BellaSugar

Five Ways to Hide a Cowlick

BellaSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:00:40 -0700

I have a friend who has this piece of hair on one side of her face that refuses to lay flat at the root. Mere hours after a professional blowout and being hair-sprayed into (seeming) submission, the section of hair slowly bends back in rebellion.

She has a cowlick, which is caused by the hair growing in a spiral pattern at the root (so there's no permanent fix). Of course, the best way to hide a cowlick is to point it out to your stylist and get the right cut to deal with it. But to find out the five most effective no-scissors-involved solutions I've found, read more.

From easiest to most difficult:

Change your part. When hair is wet, brush the front section forward and part a few inches closer to your ear on the side of the cowlick. Apply a styling cream with a slight hold. New parts always take some getting used to, so give it a few days.
Wear your hair curly. This may seem like a "no duh" thing, but using a smaller size curling iron to make the non-cowlick side have a little bend to it is an easy fix. Just make sure you don't go too overboard and end up looking like Farrah Fawcett back in the day.
Blow dry. Take the smallest round brush you can find to damp hair and blow dry, pulling hair straight up. Use a cool setting if you need to get close to your face - it's better for your hair anyway. Alternate which direction you are pulling hair and which side the blow dryer is on.
Flat iron. Again, exercise extreme caution when trying this and don't use the highest setting. Depending how close to the root your cowlick is, you may be able to use a narrow, small-sized flat iron to flatten. Keep it far away from your face!
Relax. No, that's not a cop-out, "cowlicks aren't a big deal" answer. My friend and I actually tried having a stylist put a little relaxer on that small section of hair. It didn't work, but also didn't damage her hair. I wouldn't recommend trying this at home, though, unless you are experienced with relaxing or perming kits - they're tricky!

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How-To: Work With Your Widow's Peak

BellaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:36 -0700

A widow's peak is a dominantly inherited v-shape that dips down along the hairline. Perhaps one of my best friend's most enduring features is her widow's peak, which lends even more character to her friendly disposition. Do you know anyone with this distinctively cool feature?

Female celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Alyson Hannigan, Fran Drescher, and Milla Jovovich all have widow's peaks, along with Keanu Reeves, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Colin Farrell on the men's front. Perhaps you have this genetic trait, too. If so, here are some tips and techniques for making it work. Just read more.

Let it be: Your widow's peak makes you uniquely you, so why hide it? When choosing a hairstyle, focus on your overall face shape instead, whether it's heart, square, oval, or round.
The true heart: A true heart-shaped face will have a wider forehead, pointier chin, and a widow's peak. In this particular case, choose styles that give volume around the jawline, avoiding cuts that provide fullness around the temples. Also, steer clear of blunt bangs, which can look too severe.
Curly girly: Notice how Marilyn's widow's peak blends in with her curl? Add a few swooping rounded curls in the mix to provide a soft effect.
Hair removal: If you absolutely must create a straighter hairline, avoid shaving, which can leave an obvious stubbly line. Instead, consider tweezing, but don't go overboard.
Do the splits: Your widow's peak might act like a cowlick, causing unwanted splitting along your hairline. To coerce it to behave, start with damp hair and focus the air flow from your blow-dryer down toward the peak, tautly pulling hair over and around it to blend.
Banged up: Side parts and soft, swooping bangs are perfect ways to work with your widow's peak. Also, fun, spiky undercut bangs blend nicely with a descending v hairline, providing a stylish face-framing effect.

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Doing Drugstore: Conair MiniPro 1/2-Inch Ceramic Straightener

BellaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:00:28 -0800

I'm not usually one to travel with a heat-styling tool, but when I saw this little guy ($19.99) I had to give it a go. The possibilities seemed endless: Cowlick be damned, I could get bangs! Amazing, thick, brow-grazing Joni Mitchell bangs! Or maybe I could finally master that Nicole Richie trick that many of you seem to be pros at already! Or maybe I could straighten my hair from a hotel in Seoul, as long as I had the correct power adapter, and without sacrificing precious luggage space!

My excitement was slowed down soon after plugging the MiniPro in. As promised, it heats up in 30 seconds, but doesn't have any heat settings, nor that cool-tip design that I am so used to - I almost burned my fingers. The tiny, tiny size hardly made a dent in my hair (or took one out). The carrying case it comes with, a black floral number with a cute hanging heart toggle, turned out to be the best part of the purchase - meanwhile, secretly creating perfect bangs under my desk or in my office bathroom will have to remain a distant dream.

What's More Important in a Stylist: Talent or Personality?

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:00:03 -0700

I once left a stylist because our chemistry was terrible. Yeah, he gave great cuts, but the interaction with him was so uncomfortable that I sometimes skipped the blowdry altogether in an effort to avoid further awkwardness.

Another stylist was like a best friend: warm, bubbly, and likable all around. But, she never heeded warnings about those pesky cowlicks, and my wild tufts of hair and I had to go elsewhere.

We all wish we could find the perfect combo of talent and personality, but if you had to pick just one, what would you choose?

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Best of Bella

BellaSugar — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Check out these new contact lenses for eyes that would make your Blythe doll jealous.
Fancy the new Jessica Simpson fragrance?
Hey, smooth criminals: 31% of you have stolen makeup.
Get advice from Three Custom Color's Chad Hayduk about how to find your skin's undertones.

Test your knowledge: Eye Shadow or My Little Pony?
Get a peek at the latest batch of hopefuls who are still in the running to become America's Next Top Model.
Find out how to get rid of acne without staining your sheets.

Take the Madonna beauty trivia quiz!
Find out how to beautify on a plane and tame a cowlick.

Lovely Links, 1/24

BellaSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:00:20 -0800

Former primer skeptic Ms. New Beauty is won over by a cult favorite.
Specktra Beauty News shows us how TV technology is improving makeup.
Beauty by Nadine is seriously addicted to silicone. The best part? No surgery required!
Beauty Snob confirms that Sue Devitt's new mascara weaves a beautiful web of lashes.
Shake Your Beauty shows us a quick fix for temporarily relaxing a rogue kink or cowlick in your hair.
Raging Rouge introduces me to my latest addiction: a lip gloss that smells and tastes like hot chocolate!
We Love Beauty knows that if you're gonna splurge this Spring, at least take your cues from an expert.
Jezebel rolls their eyes at this goofy piece about brunettes in Vogue.

The Moment finds a rose fragrance that's a "work of art."
Kiss and Makeup shows us how to save a buck on our favorite brands.
Beauty and the Blog has the most cutting-edge, instantaneous way to zap bags under our eyes.
You ask, the Beauty Brains answer: Is makeup really safer from a tube?

ShinyGloss wonders if Guerlain's $35 mascara will really deliver.

Let's Get Something Straight, Part III

BellaSugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 11:09:07 -0700

Welcome back to Let's Get Something Straight, my three-part series on products for straight hair. (For more ideas, check out part one and part two.) Since smooth sleek hair is so highly coveted, there are tons of products to help combat frizz and fly-aways. Just remember that whatever you choose to buy, please keep your hair protected from excessive heat and stay away from styling products that contain alcohol; that's the kiss of death if you want to keep your hair shiny and soft.

Göt2b Crazy Sleek Hot Smooth Iron & Blow-Dry Lotion ($5.99) is a straightening lotion that forms barrier on your hair to protect it from heat damage caused by blow dryers and flat irons. Spray on damp hair and work it through from roots to ends.

For two more hair straightening products, read more

Biosilk Silk Hair Therapy Smoothing Balm ($12.10) is a luxurious product suitable for all hair types. It will eliminate frizz, calm ragged cuticles, control cowlicks, and prepare hair for styling. It even provides a little bit of hold and will leave your locks feeling smooth and sexy.

TIGI Bed Head Control Freak Extra Extra Straight Hair Straightener ($14.95) is the ultimate way to achieve stick straight hair that has a silky soft feel. If the name of this product doesn't hook you, consider how easy it is to use: Simply spray it on damp hair sparingly and style as usual.

Let's Get Something Straight, Part II

BellaSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 08:11:22 -0700

Hair straightening balms are really useful this time of year. Spring showers breed humidity and new found warmth in the air. Your frizzies, which seemed somewhat manageable in the cold winter, have now come back with a vengeance. Have no fear, these styling products will tame those frizzies, fly-aways and help relax unwanted curls or cowlicks. Apply to damp hair and blow dry straight. Enjoy!

Hang Straight by Aveda, $17.50, is a great product to help fight fly-aways and protect hair from humidity and frizz. It is made from certified organic marshmallow root and flax seed to smooth out hair and dramatically enhance shine. This product is perfect for super curly or wavy hair.

For two more straightening balms, read more

got2b Smoothed Over Straightening Balm, $5, is the solution to smoothing and straightening unwanted waves. Simply apply a small amount to the palm of you hand, distribute evenly throughout your hair, brush it through and blow dry. It is made with natural botanicals that not only smell good, but will help protect your hair against heat styling.

Brilliant Brunette Simply Sleek Straightening Balm, $6, is a hair straightening aid that also adds glisten and sheen to your rich brown locks. It has a lightweight, non-oily formula that leaves hair with a smooth, satiny finish. The good news is that it can also be used on your hair the next day for quick touch ups - bellissima!

Let's Get Something Straight, Part I

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:50:33 -0700

These fab hair smoothing products ensure that curly, frizzy or hard to tame hair become more manageable. They also protect your hair and add shine during the heat styling process. The result is straight, soft and smooth hair! Using these products is simple too! Just apply a dime sized amount into the palm of your hand and distribute evenly throughout towel dried hair. You can also add a very small amount to dry hair to smooth away frizz after styling. To see another post about more fabulous hair straightening products, click here.

Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $32, is a thick and yummy smelling balm suitable for all hair types - even those with permed hair who are looking for a sleek looking blow out. It is made from ferula, horseradish, sage and garlic extracts - I know what you are thinking, but I swear it smells good! This concoction coats the hair and adds fiber for strengthening purposes.

It isn't oily feeling like a serum and it leaves your hair feeling really shiny, soft and straight! You can buy this 5.9 oz tube for $32 or you can buy a smaller 3.3 oz version which sells for $24.

For two more hair straightening balms, read more

Redken Straight 05 Straightening Balm, $15, is a kink killer! This anti-frizz, humidity and curl product works hard to create great straight locks! It provides a protective shield against heat damage as well as increases shine and elasticity. Enter your zip code in the upper right corner to find a salon nearest you.

Frizz-Ease Wind-Down Relaxing Creme by John Freida, $6, is an oldie but goodie extra strength relaxing creme that helps to calm down curls, cowlicks and frizzies. It contains aloe and vitamin E to strengthen, hydrate and make hair nice and shiny!

Work a small sized amount through your hair beginning from roots to ends and brush through to distribute evenly. I've been using this product for a long time and I love it because it's not greasy!