Straight hair, curly hair, curls done with a flat iron…. There’s so much you can choose from for styling your hair. The best part is, is there’s so much you can do with one good flat iron. A good flat iron is hardly that difficult to find these days. There are so many brands to choose from, but there is a constant dispute regarding GHD and Chi brand flat irons. Which one really is the better of the two? How about a little comparison to help you determine? Here goes…
Technology:
The GHD flat iron comes with an internal microprossecor that allows even heating over the ceramic plate, avoiding “hot spots.” The benefit from this technology is that it will protect your hair and will not over heat it.
The Chi flat iron comes with an integrated Nano Silver technology which is meant to help add shine to the hair and also sterilezes and kills bacteria.
Heat:
The GHD heats up to 370 degrees in 15 seconds and it will beap to alert you when it is hot and ready.
The Chi heats up to 370 degrees as well but not as quickly. It takes roughly about a minute as opposed to a few seconds.
Design:
GHD iron has the control button on the inside of the iron on the bottom.
Chi has the control botton on the outside on the bottom of the iron. Which sometimes can be frustrating if you accidently bump the switch off when styling your hair.
Power:
The GHD has a 9 foot cord, it has an automatic feature where after of sleep mode. After 30 minutes of not being used, it automatcily will shut it self off. So it’s a great endergy saver and you don’t have to get to worry about getting all the way to work and wondering if you turned your flat iron off or not. It also has an auto-international voltage use. Which is great if you travel to other countries.
The Chi has a 10 foot cord, which is a little bit more convenient for styling the back of your hair. But does not have any additional features.
Price:
The GHD retails for around $180-200.
The Chi retails for around $100.
Well ladies and gents those are the facts. Now I am going to give you my own two cents. I have used both both styling irons. For years i was a devoted customer to Chi brand and I thought I would never use anything else. About six months ago my Chi of four years died. So naturally I went out and bought the exact same one. I was very dissapointed by the iron! It just didn’t glide through the hair the same way my old one did. So I returned it. I think there is something to be said for a product that becomes too overly produced. You now can find a Chi iron in Costco and Target stores. I just don’t think the quality is there anymore.
Then I ended up stumbing into a GHD styling class at a local beauty suppy store. I was at first hesistant because of the price of the iron but I sat for an hour at the demo and was completely blown away! The model of the class had completly trashed, damaged hair and the iron really did smooth it out into silk. So needless to say I am deffiantely a fan of the GHD now!
If you’re anything like the average bride, you’ve completed trials of your bridal hairstyle and makeup, brightened up your smile, perfected your spray tan, and colored your hair to perfection. Here’s how to make sure you don’t undo all your meticulous beauty planning on the day of the wedding.
1. DO wear a button-down or something else that you can wriggle out of easily without messing up your makeup and hair.
2. DON’T assume that a one-hour salon appointment will be long enough–especially if you’ll be getting your hair done on a busy Saturday morning. Time your hairstyle at your trial appointment and also keep in mind how much time it takes you to get to and from your wedding day location. If you’re cutting it at all close be sure to schedule more time for yourself.
3. DO appoint someone to be in charge of your lipstick and a mirror during photo-taking sessions, especially if you’ll be out wandering about country-club grounds. Your lip color will be kissing off constantly and you’ll want to reapply at this point even if you slack off later during the reception–but you won’t want to have to keep finding places to put your stuff while getting snapped.
4. DON’T assume you’ll be able to put your veil on and take it off. Once your hairstyle is complete, this might get trickier. Be sure to ask your hairstylist for tips on how to get it right, or have a bridesmaid learn and then be in charge of lending you a hand later.
5. DO bring a wedding-day emergency kit that contains things like a nail file, hair spray, extra bobby pins and blotting papers. If you’ll be spending time outdoors, don’t forget to bring an emergency umbrella and rain boots, too–just in case.
6. DON’T wash your hair the morning of the wedding if you’re getting an up style–most hairstylists prefer to work with hair that’s a little dirty. If you really can’t stand unwashed hair then your hair stylist can “fake dirty” hair by using products. Just be sure that you and your hair stylist have decided on this in advance so they can have enough time to blow your hair dry.
7. DO bring photos from your hair and makeup trials. Don’t expect the pros to remember exactly what they did on you the first time around, even if they took notes. Just think how many brides they work with in a year!
8. DON’T get a manicure/pedicure hours before the ceremony. Better to take care of this the day before. You’ll have enough to do pre-wedding that you won’t want to be stuck sitting around waiting for polish to dry. And if they don’t dry thoroughly, you’ll risk nicking them.
When it comes to function hair sprays are all the same. They are meant to hold the hair in a specific style or shape by using polmyers that keep the hair into place. Hair sprays will vary from a light hold that keeps the hair feeling soft and up to strong hold that will keep the hair wind proof.
Are you using your hair spray properly? Many of us just lacquer and go, but there’s an art to misting. Understanding when to use a light or strong hold can make a world of difference in the style and health of your strands. Since it’s vital to grasp the basics, here is the scoop:
AEROSOL VS. NON AEROSOL
The terms aerosol and non-aerosol refer to the delivery systems of the hairspray. An aerosol is a suspension of fine particles (solid or liquid) in a gas. As it regards hairspray, an aerosol is packaged in a container under pressure and a release valve is used to emit the pressurized suspension into the air in a mist propelled by a gas.
A Non-aerosol hairspray is packaged as a liquid, the bottle with a pump-sprayer. The pump sprayer uses springs, valves and tubes to mix the liquid with small amount of air and emits the liquid as small droplets propelled in short bursts.
When it comes to styling, I mainly use aerosol sprays because I can get more control and better coverage.
Non aerosols can be a bit more sticky and a little bit more challenging to use. How ever they do still serve a purpose: They are helpful to use when curling your hair. Lightly spray each section, allow a few seconds to dry and then curl the hair as preferred. When doing this method you must ALWAYS make sure that the spray has a heat protectant ingredient it.
Non aersol sprays are also great to use when I have completed curling and pinning the hair (creating a set.) The liquid penetrates deeper into the pinned curl. So it gives a better hold all over.
The secret to getting the non aersol hair spray to work best for you is to make sure that is completely dry before touching the hair.
HAIR SPRAY TYPES
Working
The lightest amount of hold, working hair spray is buildable and non-sticky. It’s great for running through strands as you create an updo or soft, touchable waves.
Styling
Used to thicken, volumize, or add texture, styling hair spray has a medium-level hold, and often features a heat-protecting ingredient. Styling hair sprays works great with updos and gives hold to curls.
Finishing
The strongest hold, finishing hair spray. This should only be spritzed after you’re done styling and want to keep everything in place.
HOLD LEVELS
Light hairspray prevents flyaways after a blowout and won’t weigh down fine strands, but you need medium-hold if you’re trying to tame thicker, heavier hair or create lose waves or a soft bun. Strong and extra-strong hair sprays are for hair you don’t want to move at all, such as wedding updos, sleek ponytails, and french twists.
HOT TIPS FOR HAIR SPRAY
The most common mistake when applying hair spray is spritzing too closely. You should hold the nozzle at least 12 to 14 inches away from your head. Keep a steady stream while misting for overall hold. You want to create an even mist—don’t use it like bug spray!
Over-application. Using too much will create an unattractive helmet effect. If left in too long, the spray can be difficult to remove and your locks will dry out due to the high alcohol content.
When you want to keep curls tight, use a medium-hold hair spray after you’ve finished with the iron. Never spray product on your hair while it is on the iron. The alcohol and heat will fry your hair—It’s one of the worst things you can do!”
To prevent frizz and flyaways, spritz hair spray onto the top of the head and gently use the hair spray bottle to smooth down the hair. Our hands naturally have oils in them, so sometimes when we run our hands throughour hair we actually create more frizz.
FAVORITE HAIR SPRAYS:
Redken Fashion Work: This a light hold aerosol spray it’s very versatile for working and shaping styles.
Redken Pure Force: This is a non aerosol medium hold styling spray that is great for creating a set and adds shine.
Redken Spray Starch: This a a non aerosol medium hold styling spray. It has Redken’s exclusive Bonding System that transports potato starch extract to help protect against heat and cuticle loss. It mimics the pattern of heat appliances by “starching in” long-lasting memory.
Osis Freeze: This is an aerosol strong hold finishing hair spray. Provides lasting lift, maximum control and shape memory. And is NOT sticky.
Brrr… it’s cold out there! Anyone who has ever pulled their winter hat off only to be greeted by a staticky mess can attest that winter is not kind to our hair. Cold air, wind, indoor heat and low humidity are extremely drying to our locks, often leaving them dull, brittle and lifeless.
Deep conditioners are vital to the health of your hair when the weather outside gets frightful. Why are they important?
- Complete and intense nutrition from roots to ends
- Restores hair fiber vitality and shine from roots to ends
- Weightless nutrition for hair suppleness
- Locks in nourishment deep into the hair fiber
- Anti-dryness protection
Here is a list of my favorite deep conditioners:
Kerastase Nutritive Massqintense, Pureology Hydracure, Redken Allsoft Heavy Cream, Redken Smooth Down Butter Treatment, Morrocon Oil Intense hydrating mask.
The trick to deep conditioners is making sure that it is moisturizing. Ingredients like Shea, Jojoba, Mango, Avacodo, and Argon oils are good to look for.
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