What's the secret to beautiful curly hair?

Mandy Spence, Curly Hair Specialty Stylist
 offers her secrets for beautiful curly hair

These days curly haired girls are celebrating the freedom of their hair’s natural beauty.
Mandy Spence, Curly Hair Specialty Stylist with The Lunatic Fringe Salon in West Chester/Liberty Twp.  says the secret to well-defined, frizz-free curls is in the right products and blow-drying techniques:

• Since textured hair can take a little longer to dry, I always start with Paul Mitchell Fast Form, which works wonders on curls with defined, frizz-free results.  Not only does it reduce drying time, but it provides long lasting hold. 
• Before drying your hair comb it to the desired style you want your curls to fall.  TIP: Avoid running your fingers through your curls during the drying process because this will break up your curl pattern and cause frizz.
• A Blow-Dryer Diffuser is a curly girl’s best friend, because it dries curls and waves without blowing out their natural shape, adds volume and speeds up the drying time. Paul Mitchell’s new silicone diffuser fits most dryers.  TIP: Dry your curls about 80% of the way and let them air dry the rest of the way to reduce frizz.
• Because textured hair does not reflect light the way straight hair does, a spray on shine product is a must.  Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray is a super light-weight mist that adds moisture and makes strands glisten.
• Whether you like a soft or firm curl using a finishing spray is a great way to lock in your style.   I love to finish my style with Paul Mitchell’s Worked Up Working Spray at the roots for extra body and lightly mist the rest of the hair to hold the style throughout the day without making it crunchy or weighing it down. If you like a firm curl Paul Mitchell’s Hold Me Tight Finishing Spray creates a strong yet flexible hold that’s adds shine and washes out easily.

5 Tips to a Great Blow Out

Get gorgeous hair in 5 simple steps!

Ever wish you could make your hair look as fabulous as it does when you first leave the salon, but can never make your hair dryer do what you want it to at home?

You can get those "Victoria Secret" worthy blowouts at home. Jessica Hufford, Creative Stylist with Lunatic Fringe West Chester/Liberty Twp. offers 5 simple tips for to achieve blow out greatness!

1. Use the proper hot tools: Keep the concentrator nozzle that comes with your hair dryer. It allows direct air flow to the hair, ensuring a smooth, frizz-free finish. Also, find a hair dryer that features a "cool air" button. This allows you to set your style once the hair is dry.

2. Use the proper styling products: For maximum volume, using a body building product like Paul Mitchell Extra Body Sculpting Foam. To ensure healthy, shiny hair, Jessica recommends a thermal protectant that also adds shine, like Paul Mitchell Seal and Shine.

3. Get the hair 80% dry before trying to style it. Attempting to style overly wet hair causes it to stretch and weaken, causing breakage. Take the time to divide hair into sections no thicker than your brush is wide or taller than the depth of the brush. This allows enough air flow to dry the hair with less wear and tear. Sectioning may seem like more effort, but you'll actually reduce your drying time.

4. Start styling from the front to tame fringe and cowlicks. The area around your face tends to dry quickly on its own -- and usually not the way you want it to. Use a fine-tooth comb and concentrate your blow dryer there first to help direct the hair to the desired style.

5. For maximum volume, over-direct your brush forward and upward at the crown and use the cool air button to set the style. This creates a fuller and smoother look than turning your hair upside down because the hair cuticle is blown smooth in the natural direction rather than blown open, which causes frizz.

A little time combined with the proper tools and product can make take your hair from "meh" to "marvelous" in just a few steps!