I've had short hair for about a year now and always struggle to find ways to create hair styles that are simple and wearable. My personal favourite is the Dutch braid. Somehow I can't do French plaits any more on myself...what ever I do it turns into a Dutch braid.

There are a few different variations of this look I like to do. Sometimes I like it neat with my fringe put up, or my fringe out and loose big plaits. 

First section your hair into two as if your about to put your hair into pigtails. Start on one side and split the section into three at the top of your head. As you plait; keep your hands close to your head so the plait follows them and add sections of hair as you plait. As you get behind your ear try and plait as much as you can then tie at the end with a clear elastic.

Do the same to the other side.

Then your going to need all the bobby pins in the world. Place one side of your plait over the other side and pin in place. Then grab your other plait and place it just underneath your already pinned plait and pin it securely. When you place it underneath it hides the pins and looks more finished. Secure your plaits where needed.

A handy tip if your pins keep sliding out is to spray some hair spray on them and they'll stay in better.

If you want it to look a bit messier and 'unfinished' then start pulling the plait apart slightly. This will create bigger plaits and loosen the look up a bit, I also like to hairspray my 'baby hair' at the front of my face to smooth-en it up a bit. I just spray the hair spray into the palm of my hand and smooth the fly away's down,

This is the rudest looking curling wand I have ever seen. Not gonna lie...it looks like I've left something intimate on my dressing table!

Since my hairs grown a little bit recently I've really been into curling it. However I've always just done that with my straighteners as it was a nice simple way to add some curls without to much faffing around. But every now and then my curls would look dull or an odd shape due to the shape of the straighteners.

So when I spotted this strange looking contraption for £24.99 from Boots (reduced from £29.99) I thought why not give it a little go!
I'd already watched a few tutorials and read a few reviews on this particular curling wand as I wanted to see what kind of waves it created and how easy the appliance was to use.

The wand comes with a protective glove and has a digital display with your chosen temperature. It heats up within 40 seconds and has an array of temperatures to choose from. And a very handy little stand attached to the handle so that it doesn't touch the surface your storing it on.

The wand is infused with Diamonds so it gives your curls shine and a smooth finish.
I love the finish of the curls with this wand! It works great on my hair and the curls stay in all day.

I'm still trying to get the hang of the technique. It needs to be used upside down...but I keep getting muddled up with which way round it goes so the hair slots into the pattern, or I have the glove on the wrong hand!

I love the tight curls you get with this tool and the volume it creates too.

I feel it will look better when my hair grows a few more inches as it creates so much volume that it makes my hair look quite 'poofy.' So I feel a bit more weight to my hair will loosen things up a bit. Even after sleeping on it, I still had smooth defined curls but with a looser finish.

Have you tried this wand yet? What do you think?