Other times, long-term braiding keeps hair protected. It gives hair a break from excessive styling, allowing it to rest and grow. These braids can stay in for a week or two, with some girls keeping their braids in for a month. Braiding for three days or more has an added benefit, because once you take the braids out, your hair is simultaneously stretched and curled, giving you a sheikh hairdo for another day or two.

For girls with hair type 4 (A to C), braiding essentially gives you two hairdos in one, which is why it’s such a hit. You can braid the hair itself or add extensions in the form of weaves or other types of artificial braids. If your hair’s curl pattern is between 1 (very straight) and 3 (slight wave), and if your hair is long enough, you can braid without extensions.

Braiding by hair type

However, if you need volume, add extensions for extra weight and less breakage. The extensions can also improve the grip of the braid, because hair that is very fine can easily unravel, shortening the lifespan of your braids. You may also need to beads, ornaments, or rubber bands at the ends of the braids, to keep them from coming apart.

There are different kinds of braids. You can do a simple style, like a single French braid, or a pair of pigtails. Or you may want something complex, like cornrows or box braids. A traditional braid is always three-stranded, which means you divide your hair into three portions and intertwine the sections.

You can also do a two-stranded twist braid (sometimes called a rope braid), or a four-stranded braid for extra thickness and definition. Another curious option is the waterfall braid, where some strands of the braid hang loose and cascade down like a waterfall. This works especially well if you have long, fine, flowing hair in multiple tones or highlights.

French vs Dutch

The direction determines the pattern of the braid. Twisting outer strands under inner strands creates a fishtail, while twisting them over inner strands creates a conventional braid pattern. For both these braids, you start braiding off the scalp, sort of like a ponytail. For a French braid or cornrows, you start braiding from the hair root, crafting the ‘row’. Box braids are started at the root too, but each box is like a teeny tiny ponytail of its own.

In case you’re wondering, the difference between French braids and Dutch braids is French braids twist over while Dutch braids twist under. The tightness of your braid depends on your preferences. Tight braids last longer and retain the post-braiding curl longer. For girls with a tight natural curl (4A through 4C), braiding helps to stretch the hair and remedy shrinkage without using heat. It lengthens the shape of their individual curl strands.

Before braiding, brush your hair. This removes any tangles and makes your braid look neater when it’s done. A loose braid can have a low-fuss effect, while tight braids look more coiffed. Decide how much tightness you can handle, because braiding too tight pulls your skin and can sometimes cause headaches, pimples, and torn hair roots, which damages your edges.

Braiding steps

The actual braiding process is really simple. If you want multiple braids, section your hair for each individual braid. Divide the hair into three sections, then take each section and twine it over or under the other sections, depending on your desired braid pattern. Alternate the three strands until you get to the end of the hair. If your hair is fine, hold it with an elastic band or loop a bead through it. Thicker hair can just be twisted off at the end and it will hold.

Girls with a tight curl pattern (3s and 4s) sometimes protect their edges by leaving them unbraided. Put a little gel on the baby hairs at the front and slick them onto your scalp, starting your braid a little further up. Those baby hairs are sensitive and extra fine, so they break more easily and may not grow back if they’re excessively damaged.

Put a little gel on the baby hairs at the front and slick them onto your scalp, starting your braid a little further up. This is helpful because those baby hairs are sensitive and extra fine, so they break more easily when they’re tugged and braided, which can lead to frontal baldness. Coarse baby hairs may have to be relaxed or texturised before they can be gelled.

The post How to Braid Your Hair appeared first on Expert Zine.

Choosing which type of hair extensions are right for you will depend on a number of factors including your budget, hair type, and lifestyle. Once you find the method of hair extension you want to use, be sure to remember that the quality and craftsmanship of the hair, warranties, and skill of application will vary greatly between different manufacturers and different salons. Make sure to do your research before booking an appointment!

Hair extensions generally fall into one of two categories: strand by strand and welted panels. Here we’ll take a look at the latest options for each type of extension and why you might consider using one over the other.

Strand-by-Strand

Strand-by-strand methods use swaths of 20-40 strands of hair that are held together at one end using a glue bond. The extensions are attached, small section by small section, to the client’s hair either by bonding with a heat gun or by using copper cylinders. Methods of strand-by-strand extensions can be referred to as keratin bonds, microlinks, u-tip, and knotting.

Keratin bonded strands are attached by placing your hair inside of the u-shaped tip of the extension, heating the keratin with a heat tool, and rolling the keratin to bond the extension into your hair. Typically, an application to increase the length of your hair will require 100-150 strands. If you are looking for extensions to increase your hair’s volume, that may require up to 300 strands for the desired effect.

How Much and How Long?

Typically strand-by-strand applications cost a minimum of $900 because of how long they take to apply (6-8 hours on average). The price tag can increase significantly depending on the difficulty of the look you are trying to achieve and the number of strands required to attain it. If maintained correctly, a strand-by-strand application will last four to five months.

After two months, strand-by-strand extensions can start causing significant damage to your hair, which is why maintenance is so important. Using quality, sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners is a must to avoid breaking down the keratin glue and to keep the extensions soft and shiny. Gently washing and brushing the extensions, as well as sleeping with your hair in a low braid to avoid tangling, are also recommended.

The Downside

Finally, because the attachment points harden once cooled, they can become uncomfortable against the scalp immediately after application. Many people experience headaches in the first few days after their strand-by-strand extensions are applied.

Weft Extensions

Weft-style extensions are flat panels of hair attached at one end that are applied in a long row as opposed to individual strands. They can range in width from about one to 20 centimeters and come in any length. Weft extensions have a variety of application methods including tape, glue, and sewing/braiding.

Tape

Tape is the newest and easiest method to apply weft extensions. To do so, polyurethane coated wefts of hair with double-sided tape attaches are applied on either side of a section of the client’s hair, effectively sandwiching their natural hair between the wefts. Taped-in wefts can last anywhere from six to eight weeks and will cost about $300 or more for an application. They cause minimal damage to the user’s hair because the weight of the extension is distributed along a wider panel as compared to a strand-by-strand extension, and as a result they are also very comfortable to wear.

Glue

Glue-in wefts are another option for application. The application method is similar—glue is applied at the base of the weft and attached to the client’s natural hair—but glued-in wefts only last for a few days. The glue can be removed using an oil-based product but must be done so carefully. Improper removal can cause damage to your natural hair. It’s also important that no glue get on the scalp during application, as it can clog pores on the scalp and lead to infection. Glue-in wefts are slightly less expensive than tape, however, they don’t last long and must be removed when you shower.

Sewing/Braiding

Sew-in or braided wefts, commonly known as weaves, are best suited to thick or coarse hair. To apply, the client’s hair is first braided to create an anchor for the weft. The wefts are then sewn into the braids with a needle and thread to hold the extension in place. The application of sew-in wefts can take several hours and the tight braids can be uncomfortable when first applied.

Read Also:

Fringes That Will Work in Summer

Some Hairstyles to Check Out This Winter

Makeup Techniques to Make Your Lips Appear Fuller

The post The Latest in Hair Extension Applications appeared first on Expert Zine.

Last summer I went fire engine red and got familiar with backcombing for that big, messy bed head look. The year before it was a pixie crop. This year I’ve decided that its time to get myself a cool fringe again, so it was time to delve into a bit of research.

A bit of a background in my hair, and a disclaimer. So, my hair is naturally what you would call a very light ash brown, wavy too curly, and quite thick. Whenever I find that I over process it with a colour, I’ll give it the chop and go darker, sometimes throwing in some extensions. The last couple of years I haven’t used heating elements like blow dryers or straighteners, just because I wanted to get my hair into great shape again, so scrunched and air dried a lot. And it is now in great shape. What that means is that I’m free to break out the heat again.

I’ve decided to go with the Ariana Grande school of thought this summer and give the micro bangs a whirl. Recently Ariana ditched her signature brunette pony and went platinum, and now she’s added some micro bangs to her look too. And. It. Look. So. Darn. Cute.

So, with the micro bangs look, the first thing that you have to know is that this needs your hair to be straight. If I had my natural and wavy with this style, it’d just look stupid. So it’s commitment if you don’t already have straight hair. The other thing to know about this look is that you need to go to a skilled hairdresser. If they do a blunt cut across the front of your forehead, you’ll probably end up in tears.

If you’re not so keen on micro bangs though, there are heaps of other styles that you can try out. If you have wavy hair like me and don’t want to be straightening every day, you can try out a layered side fringe, ala Nicole Ritchie. While she often wears her hair straight, a longer side fringe can work just as well, and you can go au naturel with your waves. This look works well no matter what colour or style the rest of your hair is, too.

A favourite of girls rocking the balayage brunette to blonde look in the long choppy fringe. If you’ve had your tousled beach hair Balayage worn without a fringe for a year or so, then it could be time to mix it up. Have a look at Behari Prinsloo’s hair for inspiration for this fringe cut. It’s below the eyebrows down to the eyes, so don’t go quite so long if this type of cut irritates you.

For long, mainly straight and not so layered hair, such as Jessica Biel, a long, sweeping side fringe is a very easy to wear style that won’t have you crying that the hairdresser messed up your hair or that you never should’ve got a fringe in the first place. This kind of fringe can be quickly put behind your ear or pinned back should you decide you don’t like it – it’s super easy to grow out.

One of the best things to do when considering getting a fringe is to go to your hairdresser for a consultation – not the cut itself. Head down there and have a talk about your options, flick through some pictures together, see what they think would suit you well and what you’d be comfortable with doing. Don’t commit to anything on the day, instead, go home and have a think about it and do a little more research yourself. If you do it this way, you can be sure of the decision that you’re making, before you dive in there and go for it.

So go ahead, start thinking about which fringe is going to be the best one for you this summer. I’m loving my Ariana micro fringe at the moment – and getting a lot of compliments on it too! And you know what they say, don’t you? Change is as good as a holiday.

Read More:

• Some Hairstyles To Check Out This Winter
• Makeup Techniques To Make Your Lips Appear Fuller

The post Fringes That Will Work in Summer appeared first on Expert Zine.

A hairdo that’s particularly popular is the side braid. It’s easy to style and can be dressed up or down depending on your itinerary. It works best if you have an oval-shaped face because it lengthens your facial features. For round or oblong features, soften the look with bangs.

When you braid your hair, use a good product to keep flyaway hairs in place, especially if you choose to add bangs. Your hairdresser can advise you on the best product for your hair length and texture. To assemble a braid, hold your hair in a high ponytail and secure it with an elastic band. Plait the ‘tail’ into a single braid, then lay the braid over one shoulder.

To prevent your hair from coming apart, secure the tip of the braid with another elastic band. Holding up your hair in a braid prevents it from drying out or losing excess moisture, but it also keeps it in place so that it doesn’t get damaged by precipitation.

If you do get rained on, undo your braid and dry it out with a towel or hand dryer at low heat. This will prevent your hair from getting that damp smell and will keep your scalp comfortably dry. If you like, you can re-do the braid once all the moisture is gone.

If your hair is shorter, you can jazz your look and your dreary mood with a playful curly bob. It will put a bounce in your step as well as your hair and could be just what you need to brighten up the winter gloom. You need a protective spray to prevent heat damage, so start with that. For the curls, use a medium iron and set each lock individually.

The curls need time to set, so put a curling pin into each one and wait until the curls cool. The longer you wait, the better the curl will set, and the longer it will stay. A little patience will go a long way in giving you day-long curls that will resist foggy winter drips.

Once the curls are completely cooled, remove the pins then use a pick to lightly shape the curls. Don’t comb them out completely otherwise your hair will straighten out. Just tease them gently into your preferred silhouette. When you’ve achieved the look you want, use a holding spray to keep it in place.

Have you heard of the pompadour hairstyle? It’s a classic look first worn by Madame de Pompadour in the 1700s. It has reappeared and disappeared over the centuries, more as a male style than a female one. Elvis made it famous, but then it faded away again. It’s now making a comeback and is a clever way to create a trendy haircut effect without scissors.

The female pomp is flattering if you have a wide face, and you can achieve it with any length of hair. Start with a dollop of volumizer at the top of your head. Your hair should be dry, to begin with, but after applying volumizer, blow dry the top to build more volume.

Now apply a texturizing product on the rest of your hair, including the top. Use a comb on the sides of your head to flatten your hair, guiding it towards the back. Use your fingers to fluff the hair at the top of your head, teasing it into the pomp. Finish off with holding spray.

If you’d prefer a style that looks simple and elegant at the same time, go for the feminine smooth-to-curl. The roots of your hair will be sleek and straight while the ends will curl into girly twirls. Keep your hair safe with a heat protection spray to prevent damage.

Use your curler at the ends of your hair and twist it halfway up, leaving the roots straight and tugging outward. Let the curls cool, then use your fingers to loosen the ringlets. Set them with styling spray. This hairdo is versatile because you can wear your curls up or down.

Curly tips work well with faces that are narrower towards the chin, and it only takes a few minutes. You can tong them into shape at home, but if you’d like something a little more complex, talk to your hairdresser for ideas on how to beat the dull, dreary chill.

The post Some Hairstyles to Check Out This Winter appeared first on Expert Zine.

If you follow some simple makeup rules for lips you can do some make up trickery to make the appear larger than usual. Want to know more? Then read on…

Remove any dry skin and moisturise

Unfortunately, dry, chapped lips can also make them appear smaller – as if you didn’t have enough problems on your plate already! Make sure that you’re getting enough water on the daily, moisturise those babies every day, and use a lip scrub where necessary.

Make sure to prime those lips

Like your face, your lip makeup goes on better and stays on better if you prime them as well. You can either use a specific lip primer, or others simply go with some concealer or foundation on the lips so that your liner and lipstick will stick to them more easily.

Lip liner just outside the lines

An old trick that people have been doing for years is, instead of lining your lip line on your lip line, draw it above your lip line so that your lips look bigger. It is best to cover your lips with a concealer before doing so, so that your natural lip line is more hidden than it would be usually.

Use a matte lipstick if you are drawing outside your natural lip line

A gloss lipstick can catch the light and give away your outside lip liner trick – which is why it’s always better to go for a matte colour if you are using this technique. If you’ve got a great lipstick that’s a gloss, you might like to dust powder over the top and blot to turn it into a matte look.

Using highlighter above the top lip

A touch of highlighter just above your cupid’s box helps to enhance the look of your lips. If you usually only highlight your cheeks, forehead, and nose, then you are missing this essential step to help in the process of making your lips look bigger.

Apply lip liner to the outer line just a shade or two darker to emphasise

Some people choose to use a lip liner around the edges of their mouth in just a shade or two darker than their actual lipstick or other lip liner. This can create and effect where it draws the mouth out more. While not everyone uses this technique, it’s definitely on to keep in mind and play around with!

Put a gloss or shimmer just in the centre of your lips

What’s the final step to your lip plumping making routine? Using a touch of gloss or shimmer in the centre of your mouth, upper and lower lips, but not to the edges. This gives your lips that extra dimension that they might lack if you use a matte lipstick alone.

Go for lighter instead of darker colours

Darker coloured lipstick and lip liners will often make it look like your lips are receding. Instead go for nudes or lighter colours to avoid the thin dark lines. Look at what light lip colours work best with your skin tone and colouring for the perfect shade to suit you.

Contour beneath your bottom lip

We did the highlighting on the upper lip, but also contouring just below your bottom lip can also make your lips appear fuller. A small sweep where the shadow falls beneath your lower lip should be enough to do it!

We hope that we’ve been helpful in showing you how to nail a fuller lip look without having to go to drastic measures to achieve it. Play around with each of these techniques to find out which ones work the best for your lips and your face.

The post Makeup Techniques to Make Your Lips Appear Fuller appeared first on Expert Zine.

Why contour?

When we use the one shade of foundation to cover our entire face, it can make us look a bit flat. In the past, women used blush, eye shadow, and bronzers to add extra dimensions to the face, but contouring takes it a whole lot further.

A trick of the trade for drag queens everywhere came into the popular lexicon when Kim K started showing us how she gets so much dimensions to her face – by contouring. Bare contour lines, in brown, and highlighting lines in white, can look particularly startling before they are blended! However, with the right technique, the right products and tools, it can look pretty amazing when done.

Contouring is used to do things like make us look like our cheekbones pop more, our faces look slimmer, or our noses more sculpted. Contouring is an easy, wash off alternative to invasive surgery or plumping (or shaving) beauty treatments.

Contouring can be dramatic, or subtle, it’s really up to you when determining the look that you’re going for. More dramatic looks generally go for a deeper brown and a whiter white.

The right palette

The first step in your contouring journey is finding the right contouring palette. This may be a selection of different browns and a highlighter or even two highlighters. As usual, when choosing your makeup, it pays to do your research and go for a premium brand. Some contours will give better coverage, be less cakey, etc. etc. It is important that you choose matte contours and highlights – you can add a bit of shine later if you wish but now is not the time.

Kits or standalone products may be either in powder form, stick, or cream, or sometimes a combination of these. Make sure to get your contour colours in the right matching shades for your skin tone, as some people require warmer shades and some people require cooler, to best complement their skin.

If you are unsure, then heading to Mecca Cosmetica, or Sephora to see the large range on offer and get expertly matched is another option.

The right tools

Contouring is as much about blending as it is about a good quality product. There is a lot of blending that goes into contouring so you’ll need the right tools for the job. These tools include a contour brush, a powder brush, and a highlighter brush. If you are using creams or liquid, then it may be a better idea to use a Beauty Blender or a similar product.

Application

You can go easy or heavy with your contouring application, but for beginners, it’s best to get the basics down pat first. You’ll have contour lines just underneath your cheekbones, along your jaw bones, small lines down the sides of your nose, and sweeping up along the hairline from the temples. Highlighter will go in your T-zone underneath your eyes, and a little on your chin and upper lip – anywhere the natural light would hit you from above.

If you are looking for examples, there are about a million YouTube tutorials on contouring, anywhere from basic contouring to full drag queen style. Start off with the beginner tutorials, and once you’ve got that look nailed, then you can start to get a little bit fancy with your contouring.

If you’re after a more comprehensive contouring tutorial there are always professional makeup classes that you can attend, where you’ll learn the best ways to do contouring, along with other hot tips.

The post Makeup Contouring for Beginners appeared first on Expert Zine.

Will There be Any Pain, And How Long Will It Last?

Every patient is different, and there is really is no one size fits all style answer here. There will be some initial pain, that can last one to four days, and while you will be given painkillers, it’s advisable to stop using them as soon as you can. Over the following weeks, you’ll find the pain level decreases until it is finally gone. You can avoid discomfort by avoiding heavy lifting, taking some over the counter pain medications and by resting.

Will My Nipples be More Sensitive?

Some patients do experience nipple pain following surgery, but only a small number experience a burning feeling or sharp pains when touched lightly. If you feel the sensation of pins and needles, burning or any shooting type pains, this could be Dysesthesia – the implant is pressing on a nerve and pain should generally stop after 2 to 6 weeks, after the swelling goes down. It is not really anything to worry about, massage and the natural healing process should get rid of the pain.

Breasts That Feel Tight – Do They Get Softer After Surgery?

Yes. Breasts feel firmer following surgery due to swelling. The breast implants themselves are soft and don’t harden. Following surgery, you can experience swelling, it will dissipate over time, as the swelling goes down, you will notice your breasts start to feel softer. Another factor that can affect how firm your breasts feel – is the tightness of your skin. If you had loose skin prior to the surgery you can expect softer looking and feeling breasts. If you had tight skin before surgery you can expect a firmer feeling during the adjustment period.

Should I Massage My Breast After Surgery?

• Massage after surgery can be beneficial, but every case is different and it is better to wait for your first post-op visit before you begin massaging. This allows for the initial healing period to begin. After the first few days of recovery, massage can be used to –
• Lower implants that are sitting slightly higher than you wanted
• Aid in stretching tight skin
• Reduce scar tissue
• Reduce asymmetry between the breasts

How Long do Breasts Stay Swollen Following Surgery?

Swelling is completely normal, and it will go away over time. You should see some improvement after the first month, but all swelling should be gone two to three months after surgery. Your body needs time to adjust to the change in shape of your breast, not only will the swelling go down, but your muscle and skin need to adjust around the new implants too.

What If Implants Have Been Placed too High?

It is normal for breast implants to sit high on the chest during the recovery period. They are placed in a set position with the understanding that gravity will help them settle into a lower and more natural placement following surgery. Within the first 3 months you will notice the implants have dropped, and by 6 months they should be sitting in their natural position.

Do You Need to Sleep on Your Back?

How you sleep following breast augmentation surgery is important, and it is recommended that for the first 6 weeks after surgery you should sleep on your back. Ideally, you’ll stay sleeping on your back, this position allows for symmetry and you won’t get that if you sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back has another benefit – it’s the best position to sleep in to minimise the chances of face and chest wrinkles. Sleeping on your stomach is NOT recommended for those who have had breast augmentation.

When Can You Wear a Push-up Bra?

You should wait at least 6 weeks, this is to ensure the implants have settled into place before you wear a bra that might change their position. Wearing a push-up bra too soon can result in implants that are too high. You want gravity to help your implants settle back into a natural curve. Wearing a push-up bra too soon can also cause irritation to the healing wounds.

When Can I Start Exercising?

You can do some mild movement right after surgery – taking short slow walks is beneficial, but try and keep your arms still. After two weeks, you can start taking more brisk walks, and by 6 weeks your body should have healed enough to resume normal activities.

The post What to Expect After Breast Augmentation appeared first on Expert Zine.

Just when you thought full, tattooed eyebrows were the peak of simple, effective and permanent cosmetic procedures, there is something new: dimples.

Dimple surgery is a new, fast way to make a simple but noticeable change to your face without any visible scars. The best part is that not only does the procedure offer a permanent solution; the procedure can be easily reversed.

How about that for a lunch-break makeover?

Why are dimples desirable?

Dimples are caused by a birth defect where there is a weakness or shortening within the cheek muscles, causing additional layers of skin to crinkle. The depressions caused by dimples are usually only visible when the muscles pull back into a smile.

Dimples are now often seen as cute and desirable because they emphasise and broaden the appearance of the person’s smile or grin.

Just think about some of the most memorable celebrity smiles: Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Garner, Miranda Kerr, Adam Levine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt all sport cute dimples when they smile.

How can I get dimples?

Aside from being born with the dimple(s), reputable plastic surgeons can make some simple incisions and tweaks to create natural looking dimples using a procedure called dimpleplasty.

What happens during dimpleplasty?

If you choose to have dimpleplasty, then your surgeon will work with you to help select the best location. Some patients prefer to have just one dimple, while others will choose a symmetrical appearance.

Once you’ve selected your look, your surgeon will put you under local anaesthesia to numb the cheek tissue.

Making small incisions from the inside of the cheeks, your surgeon will remove a small amount of fat, tissue and muscle. Dissolvable sutures will then be inserted to draw together the incision and create the foundation for the dimple.

How long does it take?

Dimpleplasty is an incredibly fast and effective procedure that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes in a clinic setting.

Is dimpleplasty permanent?

In most cases, yes, dimpleplasty is permanent.

What happens after the procedure?

Immediately following the procedure, patients will notice a slight concave dimple on the outside of the cheek while the tissue heals. This dimple will soon fade to only reappear during talking, chewing and smiling.

Recovery wise, patients will experience some localised swelling and bruising, and will be prescribed pain and antibiotic medications and mouth washes to ensure a speedy recovery. It is advisable that patients avoid hard and spicy foods during this time.

How soon will I see results?

Patients will see immediate results after the procedure, and the best part being that most patients can return to normal duties the following day.

As the tissue heals, patients generally report that they see more natural looking dimple results two weeks after surgery.

What are the risks?

There are few risks associated with dimpleplasty, but you should be mindful that not all patients are able to get this procedure done.

Some types of skin are more prone to extensive scarring, while ill health and lifestyle factors can make surgery impractical.

Following surgery, patients need to be aware that they may experience:

• Bleeding from tissue stretching
• Infections, which can be prevented by using the prescribed antibiotics
• Nerve damage, which may require additional surgery to repair, and
• Asymmetry, which can be fixed with subsequent surgeries

Can it be reversed?

In many cases, patients can have the dimple reversed through additional surgery. Of course, you will have to speak to your surgeon before embarking on dimpleplasty about the likelihood of having your surgery reversed.

How do I start?

The best step to take if you’re interested in dimpleplasty is to seek out recommendations from family and friends for surgeon referrals. Make sure to only enquire at reputable clinics and always enquire to see portfolios of work to best understand the surgeon’s style and success rates.

The post Why Dimple Surgery is Becoming the Next New Thing appeared first on Expert Zine.

Spring is a time for new, fresh and vibrant colours, and what better way to shake off the winter blues than with a brand new lick of colour for your lips?

Whether you work in an office, or are something of a trendsetter amongst your friends, to get started on your springtime colour journey take a look at these amazing options.

Matte Crimson

A warm colour that brightens any day, matte crimson is an instant breath of fresh air. Not too ostentatious for the workplace, and perfect for a night out with the girls, a crimson colour adds some sophistication to your day.
Seen on the runways of Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana, this look is set to flourish as we head into summer.

Shimmery Pink

If you can’t yet commit to a bold statement, try a shimmery lip colour to bring you from the brittle cold to a warmer spring.

A shimmery pink is the perfect addition to your makeup bag, working well as an evening flash of vibrancy, the warmer colour combined with the shimmer bridges the seasons with perfect ease.

Electric Orange

Whether you’re swathed in a cosy scarf, or peeling away the layers for a cosy brunch with friends, electric orange lip colour combines the warmth of a traditional lip stain with the fun aspects of the youth-centric orange. This colour is ideal for an evening out at your favourite bar, or for meeting new clients over a coffee.

Classic Coral

A coral lip stain has remained among one of the more popular spring colours because it works with cool and warm skin tones.

Offering a touch of colour without being heavy or dramatic, coral adds a much-needed splash of brightness as you head out of the tail end of winter.

Read Also: Can Synthetic Hair Extensions Still Look Good

Add some sparkle with a little Glitter

A perfect Friday night pout has to come with glitter. Whether you’re using a deep plum, dusty rose or shimmering pink, you can’t ignore the power of a plump, sparkling pout. Do you know the best part? You can go from day to night with just a swipe of a glitter gloss over the top of your day colour.

Fantastic Fuchsia

Spring brings us further away from pastel pinks and closer to the warmth of botanicals. Fuchsia lipstick combines the fun, young aspects of a pink, with the maturity of depth to create a lip stain that’s perfect for work or a night out on the town.

Gradient Lip Stains

Immensely popular within Asia, gradient lip stains are growing in popularity across the globe because the gentle colouring heightens the natural aspects of your lips.

Requiring a couple of steps, you start by lightly tapping concealer all over the lips to create an even canvas, blotting with a tissue to remove excess colour. Then, using a crayon-like colour that provides a precision line, run the stain along the inner rim of your top and bottom lips – focusing on the centre of your mouth.

Take a silicon blender and smudge the pigment toward the corners of your mouth, keeping in mind that your mouth should be brightest at its centre. A tip is to try and blend the lipstick horizontally, not vertically, ensuring to keep a visible rim of concealer on the perimeter. Blot your lips to remove any excess oil, locking the colour in place.

Dusty Rose

A colour that can be worn all-year-round, dusty rose is a gentle, sophisticated colour that can take you from autumn right through to spring without missing a beat.

Perfect for the workplace, a dusty rose adds some warmth without overpowering or dominating your makeup or overall look.

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To understand the benefits and negatives, you first have to explore how the products work with client hair.

Synthetic Hair

Made from nylon, synthetic hair is largely used for special occasions where dramatic shape, length or colour is a must-have.

What are the benefits?

• Affordability: Synthetic hair is very affordable, so it’s a great place to start for newcomers to the hair extension world.
• Easy to care for: Synthetic locks require little more than a gentle wash and pat down before air-drying.
• More fun shades and colours: Want to add a splash of colour to your hair for a special occasion? Synthetic hair is made in a variety of fun colours from pretty pastels to vibrant, out-there neon.
• Resilient shape: With many products treated to hold their style no matter what condition, synthetic hair can withstand wind and humidity without losing its style.

What are the downfalls?

• Unnatural shine: Because it’s made of nylon, synthetic hair looks dramatically different when placed against natural hair. There are products on the market designed to dull this plastic finish, but it is a huge deal-breaker for those after a more natural look.
• Strange feel: As it can’t replicate all aspects of the hair follicle, synthetic hair carries a different weight and bulk that feels markedly different.
• Needs more regular replacing: As a cheaper product, the bindings that hold the synthetic hair in place aren’t designed for long-term use, so you will have to replace these as they wear.
• You can’t always change the style: Unless you’re purchasing synthetic hair that’s specifically designed for heat treating, you cannot straighten or curl your extensions.
• Manufacturing limitations: Synthetic hair cannot be coloured to match your hair, so either make sure you’re happy with the product as-is or aim to purchase a fun party-set for special occasions.

How can you blend synthetic hair into natural hair?

• Learn to professionally attach the extension: Learning how to securely and inconspicuously attach your extensions can create the look you always wanted without it looking strange or risking it later falling out.
• Create a seamless theme: Whether it’s mimicking the same relaxed curl throughout your hair, or adding a complimentary touch of colour, a great way to blend synthetic hair is to create a specific look to accommodate your hair extensions.

Human Hair

Extensions made from human hair come in a variety of options, but only the best outlets use 100% Remy Human Hair: where hair is sorted by matching the cuticles for the greatest look, natural feel and longevity.

What are the positives?

• Mimics or improves texture: As a natural product, human hair extensions can be chosen to either mimic your existing hair texture, or improve what a client may think is a thin or flat style.
• Colours can be expertly matched: Your hairdresser will take a critical look at how to colour-match your extensions for a natural, seamless result. Some clients can even request a balayage effect for a dramatic result.
• Longevity of wear: A premium product, human hair extensions are made to last – most clients can expect their pieces to last over a year with proper care and maintenance.
• Outstanding look and feel: Nothing looks or feels better than real hair!

What are the downfalls?

• Relatively expensive: Costing several hundreds of dollars, human hair extensions are investment pieces for your wardrobe.
• Difficulty re-colouring: Once your hairdresser has coloured the extensions to suit, it is not recommended for you to do any additional colour changes without consulting your hairdresser first. Some colours may be unachievable even in a salon, and packet colouring kits can ruin the hair from the inside out.
• Needs careful styling and cleaning: As a natural product, human hair extensions require regular gentle cleaning and styling – just like your existing hair.

Human hair traps sweat and grime, so for the best look make sure to follow your hairdresser’s care instructions.

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