Change for Change’s Sake, Changes for the Better, and Cautionary Tales…

Last week, we posted before-and-after photographs of nine high-profile celebrities who made major hairstyle changes in the first 31 days of 2012, either cutting, coloring, or doing both! Celebrities have truly become the barometers of beauty and fashion for the masses, and they have the financial power to indulge their whims and change their hair as often as their clothes. It’s wonderful to have so much inspiration to make changes to your own style, but as we give you our opinions – as promised – we’ll also impart some advice about what is involved in being a color-and-cut chameleon.  

Cameron Diaz, old before her time

Cameron Diaz: Your opinions were unanimous, and agreed with ours – Cameron’s new color and cut age her tremendously. In fact, we think she looks downright matronly, and her hair looks fried. Her former warm tones were much more flattering to her skin, and even though she changed her makeup colors to complement the new platinum shade, the overall effect turned a quirky, exotic comedienne into a middle-aged “Housewife of Beverly Hills.” She’s a cautionary tale for trying on wigs before making a change so drastic. And more than one person commented that her new color and style make her look like Ellen Barkin, who is 18 years her senior. 

Miley Cyrus, au natural

Miley Cyrus: From extensions to natural! What a relief it must be to have them removed. Although her “before” picture shows her hair at flattering and natural-looking mid-back length, she’d kept adding more and longer lengths with multi-toned and textured extensions that had no resemblance to real hair. Ms. Cyrus commented that after six years of wearing extensions, she felt enough was enough. Her new cut is flattering and will allow her hair to replenish while still maintaining some length. The sunglasses, however, are totally unflattering for her facial shape.

It’s difficult for women who are accustomed to the extra length and thickness to get used to how their own hair feels again, because it’s going to have some damage and need time to recover and re-grow. The most important thing to know about extensions is that they are very high-maintenance, and if you cannot afford to take care of them, don’t do it because you can severely damage your hair. They add extra weight to the hair, and as the hair grows, the extensions are further from the scalp. You can’t comb or brush the hair between the scalp and the extension, and it tangles, so you pull to try and smooth it, and you have breakage.  Extensions are an investment, never take the cheap route, and if you can’t afford the maintenance, you’re going to end up with broken and severely damaged hair. Use clip-in extensions instead and save yourself the trauma.

Selena Gomez, acting her age

Selena Gomez: The “before” photo of Ms. Gomez looking so elegant at an award show, contrasted with the new neon extensions, reminds us of how young she really is. It’s a look for the young rebel at heart, and you can pull it off with the right amount of attitude, and with the right clothes and makeup – but be classy and selective. Placement of these bright extensions needs to accent the shape of your face. And, of course, you can put them in and take them out like you change outfits. It truly is fashion freedom for the hair.

Dakota Fanning's Dip Dye Disaster

Dakota Fanning: Dip dye gone horribly wrong! It looks as if she fell asleep in her Kool-Aid. In our opinion, Dakota probably did this at home. It’s an interesting trend executed poorly; if you want to try the dip dye look, there’s a proper way to have it done professionally so there is no line of demarcation. We understand even her mother has said in the press that it looks awful, but she has to let Dakota be herself. Let’s hope she discovers that her “self” looked absolutely lovely before.

The Katy Perry Blues

Katy Perry:  We were not surprised that very few of you thought you’d try out Katy Perry’s new haircolor; many of you thought her “before” blonde-with-a hint-of-pink was one of her best looks. But an integral part of Katy Perry’s persona is a tendency to drastic transformations. Dying your hair blue is for people who want to make a statement, who don’t care what other people think, who are confident in their choices and change what they want, when they want. If you’re that kind of person, go blue! Or hot pink, or lavender. Just remember the key words: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. It’s a look for someone where cost is no object, and who has no one to answer to about their appearance. For many people, turning up at work with blue hair could cost them their job. If you’re even considering a color change of this nature, make sure you have the freedom to do so.

Wild for Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde: First, she cut the bangs last year and her eyes became the focal point, and she went from another pretty actress to really sexy. Now, Ms. Wilde has cut her long, flat-ironed and very layered hair to just graze her shoulders, darkened her base color, and changed her highlights to gold and caramel. It’s amazing how adjusting the tones and highlights can enrich your look and blend so beautifully with your skin. Her eyes stand out even more, yet the color changes are subtle and not overdone. We definitely like her new look.

Michelle Williams: Just Perfect!

Michelle Williams: Here’s the perfect example of how simply changing the color can make a drastic difference. She hasn’t modified her now-trademark pixie cut at all, but she’s been everything from the palest platinum to baby blonde, and always had to compensate for the fact that those light shades blended into her skin by using makeup to create some contrast and bring in color. Her new pale strawberry blonde warms her up beautifully, giving her a glow better than any makeup could. It’s like trying on the same dress in different colors and not being very impressed, then suddenly you put on the one that is the perfect shade for you, and you look amazing.  We love this “after.”

Kim Kardashian: Can Do No Wrong?

Kim Kardashian: “Before” is long, soft, and wavy; “After” is dramatic Cleopatra bangs and straight, shiny layers. It’s a matter of preference here – Kim Kardashian is beautiful, and she has an absolutely gorgeous head of hair. She has the right facial shape and proportions to carry off either look. We were evenly divided in the salon on which look we preferred, and the comments we got from you were as well.

Jessica Biel: Change for change's sake?

Jessica Biel: This is an example of hair color being treated much like clothing fashions. Today, with the incredible range of hair services and colors available, it’s become as changeable as heel heights or hem lengths, flares or skinny jeans. And with celebrities as our icons, we watch as they constantly morph their look, from boho to sophisticate, from avante garde to sporty. They change from one hair cut and hair color to another, they want longer hair and get extensions, they change the color again at a whim. If you’re going to change your haircolor as frequently as a celebrity, do it professionally and properly because it puts stress on the hair, and you can’t see the damage underneath when you do it yourself. You don’t throw a pair of pants in the dryer that need to be dry cleaned; your hair is the same. Put it in the hands of professionals and remember than when you see pictures like these, you’re seeing Ms. Biel at her best, and someone’s spent a few hours on her hair, washing and conditioning, using the right products, blowing it out, using other heat tools and making it look perfect. Is one color better on her than the other? We really couldn’t say – they’re both flattering, shiny, healthy-looking, she’s made slight adjustments in her makeup to compensate, so the whole package works either way. This was likely just change for change’s sake, like switching from faded denim to dark indigo jeans.

  

So, until next week, ciao… 

2012: Are YOU Ready for a Change?

Cameron Diaz

Katy Perry

Does a New Year make you long for a “new you”? 

It appears to make a lot of celebrities feel that way – nine high-profile, headline-worthy bold-faced names changed their hair color, cut their hair, or did both. 

Michelle Williams

Miley Cyrus

Some were subtle changes; others daring, or downright shocking, depending on your sense of propriety. 

Olivia Wilde

Some are definite improvements (the removal of tired extensions, for example), but not all are for the better. 

Selena Gomez

Rather than go through them one by one and give you our opinion as we usually do, we’d like YOUR opinions first. 

Would you dye your hair blue? Would you cut off a foot of hair? 

Would you remove your extensions when everyone’s known you to have long hair for years, or add colored extensions for an edgy look? 

Kim Kardashian

Jessica Biel

Would you cut bangs to change your look for 2012? 

Would you go blonder, tone down your blonde, go darker, go a little red or stop trying to stay red, change the color of your highlights, or even try dip-dying? 

Dakota Fanning

Let us know what you think of what Cameron, Miley, Selena, Dakota, Katy, Olivia, Michelle, Kim, and Jessica all did in just four short weeks, whose hair you like, love and/or hate, and whose hair you’d like to replicate. 

We look forward to what you have to say, and then we’ll tell you what WE think next week!

Until then, ciao!  

The Golden Globes: The Low-Down on the Up-Do

Emma Stone/Getty Images

The 2012 Golden Globe Awards were practically an homage to the art of the up-do; if we had to guess, we’d say there were more celebrities with their hair up than down. And among the up-dos, the most popular version was the low bun, or as one of my clients put it, “the low-down up-do.”

Charlize Theron/Getty Images

It is a very popular style right now for formal events, because it has a softness that is casual yet elegant, and there is a simplicity to it so that it never feels “overdone.” 

Jessica Alba/Getty Images

Of course, achieving that casual elegance takes a lot of work! Our favorites were Emma Stone, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, and Kate Winslet.

Then there were the high up-dos, with the absolute pinnacle of the evening embodied by Angelina Jolie. 

Kate Winslet/Getty Images

She was just breathtaking in every element of her look, from the high chignon, to the strong red lip and understated eye makeup, to the Atelier Versace gown. Perfection.   

Other high up-dos we loved were Kate Beckinsale, and Miss Golden Globe, model/actress Andie MacDowell’s daughter, Rainey Qualley. What a lovely young lady!

As we always point out, what makes a hairstyle work isn’t just a hairstyle. It’s the total package, and never more so than at events of this nature – it’s almost a whole change of personality. You’re trying to look your very best, and with the gown and the shoes and the jewelry and the hair, you have to pay just as much attention to your makeup. 

Angelina Jolie/Getty Images

Angelina plays by the classic rule: strong lip and soft eye, or like Emma Stone, strong eye and soft lip. If you make the mistake of applying strong color to both features, the eye doesn’t know where to focus, especially given all of those other elements. You’re like a recipe with too many ingredients, and with no focal point, you’re more of a disaster than a feast for the eyes.

Kate Beckinsale/Getty Images

We have to say that as a group overall, everyone looked much better at this year’s Golden Globes than last year. 

Andie MacDowell and daughter Rainey Qualley, Miss Golden Globe

Yes, there were some missteps, but they were definitely the exception. And we’re sure that with every fashion magazine, entertainment TV show, and blog weighing in with their opinion, those who made poor choices will look much better at the next awards show – after all, the Golden Globes are the opening act for the entire award show season.

Until next week, ciao!

The Top 10 Styles We Loved in 2011

Keira Knightly

Jennifer Anniston

1. THE BEAUTIFUL BOB: As exemplified by Keira Knightly and Jennifer Anniston, this classic cut is so versatile and has so many variations that it looks different on every woman who wears it. Whether chin-length or a “lob,” the bob is here to stay, and for good.

2. THE BIG BANG THEORY: Bangs are sexy. Heavy fringe, wispy bits, sideswept, graduated – it doesn’t matter. 

Kelly Rowland

Mischa Barton

Bangs are sexy, and bring attention right to the eyes. Kelly Rowland and Mischa Barton are both beautiful, but those bangs just transform them.

3. THE ‘DO THAT WON'T DIE: It’s long, it’s shiny, it’s parted in the center, and it’s straight. 

Demi Moore

Cat Deeley

This was Jennifer Anniston before she moved herself into another category, Demi Moore, and Cat Deeley. They may sometimes allow a bit of curl, an off-center part, or even wear it up, but 99% of the time, it’s down and flowing.

4. THE RETURN OF CURLS: 2011 was the year calling all curly girls to set down the flat iron and come out to play. 

AnnaLynn McCord

Taylor Swift

With so many fantastic products on the market now to help handle curly hair without weighing it down, making it crunchy, and keeping the curls in condition while eliminating frizz, it didn’t have to be a secret any longer. 

AnnaLynn McCord and Taylor Swift are examples of fabulous curl-girls who wear their hair straight, too. How wonderful to be able to have the best of both worlds.

Alexa Ray Joel

Blake Lively

5. THE CHIGNON (THE BUN): The sheer variety of chignons we saw on celebrities and on the fashion runways was amazing! At one end of the spectrum, Alexa Ray Joel wears the classic ballerina bun, and at the other, Blake Lively’s low chignon was all modern texture.

6. HOLLYWOOD RETRO: The award show season and movie premieres always seems to bring out someone’s “Hollywood Retro” tendencies. 

Jessica Chastain

Evan Rachel Wood

Whether it’s Veronica Lake’s deep side part, swooping bang and curled ends on Jessica Chastain,  or the finger-waved bang on Evan Rachel Wood’s usually punky crop, new Hollywood never forgets the classics.   

7. THE PONY TAIL: It was high, it was low, it was messy, it was controlled – and it was everywhere, not just the gym. 

Fergie

Marchesa's runway

Our favorites were the highs and lows, shown here on Fergie and the runway at Marchesa, respectively.

8. THE HALF-DOWN UP-DO: This style has always been a personal favorite – like bangs, it is an inherently sexy, just-rolled-out-of-bed look that seems artlessly undone, even though it takes a lot of work to make it look so haphazard. 

Anna Paquin

Proenza Schuler

No surprise that it’s a favorite style of Angelina Jolie. Here, Anna Paquin wears hers with a bit more control than they did on the Proenza Schuler runway.

9. BOHO BRAIDS: There were celebrities sporting braids in 2011 than any kindergarten playground.  Braided bangs, mini braids, fishtails, braided up-dos…you name it. 

Rag & Bone runway

Alexander McQueen

We particularly like the braids on display on the Rag & Bone and Alexander McQueen runways as exemplifying how the style is now quite grown up.

10. THE SEXY PIXIE: There were plenty of pixies to pick from in 2011, but the haircut heard round the world was Emma Watson’s snip after she wrapped the last “Harry Potter” film. 

Emma Watson

Ginnifer Goodwin

She went from bookish, shaggy ‘tween Hermione to sexy young woman Emma, landing a contract with Lancome. Ginnifer Goodwin’s pixie was another game-changer, transforming her from the pretty young third wife of a polygamist on HBO’s “Big Love” to a sexy, green-eyed siren.

Now that you’ve seen the top ten trends we loved during 2011, we want to know what inspires you to change your own trends? Do think you may do something different in 2012? Leave a comment and let us know if you’re contemplating transformation!

Until next week, ciao…

A Preview of 2012: Boho Chic

As an Intercoiffure Salon, we attend many of their Atelier events and see some very exciting work that will be influencing cuts and colors many months before they ever show up on fashion runways, in magazine editorials, or on the streets. 

Intercoiffure’s Fashion Director is the world-famous Vivienne Mackinder, a consistently award-winning conceptual stylist and colorist who is considered “The Hairdresser’s Hairdresser.” Her latest work, which she calls “Boho Chic,” is absolutely gorgeous, unlike the hairstyles one usually sees at symposia and shows for hair professionals, where the more outrageous and over-the-top, the better. 

Every model in these photographs could have walked right out onto the street, and the only stares would have been those of envy from women, and appreciation from men – not stares of “what happened to her??” or comments like, “she needs to wash that off!”

  

Ms. Mackinder’s look for 2012 is all about texture, which is reflected in everything from the hairstyles to the haircolors to the clothes she dressed them in to the makeup they are wearing. Both their hair and clothes are full of movement and softness. 

And like the many layers of clothing, you also see layers of hair and hairpieces (in braids, curls, and waves) and colors (multi-tonal highlights, pale pinks, watercolor tones like violets and turquoise).Yet everything is classy and nothing is overdone. Nothing is slick; everything is soft and touchable. Even when the hair is down, there is a lot of waves and curls. 

When it is pushed back off the face, often with a braid or a twist of hair worn like a headband across the forehead, you can see the makeup has the same softness and watercolor tones and textures in the tinges of yellow, turquoise, blue and violet. 

Nothing is overpowering or too strong, just like the hairstyles and colors. It all flows together like a beautiful collage, and the makeup simply finishes it all off beautifully. 

Unlike many fashion trends, this Boho Chic look is a little covered up and leaves something to the imagination, at a time when so many women tend to overdo it. 

This is all so wearable, in public, at a party. These looks are eye catching, but WOW eye-catching, because they really are different amd very beautiful. 

Any woman is going to look stunning in these combinations of cut, color, makeup, and fashion. The organic, nature-inspired quality will be very popular in 2012, and we’re looking forward to adapting these looks for our clients.

Welcome to 2012, and until next week, ciao!