New Year, New Look: More Bang with Bangs

Taylor Swift at the AMA Awards

 Bangs come and bangs go, and today bangs are hot! I love bangs – they bring out a woman’s eyes, they are sexy and carefree, and can be used to create different effects based on the shape of your face and the texture of your hair. Why not consider a new look along with your New Year’s Resolutions? Oh, and did I mention that the best thing about bangs is that they make any woman look younger?!

Reese Witherspoon/InStyle.co

Katy Perry/InStyle.co

Nicole Ritchie/InStyle.com

Heidi Klum/InStyle.com

From Taylor Swift’s blunt fringe debuted at the American Music Awards, to Reese Witherspoon’s side-swept style, bangs are a staple of celebrity hair. Personalities as diverse as Heidi Klum, Katy Perry, and Nicole Ritchie are all sporting their own version of the fringe. Bangs can be totally rock-and-roll and a bit messy, or smoothly controlled and very geometric. Remember though, not all faces are created equal. Before we start cutting, I have to take into account the shape of your face and the rest of your hair. Look at Nicole Richie, who has a lovely square face. Heavy bangs with tapered sides work for her and create a flattering balance. 

Jennifer Hudson/InStyle.com

When we cut your bangs, you have a whole new set of styling challenges. I will show you tricks for styling your bangs, the easiest of which is to blow dry and brush your bangs all the way to the left side, and then to the right side, and finally straight on. A bit of matte wax or pomade can be used to pinch and piece strands to allow a bit of your forehead to peek through. If we cut a heavier, more geometric fringe, I’ll show you how to make those Cleopatra bangs lie flat and cooperative. At my salon at Two City Plaza, we always offer free bang trims. 

The other beauty of bangs is that they do grow out, and I can show you how to handle blending them in when you’re ready for yet another CHANGE, my beautiful fashionistas.

The Bold & the Beautiful: This Season’s Haircolor

Ashley Olsen and Jessica Biel reveal new haircolors. 

It made beauty news when both Ashley Olsen and Jessica Biel went from their trademark blonde-with-highlights hairstyles to brunette. Like many other celebrities, both of these actors are quick-change artists when it comes to their tresses and have been a variety of shades from pale blonde to these new shades of brown – a warm brown with reddish tones for Ms. Olsen, and a cool espresso brown for Ms. Biel. The drastic changes for both of these actresses are part of the latest hair color fashion trend – take it bold. As a Board Certified Master Haircolorist, I have the education and experience to help you choose a vibrant new color, while keeping your hair in the best condition possible. Here are some examples of this statement-making trend…

Naomi Watts/InStyle.com

Blonde
The inspiration: Actress Naomi Watts
The palette: The typical striped and symmetrical highlights are nowhere to be seen this season. Instead, I’m working with the entire base shade, then adding a very few highlights in places they would fall naturally, and giving the whole head of hair a translucent glaze for shine, condition, and to really make the chosen color pop against the deep fall/winter clothing colors. Think butterscotch, golden rum, or buttercup in the warm family, or a cool Grace Kelly ash blonde, champagne, or Sahara sand.  

Lea Michele/Instyle.com

Brunette
The inspiration: Actress Lea Michele of Glee
The palette: The range of brunette colors is really amazing and gorgeous, everything from luscious mink to the deepest espresso. We’ll choose a color based on your skin tone’s warmth or coolness, and how many shades deeper you can go while looking natural and rich, rich, rich.   

Christina Hendricks/InStyle.com

Red
The inspiration: The year’s hottest redhead, Christina Hendricks of Mad Men
The palette: It seems Christina Hendricks has single-handedly reignited a number of trends since exploding to fame this year: fabulous womanly curves, and brazenly red hair. Her hair is the perfect example of the reds we’re looking at for this season: fiery, rich, and with a glorious amount of shine. I will make sure your red is vivid and multi-dimensional, not the often flat reds you see from home hair color. And imagine how this shade will look against your fall and winter clothes and their deep/neutral palette!