Technical File - Classic Shapes and Silhouettes - French Pleat and Sleek Ponytail.

In this session we looked at creating classic shapes and silhouettes, such as the french pleat and sleek ponytail. 

Health and Safety -
Always make sure that products are clean and sanitised, ready to use. This goes the same for brushes and equipment.
Make sure your hair is tied back, with no jewellery that will interfere with the model/client.
Make sure you use a cape to cover the model/client's clothing.
Sanitise hands.
Always complete a consultation beforehand.


Sleek Ponytail Method -

1. Brush the hair throughout with a paddle brush to ensure that there are no knots. 
2. To achieve the sleekest ponytail, straighten the hair with straighteners. 
3. Using a pintail comb, section the hair into two parts, the top and the bottom. Section from both temples in a 'U' shape around the back of the head. By splitting the hair into two sections, means that you can create this look easily. 
4. Secure the top section of hair, and brush the hair underneath into a ponytail. By wetting the hair during this process helps to create the sleekest finish. When tying the pony in place, get the client to lean the head back so that the underneath does not sag. A hair Bungee will help to keep all of the hair in place and keep the tension whilst you are tying.
5. Spray the top section of hair with water. 
6. Comb the hair into place so that it fits in with what is already tied up. 
7. Using the other bungee, tie this piece of hair into the remaining ponytail. 
8. Take a piece of hair from the underneath of the ponytail, and saturate with hairspray. Comb through, and wrap the hair around the bungee cords to conceal. Use a tiny pin to secure. 
9. Sprite the hair with hairspray for a shiny finish. 

Sleek Ponytail with Quiff - 

1. Use steps above 1-4.
2. With the top section of hair, back comb from the front back, leaving a section of hair at the front to conceal this backcomb. 
3. Push the hair into a Quiff, smoothing the top with a comb. 
4. Pin the hair into place, and secure with a bungee. 
5. Conceal bungee with strand of hair from the underneath of the pony and fasten. 

 French Twist Method - 

1. Brush the hair thoroughly, to ensure that there are no knots. 
2. Section the hair into two sections - from the temples round the back of the head in a square shape. Fasten the top section out of the way, or place rollers in the hair for lift and hold. 
3. With the bottom section of hair, curl the hair using heated tongs all the way around the head, facing away from the face, and meeting in the middle. 
4. Backcomb each section at the roots. 
5. Brush the top section of hair. 
6. Backcomb the hair, and twist the hair at the back and push forward for height of the quiff. Grip in place. For a more Avant-Garde look, backcomb the hair intensely.
7. Take remaining hair altogether to one side. 
8. Just past the middle of the back of the head, place grips in the hair, with grips facing upwards, with the top grip facing downwards but not too high on the back of the head. 
9. Take the hair and comb it in the palm of your hand. 
10. Using large pins to grip in, twist the hair in a roll towards the middle of the head. 
11. Use hairspray to smooth down. 

Classic French Twist. 

A more exaggerated French Twist. 

 I am really pleased with the outcome of this session. I found the french twist a lot more difficult than the sleek pony, mainly due to the fact that it was very fiddly. My model does not have very long hair which made it harder to secure the hair, however, I think that I did a good job in completing it. I would like to try this look on a longer haired model too, to see if I would find this easier. My french twist is not very vertical, a little wonky, but I am pleased with this being my first attempt. I enjoyed the sleek ponytail and really liked the outcome of this test. I would like to use this look within my looks for my brand.