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Interesting post

This is some good advice for our clients, on how to break out of the same old hair rut. We could probably use some of these suggestions in our consultations when talking someone into a new look.

Autumn UK hair trends

Just a quick link to the UK version of Hairdressers Journal. This is their forecast for the Autumn hair trends. This usually filters through to Aussie mainstream just before we hit our Autumn, but there seems to be less lag in recent years. I am still seeing a lot of midlength cuts, but our Summer weather is perfect for a cropped style, so I will be recommending people get on board ahead of the pack.

Is this a wiglet?

Picture sourced from Bellasugar

I noticed the contrast between the top section of Nicole Richie's hair in this shot, to the underside. I think she may be wearing a fake piece. I think it looks great, and I have looked at a lot of pictures of her attending this event before I really stared at her hair. For me the tip off is the solid colour, as opposed to the highlights. Also the hair is quite dense in that area. I was actually looking for sign of her extensions, as in the past when she had a fringe you could often see a hint of them poking through. Lately she has been wearing her hair with a centre parting and very little layering. I have seen hairpieces for women with thinning hair, that only cover a t section, but only online. I wonder if this will become as popular as the clip-in extensions for length?

Creating great shapes

original picture from Fudge International Collection 2008

I realised today that my square layer fixation is part of a bigger issue, vertical elevation. If there is one part of haircutting that I think is under emphasised, it is layering techniques that pull out to the side, instead of always up. When I first see a new client, I start by assessing what layering, if any has been done below the crest of the head. If you think about the rules of hair travel, (how far the hair has to travel, to reach the guide line) it should make sense that any vertical elevation, will create short layers, but a heavy perimeter. Vertical elevation in this case, is any of the techniques that elevate the hair above the head, and vertical elevation itself is not the problem, but it needs to be balanced usually, with some sort of layering technique that pulls out to the back or side of the head. This would prevent the hat-like effect I see so often, where the short layers on top fall into a round bowl shape, sat on top of a solid form. Look at this on the next few clients you see. Elevate a vertical section of the layers, so it is parallel to the side of the head, but does not go higher. If there is a disconnection in length between the short top and the longer middle, then the hair will not flow smoothly throughout the shape, there will be bumps. If there is a distinct corner, then there will be an area of weight where that section of hair lands. Knowing how to control the elevation to give the result your client is after, creates hair that is easy for them to recreate, because the haircut does all the work, instead of the blowdry.

Celebrity hairdresser

I found another great blog, from celebrity colorist Louis Licari. He does a makeover segment for the Today show that he shows here as well. As these are all people pulled from the street, I find it a good inspiration for bringing the best out of our clients.
I liked this insight he gave, "Most of us eat healthy, exercise, and do all we can to take care of ourselves. Wouldn’t it be ironic to let our hair look grey and faded when this is perhaps the easiest part of our grooming to maintain?" and this one,Nothing shouts "I color my hair and do it badly" more than light roots and dark ends. Color can grab darker on the ends of your hair shaft if it is porous. This happens if you continually work the color all over your hair at every touchup.
It seems he has developed a great insight into the clients we care for. Understanding your clients is a surefire way of earning their loyalty, so I will be checking back from time to time for his insights.

Marie Antoinette upstyle

These are the pictures a client sent me of her formal night, after I styled her hair. I had a lot of fun with this hair, as the brief given to me, was to create something reminiscent of Kiki Dunst, in Marie Antoinette. Shani came prepared with some hair wefts, all sorts of flowers, feathers and a bird! Shani's hair is only shoulder length, so I used GHD's over hot sticks, to create tight curls on two wefts of hair, and pinned them into the back. I used small tongs on her own hair, and pinned the hair as I worked my way up the head from the nape. Pinning all the accesories onto one side, behind an ear finished the look. It was so good to get these photos of the finished look, as so often we are the first stop, before makeup and dress go together. It makes the hour and a half of fiddling worthwhile.