Styling an Angled Bob: Easy Everyday Tutorial
I love having short hair, but as I've said before and showed here the other day, I haven't always had it. I've come to love short hair because although I have to style it every day, there are only a few options and it's quick. My hair dries quickly, and my styling time is minimal—especially on the days when I don't shower.
When I decided to go for the big chop, I was excited, but I didn't know much about styling short hair. What products should I use? What tools? I asked my stylist and she gave me a few ideas. After having a variation of this cut for about two years now, I think I have it pretty well figured out. Today I'm sharing how I style my hair almost every day.
First what tools to use? I use my blow dryer (nothing noteworthy about it) and my flat iron (Chi brand) daily. I also use three brushes/combs: a round bristle brush, a small paddle brush, and a teasing comb. I found the teasing comb at Sally's Beauty Supply and it works so much better for teasing than just a fine tooth comb.
The products that I use are all Big Sexy Hair brand. I have a normal amount of fine hair, and on its own, there isn't a lot of volume. I do everything I can to bump it up. I love to use this volumizing treatment in the shower a couple of times a week. The Big Altitude Bodifying Blow Dry Mousse and Big Sexy Spray and Play Hairspray are the two products I use daily. I also love their dry shampoo for days when I don't shower.
I go against the trend and shower almost every day. I try to work out in the mornings, so I'd rather just start clean. If I don't shower, I will use dry shampoo and usually curl my hair like this (but usually quicker and less perfectly!). Today's tutorial is starting after just washing my hair.
I start by rubbing in a handful of mousse at my roots. The can sprays out a little and it grows—so beware! This palm full is more than enough, but it helps to concentrate at the roots and then spread it down the shaft. Then, I clip the top half of my hair up.
I use my round brush to blow dry the shorter bottom layers of my hair. They tend to stick out like crazy if I don't tame them with the blow dryer. The flat iron has a hard time getting to them.
After drying my bottom layer, I unclip the top and flip my head upside down to blast my roots. This is where the root volume happens. I get the roots dry and the rest of my hair about 65% dry while I'm flipped over.
When I stand back up, I use my hands and my round brush to dry the rest of my hair thoroughly. The round brush helps in the back and to smooth my hair as it dries.
Once my hair is all dry, I clip the top half up again. It's time to use the flat iron. Sometimes I spray on a heat protectant, but I've heard mixed reviews about how much they help, so it isn't a must for me.
I use my flat iron to flatten and slightly curl the bottom half of my hair under. Typically, I don't hairspray the lower layer before I let the rest out of the clip.
Using the flat iron, I flatten the rest of my hair in about one- or two-inch sections all over. I try to get it almost straight with a tiny curve in towards my face. Next, it's time for more volume: teasing my roots.
I use my teasing comb to backcomb my roots in three-inch sections around my part. For the first layer (number 1), I backcomb a section on each side of my part starting in the front, another section on either side of my part in the middle of my head, and another two or three on the back of my head. Next, I do one section deeper (2) under each of the sections I have already teased. The result is a little crazy, but clearly more voluminous.
After teasing, I hairspray at the roots while lifting with my fingers and holding for several seconds afterwards to let it dry a bit. My hair tends to fall throughout the day, so the higher it starts, the better. After I spray, I take my round brush and very lightly brush over the top layer of hair to smooth things out and take away the mess while keeping the volume.
If I'm really going all out, I'll use a shine spray to finish up. I have used many of them, and they're all the same to me. This styling takes me about 15 minutes. It does take some practice, but it isn't hard and I love it as my everyday style. Having the right tools and products is a must, although everyone's hair is different. The products that work for me may not work for you.
If I want to revive my hair at the end of the day, I will flat iron the front pieces again and use my hair spray to bring a little body back. You can keep this same look the next day by using some dry shampoo, or you can change things up and curl it.
It's hard to imagine going back to long hair after this easy and chic cut. I really love having limited options for styling my hair because I love my everyday look.