Heidi Klum's Elongated Bob = Love!
Heidi Klum is one of my favorite supermodels. Why? Because she has transitioned effortlessly from sexy Victoria’s Secret siren to sexy yet polished mom - and it’s thanks in part to her beautiful hair. Heidi’s perfectly straight elongated bob should serve as visual inspiration for women everywhere.
One of the best qualities of a style like this is that it’s easy to maintain, even if you’re regularly pressed for time. Anyone with a flat iron - I prefer a Chi flat iron or a Farouk flat iron for best results - can dupe Heidi’s simple yet chic look.
First, ask your stylist for a shoulder-grazing bob. You may even want to bring in a photo of the Ms. Klum’s specific style for more detailed guidance. Hair should be all one length, no bangs or layers. (This also helps the hair grow out more evenly, so you can go longer in between cuts.) At home, all you have to do is wash and dry, then smooth away waves and frizz with your flat iron. A drop of shine serum will seal in moisture and add a gorgeous sheen.
Ye Olde Flat Iron
Remember back in the “good old days,” when ladies (and, perhaps, a few intrepid gents) were forced to straighten their hair with an iron? Now, I don’t mean a fancy Chi flat iron, or even a cheap-o metal iron you can buy at the drugstore for the cost of the spare change you find in your car. No, I’m talking about a real, made-for-clothes iron - one that could do serious damage to your follicles (and your face!) if you weren’t careful.
Seeing this picture of an old-fashioned iron and knowing in my heart that some poor pioneer woman probably used this on her hair sends a chill down my spine - and makes me practically kiss my Chi flat iron in gratitude! After all, my Chi hair straightener protects my hair from damage, gives me excellent results every time, and doesn’t require the use of an ironing board or a vat of burn salve. Rejoice, fans of straight hair! The future is now, and your hair is safe from harm. Just don’t let it near the laundry room.
Driving Girls Wild, Bieber-Style
It’s no secret that girls are going crazy for Justin Bieber. The name alone is like tween girl kryptonite - they’re powerless against it! And, by all accounts, what they’re really screaming for isn’t his singing or his baby-faced good looks; it’s his carefully coiffed hair.
If there’s one thing that the Bieber phenomenon has proven, it’s that ladies love it when dudes borrow their flat irons. I mean, look at his hair! There is no way that it could be so straight and shiny on its own. No, I would wager that J.Bieb has a Chi flat iron and other CHI hair products tucked away somewhere - possibly two, in case of emergencies. Perhaps he wears it in a holster on his waist, Wild West-style, so he’s always ready to straighten lest his devoted fans catch him unawares. Has any living human even seen this kid’s natural hair texture?!
In any event, if you’re loving the Bieb, here’s how to duplicate it with the man (or boy) in your life. Step 1: Forcibly hold down said male - boyfriend, friend, little brother, or disoriented acquaintance. Make sure his hair is dry, so you don’t accidentally cook it during the straightening process. Step 2: Working in small (1″ or so) sections, straighten the hair with your Chi flat iron. Step 3: When all of the hair has been straightened, apply a shine serum. Are little girls crying at the sight of him yet? If not, you’ve done something wrong! Go back to step 1 and start all over again.
Caring for Your Flat Iron
When you make the decision to invest in a nice, high quality Chi flat iron, you probably want to know how you can care for it so it will last for years to come. First of all, take the time to pat yourself on the back for actually buying a decent flat iron in the first place! So many people I know grab the cheapest one they can find, and then they’re surprised when it falls apart in a few months or a year. You get what you pay for when it comes to styling tools! So it makes sense to invest in only the best flat irons and best curling irons available on the market! But no matter how much you spend, you should still take some basic precautions to keep your Chi flat iron in great working condition. Here are some hints:
- Make sure you give your flat iron a chance to cool down completely before you put it away, and always unplug it after every use.
- If the plates become dirty (most likely from dust or product residue buildup), carefully wipe them with a soft cloth, or use a special flat iron cleaner that can be purchased at any beauty supply store. Never submerge your flat iron in water or use an abrasive cloth or cleaning substance on the plates!
- Never wrap the cord around the flat iron for storage or it will fray over time.
- Finally, if the arms become loose and unmanageable, try tightening the hinge. Just remove the cover plate and tighten the screw.
Higher end flat irons almost always come with warranties, so if you’re having a serious problem that you can’t fix on your own, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer and explore your options for repair or replacement. Good luck!
Making Waves with My Flat Iron
I love using my Chi flat iron to make my hair smooth and frizz-free, but variety, as they say, is the spice of life - and I get tired of having straight hair day in and day out! That’s why I was so excited to learn the trick to “making waves” with your flat iron. It’s true: You can get sexy, tousled, wavy hair like Gwyneth Paltrow’s, and all you need is your trusty Chi flat iron.
First, blow your hair dry - as always, it’s important to make sure your hair is free from all moisture before you begin using your heat styling tool, in order to prevent damage. You may want to add a volumizing product at this stage to give your hair a bit of extra “oomph.” Next, divide your hair into small (1-2″) sections and, using your flat iron, run it down the length of each section, turning the iron up and down as you go in order to create kinks in the hair. Don’t worry about uniformity! Remember, the casual cool of this look means that randomness is half the fun. Finish up by adding a bit of texturizing product to rough up the ends of your hair and give it even more nonchalant sophistication.
I love this look! And it’s so easy to do.
Straight Hair: The Best Method?
Personally, I think that the best way to achieve straight hair is with my Chi flat iron! But I know that other people are of the mind that chemical straighteners are the best. Why? Because they last longer, which means that you don’t have to straighten your hair each and every time you’re getting ready to leave the house. I agree that the convenience sounds nice, but I’m afraid that chemical straighteners could have a permanent damaging effect on my hair.
Another option is a keratin hair treatment. Keratin is a natural liquid protein, so it doesn’t carry the same stigma that chemically-based straighteners have. Plus, rather than penetrating the hair shaft, it simply coats the hair, which makes it smooth and shiny…at least in theory. Unfortunately, I’ve heard some serious keratin horror stories! After a few weeks, the softness can wear off and your hair’s texture could come back even worse than it was before - I’m talking about seriously dry, frizzy locks. I’ve also heard that hair loss is a possible side effect. Many keratin treatments use formaldehyde as one of the ingredients, which can even cause cancer. Do you think the risk is worth it when it comes to chemical straighteners, or are you a flat iron fan like me?
Jessica Simpson, Hair Chameleon
Jessica Simpson's straight, swingy style
So many celebrities experiment with their hair, but I think my favorite “hair chameleon” is Jessica Simpson. She never does anything terribly drastic - I guess that’s sister Ashlee’s territory! - but she does take her share of risks, and sometimes it really pays off. I suppose her most iconic “Jessica” look is long and wavy - very sexpot. But my favorite is this short, swingy, shoulder-length style from a few years ago. It’s such an easy look to recreate too! I just use my CHI flat iron to smooth out my hair in sections after I’ve dried it, make a messy, slightly off-center part, and I’m done! Pink streaks optional, of course…although I can’t say that I don’t kind of dig it! It’s a little edgy for Jess, and that’s why it works.
Make sure you don’t just buy the first one you find though. If you buy a cheap iron, you could seriously damage your hair, simply by using it regularly. Styling tools with metal plates are the absolute worst - they can really cook your hair, and even if you don’t end up frying anything, your hair is going to get super dry unless you take regular breaks from using it. That’s why I love my CHI! The ceramic plates seal the hair cuticles and make everything shiny and smooth. Anyone who is currently coveting this hairdo should go out and buy a flat iron right this second! Without my CHI flat iron, I would be totally lost! My hair would be a frizzy mess. I wonder if Jessica ever feels that way?
Unrecognizable with my Chi Flat Iron
Do you even recognize the supermodel-esque woman in the picture to the left? I certainly didn’t! I thought maybe it was some new runway diva I hadn’t heard of yet. I was admiring her hairstyle - the long, straight blond locks and the long bangs are exactly what I’ve been wanting to do with my hair. But my hair is super curly, so I doubted it was even possible. But I brought this photo to my stylist and he said, “Oh this will be perfect for you - if Taylor Swift can get her hair straight, anyone can.” Wait a second…Taylor Swift??? I did NOT even recognize her! I asked my stylist how this could be and he said, “Well, she must have a great flat iron.” “Well,” I said, “I want one!” I asked him what brand he recommended and he said he liked this one kind that is only available to professional hairstylists but if I wanted that same quality, I should get a Chi Flat Iron. He had used one for years on his clients before switching to the “professional” one - and he really can’t tell much of a difference - except that he feels more “exclusive” with his. I told him he was lame, don’t worry. We had a good laugh and then I went and got a Chi Flat Iron on my way home. Best money I’ve spent in quite sometime. And now I know how Taylor must feel with straight hair - some of my friends haven’t recognized me when I run into them - how funny is that?
Christina Applegate's Gorgeous Hair
I’m really into red carpet fashion and beauty, so you know I was watching last weekend’s SAG Awards with an eagle eye! One of the stars who definitely caught my attention was Christina Applegate. She looked absolutely stunning in a pale blue gown that showed off her toned arm and back, diamond jewelry and - most importantly, in my opinion - a gorgeously sleek updo. Her hair looks so smooth, shiny and elegant that I knew immediately that this would be one of those styles I would try to replicate on my own, so as soon as the show ended, I plugged in my CHI flat iron and went to work! First you have to use your CHI flat iron to straighten all of your hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry, and divide it up into 1″ sections so you’re not trying to iron all of your hair at once! I recommend the CHI flat iron because it’s easy to use and won’t damage your hair, since it has temperature control settings and applies heat evenly to the hair shaft. After that’s finished, you’ll probably want to apply some shine serum to give your hair some extra oomph. Then you just need a side part, and you can pull your hair back into a classy low chignon. Beautiful and easy!
An Investment in Yourself
When you buy a CHI flat iron, you are making an investment in yourself. The way you present yourself to the world directly effects your self confidence. A woman’s hair plays a major role in how she feels about herself and “bad hair days” are real barometers of confidence for the day. If a woman’s hair isn’t looking presentable, chances are her mood is going to be adversely affected. There is a way to increase your chances of good hair days though, and that is with a CHI flat iron. The results of using a CHI’s advanced straightening technology is shiny, effortless hair that is sleek and, well, good. And the CHI is versatile, since you can create both straight and wavy styles. Don’t let your hair determine if you are going to have a bad day. Take an offensive stance with your CHI as your weapon.