Happy Spring everyone!

Spring has officially sprung and with it comes daffodils, singing birds, the return of the sun and spring-cleaning! Spring is a great time to freshen things up and try something new. As we usher in the warmer months with open arms, put an extra spring in your step (excuse the cliché pun, but it was too hard to resist) by experimenting with some of 2012’s top spring/summer hair trends:

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It’s all about accessorizing darling!

From headscarves and flower garlands to baubles and colourful ribbons - hair accessories are in! Transform your hairdos from plain to just plain fabulous by adorning your locks with a few embellishments. Add a subtle touch with decorated bobby pins or try a statement piece such as a giant rose ensemble. Experiment and have a little fun with it!

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_350" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption]

 

Morning Dew.

Whether sleekly tied back or shaggy and loose, the “just got out of the shower” look is a dominant trend this spring and summer. Glossy, shiny, wet-look hair is a fresh, low maintenance style that is putting a bold glam-rock twist on the unintentional “hairstyle” that ordinarily never leaves the bathroom.

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_351" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar"][/caption]

 

Lace up those locks

Plaits, braids and twisted knots are another big trend this spring and summer, but we’re not talking “Little House On The Prairie” or “Sound of Music” pigtails here! Think romantic spirals of plaited love inspired by Romeo and Juliet, and playful yet classy twists that wouldn’t look out of place in a charming French film.

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_352" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar"][/caption]

 

Making Waves.

If you have naturally wavy or curly hair count yourself lucky, straight hair has taken a back seat this season! Beach hair meets city life with ruffled, whimsical waves that make for effortless “cool”. For a slice of glamour (and if you have a little more time on your hands), have a go at creating some 20s-style finger waves for a sophisticated and sassy look.

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_354" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar"][/caption]

 

Ponytails.

The humble ponytail is a classic style that can be adapted to fashion numerous looks. A neat and high ponytail accomplishes the current “classic, preppy” trend. Achieve laidback elegance with a low, tousled pony at the nape of the neck- clipped in a loop or secured with a dainty ribbon for extra loveliness.

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_353" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of About.com"][/caption]

 

Bring on the Bouffant!

Big truly is beautiful! The sixties have made a come back thanks to the likes of Adele and Katie Perry. Whether you opt for the light and bouncy “blowout” (a signature Adele style) or an elegant beehive up-do, the more volume the better!

 

 

 

If you need a few tips for creating these styles yourself, have a chat to your stylist- they’ll be happy to help!

Looking after your locks: supermarket vs. salon hair care

 

Your hair is one of your greatest accessories; so it’s worth ensuring your tresses stay in mint condition. Hair care plays a key role in maintaining healthy, shiny locks and it’s important you use products that contain essential and quality ingredients to protect the condition of your hair as well as make it look and feel fabulous! Which heralds the question: Can supermarket products do the trick or is it best to invest in salon-endorsed hair care?

The price and quality of supermarket vs. salon products is often debated. Supermarket-bought products are in general, considerably cheaper than salon-bought, but the quality is more-often-than-not compromised. Some maintain that there is no a difference between the two, however we beg to differ.

Here are a few things to consider:

More bang for your buck

• Believe it or not, salon products can give you more value for your money!


• Due to the a higher concentration of active ingredients (including essential vitamins and proteins), you only need to use a small amount- which means it can last longer than supermarket products that are less concentrated and have higher quantities of fillers (such as water and unnecessary chemicals and preservatives).

The facts about foam

• Fact: Lather has no real benefit in making your hair clean.


• Supermarket products often use harsh foaming agents such as ammonium laurel sulphate and sodium lauryl sulphate that remove essential oils from hair resulting in dry and coarse hair. These elements can also strip hair colour, cause scalp irritation and accelerate the thinning of hair due to their acidic properties.


• Surfactants in salon products are generally much kinder. Sodium laureth sulphate is the gentlest option with very little lather (which is why a lot of shampoos won’t use it). It helps remove the build up of oils, dirt and environmental pollutants, without stripping natural sebum or hair colour- leaving your hair softer and shinier.

Silky and smooth

• Hair care products generally contain conditioning agents to produce soft and moisture-rich hair.


• Supermarket products use ingredients such as silicone to produce this effect. Silicone coats hair strands making your locks feel silky smooth, but it restricts   moisture absorption and inhibits cleaning, resulting in residue build-up that leaves hair limp and lifeless.


• Salon hair care contains higher-quality moisturising conditioners with essential proteins that help lock moisture within the hair shaft and scalp. This protects hair from drying out, assists in repairing damage and helps maintain soft, pliable locks.

I think celebrity hairstylist Dario Cotroneo says it best...”The difference between salon-professional shampoos versus supermarket shampoo is the investment made in the product development to protect hair against UV protection; thermal repair from over-styling; and colour-fade preservation," he says. "The internal makings of professional shampoos and conditioners are more concentrated with essential ingredients to repair hair from the inside out. "Supermarket shampoos are detergent based, so they will lather up and give you the impression that it is cleansing faster, but this is smoke and mirrors, as it cleanses from the outside in. When I was at college and a colour did not work out, we used a supermarket shampoo to strip the colour out faster! So professional is my choice for that reason as it's all about protecting your investment, so your hair colour lasts."*

We recommend that you invest in quality hair care that does just that- cares for your hair. We endorse Wella products and have them available in our salons and very soon, our online shop. Make an informed choice by talking with your stylist about the best hair products for you based on your hair type, condition and exposure to elements including the sun, chlorine, hair colour and thermal stylers.

*Quote from Your Beauty Spot 

Welcome to the newsletter just for you!

Richardsons Hair in Northampton, Ice Hairdressing in Baldock and Allure Hair & Beauty in Dunstable have all joined together to form the Wellbeing Salons Group.  Our aim is to give you Gorgeous Hair and Extraordinary Service!

This week we wanted to give our team’s top tips from all the glam & fabulous looks spotted on the red carpet recently.  We hope you enjoy...

 

Inspiration from the Red Carpet

We’ve been quite googly-eyed over the hairstyles that have graced the red carpet in recent weeks. From Meryl Streep’s up-do at the BAFTAs to Adele’s luscious waves at The BRITs, the celebs have been rocking their best accessory (their hair!) and we’ve been getting inspired.

We all like to flash some glamour every now and then, but it’s easy to draw a blank when it comes to what to do and how to do it! So we’ve compiled a few star-styles that have caught our eye, and added a few tips so you can DIY…

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With a Side of Vintage Curls Please

Pixie Lott was the epitome of vintage chic at the Brit’s, sporting a simple chignon with her fringe elegantly side-swept in a bouquet of loose curls. To achieve a similar look, create a deep side parting and leaving your fringe and front section loose, pull the rest of your hair into a relaxed ponytail at the nape of your neck. Twist your ponytail into a rough bun and pin in place. Using a hair straightener or curling tongs, take small sections of your loose hair and create tight curls. Comb your fingers through the curls and set with hairspray.

[caption id="attachment_287" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Image courtesy of Marie Claire"][/caption]

 

A Nod to Audrey Hepburn

Looking chic-fresh at the BAFTA’s, Penelope Cruz paid tribute to style icon Audrey Hepburn with a playful yet elegant adaption of the humble ponytail. To upgrade your ponytail, pull your hair back into a relaxed ponytail at the crown of your head. Take a small section and wrap it around the exposed hair tie, securing it with a hairpin. Tease the ponytail and smoothing out the top layer, curl the ends under and pin in place. Feather your fringe to one side and spray.

[caption id="attachment_288" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine"][/caption]

 

A Wave to the Twenties

Fearne Cotton was first-class glam at the BAFTA’s with a sassy twenties-style, wavy bob. You can flaunt your own version, with just a little elbow grease.  Curl your locks with hot rollers or a hair straightener, and run a brush or your fingers through the curls. Backcomb your hair in sections (focusing on the roots) to create the cotton-soft look and spray to set the style.

[caption id="attachment_289" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine"][/caption]

 

Swinging Sixties

Adele stole the show at the Brit’s with her billowing locks that perfected her 60’s-inspired flair.To recreate this “beautiful bouffant” style, use jumbo hot rollers or a blow dryer to curl the under layers of your hair upwards towards the nape of your neck (flicking the ends up), and the top layers under. Unravel and lightly tease each section at the roots to create volume. Part your hair to the side, lightly comb the sections together and finish with a spritz of hairspray.

[caption id="attachment_290" align="alignleft" width="100" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine"][/caption]

 

Girlish charm

Michelle William’s looked positively darling at the BAFTA’s with her modern spin on a classic: the pixie cut. This cut is easy to maintain and style, and particularly flattering for oval, square and heart shaped faces. To spice up a short hairstyle, and recreate William’s soft wispy bangs, work a small amount of moulding paste or hairspray through your hair and sweep it to the side, pinching your hair into feathered sections as you go to create texture. Add a statement headband for an extra measure of charm.

[caption id="attachment_291" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Image courtesy of My Daily"][/caption]

 

Sophistication Personified

The picture of age-honouring sophistication and style, Meryl Streep donned an elegant up-do for the BAFTA’s, with her lovely locks swept high and back off her face. Replicate Streep’s style by setting your hair in hot rollers and then separating your hair into two sections. Draw the back section of hair into a loose ponytail, twisting it into a loose French roll and pinning in place. Separate the front layers into smaller sections, lightly tease for added volume and texture, and loosely twist and secure each section in and around the French roll, leaving the ends free to flick out naturally.

 

Inspiration station right?! Now that you’ve got the vision and the know-how, why don’t you to take the plunge and pick a style to try yourself. Whether you opt for a subtle spruce-up or a major chop and change, it’s amazing what a little hair flair can do for your self-esteem.

P.S. If you need some advice on what styles will suit you best – we’re always happy to help!