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

Spring - the season of new and renewed Part 2

[gallery link="file"]

Part 2: Revamping and pampering your look

As the winter frosts slowly begin to melt away and the hours of sunshine gradually increase, we can finally start preparing for summer and celebrate the wonder that is Spring! We’re not there just yet, but we’re so close and it’s exciting to see the green leaves and blossom starting to emerge!

In light of the new season, let’s consider giving ourselves a little spring-clean! There’s nothing better to do in the season of new and renewed beginnings than REFRESH and REVIVE with a good clean, a bit of a clear out and a few touch ups or modifications. Whether it be a room, your house, your garden, your wardrobe, your body or your hair – it’s time to recharge and rejuvenate!

Last week we gave you some tips on how to 'Refresh your body, inside and out' for the spring and summer seasons. This week, we encourage you to revamp and pamper with some handy hints and links!

A fresh cut and colour
From a practical point of view, getting a haircut is important for keeping your hair strong and healthy (read more about split-ends here), but a new cut or colour can also be super energizing and transformative - find out more about the psychology of a new hair-do here.

• Invest in a great haircut that complements your face shape and is low-maintenance


• Consider adding a fringe to sass up your style


• If you want to revamp your hair colour, check out our articles on ‘The best hair colours for your skin tone’ and the hottest hues for 2013.

Smarten up that wardrobe
Take half a day and give your wardrobe a good de-cluttering and reorganise. Your wardrobe should be filled with classy, comfortable, confidence-boosting clothes that make you feel fabulous! To help you decide whether you keep or sell/donate your garments, consider these questions:

• Have you worn it in the past year?


• Does it fit?


• Does it flatter your body shape and accentuate your best features?


• Is it a good colour on you?


• Can you wear it with other things in your wardrobe?


• How many pairs of these do you really need?!

Treat yourself
Shakespeare put it well when he penned the quote “Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin, as self-neglecting.” A great way to gift yourself a little TLC is with the occasional pampering session. Take some time out just for you and treat yourself to a relaxing and luxurious beauty treatment! Whether you’d like to bedazzle your nails or enjoy a spa treatment, Wellbeing Salons have wonderful beauticians ready and waiting to spoil you happy at Allure Hair & Beauty, Ice Hairdressers and Richardsons Salon!

 

Spring - the season of new and renewed Part 1

[gallery link="file"]



 

Part 1: Refreshing your body, inside and out.

As the winter frosts slowly begin to melt away and the hours of sunshine gradually increase, we can finally start preparing for summer and celebrate the wonder that is Spring! We’re not there just yet, but we’re so close and it’s exciting to see the green leaves and blossom starting to emerge!

In light of the new season, let’s consider giving ourselves a little spring-clean! There’s nothing better to do in the season of new and renewed beginnings than REFRESH and REVIVE with a good clean, a bit of clear out and a few touch ups or modifications. Whether it be a room, your house, your garden, your wardrobe, your body or your hair – it’s time to recharge and rejuvenate!

Over the next 2 weeks, we’re giving you a few tips to help you spruce yourself up for spring and the coming season of sunshine!

This week: Refreshing your body, inside and out. Next week: Revamping and pampering your look.

What’s going in?
The most effective way to keep your body healthy, your skin youthfully supple, and your hair silky strong is with a well-balanced diet of fresh, colourful, whole foods packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants! A few essential foods to help keep your body, skin and hair looking and feeling fabulously fresh are:

• NUTS- packed with necessary nutrients such as zinc, protein and omega-3 fatty acids


• BERRIES- nature’s candy filled with powerful antioxidants Vitamins A, C and E


• LEGUMES- power-foods injected with biotin, zinc and iron


• FISH- a must for essential fatty acids (omega 3’s, 6 and 9) as well as protein, iron and B vitamins.


• Also, don’t forget to hydrate your body - and thus your skin – by drinking eight to twelve glasses of water a day.

Get Fit
Regular exercise is key to staying happy, healthy and full of energy. Not only does exercise help control your weight, it also helps prevent high blood pressure, improves your mood and can lead to a better night’s sleep. There is no negative to exercise! Keeping fit and limber is as easy as going for regular 30 minutes walks with a friend, enjoying a bike ride or stretching out in a Pilates class. Get moving!

Skincare regime refresh
Replenish and restore your skin by refreshing your skincare regime:

• CLEANSING and TONING are vital steps, which unclog pores and prevent blemishes, by ensuring the removal of make-up, dirt and excess oil (make sure to use a hydrating cleanser in accordance with your skin type).


• Regular EXFOLIATION will revitalize cell renewal, boost circulation, prevent oil build-up and give your complexion a smooth, renewed appearance (no need to scrub too hard though).


• REHYDRATE your skin daily with a quality facial and body moisturiser to help keep your skin soft and supple. –apply immediately after showering for the best results.


• Take the opportunity to clear out your make-up bag too - old mascara, foundation and make-up sponges can accumulate harmful bacteria.

Start your spring-clean this week, and look out for next week's 'Revamping and pampering your look.'

Inspiration for your spring and summer soirees

We just love a good gala event for surveying the hottest trends of the red carpet. The world-renowned Festival de Cannes, not only boasts the latest and greatest films of 2012, but also hosts some of the world’s most esteemed celebrities and their fashion-forward flair.

As we head into the season of soirees and BBQs, we’ve taken cue from Cannes and collated a few of our favourite looks from the gala as inspiration for your party and evening style lookbook…

[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] Eva Longoria donned an edgy retro beehive - a super trendy look this season. Her smoky eyes and bronze beige highlighting complete her dramatic but fresh look.	[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] At the Killing Them Softly premiere, Diane Kruger was simply elegant. Her high chignon bun was modest chic, and her subtle smoky eyes and rosy lips made for a fabulously feminine ensemble.
[caption id="attachment_539" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] We absolutely loved Marion Cotillard at the screening of her film Rust & Bone. She was belle-of-the-ball perfection with a polished feature bun bejewelled with a dainty floral chain. Her porcelain complexion with defined eyes, flushed cheeks and matte berry lips completed her look.	[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] With classic, vintage curls loose around her shoulders, Lana Del Rey looked both sultry and sophisticated. Her cat-eye eyeliner was clean and classy, and her porcelain complexion and natural lip colour proved that sometimes less in more!
[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="186" caption="Image courtesy of HJI"][/caption] Kirsten Dunst was ‘pretty and bright’ at her photo call for On The Road. Her super sweet milkmaid spin-off was picture perfect with loosely pinned-up curls and a darling tiara adorned with roses and pearls.	[caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour UK"][/caption] Diane Kruger really suits old Hollywood glamour doesn’t she?! Her simple half-up, half-down style at the Cannes premiere of Amour was vamped up with a side-swept wave that was just divine! (Her custom-made Vivienne Westwood sequin gown was absolutely gorgeous too!)

Jessica Chastain: Queen of Cannes 2012...so far

The 65^th Cannes Film Festival commenced mid last week. We’ve been following the events and drooling over the numerous styles gracing each day’s proceedings. Next week, we’re going to do an overview of some of our favourite red carpet looks - perfect for your mid-spring/summer soirees - but for now, we just had to shine the spotlight on an actress who in our opinion, has been the epitome of style and grace at every occasion.

Jessica Chastain, best known for her roles in The Help and The Tree of Life (both worth seeing if you haven’t already), transitioned effortless between day and evening events, with retro glam waves and elegant up-dos. And with that beautifully sweet smile, how could you not fall in love with her!

These are the luscious looks of Jessica Chastain…

[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue Germany"][/caption] On opening night of the festival, Jessica looked simply ravishing with her wavy tresses swept back into a low plaited twist. With dewy, understated make-up, she looked positively radiant.	[caption id="attachment_521" align="aligncenter" width="208" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] For the photo call of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Ms. Chastain highlighted her feminine elegance with classic loose curls and earthy neutral tone’s that accentuated her natural beauty.
[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="207" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] At the premiere of Madagascar 3, Jessica graced the red carpet with old Hollywood glamour, adorned with vintage curls smoothly swept to the side. Her make-up was porcelain doll perfection with defined eyes and rich red lip colour. Simply stunning!	[caption id="attachment_520" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] For the copious TV interviews and press conferences, Ms. Chastain looked vivaciously fresh with soft, natural-looking curls, and minimal make-up, utilising rosy pink tones that made her shine!
[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine UK"][/caption] At the Calvin Klein party, Jessica highlighted her stunning bone structure with a polished, ultra-sleek and chic up do, with pinky beige make-up to soften the look.

Colour me happy!

[gallery columns="4"]

Brighten up your locks with a fresh new coat of colour and see if it doesn’t brighten up your outlook on life too!

There are two distinct colour trends featuring this year with varying degrees and interpretations. In one corner you have the more natural look with warm golden tones - moving away from the sharp, heavy highlights and dipped tips, and instead, blending a combination of harmonious shades to enhance your natural colour. In the opposite corner is the dramatic show-stopping option that opts for radical block-colours and pops of bold hues for a striking result. The choice is yours - take your pick….

Warming up
Whether blonde, brunette or redhead, this year the hues are warming up with gorgeously buttery golden tones to brighten up your complexion. Platinum white was the 2011 blonde but 2012 marks the season of a softer creamier blonde - with golden sand, earthy beige and champagne shades in demand. If you have darker hair, consider boosting your natural colour with touches of caramel, chestnut and bronze tones to create rich, textured colour. Reds are also popular this season with bold, deep copper tones conveying a warm sultry look.

Ombre is here to stay
The ombre style with its darker roots and light coloured ends is still a popular choice and a great option for sprucing up brunette hair. However, this year the look is taking on a more subtle approach - with less contrast between the richer colours at the roots and a more gradual fade to lighter shades at the tips. This creates a radiant sun-kissed look perfect for the summer season.

Bright and bold
In contrast to the warmer natural styles, bright and bold colours have also been thrust into the spotlight thanks to the likes of Katie Perry, Rhianna and their strong, vibrant hair colour selections. If you’re one to push the boundaries and you like your hair to make a statement, this trend is for you! Whether block-colour or multi-coloured highlights, steal the spotlight with deep purples, blues, reds and even greens.

Greys and pastels - The new cool
If you crave the cooler hues, be prepared to think out of the box! Grey is the new cool, with ashy and silver highlights and lowlights proving to be an up and coming trend with Lady Gaga and Kate Moss leading the way. To add a summery edge to cooler colours, inset subtle pastel tones of pink, purple, yellow or blue to sections or the tips of your hair.

If we've got you buzzing to try one of these new hair colour trends - you know who to call!

Here come the brides!

Spring hails the beginning of the season for saying ‘I do’! Weddings are such exciting occasions and mark one of the most significant and memorable days of your life.

If you or someone you know is a bride-to-be, we’d love to offer our services! Hair is the icing-on-the-cake part of a bride's appearance and whether you're after a classic style or something a little more edgy, our team can ensure your wedding hair compliments your natural beauty and represents your unique style, so that you look and feel exquisite on your special day!

Of course, there are so many other aspects to consider aside from hair! Invitations, guests and photography, flowers, dresses and the honeymoon! There is certainly no shortage of wedding inspiration out there in cyberspace - but who has the time to sift through all the options right?!

Well, we’ve spent a bit of time scouring the web and narrowed the hoards of bridal urls down to a selection of wedding websites that we think will get you well on your way to creating your perfect wedding day...

Project Wedding: Planning tips and tools to help fend off bridezilla symptoms...

• The Knot


• You and Your Wedding

Set the theme: Endless ideas for tailoring your ideal invitations, decorations and flowers...

• Martha Stewart Weddings


• Wedding Magazine

Bridal fashion and beauty: Top to toe inspiration for fashioning the most handsome of bridal parties...

• Brides


• Brides Magazine

That extra special touch: Super creative DIY options...

• 100 Layer Cake


• Once Wed


• Style Me Pretty

And for your viewing pleasure, here's a piece of wedding wonderful...
http://vimeo.com/31413662

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:

[caption id="attachment_349" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption]

 

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!