At risk of seeming exceptionally egocentric, I have created a spectacularly long-winded and waffly How To video on how to get (versatile) loose curls/waves with curling tongs. I do this because a lot of squids have been asking me in the comments how it’s done, not because you should all do your hair like mine. Enjoy! (A suggestion, not a command.)
If you can’t watch the video, I use a Babyliss curling tong to get her look.
If you missed my other videos you should check them out here, here , here and here.
Do you have any nifty hair tricks? Do you style your hair every day?
Zoe Foster is an author and columnist and Contributing Editor for Mamamia. She has previously been the beauty director for both Cosmopolitan and Harper’s BAZAAR magazines, and the Editor at Large of Primped.com.au. Zoe has published four books; Air Kisses, Textbook Romance (which she wrote with Hamish Blake), Playing The Field and Amazing Face. You can follow Zoe’s tumblr here and her Twitter here. You can and should buy Amazing Face here.
Comments
118 Comments so far
Just found this and wow! Zoe where have you been my whole life?! Great tute thanks
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My hair is flippin’ amazing now. I mean, it was great before, but now it’s flippin’ amazing. I bought the Babyliss Pro from Hairhouse Warehouse for about $80 (Couldn’t wait for the Remington new one to come out) Already had comments from total strangers at cafe’s and men and women of all varieties totally checking it out randomly. Have emailed this clip to all my hot girlfriends. Zoe you have totally revolutionised my world.
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Thank-you Zoe!! This is amazing!!.. and now so is my hair
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Zoe have you ever used a conical curler? Its like a barrel curler but it doesnt have the clip you had to rip off yours, it also comes with cute little gloves for your fingers so you dont burn them, give the same effect your creating there! PS LOVE your hair
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just got one.. LOVE IT!
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Awesome tutorial Zoe. But can you help a girl with long, thick hair. You speak about volumising products which I don’t need. Any product tips? Is sea salt spray still a good product to use.
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What a ripper tutorial Zoe! I finally have ‘done’ hair… As a new mummy I don’t have time anymore to do my hair, but this is fab, it lasts and makes me look like I made an effort!! Hooray!!!
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Zoe! I watched your tutorial last week and armed myself with some mousse which I haven’t bought for years. My hair was ready for action on Saturday and had the necessary ‘scaffolding’ as you brilliantly described it from the mousse and being not too clean. My hair looked amazing on Saturday night, and even better, it somehow stayed in a beautiful curl when I woke up Sunday! Loved it. Thank you!
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Love it! Thanks for bringing us Zoe and her videos MM! x
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So…this is probably a dumb question (I’m not too savvy w this stuff!)… could you do this w the GHD? or do you have to keep rolling the GHD? Any good tips for curling w a GHD, it looks so easy but Im hopeless at it!!
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Me too! Please answer this question Zoe!
My hairdresser has shown me using the ghd (several times actually) but somehow it is a LOT harder when you try and do it yourself.
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Oh my god! Zoe Foster, I thought you had taught me all there was to know in your AAAAAAAmazing book (which after reading I have been getting multiple compliments on my skin and make up) but no….. I saw this video and thought ‘ok, I know how to do curls with a curling iron but there’s some neat tricks I’ll give them a try’.
And…it…is…fantastic! I have been curling my hair with a curling iron for 10 years but I’ve been doing it all wrong. Thank you. If only it were not the start of Noah’s Ark 2 in Melbourne tonight and then everyone else could appreciate my hair. Will keep in mind for another day.
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I still can’t get over how great this post is. Curls are so much fun!
I just did a post on the Remington Perfect Curl which is a super easy way of achieving curls. If you are a clutz like me it will change how often you curl your hair (ie no longer for special occasions only)=)
http://glossy-beauty.blogspot.com/2011/11/remington-perfect-curl.html
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Zoe, any tips for my dead straight hair that will not stay curled for longer than 30 mins without hairspray? Maybe my curling tong’s not hot enough…
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I spray each section very lightly with Redken spray starch , brush through and then curl and it holds all day
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Went out and bought a curling iron and then took off the clamp. Did exactly as Zoe said. My usually wavy frizzy hair now looks amazing!!! Thank you thank you!!!!! X
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I am as thrilled as you are! Squeeeee!
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Zoe!!! You are AMAZING! Have super thick, LONG hair and didn’t think this would work for me – but it does! Bless your cotton socks!
Also, just a quick question – very odd. But whenever I shave under my arms, there is still that kind of greyish colour to my skin – but you don’t have it! HOW?
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Oh, I do. Often a few naughty hairs that refuse to be shaved, too. But my, how flattering the lens seems to be for my videos! What a happy accident*!
*Entirely calculated.
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I’ve had a straightening iron in my cupboard for years, too scared to use it. Now my hair is a mass of gorgeous waves – hubby even just walked into the room and said “what have you done to your hair – it looks great?”. Thanks Zoe for making it such a straightforward tutorial that actually works!
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Oh Zoe, I love your tutorials – so practical and easy!! Will definately be trying this one out.
I love your cute little gold necklace and have been looking for one like that for a while. Care to share where you got it??? xx
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Ready for the most annoying answer in the world?
‘ A jeweler in NYC.’
Sorry, sorry….
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Hot tip: My hairdresser has a white cotton glove she uses to hold the hair around the curling tong so she doesn’t burn her fingers. Great idea if you’re clumsy like me.
Thanks for the vid! I have been silently coveting your hair for ages. I have a Babyliss and an about to go and savage it to get the clamp off.
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Love it!
Has anyone used the Remington Perfect Curl? Does it work?
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I have, and i love it.
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I love it, and the best thing about it is that the curls are all the same, whichever side of the head your working on. I could never get that with a curling iron… definetly the best $40 I’ve spent on my hair!
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Fabulous! Does anyone know if tongs work / hold on hair extensions?
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On a hair-related note: what is the best at-home permanent hair dye that you’ve used? I have almost black hair with premature whites (I repeat WHITES not GREYS — life is hard) so the colour needs to take well. But I also have fluffy unruly hair, so anything over-drying is problematic. I do touch-ups myself between salon visits. Any recommendations would be welcomed.
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I use Garnier because it doesn’t dry my hair out. If anything my hair feels so much better after using it! I’m 21 so I don’t have greys to cover, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work for you as it’s a permanent formula.
My mum has used Clairol in the past (the one designed specifically for greys) and liked it.
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Oh Zoe i love you!!! you could not have timed this post better…
im going out with the girls for first time in agggeees on sat night, and looking back over the past few months of post baby photos and my safe same old “oh shit i ran out of time to do my hair” hairstyle- flat, tired, yuck…. i was determined to do something different and ive alwaaays wanted to know how to do perfect waves as opposed to the tight stupid sausage curls i seem to manage. thankyou thankyou thankyou x
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Awesome how-to, Zoe. I’ve been curling my hair for years and have developed an awesome time-saving trick. I use a Remington barrel wave iron that I’ve had forever (like this Babyliss one http://www.myhaircare.com.au/Jumbo_Ceramic_Triple_Barrel_Waver_1761.html) to do the lower/underneath section of my hair. Then I do the top with my GHD. The bottom looks done because it’s got movement and waves, but it takes half the time to do because I don’t have to curl a zillion pieces you can’t see anyway. Sneaky!
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THANK YOU zoe !!!
Can i kiss you? It has taken me 7 years, 793 hairdresses/friends/youtube clips to demonstrate curls with GHDs/tongs/hot rollers and NOTHING has worked…I do your tutorial for 30min and i have magazine-esque curls.
Its a monumental day for me, thank you.
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Yes. But NO TONGUE.
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Hey Zoe – great video.
Quick question! I have very fluffy hair, especially after I just wash it and it only flattens down and kinda grips together after a couple of days of not washing it. Did you mention that you use dry shampoo in your hair when it’s clean to stop that fluffiness effect?
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Off to by a curling iron now.
http://www.redcliffestyle.com
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I spent ages with my GHD trying to get a natural looking curl but always ended up looking like a bridesmaid
My Babyliss gives me such a “oh my gosh, I just fell out of bed with gorgeous hair” look.
The only thing I don’t do is the upside-down thing…waaay too confusing for me. BUT if it’s the left side of my head I hold the curler in my right hand, if it’s the right side the curler is in my left hand. Pretty sure it’s the same outcome!
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Here’s what I’d love: If Zoe could please include a little section at the bottom of her posts telling us what makeup she is wearing during these videos!! Kind of like a ‘Today I’m wearing’ but for beauty. Pleeease??
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agreed!!!
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This one was: pink Lanolips, Shiseido brow pencil, Bobbi Brown Luminous foundation and a wonderful shadow palette from a few years ago by those lovely folk at Chanel. The shade I used is a taupe-plum, there’s no name on the palette sadly, I always revert to that shade because it’s so devilishly flattering on green eyes.
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Hmmm…..I’ve always used the tongs like that……I think I need to cut about 6 inches off my hair. I don’t know if I’m ready to do it
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great tip of taking that ‘snap-thing’ off the curling iron. I have followed you, and now have a curling rod. thanks.
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Wrapping UPSIDE down on the right side- this is the hurdle (curdle?!!)I couldn’t get over- Brilliant- thanks!
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Turns out this totally worked- then I realised I had been using a barrel brush wrong all these years on the upside downside too- apply the same principle to your bristle brush!! Cant believe I did it wrong for so long!!
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Keep the How To’s coming! Love the tips. I’ve always been lazy with my hair but everyone complements it even if its just in a pony but I think its so boring. I only change my hair up with foils. I bought the remmington perfect curls though I haven’t experimented with it enough yet.
Zoe, I’d love to try your hair length but I’m scared. My hair has been past my shoulders for years and I don’t know if it’d be easily tied up for work. How can I force myself to get the cut?!
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Hey Amanda, I’ve just come home from the hairdressers with shoulder length hair (hair just brushes over shoulders). I’ve had long hair for over 20 years. Do you trust your hairdresser? Yes? Then go for the chop!!!!
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Hey, I don’t really have a specific hairdresser, never have. I’m just scared I won’t like it and it won’t grow back fast enough haha!
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HI Zoe,
I have this wonderful dream that you run a competition and I win it and it means that I can bring 5 or 20 of my besties for an hour (or 7) with you to talk all things beauty! I know, this is very sad, I am a 38yr old mother of 3 who only wears make-up to work 2 days a week and hates taking more than 3mins to do my hair!
My favourite way to make my hair curly, without much energy, is to do 2 rope braides in freshly washed and still very damp hair. I wear that style foe the day, sleep in it, wear it curly the next day and then go for the slightly deshevilled look the day after!
Bought your book (LOVE IT!) Went on a girls weekend and my other friend bought her copy along too and we couldnt stop talking about it, and practicing on each other (driving the 3rd friend crazy – she has since bought a copy). So much to nut out, I am still crap at applying my new cream eye shadow with my finger tips (how in the lords name do you apply it accurately enough with your finger for a smokey eye?). We both agree with hands on heart that your book changed our lives. Yep. Massive impact.
Also, I just rounded up my age to over 40 (in your book) and stuck to the tips for skin care and make-up in that bracket as I figured I was close enough!
Just like Mia, I INSTANTLY was asked about what I was doing differently, so many lovely comments!
Now I give ALL my girlfriends your book as a gift, and in turn, THEY say they get the SAME fabulous comments!
And in case we ever meet, I also have gone from darkest brown to quite light like your good self, but I promise – i am no single white female, I did it before I saw your latest posts! Sadly I changed as the grey hair was showing up too fast as I have a lot in my temples and was considering colouring them in with a texta! Glamourous!
Furthermore, I have become such a groupie that I bought ALL the books you have written, including the one you wrote with my favourite comedian, Hamish, and I have been married for 15 years and have NO need for a dating book (I did know someone who did and have since lent it to her – she tells me it is very helpful, despite the fact that she largely chooses to ignore good advice!).
Hhhmm, after reading this rambling post I was thinking I should not post it in this section, but then I thought, nah, if anyone can be bothered reading this I would love them to hear how ace I think you are!
Let me know when you are in Melbourne and we can catch up.(Woops, that would be me back in my dream!!).
Thanks for everything you are ace!
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Melissa, this is an atomic-level praise. Thank you! I love the idea of you rascals sittin’ ’round talking cleansers and cuticles and cowlicks. If there were awards for Most Terrific And Heartwarming Compliment, you would be wearing a silky blue sash across your body right now.
And the braids? A terrific idea. Always. For everyone.
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Contemplating going home early from work with a *cold* so I can race to the shops to buy & curl!
By the way, I switch off & unplug my straightener then hang it over a coathanger so I know it’s definately switched off when I leave home.
And I check the iron about 258 times before heading off too…
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Dammit! I really want to do this now but there’s no way in hell I’m putting a hot piece of metal that close to my face on a 37 degree day.
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Can i swap you a hot day for a rainy day please?
Im supposed to be going out soon, but i cant be bothered curling my hair if its just going to get ruined by this damn rain.
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I will gladly swap! Every time I go outside my makeup slides about 5cm down my face! Haha
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Okay so now I really want to invest in a curling iron since I am hopeless with my GHD.
Recommendations MM-ers?
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I am hopeless with my GHD as well…. Im not sure on brands but i went into places like the Good Guys and just picked on the heat adjuster and the size of the barrel. hope i helped
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I bought two Hot Tools curling irons off Ebay and they are really good
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If you’re like me, you probably want to get the bang for your buck, those ghd babies don’t come cheap. It might take you a while, but the ghd is actually pretty good for curls. They’re obviously well made, too – mine’s been going strong for about 5 years .
For me, the thing with curling with a ghd is that you want to Keep It Vertical (see my comment below), and also keep the tool moving (slowly) – which you can do because the chord does a handy 360degree swivel. You kind of pin your hair between the tongs where you want the curl to start, then twirl the tool (slowly, evenly) to wrap your hair around it as you pull it down Vertically, sliding your hair through the irons.
I have no idea if those directions are any good. And I am sure there are plenty of people with good recommendations for curling irons…just trying to save you some money
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The Remington Perfect Curl is $40 at Priceline and you can’t go wrong, it’s fool proof for creating curls. As someone who has never gotten the hang of curling irons it’s saved my (hair’s) life.
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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The Babyliss one Zoe uses is around $70-$90 in Hairhouse Warehouse and has a non-heat tip. It is small at one end and thick at the other for varied curls. I love it!
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This is amazing. Having half curly/ wild hair in the tropics means there are a few months of the year that my straightening my hair is a waste of time. This however might be just the answer.
Loving your work Zoe.
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Hey Zoe,
I know you use a lot of product but don’t wash your hair everyday. How do you keep your hair not looking rank after a couple of days? If I use mousse and don’t wash my hair that night, the next day is ugh and my hair seems to get oily much faster than if I don’t use product.
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I freshen it up with dry shampoo (from chemist) in the mornings and use a clarifying shampoo (Pantene does one, so too O&M and Ojon) when I wash it, to clear out and detox all the gunk. It’s like a deep cleansing facial for your hair. Highly recommended.
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I’m sure Zoe has better solutions but I used to wash my hair every 2 days because it was gross if I didn’t, now I wash it about every 4-5 days and it doesn’t really even look dirty by that time. It just took time and a bit of patience, slowly started washing it every 3 days even if it was a bit dirty, then 4 etc. Your hair just needs to get used to being washed less and it will adjust. In the meantime, dry shampoo! x
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Just broke the clamp off the curling iron, thanks for that, made it even more confusing which way to roll & I was rolling from tips to roots. No wonder I never got good results & it was so frustrating that I never used it! I was going to buy a new clampless one!
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Zoe, this is so fantastic! I curl my hair all the time for gigs and I NEVER knew the trick about turning the tongs the other way the get the curl in the right direction!! Genius. I also didn’t know to let it cool for ten minutes for it to set properly. Such great tips.
Now for my own tip for those of you who want tongs without the clamp. Babyliss does a curling iron called a ‘conical’ that doesn’t have one, so it looks like what Zoe is using, but without the electrocution risk! A hair and make up artist used it on my hair once and it was so fab I bought it immediately. You can find them online.
Thanks again for the video Zoe and for your fab book, which has now become my birthday present staple for girlfriends.
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Amity, you’re dead dingin’ right about the conical curlers, they are magnificent. And, thank you for your kind words about Amazing Face – what a terrific friend you are/outstanding taste in books you have!
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You can get it in a few stores, I mentioned this above and it’s in Hairhouse Warehouse for sure!
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Hi Zoe
You mentioned using dry shampoo – is there a preferred brand you like to use?
Thanks for the vid, will be trying this look for Saturday night!
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I like and use them all, but usually go with Batiste because they smell like tropical flowers and exciting cocktails.
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Loving the product tips. I am starting a list so I have the names with me when out shopping.
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I have very oily hair and have washed my hair every day for years because of it. That means I am lazy with hair styling because I just have to redo the following day – too exhausting to contemplate. Zoe, what should I do?
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I have been banging on about dry shampoo for years!!! My friends thought I was crazy….
But I am very excited by this tutorial I’ve have only just stepped away from my straightener and into the land o curls
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I’m so hopeless with my curling iron that I actually went out and bought the Remington Perfect Curl tool which works a treat. Now that I’ve seen your video though Zoe I’m going to give it another try with a regular iron
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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It has taken me about 4 years to work out how to curl properly with my ghd, and to grasp the concept of Keep The Tool Vertical. I wish I had seen this years ago!
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Keep.
The.
Tool.
Vertical.
KTTV! Everyone’s saying it. Some are even having it tattooed.
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Yay!
Finally someone has explained how to do this. I have ordered two copies of
your book Zoe, so hopefully next year will be the year of looking fabulous.
One copy is for my sister, who always makes an effort but is venturing a bit too far in to the perma tan/blonde hair extensions/permanent smokey eye territory.
One copy is for me, whose mascara always smudges, whose foundation always slides off and who usually wears her unbrushed hair in a messy bun.
I hope your book will help us meet in the middle
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This book was MADE FOR YOUSE GUYS. Not literally, but pretty much almost definitely.
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Great post Zoe – I bought a thick barreled BaByliss Pro curler and was incredibly frustrated as the clamp kept leaving marks on my hair. I then tried wrapping the hair around the barrell, but that didn’t do much either. I gave up and my curler has been sitgkng unused for the past month! Going home to get boyfriend to remove clamp! Thanks for tips – fab as always x
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Ive always been bad with curling my hair with either a GHD or curler. So I bought “Remington Perfect Curls” and its the best curler ever (for me).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq5afx6Cc88
Its great for anyone who is uncoordinated as its a curler for dummies
http://beautyinabottleat.blogspot.com/
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I have it to! It’s great, finally I can do curls!
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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Isn’t it the best
It’s the best $40 ive spent on my hair ever.
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I know. When I think about how much I’ve spent on other curlers that I never use…*shudder* the person who designed the perfect curl is my hero!
http://www.thebeautyblot.wordpress.com
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This is amazing.
Where does one buy this maker of magic?
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Carolynj i bought mine from Priceline
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Thank you.
Now how to get out of Priceline with just the curler?
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I was so excited to grab mine off the shelf and back to my place I didn’t buy anything else! It’s the only time I’ve ever done it… best of luck!
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OMG! How did no one tell me of this piece of magic before?!
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I am OK with tongs- but I have soooo much hair that it’s a rarity for me to bother. What does confuse me is the triple barrelled tongs- I’m not really sure the look they are supposed to achieve and I’ve tried using them and my hair looks awful *L*
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I can’t use them either. They are the Rubik’s Cube of hair tools.
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Thank god it’s not just me!!!
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Please try again with the triple barrel styler!
You will LOVE it once you get the hang of it. Super easy and the best thing is it can easily last a few days (with a couple of touch ups on the top layer).
I find the trick is to brush though with your fingers after, so it doesn’t look quite so “done” and lots of hairspray.
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Marley is right! Try again! You just clamp it down and hold it, and as long as you line it up properly each time so the waves are consistent, then it’s extremely easy once you get the hang of it. I used them all the time, and always got loads of compliments, maybe because it’s a bit different to either curly or straight hair. I have been travelling for a year now though, so I miss them greatly
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Thank you Zoe, this is hands down my favourite how-to I have seen. You have made it look so easy.
Texture, texture and don’t burn your hands. Got it:)
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Ah I love Zoe’s videos.
My nifty hair trick is when I’m done straightening my hair (with a Cloud Nine, so so so much better than GHD’s!), I spray my paddle brush with a bit of hairspray and brush it through my hair and it makes it smooth and shiny and lovely. If I do say so myself.
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I have to get me a Cloud Nine- SO agree- much better than GHD!
Developed by the same person who did GHD I believe
My hairdresser got one to try, so he straightened half a girls hair with the GHD, and half with the Cloud Nine- Cloud Nine was faster, smoother and results lasted longer!
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Yeah you’re right, and he had to wait a certain amount of time before he could develop it (patents and trademarks and all that jazz.)
The best thing about it, I reckon is the adjustable temp, so if you don’t need the scorching heat of a GHD (you just want to smooth a blow dry or a one kink) you can adjust it to your liking.
I know I sound like it, but I promise I’m not a sales person…
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Iss the Cloud Nine new? never heard of it! Seems like you can’t get it in the U.S just checked their website. How much do they retail for in Oz? Might have to get one when I come back for a visit
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http://www.cloudninehair.com/au/shop/
Reatils for $290 (could find cheaper on another website possibly)
They have been here for at least 18 months now… sadly I know that because it’s been THAT long since I went to hairdresser *L*
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Thanks for that! I can’t remember how much I got my GHD for but I’ll have to check this out!
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A Cloud 9? I shall have to Bing me one of these! I don’t own one but I did get brilliant results from a borrowed GHD. It must be good if it’s better than that.
Bing. Doesn’t have quite the same ring as google, does it.
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What is this ‘bing’ you speak of?
They are good! I find that even if you use the highest temperature of the Cloud Nine, you can make the result look way more natural than GHDs can, I found they made my hair look a bit ironed, unnaturally straight (particularly the ends.)
Like inkabinka said, it’s the same guy that developed the GHD who developed the Cloud Nine’s, he just kind of went one step further this time. They are a bit exxy, but definitely definitely a worthwhile investment.
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Does she mean the search engine?
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Haha yeah, I was just being silly coz most people use Google and “I’ll bing it” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “I’ll google it”
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http://www.cloudninehair.com/au/shop/
They are $290 from there – could get them cheaper elsewhere though
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Bing it! That literally just made me snort with laughter – I’m adding that one into my vocab
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I think I fall more in love with Zoe every post she does. The cord to ceiling and then to floor makes so much sense, why did it not occur to me before?
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Looks great! I can’t wait to try it out
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