Having naturally curly hair can make your style look shorter. This can be frustrating if you prefer to wear your hair nice and long. But don’t worry, you’re not doomed to a life of shorter hair styles. Here are five easy ways for you to make your 3B/C hair look a little longer.

1. Contrasting Colors

This is a psychological thing, but if your hair is dyed and contrasting colours at the roots and at the ends, it will look like it’s a bit longer. You don’t even need to do anything with your hair other than dye it. It’s worth experimenting with different colours to find out what you think compliments your hair the most. A lot of people fail to consider how colors affect people’s perception of their hair lengths, but it’s quite a big factor. Worth reading more on.

2. Clip-in Hair Extensions and Weaves

Sometimes the simple methods work the best. All it takes is a few extensions and you’ve instantly created the illusion of having longer hair. If you don’t really have the time to do any of the more elaborate methods here this is probably what you should do Just find something that matches the look of your own hair and viola, all of a sudden it looks like you have longer hair. If you want to go all out, you might like to look into a curly hair weave, which can do wonders for your hair. The kinky curly weave is a great example.

3. Scalp Massage

If you give yourself a scalp massage after you wash your hair, it can help it to maintain more volume. Voluminous hair always tends to look longer than hair which has no volume, so this is worth doing to make your hair look a bit longer. It can be a bit time consuming, but if you added this into your daily hair care routine, you’d be sure to notice the effects before long. Definitely worth trying.

4. Hair Care Products

On the subject of volume making hair look longer, you might like to invest in a conditioner or shampoo which has been specifically designed to make hair look voluminous. There are a lot of volumizing products on the market and it’s best to shop around and find one which best suits you. Here is a useful shopping guide.

5. Straighten It

Straighten your hair and you’ll find that it looks longer. Of course, doing this will mean that you will have to lose your natural curl, which might not be so appealing, but it is still an option. Worth keeping in mind is that straightening it too often can have a detrimental effect on your hair, causing it to lose moisture and become unhealthy.

So if you want your hair to look a little longer, these are the tips to follow. Everyone has a different approach to haircare and these pointers might not be applicable to everybody. Choose the options which you know best suit you and how you know your hair to behave. What tips do you use to make that curly hair look a little longer?

By Hollie Jones

Hollie is a freelance writer and co-writer for the Hollie and the Ivy blog. She is passionate about many things, including upcycling, interior design, crafts and weddings. Writing is one of Hollie’s favorite things to do and so she takes a lot of pride in writing articles on her favorite subjects.

The Fashionista’s Guide to Red Carpet Hairstyles

It’s red carpet hairstyle season once again! You probably spent most of your time scouring the red carpet for ideas and inspiration from A-list celebrities and personalities for fashion and hairstyle trends. And we did get quite a lot of them in the recent red carpet appearances, particularly noting the 2015 Golden Globes Awards and the 2015 Critics’ Choice Awards. If you are looking to get some celebrity hair inspiration or hairstyle trend ideas worth trying this new year, make sure to check them out below.

Bombshell Hair

This was one of the most talked-about looks during the 2015 Golden Globe awards not just for her stunning gown, but also for her perfectly styled bombshell waves. Experts recommend that you start by allowing hair to naturally dry first. Then, use clip-in extensions to create volume, especially around the crown area. Work on dividing two-inch sections of hair for the extensions to look natural. If you want to create more volume, simply place the extensions higher on the head.

When the extensions are clipped in, start backcombing the hair and spritz a long lasting hold hairspray. This will ensure that the perfectly volumized hair stays that way all night. Then, use a 2-inch barrel curling iron to add soft curls to the hair. The soft but defined curls will bring that retro vibe to the hairstyle, just like it did for Jennifer Lopez.

Braids

Who said that braids are going to lose steam in 2015? Definitely not true! Celebrities Emily Blunt and Joanne Froggatt proved that braids are here to stay. Both women sported Grecian braids on the red carpet!

Lobs

Another hairstyle trend that has proven its staying power – the lob! In fact, this is one of the most talked about hairstyles on the red carpet during the award season so far. Sienna Miller’s perfectly textured lob to Naomi Watt’s soft curls . . . there are several hairstyling ideas to get inspiration from at the red carpet.

Sleek Hair

This is one of the most difficult hairstyles to pull off, but nonetheless one of the most head-turning, too. Hair that is styled super sleek and straight (in some cases even with a wet look) was quite a hit on the red carpet as showcased by celebrities like Marion Cotillard, Camilla Alves and Maria Menounos.

Effortless Curls

There is nothing more romantic and glam than hair that is curled to perfection. Whether it’s a retro side swept curls or a touch of wavy ends, you can expect for this hairstyle to never be missing on the red carpet.

Hair Accessories

Fun and unexpected accessories can definitely perk up a regular hairstyle. The addition of these unique hairstyles certainly made Emma Stone’s and Keira Knightley’s hairstyles stand out even more.

What was your favorite red carpet hairstyle so far this year? Any of these hairstyles you want to try?

Contributing author Abby Pringles is a writer who likes to write about topics relating to beauty, hair, and fashion. You can check her personal blog, Life in the Fash Lane, to read more of her works. Aside from fashion and beauty, Abby is also a hardcore basketball and tennis fan. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

3 Smart Dress Up Fishtail Braid Strategies

If you’re reading this, I would assume that you already know what a fishtail braid is. It is one of the most popular types of braid because of the undone look that reminds a lot of women of the off-duty model kind of hair. At the same time, it can add a whole lot to your look rendering it more stylish than your average braid. Indeed, it is a go-to hairstyle for women, especially during summer time when your strands can easily misbehave. The good thing about a fishtail braid is that even though your hair can get a bit messy, it still feels and looks like part of your overall hairstyle. Hence, you do not have to worry about setting everything in place.

But even though the fishtail braid is quite popular, you can get weary sometimes especially if you have done the same hairstyle over and over again. If you would insist on wearing a fishtail braid, why not try unique variations to the braided hairstyle? Here are some ideas you can try to make your average fishtail braid more fun and exciting!

Fishtail Headband

This is an easy but gorgeous way to style your fishtail braid. And the best part about doing a fishtail headband is that it works for all types of hair textures and lengths. Essentially, you can create this hairstyle by forming two fishtail braids on the opposing sides of your head. Then, you drape those two braided sections under the crown where you can secure them to form a headband.

Fishtail Bun

There are no hard and fast rules to create a fishtail bun. You can try it braiding tiny sections of hair into a fishtail braid and then twisting it around a bun. Or, you can also try braiding your hair from the crown until the end of the hair where you can twist it into a bun. This is a casual yet feminine hairstyle that isn’t too undone or too messy either.

Side Twist Fishtail Braid

This is another feminine take on the fishtail braid. It is a great hairstyle to wear if you prefer to let your hair down, which also gives a boho feel to your look. You start by forming a side part. Then, twisting one side of your hair from the front and then starting a braid right near your ear. Continue braiding until you reach the end. Let the braided section fall loosely to the side of your hair for a casual and free-spirited hairstyle.

Halo Fishtail Braid

Halo and milkmaid braids are also quite popular for women who love to wear their hair in an updo. Hence, why not try combining these braided hairstyles into one look? Start by braiding small sections of your hair in a fishtail braid and then using those sections to form a halo or milkmaid braid. It gives a modern update to this classic hairstyle.

Over the Shoulder Fishtail Braid

This is a simple update to your average fishtail braid: simply start from the top of your hair (right where the part is) and then allowing it to run down towards the end of the hair. Bring your hair together over to one side to make it look like your braid runs down from the root towards the ends where it rests on your shoulder.

Rope Fishtail Braid

A rope fishtail braid is another fun twist to your fishtail braid arsenal. The key factor here is to prep your hairstyle so that it achieves lots of texture and volume.

What is your favorite way to wear a fishtail braid? Any fun ideas you’d like for us to try? We’d love to hear about them in the comments!

Contributing author Abby Pringles is a writer who likes to write about topics relating to beauty, hair, and fashion. You can check her personal blog, Life in the Fash Lane, to read more of her works. Aside from fashion and beauty, Abby is also a hardcore basketball and tennis fan. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.