AUBREY KINCH

Nobody likes frizz, right? It's always inevitable during summer our hair tends to puff up so nicely because of the heat and humidity and it's not something I look forward to- I'm sure you don't either! It's always worse in July and August in AZ because of monsoon season so if you're an AZ local, I hope this post can help you combat it before it starts very soon for us!

Let's chat, shall we?

So many people asked about this hair style when I posted it on instagram last week. Good news is that it's so simple and easy to do and this is without hair extensions. I have to disclose, my hair is so fine and doesn't have volume on it's own so I've found when I play around with braids and pulling them apart, I can give the appearance of a fuller head of hair. Practice makes perfect so I hope you give this a try!

Happy Friday! Just wanted to share a fun braid for you to try while soaking up some summer time this weekend. This is featuring my Hidden Crown hair extensions in color 60/8p again, as usual! ;)

Hello! Today I wanted to share my go-to hair style right now with my Hidden Crown hair extensions. I'm wearing the 20 inch and 12 inch, stacked in this video in color 60/8p. Hope you like it!

Just popping in today to share a little fishtail crown braid tutorial! I'm wearing my Hidden Crown hair extensions in color 60/8p in this video and used a 1- 1/4 inch Hot Tools curling iron prior to braiding. This is one of my go-to looks this summer for a messy, undone boho style paired with a whimsical maxi dress or even at the pool with a flowy cover up.

And please hang in there with me as I'm learning more about making videos/editing and filming without a mirror... hello ends! Yikes! ;)

Happy braiding!

We all know how much I love my full, luscious hair and I've desperately been missing it since cutting my hair in March. I can say though, I don't miss the maintenance of tape-ins or the time it takes to do clip-ins everyday. I recently came across Hidden Crown and since getting the product in my hands, I've been converted. It's so fast and easy to accomplish a long hair look and it's perfect for people who don't have an hour to get ready or who just want to get ready and go- fast!

Stay tuned this summer as I team up with Hidden Crown for a few hair tutorials!

Oh, hair extensions. I've had my fair share of a relationship with these babies and always come back to them more often than not. I started wearing them in high school for dance competitions and recitals but never on a daily basis. When I chopped my hair off a few years ago, it was impossible to rock them so now that's it's finally at a good length to blend, I'm back at it. I posted a pic on instagram and had a handful of questions you asked so I'm going to outline them as best I can. If there's something I missed, comment below and I'll get back to you!

Where did you get your extensions?

The current pair I have are from Sally's Beauty Supply. This is the set and color I have but with the clips, however the coloring has been alter since I've been using them (video has details). I've had many other sets before these and always purchased from a shop in AZ, United Beauty Supply. I know Raven and Cara both buy from Bellami and I've heard only awesome things about them. I most likely will snag them from there when the current pair needs retired.

What color are they?

I purchased a platinum blonde but have dyed them to match my hair. My stylist added some lowlights that were much too dark so I highlighted with a box color and topped that with an additional box color by Garnier called "Champagne Blonde" to give an ashy look. I'm not a fan of the orange and yellow toned blondes so I wanted to make sure to pull in the ash. 

What length did you purchase?

These were 18" extensions right out of the bag but I had my stylist blend them. She took a good 3 inches off and blended all throughout my hair so it looks natural. This is crucial, make sure to take them to whoever does your hair so you have something gorgeous and organic looking versus a chunk of long extensions and a bob showing right through. Gross.

Are they clip-ins?

Yes! I normally always buy clip in extensions because they're much easier to maintain and they give you the ability to be versatile. The current set I'm using were not clip ins but I purchased clips and sewed them in myself. Why? It's a lot cheaper going this route but you'll then have to measure your head, cut the extensions to fit the width of your head and then sew in each clip. I recommend if you're a newbie to extensions, buy clip ins and wait to experiment with sewing them in on your own until you're a pro!

How much do they cost?

The one's I current have cost me $100. They are normall $140-$160 when they're clip ins. This is also on the very inexpensive side of the scale. You can purchase better quality ones ranging up $600 but it really all depends on your budget and needs. I don't think that is justifiable so I personally wouldn't spend more than $300.

How long do they last?

This all depends on how well you keep and treat these beauties. I was mine about once every 3 weeks or whenever I'm wanting to curl or style them differently. The more often you wash, the quicker the life span goes. If you're wearing them consistently with gentle upkeep, they will last you 7-9 months but again, this depends on the brand and quality you purchase. Washing them once a week? I'd cut the life span in half. 

Can you use heat tools on them?

Yes! Make sure to only buy human hair not synthetic hair extensions. Synthetic is nasty and can't handle the styling and upkeep. Human hair can be manipulated and used as if it were the hair growing on your head. Just always remember to apply a heat protecting serum before styling so they last longer.

I think that about covers the questions from instagram but again, leave a comment below if I missed something you'd like details on! Now the video... I just pulled together how I put them in for you and shared a few tricks I've learned over the years. I do go over a lot of the stuff above so if you already read it, ignore me. Enjoy pretties!

Other extension wearing bloggers I know of:

Amber

Cara

Lindsey

Raven

Hello friends! I've had quite the questions about my volumptuous top knots lately and all I can say is I'm happy I'm not faking it like this anymore. In all honesty, I've just resorted to keeping my hair up constantly lately because 1) I'm lazy and don't feel like washing it and 2) it's freaking hot in Phoenix so I sweat balls. But really, I've been pleasantly surprised each morning I throw it up and how easily it's accomplished without much hassle and it's right on trend with all your fashion-y people and looking chic. Hellllllo favorite hair style! Let's get this happening for you too, yes?

You can see other beauty tutorials, here. Happy top knotting!

product used on my hair:

redken all soft shampoo & conditioner// here

aquage uplifting foam// here

moroccan oil// here

bed head dry shampoo// here

bed head hairspray// here

see how I blow dry, here.

see how I curl, here.

It's no lie we all know I wear extensions a lot of the time so you may think I have loooong hair, but news flash guys: I DON'T. I used to rock a short reverse A line bob but it's finally on it's way to growing into that horrible awkward stage we all hate. So I spend morning after morning fighting with it trying to do something slightly cute which never happens so I then resort to the lifesaving extensions.

But that also brings me to the Top Knot.

Okay, okay! I know we are all so over this 'do but it's finally something I can manage even with the hot mess of damaged hair my head is full of. So guess what? Today, you learn how to do it!... this really only helps you gals with short hair that's a pain in the toosh cause all you other ladies blessed with luscious locks probably have had it mastered for over a year. And that makes me quite jealous.

But grab your hairspray & cute bows cause this style will soon be your new bestie fo life.

So there ya have it. Easy enough right? I'd recommend taking a few times practicing before you go out in public. It starts as a disaster the first couple times so work your way into it. I hope this helps for all you ladies who are cursed with the "short hair that won't grow" bracket!