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Articles from ‘Women's Hair’

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

They MET Well

This past weekend, The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art held its annual MET gala exhibiting and honoring women’s fashion. Its a star studded event and a perfect opportunity to see who was bold and beautiful and who was not. This year there seemed to be less daring fashions but more play with shorter hemlines and interesting silhouettes. The hair in particular was very diverse and showed how the right hair style can compliment a high end fashion piece.

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We saw two hair trends emerge from the MET steps carpet. The first trend to show itself was the 1930’s -esque smooth waves and high shine. We saw a lot of this at the Oscars red carpet but this look differed in that the waves were tighter and more high fashion. Taylor Swift, Kate Bosworth and Sarah Jessica Parker all donned the trend. The winner of the night overall was Kate Bosworth. Her hair was phenomenal and probably utilized many “old school” techniques like shampoo setting pin curls and finger wave patterns. (An honorable mention goes to SJP as she has had some hair missteps over the last year. Her color was perfect and soft and the waves weren’t too distracting from her gorgeous Halston gown.)

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The other trend of the evening was the slightly messy and “unkempt” loose waves with some light frizz . It is somewhat disappointing to see this “meh” hair in contrast to the wonderful gowns but its generally understood that at such an event the hair is not the star of the gala. We want to bring our attention to the intricately constructed gowns. Claire Danes and Chloe Sevigny stayed understated but accessible with their hair looks. Claire had tousled, messy waves around her shoulders and Chloe took her relaxed wave into a simple, messy updo.

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Lastly, a look unto itself was Renee Zelweger’s blond bob with texture and facial framing. Noone else had anything similar to her hair and she smoldered with it! Going shorter is always a risk but this length is great as it must be easy to style and looks great messy or perfectly coiffed.

Looking to use one of these trends on your hair? Here are some tips:

  • Always start with freshly shampooed and conditioned hair.
  • Use a thermal protectant like Bodyguard by Kevin Murphy (before blow drying.) It drives out water moisture and leaves in the Peruvian bark moisture needed during heat styling.
  • Use a flexible hairspray like Alterna’s Working Spray while styling until you are completely finished. Then use a harder hold to set. Try Session Spray by Kevin Murphy.
  • Don’t forget the shine. When taking pictures you want the hair to gleam regardless of the amount of hairspray added. Rapid Repair Spray by Alterna is great during styling because not only is it shiny, but if you make a mistake it can break down extra product in the hair. When complete, use Spray Shine by Alterna: it gives a luminous shine but sits on the hair and does not break down product.
  • And remember! These trends are only for inspiration. Make your hair look your own by working with natural textures or play with hair jewelry.

We love fabulous hair whether it be formal or casual, trendy or classic. Have fun with your hair! Come in to Emerson Salon and we promise you’ll enjoy it!

post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Events, Styling Tips, Updos, Women's Hair

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Zooey Deschanel’s Stylish Return With She & Him’s Volume 2

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“She and Him” is a newer two person band started by Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward. Most people know Zooey as a film actress in such movies as Elf, 500 Days of Summer, and the Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. She also has been writing and singing songs most of her life and continues to do so now after working on the movie, The Go-Getter, where she met Matt Ward. Zooey tends to write most of the lyrics and melodies herself and Matt (the consummate guitarist) fills in the blanks by producing and arranging. Their music is effervescent but tempers the darker themes with an ambivalent sense of fun.

She and Him just released their second album,”Volume Two,” and just put out a Glee-esque video of “In the Sun.” They have already kicked off their international tour and will be performing here in Washington State this summer at the Sasquatch Music Festival in the Gorge Amphitheater.

Zooey’s hair is one of her trademarks and has utilized a heavy blunt bang to trademark her look. The hair color is an all over darkest brown with dimensional balayage pieces of medium orange brown on the ends for movement. Her cut is a simple long layer haircut with soft texture on the ends.

Want to achieve this style? Here are some recommendations:

  • Towel dry your hair after shampooing/conditioning by scrunching with a towel. This gets the moisture out without roughing up the hair cuticle and creating unwanted frizz.
  • Apply Morroccan Oil Styling Cream to the midshaft to the ends.This gives control to the blowout and cuts down on blow dry time.
  • Section by section, from the nape upwards, use a boar bristle round brush to create soft, fullness while drying.The smaller the barrel of brush the more bend that is achieved on the hair.
  • To create bounce and wave, overdirect the brush slightly upwards while drying. Make sure to direct the hair dryer nozzle down the hairshaft in order to maintain smoothnesss. Then, twist the hair brush slowly to create small, soft spirals to the hair. Slowly pulled the hair out of the brush and allow to cool while completing the rest of the head.
  • Once the longer hair is done, spray lightly with Working Spray by Alterna and scrunch the ends with your palms.
  • For the bang: Start by flat wrapping the bangs around and over the forehead to create a natural fall blow dry. This technique creates tension with the hair around the skull’s roundness and makes beveling the hairstyle easier with a cushion or round brush. A good product to add control to the bang style would be Easy Rider by Kevin Murphy. Its highly conditioning with shea butter and also imparts sparkly shine when heat styled. Spray with Working Spray on the bangs and voila!

How will you trademark your signature look? Consult your Emerson stylist today!!!

post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Color, Women's Hair

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

Goldfrapp Jumps “Head First” Into Her New Album

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Over the past 11 years Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp have explored many facets of electro spun tunes through their unique collaboration. We continue to get excited by the influx of quality female electro/synth artists like Goldfrapp. Their newest album (just released) is called,”Head First,” and leads with the single, “Rocket.” The entire album consists of fantasy/ Xanadu-esque melodies with an up tempo mainstream beat. This newest piece is a departure from Goldfrapp’s last album,”Seventh Tree,” which explored slowly paced ambient songs with poetic lyrics. Goldfrapp will be on tour this year and will be in California specifically this coming June 2010.

In the video for “Rocket,” Alison sports some major style with the newest accessory- black leather half gloves. Rihanna, Kimberly Caldwell and others have been modeling this must have in TV appearances, videos and live performances. In addition, Alison’s hair has always been gorgeous with its soft golden blond hue and natural, shiny, wavy texture. Want this haircolor? Ask your stylist for an all over color that utilizes beige and golden blond. If starting with darker artificial pigment, bleach lightener may be used to color correct to a lighter shade.

When styling on naturally wavy/curly hair: Towel dry after washing then rough dry with a medium setting blowdryer until 60% dry. Apply Morroccan Oil Intense Curl Cream to the midshaft-ends. Scrunch wave/curl into your palm in addition to creating soft twists. Use a diffuser attachment on your blowdryer when drying on a high heat low velocity setting. Once dry, set the style with a shot of cooler temperature air. Mist with Rapid Repair Spray by Alterna for shine and luminosity.

When styling on naturally straight hair: Towel dry after washing and add Antigravity by Kevin Murphy to the entire head. Blow dry on a medium heat setting while the head is upside down. Once dry, lightly mist entire head with Working Spray by Alterna. Using a barrel iron, curl 1-2″ sections of hair all over the head starting at the nape. When done, lightly finger separate the waves and spray lightly again.

Pretty soon, Goldfrapp’s entire album will be moving up the charts as they criss cross the globe spreading their music and style!

post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Ideas, Music, Style, Women's Hair

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Beyonce’s Big Hair

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In an effort to help people with their substance abuse issues, Beyonce unveiled the Pheonix House in Brooklyn, New York. This center helps rehabilitate patients away from drugs and alcohol while simultaneously training them in cosmetology. Doing hair and making people happy can be a great way to feed the soul in addition to being a great career!

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Beyonce also just finished a photoshoot with some exciting editorial hair for her clothing line, House of Dereon.

Want some height like Beyonce’s? Try these tips for this “larger” hairstyle:

  • Spray your dry, brushed out hair lightly with Working Spray by Alterna.
  • Tell your stylist to back comb the entire crown section of hair to create a solid base with lots of height. Then, softly back-brush the sections around the backcombing and pin into a bun shape at the crown. Spray again lightly.
  • The hair around the bun can be lightly back-brushed and then curled with a styling iron. Follow by brushing out the hair into soft waves with a cushion brush and spray lightly again.
  • Slowly layer a harder hold spray as you shape the height with the warmth of your fingers/hands. Mold and sculpt the waves on and around the height at the crown carefully. (Try Membrane Gas by Fudge or Session Spray by Kevin Murphy for extreme hold.)
  • Spray with Hemp Shine by Alterna.

With this stellar hair and height you can rock it like the stars!

post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Women's Hair

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Wedding Hair Trends for Spring

It’s that time of year again. Love is in the air and wedding bells are ringing. Don’t be the bride that looks back on her photos 5 years from now and says “What was I thinking when I got my hair done?!” I say this because it happened to my cousin not too long ago. Of course you want to stay trendy, but don’t go overboard. Ladies – less is more! Luckily, the trends this year are classic, sophisticated and if done properly, they are timeless.

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The birdcage veil – I love this look. It is simple, classic, understated and what is in right now. I wore one at my wedding a few months ago. They come in all different lengths. Some with rhinestones, feathers, flowers or nothing at all. These veils are more playful and stylish. I prefer these to traditional veils as they don’t hide the face as much, if at all. They are also easy to make. A great way to add your own touch to your special day. Just attach the netting to a comb with a little fishing line and add as much or as little sparkle as you want.

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If any of you saw the Sex and The City movie a few years ago, you definitely know what is next on my list – The feathered hair piece. Carrie Bradshaw’s teal, bird head piece was a dramatic version that went well with her couture gown. There are definitely more simplified versions of this look that may better suit your style. I personally love the drama and the color that you can add with these feathers. Just remember to wear something that you are comfortable in and won’t mind seeing in pictures years from now.

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If you’ve got a lot going on with your dress or simply prefer a more sleek look, try a side bun. If you wear side bangs, pull your hair to the opposite side in which you comb them. Loose, low buns are always in style and even more so now. Celebrities are wearing their hair like this on red carpets everywhere.

Post by Amanda

TagsAmanda Kochansky, Bridal Hair, Trends, Wedding Hair, Women's Hair

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Lindsey Vonn Goes to the Olympics

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Lindsey Vonn is an alpine skier on the U.S. Ski Team heading into the Olympics 2010. As the most decorated female US alpine skiier of all time, there is a lot of speculation about her chances in the upcoming games. This NY Times article speculates that Lindsey could be on track to bring in five gold medals this year, to which she replied “Five gold medals? Well, it’s possible. But I haven’t won even one Olympic medal yet. I’d like to win the first one and let’s see from there.”

Her love of skiing began very early on in life, she was on skies at the young age of 3! With 31 World Cup wins in four disciplines (Super G, downhill, slalom and super combined) as well as two World Championship gold medals, she has become the most successful female American skier in World Cup history. Did I mention that she’s only 25 years old?

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In addition to being the best American female skier ever, Lindsey is also very easy on the eyes. Whether she’s on or off the slopes, Lindsey always manages to look her best, playing up her natural beauty. Achieving those tousled, beachy waves is easy! After washing hair and towel-drying, apply Kevin Murphy Motion Lotion to enhance natural waves. Follow by either air-drying the hair or diffusing it. To create soft waves for naturally straight hair, apply Alterna Caviar Anti Aging Color Hold Mousse to damp hair. Follow by using a medium (2 inch) round brush while blow-drying the hair. To complete the look, use Alterna Caviar Anti Aging Color Hold Working Hair Spray.

Post by Andrea

TagsAndrea Lauritsen, Celebrity Hairstyles, Hair Tips, Winter, Women's Hair

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Penelope Cruz’s Broken Embraces

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Pedro Almodovar’s newest film “Broken Embraces” is a must see. The film that has already sparked Oscar buzz stars Penelope Cruz. Almodovar and Cruz have worked together on several other films already, including “Live Flesh,” “All About My Mother,” and “Volver.” The film takes place in the 1990s and then later in 2008. It is a film noir, but with a twist. It is filmed in bright color, making it very beautiful to watch. It has been described as a “four way tail of dangerous love.”

Seen here, is Penelope Cruz in a platinum, modern day Marilyn Monroe wig. Her look is chic, classic and easy to do. All it takes is a big barrel curling iron, a few bobby pins, a ton of backcombing and some good hairspray. Starting at the crown and through the sides, take small sections, and using the fine teeth of a comb begin to back comb at the root. This will create volume and a base for your pins to hold on to. (If your hair is not too long, you may not need pins at all.) From there, you will then take one-two inch sections, starting at the bottom and then curling. You may want some help when working on the back. Work your way up the head, spraying each section as you go. When you get to the front, curl away from your face and loosely curl your bangs. Keep spraying! You’re going to want to let is set briefly before going through it with a boar bristle brush. Gently brush out the curls and pin loosely in the back, keeping it off your neck. If you have a decent amount of back combing, this should be pretty easy to do. Using your fingers, break up the curl in the front and spray.

Check out Penelope’s style and the film, in theatres now.

Post by Amanda

TagsAmanda Kochansky, Celebrity Hairstyles, Movies, Updos, Women's Hair

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Carey Mulligan’s Retro Hair in An Education

The 2010 Oscar nominations were recently announced and one of the 10 films nominated this year for Best Picture is the much buzzed about film, An Education, starring Peter Sarsgard, Alfred Molina, and Carey Mulligan. Carey is also nominated in the best actress category for her role as 16 yr old Jenny.

This movie is set in the 1960’s and shows Jenny as she gets wrapped up in a new relationship with an older man as she travels to Paris. This film utilizes not only the arc of the script but in addition, changes in Carey’s hair. This visually shows the transformation of a girl into a woman as she is being swept up by her sophisticated 30 something lover (Sarsgard.)

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In the beginning of the movie, Jenny has simple 60’s teenager hair. Here is probably how it was achieved:

  • This hairstyle utilizes a medium length longer haircut with minimal texture/layers. The perimeter line is put in first (at the top of the shoulder blades), and then the layers in back are created by slightly elevating them at a 45 degree. Over direction of the front layers towards the previous layer in back creates a subtle texture when styled. Added to the style is a mod style blunt bang/fringe that is shaped around the brow line and upper cheek bones.
  • If your hair is not naturally this color you can consult with your Emerson Salon stylist to find the best shade/tone of dark reddish brown that looks best on you as well as one that fits in with your maintenance needs. People with a cool skin tone look best with orange based browns whereas warmer skin tones look best with neutral to more red violet browns.
  • To style: No hair setting required!!. Carey’s hair has minimal natural texture and can be mostly air dried with a leave in conditioner (try Leave in Luxury by Kevin Murphy). If you have natural wave or frizz: Rough dry 50% then add Morroccan Oil Styling Oil (about a nickels worth) to the mid shaft to ends. Then blow dry section by section from the nape up with a paddle or denman brush. Make sure to flat wrap the bangs around the head shape to avoid frizz and excessive bend. Flat iron all the ends and then spray lightly with Working Spray by Alterna Caviar. Scrunch the ends lightly for additional bounce.

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As Jenny “grows up” her hair styles mirror her experiences:

  • This hair style it is possible to use a shampoo set to create soft curl and bounce. This means using velcro rollers that are big enough to wrap the hair at least 1 1/2 times on mostly damp hair. A great setting lotion is Anti Gravity by Kevin Murphy which aids in fullness, hold and weightlessness. Make sure to comb the bangs down towards the eyebrows and clip lightly before drying.
  • Dry for 25 minutes with medium heat and cool for 5 minutes. Unwrap the hair and lightly finger separate the curls. Spray lightly with Working Spray.
  • To create this updo style you will need: Bobby pins and a hair elastic. Create a pony tail just below the crown area in back. Make sure to include the nape hair/flyaways in the ponytail with Sticky Business by Kevin Murphy and Working Spray by Alterna. Leave out the sides and bang areas.
  • Back brush on top (in front of the ponytail) to create soft height. Slowly work the side pieces and top into soft, loose bun curls with double back pinning. Use the heat of your hands/fingers to sculpt and shape the size and roundness of each section being pinned. Tip: Make sure not to create too much tension on the sides as Carey’s style is somewhat loose and soft going into the updo.
  • Make sure to look at all angles of the style in the mirror to troubleshoot/detail the symmetry and size of the updo with your face/headshape. Final step: Spray with Session Spray by Kevin Murphy for firm hold and Alterna Rapid Repair for soft picture worthy shine.

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We love using current movies and celebrity styles to excercise our styling expertise. Want us to do it for you? Come on in and we’ll give you a consultation and service that will suit you in every way!

post by D’Arcy

TagsCelebrity Hairstyles, D'Arcy Harrison, Hair Ideas, Movies, Women's Hair

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Best Hair at the Golden Globes

Hot hair at the 2010 Golden Globe Awards.

Despite the unusual rain in Los Angeles this past Sunday, the stars managed to look incredible on the red carpet. These three, in particular, were my faves.

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Sandra Bullock, in her gorgeous Bottega Veneta gown, wore her hair swept to the side with loose curls. The strong side part in any updo is a great way to show off any earrings and add a fun element to a sophisticated look.

Actress Olivia Wilde arrives at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California.

Olivia Wilde, from the hit show House, also wore her hair in loose curls. However hers is worn sleek in the front with thick, cascading curls down the back. A slightly more formal look than Sandra’s. Her stylist may have added some hair extensions to thicken up the look. To duplicate this look, grab some hair from your local beauty supply and have your stylist incorporate it into your natural hair to add fullness. For a one time event, artificial hair will do just fine and is much more affordable.

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Finally, Cougar Town star, Courtney Cox wore her hair completely up with just a few strands left down to frame her face in front. Not an unusual or different look, but done well nonetheless. She always manages to look classic, tasteful and glamorous. Her dark hair also makes her baby blues just pop. Her updo is simple, with a little volume in the crown which pulls the whole style together.

There you have it. My top three at the Golden Globes. Stay tuned for my Grammy picks!

Post by Amanda

TagsAmanda Kochansky, Celebrity Hairstyles, Television, Updos, Women's Hair

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Vidal Sassoon Classes

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Recently, three of our stylists attended the a cutting class held by the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Seattle’s downtown, part of our dedication to ongoing education and ensuring that we always are on top of the latest trends. Vidal Sassoon has long been considered the pinnacle of precision cutting so needless to say we were super excited to learn some new techniques.

Over the two full days of class we viewed demonstrations by Lisa (our great instructor) as well as getting hands on practice with real models. The pictures included here are of one of my (D’Arcy’s) models. After consulting with her, I determined that we would maintain her shorter haircut through layers, graduation and then line. This means that I first worked on layering, using vertical diagonal layers to diffuse the heaviness created by growth at her nape. I then over-directed her hair from behind the ears and crown back towards the weightline created at the back of the head shape. Next I used diagonal forward layering and sectioning on the sides to create softness. Then I used concave layering with vertical diagonal overdirection on top. Lastly, I carved with lines into the hair over and in front of the ears and on the bangs. A little texture was added to the top because of extra density and voila! A revitalized style cut!

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What do you think?

post by D’Arcy

TagsD'Arcy Harrison, Pixe Cuts, Short Hair, Women's Hair

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