Spring has finally sprung!

Well, I think it’s safe to say that Spring is finally here! Flowers are in bloom, greenery is sprouting and temperatures are rising. Aaah! There’s nothing like a long winter to help you appreciate the warmer months.

Spring is a great time to freshen things up and try new things. If you’re yet to set aside some time for “me” spring-cleaning - be encouraged to treat yourself to some TLC by reading our Spring ‘new and renewed’ articles Part 1 (refreshing your body, inside and out) and Part 2 (revamping and pampering your look).

An unintimidating way to experiment and have a little fun with your look this Spring (without making any drastic or permanent changes) is with hair accessories.

Scarves, bands and clips of various shapes and sizes are a cute, quick and easy way to take you hairdo from just fine to just plain fabulous! If you’re keen on bedazzling your tresses - here are a few flourishes to try this Spring:

[caption id="attachment_1745" align="alignnone" width="200"] Image courtesy of Fashion Magazine[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_1744" align="alignleft" width="200"] Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar Online[/caption]
Headscarves and headbands From printed headscarves and turbans, to bejewelled or bowed headbands - wrapping your crown in bands of beauty is a great style solution for every occasion. Not only do they look great, they’re also a practical way of controlling unruly wisps of hair. Wear a thick, colourful headscarf to add a playful edge to your daytime style, or a classic bowed hairband for an Audrey Hepburn inspired evening look.
[caption id="attachment_1753" align="alignleft" width="199"] Image courtesy of Harpers Bazaar Online[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_1754" align="alignleft" width="200"] Image courtesy of Salt City Style Blog[/caption]
Pimp your ponytail The humble ponytail is a classic, versatile style that can be appropriately tailored for any occasion. To add the x-factor, simply pin or wrap a decorative feature piece to your low or high pony. Bold and colourful clips, dainty ribbons or statement jewels (like the pretty pearl in the picture above) - jazz up your look with simple and subtle hair tinsel.
[caption id="attachment_1756" align="alignleft" width="200"] Image courtesy of Style Bistro[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_1755" align="alignleft" width="200"] Image courtesy of Lahori Point[/caption]
Blossoms Real or replica, adorn your hair with beautiful flora this Spring. Ooze romantic femininity with a posy of pretty flowers pinned to the side of chignon, or crown your tresses with a garland of blossoms. With the wedding season fast approaching, floral embellishments are a worthy consideration.

Get the look: Julianne Hough's curly up-do

We’ve already featured Julianne Hough’s super stunning bob in a few of our articles. She certainly knows how to rock the crop, and mix it up a little with “bob-friendly” up-dos. Ms. Hough is proof that there is no limits to the styles that can be fashioned from a bob.

Last week on our Facebook page, we posted Julianne’s fun and fab up-do from the US premiere of her new film Safe Haven. It’s such a sweet hairstyle right??!!! The voluminous wavy ‘do is a great option for everything from an afternoon tea date to an extravagant wedding. And today – we tell you how to fashion this look for yourself! (Of course, you can always pop in to one of our salons if you’d prefer someone else to do it for you.)

Recreate a similar version of Julianne Hough’s curly up-do by following these simple steps:

• Run a volume-enhancing mousse through towel-dried hair (to create texture)


• Throw your head upside down and give your hair a quick blow-wave so that your hair is about 80% dry


• Take 1-2 inch sections on your hair and using a hair straightener (read “how to”), curling iron or rollers, create a full head of tight curls. (Try not to blend the curls, keep them reasonably separated)


• Create a side parting from each corner of your forehead to form 3 sections – two side sections and a middle section. Loosely pin or tie the middle section out of the way for a moment


• Take one of the side sections, and divide it into three or four parts. Starting with the section closest to your face, loosely twist each piece inwards and upwards, towards the centre of your head. Secure each piece with hairpins. Repeat this process with the other side section.


• Unpin the middle section. You should have a “semi-Mohawk” at this stage.


• Lightly tease the roots of the middle section focusing on the top of your head to create a bit of a quiff at the front.


• Starting at the front of your head, take 1-2 inch sections of your teased curls and lightly twist them alternating toward the left or right side (so they sort of crisscross over each other). Try to keep the volume and height of each curled piece, by not twisting or pulling too tight.


• Secure each twisted curly section, trying to leave a good amount of loose curl flowing free from each pinned piece. You can leave a few waves completely free to cascade down your elegant Mohawk of curls too.


• Once you reach the nape of your neck, twist and pin under the ends to complete your curled creation.


• Set the style with a spritz of hairspray and you’re good to go!

Images courtesy of Zimbio.com

Bob's the word!

If ever there was a year for you to lop your crop into a bob style, this is it!

Bob’s are one of the hottest trends this year, and you can see why from the images above right?! The cut of strong independent women, bob styles are statement makers with equal measures of chic, edgy and fun.

Thanks to the pioneering wash and wear hairstyles of Vidal Sassoon, bob cuts are super versatile and give the illusion of endless styling, but are in reality low maintenance (if cut well!). Whether a chin grazing crop, or shoulder-length “lob”, bob cuts work with and spotlight your bone structure, accentuating your eyes, cheekbones, jawline and neck.

There’s a bob cut to complement all face shapes - it’s just about finding the best style for your shape and texture. If you have fine hair, opting for a bob style is a great idea! A shorter cut instantly creates volume – especially a graduated bob. If you have thick or curl hair, opt for a longer bob to avoid a triangle-shaped crown and make sure your stylist adds textured layers. Longer bobs (lobs) are also the better choice for round face shapes, but if you’re keen on a more cropped cut, add long side-swept bangs to give length to your face.

For a soft, whimsical, tousled style, opt for a bob that sits at or below the chin - a choppy fringe and textured layers will create a wavy carefree cut (a great option for those of us whose hair has a natural wave). For a bolder option, go for a blunt-cut bob with precise lines - best suited to fine hair and longer face shapes, this is a super chic and edgy cut. Graduated bobs (A-line cuts) are great for creating volume - shorter at the back and longer at the front, this cut gives your hair movement and a sassy elegance.

Side parted, centre parted or swept straight back. Sleek, shaggy or soft. A new bob style is sure to attract sheets of compliments.

Come see us about fashioning your transformation and for more bob-style inspiration, seek out images of January Jones, Leighton Meester, Alicia Keys, and Dannii Minogue.

Images courtesy of Zimbio.com