Emerson Salon – Capitol Hill Seattle

I’ve found that center parts, buns and chignons have been this year’s most used classic modern trends. From the Miu Miu runway, to the red carpet with Mila Kunis, to the grocery store and the mall, we see these trends popping up everywhere!

Center parts are great because its a fast fix to elongate the face shape and in some cases it can visually accentuate hair length as well. A center part is great whether the hair is worn up or down. Wearing your hair down makes it seem casual and fresh, while putting it up looks elegant and sophisticated. The center part can be used for modern, straight looks as well as bohemian and wavy.

Kim Kardashian is known for her thick, raven locks that she usually prefers to wear down with a center part. She wears this look often for red carpet appearances, her tv show, interviews and so on. She’s getting married soon, do you think it will be up or down, center part or side? We can’t wait to see!
If you have a similar hair type to Kim try using these tips:

• Prep your towel dried hair prior to washing and conditioning with Silky Sleek Brilliance Cream by Alterna Bamboo which uses an Indian Gooseberry extract. It even has minute shine particles that catch the light! (Tip:Make sure to part the hair in the center part by aligning it with the nose.)
• Using a larger bristle round brush, blow dry the hair making sure to elevate the sections above the part for root volume. Feel free to use Body.Builder by Kevin.Murphy on the roots if your is extra thick or dense. It is a spray in mousse and can be aimed only where you need it.
• Using a larger barrel curling iron, take larger vertical sections and slightly twist them. Start the curl near the root for lift and then roll the section horizontally making sure the ends are wrapped all the way into the curling iron.
• Allow the curls to cool and separate lightly with Kevin.Murphy’s wide toothed anti-static comb.
• Spray with Alterna Working Spray to finish

Buns and chignons (the french term for tightly knotted hair at the nape) are quick and easy as it only takes a hairband and a few bobby or hairpins to secure. This type of style is great to show off bridal or formal gowns in addition to casual maxi dresses as it accentuates the bare neck, decollete and shoulders. Show off some new jewelry this way or your newfound summer tan! (Tip: A fun way to spice up a bun is to move it to a side bun with loose waves. )

Gwyneth Paltrow is also known for her fine, golden locks in addition to her new vocal styling contributions on Glee. She sports the center part for her formal and casual looks, yet rarely chooses to don the upper bun style for those formal occasions. This is probably because down styles are quicker to do with 2 kids and a crazy career! Also, a down style tends to deaccentuate a squarish jaw like Gwyneth’s. Think of ways to use hair to accentuate and deaccentuate your strengths and flaws. It can’t hurt to know what enhances your look rather than the opposite!
It takes a good amount of prep to maneuver a lesser density hair type like Gwyneth’s into a sixties style bouffant bun. Here are some tips on achieving this look on a fine to medium density hair type:

• Wash with Angel.Wash and Rinse from Kevin.Murphy, towel dry and apply Anti.Gravity oil free volumizer all over.
• Spray Body.Builder into the roots prior to a rough blowdry.
• Once dry, use cushion boar bristle brush to “back brush” volume into the ends and crown.This makes a soft volume that can be easily smoothed. Feel free to use Powder.Puff by KM at the crest of the head to support the backbrushing.
• Part the hair in the middle making sure to smooth back the crown.
• Gather all the hair slightly off center at the nape of the head and using bobby pins, hook the chignon into itself and into the hair outside the bun. Do this a few times and you will have a super sturdy bun!
• Spray with Alterna Hard Hold Spray to finish.

With a little work, a little product and the right styling tools, you are on your way to debuting these great looks!
Wanna avoid the hassle? Book a styling session with Emerson Salon today!

Post by D’Arcy