Wash 'n' wear cuts for summer

Giving your hair a break from styling tools (and possibly even products) is always a good thing, and in this day and age, the more precious seconds you can save the better right? At the same time, you don't want to have to trade looking-good for more time on the clock - and neither do you have to!

In the 1960’s famed British hairdresser, Vidal Sassoon transformed the hair industry with his pioneering “wash and wear” philosophy that dubbed him “the Chanel of hair.” He revolutionised hair-art by creating cuts that give the illusion of endless styling, but are in fact extremely low maintenance.

Summer calls for easy breezy carefree hairstyles that make you feel fabulous and look great – naturally. We've chosen 3 classic Vidal-inspired cuts that - as well as being super versatile and simple to maintain - are effortlessly chic and a little bit edgy!

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Short and Sweet

Taking cue from Mia Farrow’s “Rosemary’s Baby” pixie cut, Michelle William’s soft and feathered crop really puts your bone structure in the spotlight. This strong but feminine style is a no-fuss cut that requires minimal styling.

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The Mod Bob 

Nancy Kwan’s inverted bob was first made famous in the sixties, but it’s made a comeback with A-listers such as Keira Knightley, sporting the super elegant style. Drawing focus to your eyes and cheekbones, this uber chic cut with it’s voluminous flair, is a guaranteed showstopper!

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Fancy Free!

Jean Shrimpton worked it in the sixties and Alexa Chung is rocking is now! With a choppy fringe and layers that frame the face, this longer cut works particularly well for hair that has a natural wave. It creates a textured and carefree, layered style that looks fantastic - slick and straight or tousled and wavy.

 

Summer hair care

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The summer months have finally arrived! The days are longer, the sun is higher and the summery warmth is setting in. It’s time for summer soirees and basking in the golden light at the beach, lake or poolside.

But for all its benefits, the summer season can take its toll on your hair. Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from the sun and water in order stay healthy and hydrated. As well as the sun’s heat and resulting humidity, your hair is exposed to salty seawater and the chlorine in pools. These summer charms can damage your tresses leaving them dry, brittle and discoloured.

Here are a few essential tips, to avoid damaging your locks and maintain healthy hair while enjoying the rays this summer:

Give heat the cold-shoulder
With all the heat your hair will be getting from the sun, try to take a break from hot stylers (hairdryer, curling and straightening irons). Air-dry your hair (with rollers for added volume) or consider a new “wash and wear” haircut that will air-dry in style. Help combat potential frizzy hair and limit the amount of sun reaching your locks, by sweeping your hair back in a high pony, low bun, or braided arrangement (dry your hair in braids for natural beach-worthy waves.)

Shield your hair from the water and rays
Intensive moisturising will help you avoid dry, brittle, frizzy hair. Replenish and maintain moisture, with regular deep conditioning treatments. Book a treatment at Wellbeing, give yourself a hair mask or use a quality leave-in conditioner (especially when sunbathing or swimming). As well as hydrating your hair, keep your body hydrated with eight to twelve glasses of water a day – it’s good for your hair and your health!

Cover up
Your hair can get sunburnt just like your scalp. Prevent sun damage by slipping on a super cute sunhat or headscarf, when you’re going to be in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. As well as protecting your head and hair, hats and head wraps are a quick fix on bad hair days for effortless style (check out our guide to wearing headscarves).

Rinse well
After swimming, make sure you give your hair a good rinse (ideally a shampoo and condition too) to wash away the salt and chlorine trapped in your tresses.

Take care
Prevent split ends by making sure you don’t over-brush your hair. Try to restrict your combing to before and after showering (carefully untangle knots – no need to tug too hard).

Stay trim
Dry hair leads to frizzies and split ends. Make sure you have your locks trimmed every six to eight weeks to rid your hair of damaged ends.

Colour me happy!

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

Good luck Kate!

After an amazing result last year, Kate is leading our Creative Team in entering Wella’s TrendVision Awards again this year. This worldwide hairdressing & styling competition will test her skills to the limit so do wish Kate luck next time you see her! We’re so proud & can’t wait to what gorgeous look she comes up with. Watch this space...