The Infamous Chelsea Blow Dry- BIG hair is in (again)

Oh well, well well. Been gone for a while, but I really want to blog about something that's been on my mind for a while now (I always say this about everything, actually, so don't take this into consideration). 

What I wanna 'discuss today' is the famous Chelsea blow dry, or the 'hairdo' that's en vogue nowadays, since, apparently, the duchess of Cambridge (lovely Kate ex-Middleton) 'patented' it, managing to forever crucify tacky extensions, damaged hair and ugly tight curls. Go Kate.

I was reading an article today, about how to achieve your own salon experience in your home, with the help of some famous celebrity stylist's tips. The article depicted the 'painful' process of combing your hair, brushing it vigorously, then putting it on rollers and waiting, then some more brushing, then some hair products, etc etc. And ta-daaa, you've got yourself the Chelsea blow dry at home, for almost nothing! The funniest thing was that the stylist said about himself that he's got 'good arms' for the procedure :) well...kinda!

So, here's the thing. I'm not an expert, never been to cosmetology school, or hairdresser's school, or whatever it is that they call it. I've never worked in the field, so I can't say that my opinions espouse the absolute truth and the aforementioned guy was talking a lot of crap. However, my point is that he 'forgot' some important 'details' that I'd like to discuss in this post, since I've been doing my hair Kate-like for about 6 years or more (basically, since I've been wearing it long). 

That's the famous hairdo, in case you weren't familiar with it: 

Her hair looks beautiful, no comment. However, to do this is quite simple....here are some other examples of such beautiful hair:

And my absolute favorite, the hairdo Latin American actress Barbara Mori used to sport:

Her hair is just stunning. Lots of volume, healthy locks, really bouncy and shiny, looks so hydrated and nourished. The problem with this hairdo is that you'll never get it if you do the brush-rollers-brushing some more-blowdryer-brushing combo. It will ruin the hair, make it break like crazy and destroy it. So, I thought of sharing my own 'recipe' for this look. However, there are some things I want to point out. Again, I'm not experienced in the field, but I've visited plenty of salons during my 'heyday' and I know how to work this out because I have long, thick hair. If you dislike or disagree with what I have to say- by all means. However, I guess some points will make sense :)

First off, you need thick hair. Unless you have wavy or straight hair, this look is going to be a pain in the butt for everyone willing to sport such a shiny mane. It's difficult and literally painful if you need to straighten, brush your hair several times before getting it in any shape, especially for the ladies who relax their hair. That's also unhealthy. I think all hair types are beautiful, but for this look, you need to double your efforts if you're not 'lucky' enough. Also, again- if your hair is not thick by nature, it's going to be very hard to get the look without extensions or industrial quantities of volumizing products. The whole 'beauty' of the look resides in the fact that it emphasizes the shine, the bounce and the volume of the hair, which is kinda impossible to achieve with hairspray, volume powder or anything 'heavy' or too strong- it must look natural, this being the most important issue. 

Secondly, you might need some layers. My hair isn't layered so I always end up with something that looks like, or sometimes strives to look like this:

I am more than absolutely sure Lauren Conrad is wearing extensions, because without those, her hair usually looks like this:

Is not a bad look either, but a far cry from the glamorous and voluminous mane extensions give her. 

Third, you can use a hair curler without having to stress with hair rollers. I've always had this problem, my hair being too long for rollers, or getting tangled, or the curls appearing too tight and small. If you have the same 'problem', you can do something really easy. It does take a little time, but well. So in case I haven't already said it sixty times, this is what I do.

I dampen my hair with the towel and apply Wellaflex volume mousse (the best after Tresemme's) at the roots, massaging very firmly to diffuse the product. You have to apply a little bit because this mousse, unlike the Tresemme one, will feel like 'it burdens' your hair and you might actually think you have residues. They're not visible, but you can feel them on the hair shafts as you run your hand through your locks. The hair gets just a little coarse, which is how it manages to stay 'poofed', but it isn't such a big deal after all, especially since it doesn't look coated in anything and I have never gotten dandruff from it. It might get oilier sooner than usual, this being the downside. 

Afterwards, I blowdry my hair 'freestyle', on medium heat (with protective spray on top. No need for serums, it will weigh your hair down), until it's about 65% dry. Then I brush it (I know...but I have to!), and bend downwards so I'd blowdry it with my hair down, for a little volume. As I blowdry it I pass the brush especially at the roots, making sure those areas get a little more attention than the rest of the hair. I use a boar bristle brush, which is gentle enough, doesn't rip my hair out, doesn't break it, and it works beautifully. 

Once you've got the 'mane' going, you can do the following (for a little 'emergency volume'): take a very thick ribbon, or sash, whatever you have around (just make sure isn't too tight, so it won't leave marks, or make sure the marks won't be obvious) and gather your hair in a ponytail, as close as possible to the crown. You'll look silly, I know, but well. 

Then, take strands (not small, not too thick, medium-to-thick) and curl them with your hair curler. The larger the barrel, the smaller the strand. You can pin them up if you have time, I never do it because I think it creates weird 'curls', but if you have unruly hair that's a good option. After you're done, release them and spray them with a flexible hold, volumizing hairspray. 

The quality of the products you're using (the mousse and the hairspray) is crucial because you need something that won't weigh your hair, won't make it sticky (the absolute worst), gives volume and looks as natural as possible. To me, the best hairspray ever is Wellaflex (beats L'Oreal Elnett's ass)- smells really good, is very powerful yet the hair looks and feels flexible and 'thick', not sticky or wet. 

The first thing this hairspray does is fix your hair and it does look like ordinary 'hairspray'- the hair is visibly shiny and crunchy. However, after a maximum of 15 minutes, the hairspray would have penetrated the hair shaft and at that moment it does begin to show its full potential. It's important to let it dry, and not touch it until it has done its job. 

Brush your locks vigorously, until you're left with waves. Apply some more hairspray, then allow to dry, then brush a little bit more and 'personalize' your waves as you please. It will last like this the whole day, even the day after (no wonder the mousse is called '2nd Day Volume'..), trust me. And my hair is very thick, the hair shaft is so stubborn, it doesn't hold with too many products/techniques. This is the way I've been doing my hair since...well, several years now, and I've always had people ask me if I'm wearing extensions or what salon do I go to. 

If you want defined, bouncy curls like Kate's, try getting a little bit of layers. The look will differ depending on the length of your hair- you can get tighter, more defined curly ends, like Barbara Mori's, or something smoother, '70's-style, like Lauren's or these ones:

As you can tell, the common denominators of these styles are shine, health, thickness, slightly wavy hair with a bit of curl and tons of volume towards the ends. It looks nicer, more natural and 'preppy' than the typical 'supermodel hair':

So, you can try my tips if you want to preserve all your hair and not break it in pieces during 'brushing'. Brushing won't do squat as long as, of course, your hair isn't tangled and it has been properly blow dried 

(that's why the hairdo is called 'the Chelsea Blowdry', I guess...).