Whether you want a messy look, one that makes you look like you just got out of bed, or punk rock notes, crew cut or spikes require much more technique than people might think. However, with the right products and methods, you too can style your hair as you wish.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Style Short Hair with a Brush
Step 1. Wash your hair
For the products used to be really effective, it is good to start with clean hair. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type. Avoid overuse of conditioner to avoid weighing down your hair, otherwise you will have a hard time getting it straight up.
Step 2. Dry your hair
The added weight of the water would make it more difficult to keep them standing, so dry them before styling. Nonetheless, most hair offers greater malleability when it is still slightly damp, so avoid drying it completely.
- You can simply pat them dry with a towel or use a hair dryer. In this case, direct the flow from the roots to the tips, towards the other, to give body and texture to your hair, they will prove useful when you try to style your hair with a brush using a special product.
- Especially if it's frizzy, it can be tricky to brush your hair after drying it completely when it starts to look frizzy, so consider leaving some moisture out.
Step 3. Straighten your hair
This step is aimed at those who have curly or wavy hair, and who find it difficult to keep their hair at bay, whatever the product used. Before applying any cosmetic, arm yourself with a hair straightener and straighten them.
- Grab the curly parts of your hair in small sections, limiting yourself to what you can take with a few fingers rather than the whole fist, and slide the straightener over each section.
- Especially if you intend to create a messy look instead of punk, use the straightener on only a few scattered sections of hair (without neglecting the more stubbornly curly ones). This approach will ensure greater body to the hair when using the fixing product.
- If you have never used a hair straightener before, get more information by reading the article How to straighten your hair.
Step 4. Add the product to the hair
This is one of the more complex parts of the process, as the best product mostly depends on the type of your hair. Regardless, most products that aim to harden and fix the hairstyle will have to be rubbed into the fingers and then distributed over the hair, in an amount equal to a dime. This will allow for an even application of the product on the hair.
- Those with straight, dark hair will have little difficulty styling them with almost any type of product. Choose a product that guarantees you the hold you want. For example, if you want a messy, “I just got out of bed” look, avoid those extra strong products that could support a six-inch mohawk cut. Instead, try a wax or pomade that will help you set your style without stiffening it.
- For those with thin or light hair, it is advisable to use a fibrous paste with a matte effect (such as that of L'Oréal), which guarantees a fuller and richer texture to your brush look.
Step 5. Create the tips
Now that you have distributed the chosen product on your hair, you can style it as you wish. The technique you need to use depends on the specific look you want to achieve.
- For a messy look or even a fauxhawk, start by simply grabbing handfuls of hair and pulling them straight up. You will need to spend about 10-15 seconds styling and pointing the hair upwards with your fingers, for example in the center of the head in the case of a fauxhawk look. Many hairdressers agree that a longer time will make your messy look too precise, which is counterproductive to the result you want to achieve.
- For a full-surface brushed look, a bit of a Guy Fieri style, take a section of hair and apply an extra strong hold gel. Use one hand to separate a small section of hair from the others, then use the other hand to apply a generous amount of gel to that section. Grab the hair at the roots and distribute the gel to the ends. Hold them in place for a moment for the product to dry and fix them.
- Remember that the smaller the section of hair collected, the smaller the tip of hair created will be. You can decide to create lines of even tips, or alternate between different sized tips.
- Lift your hair giving it the desired direction. If you want your hair to point perfectly upward, distribute the gel and lift your hair exactly in that direction. If you want your hair to be facing your forehead, pull it in that direction and hold it in place for a few moments before letting go. If you want a more messy look, give the tips different directions.
Step 6. Apply the spray lacquer
For a brushed look, hairspray isn't always necessary. If you want extra strong hold for the smaller ends or worry that your wavy or frizzy hair will rebel against the products used so far, you can apply a spray hairspray to further set them.
Choose a hairspray that gives your hair the degree of shine you want. Matte finish products may create a wet look that you don't like, especially if you've chosen a messy look
Step 7. During the day, touch up your hair upwards
If you are concerned that your hairstyle will drop as the hours go by, bring a travel pack of spray hairspray with you. Moisten the tips with a few drops of water, pull them out with your fingers and spray them with hairspray.
Method 2 of 2: Style Long Hair with a Brush
Step 1. Wash your hair
Styling clean hair will make the result longer lasting. If you are not sure if your hair can be defined as long, know that this method is suitable for hair that exceeds 12 cm. Choose a shampoo and conditioner appropriate for your hair type. Don't add extra moisturizing products and don't apply oils, or your hair won't stay lifted for long.
Step 2. Dry your hair
If you want to style your hair into long upward-pointing ends, you will need to blow dry your hair in that direction. Use the following technique to dry your hair properly:
- Get upside down. With a comb or brush, pull your hair down so that it falls directly to the floor.
- Dry them by directing the airflow from the roots to the tips. Drying your hair in the same direction as the tips will help it stay erect throughout the day. By using high heat, you will get an even better result.
- Keep drying your hair until it is completely dry.
Step 3. Straighten your hair
If your hair is curly or wavy, you need to get it as smooth as possible before starting. The gravity itself makes it difficult to brush long hair, so you don't need the natural tendencies of your hair to make the process even more arduous. Take sections of hair and slide the straightener from roots to ends with slow, firm movements, until all of them are completely smooth.
Step 4. Divide the hair into sections
Create the sections with the help of a comb. Keep the sections separate using clothespins or small rubber bands. Each section of hair will turn into a long tip.
- When dividing your hair into sections, remember that the longer it is, the wider the base of the section needs to be. In general, the width of the base will probably have to be around 1/4 of the length of the tip.
- Medium sized tips stay lifted more easily than thin or very thick ones. Thin tips tend to collapse due to insufficient structure, while thick tips collapse due to too much weight.
Step 5. Create the tips
For long ends, you need a super strong hold gel or even a specific hair styling glue. Remove the clip from a section of hair and apply a small amount of the fixing product. Do not style more than one tip at a time. Starting at the roots, distribute the gel to the tips. Hold the hair in the desired position for one minute before continuing with the next section of hair.
- It may be tempting to use large amounts of the product, but be careful, it will only add extra weight to your hair. Rely on a product that guarantees an effective hold and use only the amount necessary to create the tips. The lacquer will help secure them in place.
- Depending on the length of your hair, it may be easier to achieve the desired result by styling the ends upside down. If the pose feels uncomfortable and tiring, take a break between each toe.
Step 6. Set the look
Use an extra strong hold hairspray to set your hairstyle. Make sure you distribute it from the roots to the ends.
Advice
- When creating the spikes on the back of the head, take a second mirror and place it behind you, in an angle that allows you to see the back of your head.
- Don't use too much gel or it won't dry out.
- For very long or extreme tips, such as mohawk or “statue of liberty” hairstyles, check out this article.
- Using gelatin or glue you will get perfectly stiff tips, but you will have great difficulty in eliminating them by washing them.
