Inspirations

How to use a Butterfly Hair Stick

A hair stick is beautiful and fun to use.  It may take a few tries at first, but you shouldn't be deterred by that because once you master the technique, you will find it truly rewarding to be creative with this gorgeous versatile hair accessory.

To help you to get started, I list here two of my favourite styles using a hair stick.

Side Slide

1.   Pull hair up into a pony tail and then twist the pony tail while holding the root firmly with one hand.

2.   While twisting the hair, start making a bun either clockwise or counter clockwise.

3.  From right to left, using tip of the hair stick to hook a thread of hair next to the bun from underneath.

4.   Carefully insert the hair stick through the centre of the bun.

5.   Once the hair stick protrudes on the opposite side of the bun, again use it's tip to hook some hair next to the bun from below.  Essentially the stick is pinning the hair down using the leverage of hair on either side of the bun.

Oriental Twist

1.   Pull hair up into a pony tail and then twist to form a bun.

2.   Hold the decorative part of the hair stick and piece through the bun from the bottom (6 o'clock position).  Make sure the hair stick is inside out at this stage.

3.   Once the tip of the hair stick protrudes at the top of the bun, lift the hair stick 180 degrees while holding the decorative part of the stick.  When lifting the hair stick, ensure the tip is as close to your head as possible because it should hook more hair to secure the style.

4.   Push down the stick firmly.  Another stick can be added for decorative purposes or to further secure the style.

The key to creating fun hair styles using the hair stick is patience.  Once you learn these basic techniques, many variations can be created within minutes.  Remember, to accentuate the style, you should always select hair sticks with beautiful decorative sections.

Enjoy!



Oriental Fan Stick

This stylish hair design is very simple to replicate and any hair stick can be used to create this feminine cascading effect with your hair.  It is suitable for medium to long hair.
 
1.    Arrange hair into a pony tail and tie it with a thin rubber band (choose a colour that will match your hair).  If you want a more complex design, like the one shown in the picture, you start with a simple pleat on the higher part of the hair to give volume and then pull all hair together to tie into a pony tail.

2.    Twist hair counter clock wise* from the bottom and make a half bun

3.     Push through the fan stick and make sure it clips the side of the bun.

4.     Adjust the loose hair to cover the rubber band.

*depending on which side the fan stick is clipped.  The position shown in the picture uses counter clock wise twist.

Enjoy!


How to use a concorde hair clip

A concorde hair clip is one of the most versatile hair accessories.  You can create a number of different hair styles with this hair clip in less than 5 minutes.  Today we are showing you a relatively simple design using our beautiful silhouette concorde.  This silhouette concorde is in a gentle arc shape, perfect for medium to long hair.

1.Arrange hair into a pony tail.

2. Use one hand to hold the base of the pony tail firmly while the other twists the hair to give volume.

3.Then twist the pony tail into a bun while continue to hold the base.

4.Slide the Silhouette Concorde firmly through the bun and voila, it's done.

Hope you will enjoy this hair style, if you have other interesting ideas, don't forget to email us at info@hanakiku.com.au

A la prochaine!

It's Mother's day!

In case you haven’t noticed, the all important Mothers day is just around the corner.  The actual date varies in different countries, but for Australia, it is the 2nd Sunday of May. The big question has always been where to find that most thoughtful and special gift to show our appreciation to our hard working mums.  In fact, it is one of the most searched terms in Australia in the month of May.  

In the past, we have used all year round gift ideas such as cosmetics, books and handbags.  Flowers and chocolates are all time favorites too. But if you want to be a little more creative, how about indulge your busy mum with a luxurious spa treatment or spend a day with her in a nice beauty salon?  After all we all love to feel pampered.  However, if you want to give her something that will remind her of that special day why not give her something that she could use every day. We have especially put together four fabulous gift sets containing some of our most stunning fashion and hair accessories. Yes, mums will love them because they are gorgeous, unique and simple to use.  Click here to find out more.  Happy shopping!



Our cute origami boxes


Our new handmade origami boxes have finally arrived, just in time to store all your new fancy accessories!  

As a slight variation to the kimono fabric, we have used the yuzen paper to decorate this cute box.  Hand painted on a thin layer of silk, the yuzen paper adds vibrancy and glamour to this unique box.  Comes in three different sizes and styles, it is ideal for gift packaging.  And remember, we have just the accessories you need to fill up that box.

The boxes are for sale on this site, but come free with an online purchase*.  If you have any special requests in terms of colour scheme for your dream box, please email us at box@hanakiku.com.au and we will do our best to match them.

* The large box is free for purchases over $100.  For a limited time only, we are offering a free large box with any purchase.  Offer ends 15th March, 2010.


Making of the accessories…

Welcome to Hana KiKu and I hope you love our hair and fashion accessories as much as we do.  Don’t forget, if you have any questions or comments, please email us at info@hanakiku.com.au.  We would love to hear from you.
 

As you browse through our product pages, you would have noticed the use of kimono fabric in many of our products and you may wonder what it is or how it is made.  Let me fill your curiosity by starting with the word “kimono”.  It is simply the Japanese word for clothing, however in the western world it is usually refers to the traditional garment worn by the Japanese people.  The kimono fabric is famous for its vibrant colours and intricate design patterns.

The process of making or dyeing such fabric is extremely complicated as so many different colours and delicate patterns are applied.  Very often, these patterns are hand painted, dried and repainted, washed, block dyed and hand painted again.  In many cases, stencils are used for a particular shape.  I found a good website that can give you more insight to this elaborate process.  www.kougei.or.jp/english/
 
I have also provided here a few pictures of the fabric that our hair and fashion accessories are made from.  It is important to note that the kimono fabrics are sometimes painted in two dimensions to enhance the contour of the body when it is worn.  Therefore it is a feature of some products that patterns are very unique depending on the part of the fabric where it is made from.

Enjoy!  Let us know what you think!