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.

Braided Beauty

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We have a bit of a crush on plaits. Though they may initially trigger memories of your schoolgirl days, just as you have matured into a graceful beauty, so have braids!

Bohemian braids are a timeless festival style combining pretty plaits with loose wavy tresses. Weave your fringe into a braid that hugs your hairline, fashion a partial French braid on one or both sides and secure behind your ear, or create two mini English braids and draw them back to meet at the back of your head. These carefree, laced looks are easy to achieve and provide instant boho-chic.

For a soft elegance, sweep your locks into a relaxed side-laden plait. Create a deep side parting and braid a French plait along your hairline into a fishtail braid that rests over your shoulder. For a more understated version, simply weave a tousled English plait, leaving wavy strands to frame your face.

Halo braids are the epitome of girlish charm. Taking cue from Heidi and her fellow milkmaids, this plaited style is both whimsical and romantic. Crown yourself with a braided halo by forming a French or Dutch plait from behind one ear. Following your hairline, continue plaiting across your forehead, adding hair as you go. Once you’ve gone full circle, simply plait any remaining free hair and tuck it into your halo. This style looks best a little dishevelled and loose.

Lacing your locks creates an instant statement style that exudes femininity. Whether thick and full or delicate and dainty, English, French, Dutch or fishtail - braids are super versatile and relatively easy to fashion. And as well as being an ideal way to sweep your hair off your face, braids create texture and volume without having to spend an exuberant amount of time and effort with hair-stylers and products.

BRAIDS TO MASTER:


English Braid

• This is the standard school braid and is the perfect plait to start with if you’re a beginner.


• Part your hair evenly into three sections.


• Take the right-hand section over the top of the middle section, so that it becomes the new centre piece.


• Now cross the left section over the centre piece, so that it converts to middle position.


• Continue crossing the right and left sections over to the middle until your braid is finished.


• Secure with a hair tie or suitable clip.

French Braid

• Take a small section of hair and part it into 3 equal sections.


• Commence with a regular English braid.


• After a few initial weaves, begin drawing small portions of hair into the right and left strands just before you cross them over the middle piece.


• Continue this process until you have no more hair to add.


• Finish by English plaiting the remaining free hair or twisting it into a loose bun.


• Secure with a hair tie or suitable clip.

Dutch Braid

• Follow the same process as a French braid, except instead of crossing sections over the top of each other, cross them underneath so that the braid is inverted and exposed.

Fish Tail

• Part your hair evenly into two sections.


• Take a small piece of hair from underneath one of the sections and wrap it around and over to join the other section.


• Reset your hands, so you’re holding two sections again and repeat the same process with the other section.


• Continue taking small portions of hair from under one section and transferring them over to the other section, until your braid is finished.


• Lightly tug the edges of your braid to create a wider, fuller looking plait.

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.

All hail the headscarf!

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Having one of those hair days? Is the wind causing havoc to your hairdo? We have the remedy for your woes – Headscarves! Not only are they practical and fuss-free, they’re stylish, elegant and in fashion! Headband, head wrap or turban – add a playful feature to your day’s ensemble by putting your own personal spin on an age-old style.

Here are a few ideas and guidelines for fashioning stylish and sassy headwear (have a play and find a style and technique that suits you best).

Firstly, decide whether you want your hair to feature or if you’d prefer to tuck it away. Leave your hair loose, sweep it into a ponytail or twist it into a loose bun if you opt for hidden hair.


Feminine flare of the forties and fifties

• The feminine way of the wartime workingwoman is now a popular fashion statement. Fold a small square scarf into a triangle. Place the long folded side at the nap of the neck, so that the top of the triangle points towards your nose. Bring the ends of the scarf up to the top of the head and tie a knot at the point of the triangle. Tuck any loose ends away. (Leave your fringe and short layers loose to frame your face, or roll your fringe back in a victory roll).

• For a fun rockabilly style, fold a scarf until you have long band. Wrap the scarf around the nape of your neck and tie the ends in a bow or knot at the top of your head. Alternatively, feature your knot or bow on the side or at the nape of your neck.

Disco hippy glam

• The sixties and seventies took the headscarf (among other things!) horizontal. To emulate the style, take a long rectangular scarf and drape it over the top of your head. Gather the ends at the side of your head or nape of your neck. Tie them in a bow or a knot leaving the ends loose. Twist them up into a “rose” shape for an elegant alternative.

Ethnic-inspired wraps

• Create a turban-style headband with a long rectangular scarf. Wrap the scarf around the back of your neck and bring the ends up to your forehead. Twist them around each other twice and finish by taking the ends back down to the nape of the neck and tying in a knot.

• For a full turban head wrap, fold a large square scarf into a triangle, and then fold the long side over again to create an inch wide band at the base of the triangle. With the point of the triangle draping over your forehead, wrap the long side (with the folded band visible) around the back of your head bringing the ends up to the top of your head. Twist them twice (leaving the point of your triangle loose) and wrap them back around to the nape of the neck (twisting for an added feature), tying a double knot. Roll the triangle point back over your “top knot” and fold it under to secure. Tuck any loose sections away.

Get the look: Scarlett Johansson's retro chignon

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Firstly, a HUGE congratulations to Doug and Rebecca Page on the arrival on their beautiful wee boy, Mr William Thomas Stanley Page – he arrived bang on schedule, healthy and happy at 5am on Monday, April 30^th. Much love to you from the Wellbeing Salons team!

Last week also marked the occasion of an additional star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -Miss Scarlett Johansson’s. She personified 1940’s glamour at the ceremony, sporting a striking black and white fitted dress, complimented by a relaxed victory roll-cum-chignon.

We just love this look - it’s soft, sophisticated and effortlessly chic. This retro style is also super versatile and can carry you from a casual coffee date to a formal evening event.

Achieve a similar look by following these simple steps…

1. Part your hair on your preferred side.


2. Section your hair, and using either a curling iron or medium-sized hot rollers, curl inch-wide sections of your hair and secure them to cool and set.


3. Unravel each curl and gently tease the roots for added volume


4. Lightly comb your hair to smooth and blend the curls (maintaining your side parting).


5. Sweep the smaller side of your side-parted hair into a bun at the nap of the neck and secure with pins.


6. Take the front section of the remaining hair and begin loosely rolling the hair upwards and towards your head, adding sections and clipping in place as you go to create a kind of curled tunnel of hair.


7. Once you reach your bun, curl the loose ends around and over the bun, pinning in place.


8. Finish with a spritz of hairspray.

The art of hairdrying

 

The humble hair dryer (along with a few of its friends), transforms your hair from ‘just fine’ to FABULOUS thanks to the power of heat and air. From smooth and straight to textured and voluminous, your hair dryer is a foundational element for constructing great looking hair - and by employing a few salon techniques and taking a little extra time, A-class hair can be your everyday look!

Key styling tools

• Hairdryer- ideally with a diffuser and concentrator nozzle attachment


• Curling iron


• Straightening iron


• Round brush


• Paddle brush


• Wide tooth comb


• Volumising mousse


• Hairspray


• Sectioning clips


• Hairpins/curl clips

Dishevelled beach-babe

1. Run a small handful of volumising mousse through your hair (from roots to ends), making sure it’s evenly distributed (you can use a wide tooth comb to do this).


2. Using the diffuser attachment with your hairdryer on a medium heat and airflow lift sections of hair and place them in the diffuser, gently scrunching your hair until it’s about 80% dry (for extra lift, chuck your hair upside down to dry).


3. Finish off by drying the roots, holding the hairdryer close to your head and twisting the diffuser in circular motions.


4. Add a spritz of hair spray and a few final scrunches to complete a cool ‘undone’ look.

Tip: A diffuser distributes a consistent airflow so that your hair dries evenly and creates additional volume.


Straight and sleek strands

1. Blow-dry your hair until it’s a little more than towel dry.


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


3. Using the concentrator nozzle attachment and starting with the underneath sections, dry your hair using a round brush.


4. Starting at the roots, follow your brush with the dryer to the ends continually brushing each section before moving on to the next.


5. Once your hair is dry, re-section your hair and use straightening irons for an extra slick finish.


6. Hairspray to set your style in place.

Tip: A concentrator nozzle attachment directly targets air, drying your hair faster and smoother (not to mention making brushing easier!).


Voluminous waves

1. Blow-dry your hair until it’s a little more than towel dry.


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


3. Divide and clip your hair into sections


4. Starting with the underneath sections, dry your locks using a round brush to roll your hair from the ends to the roots (similar to how you would use rollers).


5. Work the brush upwards and away from your head or curl under and towards your head, holding and drying for a few seconds before releasing (try not to play with each section at this stage).


6. Use your hairdryer’s cool setting, to give your hair a final blast to set the style.


7. Run your fingers through your locks to loosen and lift the look.

Alternative: Consider using rollers for added volume. Roll and secure sections of your hair in rollers (the bigger the rollers the bigger the volume), blow wave your hair dry and use a paddle brush to blend the sections.


Elegant swirls of curls

1. Roughly blow-dry your hair.


2. Divide and clip your hair into sections.


3. Using a curling iron, roll your hair up the wand from the ends to the roots and hold for a few seconds.


4. Carefully unravel each curl and use curl clips or hairpins to clip the curls in place.


5. Once your head is full of little curls, unravel and brush through your hair using a paddle brush.


6. Set your style with hairspray.