A long post about short hair

* Post note: All of the products mentioned in this post can be found in the Amazon store I've set up at the end of this post for convenience. You can also find most of these products at Target, Soap.com, and Ulta. Some reviews claim the Styling Creme has changed its formula. But I have noticed no significant change, and was surprised to read this. Maybe I started using it after that adjustment...

Way back when I cut all my hair off, I had a commenter ask about styling tips. So let's get down to it!

No matter how many times you have had a pixie haircut (I have had three, for years at a time), you still go through utter shock the first week. It usually happens in the morning when you wake up either looking like an adolescent boy, or a deranged elderly person. And then it's reiterated when you shower, and go to wash your lengthy locks, to remember they are no longer long. But then you style it in a spunky do, and your husband sees it, and can't stop talking about how amazing it looks (and may or may not be able to keep his hands to himself). And then you know that the pixie cut is the most risky and rewarding of all haircuts—If you can pull it off, of course. Thankfully I can. But really you won't know if you can sport the short do, until you do it! So cut with caution, or get a consultation with a bona fide stylist first.

I get a haircut every 5 weeks. Sometimes I am extra crazy because I just cut it myself. DON'T do this. Just don't. I've been doing it for a long time, but I never get it perfect. And if I had any sense at all, I would always have it professionally trimmed every 5 weeks. But even then, I still come home and tweak it a bit. It's good to have nice scissors on hand for around the ears and bangs when things get shaggy and you can't get to a stylist any time soon. I have texturizers and regular scissors. If you are new to the DIY world of hair do's, I recommend texturizers (or thinning shears). Find them HERE. They look like this:

Now for styling (these are my favorite looks).

The spiky do is my favorite, which can go farther and become a cool "fauxhawk" if you are feeling way funky. Click the image below to go to a How-To Video on how I create this look:

Here's an example of the fauxhawk:

The simply smooth look (great with accessories like large flowers and headbands)
Click the image below to go to a How-To Video on how I create this look:

Or something between the two. I don't have a photo, but it's basically when I am too lazy to put in any work at all. I just blow dry it, use some product, and spray. I don't try to make it perfectly smooth, or spiky and cute. It's more of a blah alternative—consider it the ponytail of the pixie cut.

Don't be fooled that short hair requires no work. Au contraire! It's just work redistributed. Instead of long amounts of time blow drying, I spend more time styling than I did when I pulled it back in a pony every day. It's definitely faster than my lengthy locks. But it also requires some effort. I have slightly wavy hair, so I flat iron it when I want a good spike (yep, flat iron...crazy, I know). The smooth look can be achieved with the right products. And if you have straight hair, you won't need to flat iron at all. Here is my arsenal of design tools. I have tried a LOT of different products. And below are my absolute favorites.

Shampoo/Conditioner: 

Use anything. Really. Whatever is your favorite. I have fine, wavy, color treated hair. So I use something to give me volume, or something to protect color. It doesn't ever affect the style in the end (for my hair). And remember that since it's so short, you don't have to worry about damaged ends, or repairing or strengthening. You're going to cut it in a month. But if you really are dying to know, I use Bumble and Bumble Coco or Thick shampoo/conditioner.

Pre-styling products for spiky or textured do's: 

This step = essential. I usually combine two. A spray and a creme styler. This avoids crispiness, while giving me the texture my hair needs so that it won't flop.

STEP 1: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray OR B&B Tonic Spray. 

This gives you some lift at the roots.

On a budget? Try L'Oreal EverStyle Root Lifting Spray (LOVE this product) or John Frieda Collection Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster.

STEP 2: Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme OR B&B Texture.

I can't find a good substitution for either of these. They give a little texture and hold without crispiness. really amazing products. If you buy one thing, go for the Styling Creme! Hands down. It is definitely the best "do it all in one fell swoop" styling product. Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme is magical. I promise.

On a budget? Try Aveeno Soft Hold Gel-Creme.

TIP: Need more texture for fine/wimpy/slick hair? Try Dust It Mattifying Powder by Schwarzkopf for a little added gritty grip!

Pre-styling products for sleek do's: 

STEP 1: Bumble and Bumble Tonic Spray

STEP 2 (optional): Garnier Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk

Best around. Don't spend the money on anything else. This will do the job! Non-greasy, not too shiny, just sleek. And it resists end-of-day puffing.

-OR- Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme (Remember, it's magic. Smoothes or amplifies.)

Styling: 

When blow drying, use the right brush. I use a Denman brush. A little pricey. So for the conservative shopper, go for a small round brush with nubby bristles for a smooth look or controlled lift. That way if you need a boost in the back, you can round brush it slightly while blow drying. I just use my fingers for messy, spiky days. My hair has a tendency to wave or curl at the ends. So I do flat iron my hair a bit some days (bangs and ends only). My smooth/sleek style requires no flattening, since the flat iron will encourage it to all stand up on end. So I sort of "pull" it straight into place around my face while blowdrying so as to avoid curling bang tips.

Time to style! Poommade, pommade, pommade! This stuff is tricky. You want putty or dry wax. As dry as you can find. Not jiggly glossy gel in a pot. Not mud. Not foam. Not goopy cream. I have used LOTS of types of pommades, and these three will let you really manipulate your hair without it looking wet or oily (unless you are going for that look, which I never am). In every case, use sparingly by rubbing a small amount on fingertips before working into hair. Build up more as needed. I usually run my hands through my hair quickly before styling specific sections.

Looking for lots of texture and lift? Try these:

• Current Favorite: Bumble and Bumble Sumotech (best I've found)

• Crew Fiber (this is a men's product, but it's amazing, and very similar to Sumotech, but with a slightly earthy scent)

• Got 2 Be inPlay Putty (a cheaper version of Sumotech and Crew)

Want a sleeker look? Try these:

• Short Sexy Hair Control Maniac Wax (can get greasy if you use too much)

  

• Bumble and Bumble Sumo Wax (for a glossier wax finish, but with a higher price tag)

Finishing:
I'm not going to lie. I spray the CRAP out of my hair. It's stiff and wind-resistant. Even my smooth look is deceptively "natural." There's a lot of product in there. The right hairspray has to have Alcohol as the number one ingredient, NOT water. Else you lose your lift. I have hairspray down to a science. If you want to freeze your short style in place with the least amount of product, with a pleasant smell, all of these will do the job well. Spray and work your style at the same time. Lift, spray, lift spray. Shellac! (Environmentalists, I am a lost cause in this area. Sorry.)

• Osis + Freeze Stronghold Hairspray

• Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray (for serious lift and shellacking power)

• John Frieda Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Hairspray (A favorite at only $6 a can. Should be called "freeze right there, hair.")

• Bed Head Maxxed Out hairspray (a fantastic pump spray with crazy strong lasting hold)

• Tresemme Tres Two Extra Hold with the lime green label (Not the Ultra Fine Mist, or purple Freeze Hold. This smells great, comes in a jumbo can, costs under $5, and works better than most expensive salon hairsprays I've tried.)

• If you feel like you just HAVE to spend over $10 on good hairspray, Goldwell is your golden ticket. This comes in a close third to the first two. Buy the Goldwell Sprayer hairspray. They also have an awesome spray wax that could be used in place of pommade, called Unlimitor.

And you're done!
I know this seems like a LOT for short hair. But really it's a few easy steps once you get your products down pat. It takes me under 10 minutes to do my hair every day. So worth it! Have any tips you want to share with me, pixie pals? Leave me a comment or shoot me an email at lyndsayjonson@gmail.com



Video How-To's

Click on the photos above to go to my personal How-To Videos (more to come).

These are my favorite outsider styling tip videos for pixie do's found on You Tube:
SLEEK AUDREY HEPBURN STYLE
SPUNKY GOIN' OUT DO
FORMAL "UPDO"

Here's to happy hair!