Flip This Weave

The summer, for me, is the worst when it comes to my hair. I'm in the ocean or pool or lake too often to continually straighten it or keep it pretty, so I tend to braid it or throw it up in a bun to keep out of my face. But as the day closes and I pull my hair down, it's horrifying. Knots and curls and frizz take over my head, also taking away any chance I had to comb it and possibly leave it down. I've been trying to find cute and easy ways to keep my hair at bay while also out of my face. Eliminating a top-knot would be eliminating so much hassle and annoyance, so I've tried to find some other alternatives.

I love Free People's beauty blog because they offer easy solutions to hair and makeup problems, while highlighting the endorsement of natural products and herbal remedies (which I LOVE). Ditching chemicals and choosing the eu naturale look is so critical for your body and your mind. I'm a huge believer in natural products- especially Origins- and truly think your skin and body breathe a sigh of relief when you stop layering on loads of makeup and chemicals.

Aside from their beauty installments, Free People has awesome easy-to-do hair styles that range from festival looks to casual messy do's. I've found some favorites (and some extras not from Free People) that will definitely help me this summer, hope they solve all of your hair troubles, too!

Creative Ponytails- The ease and simplicity are there, but then with an added flair. High ponytails are nice because they keep your hair away from your face, but this Free People pony includes small braids to elevate the look. Another tip they have is to use beaded hair elastics or other fun hair accessories to make your drab tail a fabulous hair do.




Braid Ins- Adding style to a normal braid, Free People weaves "braid ins", leather already made braids, into your hair. They create a beachy look with absolutely no trouble or difficulty. In addition to braid ins, I think ribbons or feathers would be a really cool addition to any braid whether it be during the day or at night.

Braided Fishtails- Instead of a tight braid or an organized fishtail, why not be creative and do both?! Just start with a normal braid but finish it off by fishtailing the bottom. I'm basically braid challenged, so if I can do
this hairstyle, you can pull this off easily.

Double Ponytail (not pigtails)- I've actually done this hair style once last year. I think it came out pretty cool, and its so, so easy. Take about 3/4 of your hair, or the crown of your head, and high ponytail it. Then, take the extra hair at the bottom of your head and ponytail that a few inches below your high ponytail. Fluff up the top ponytail to cover over the lower one. Your hair looks double the length and stays in a cute, sporty ponytail.

And of course, there is the Urban Outfitter's "lived in" rope braid tutorial that I posted on my most recent Best of the Web post. 

There are so many easy hair do's to try out and experiment with this summer! If there are any other easy, summer hair do's that you love, share it with me in the comments! 

*I take no credit for these photos. All photos found online.*

Click It- Top Picks of the Web

Check out all of my favorite websites, articles, videos, etc. of the moment!


Suitcase Magazine - a mecca of travel, exploration, and lifestyle fashion is Suitcase Magazine. It's one of my favorite websites due to the fact that you learn so much while being entertained and intrigued. Follow the magazine's travels all around the world- meet interesting people and hear their stories.

Urban Outfitters rope-braid tutorial - this is the easiest and prettiest tutorial for a "lived-in" rope-braid. I've done it a couple times, not pinned up but letting the braid fall, and so far it's been quite successful. An easy way to keep your hair back without trying to hard.

Brian Williams' "Rapper's Delight" spoof - as an old school rap fan I couldn't stop laughing as Brian Williams news casting clips rapped to the Sugarhill Gang's famous song. Thank Jimmy Fallon and his crew for taking their time to piece together this hilarious video.

WEWOREWHAT - Danielle Bernstein is basically what all fabulous girls aspire to be when they grow up. What started as her NYC street style inspiration blog blossomed into her personal fashion diary. With thousands of views everyday, Danielle records her outfits each day and her latest style endeavors.

Girls - Okay so this doesn't count as something from the web but... if you haven't watched the show Girls, from HBO, you should. (Warning: prone to excessive nudity and topics that might not make you so comfortable... continue with caution.) This show is so real it hurts. It deals with four girls making it in the city, trying to get by while also staying true to themselves. The eighth episode of this season was talked about on every communications platform (from newspapers to Twitter) so it packed a punch. I won't give it away, but if you have nothing better to do this weekend, start watching!

Hair Raising

I feel like my whole life (or my whole life after I discovered the amazing technology of ruining your entire hair with two, scalding metal plates) I pined after and wished I could have long, straight hair. I was never one of those girls who complained consistently about her hair or who wanted to drastically change it- although I did dye the bottom half of my head with bright red Kool-Aid in seventh grade... but I was pretty much happy with my brown, basic locks. I just wanted my hair to be longer and straighter!
I was fed up with my unruly waves- not curls, curls are pretty, my waves are weird, inconsistent, and voluminous- and the frizz. (By the way, if you're one of those girls who has never had a struggle during the summer with frizz, I automatically hate you.) The frizz is the bane of my existence... especially since I kept my hair shorter and at a length where frizz consumed my entire head. Which was so stupid of me, I wish I could shake pre-seventh grade me and scream, "WHAT THE HELL JUST GROW YOUR HAIR OUT AND STOP GETTING FACE FRAME BANGS LOSER!.... AND WEAR THE RUBBER-BANDS SO YOU GET YOUR BRACES OFF SOONER!"

But alas, since then I have learned from my mistakes, and spent a small fortune investing in miracles such as anti-frizz products for the hot summers. But as I grow up, I realize that as much as I may want long, straight hair, I realize that I don't HAVE that, so why obsess over it? I can grow my hair out long or cut it if I want to, and although straightening my hair continuously is awful for it, I can still do that whenever I want.

But now I am much more aware of the alternatives of hair that are way more plausible for me. I feel like I always wanted long, straight hair because thats the only thing I saw growing up. Hilary Duff? Straight hair. Lindsey Lohan (pre-rehab VIP)? Long and straight. Kim Possible (although a cartoon, she had spunk and sass and yes I totally idolized her)? HELLA long and straight.
But I am just soooooo much wiser in my old age (sixteen) that I know sooo much more about life and like, stuff! Just kidding, life will never be understood, but I DO understand more about hair now and determining things that help you look the best you.

So, my new hair inspirations? Not Kim Possible. Instead: Lorde, Alexa Chung, Tavi Gevinson, Jessica Biel, and Zooey Deschanel.

 Above: Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Conor) new pop-singing icon has stepped onto the scene due to her amazing pipes and ground breaking hair. Her hair style is so different to what most celebrities promote that it makes her an even bigger icon.

Above: MY ICON, MY INSPIRATION, MY LOVE!!!!! Alexa Chung. Words cannot describe my overwhelming respect and admiration for this fashion maven.. But I'm only here to talk about her hair right now (maybe an Alexa appreciation post will come soon...). Alexa's hair has been changed, dyed, and chopped numerous times but she's famous for her took-two-hours-to-make-this-perfect-bedhead look. Her hair is also very different to what many fashion icons and celebrities promote. I want to try so many of the Alexa Chung hair originals on my own locks but who could pull it off as well as she does?

Above: Tavi Gevinson... usually more noted for her sense of individual style and writing ability (13 year old fashion blogger invited to Fashion Week, need I say more?). But Tavi's hair is something of its own. Since she was young she dyed it many multiple colors (including blue, green, and a grayish mix of the two) and cut it different lengths. Tavi's carefree approach to her hair is something to remember, it's just hair and it will definitely grow back. Being experimental leads to discovery.

Above: Jessica Biel, actress and Justin Timberlake's fiance, is not noted for her hair, but after searching far and wide for innovative styling techniques, I looked at the evolution of her hair and realized that she must make the top picks. She's dyed it dark and then bleached it blonde, sometimes straight and other times curled- her diverse style is exciting and goes with whatever event she's currently at.

Above: Zooey Deschanel, loved and hated for her quirky personality and baby-doll looks. I personally love her blunt, childish bangs and think that she pulls them off expertly. There are always people harshing bangs and putting them down, but if you can pull 'em off, more power to you.

Moral of the story... "OWN THAT PONYTAIL. WORK THAT UP-DO!"