Emerson Salon – Capitol Hill Seattle

One of the hottest flicks making the rounds at Sundance this year is a new movie showcasing the early careers of Joan Jett and Cherie Curie in their infamous band The Runaways. This movie stars Kristen Stewart (ie Bella from Twilight) and Dakota Fanning as you have never seen them. Amazingly the two actresses pull off the angsty teen rockstar personas incredibly well. Check out the trailer here:

Kristen and Dakota both went through pretty dramatic hair transformations to fill their roles.

First, lets see how Kristen’s hair as Joan Jett is achieved:

Kristen got this hair color by choosing a natural black or blue black shade. If you are looking for a similar color, consider using a semi or demi-permanent because permanently applying darker tints can be problematic to remove or color correct. If going permanently black, be committed to keeping it for longer than 6 mos.

Kristen is sporting what we call “a shag.” By definition, The Shag Haircut is generally short, layered, with more layers at the crown of the head than below. This is also known as a concave haircut that eliminates length and bulk on top but leaves those elements around the perimeter. The version that Kristen has contains some customization. The basic line and shape can be created first with over-directed layers above the head shape. Then random texturizing techniques are used to create the chunky/pieceyness.

Some disconnection is involved to create height and funk to the crown. This means the the hair is not cut based on the head shape or previous layering system. It is simply lifted up 2-3 inches from the crown and cut straight across. The bangs are rounded above the eyebrows and razored for a punky look.

To style: Blowdry roughly until 50% dry. Add Kevin Murhpy’s Bodyguard lotion and dry roughly until 100% dry. Use Alterna’s sculpting putty on the mid shaft to ends and flat iron to eliminated frizz and create sleekness. Add extra putty to the crown for height and spray with Kevin Murphy Session Spray for firm hold. Tousle your hair and you are good to go!

Here is how Dakota’s hair as Cherie Curie is achieved:

Dakota’s mid length hair looks likes its been lightened. She has naturally light hair so on her this was probably achieved using high lift tint which can be less damaging to hair than bleach lighteners. This process would be called a virgin going lighter color service.

This haircut is a simple layering system based off the head shape. The length is created first at the base of the neck or slightly below and the layering is brought in after. This means all the layers are elevated away from the skull generally between 50 to 90 degrees starting in the back of the head and moving slowly around toward the front. This creates softness and eliminates weight + length. Additional layering is added to the bangs once the desired length of bang is achieved. Some light texturing is involved to lighten density and create wispyness on the ends with texturizing shears.

To style: Rough dry 30% and add Kevin Murphy’s Anti gravity for oomph and volume. Round brush blowdry with a larger boar bristle to create sufficient tension on finer-medium textured hair-types. Do this section by section from the nape upwards. Once dry, turn on your flat iron and add Alterna’s Spray Shine for luminosity that won’t weight the hair down. Then heat style the ends and bangs with the appropriate flip out or under. Toss your hair upside down, then up, shake and spray lightly with Alterna Working Spray as you part and piece out the style.

These two styles are quintessential 70’s rock/glam style. We predict a resurgence of these looks on our streets once the movie is released. Can’t wait!!

post by D’Arcy