles and hairspray sales soared.

By the late 1960s and 1970s the arrival of much more natural hairstyles saw hair spray sales dropped as stiff bouffant styles fall from fashion. At the same time, environmentalists began to discover that chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) used in aerosol hair sprays were damaging the environment. This did not stop the beauty manufacturers, which quickly found alternative approach. In 1977, Alberto VO5 Hair Spray became the first nationally advertised premium brand to introduce an aerosol free of CFC.

The popularity of hair spray revived again in the 1990s with the popularity of structured and textured hairstyles and has remained a part of many women's hair styling routine through the twenty-first century. In the last 50 years researchers have improved both the quality of hairspray ingredients and the aerosol packaging used to deliver them. Modern hairsprays have come a long way since the day of rigid, untouchable hairstyles. Today hairsprays deliver a light even spray that leaves no build-up, stickiness or weight. They are fast drying, and create an instant flexible hold to complement today’s hairstyles. Aerosol hairsprays have now become a delivery system for a wide variety of styling products (spray gel, spray wax, spray pomade) and account for 50% of all personal care sales. It appears that with all its ups and downs hairspray is "hair" to stay.

Hollywood Style Icons / Making Waves

A modern version of the 1940’s fashions has been showing up on the red carpet and all over the runways. Even the style bibles (fashion magazines) seem to have jumped on the band wagon. All are packed to the brim with models sporting equally beautiful cascading waves. When it comes to couture, the 40’s glamour style seems to be favored by Chloe, Gucci, Valentino and many others. The ultra feminine hairstyles with soft flowing waves were made popular by Hollywood style icons Veronica Lake, Lauren Becall, Reta Hayworth and Jane Russell.

Spear-heading the trend are current cinema beauties Keira Knightley, Scarlett Johansson, Amanda Yesfried, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Megan Fox and Madonna. It’s not a surprise that these classic hairstyles are making a come back as face framing waves soften aging facial features and suit most face shapes. A quick blow dry and a few twists around a styling iron or a hand full of hot rollers give this classic a contemporary look. Long hairstyles with face framing waves have always been characteristic of youth, and send a message to men of femininity; sensuality and innocence making these up-dated forties styles a trend to watch.

The Ponytail / World's First Hair Style

The statuique Greek Goddress with her high flying Ponytail and sophistacated Chinon reminds us of the staying power of this simple classic hairstyle. The reason for its longevity is that the vast majority of women (75%) prefer wearing long hair and this simple up-do is suitable for any age, face shape and hair texture. The ponytail style is often the hairstyle of choice for many time challenged celebrities and fans alike. Stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Beckinsale, Angelina Jolie, and many more have been seen with this classic hairstyle in one form or another on the red carpet in recent years.

Its such a classic style that it never grows old and its versatility is endless. As a hairdresser, I love the fact that Ponytail styles can be messy, sexy, creative, sleek, knotted, frizzy, braided, rockin, casual, romantic, sporty, or even seductive looking. You might say it’s the “work horse” of all hairstyles thus it has been appropreately named “The Ponytail”. It’s a great look for anyone who’s short on time and when arranged for a dressy look is suitable for any occasion. If you’re looking for an easy any time hairstyle that’s always fashionable and never out of style, pull your hair back (high or low) and your good to go.

Star Hair Style / Jay Leno / How To Get The Look

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national past time. One such star hair style is Hollywood talk show host Jay Leno. His dapper tousled hair style and boyish good looks are irresistible to women attracted to the creative types and quiet the catch for those babes looking for a few giggles.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Do you sometimes get a feeling your hair style and gray hair is making you look passé? Before you throw in the towel, take a styling lesson from Jay Leno and watch heads turn when you stroll by looking "dapper and oh so stylish” in a grown up way. To get the look, let’s take it one step at a time; starting with a style cut and shaping.

LET’S SHAPE IT: To get the look start with a contoured silhouette for volume with mid length sideburns and taper neckline stylishly at or over the collar. For those looking for a "no fuzz finger combed style this puppy fill the bill and almost styles itself. With a few adjustments (tweaks) as it grows you can find the ideal length and shape for your style.

LET’S STYLE IT: Start with a dab of shaping gel or nothing at all. Just run either through damp hair and comb in place to dry au natural or give it a quick once over with a blow dryer for a full look. After, polish it off with a dab of styling cream or natural hold hair spray and your good to go.

LET’S ADD SIDEBURNS: Nothing can reshape a face or add a dramatic look like facial hair. Sideburns for example can be full, close, long, short or narrow. This simple addition can make large ears appear smaller or a narrow faces wider and definitely add a stylish or artsy look. Include tapered mid length sideburns and you’ve got the look.

NOW, LETS COLOR IT: If you’re not up for coloring your hair but want to do something about the gray a temporary “foaming color rinse” used twice a week following a shampoo will give it a ”brilliant platinum" hue. This extra step is well worth the time for a "foxy look" and all the extra attention you'll get.

Jay Leno’s dapper style cut is both casual and buttoned down at the same time making it ready for any occasion. The finger combed contoured silhouette fits the shape of your head perfectly and looks great from all points of view. The color rinse has given your dull lifeless gray hair color a brilliant foxy snow white hue”. Head will turn and your pal's will be green with envy when they see the babes making a fuss over you and your new look.

Disclaimer: the star image here is solely for entertainment. Should the star image featured here wish it to be removed please let me know and it will be removed.