Mastering Hair Styling Techniques: From Basics to Advanced

Hairstyling is an art that requires creativity, patience, and skill. Luckily, you don’t have to aspire to be a professional stylist to want to master the art of hairstyling – just knowing the basics can elevate your look for a special night out, or help you leave the door feeling fabulous on a regular, busy day.

With the right knowledge, the correct tools and products, and a bit of practice, you too can achieve salon-worthy hair every day. In this comprehensive guide, we’re going to walk you through some tips and techniques, starting with the basics and working our way to more advanced techniques. Get ready to master the art of hairstyling!

Know Your Hair Type

Before you pick up any styling tools or hair products, you need to know and understand your unique hair type.

There are four main hair types:

• Straight Hair: Straight hair is often smooth and sleek. You may have very fine straight hair that lies flat against your scalp and lacks volume, or your straight hair may be more coarse and have a thicker texture.
• Wavy Hair: Wavy hair falls between straight and curly, making it a versatile hair type. Wavy hair usually ranges from fine, gentle S-shaped waves that give off a “tousled” appearance, to more well-defined S-shaped waves.
• Curly Hair:  Curly hair has defined curls that require moisture and special care to maintain. Curly hair can range from loose curls to springier S or Z-shaped curls that bounce back into shape when stretched. Curly hair is often reactive to humidity and prone to frizz without the use of curl-friendly styling products.
• Coily Hair:  Coily hair consists of tight, springy curls that may have a zigzag formation. Coily hair is naturally fragile and requires gentle care and brushing.

To determine your hair type, wash your hair and allow it to air dry without using any products. Get a good look in the mirror—Is your hair straight, or does it have some curl? Do you have thick hair, or is it fine? Knowing your hair type can help you determine the correct products, hairstyles, and routines to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. If you’re unsure how to style your hair based on its type, explore hair styling services, where professionals can help you find the perfect look tailored to your hair’s unique needs.

Gather the Right Tools and Products

To achieve a knockout hairstyle, you’ll need the right products. Once you know your hair type, you can purchase products specifically designed to work with your hair.

Let’s go over a few basics:

• Hairbrush: For fine hair, boar bristle brushes are gentle enough to detangle without causing breakage. Nylon brushes are best for thick, hard-to-manage hair. If you fall somewhere between, a combination of boar bristle and nylon is your ideal choice. For blow-drying and styling loose waves, use a round brush.
• Blow Dryer: Use a high-quality hairdryer to dry your hair completely.
• Curling Iron: A curling iron helps create curls or waves. Curling irons come in different barrel sizes, depending on your preference.
• Flat Iron: A flat iron can be used for both straightening and curling hair.
• Heat Protectant: Heat styling can damage your hair. Always use a heat protectant spray or serum before using your hair dryer or any hot tools!
• Hair Mousse: Hair mousse is a lightweight product that adds volume and lift. It can be applied to wet or dry hair and helps enhance curls while reducing frizz. Hair mousse is suitable for all hair types.
• Hair Spray: Hair spray is a liquid that can be sprayed onto your hair after styling, and helps to hold your hair in place.
• Shampoo: The best hairstyles start with clean, cared-for hair. However, most people don’t need to wash their hair every day. In fact, washing your hair too often can be damaging, as it can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and breakage. Wash your hair as needed (when it becomes oily), which will be different for each individual. Concentrate the shampoo on the scalp.
• Conditioner: Conditioner detangles and adds moisture back into the hair after it has been washed. Focus your conditioner on the mid-length to ends of your hair, which are usually the driest. Be sure to rinse thoroughly so your hair doesn’t end up feeling greasy or flat.

Master Your Favorite Hairstyles

Finally, let’s go over some of the most popular hairstyles that you can try on your own! Remember, practice makes perfect. Whether you are attempting a basic blowout or an advanced updo, try not to get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Certain hairstyling techniques can be tricky to master, but frequent practice will boost your skills and confidence. As you experiment with different styles, don’t forget to treat your hair with the right care and nourishment to keep it healthy and strong!

Salon-Worthy Blowout

There’s nothing quite like leaving the salon with a beautiful blowout. However, you can achieve this look from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s how:

• Prep: You’ll need to start your blowout with clean, damp hair. In the shower, wash and condition your hair with the appropriate products for your hair type. Once you’re done, towel dry your hair to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle your hair. Don’t forget the heat protectant!
• Rough Dry: The next step is to rough dry your hair until it is about 70% dry. Use a medium heat setting on your blow dryer to give your hair an all-over dry, using your fingers to tousle as you go.
• Start Working in Sections: Once your hair is mostly dry, you can start working in about 1-inch sections (clips might come in handy). Use the concentrator nozzle on your blow dryer to completely dry each section, while using a round brush to achieve that voluminous, bouncy look. Practice twisting your brush to create a soft curl and use the blow dryer to help it dry in place. If you’d prefer a straighter, sleek effect, use a paddle brush instead. Repeat the process until your blowout is complete!

Casual Beach Waves

Want to look like you just woke up with effortless, classic beach waves? This timeless hairstyle is perfect for casual summer days and can also be dressed up for more formal events. If you’re looking to enhance your waves even further, you might consider coloring your hair to add depth and dimension, making your style stand out even more!

Here’s how to get the look:

• Prep: You’ll want to start with dry hair. For a little extra volume, try blow-drying your hair upside down.
• Straighten: It might seem counterintuitive to straighten your hair when the goal is waves, but it’s easiest to style straight hair. If your hair is naturally straight, consider at least taking a flat iron to the ends.
• Add Some Curl: Using a curling iron, start by taking one-inch sections of your hair and start curling, leaving out the last few inches at the bottom. The best part about this hairstyle is that it isn’t meant to look too “perfect”! This will help you achieve that effortless, tousled look that beach waves are famous for. Try starting some sections of hair closer to your head than others and alternate the directions of your curls (changing from curling towards your face and away from your face). You can grab some larger and some smaller chunks of hair. Play around with it and have fun!
• Use Hairspray: Lock your look into place with a spritz of hairspray so you can enjoy your beautiful beach waves all day long.

The Elegant Updo

An elegant updo is perfect for any dressy event, such as a wedding, graduation, or other formal party. There are so many updo variations so you’re sure to find a style that works for your hair type and length. Some of the most popular styles include the classic low-bun chignon, the French twist, or windblown waves. DIY updos can be intimidating to try so be sure to practice your hairstyle before the big event. Here are a few tips to help you perfect the look:

• Consider Your Options: Before you attempt an updo hairstyle, you’ll need to consider a few factors. How long is your hair?  How much time do you have to complete the look? Which styles will complement your face shape?
• Gather the Correct Tools:  Make sure you prepare the necessary tools for your hairstyle. You might need combs, bobby pins, hair elastics, a curling iron or flat iron, hairspray, hair gel, or mousse.
• Use Bobby Pins: Practice using bobby pins to secure your style in place. Master techniques like twisting, pinning, and creating volume. For extra security, use a second bobby pin to crisscross over the first one.
• Use Texture Spray: Use a texture spray to lock in flyaways and give you more control.
• Add Braids: Braids add visual interest, texture, and structure to your hairstyle, offering a beautiful, sophisticated look while also helping secure the hair in place. Braids are nearly as versatile as updos themselves. Experiment with simple 3-strand braids, French braids, fishtail braids, waterfall braids, and more. Practice, practice, practice!

Perfecting hairstyling techniques takes time, so be patient with yourself. By mastering the basics and continuing to practice more advanced techniques, you’ll be able to create beautiful hairstyles for every occasion!

For more information, or to book an appointment with one of our professional stylists, contact us today at Savile Row Salon.