Wave Pattern for Diffusing

The exact same technique, the exact same products (save for an additional leave-in conditioner on Vanessa), and three very different results.

I wanted to do a diffuse on each of my mannequins to show the difference the natural wave pattern of hair can make.

There are four main types of wave patterns: Straight, wavy, curly and extremely curly. You can diffuse all but the straight hair. A diffused blow dry doesn't create curl, it enhances curl.

Wave patterns can be changed temporarily by thermal styling and wet-to-dry styling, or until new hair grows out by using perms or relaxers.

Different parts of the scalp can have different wave patterns. My hair from the crown area downwards is more curly, compared to the rest of my hair, which is more wavy.

The first picture has my end results, the other pictures show the hair in its natural wave state.

Vanessa has wavy hair. Her hair just has natural movement, and no true curls. Wavy hair is the most common in my experience.














NP has curly hair. Her hair is also in layers, so it has a lot of body to it. The layers, I find, add a lot of depth to the final result. I really like how NP's hair looks when diffused.

Megan has extremely curly hair. Her hair is the easiest to diffuse, and requires the least amount of product and effort to get a beautiful look. The first time we wet down Megan at school, I wanted to diffuse her hair. This is the type of hair I've always wanted.

Fishtail Braid

I wanted to end my braiding day with something I'm actually good at. It was a bit of a cop-out, because the point of this is to practice things I struggle with. But I wanted to end things on a positive. I've been feeling emotionally crappy all day.

I pretty much picked up the fishtail braid right away. I read how to do it, and then I did it.

Blow Dry with Shape

My first blow dry on this blog! This mannequin is called Vanessa. She's got the longest hair, so we use her a lot in class. As such, her hair is TERRIBLE. It's so hard to work with. I need to practice more, and try different blow dries on it, because not everyone who comes in for a style by me will have great hair.


So a blow dry with Volume and Shape is a pretty basic blow dry. The goal of it is to add movement to the hair.
The root area is fairly straight. This is where the volume is. The ends then move freely in a directed shape.

I always struggle with this blow dry. I never feel like the ends get enough movement, or the right kind of movement. They seem almost...messy and uncoordinated.

The front has some good volume at the sides, I like how to blows away from the face.

The back, see what I mean by the ends not having anything uniform? I feel like it just isn't quite right.