Get the look: Bérénice Marlohe's Bond Beauty

Bond girls are the embodiment of sass, style and sophistication. At one point or another, all of us have wished we were one of them right? (Or is that just me?!

Skyfall is the latest addition to the James Bond collection, and marks the 50th anniversary of the famed series. Making her debut as a Bond girl in the new film is Bérénice Marlohe (as Sévérine) - and what an absolute stunner! The Parisian actress is a sultry piece of glamour and pulls off tousled, carefree class in typical Bond fashion. At the Paris premiere of Skyfall, Ms Marlohe sported this glam side-swept ‘do.

With the impending “end of year” events, this is a great style to master. It’s reasonably simple to recreate, and looks romantic and elegant with its loose curls and textured chignon.

• Begin by running 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 eighty percent dry


• To create voluminous curls, use a hair straightener (read “how to”) or roll and secure sections of your hair in rollers and blow wave your hair complete dry (use a paddle brush to blend the sections)


• Create a deep side parting and form 3 sections – fringe, top and sides/back


• Loosely pin your fringe off to the side and clip your sides/back section out of the way


• Comb the top section straight back and lightly tease it (focus on the crown of your head for additional volume) to create a slight bouffant


• Gather the teased hair together and after smoothing the top layer of hair, sweep the section off to the side (just behind your ear) and secure with hairpins


• Comb the sides/back section to join the “pinned” top section, and hold in a relaxed ponytail just behind your ear, at the nap of your neck


• Fashion a loose chignon by twisting your hair into a coil and securing with hairpins (it’s ok to let a few strands hang loose)


• Set the style with a spritz of hairspray.

Bond-beautiful!

Update your look with a fringe!

If you’re keen on updating your hairstyle, but don’t want to undergo any drastic changes - a fringe is the perfect option. The fringe is currently a big hit on the catwalk and red carpet with stars like Zooey Deschanel, Taylor Swift and Florence Welch championing the diverse look.

Adding bangs is like giving yourself a mini makeover. You can completely change your look, but it’s a low risk option because you can grow them out pretty quickly! Fringes are great for shoulder length hair and work best with hair that is naturally straight or slightly wavy.

Here are a few ways to wear bangs – why don’t you consider making the cut!

Full block Heavy eye or eyebrow skimming fringes like Jessica Biel's are great for drawing attention to your eyes. They’re reasonably low maintenance and can be cheeky, cute, sophisticated and elegant all at the same time! Block fringes are great for long and heart shaped faces, and best worn thick and long (just above the eyes).

Short & sharp This blunt fringe hits well above the eyebrows and is the ultimate statement maker. Inspired by the art-deco jazz age of the 1920s, short blunt bangs are fierce, sharp and sassy. This is a daring look that works perfectly for an oval face-shape like Rooney Mara’s (below), but stay clear of this look if you have a square face-shape.

Side-swept Oh, the romantic and softening look of a side swept fringe! This style frames the face nicely and provides a relaxed and effortless elegance (just like Rose Byrne, below). While side-swept bangs work for all face shapes, this is the best fringe option for round faces, as it will give the illusion of length.

Light & wispy A light choppy fringe like Alexa Chung’s is an easy, carefree option. Taking cue from Brigitte Bardot, wispy textured bangs is a versatile style that looks great straight forward and messy, centre-parted or swept to the side. This is a fitting choice for square faces as it can soften the angles.

Safeguard against split ends

Oh, the never-ending nuisance that is split ends! If we’re being honest, there’s no escaping split ends, however it is possible to minimise and prevent unnecessary damage.

Split ends (Trichoptilosis), is the vertical splitting or fraying of the hair shaft due to stress placed on the hair. Perming, colouring and using heated stylers strips your strands of the nutrients that keep them strong and moisture-rich, which leads to dull brittle hair that is prone to split ends.

Leaving damaged ends can lead to further breakage higher up the hair shaft. This can lead to hair shedding, which will inhibit your ability to maintain the length of your hair. It also makes it difficult to preserve styles such as curls or straightened hair.

Reduce the causes and safeguard against split ends by following these few simple tips…


Regular Trims
The only genuine way to rid yourself of split ends is to chop them off! Also, by removing at least a quarter of an inch off the ends you allow oxygen to reach the ends of your locks, creating a foundation for strong, healthy hair. Regular trims every six to eight weeks are recommended.

A quality clean
To maintain hydrated and nourished locks and prevent your hair from drying out, you need to invest in a quality moisturising shampoo and conditioner.  A leave-in conditioner or regular salon deep-conditioning treatments are also a great way to preserve moisture. For more information on choosing quality haircare, read our “Looking after your locks” article

Gently does it
Your tresses are fragile. Rough, repeated brushing and combing equals damaged hair. Use a hair-friendly tool for smoothing out your locks – a wide-toothed comb is the best option for thicker hair. Be gentle when detangling, start at the ends and work your way up (it’s best to do this when you hair is dry). Try not to brush your hair too much; intensive brushing creates more split ends!

Keep a cool head
Heat draws moisture from your locks, consequently, regular use of hot stylers leads to dry and brittle hair. Try to cut back on your heated-styler usage and when using hairdryers, curling and straightening irons, consider using a heat protectant to help retain your hair’s moisture.

 

Celebrity style inspiration

Happy October everyone! It’s hard to believe we’re nearing Christmas! Phew - how time flies!

September was a great month for following the “A-listers” as they paraded the red carpet at high profile events including London Fashion Week, the Emmy Awards and the NYC Ballet Fall Gala.

We love a good celebrity-infused event for a healthy dose of hair inspiration. And although you may not have 24-hour access to a professional stylist like these lovely ladies, you can breathe life into your daily hairstyling routine by gleaning ideas from the following looks, and having a wee play! Enjoy!

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At London Fashion Week, Poppy Delevigne paraded a plaited up-do that was perfect for taking her from front row at the Matthew Williamson fashion show, right through to the Rag & Bone homecoming-party. Check out our “Braided beauty” article, for tips on how to create a similar style.	For the Mulberry Spring/Summer 2013 show at Claridge’s, Alexa Chung went for casual chic, with a quick and easy topknot. Her cute fringe and the wispy layers that framed her face made for a relaxed, natural beauty – a no fuss style, perfect for your weekend soirees.
[caption id="attachment_944" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Image courtesy of Celebrity Red Carpet[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_942" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Image courtesy of Zimbio[/caption]
Sarah Jessica Parker looked absolutely divine at the New York City Ballet's Fall Gala, wearing a gorgeous Valentino Couture dress in honour of Valentino Garavani. Her glamorous look was perfected with an elegantly swept-back bun and mauve rose clip - an elegant look that can carry you from work to dinner date.	Also donning a Valentino Couture gown, Anne Hathaway looked super sophisticated with a side of sassy at the Ballet Gala. Her easy wash and wear crop was side swept with an edgy feathered texture – such a versatile and simple style. We just love Ms Hathaway’s short hair; it really makes those stunning eyes pop!
[caption id="attachment_943" align="aligncenter" width="211"] Image courtesy of Beauty 411[/caption]	[caption id="attachment_949" align="aligncenter" width="207"] Image courtesy of Beauty Editor[/caption]
The lovely Zooey Deschanel brought old-hollywood-glam to the 64th Annual Emmy Awards with a sixties-inspired bouffant and low chignon. Her darling signature fringe kept the style looking soft and feminine. Read our Fearne Cotton “Get The Look” article, for advice on fashioning bouffant brilliance.	Homeland star Claire Danes sported glamourous curls at the Emmy’s. With a deep side parting and elegantly formed yet natural-looking waves, this style is a great way to vamp up your regular blow wave. To replicate Ms Danes curled locks, refer to our article “The way of the hair straightener.”

Get the look: Fearne Cotton’s beehive beauty

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Last week, on the eve of London Fashion Week, Fearne Cotton launched her latest clothing line for Very.co.uk, and both lady and designs were bright, bold and bouffantastically retro!

Joining the ranks of bouffant lovers such as Adele and Katy Perry, Fearne Cotton is proof that big is beautiful and the sixties are still very much in vogue!

If you’re keen on freshening up your day-to-day hairstyle repertoire, we think Ms Cotton’s beehive style is a brilliant addition! Whether you opt for sleek and elegant or rough and edgy, the beehive is dramatic, fresh and super trendy.

Replicate Fearne Cotton’s look by following these simple steps:

• Begin by running a volume-enhancing mousse through towel-dried hair to create texture


• Throw your head upside down and roughly blow wave your hair for volume


• Create your desired parting and form 3 sections (front, top/middle and back)


• Taking the top/middle section, tease your hair from the roots to the ends focusing on the crown of your head for additional volume


• Slightly smooth and gather the teased hair together, and shape it into a beehive of your preferred height - secure with hairpins


• Draw the front sections back to join the secured “beehive” section and pin together (leave a few strands loose to frame your face)


• Take the back section (adding any free hair leftover from the beehive) and loosely pull your locks back into a relaxed ponytail just above the nap of your neck


• Fashion a simple French roll by twisting the ponytail upwards and inwards against your head (If you have long hair you’ll need to twist and fold the end of your ponytail back down, tucking the end into the French roll)


• Secure the twist in place with hairpins (horizontally).


• Complete your masterpiece with a generous spritzing of hair spray

Absolutely fabulous darling!

Autumn hair advice

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A chill is starting to intrude on our precious summer warmth, and the leaves will soon begin to float off the trees as a prelude to the impending winter. Sigh!

Before you cosy down into hibernation, we recommend tending to the dreary reality of the colder months, with a bit of hair TLC. Give your locks and your mood a bit of va va voom with our Autumn hair advice…

A boost of colour
Though the days are growing darker, consider going lighter with your hair! With a sinking sun and less time outdoors your skin tone will lighten up, so you should respond by lifting your hair colour to a lighter or warmer shade (bright and rich browns can make pale skin look super radiant). For more tips on how to find a fresh new hair colour, read our “Hair colour for your skin tone” article.

Rehydration
After dousing your hair with heat and UV rays over the past few months, there’s a good chance your locks are in need of some replenishment. The summer elements tend to cause moisture loss - leaving your hair dry, brittle and split-endy. Reclaim a moisture-rich and glossy hair condition, by having your damaged ends snipped off and re-nourish your tresses with a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask.

Scalp stimulation
Giving your head a good knead is well worth the effort! As well as facilitating the removal of build-up, it also stimulates blood circulation in the scalp - which keeps those roots active and encourages hair growth. Consider giving yourself (or conning somebody else into giving you) a scalp massage. Spread your fingertips slightly, and apply strong pressure to your scalp. Using circular and back and forth motions, massage your head - beginning at the nape of your neck. Continue up behind and above the ears, then on the top and the front of your head. Focus on moving the skin on your scalp rather than just your fingers.

Eating well
It’s easy to eat well in the warmer months with all the delicious fruits and summer salads, but the winter months tend to temp us with our favourite comfort foods! Your diet absolutely effects the state of your tresses, so you need to ensure your daily sustenance is packed with nutrient-rich foods that contain protein, zinc, iron, B vitamins and essential fatty acids. If you’d some suggestions of some yummy foods that are great for your hair, refer to our “Healthy foods for healthy hair” article.

Let's here it for the boys!

As women, we can be quite fanatical about enhancing our physical appearance and staying up to date with the latest trends. When it comes to hair and beauty chat, the ladies are generally up with the play - but the “masculine” sex is quite often neglected. Keeping up appearances is just as important to guys as it is to girls – they’re just less likely to admit!

This week, we thought it was high time we gave the boys some stage time; so we’re featuring three of the hottest hair trends for men this year. Whether you're a chap or the “influencer” of one, here are a few styles to inspire your next cut…

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The Quiff Inspired by the rock n roll and country stars of the fifties, the quiff is a modern take on the rockabilly style donned by such greats as Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. With short sides and back, and longer textured layers on top - today’s versions are versatile and distinctive offering both slick and clean-cut and roughed up and shaggy. Whether you opt for shorter or longer layers, side-parted or slicked back, the quiff can work for most hair types and face shapes. If your hair is thick – get your stylist to take some of the weight out of your hair to make this style more manageable.

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The Undercut A key trend for 2012 is the undercut. Taking its cue from the nineteen twenties, this style’s focus is the hair lengths. The sides and back and are super short, with considerably longer layers through the top. There should be a disconnection between the longer hair on your crown and the rest of your hair - with no graduated blending. Slick your hair to the side or straight back for a groomed swagger, or for a more relaxed tousled look - run your fingers through your hair and let the style separate and fall naturally.

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The Brit-Rocker Think The Beetles, Oasis or The Artic Monkeys and you’ll get the gist of what we mean by “brit rocker”. Again there’s length through the top, but in this case the cut is more graduated with a focus on texture. The hair sweeps forward to create a fringe – best swept to the side (a manly hair flick will do the trick!). The brit-rocker can head down the path of a more tailored style (as with the above version), or a more of a rugged and edgy look – you choose!