Primp your soiree style

 

With all the events and soirees summer holds, how do you possibly decide on what to do with your hair (let alone your dress and footwear) - without resorting to the “same old styles” you always wear? Well, surprise surprise! We have the solution!

If you prefer not to tamper with your tresses, we are more than happy to fashion a fabulous hair-do for you. Just give us a call or come in and see us!
If you consider yourself a bit of a DIY girl – here is an assemblage of “Get the Look” articles that will have you looking effortlessly chic in less time than you think…

Julianne Hough's curly up-do (fashioned from a short bob) is a great option for everything from an afternoon tea date to an extravagant wedding. Ms. Hough is proof that there are no limits to the styles that can be fashioned from a bob.

Golden Globe glamour curls - No matter the occasion, you just can’t go wrong with soft, cascading waves. Whether chin-length or long, centre or side parted, retro waves are a timeless style that is both feminine and flattering.

Fearne Cotton’s beehive beauty is proof that big is beautiful and the sixties are still very much in vogue! Whether you opt for sleek and elegant or rough and edgy, the beehive is dramatic, fresh and super trendy.

Diane Kruger's chic and sassy summer braid exudes both feminine elegance and bohemian glam. It’s reasonably easy to fashion and provides a carefree style, perfect for hitting the beach or attending a fancy summer soiree.

Emma Stone’s retro up-do - swept high in a bouffant style with a voluminous bun -  is super versatile and can carry you from day-time errands to a formal evening event.

Scarlett Johansson's victory roll-cum-chignon is soft, sophisticated 1940’s glamour that will work on bob-length as well as long hair – a stunning wedding option.

Get the look: Golden Globe glamour curls

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First-class glamour was abundant at last weekend’s Golden Globe Awards, with soft and sassy retro waves dominating the red carpet.

From the romantic textured bob of Michelle Dockery to Jessica Alba’s elegant bouquet of loose curls, the A-listers were channelling old Hollywood charm and radiating effortless vintage chic.

No matter the occasion, you just can’t go wrong with soft, cascading waves. Whether chin-length or long, centre or side parted, retro waves are a timeless style that is both feminine and flattering.

This style is easier to recreate than you might think and with a just a little elbow grease, you can flaunt your own version.

To achieve a similar look…

1. Run a small handful of volumising mousse through your hair (from roots to ends).


2. With your hairdryer on a medium heat and airflow, blow-dry your hair until it’s about 80% dry (for extra lift, chuck your hair upside down to dry).


3. Now it’s time to start styling! There are a number a ways to achieve your glamour curls:

Pin curls – no need for rollers or heated stylers, all you need is bobby pins!

• Take a section of your hair (the larger the section the looser and larger the curls will be), and comb it smooth and straight.


• Roll the ends of the sectioned hair under and back on itself to create a “barrel loop” (as if you are using invisible rollers) or “snail spiral” (for tighter curls).


• Keep rolling (it doesn’t have to be perfect) until your “barrel” or “spiral” reaches your scalp and secure the curl with a bobby pin.


• Continue sectioning and securing your pin curls until all your hair is coiled up tight.


• Leave the style to set for at least 20 to 30 minutes (or even overnight). Consider giving your pin curls a quick 2 to 3 minute blow-dry to fix the curls in place.


• Before removing the hairpins, spritz your curls with hairspray and then let them loose.


• Part your hair as desired and comb through your waves with your fingers or a comb to smooth and soften the look (so it doesn’t look too piecey).


• Style as desired (E.e. hair draped over one shoulder or backcombed to create a cotton-soft look) and set with a spritzing of hair spray.

Rollers
Follow the same process as above, but use heated or velcro rollers (a size of your choice) to create the curls.

Curling iron
Follow the same process as with the pin curls, but use your curling iron to create the curls. For tighter curls, coil each curl and pin in place (make sure your hair has cooled completely before spraying and unravelling the curls.) For looser waves, let them drape.

Hair straightener
Learn how to create similar curls using your hair straightener here.


Now go forth - make your waves and parade those glamourous curls before the masses! 

 

*All images courtesy of Zimbio.com

The way of the hair straightener

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Transforming your hair into a myriad of styles is nice and easy these days. Gone are the days of endless hours of rolling, setting and styling your locks.

The joy of modern technology has enabled us to attain opulent curls and silky sleek straightness in a matter of minutes rather than many long hours. The ease and time it takes to style your hair with a hair straightener makes it the essential styling tool.

Whether you’re aiming for strictly straight or luscious waves, technique is key to creating the optimum style. Here are a few tips to help you achieve the full benefits of your hair straightener.


Voluminous Curls

1. Begin by blow-drying your hair for added volume.


2. Divide and clip your hair into sections.


3. Starting with the bottom layers, take inch-size sections for curling.


4. Hold the ends of your hair away from your head with one hand and with the other, hold the straightener vertically and clamp the roots of the hair.


5. Twist the straightener 180 degrees in either direction, so your hair creates a kind of ‘Z’ shape from the roots, through the hair straightener to the tips.


6. While continuing to hold the loose ends in one hand, slide the straightener down to the tips of your hair, maintaining the angle of the styler.


7. Twist each curled section around your finger to enhance the curl, before moving on.


8. Repeat this process until you’re a head full of lush waves.


9. Set your style with hairspray.

Tip: For tighter curls, coil each curl up to your head clip in place. Once your head is full of little curls, unravel them and hairspray.


Sleek and straight

1. Blow-dry your hair for added volume (use a concentrator nozzle attachment for smoother hair). Follow your brush with the dryer to the ends of your hair, smoothing each section as you go.


2. Divide and clip your hair into sections (consider where you want your hair parting and section accordingly).


3. Take inch-size pieces and starting at the roots, run the hair straightener down the strands to the ends, ensuring the straightener and hair are parallel to each other.


4. Brush or comb each section before moving on to the next.


5. Finish with a spritz of hairspray - spray a little hairspray on your fingertips and smooth any flyaways.

Note: We recommend using a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from heat damage and opt for a quality straightener with ceramic plates (not teflon). We recommend GHD stylers, you can purchase them through our online shop or at one of our salons.