Backcombing Is A Great Styling TrickBy Lorraine Kimberly Adams The styling of hair can either be a simple task or a disastrous nightmare. A few simple tips can eliminate the latter. It is safe to say that most style-sensitive people want some lift or volume in their hair. I am not referring to the huge beehive monstrosities of the fifties and sixties. Lift or volume, in this instance, refers to the fuller, more youthful, look. While in the Oval Office, Richard Nixon's barber suggested that the President should have his hair blow dried for a more fuller look. This styling technique gave Nixon a less harder look than his previous Brylcreem slicked back hairstyle. The haircut was still conservative but less severe in style. Backcombing renders hair a fuller natural look when done properly. The key word here is simplicity. I am reminded of the acronym K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid). For some people backcombing is the tortuous regiment that women went through about once a week. Women essentially gripped on to the styling chair while the stylist yanked and pulled on the hair to get good tension. The results produced a huge bouffant of big hair. That's okay if you like that stuff. The 90's woman hairstyle has a softer look to it than previous styles. Today's backcombing provides the soft, gentle, and natural lift to the hair. To begin, your freshly shampooed hair must be thoroughly dried. A 900-1400 watt blow dryer will work for this first result. Apply a good styling gel to wet hair. Start out blow drying at a high speed and a warm temperature (not hot), using the fingers as a brush gripping and lifting the hair in a circular motion. Some stylists call this method "scrunching." Then switch over to a good styling brush with plastic bristles. When blow drying your hair always brush in an upward motion allowing the hair to dry straight out from the scalp. The nozzle of the blow dryer should always be directed at the base of the lifted hair. Wet hair tends to dry flat on the head so make sure you lift up that hair with your fingers and your brush. When the hair is completely dry you are now ready to style with the backcombing method. Some hairstyles only require lift on the top of the head while other styles require lift and volume all over. Regardless of your preference the technique is the same. Take a small section of hair about one inch by three inches. Hold it up by the end and slightly away from you. Take your styling comb and place it about two to three inches above the base of your hair. Gently push forward and down. That section of hair should show some lift. Repeat this method wherever you need lift or volume. When you are finshed backcombing then gently and meticulously push, bend, or mold your hair in the direction you want it to go. Do not brush out your backcombing or you will have to start all over again. Less is better than more. You do not want to create a rat's nest. That would be disastrous! Your hairstyle will come about with practice. Place the lift only where you need it. For a more curlier look try using the curling iron. This is another method that will take another column. I stress that practice makes perfect. Good luck!
|