Braids, Buns, and Ponies Spring is here and there’s romance in the (h)air. Maybe the most clever way to disguise humidity’s ill effects, Spring’s updos run the gamut from edgy to flirty and everywhere in between. Don’t be limited to the ubiquitous topknot–though we’re not through with them yet–and experiment instead with ponies and chignons at the nape of the neck. Braiding becomes eccentric, looking more like sailors’ knots rather than the classic undone side braid of seasons past. To achieve this look: Start with a leave-in conditioner like Brocato saturation™ to detangle and tame frizz. Next, choose one of two paths: Textured or Sleek. For a textured look, bulk up the hair with Sam Brocato Salon’s Tease on dry hair. For a sleek look, use a water based silicone infusion such as Brocato actives™. And with both styles, finish the look with a light holding spray, like Brocato moveable hold™.
Sleek Side Part Classically, deep side parts surface during cooler months, leaving beachy middle parts for the summer heat. This spring, our combs attract asymmetry instead of gravitating towards the expected middle. The deep side part is seen either smooth and sleek or lightly tousled, and can be combined with a low chignon or pony as well. Prep with Brocato supersilk pure indulgence shampoo™ following with a dime to quarter size of the Leave-in Conditioner. On dry hair, tousled styles are achieved with a volumizing dry shampoo like Brocato big easy™ sprayed at the root. For a runway to realway moment, try Brocato holdon™ gel on damp hair at the crown to achieve a high gloss hold with major shine.
TextureIn contrast to the sleek control of the deep side part, texture is back in a big way this Spring. Careful though, these are no Shirley Temple ringlets. Curls are edgy, matted, and unkempt. No matter what your natural texture, all hair types can achieve their own versions of this look. For fine hair, look for a texturizing mist like Brocato back to the beach™. Spray on damp hair and diffuse with a dryer. For medium texture hair, try a curl enhancing product like Brocato curlkarma curl energizing cream™ to inspire the curl to form and reduce frizz. Whether you dry your hair with a diffuser or air dry, make sure to break up the curl by massaging the roots with your fingers. Coarse hair may need a little extra weight, found in a product like Brocato curlinterrupted curl calming balm™. Apply to wet hair and let hair dry or diffuse.
Isn’t it funny how bangs are fashion forward, but snip just a little past the ears and you’re in mullet territory?
Two years ago, if you had asked, I would have told you my hair goal was this ^, seen here in the above photo of Sonia Braga. I wanted a superseventies mop of unruly curls, something to encourage my natural texture. Then SUPERSILK happened, and I lost my frizz. Since I’m not a huge fan of failure, it was time to find a new hair goal.
I would love to say Mobama was my hairspiration, but to be honest, it was another follicular masterpiece: I loved the way Chanel/Balenciaga/Chloe model Freja Beha’s beautiful face was framed by a mop of shaggy waves. Clearly I look nothing like Freja, but her impeccable coif was enough to push me over the edge and into the stylist’s chair.
I think curly hair does not usually play well with bangs. Luckily, we have Freja (and her stylists) to show us how it’s done. Jiwon Yang, prodigy level stylist at SBS, took the challenge. Jiwon explained my hair was naturally curlier than Freja’s, but she thought it would still look good, just different. Worse case scenario: we’d just shave it off, right? HAH.
At first, Jiwon and I both agreed I looked like Xena, Warrior Princess. Props to Lucy Lawless and her artistry at kicking ass, but that just wasn’t the look I was going for. A few million adjustments later, and Jiwon had nailed it. She added layers, framed my face with a super long fringe, and cut off some of the dead ends. My hair was different, and it actually looked GREAT. Well-known SBS clients, and even a few of my coworkers didn’t recognize me at first. Jiwon noticed that I had blue eyes for the first time. People thought I had colored my hair, gotten work done (it helps when your hair change covers forehead wrinkles), or just loved the look overall. I was floored, really, I just had one concern. I’m a style chameleon and bangs, if nothing else, are a COMMITMENT. I’ve had bangs before, and you pretty much have one look every day. This is not how I roll.
Thankfully, Jiwon knows me well enough not to trap me into a one note haircut. She cut the bangs as long as I could possibly stand them, so I’d have more versatility in my styling. Though I won’t picture it here, I can still fake the “no bangs” look with a little Tease and Big Easy. I can wear them curly in a sad attempt at the Freja hair, I can wear my hair in top knots, milkmaid braids, and a ponytail, I can wear it smooth and wavy like Daisy Lowe or super straight a la Cher.
In summary: THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER AND THE STYLES ARE ENDLESS. I think I’ll get that embroidered on a pillow.
I forced Hayley Mohan, author of our blog Straight Face, to make record of my style changes. In case you didn’t believe me, there’s proof in the pudding photos:
Here is my Before photo. Obviously I had to lose my green panel if I wanted bangs. And please note that I am aided by some lovely instagram filters in all of these shots.
BEFORE
AFTER
The best part of all is that clearly I work at a salon, and can therefore get bang trims as needed. The best part for our clients is that we give free bang trims in between cuts. So don’t be afraid! These days, it’s fringe with benefits.
Since we’re lucky enough to live in the age of the ‘net, we’ve got information readily at our fingertips. Usually this means it’s harder to dupe us into buying ineffective products, and manufactures work harder to bring new technologies to the table. On the other hand, the wealth of information can be overwhelming and confusing, when facts and opinions seem to contradict each other at every turn. One week ago today, we hosted our first public event of 2013, The Chemistry of Beauty, to quiz some of the best minds in the beauty biz. Sam Brocato, Brocato Cosmetic Scientist Sherry, East Coast trainer for Smashbox Stephanie Vazquez, and fashion blogger Rachel Dickinson joined us for a panel discussion to weed through some of the myths and get to the truth behind the marketing.
Hadley, Sherry, Sam, Rachel, Stephanie
Thanks to everyone who came out last Wednesday for braving the slushy cold and bringing killer questions. If you missed last Wednesday’s event, not to worry. Come hang with us for a hair demo/movie night on March 20th!
Check out Rachel’s blog, Rachel the Stylish Wanderer
All photos by Nichole Washington
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