HAIR WEEK: STRAIGHTEN IT OUT

Let's talk about straight hair.

Growing up, curly hair wasn't cool. Straight hair was cool. So, what did I do? I murdered my hair by straightening it for most of middle school & high school. Sorry, hair!

After letting it rehab for the past...eh...7 years - it fully doesn't hate me anymore. Now I straighten it much less- and having a straightener that doesn't burn my hair to a crisp sure helps! Here's my before and after:

I mean, major improvement, right? What's great is that when I straighten my hair now it is SHINY. Not dull and crunchy from having all the life sucked out of it! So what straightener am I using? 

This guy:

 The cute kids at Misikko sent this Hana Professional straightener my way- and to be honest, it was one of the VERY few offers to test things I've accepted. Normally I think doing lots of reviews just sounds so fake. I mean, HOW do those bloggers just loooooooooove everything that is sent to them? I call bull crap. So when they sent me this, they said I could be as honest as I wanted. Rather than do a post right away, I actually used it- for about 4 months. I actually saw if I liked the thing before putting it on the blog. And honestly: I love it. 

It heats up in like 30 seconds.

It doesn't cool down until you're done- so no waiting halfway through to get up to full heat again.

It glides over hair rather than ripping it as it goes.

It leaves hair shiny and super soft. 

So friends, here I am today telling you honestly that while this straightener was gifted to me by Misikko- it is ABSOLUTELY one I would invest in if I had known how great it was. This isn't an ad to tell you to buy- but if you're looking for a reliable straightener that won't wreck your hair, check them out. They're on super sale right now, which doesn't hurt :)

Do you have a hair styling brand that you love?

I'd love to hear what you have up your sleeve!

xo, lp

This product was given to be by Misikko, but I received no payment for doing this post. All opinions are my own, ya dig?

images by louisa marion photography

HAIR WEEK : HEIDI HAIR HOW TO (aka princess leia braids)

Hair Week: Day 1. Let's do this!

I'm starting out with the Heidi Braids because they are so. dang. easy. Perfect for a "crap I woke up late Tuesday and need to do my hair in 5 minutes flat" moment. Of which I have had many. Damn you, snooze button. 

This hairstyle is called the Heidi, or the Princess Leia, or heck- throw some flowers in there and you can call it the Frida Kahlo. 

If you don't know who at least 2 or those 3 women are, get your Wikipedia on. Stat.

This hairstyle takes 4 steps.

The best part is it doesn't look like it only takes 4 steps- hence why no one will assume it's your "get up and go" hair. Hurray!

Let's start, shall we?

PREP:

 Before you start, brush out your hair well, and part down the middle in the back. I prefer having it parted to the side in the front because middle parts ain't mah jam. But if you want a middle part in the front too, go for it. ALSO: Have a lot of bobby pins handy. You might not use them all, but they'll be good to have just in case you need 'em.

MAKE IT HAPPEN:

Step 1: With your hair properly parted, braid your first side, tugging your hair away from your head slightly. This will keep you from having a big bump when you move to step 2.

Step 2: Fold/wrap the braid around the back of your head. Your next braid will go in front of it, so don't worry if it looks a little funky being back so far. Pulling it tightly, secure with 2-3 bobby pins. You'll have a lovely little side-rat tail-embrace it. 

Step 3: Braid the second half of your hair and then repeat step 2, just folding it in front of your first braid. Secure it well!

Step 4: This is clean up time. Make sure the side-rat tail is tucked/pinned in, and pin down any rogue bumps or flyaways that may have come up. Once you feel you're secure, you're good to go!!!

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This really is a pretty fool-proof hairstyle. Plus, the more you do it the easier it gets. 

TIPS:

* if you have thin/slippery hair: spray some hairspray in your hair first to help the bobby pins grab your hair

* if you have really curly hair: you may want to straighten the front few inches of your hair for a smooth look!

* if you have really short hair and are mad at me that you can't do this: sorry, grow it out girl!

* if you're lookin' for a fancy look: pin some tiny wild flowers along one side. 

So that's it!

Have you tried the 'Heidi'? 

Any tips or tricks you'd like to share?

xo, lp

*tune in every day this week for more #hairweek fun!

** if you try this out - share it on Instagram and tag me- @lpodlich, i'd love to see it!

For you pinnin' fools:

images by louisa marion photography