Paris Hilton's Pretty Curls
Okay, yes, I know…Paris Hilton isn’t exactly someone to emulate. Her life choices may be questionable (at best!), but that doesn’t mean we have to condemn the girl entirely. After all, look at how pretty her hair looks in this shot. It’s an easy look to duplicate using 1″ curling irons.
First, make sure you have a curling iron that will work well in this capacity. Curling irons come in many different sizes, and the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl will be. Paris’s classic corkscrews were probably created with a standard 1″ iron. To make things even easier, you may want to consider spiral curling irons. These specialty tools have a metal guide that shows you exactly where to place your hair on the barrel for maximum curl.
After your hair has been curled, create a side part, and then sweep your hair over the shoulder opposite your part. Take the front section of your hair on that side and pin it back to create this lovely silhouette. What do you think? Are you ready to get your Paris on?
Curling Iron Tips
Anyone who regularly curls their hair should make sure to brush up on proper curling iron technique. The use of professional curling irons is one way to give your hair that beautiful, fresh-from-the-salon look, but there’s more to it than simply buying the right equipment, like one inch curling irons. You also have to make sure you know how to use your new curling iron properly. Here are some tips to make the most of your professional one-inch curling iron:
- Always make sure your hair is ready for heat styling. Condition your hair regularly, consider investing in sprays or serums with heat protective properties, and never curl wet hair! Your hair must be completely dry before you begin or you risk doing serious damage. On exception: Curling irons that are specifically designated as “wet to dry” are safe to use on damp hair.
- Try to avoid using the highest heat setting on your curling iron. Higher levels of heat means a greater potential for accidents and serious damage.
- Curl your hair in small sections. This will may the entire process much easier, and your hair will hold the curl much better than if you tried to wrap a great deal of hair around the iron all at once.
- Don’t curl the same section of hair more than twice, and never leave your hair clamped in the iron for more than 5-8 seconds. Doing so could lead to serious damage of the cuticle – or even breakage and burnt hair.
Perfect Summer Curls
This is not me. But this is what I do to my hair with a 1 inch curling iron.
The versatility of the one inch curling iron is what makes it so popular with Hollywood stylists and regular folks alike. You can create a variety of different styles with a one inch barrel on your curling iron – from curly all over to wavy to straight but full of body. One of my favorite ways to where my hair in the summer is with soft waves all over. My hair can’t fight the humidity that summer weather brings and my theory is, if you can’t beat it, join it! Instead of fighting with the natural curl that begins to appear as the temperatures rise, I enhance the look of the curl from frizzy to fabulous with my one inch curling iron. Since my hair already has a natural curl, I just follow where it leads me. I secure the wave that is already there. By using a ceramic curling iron, I eliminate the frizziness. I feel like a goddess when I embrace my curls!
How to get SJP's Wavy Hair
I know I’m not the only one that is super excited for Sex and the City 2 to come out this weekend and seeing pictures from the NYC premiere has just gotten me more psyched. How gorgeous did all the ladies look?? For me, Sarah Jessica Parker was the stand out and that might be because I see myself as a “Carrie” more than anything else. And it might have been because the color and cut of her dress was so unique. But the more I look at this picture, the more I realize that her hairstyle is taking center stage in my mind. Her simple waves are classically beautiful and summer-ready. And so easy to replicate with a one inch curling iron.
- Divide your hair into sections so that the process is more manageable.
- To ensure volume, start with the layers underneath.
- Take a half to one inch section of your hair and gently wrap it around the barrel of the 1″ curling iron or a 2 inch curling iron.
- While hair is around barrel, spray a strong hold hairspray to secure the curl.
- Repeat with similar sized sections until all of the sections are curled.
- For the top layer of your hair, make sure to create a deep part to the side that is most flattering for you before curling.
Voila! Your hair should be evenly curled all over. Let the curls set while you finish getting ready for the evening and then gently run your fingers through to loosen the curls slightly. Depending on your hair type, the curls may fall out on their own while you’re getting ready and you’ll already have SJP’s wavy look.
Sexy Beach Hair a la Kate Hudson
I think Kate Hudson has some of the best hair in Hollywood, but I don’t think she owes it all to good genes alone! True, having the adorable Goldie Hawn for your mother might help, but I’m pretty sure Kate’s secret is a little more accessible to the rest of us. Namely, I think 1″ curling irons play a big part in her look!
Curling irons have the unfortunate stigma of being associated with high maintenance, “pageant queen” hairstyles, but that stereotype is definitely not accurate. Just because you’re using a one inch curling iron in your beauty arsenal doesn’t mean you have to have tight, Shirley Temple-ish curls! Kate’s hair is always sexy, like she woke up, spent all day at the beach and just ran her fingers through her ‘do before hitting the red carpet. You can get that look yourself with a curling iron and some texturizing spray!
Just curl your hair with the iron by dividing it up into small sections and wrapping each section around the barrel. Once you’ve finished your entire head, run your fingers through your curls to loosen them up and help avoid that overly “done” look. Spritz on some texturizing spray and work it through your hair to add that “just hit the waves” texture. And if you really want to emulate Kate, don’t forget that luminous California girl smile!
Tina Fey, Brunette Bombshell
Tina Fey shows that women can be hilarious AND beautiful!
Don’t you hate that old stereotype that women can’t be funny AND pretty? (I’m not even sure where it came from, considering Lucille Ball is one of the most hilarious women of all time, and she started out in the industry as a fashion model!) In any case, I think we can now lay that one to rest once and for all thanks to Tina Fey. After leaving SNL, Tina went on to even bigger and better things, including writing and starring in 30 Rock, which has been cleaning up at every awards show it’s eligible for. Check her out at a recent SAG Awards – she really proves that you can be funny and gorgeous, no? One of my favorite parts of this look is, of course, her beautiful hair. Her shoulder-length locks fall gracefully into loose (yet still distinctly curly) spirals – probably thanks to one inch curling irons! All you have to do to recreate this look for yourself is choose a 1″ curling iron (preferably one with a ceramic barrel, as it will be less damaging to your hair and easier to use), curl hair in section, and run your fingers through the curls before setting with a lightweight hairspray. (Don’t forget the dramatic side part!) I love how this is curly without looking fussy or over-the-top; it’s age-appropriate and infinitely elegant, and I can’t wait to try this out myself at home. It just goes to show that some of the best hairstyles are also some of the simplest. So congrats to Tina Fey, the brunette bombshell of the 21st century!
Emmy Rossum - Curly haired angel
Emmy Rossum is one of my favorite actresses! Not only is she talented and sweet, but have you heard her sing? I first saw her in the Phantom of the Opera movie starring opposite Gerard Butler and absolutely fell in love with her voice. She’s been wonderful in other films but her Christine Daae is still my favorite role that she has played. Aside from the hauntingly beautiful music, and gorgeous costumes, what I remember best about Emmy in Phantom of the Opera is her gorgeous long, dark, curly hair.
Their is one particular scene, towards the end of the film, during the Point of No Return where Emmy is wearing this dress…and the sleeves of it keep slipping off her shoulders so she flips her curls modestly so they cover her bare skin instead. Emmy has naturally curly hair, but for of those who don’t we can still simulate this classic look using a curling iron with a 1 inch barrel. Wider barrels mean larger curls or waves, but a 1 inch curling iron will give you hair just like Emmy’s. Notice her curls are tight and distinct, not a single strand is out of place.
On your own hair, you will have to wash it, dry it, and then part it into sections. Carefully curl every piece separately and use a fair amount of hairspray to get it to stay. Depending on the type of hair you have, mine never behaves, you may have to use more hairspray. If you know you have unpredictable hair, as many of you probably do, then use some moose before running the curling iron through your hair. It will give it that extra bit of holding power you need to get you through the evening.
Last word of advice; check the weather before you leave your house. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done my hair only to have the rain or wind completely ruin all my hard work! So if you know you’re going to be spending a good amount of time on your hair do yourself a favor and make sure the weather won’t ruin it.
Gossip Girl Hair
What's the secret to Leighton's curls?
Gossip Girl is one of the hottest shows on TV right now, and a big part of the appeal is the beautiful hairstyles of the GG actresses, from Taylor Momsen’s edgy razor cut to Blake Lively’s long, wild waves. My favorite character, however, is Upper East Side princess Blair Waldorf, as played by Leighton Meester. In real life, Leighton doesn’t quite have the same posh sensibilities as Blair – in fact, her fashion taste seems to run toward the wild. Just check out the oversized shoulders on this Louis Vuitton outfit for proof! But there’s one thing that Leighton and Blair have in common, and that’s good hair. I absolutely adore the pretty spiral curls she’s rocking in this picture, and I figured out how to duplicate it at home with my 1″ curling iron! It’s easy.
First, I blow dry my hair using a round styling brush to give it some body. Then I divide my hair into smaller sections and spritz with a lightweight spray mousse. Next, I wrap the sections around my 1″ curling iron and hold it for around five seconds before I release and slide the curler downwards, which allows the curl to drop into a perfect, pretty spiral. After curling, I make an imperfect off-center part and use a pretty barrette to clip my hair into place on one side, just above my ear. Looks gorgeous! One-inch curling irons are the best tool for making all sorts of awesome styles. Experiment a little with yours and you’ll see what I mean!
Making My Hair Look Gorgeous Everyday
I love experimenting with my hairstyle. I have shoulder length hair and there are so many fun ways I can style it. I have plenty of styling tools in my arsenal, from sprays to mousses to flat irons, but the one tool I use constantly is my one inch curling irons. No matter how I have decided to wear my hair any give day, chances are my one inch curling iron will come into play. It really is the ideal size to create any look.
One of my favorite things to do is curl my hair all over and then pin it back in a seemingly haphazard way. I describe it as my “shabby chic” look because it looks like I had a fancy event the night before and just pinned back the remnants of my meticulously styled hair. It is a version of bed head that is both sexy and a little upscale. This picture of Jessica Alba perfectly illustrates the effect I go for. See how she is at a casual event, with a white button down top? Like an everyday day at the office? But her hair looks like she just threw it together as she was running out the door, but since it was styled the night before it looks effortlessly glamorous? Yes! That is how I inject a little glamor into my life, making my 9 to 5 seem a little more bearable – with my one inch curling iron.
Fancy Ponytail for Everyday
I like to look professional and pulled together whenever I leave my house. One of my favorite ways to style my hair to help me achieve this look is to create a full and wavy ponytail. All I need is my hairdryer, one inch curling iron, hair tie and a good hairspray. To get this style I first make sure my hair is completely dry and has plenty of volume. I blow my hair dry with my head upside down to add volume and sometimes I use a volumizing mousse. Once my hair is dry, I spray a firm holding hairspray underneath my layers at the crown of my head. Then I smooth the top of my hair back with a boar’s bristle brush, collecting my hair into a ponytail at the middle of the back of my head. Not to high and not too low. Once my hair is secured, I take one to two inch sections of the ponytail and curl them using my one inch curling iron. My one inch curling iron gives me just the right sized curls. I set the curls with a strong hairspray and once that has dried, I finger comb them to give them a more tousled look. This whole styling process takes only thirty minutes from drying time to walking out the door and I always feel fabulous when I am done!