Try on Looks with a Virtual Makeover

I am always dreaming about bizarre things to do with my appearance – especially my hair. Of course, once you do something drastic to your look, it’s pretty much impossible to turn back time on your decision.

Thankfully we live in a completely computerized world, and to our rescue is (drumroll please) the virtual makeover!

Let’s get real, most of these free online makeover programs really stink. They give you about 10 prefabricated hairstyles to choose from and that’s it. The best one online that I have found is the Virtual Makeover at DailyMakeover.com. It allows you to easily use your own picture, custom outline important details, and even change the color of your own hair. Plus, it’s totally free and takes seconds to create an account.

Check out these screen shots of my virtual makeover experience.

Once you create your account, you are directed to trace your face, hairline eyes, lips, and eyebrows. Usually this kind of program technique never works well, but the way you can pull the dots around and customize the lines to perfection in this program makes it easy. For once, the lipstick color I select won’t be somewhere on my cheekbone.

Next, the fun part. Today I really wanted to look at different hair colors, since I’ve been natural for awhile now. The following experiments are a bit drastic for reality but just look at how well this program works!

I traced my hair outline:

And then got to see what I’d look like as blonde:

Not bad, but I don’t know if I’m going platinum for ahwile. But how about a Katy Perry look instead?

Maybe not. However, I hope you can get an idea of how fun this program is. Not only can you change your hair color, you can try on celebrity hairstyles, makeup, accessories, and other effects, plus you can save all of your styles in your My Makeovers file. Definitely a site to check out. Happy Makeover!

Add a New Twist to Your Braided Hairstyle

Braided hairstyles are all the rage, and the reasons are obvious. Braids are simple, they are easy to make look amazing, and you can do so much with one technique that suits any style, outfit, or occasion. However there is a downside to this hair makeover miracle: braids can get boring. There’s only so many times you can do a simple braid until you feel like it has lost its luster and worse, it’s style. The good thing is, you can always teach an old dog new tricks.

I have found a few braided hairstyles in my travels that have unique touches – so if you have lost interest in braiding your hair – don’t give up until you’ve tried these ‘dos!

Waterfall Braid

This is a seldom used variety of the french braid, which is a shame because it is a great option for a half-up do without taking the volume out of the lower part of your hair by pulling it all the back. This works with straight hair, but I have also used this braid with my hair curled and it has turned out great since I’m not pulling all of my curled layers back and hiding them. Check out this video tutorial from Cute Girls Hairstyles for the how-to:

French Braid Up Do

If you are looking for a fancy braid for a nice night, this up do braid by Andrea at Beauty and the Blog might just do the trick! I love how simple this style is to create, but how complex and intricate the end result looks. Click here to get the step by step on her blog.

Braided Headband with Flower

I found the following tutorial right after posting our Poof-Proof Braided Headband style last week.  This is a super cute and easy way to finish off a french braided headband with a little flair.

3 Tips for Making Your Keratin Treatment Last

During the summer months, keratin treatments boom in popularity as we get tired of the frizz and our hairstyle getting ruined by heat, humidity, and spending time outside.

However, keratin treatments don’t last forever, and naturally we want to help keep a smooth look for a long as possible. Follow these stylist recommendations to keep keratin in your hair through the entire summer.

1. Use a Salt and Sulfate free Shampoo

Look for a shampoo that does not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, such as Zelo Salt and Sulfate Free Shampoo. SLS is a surfactant that will wear away at your keratin treatment. Not only does SLS depleat your keratin faster, but it can also cause thinning hair, irritated scalp, among other symptoms. So why do most shampoos use it? Because it’s cheap, and creates foam – which we are trained to believe is washing our hair better. SLS free shampoos don’t foam as much, which is actually better for your hair. Read this very detailed post by Killer Strands for more on SLS free shampoos and why we should all be using them, keratin treatment or not.

2. Take Care around Chlorine and Ocean Water

Many people love their keratin treatment because they can go from beaching it to going out on the town, but salt water and pool water are both very harsh on your hair. If getting your hair wet is unavoidable, hit the showers right after to rinse your hair so there is less of an impact on your keratin.

3. Change your Wash Schedule

The easiest way to keep your keratin? Wash your hair less. It is already commonly recommended to only wash your hair every other day, especially if you have dry or over processed hair. Many people say they can’t go a day without a wash because of oil, and for them I suggest giving the every other day wash a try, but continuing to rinse and condition (only from the middle to your ends) every day. If your hair is still too oily, try cutting down on a complete wash – alternate shampooing your entire head of hair with just concentrating your shampoo at your scalp. Many people find that if they cut back on how often they wash, their hair actually gradually becomes less oily.