The Shaggy Bob - A great look!  A cross between the bob and a shag, this look works best for guests with fine to medium hair that has some natural texture.  There is a natural beauty and casual feel to this look that I just love!  If you don't have naturally textured hair and would love to try this style, remember; there are plenty of modern styling techniques and products to help you get the texture you might need to wear this look.  Ask your stylist to share their best techniques for adding texture with you!  Created by Monte Haute, hair department head for Glee, this shape was created using both a razor and shears.  I love the contrast of strong and soft textures that combining these tools together gives.  You can also see some slight asymmetry in the layers and graduation around the face.  Asymmetry works well with most facial shapes since it can help to soften sharp features. 
Hot tip:  A hair design that is "not perfect" will help to balance and soften features.  i.e.  think of a perfectly cut straight bob - the lines are perfect and lead the path of the eye directly to wherever the line is cut.
In the shape below, the eye continually roams through the shape looking for a beginning and an end, but never landing on one "line" in particular.  I encourage you to be open to new ideas and embrace a look that might not be "technically perfect", but is visually balanced with texture and continuous movement!  blessings
 

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As the saying goes...."A picture speaks a thousand words!" 
This beautiful, modern short shape was created by Zac Mascolo of Toni & Guy.

No words necessary

blessings

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Here is an excellent example of a modern shape that has been exaggerated for editorial work! Check out the major volume in the front (we haven't seen that in a long time....remember "mall bangs"?!)  As we have been talking about, trends will always borrow from the past and this style is a great play on volume we saw in the early 90's.  What makes it "retro" instead of "vintage" which would be an exact replica of what was done in the 90's is the soft transition from the very flat sides to the volume in the top and crown. 

Also notice the texture is very soft...wispy pieces of hair seem to float out of the design by accident and although there is some definition in the front of the design, over all, the feeling is soft and touchable with a beautiful shine. 
In the past, we would have seen a much harder version of this style and an artificial finish resulting from old technology in our spray products - with modern product, a new approach and a discerning eye we can be inspired by shapes from the past to create our own modern masterpieces!

Products used to create this look by Pureology:     
PureVolume Shampoo and HairCondition, EssentialRepair ColourMax, EssentialRepair InstantRepair, PureVolume Blow-dry Amplifier, RootLift 

blessings

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To understand why trends happen as the saying goes "You can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been."  Look around right now at what you see in hair - what does it remind you of?  Umm...longer in the back, shorter in the front...yes, the Mullet!  Oh my...OK everyone take a deep breath,  that's not to say we are going to see the business in front, party in the back look ever again...it's just to say that once a decade is 20 years old it starts to be revived again.

Right now fashion and hair is being greatly influenced by what happened in the late 80's, early 90's.  What that means is that shapes are strong and unexpected - even if the hair is longer, the interior may be representative of what we saw in those earlier decades (shorter layers in front, longer layers in back).  Hair moving away from the face entirely with volume in the front again.  For those too young to remember these decades let me just say...you are effected by it and don't even realize it.

The military jackets, the lace stockings, the platform shoes, the crazy socks, the washed denim....just to name a few things that the youth of today are checking out that is greatly influenced from those earlier decades.

food for thought...

blessings

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As I mentioned yesterday, education is not just about learning a new technique or trend.  But that is not to say that we don't love learning those things too!  We are part of an industry that changes along with what we see happening in Art, Fashion, Science and World Economics to name just a few.  When people ask me "so..what's new?"  it's difficult to give an answer in just a few words.

I could say that strong shapes, strong colors (red, red, red), artificial looking haircolor in all shades, hairstyles that give you a "double identity", hairstyles that have "cut outs" are in and hairstyles that "tilt" are all the rage!  I could also say that "short is the new long".  These are all true statements that you can see happening on the streets of fashion today.  But I think that when my guests ask me "what's new?" what they want to hear specifically is what can be new for them.  In other words, it's up to us as an artist to translate what's happening on the streets of fashion for our guests.  Not everyone can wear an artifical looking red haircolor all over.  But...many guests can wear an artifical looking red if it's the right shade placed correctly and highlighted through the design they already have.  

Right now it is very fashionable to be an individual and that's the whole point.  Your hairstyle should represent who you are - not the person who designed the look for you.  Express yourself and have fun!

more  tomorrow...

blessings

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The classic bob - you gotta love it!  If you think about one haircut that has stood the test of time for decades, the award would definitely go to this classic shape!  The great thing about wearing a timeless look is that no matter what the fashion is - you're in! 

A great bob like the one Katie Holmes is wearing in the pic below will draw attention to the neck, collarbone and jawline.  It's just a great cut that accentuates the best of feminine features.  It really looks beautiful on almost every facial shape and works well with most hair textures.  I love the playful and dramatic bangs shown here.

If the thought of cutting bangs like these causes you to break out into a sweat remembering when you cut them yourself and had to endure school pics with baby bangs, take heart and ask your stylist what type of fringe would look best for you!  Side swept bangs are dramatic, sexy and easier to wear.  I think that will be a great topic for a future conversation! 

When it's all said and done - have fun! Your hairstyle should give you confidence and an extra bounce in your step!  blessings

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Rihanna is a beautiful example of supershort with lots of layers.  It's sexy and edgy at the same time.  This is a great look for clients with petite frames because the hair will not overwhelm the body.  As we have talked about before about creating a look that is uniquely your own!  Ask your stylist how to customize and adjust any look to make it work for your facial shape and hair texture.

One thing to consider is that short hair like this requires  a shaping about every 4 weeks.  To keep your look easy to manage choose products that can be layered into the hair as it dries.  For example, a lightweight gel or styling spray is perfect to begin your blowdry with.  As the hair dries you can add a bit more of the styling spray (I love Redken's new Wax Blast 10!) to give added texture as you style.  Finally, finish with a texturizer like Pureology's Dry Hair Shiner and you have the perfect blend of volume, texture and hold!    blessings

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So...you want something completely different and daring!  Here you go...Jessica Stroup's short cropped look is the perfect complement to Fall's feminine silhouettes.  This look works best on someone with petite features. The design is very strong and will look great with oval or soft triangular facial shapes.  Talk to your stylist if this look interests you.  Remember, we want to create a style that is uniquely your own and not an exact copy of someone else.  So even if your facial shape and features are not perfect for this exact look there are many other options for you in a shorter look.  A thorough consultation with your stylist will guide you in the right direction!
Haircolor for this look should have a monochromatic feel for maximum impact.  Highlights are kept to a minimum and the focus is on fresh and vibrant haircolor. 
blessings
 

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For years one of the most requested celebrity styles in the salon has been Jennifer Aniston.  Since her days on "Friends" when our guests would ask for the "Friends Cut!" she has maintained her classic and easy-going look. 
It's a great lesson for all of us - we can follow the trends and keep our look modern without losing the true essence of our own style.  Her blonde shades are beautiful & believable.  This is a great blonde for Fall - beautiful shades of Honey and Butterscotch follow the trend of "warmer" haircolor this season.  Check out the skin tone though - you will want to talk to your stylist during your consultation to see what complements your skin tone best.  Your stylist can guide you to how warm or cool your haircolor should be and the best placement of the colors for your design.  blessings!

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