Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girl 4 Life
No matter where she goes or what she does – and she’s actually pretty fantastic on Parenthood, which just started its second season – Lauren Graham will always be Lorelai Gilmore to me. Where she leads, I will follow, any-anywhere that she tells me to…yeah, I digress. Anyhow, part of being a Gilmore Girl is having fantastic hair, right? (Answer: Yes. Revisit the last couple of seasons of GG for some proof if you don’t believe me; Lorelai and Rory both had hair that was almost distractingly pretty.) You may think that having such beautiful straight hair is a gift from the hair gods, but I bet Lauren relies on her Farouk flat iron for a little help here and there.
One of Lauren’s signature looks is this side-parted, sleek silhouette. If you want to do it yourself just grab a Chi flat iron and straighten hair in sections. Remember, the bigger the plate, the faster you’ll be able to straighten your hair…but if you go too big, it’ll be more difficult to manage, so choose with care! Always finish with a shine serum (or spray) to lock in moisture and give it that glossy Gilmore look. Easy, right? That’s just the way Lorelai would want it!
K. Stew's Hair: Vampy and Voluminous
When it comes to vampire/human/werewolf love triangles, Bella Swan has got the market cornered, right? (I hear you, True Blood fans, but Sookie Stackhouse isn’t exactly human, so hush!) The heroine of the Twilight series – embodied by Kristen Stewart in the film versions – has to be something pretty special, considering the supernatural abilities of her lovesick suitors. And while Edward loves the tempting scent of her floral-tinged blood (!) and Jacob just wants to protect her from harm, perhaps Bella’s real charm lies in…her hair.
Kristen Stewart has fabulous hair, and she’s not afraid to switch things up – a quality that I admire in a starlet. But my favorite look of hers has to be this straight yet voluminous style, which is a cinch to recreate with any Farouk flat iron. Start with hair that is completely dry, and warm up your Chi flat iron to its optimal temperature. Then divide hair into sections and straighten on at a time. Next, apply a volumizing product to your roots and tease a little with your fingers. This will help lift the hair away from the scalp and give you that covetable volume without crossing over into tacky ’80s territory. Finish with a lightweight spray to set the style and you’re ready to break some hearts, be they human, vampire or werewolf.
What a Difference a Straightener Makes
Shakira. The name just rolls off your hips and into your heart, no? Everyone loves Shakira because she’s sassy, bold and – let’s be honest – kind of bizarre. The twenty-first century Charo (look it up, kids) has made a name for herself by shimmying and gyrating while tossing around a head full of wildly curly hair. Provocative? Yes. Are you going to invite her to the Oscars or the White House? Maybe not…unless you’re Barack Obama.
But hand this woman a Farouk flat iron, and something miraculous happens: Voila, she is elegant! Composed! Positively classy! The kind of girl you could take home to your mother! And the fact that naturally curly hair as seemingly untameable as Shakira’s can be felled by a mere flat iron really says something about the power of choosing the right styling tool. I know my Chi flat iron and CHI hair products can take me from disaster to debutante in just a few minutes.
So what do you think? How do you take your Shakira: Curly or straight?
Flat Iron with a Friend
I don’t know about you, but when I got my first GHD flat iron, I had NO idea how to use it! I was really into the idea of having beautiful, sleek hair, and I knew that my Farouk flat iron could help me make that dream a reality, but when it came down to actually using it…I was lost! I tried watching some video tutorials online, but putting what I had learned into practice wasn’t easy. And forget about written tutorials! I’m definitely one of those people who needs to be shown something in order to figure it out.
That’s why I was so grateful when my friends finally took pity on me and decided to throw a big girls night “straightening party.” I’m not kidding! We watched DVDs and had cocktails (after the flat irons were cooled down and put away, of course) and we all did one another’s hair! I haven’t had that much fun with the girls since high school – but, perhaps more importantly, I actually learned how to use my Farouk flat iron.
Using a flat iron on yourself can be a little tricky, especially when it comes to getting the back of your hair, but if you’re as confused as I was it really helps to experiment on someone else’s hair first. So if you’re a flat iron newbie, grab a friend and go to town! I guarantee you’ll feel much more comfortable by the end of it.
Condition and Straighten at the Same Time
Everyone knows how awesome flat irons are when it comes to giving you smooth, straight hair. I use my Farouk flat iron on a daily basis to tame my frizz and give myself the cool, edgy style that I love. But sometimes flat irons (and, for that matter, all heat styling tools) get a bad rep because the high temperatures can damage hair by sucking the moisture right out of your strands. Then I started hearing about these new flat irons that are designed to condition your hair while you straighten. They supposedly work because the plates are infused with conditioning oils. Do these flat irons really work? I can’t vouch for that, but I will say that my Farouk flat iron does any excellent job of leaving my hair shiny and healthy-looking. Ceramic plates (instead of metal) are the key. While metal plates can cook your hair, ceramic glides gently over your tresses, sealing the cuticle and adding extra shine and softness. My hair is actually in better condition now than it was before I bought my flat iron! I would recommend Chi flat irons to anyone looking for a way to straighten their hair without damaging it. They’re easy to use too! You can get professional results on your own, without going to a salon.
Hair Straightening Methods
When it comes to having perfectly straight hair, most women I know will stop at nothing to make their dream of sleek, shiny locks a reality. The question is which hair straightening method is best, in terms of both effectiveness and the long-term repercussions for your hair. You can basically choose one of two methods: Heat styling tools (I swear by my Farouk flat iron!) or chemical straighteners.
Flat irons are a good choice because they’re convenient, easy to use – especially once you get the hang of the technique – and totally non-permanent, so you can revert back to your hair’s natural texture without encountering any problems. If you choose a high quality heat styling tool, like a Chi flat iron, you can rest assured that your hair won’t be singed or cooked by the heat. The only real drawback is that you have to devote yourself to straightening each and every time; there is really no significant lasting power. Plus, you should take a break from the heat at least once a week to give your hair time to recover its natural moisture.
Chemical straighteners offer long-term straightening, but they can be extremely damaging. Some people swear by keratin treatments, which is a more “natural” way of straightening the hair by coating it in liquid proteins rather than using chemicals to penetrate the hair shaft, but even keratin has its drawbacks. Some people have complained of hair loss, and the formaldehyde used in most treatments can even cause cancer! No thanks – I think I’ll stick with my trusty flat iron.
Best Brunette Styles
Another beautiful brunette whose hair I really love is Mandy Moore! She’s really come a long way from her “pop tart” roots, when she was basically a Britney clone with dyed blonde, center-parted hair singing about “Candy.” Now, she’s established herself as a sensitive singer-songwriter and a pretty decent actress to boot – and I think her image change was thanks in no small part to her switch from blonde to brunette. In addition to giving her a more “serious” look, this rich color is just way more flattering to her complexion. And the shoulder-length style with sideswept bangs is anything but boring! But maybe I’m biased, because I love doing my hair just like Mandy’s in this picture! It doesn’t take long at all when I used my Farouk flat iron. It heats up much faster than less prestigious brands, and the plates distribute heat evenly, which is good for two reasons: First, it makes the straightening process much faster, because I don’t have to iron sections over and over just to get them straight. And second, it protects my hair from damage. Have you ever seen heat-damaged hair? I have, firsthand – in the days before I invested in a Farouk flat iron! It is not a pretty sight. Basically, all of the moisture gets sucked out, and your hair just looks flat, dull and frizzy…the opposite of what you’re going for by flat ironing it in the first place! Not cool. But with my trusty Farouk, I can look gorgeous 24/7, just like Mandy!
Farouk Flat Iron Makes My Haircut Possible!
I have been considering changing up my hairstyle lately. I have become bored with my hairstyle – which is basically all one length and just past my shoulders. It looks like every other girl’s hair out there – every girl that doesn’t have a sense of daring…and I do! I love playing around with my hairstyle and I don’t know how its gone this long without changing it up. Rachel McAdams is an actress I’ve always identified with because she seems to go her own way and has her own sense of style. So when I saw this picture of her I thought…that’s it! That’s the hairstyle I have been looking for. I love the layers that framer her face, the bangs that sit right below her brows and I love the shiny chestnut color. My only concern is that my hair is wavy and I’m not sure if I’d want to do all the maintenance to keep my hair looking this edgy and awesome. I was talking to my friend though and she said it would seem like a lot less “work” if I invested in a good flat iron. She swears by her Farouk flat iron and I have heard a lot about them too. She says that straightening her hair takes half the time with her Farouk, as opposed to her generic brand she used to use. I think she convinced me….I have to have this haircut!
Kate Winslet's Amazing Updo
My favorite actress of all time is Kate Winslet. She brings such passion and integrity to her roles, and her filmography is totally diverse – I really admire that she takes risks instead of just sticking with the safest bet! I also think she is unparalleled when it comes to her red carpet prowess. Her taste in gowns is awesome, her skin and makeup are always perfection, and her hair is to die for. Check out her amazing updo in this picture! I love the soft, swoopy, sideswept bangs – and I love them even more because this look is so easy to recreate using my trusty Farouk flat iron. (I don’t recommend trying this without a Farouk flat iron, because lower quality irons can damage or even burn your hair, and that will not be pretty!) Just part your hair on the side and pin everything up into a bun or French twist, save for your bangs. Then, take your Farouk flat iron and run it through your bangs, taking care to “swoop” them off to the side. If they’re growing out, you can even tuck or pin them behind your ear. That’s all there is to it! It couldn’t be easier, but it looks so pretty. Thanks, Kate!
Can Men Use Flat Irons?
If you’ve ever wondered whether flat irons are “just for girls,” wonder no more! Men everywhere are getting in on the hair straightening action. For example, check out Zac Efron’s smooth, straight, somewhat piecey hairdo. Did he use a Farouk flat iron for that cool, sexy look? It’s definitely possible! Whether you’re a guy looking to jazz up your hair or a girl who would love her boyfriend to look a little more like Zac, here’s how to achieve this look: Start by prepping clean, dry hair with a protective serum, which will shield the cuticle from heat damage. Then use a Farouk flat iron to straighten hair in small sections. When you’re done, use a bit of pomade or product to give hair a touch of rugged texture, and you’ll look gorgeously manly in no time.