Hello ladies! This is a very special post from Kerrie of Gorgeous-Glamour. She has been one of our fans since the very beginning of our blog in October 2011. We are so excited that she has agreed to post for us here today! Please give her some support and "like" her page and follow her everywhere online. We so appreciate the amount of time and energy went into creating this fabulous post. My personal favorite part was her suggestions for using hair serum...but I won't ruin it for you, so read on! She has some of the most beautiful hair I've ever seen too!
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Hello everyone, My name is Kerrie and I am the Makeup Artist and owner of Gorgeous-Glamour. I have been following TBG for quite some time and am excited to be doing a guest post for them. I thought this would be a fun idea and hopefully you will learn something you can use!
A long time ago, I stopped paying people to color/cut my hair. It didn't make any sense. I was paying anywhere from $30 to $100 for these services that I could do myself. Want my tips on how you can save yourself some money too? Well read below. Please note, I am not a licensed hair stylist. I am self taught. Use my tips at your own discretion. I just know they work for me through trial and error! Please read through the whole blog before you start!
Cutting your own hair!
1) A good pair of scissors. No need to spend 100's of dollars. Check
THESE out. $10.99 and they will last too! This is very similar to what I use. I just saw some listed for $200.00 dollars..WOW. I take good care of my hair but it's not gold!!
2) I always cut wet hair. Use a comb, you never want to use a brush on wet hair..damaging! I think most people do. Dry hair can be deceiving with it's curly shortness! I also put a detangler in so I make sure it is combed through properly.
3) Brush your hair like you would part it and pull the sides forward.
4) Start on one side and take a small section and trim to your liking. I just trim my split ends of which you can easily see when it's wet. Remember you can always cut more but once it's gone..it's gone.
5) When you're through with both sides and they look even, put in a loose ponytail. Now a lot of people will tell you NOT to do what I am going to tell you, however it works for me. When it is in the pony tail..I look at the ends and go ahead and trim a little more if it looks like it has split ends. This is not where I do most of my trimming, just make sure I've gotten the bad ends. When it's all gathered up in this pony tail, I can see some split ends that I had missed before.
Make sure you brush through and put all your hair to the back. Does it look even (some people like a v shape or have layers like me) so it may not be exactly even. Make sure the layers are even within themselves however, make sense? I hope that helps you on the path to cutting your own hair! Remember, you probably won't get it perfect that first time..but keep practicing and you will get it. Doesn't it feel so much better when those yucky dry split ends are gone? I hope my sister doesn't read this, She will be calling me over for her trim!!
Note: If I am going to highlight my hair soon, then I trim at least a week before. My hair seems to have a little growth spurt right after I cut it and of course I want as close to the roots as possible when I highlight. Highlighting your own hair (I have very long hair) I was paying well over 100 dollars to get mine done! I have brown hair and this is what works for me. I know there are some places that are cheaper, but why continue when I can do it myself.
Of course I have plenty of mishaps when I was learning. One time I colored my whole head almost bleach blond and then had to go to the store for more product..where was a hat then?!?! Here's a big warning for you (back in the day no one told me and I wasn't smart enough to know then).
BLEACH DOES NOT FADE OUT! It has to grown out. I know this because one time a hairdresser bleached the top of my head, like the whole thing, (I really don't know what she was thinking) and didn't tell me it wouldn't fade out! (Knowledge is power, right people). It took forever. As a matter of fact, just in the last year was able to stop coloring my hair and only highlight. You see, I had to color brown, then highlight. What a pain. Now I can just highlight, YEAH!
I like my hair brown with bleach highlights. Yes I do use bleach for the highlighting because my hair is brown. You cannot achieve the lightness I want with medium to dark brown hair. Or if you can, I haven't done it. I hear over and over that you can't. It makes sense that regular hair color wouldn't be able to lift high enough. The highlights with bleach don't damage my hair enough to fret about. They are usually a little different each time.
For summer, I went blonder than normal. And sometimes I just do a quick touch up between full highlights. That's another advantage of doing it yourself, you can do little touch ups whenever you like and keep them looking fresh! I highly recommend you do a test strand in the back, underneath some layers before you do your whole head! Also, too many process at once can damage hair (or worse!). Follow recommend times in between color and bleaching. Read the labels! If anyone still gets perms, or really any kind of process..consult a professional first before you bleach!
Anyway, here's how I do it: Make sure you wear and old shirt, protect your counter tops and try not to get it on your skin. Wash immediately if you do. It can stain your counters/floors and stain your hands (it will be temp.) -and can burn! The bleach I used last time was quick blue. I didn't leave it on quite long enough and I have a little red tint. You have to leave it on to go through all the color processes. That's the risk you run. I have done this before when I have switched bleach or was in a hurry. It washes out after a week or so. You can use a toner and that does help some. They say purple based shampoos help but it never has on me.
Please consult a professional about toners and shampoos, I'm not a expert on all of that by any means. Follow the directions and do not leave it on longer than the recommend time. You will need protective clothing, bleach, developer, a plastic tub, a plastic spoon, red out (possibly), highlighting brush, needle, gloves and cap. A little hair serum helps! Optional-Ion color defense intense moisture packet.
*Note: I don't think its really a must to use the red out with bleach, but I use it just in case since red bothers me so much. I typically use it with color, so I just kept using it with bleach. This is the bleach I used last time- Click
HERE
Under $3.00
This is the developer I use- Click
HERE and
HERE
Less than $3.00
Highlighting brush- Click
HERE
Less than $2.00
You can re-use the needle and brush but I usually replace the cap, it is re-usable though. Following the directions for mixing. Use a plastic tub and plastic spoon. I cannot find on Sally's web site the red out that I use. (see below) But it comes in a little packet or a little box and it's not that expensive. I highly recommend using it if you have a tendency to pull red, and you don't want it! It works, if you leave the bleach on long enough..if you don't, nothing can stop the red then.
1) Seek the advice of a professional before you start if you can. You can call Ulta and speak to someone, or I am sure you know of someone you can at least call for a few minutes of their time. Try to keep them in mind to recommend them as needed since they were nice enough to help you.
2) Start by brushing your hair very well to prevent tangles. A little hair serum will help your hair go through the cap better too. It doesn't matter if your hair is clean or dirty.
3) Make sure it is parted the way you would wear it before you put the cap on!
4) Apply cap as tightly as you can. You will look funny but hopefully no one will be there to get a picture!! This will help you get closer to the roots.
Note: The closest way for some people to get to the roots is foiling. I cannot seem to master this but on my own hair, and some friends that I have done, I get to the root anyway.
* The longer piece of the cap goes in the back. You need your needle that came with your cap and start pulling small strands through the holes. I don't recommend using all the holes or almost your whole head will be bleached. I use every other hole within the circles when I want it really blonde. I think next time, I will go back to every other, other circled hole so it won't be so blonde. It's not an exact science. I don't stress about it.
The thicker strands you pull out, the more blonde too, don't forget! Just make sure you decide how blonde you want it and don't skip any sections. I recommend every other circled hole to start with small strands you pull out. If you want it blonder next time, you can remember to pull more or thicker strands. Remember bleach has to grow out not fade out!
I work from bottom to top so the top layers aren't hanging down and get in the way. Did you brush through and using that hair serum like I told you? Trust me it helps so much. You can pull big chunks through fewer holes for a chunkier affect. Your hands will get tired, it is not easy but its so worth it. I try to never pay for something that I can do myself. Take your time..do this while you're watching TV or house cleaning. It can take me a hour for this process.
People ask me how I get in the back. Well, practice makes perfect. I have to stop and look in the mirror several times to make sure all sections are done. If you happen to have a setup where you can look at the back of your hair while doing it, great. Like a mirror that extends from the wall to look through to a bigger mirror.
5) Are you wearing your gloves? I don't but they do recommend it and it can leave your hands stained or burning feeling. I wash my hands often during this process and I am fine. Mix your bleach and your developer. Don't cover and leave for another time, do this now. It needs to be used!
P.S. bleach needs to stay sealed tight to work, so if you are doing a touch up and not using all the bleach... a tub that is sealed is best. The bleach in the packets dry out! I use developer 30. Remember this rule- The higher the number of the bleach, the more lift you will receive.
6) Do you tend to pull red when you color? Here is where you mix in the red out. It actually looks purplish/blueish depending on which bleach you use..don't get scared!
7) Evenly distribute the bleach using a highlight brush through the pulled pieces of your cap. I start with root area since it is darker. I start counting time from the minute I start applying the bleach! Wait the amount of time on the instructions. These need to be followed. Leaving bleach in your hair past the recommend time can cause a lot of damage and worse! Did you get any on the counter tops? If you did wipe it off asap or you have a big problem, stain! The bleach I use doesn't drip so if your not messy while applying, you should be fine..but look around and check.
Like I said, I don't wear the gloves but you probably should or at least wash your hands every minute or so during the application process. It doesn't feel or look good on your hands. If you have sensitive hands, wear those gloves! You should test a strand before you rinse your hair. Wash off a small section, dry and see if it is the color you want. Does it look Orange or brassy? Rub some of the bleach from your head back on that and leave on. The key is leaving the bleach on long enough. Follow the directions and do your test strand. It may take you a few times to get it perfect. I've not left it on long enough before and had a red tint (like currently!). When this has happen to me, after a few washes, it came out. There are also products you can buy at Sally's to help. I mentioned toners and shampoos earlier! I strongly suggest if you do this that you don't have anything big planned for a week or so in case you do need to wait it out. Sally's is great at helping you with these problems too.
PLEASE do not do this yourself and get married or have a date right after, expect that you won't do it perfect until after several attempts. You can do it though, don't give up! Holidays may not be the best time to start doing this with all those pictures you will want to take.
When you're done and ready to rinse out, this is how I do it. I get in the shower and apply conditioner to the cap, lots of it. A cheap one will work. Then I slowly pull the cap out being so careful not to tug or pull. Slowly and surely. The conditioner will help the cap slide through but it's still going to be tough. DO not try this without conditioner on the cap first, your hair won't be happy. If you have trouble, put a little more conditioner on the other side of the cap! Rinse very very very well. You don't want to leave bleach on your hair. Make sure you follow with a great conditioner for your hair type. A deep conditioner is even better! I love, love, love the Ion color defense intense moisture packet (purple packet, under $2.00) You don't need color treated since this is bleach but this makes your hair feel like silk! REMEMBER bleach has to grown out..it will NOT FADE OUT.
I didn't read this whole article, but look at the stages your hair goes through to achieve the lift you want for highlights. It is very helpful. As I said before, I have made the mistake of not leaving my bleach on long enough until I properly understood this (even at that, I switched to a new bleach and did it again a few days ago!) Read article
HERE.
Please, do not forget that I am not licensed. I am self taught. I blog this for you to help you but always seek a professional if you are uncomfortable. Hair can be burnt, broken and damaged. Although your hair will be a little damaged with the bleach and process, it shouldn't be anything that conditioner cant fix. Remember, the thicker strands you pull out equals the more bleach equals the more damage. This is why I chose to do just the holes within the circles..I don't want my whole head almost bleached! I do a lot more for summer and I did a few days ago. I am undecided which I like best. I like to mix it up anyway! It is good to be a little different sometimes! How to foil your hair- Click
HERE to watch. People say its easier, but it's not for me.
Thank you so much ladies, This was a lot of hard work but I enjoyed it and I hope it helps someone!
Makeup Artist Kerrie
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