Hair Style
Recession Trend: Wigs
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but being broke is the mother of reinvention and one thing on the verge of being reinvented are wigs as a fashion trend.
Why are wigs going tomake a comeback? Well.. regardless of your ethnic background, getting your hair “did” is expensive- in most cities a cut starts at $20, relaxers and blow outs at $40, and weavers and braids $100 and up. Women are already starting to cut back on beauty services. Wigs offer an easy, cost effective alternative to frequent trips to the beauty salon.
Before you go wig shopping, here’s some tips:
- Get over your wig-phobia. Wigs are no longer the domain of your grandma and the crazy lady on the corner. In fact you would be very surprised by the the number of people you know who wear wigs. Tyra Banks, Oprah, etc all wear what is called lace front wigs.
- If you’re a first timer, head to an establish wig shop- ask friends, family members or find them by typing in the words “wig and your city” into google. The reason why you want to go an established shop is that they will help you select the correct wig for your face shape as well as teach you how to place it correctly on your head (believe me it is not as easy as you think).
- Purchase a wig cap. A wig cap is a nylon/mesh, which can be purchased at your local wig shop for $1-$2, that flattens your own hair so the wig “sits” better on your head.
- When possible, purchase human hair. It’s more expensive, but it lasts longer, is easier to style and you can use regular style tools like flat irons, curling irons, etc without melting the hair. If you are unable to purchase then look for a wig made out of 100% Kanelklon, which is high quality, human like, hair.
- If your wig has a part, make sure it has a “false” scalp, that is the same color as your natural scalp.
- Never, ever, ever, claim that the wig is your real hair.
Some styles to try:
- Chic bob from The Beverly Johnson Line, for $38 at wigs.com
- Long contemporary wig by Forever Young for $44.95 at voguewigs.com
- Layered, tousled look by Forever Young for $49.95 at voguewigs.com
- An affordable human hair wig by Motown Tess for $52.00 at Wilshire Wigs
So, would you wear a wig? For those who do, what are your wig tips?
Barrel Curls: Beauty Trend
What: Big, bold barrel curls are bouncing about.
The Word:Hair stylist David Babaii is quoted in the April issue of In Style magazine as saying that the trend in hair styling is growing, literally: “We’re seeing a lot of volume and larger waves.”
Our Word: This whole sexy, voluptuous hair trend is lots of fun and a true throw back to the seventies. We say, if you got it, flaunt it—stick-straight strands can be so boring anyway. To add some modern-looking fat curls to your locks without looking like Shirley Temple, lightly back-comb your roots before curling them. Use a large round brush or a barrel curling iron like Vidal Sassoon Professional High-Heat Curling Iron 1-1/2”, $18.99, when creating your look. Babaii recommends running your fingers through your hair after it cools for a flirty finish.
Photo: Hairstyle.com
Buy it: Drugstore.com
Braided Beauty: Beauty Trend
What: Big or little, braids will definitely be twisting and shouting their way to dance floors everywhere this prom season.
The Word: According to PromSpot.com, braids will garner more attention than prom dresses this year (well, almost): “From a hippie look to a headband of braids to twisted buns, prom queens love this hot style.”
Our Word: OMG! It’s hard to believe that prom is around the corner. If you’re stressing about what you are going to do with all that hair on your head, try a romantic looking French braid at your hairline. Once you’ve washed and blow-dried your mane, section off the first inch and a half of your crown, from ear to ear. Starting with the side you typically part your hair on to begin your braid. Take small pieces of hair along the way until you end up on the other side of your head. Fasten with a small elastic and tuck the end behind your ear. Try not to make the braid too tight or you could end up with a horrible headache!
Photo: PromSpot.com
Blo & Go: Product Review
What: The recently popular Blo & Go infomercial hypnotized Robin to pick up the phone and charge $19.99 + shipping and handling on her credit card.
The Lowdown: The Blo & Go is one of those things that makes you kick yourself and think, “I could have come up with that!” But you didn’t. Someone else did, someone who is probably very rich by now. Anyhow, when I got my B&G, I immediately pulled out the directions, which are very easy to follow. Simply suction it onto a flat surface and position your blow dryer in it. Having always held the dryer in one hand a brush in the other, it took a little getting used to. But after a few minutes, the love was real. I was able to style the back of my hair without my arms getting tired!
Yea or Nay: Yea. It’s a great tool to help style your hair AND save you some time in the morning.
Buy It: Bloandgo.com
Super-long Center Parted Hair: Beauty Trend
What: Middle parts are splitting more hairstyles down the middle.
The Word: This from the 2008 issue of Elle magazine: Guido Palau, who styled the models from Chloe’s spring runway show: “faked inches by adding extensions too those who didn’t have enough length.” Then, he parted their hair straight down the middle and sent them on their way.
Our Word: Honestly, this isn’t the most interesting beauty trend we’ve uncovered from the recent runway shows. But if you have long hair and the right face shape, a center part can actually be very flattering. Center parts are kind of like an arrow pointing right to your face. Make sure your skin is clear and your makeup is flawless before parting any waves. To define your part, Palau recommends dabbing some hair wax along the scalp. Go easy to avoid “greasy roots.”
Photo: Style.com
Loose Undone Buns: Beauty Trend 2008
What: Buns aren’t just for librarians anymore. An unstructured approach to the conservative bun is winding its way into long hair everywhere.
What the experts say: According to the January 2008 issue of Harpers Bazaar, loose twisted buns were donned by models in a recent Dolce & Gabbana runway show: “To ensure that the hair looked natural, not frozen, the only product we used was a bit of hair spray,“says stylist Odile Gilbert.
What we say: What makes this look so great is that you can wear it if you’re running errands or even spending an evening out on the town. It’s chic, pretty without being overly pretentious or “coiffed” and it’s super simple to do. Before creating a bun, it’s important to make sure your hair is fairly straightened.
1. Lightly apply hair spray throughout your locks to give them some staying power.
2. Divide hair into two sections, creating a part along your crown, so you end up with a section in the back and a section in the front.
3. Take the section in the back and pull it taut like you would when making a ponytail. Twist it into a bun and secure to the back of your head with pins.
4. Next, take the left side of your hair from the front section, pull it back and twist it into the bun. Secure with a pin, but let some ends stick out.
5. Do the same thing on the right side. Any hair left on top of you head, you can repeat this step.
6. Finish with a quick spritz of hair spray and you’re ready to go.
Sleek, Straight, Shiny Hair: Beauty Trend 2008
What: Getting one thing perfectly straight—your hair.
What the experts say: Elle Girl’s Beauty and Fashion Director Emily Dougherty says staying on the straight and narrow path is popular once again. “American socialites love the long, straight, sleek hair look. If you look at the runways where the designers are dressing these women, the models have this hair, too.”
What we say: This sounds like a recycled trend, but really, what trend isn’t? Long, sleek straight locks are beautiful, especially when the hair is shiny and bouncy. That stick-straight, stuck to your skull hair look is so 2003. The tresses Dougherty is talking about have lots of motion and shine. Just how can you achieve this look, you ask? First, pick a product that says “smoothing” and “straightening.” They help to smooth the cuticle while blow-drying and create shine. Work the product into your hands thoroughly and then distribute onto your hair, starting along the bottom. Next, section hair with clips to help organize your blow-dry. All your hair must be dried evenly or it won’t have that sleek look. The thicker and curlier your hair, the smaller the section you should straighten at once. Grab your round brush, and using the nozzle of your dryer, direct the heat straight down the hair shaft. Once each section of hair is straightened, quickly blast it with a shot of cool air from the dryer; this will lock the cuticle in place and prevent frizzing and/or curling. If needed, a straightening iron can finish off the look nicely, but remember to be careful—all of these methods can take a toll on the health of your hair. And no matter how straight it is, overworked hair just ain’t pretty.
Beauty Trend: The Big Bang Theory
What: Super heavy bangs are warming the foreheads of celebs and hair hoppers.
What the experts say: Fringe benefits are apparently back in a big, bold way. Everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Zooey Deschanel and Suri’s mommy, Katie Holmes (not to mention, Suri, herself), is sporting these heavy eyebrow-covering bangs. This from InStyle.com: “Thick fringe softens the angles of your face and makes your eyes the center focus,” says Patrick Melville, owner of NYC’s Patrick Melville Salon.
What we say: There’s a fine line between looking like a chic runway model or a blanket-toting toddler when it comes to this style. While you may be tempted to go the “do it yourself” route and snip a straight line, resist that urge (at least, until we write a post on how to cut your own bangs). Consult with a professional and see if this style du jour really suits your face shape, hair type, etc. Usually, a simple bang cut with a stylist won’t cost you nearly as much as a normal hair cut (only $10-$15) and often times, stylists trim bangs for free.
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