Hint of Glamour #5

Just think, you get last minute plans together on a Friday or Saturday night, you begin getting ready. Shower. Makeup Regime... and time is running out.. You still have to do your hair and finalise that outfit. Enter a great time saver - the high ponytail. Worn various ways, sleek, curled, tousled, the high pony can be as minimal or fancy as you like {or can be bothered to do} making it a great addition to casual, dressy or formal looks.

While there are many hairstyles that can be done easily and quickly I feel a good high ponytail can add class, elegance and sophistication. I myself am a fan of this style, particularly with curled hair and a high front section for some edge. For this Hint of Glamour post I have picked some different examples with tips and tricks on how to pull this hairstyle off without appearing like you are heading to the school playground.

Simple & Sleek...

 I love the sleek look of this pony, great look with the fringe - easy to take from work to drinks.

 Simple and fantastically sleek with a wonderful wave (easily achieved with a quick twirl of a curling wand if you do not have natural waves). Wrap some hair around the hair-tie for instant glamour.

This look means business! Streamlined front, hair tied on top of Beyoncé's head with amazing volume (if your hair isn't thick a volume increasing spray and a tease brush can achieve the same result - can smooth down a little with a straightener). What I love about this ponytail is that a big section of hair has been used to wrap around the start of the ponytail making it look a bit fancier!

Curly & Sassy

 This is a perfect hairstyle for some flirty fun! Screams to me like dinner and drinks with the girls, followed by dancing of course! Simple tie your hair high, run your fingers through the front for some texture and let the curls take over. Looks great with a dress or with a ponte pant and blazer outfit.

 This is a little low set but I love the gradual curl in Lauren's hair - perfect for a look that is elegant and fresh. Good when paired with a fancy dress for events or use to glam up a casual look!

I love this style of ponytail because it has great volume and height. Definitely use a tease brush to achieve this height and create a ponytail through the use of pinning different sections. Perfect for formals, balls or weddings.

Calm and Casual

These are perfect for relaxed looks, either day or night. Add salt spray to your hair for beach waves and texture like Kate's hair. I love Jen's look, partly structured with a free moving front section.


Heighten the High Pony
We know there was some height in some of the styles above, but these ones have serious height!

 This is a perfectly structured and large ponytail - lots of volume and curls at the back with a perfect quiff at the front. A great style to add both edge and glamour to your look.

 A fabulous sleek ponytail with wrapped hair and a fantastic curled and pinned front section. Perfect for a rock chick look, rough up the ponytail to enhance this further!

Kim Kardashian may well be the Queen of wearing a ponytail to an event. I love this fancy look. Perfect for long hair as it shows the length off well but adds height and fun in the front. Add a fancy dress and simple accessories like Kim and you are set for a great night!

 

Play with Texture

 

 This hairstyle combines many different aspects and textures. The free flowing fringe with a heightened front section, wrapped hair and a curled low pony. Once you have curled your hair, run your fingers through to break up the curls and form some unstructured bounce.

Have total hair envy here! This floaty and free-spirited pony has been wrapped with hair that is plaited and twisted. Something very different that adds instant girly glam!

 Play with the form of a ponytail - add a loose plait or braid {in love with Blake's fishtail!}, a smooth front will highlight this type of pony - don't worry about any loose bits coming out of the braid. The second style is completed by placing hair ties in sections throughout the length of the ponytail - once you have done this, use your fingers to lightly tease the hair in between the ties for volume.

Portia's front section has been crimped but I would prefer to do small sections within the ponytail... add some 90s fun to the look!

Hope you have enjoyed this post! Do look at our other Hint of Glamour posts, which so far include Kate Ritchie wearing an amazing navy sequinned ball gown, Lauren Conrad showcasing the combination of long sleeved shift dresses with low ponytails, the amazing fun trend of arm candy and an inspired outfit post of dresses {red} with belts.

Do you have a favourite Hint of Glamour post? Which one?
Have you checked out For the Style Seeking Girl on Facebook yet?
You can find me on instagram { @saregiak } for daily style and life pics... happy styling

Sarah/Kooklah Xo
 

Embrace the Head Scarf ...

Today on the Fox In Flats April Style challenge the prompt was 'Scarf', not only have I completed the look and uploaded it but it has prompted me to complete a post I have been meaning to write for awhile on the beauty and ease of headscarves.

A scarf is one of the best accessories - it can be hung around your neck, arm, handbag straps, body or hair. The head scarf is one of my favourite uses. Either covering your whole head or as a headband. In a past post on For the Style Seeking Girl called 'For those bad hair days' I detailed ways to extend the 'life' of your hair one of these ways included the use of a head scarf. It is something so easy and simple to do. It looks chic, carefree, classy and can be used in casual or dressy looks.

My favourite styles are:

The Band - should look like a thick band around your head with nothing draping. How to: fold or twist the scarf so into a long rectangle and then place on top of head, pull tight (not TOO tight but enough to secure and ensure it won't fall off) and wrap underneath. Depending on the size of your scarf you can tie then or wrap again and tie in a knot or small bow at the top or side of the head.

Retro Knot and Tie - Women used to do this to hold in their curlers while they did housework, it then become popular for some dances. How to: similar to the band wrap the scarf around the head and either tie a knot or create a bow with the ends of the scarf, looks harder then it actually is. Pile your hair high and messy for a fabulous look - LOVE Rhianna's curls in the pic below.

The Bandana - pretty self explanatory ...just don't style yourself like a pirate! Let some of your fringe fall out (set the bandana back) or have hair coming out the back. How to: Fold the scarf in half to a triangle, place over heads and tie at nape of neck. For some flair jaunt to the side.

 

The Long Headband - a head scarf fashioned into a head band partway through or at beginning of hair. Similar to the Band but the rest of the scarf hangs once knotted. How To: twist or fold the scarf and place on head, I like to leave part of my front section of hair and then place the scarf, tie at the side or base of neck and leave the ends of the scarf to drape over your shoulder/back.

 



Head scarf/Head dress - The traditional use, very classy and perfect for travelling and respecting cultural customs in certain countries and at certain monuments such as temples. How To: wrap it around your head and fasten with a brooch or just by overlapping the fabric.

 

Other ways that I would love to attempt - and are maybe not so easy?

(I will attempt and let you know how easy or hard these styles are to achieve)

To end, a vintage gallery of some of the most stylish women in history wearing a scarf (see below)! Hope you try some of these out ... Let me know if you do! Check out what the foxy chicks are using a scarf for in the #foxinflatsstyledare on instagram (search using the hashtag), follow me on @saregiak

 

Find us on facebook - For the Style Seeking Girl

 

Happy Styling,

Sarah/Kooklah Xo

 

Vintage Gallery

 

 

 

 

 

Hair Tip Review...

When I am spending my time looking into different hair styles or hair tips I have kept coming across this tip that promises hair curl using hair in plaits and a straightner. 'Perfect for summer and the beach' is the comment following this tip. I had some time tonight and thought I would try it.

What you need:

* Hair ties - one per plait (I used five as my hair is quite thick and long)
* Some curling spray or hairspray (especially if your hair does not curl easily, for those with curly hair a curling spray will help to reduce frizz)
* Hair straightner

Your hair can be newly washed or dirty, it won't really matter, but as with most hair styling, the less clean the hair, the longer the curl will hold.

How to do it:

* Comb your hair - finger comb for a less structured look, I used an actual comb for mine.
* Plait your hair- how many is up to you, take into consideration how thick or long your hair is. I chose five sections to break up the back section of my hair which is quite thick and to account for layers. Two or three would also work easily.
* Turn on your straightner, allow to heat and run the plait through the straightner tongs, I ran each plait through two-three times and then moved onto the next.
* You can do this from damp to dry, if this is the case once you have 'straightened' each plait go back and repeat the process one-three times.
* Take the hairbands off and unravel the plaits. Add a touch of spray if you need it and go!



Results:

* I was surprised, it definitely created a 'wave' to my hair. But it didn't so much curl, see the picture below but the result looked like I had curled my hair and then combed or brushed them apart OR I had used a crimper (does anyone remember those?)
* I wouldn't wear my whole hair like this, but it is a fun idea and something I will definitley use to incoporate through sections of my hair, for example small sections in a ponytail, under sections/layers of hair mixed with big curls or straight hair, or just at the ends.
* Very quick and easy, takes five- ten minutes tops!
* GREAT for dirty hair or to enhance a messy / bedhair style of do

Here is the result:

 

Have a go and see if it works for you! Post a icture or comment if you do, and also if you have another tip that you would like me to review.

Kooklah Xx

 

For those bad hair days

How often do you think, 'I'll wash my hair tomorrow' and then that day comes and you don't have time or cannot be bothered to wash your hair. Below are some of my go-to hairstyles that are my saviour when I am hit with a bad hair day or have not washed my hair and wake up looking like something out of a horror film.

Alot of what makes these hairstyles great is the detail, I think it distracts from the unruly or unwashed hair ...

 *A bun-embrace the unpredictable with a messy bun on top of your head or gathered at the base of your neck. Or do the towered bun (a la la Sarah Jessica Parker/Lauren Conrad) , brush or roughly comb your hair, put in a high pony on top of your head, then wrap the hair around forming the iconic big bun. Use bobby pins to secure-don't stress if it isn't perfect, a few strands coming loose will only add to the look.

*Braid or plait your hair-messy or tight and perfect will work. Small sections of hair plaited or braided make for an interesting and bohemian look. Braids are fantastic andcan be used to create casual, carefree, dressy or stylish looks.

*A curled or twisted bun to nape of neck. This look is all about texture and build. I usually twist the front sections of my hair-they are around your face and will often become the dirtiest first, then pile your hair into curls where the twists end.

 

My pin and twist style:

 

To add some sparkle, texture or distraction from your hair make good use of accessories -

*Wear a headband, thick ones with embellishment are a fantastic help to hide any greasy roots as well as adding a splash of detail or hint of colour. The character of Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl is the queen of headbands, and one of my style gurus.

*Use a scarf to weave in hair, use as a headband or headscarf. Not only will the bright patterns or different fabrics distract from your hair... you will also look chic and fabulous!

*Wear a hat or beanie - can cover roots or large parts of hair

It is important to remember that hairspray does not always help, talcum powder (for fair hair) or dry shampoo can be helpful for a day or two as it is combed or worked through hair with your fingers and can add some much needed texture to limp (from grease/product build up) hair. Often it isn't a case of not wanting to wash your hair but more you need to get an extra day over with before you can wash it - particuarly if you are leading up to an event (I always wash my hair the day before an event).
Happy bad hair day! Kooklah Xx