Hey babes. Today, I am excited to be able to share with you an interview with a woman who has really played a hand in inspiring my journey as a Hair blogger. Meet the effervescent and lovely Christina Butcher, blogger at Hairromance, published author of Braids, Buns, and Twists, Queen of Pinterest, and naturally curly Aussie fox.
Christina was gracious enough to share with us a bit about her journey to loving her hair, as well as her favorite hair tips, tricks and products. I am so pleased to be featuring her on HTHG, because she is a badass hair loving lady with some serious skills in teaching others to love their own hair. And that is what HTHG is all about! So Christina, thank you for doing all you do for us and our hair sense:)
You talk about the one haircut that changed your life. Tell us more about what the cut looked like, how it was different than other cuts, and why it changed your hair game.
I didn’t grow up with curly hair. It just appeared during puberty and I really didn’t know how to deal with it. My mum had short hair and wasn’t much help with hair. After cutting all my hair off (a super short pixie!) I felt so free from my hair. It was as I decided to grow it back that I became best friends with a hairdresser who really understood curls. When my hair was a few inches long he told me my hair was curly and I was shocked. He gave me a simple box layered cut that was quite rounded in shape. It was life changing as I could easily style my hair and achieve great curl every day. It really encouraged me to love my hair and started my hair romance.
You know a thing or two about embracing natural curls. What have been your biggest and greatest hair discoveries as a naturally curly woman?
I used to be worried that my hair was dry but it’s natural for curly hair to have a dry texture. The huge bonus is that I don’t have to wash my hair as often and so I can save myself so much time. I sleep with my hair pineapple’d on top of my head and can make my curls last for days. When they get too messy, braids save the day.
I know your hair can get major big, and I know you love big hair. What are your favorite tricks for achieving hair as high as the heavens?
I love volume powder. It’s a game changer with hair styling for me. I love it to add some height to curly hair (which can lay a little flat naturally). I also use it to fatten up my braids. A little sprinkle of powder on the finished style lets me pull out the hair wider so it looks thicker.
For those who don’t like using a lot of product, I have a simple trick for when I’m air drying my curls. I part my hair in a deep side part on the opposite side to the way I wear my hair. Then when my hair is about 80% dry, I flip it back over to the right side and you have so much more volume on top.
What is your current hair routine/regimen?
I wash my hair every 3-4 days (sometimes a little longer!). I use a sulphate free shampoo and always do a hair treatment. I’ll comb my hair while I condition my hair and then gently squeeze out any moisture and let my curls air dry. I alternate between a mousse or curl cream depending on what I’m testing for the blog. If I’m in a rush I’ll use my diffuser to hurry the drying process along. I finish with a few drops of oil or a serum to tame the frizzies.
Fortnightly I also do an oil treatment (Darshana) on my hair.
Who is your all-time hair idol?
Probably Gwen Stefani. Her hair is amazing and she never has any regrowth. It’s a platinum miracle.
What haircut currently gives you major envy?
I would love super long mermaid hair but the maintenance would be such a pain. I also love a blunt bob with a fringe but it just won’t work with my hair.
Do you have any advice for someone who is perpetually frustrated with their hair?
Getting to know your hair is the first step. You have to get to a place of acceptance as to what your hair really looks like. Understand that all magazine photos are photo-shopped and that most, if not all, celebrities are wearing hairpieces and have way more time than you to style their hair.
Then start practising styles that you can do in your hair. Build up an easy hair-drobe of hairstyles that you can wear any day.
Stop comparing and start loving your hair. I promise that your hair will love you back.
Do you have any hair tricks that have been passed down from your mother or grandmother?
Sleep on a silk pillowcase. It’s softer and smoother than cotton and you’ll wake up with less frizz in the morning.
What are your favorite up-and-coming companies in the hair biz?
One of my faves is Original and Mineral. They’re an Australian company with a focus on low chemical formulas but they don’t skimp on the look and feel of their products. They’re eco-conscious and their products really work. I especially love 7 Day Miracle and Frizzy Logic. I also use their ammonia free permanent colour on my hair.
Do you have any exciting creative projects that you are working on for the blog this year that you would like to share?
I’m in the planning stages of a new book all about curly hair! It’s about time that curly girls had more examples of really curly hair and hairstyles they can do. I’m sick of seeing straight hair curled and then called curly.
Sing it, girl!
(Photo from the Braids for short hair tutorial)
Where and how do you find inspiration for all the lovely hairstyles that you invent?
I’m often inspired by necessity – like part of my hair looks ok but the side is a mess so I’ll create a new side braided style. I also look to fashion weeks for new trends that I can adapt for real girls. Pretty much I just love playing with hair!
Christina, a big thank you from all of us for your HTHG feature!!!!
Here are 2 of my favorite Hairromance tutorials….
And the Side braided hairstyle (I LOVE her colors here:)
A little side note…….Want to start a beauty blog? Christina is featuring Beauty Blog School on Hairromance, so get in now while you can. She is a wonderful teacher.
Side braided hairstyle (I LOVE these colors:).
Check out Christina’s braiding e-book
Her DIY bride hair and makeup book
And my favorite, her beautifully printed hairstyle book, Braids, Buns and Twists.
xoxo, Hairromance and How-to Hair Girl
