Last Day Blues...

So today, the 27th August 2010, is my last day at the wonderful Wahanda.

I've now been interning here for three months (and a couple of days, but who's counting?) and I've absolutely loved it. And not just because we're based within window shopping distance of Oxford Street Topshop.....

I've learnt so much about everything from the technicalities of web-based publishing to improving my own copywriting (and I can tweet really fast now!). The lovely and incredibly dedicated web ed. Judy has even weaned me off the excessive use of '!' marks, a feat no teacher since primark school has dared to dream of.

With all their hard work, the team really deserve the recognition they are beginning to garner in the beauty and wellness world and I wish them every success.

You can see my post on their latest awards here.

Well done Wahanda-ites, Pinky-and-the-Brain-style world domination can't be far away :) x

By (Term-Time) Day She is an Ordinary Student, but During the Holidays She Becomes....NERD GIRL

Yet again the maelstrom that is life sucked me in for a good three weeks before depositing me at the exact opposite end of August with nothing but a decidedly scant blog and some pocket money to show for it.

Thank goodness then that somehow during this month I have aquired some new, exciting knowledge of the magic that is HTML. In fact this week I produced my first ever full page, from text to pictures via layout. Now I'm not pretending this is a crowning achievement- luckily the wonderful tech team at Wahanda (check out their frankly-very-amusing blog here) have provided us with an awesome set-up on the server, however I was still inordinately proud of this little achievement.

You can check out this first foray into the world of computer-talk (yes, that is the technical term...) here.

I'll be speaking in binary before you know it.....

Hope for Homeopathy- New Evidence Suggests Large Scale Effectiveness In Cuba

Classified as an ‘alternative’ treatment, homeopathic remedies involve small amounts of ‘irritant’ preparations massively diluted and taken in the form of a sugar ‘pill’. The theory is that these substances, which would usually aggravate the immune system and cause adverse symptoms in a healthy person, cause the body to build up a ’tolerance’ and thereby combat symptoms in an ill patient.

One example of this would be the treatment of insomniacs with a preparation containing a coffee derivative (coffee being known to cause sleeplessness in an individual with normal sleeping habits). Although there has previously been little hard scientific evidence to support their effectiveness, many case studies show an improvement in conditions such as psoriasis when treated with these remedies.

The anti-homeopathy argument has always been based on a lack of evidentiary support. However recent successful trials using homeopathic remedies to treat illnesses resulting from flooding in Cuba have led the way for fresh debate.

In 2007, homeopathic remedies were administered to 2.3 million patients in Cuba, in an attempt to prevent the deadly disease Leptospiratosis in the face of a developing epidemic. Leptospiratosis or ‘Weils disease’ as we prefer to pronounce it is caused by bacteria carried by rats, and thrives in tropical areas where there has been a high volume of rainfall. The bacteria contaminate the water supply and multiply quickly, affecting large areas. The disease is extremely serious and in many cases has proved fatal.

Homeopathic remedies were prepared from tiny amounts of an inactive form of the bacteria which cause the illness. Within a short period of weeks the number of cases had fallen from 34 per 100,000 people to just 4 per 100,000. This figure was a huge reduction from official estimates and its effects seemed to grow long-term - the rate of infection was reduced by 84% by the following year. For the first time on record, the numbers of cases of Leptosiratosis did not increase proportionately when further rain fell.

Sadly in areas where the homeopathic remedy was not administered the rate of infection followed exactly the original prediction.

Dr Sara Eames, President of the Faculty of Homeopathy proposed that ‘Anything which appears to reduce infection rates in a potentially fatal infection, particularly when it can be prepared and delivered quickly, safely and effectively, has to be taken seriously and studied further’.

It is hoped by supporters of homeopathic medicine that the sheer size of the study and its apparent immense positive impact will lend it gravitas. It seems that there is much more to consider regarding the provision of these remedies by the NHS than the basic issue of cost-effectiveness.

Indulge in Wellness Tourism and Beat the Brits Abroad Bloat

Everyone knows the usual equation for a holiday abroad- take three weeks of surviving on grapes to get that ‘bikini body’, add a dehydrating flight, a fortnight of rich meals, lazy days and boozy nights and what do you get? A ‘break’ that leaves you looking and feeling worse than you did before you left. You could be forgiven for thinking you’d be better off spending the money on a swanky gym membership or a spa break.

Well fret no more, Brits abroad because binging and bloating is out and ‘wellness tourism’ is in. More and more relaxation-seekers are searching further afield for the best in spa breaks, treatments and even cosmetic surgery. So pack your bags and hop on a plane for a holiday experience that’ll leave you glowing and perhaps even transformed.

Read the rest here

The Curse of Being Endlessly Busy Strikes Again!

People moan that living in London means you're constantly on the go. That work becomes your life. That you never see the inside of your own home.

Personally I fail to see the downside....

...oh, apart from the complete lack of time to spend on my poor, neglected blog.

It's been two months since I last got down to business and I feel like such a slacker. So today I rectify the situation! Feast your eyes on all the work I've been doing for other people (polishes halo):

Get Serious About Skin Protection

'Cougars' Boost Figures (In More Ways Than One)

Tried and Tested- The Fish Pedicure

A little note on this one, as it's a personal favourite.

Thanks to the wonderful people at Wahanda, myself and the (v.talented) copywriter Charley had the opportunity to experience the fish pedicure just as the craze hit London. One word. Awesome.

The fish were adorable- we laughed, I cried, they sucked the dead skin off my feet. A good time was truly had by all...

Dimple Surgery- How Far Would You Go For Cheryl's Cheeky Grin?

Look Eternally Gorgeous Like The Stars of Twilight Eclipse

Elastoplast's Invisible Protection Launch


Boob Job Blunder- The Poly-Implant Prosthesis Scares Causing Rupture Fears

Tried and Tested- Sail Away to Relaxation With Flotation

We've All Been Faking It For Fifty Years- The Institution That Began With 'Man-Tan'!

That just about brings us up top date, now to fight off the pile of titles currently swarming all over my inbox. Fingers crossed I may get them up here before Christmas.....

Free Benefit Goodies with Glamour Mag

I think it's safe to say that newsagents across the UK are rubbing their hands together in glee today as Glamour's July edition went on sale, complete with a choice of three full sized Benefit products! These little beauties are usually between £14 and £17!

You can choose between Bad Gal Eyeliner- a chunky black pencil for charcoal-y smoky eyes, It Girl- a taupe pencil for concealing any annoying wrinkles (not that we have any of course, but just in case....) or Eye Bright, a fab pink-toned pencil which opens up your eyes and makes you look wide away, no matter how late you stumbled in last night.

Get your skates on if you want to pick up one of these fab freebies- many outlets have already sold out and WHSmith on Oxford street was on their second re-stock this afternoon! Personally if I had to choose between them it would be Bad Gal- I love a really chunky, smoky eye. Luckily I'm rubbish at decision making and lunch hour is only so long, so I was forced to get them all...

Fiiiiiiiiine Dining at Quilon

I've had some incredible dining experiences this week thanks to Last Minute's amazing restaurant deals. For the price of a pizza, myself and the Silver Fox visited Quilon on Sunday to sample their three course set menu (appetiser, starter, aperatif, main course, dessert, coffee AND hotel chocolat chocolates!). The restaurant itself looked lovely, all linen table cloths and tasteful murals. There was a complete variety of diners, from business men having lunch to families eating together.

And the food was beautiful. SF maintains that it was the best meal he has ever had- high praise from a man who has eaten everywhere from Bali to Hong Kong to New York to Bromley Burger King!

Appetisers were served in the form of lovely mini-poppadoms with two choices of 'dip' (one red and spicy, one cool, green and corriander-y). Starters included seafood broth for me- a super-fresh selection of prawns, mussels and scallops with a delicious tomato-based broth poured over the top, and mango-lassi chicken for him, lovely chicken fillets with a slightly spicy mango/yoghurt sauce drizzled over them.

Before the main course we were brought what looked like round sherry glasses containing a hot, spicy tomato broth with chopped coriander floating on top. It tasted gorgeous, with just the right amount of chilli heat. It was so nice I was actually worried they might take it away when our mains quickly arrived!

We decided upon main courses of lamb in a pistachio sauce for myself and guinea fowl marsala for SF, both of which were accompanied by lemon rice and beautifully presented. The maitre d' even brought me a small bowl of curd rice to try (looks/feels like rice pudding, tastes, like cottage cheese with a hint of nutmeg) ( it wouldn't have gone with my main course but I do love a weird dessert/side dish mash up of an afternoon...).

My dessert of baked yogurt was a highlight- two little cups, one mango, one blood orange. The mango was especially lovely, with a strong, fruity aftertaste. SF is not usually a pudding fan however he ate his own chocolate cake before finishing my yogurt with enthusiasm! Another high point was my drink- while SF stuck to orange juice I sampled something new, a rose beer. Mild and fresh tasting it looked beautifully pink and very festive, presented in a tall glass.

The service was fab, the waiters smartly attired, polite and more than willing to make suggestions and recommendations. For around £25 per head I couldn't recommend this Michellin starred venue enough and already know of several friends who have booked in upon hearing how great our experience was. I will definitely be visiting again very soon!!

Blink&Go- Fabulous Frames for the Windows to your Soul!

Excitingly on Monday the wonderful Sherry Bennett was good enough to let me try Blink&Go lashes, the next step in eyelash extensions. Although less long-lasting (3 weeks instead of four to six) than traditional extensions, they only take 20 minutes to apply, are totally painless and can be adapted to any look you choose, from subtle Cheryl Cole to massively drag-y Jordan lashes! You can find the full review on my Spa'Cial Needs blog, here.

I'm now completely addicted and considering investing in a full set of c-curl lashes on my next visit- it's a slippery slope, suddenly I can sort of see where Jordan was coming from......

One to watch, Milko Boyarov

As well as interning for the lovely team at Wahanda- an opportunity that has taught me so much already and I'm really looking forward to continuing with- I've recently started writing for the brilliant www.Agent2.co.uk

I was thrilled to get an email this morning informing me that my first article, an interview with the extremely talented new jewellery designer Milko Boyarov, went up this morning and can be found here.



x

Are you a Kung Foo Panda or a Karate Kid?

...well perhaps Tae Kwon Do is for you. My latest treatment write up on Wahanda tells you everything you need to know about the martial art that film forgot!

Get Sex and the City Pretty!

For my latest article, Judy (Johnson, fabulous Web ed. at Wahanda.com) suggested something on the kind of treatments our favourite foursome (plus some of the boys!) could do with indulging in, and here are the results....

http://www.wahanda.com/blog/spacial-needs/get-the-sex-and-the-city-treatment/

In all fairness I very much doubt that they need reduced price treatments and offers so fingers crossed they'll leave some for us non-celebrity types....

Spa'cial Needs

So the second year is a dot in the distance, exams are over and I'm......subjecting myself to unpaid office work! Luckily for me it's at the amazing www.Wahanda.com, where the lovely staffers are taking very good care of me (regular feeding, walks, grooming, the lot) and putting up with my ceaseless chatter.

If you've never heard of Wahanda, you're in for a treat. It's a fantastic Health, Wellness and Beauty website with some incredible deals on treatments, spas, gyms and classes to keep you looking beautiful on a budget. Check out the daily mob deals, limited availability deals online for only 24hours each!

My blog (Spa'cial Needs) is just getting up and running on the site, view my first article on the Elemis 20th birthday 'Spabus' (treats for a tenner!) at:

http://www.wahanda.com/blog/spacial-needs/all-aboard-for-relaxation/

Keep your Clip-In's Looking Good with Easy Maintenance Tips!

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 23, 2010 Stars like Jessica Lucas may use clip-in's as an easy way to change up their hair but their stylists know that in order to keep them looking polished and glossy for as long as possible, it's important to look after them! Nights out and environmental stresses such as wind, rain and pollution can leave even the highest quality human hair looking dull unless it is properly maintained. Luckily for those of us without a team of professionals to look after our hair clip-ins- unlike bonded extensions- can be washed, conditioned and even styled without even getting your own hair wet! The best way to wash clip-in extensions is with a good quality moisturizing shampoo. Bearing in mind that there is no glue involved in this method of extensions you can wash them right up to the weft, smoothing shampoo downwards in the direction of the cuticle. Rich conditioners can also be used so long as you remember to rinse thoroughly. For a real treat or if the ends of your extensions begin to feel a little dry over time, try using a sachet of deep-conditioning treatment and leaving it on the extensions for ten to fifteen minutes. To avoid hours in front of the mirror (and make styling the back of your own head easier!) try curling your extensions before you put them in. The easiest way to do this is to clip them onto something secure at a comfortable height (personally I use a scarf with one end shut in a drawer, but something a little more sophisticated like a clothes airer would do just as well!) then style them as usual, not forgetting to spritz them with a little heat protectant or serum before using hot tongs orstraighteners to keep them looking silky. Comments

Transforming Super-Short Hair Into Glamorous Lengths Like Rumer Willis

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on March 3, 2010

Cropped styles may be chic and easy but sometimes the difficult growing-out phases of shorter styles can be unbearably long. Whether you're regretting a big change or simply fancy something a bit more extravagant for a big event, extensions could be the answer to your hair prayers. We've all seen the pictures of Britney Spears' visible bonds- living proof that for individual bonded extensions to look natural, they must have at least four inches of hair to hold on to and be attached well away from the hair's ‘edges' by a skilled professional- but stars like Rumer Willis get it right using clip-in's and bonded wefts which are attached closer to the scalp and can be removed easily to reveal your short cut.

Bear in mind that wherever you place the top row of your extensions, the hair must be long enough to cover the bonded area or clips (anything less than a couple of inches just wont lie flat enough) and your own hair must be blended carefully with the extensions to avoid a ‘seam'. The best way to do this usually involves combing the hair together and securing with hairspray. Curly and wavy styles often blend better with short hair and the blurred edges disguise any shorter layers. Try curling the hair first, then running your fingers through it to get looser waves. The extensions can then either be left loose or gathered to one side as in Rumer's picture and secured with pins or a decorative clip or comb.

If you decide to go for the longer-lasting glued-weft method, bear in mind that you will need to layer the extensions in order to get a more natural look. If your own hair is very short it is often better not to go for the 20 inch mermaid-hair look, but something funkier around collarbone length or slightly longer to get a more undetectable look.

Comments

Clean Up Your Act - The Best Way To Wash Your Extensions

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 24, 2010

One of the main reasons many women are reluctant to wear bonded extensions is that they worry about maintenance, however with the right washing and drying tips (and some styling tips from our articles on curling and putting up your hair!) there's no reason for extensions to be any harder to look after than naturally long locks. Follow in the footsteps of stars like Kirsten Dunst who sport healthy, well-maintained extensions, and groom them with these simple steps:

To begin with, choose the right shampoo. The best to use are frequent-use or any mild shampoos. The best ones are sulfate and silicone free, as these ingredients can weaken the bonds and make the hair slippery. Put your hair behind your shoulders so that it falls downwards, then wet it and smooth the shampoo on gently from the top to mid-lengths. When you rinse, the water will carry the shampoo to the ends of your hair without drying them out.

Next, select a good quality, moisturizing conditioner (again, sulfate free products are best) and smooth it down from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, taking care to avoid the root area where the bonds are. Allow to sit on the hair for the recommended length of time before rinsing. Using cool water for a final rinse is a great tip for added shine!

When it comes to drying, pat your hair as dry as you can with a towel before blow-drying. When towel drying, avoid rubbing the hair and be as gentle as possible to avoid tangling. It's a great idea to use an anti-frizz serum on the ends of your extensions to keep them soft, shiny and neat.

Food for thought....

In an effort to prove myself capable of writing about more than just hair extensions (a comfortable, yet somewhat vacuous topic....) I decided a little while back to volunteer for a couple more freelance opportunities and luckily for me, the lovely people at 'quirkyrestaurantlover' didn't think I was too appalling! As a result of their charitable natures I am now a contributor on the site and will be writing about all sorts of weird and wonderful restaurants in the upcoming months.

You can find the website at www.quirkyrestaurantlover.co.uk, with upcoming articles on such gastronomic delights as The Modern Toilet, a restaurant in Tai Pei where the food is designed to be....crap! Other exciting venues include Ninja in New York where you can eat sushi in a ninja castle served by the warriors themselves and Moto, a Chicago restaurant taking molecular gastronomy and 'food science' to new levels of crazy deliciousness!

2010's Biggest Hair Trends using Extensions!

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 8, 2010

As we all know hair fashions change every season, let alone every year, but for 2010 there are certain styles that will stand out head and shoulders above the rest. For the most fashion forward hair this year, try using extensions to create these trendy styles and stay ahead of the fashion pack.

Braids:
Whether you choose schoolgirl style, milkmaid braids or even one long plait to the side as seen on Alexander Wang's models, simply attach your clip-in or permanent extensions and get twisting. Extensions are an absolute must to get the right volume and length for this Rapunzel-style look.

1970's chic:
This style involves long, one-length, well-conditioned hair and can be worn either straight or slightly wavy. It is most popular with a side parting, although a center part works too. If you choose to style your lengths straight, try curving the ends in with your straightening iron to get a more retro, softer look. For the wavy look try braiding the hair loosely before bed, then simply remove your hairbands and combs your fingers through in the morning!

Buns, Chignons and Twists:
The slightly tousled up-do is a big trend for this year, as well as being extremely practical! See our previous article on ‘Using Extensions to Create Stunning Up-do's' for tips on how to achieve this look with clip-ins or permanent extensions. Top-knots are another fashionable choice and can be created my making a high ponytail on the top of your head, twisting it until it coils around on itself and then pinning securely.

The most popular colours for long hair in 2010 look set to be golden blondes, reds and peroxide platinum (as seen everywhere in 2009!).

How to Blend and Feather Your Extensions

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 4, 2010

If you look at photos of short-haired celebrities who take the plunge with long, beautiful extensions, one thing you won't notice is that tell-tale ‘shelf' where their natural hair ends and the extensions begin. Even those with naturally short hair - Paris Hilton, Frankie Sandford of ‘The Saturdays' and Katie Holmes to name just a few- make sure the two are cleverly blended.

One great tip is to wait until your install is complete and then use a razor comb (gently) drawn downwards from just above the ‘join' area. This will graduate the ends of your hair as well as the top layer of the extensions. Go slowly at first- it's better to take too little than too much. You can also use this technique around the front of your hair to blend the long extensions into your natural layers, creating a ‘feathered' look to the front of your style.

Many girls love a layered look like that of Girls Aloud instead of a long, straight, blunt cut a la Lily Allen's extensions. If this is the case, try sectioning off horizontal layers of your hair and using either a razor comb or hairdressing scissors to chip into it (unevenly to avoid a ‘shelf) all the way along. Let down the next layer of hair (easy to find if you have used liquid gold and wefts or a weave!) and repeat, feathering the length slightly above the previous layer. By starting from the bottom up you can make sure not to go too short or thin.

It's always useful to have a picture of your style inspiration for reference and remember that the best tip of all for natural extensions is making sure you have added enough hair- if your own hair is particularly short and thick this may mean a full head and a half of extensions, or in rarer cases even two, in order to create that natural look! Though our full head hair extensions are suitable for 95% of users.

Using Extensions To Create Stunning Up-Do's

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on February 1, 2010

To create a cute pony-tail with clip-in extensions, try fitting the bottom rows upside-down. This enables you to sweep them upwards without creating any unsightly bumps or visible clips. You can fit the top rows as normal or, for a 60's sex kitten look as seen on Nicole Ritchie, try back combing the top of your own hair then smoothing a comb over it to create a volume ‘bump' over your top extension rows.

This style will work just as well on bonded weft extensions, just be careful to brush your own hair back over the bonded areas (this may be easier if you make the pony-tail at mid-head level) and secure with hairspray.

If you want to create a complete up-do, try making a ponytail, then coil and pin strands of your hair around and over the band. This can be as sexily ‘mussed-up' or as neat as you like. You can even try attaching clip-ins along vertical partings down the sides of your head instead of horizontally, sweeping them back to create smooth-sided styles such as chignons without having to worry about visible attachment points. Get creative, use your imagination and with a little bit of practice you can create practically any style using extensions!

Many women love the look of long, straight or curly hair, but worry that extensions are impractical or lack versatility. Luckily this is a complete myth, as extensions can be used to create practical ponytails and stunning up-do's provided you have a few tricks up your sleeve.

Celebrity Colour Without Damaging Your Hair

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on January 21, 2010

Do you change your mind about your hair colour every five minutes? Worry about damaging your locks beyond all repair in the name of highlights, lowlights or ‘peekaboo' colour flashes? Hair extensions may be the answer to a hair-colour addict's prayers.

If it's natural highlights you are looking for, simply adding a few strategically placed sections of our weft human hair can add depth and tone to an otherwise bland base colour. For a ‘sunkissed' look, select extensions one or two shades lighter than your current colour, or go even lighter for a more rock chick look with highlights in pale gold or bleach blonde.

For gorgeous classic lowlights like Jennifer Aniston, pick a colour a shade or two darker than your current hair colour. Lowlights look gorgeous installed through the bottom layers of your hair (where it is naturally darkest) for a naturally graduated look. Alternatively you could place them nearer to the crown to give the impression of a darker shade all over.

If you're going for a funky look, try placing some ‘flashes' of colour in your hair. To do this, pick a colour that will stand out whilst still complimenting your natural hair shade. Pale blonde is a popular choice for brunettes, whereas blondes look great with chocolate sections peeking out underneath their hair, or try some of our gorgeous wild-coloured hair in pinks, purples or even jade green for a flash of individuality. Simply use ‘liquid gold' to glue inch-wide sections into the lower layers of your hair for a fashionable new look, or if you want something more temporary, attach an extension clip to the section and remove whenever you feel like a change!

How To Avoid Hair Extension 'Exposure'

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on January 18, 2010

Once you've installed your new hair, are looking after it properly and enjoying having a beautiful, long style, the one worry can be making sure that your tracks are never 'on display', especially in this windy winter weather. Well stress not because there are several ways you can 'winter-proof' your extensions and make sure that nobody knows they aren't as natural as they undoubtedly look!

Firstly make sure your colour match is just right. Before ordering your hair, make sure to check the colour chart handily provided on our site, taking into account whether your hair is a ‘warm' or a ‘cool' shade.

If you are gluing the wefts in, try pulling down a FINE layer of your own hair over the weft and securing using liquid gold glue. This will disguise the weft even if your own hair blows up!

If you have fly-away, fine hair like Pamela Anderson, try using a light mist of hairspray before leaving the house or, for extra volume as well as hold. Lightly backcomb the top layer of your hair before brushing smooth and misting with spray to secure. Backcombing and spraying your hair before applying clip-in extensions also prevents slipping.

By following these tips you can keep the truth about your extensions between yourself and us (and we won't tell!).

Hair Extensions On Short Hair

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on December 29, 2009

Hair extensions aren't just for those of us with mid-length locks looking to boost length, they can be used to funk up even short do's. Rihanna is a great example of this. To achieve her thick, sweeping ‘faux hawk' effect, extensions could be added amongst the top layers of a crop (or even a bob if you prefer, just pin the sides back and secure using hair spray). For Rihanna's cool colour just mix up your shades, adding a light bleach- or honey-blonde along with a dark base colour.

If you have gone for a Danni Minogue style chorus girl bob this season, try adding extensions in a colour to match your own at around ear length, then trim to the same length as your own hair. This will create a thicker effect, making the symmetrical lines of your cut even sharper and allowing extra ‘swing' and volume.

If you've opted for a pixie crop but fancy a change for a xmas party, try adding small amounts of extensions in a highlight-shade to your fringe just as Marley Shelton did at a recent premiere. Once attached, just brush your own hair forwards over the attachment area, before feathering the ends of the extensions to suit your own style!

Styling Your DIY Human Hair Extensions

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on December 17, 2009

One of the best things about human hair extensions, apart from their gorgeous looks and how easy they are to care for, is that you can style them much like your own hair! Whether you desire Lauren Conrad curls or a poker-straight Megan Fox style, anything is possible with the right tools and a little bit of imagination!

To straighten always use the lowest heat possible so as not to damage your extensions since, just like your own hair, excess heat can make them dry. Try applying a little heat protecting spray or blow-drying cream before you dry your hair after washing, then run the straighteners gently through the lengths, avoiding the bonds or glued areas.

For beachy waves like Ashlee Simpson, simply learn how to plait your hair! By braiding your locks into a simple, three-strand braid (or two if you want a tighter pattern) before bed, you will wake up with silky, mermaid-type waves. Instead of brushing just run your fingers through them with a little serum for shine and sleekness and you're ready to go!

For beautiful LA-style curls, try using a large barreled tong. Start by using a little heat protecting spray or cream to make sure your extensions are in top shape then slowly wind a section of your hair around the barrel. The larger the section, the looser the curl will be so for tighter coils use a smaller amount of hair at a time. Allow the hair to ‘set' for a few seconds then gently pull off the barrel. As with straighteners, avoid contact between the hot barrel and any glues or bonds. Spritz with a little hairspray and you're done!

Top Tips For Longer Lasting Celebrity-Style Wefts

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on December 14, 2009

Once you have all the tools you need to create a great new look it's tempting to dive right in, but by using a few simple tricks you can make your application easier, more professional and longer lasting. Here are five top tips for beautiful, easy DIY glue-in weft extensions:

1. Shampoo your own hair with a clarifying shampoo before you begin and, just this once, do not use conditioner. This provides a clean surface, free of natural oils, for the liquid gold glue to bond to.

2. Always cut your wefts to fit the parting in your hair and not vice versa to ensure a tidy section without any overlapping ends, which may stick out.

3. To make application clean and mess free, suck up your liquid gold into a plastic syringe. You can then dispense glue as and when you need it without spillage or stickiness. This method also saves on wastage, as you can wrap a piece of foil or cling film around the tip to keep the glue fresh!

4. To make your wefts super secure, try ‘sandwiching' - first glue down your first section of hair, then pull down a fine section of your own hair from above. Glue a second, matching piece of extension weft on top of this, pushing down to ensure it is firmly ‘sandwiched' to the weft below. Easy!

5. ALWAYS allow the glue on your weft to become slightly tacky before applying it to your head. This will prevent slipping and ensure a better bond. To make it even stronger, run a warm dryer over the section and do not wash for 24 hours after application.

Unbeweavable - Getting A Celebrity Style Sew-In

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Posted by Melanie Johnson on December 7, 2009

Everybody wants beautiful tresses for Christmas but some of us aren't willing to use glue in order to get them. If this sounds like you, for whatever reason, then having weft hair extensions sewn-in could be exactly what you're looking for! One of the first extension techniques and suitable for afro, relaxed and Caucasian hair alike, ‘weaves' involve your own hair being braided into ‘cornrows' before a weft of extension hair is sewn to the plait. The ability to wash the hair as normal, lack of expensive bonding tools or products, endless styling options and authentic look of these extensions make them popular with celebrities such as Khourtney Khardashian, seen below getting hers done at a salon;

Weaves can include all of your natural hair or just some of it, can be plaited crown to nape or ear to ear and, like bonded methods, can allow you to experiment with colours, textures, length and volume, the possibilities are endless. With a good weave you can even create stylish, natural up-do's, perfect for the party season.

Once you've found a talented stylist to create the install for you, choosing the hair is easy. Use the weft section of our site and choose between high quality 100% human Euro hair or the luxurious Remi hair in a varying range of styles. Pick your colour and you're ready to go!

www.rapunzelrapunzel.co.uk

Posted by Melanie Johnson on December 2, 2009

We all know that hair extensions are the perfect way to get gorgeous, flowing locks quickly, but getting them fitted in a salon can cause serious financial damage! Luckily weaves and other hair weft methods are not only cheap, fashionable and favoured by celebrities such as Heidi Montag and Katie Holmes, they can also be easy to do yourself even if you don't have the plaiting skills to create a sewn weave. When installed and removed carefully they will cause minimal damage to your natural hair.

The simplest DIY method for applying wefts uses bonding glue known as ‘liquid gold'. A clean, straight parting is made in your hair and glue applied to the ‘track' found at the top of wefted extensions. Allow the glue to sit for a few minutes and go ‘tacky', before placing the extensions along the line of your parting, being careful to attach the weft to your hair and not your scalp! For best results, the weft can then be sealed by applying light heat, either with a hair dryer or straighteners on a low setting.

Our hair wefts come in an approx. 5ft weft - plenty for a full head. Cut the weft into sections to perfectly fit your head.

This method is super flexible and dependant on the desired ‘look' can add length, Cheryl Cole-style volume or both if you're going for all-out drama. You can even add highlights, lowlights or flashes of colour! When you fancy a change, just apply bonding glue remover, allow to sit for a few minutes until the glue softens and then slide the weft from your hair, removing any residue gently with a little more remover and a comb.