The graduated bob is back

Victoria's graduated bob has made a comeback

When Cheryl Cole stepped out last week sporting a sophisticated blonde graduated bob the media was sent into a frenzy. News stands nationwide were plastered in front covers showcasing and praising the former X Factor judge’s new do and it appears that this shorter cut is here to stay.

A classic bob with a modern twist, the graduated bob employs an asymmetric cut which boasts face-flattering properties. The short cut at the back is set higher than the graduated sides with the pieces of hair that frame the face forming the final longest point.

The graduated bob has always been around, but was perhaps made most famous by Victoria Beckham’s aptly named ‘pob’ in 2007 which saw a plethora of women sporting the cut in the months that followed.

Cheryl’s haircut however modernises the style yet again, with the graduation falling just below her shoulders (as opposed to at her jawline) for a longer version of the style. These bobs smack of cool sophistication and can be worn both tousled and straight, maximising practicability.

Heavy fringes can be incorporated into the haircut (a la Charlotte Church) but Cheryl has optimised the flattering effect of her bob with a less drastic long side fringe.

Anyone can have this haircut, but be aware that those of you blessed with thicker tresses may have to succumb to the wrath of the hairdresser’s thinning scissors in order to achieve a less ‘block’ cut. If you’re taking the plunge you may prefer to stretch your budget and splash out on a more expensive cut with a senior hair stylist. Whatever the case, be sure to attend a consultation meeting with the hairdresser beforehand to make sure they know exactly what you want or alternatively, take along a picture of Cheryl.

Telltale tip: To achieve Cheryl’s style, with volume aplenty, set hair in large heated rollers before blow-drying into shape and fixing with hairspray

Hairstyles to suit your face shape

Kimberley chooses a hairstyle to complement her face shape

Choosing a new hairstyle is a more complex procedure than may initially meet the eye. Before taking the plunge with a new ‘do, take your face shape into consideration, followed by the thickness and natural volume of your hair. The right hairdo will serve to accentuate your features and really frame the outline of your face.

 

Round Faces

A round face shape has a wide range of styles at its disposal. With the widest points of the face lying from ear-to ear or cheek-to cheek, you want to avoid cuts or layering that highlights the jaw line.

Bobs should fall on the shoulders to lengthen the face, whilst longer styles should offer extra height at the crown. As such, tousled looks exhibited by round-face bearers Kate Hudson and Mila Kunis look particularly fetching. Softer styles really suit round faces by drawing attention away from the strong face shape. Ensure feathering and layers that sit around the face fall well below the jawline.

What’s more pixie crops and bobs that fall above the jawline will also work wonders, as showcased on Keira Knightley.

 

Oval face

A narrow oval-shaped face is often seen as the perfect shape to accommodate most hairstyles. Celeb A-listers who share this face type with you include Jennifer Aniston, Tyra Banks and Jessica Simpson – reason enough to embrace your ovalness!

The evenness of this face shape ensures you can carry off both longer and shorter styles. Graduated bobs look particularly flattering and long, straight styles with minimal layering can emphasise your balanced features.

However, heavy fringes are typically considered a no-go area as they can mask the definition of your facial outline. Defying this rule, Rihanna has been known to employ a blunt fringe to disguise her high forehead, despite sporting an, albeit beautiful, oval face.

 

Square faces

A face that is wide from top to bottom can be described as either a rectangular face or a square face. More compacted face shapes, such as that of Emma Bunton and Paris Hilton, are classified as square.

This stronger face type will only benefit from styles which detract from the shape. Short to medium-length hair coupled with soft layering and ‘bounce’  can steer attention away from the uber-defined outline of a square face.

Avoid ‘linear’ (straight up and down) ‘do’s at all costs; Demi Moore looks great but her face shape appears harsher with super sleek locks. Additionally, fringes will make a face appearer squarer – if opting for a fringe, only agree to softer, side-swept cuts.

 

Heart shaped faces

With the likes of ‘Face of Avon’ Reese Witherspoon and age-defyingly gorgeous Kate Moss residing in this category, it is no wonder that heart face shapes are considered model-like. Hold your head up high with haircuts that flatter your wider upper face and work in harmony with your pointed chin. Long styles, a la Witherspoon and Moss, soften a harsh jawline. Just don’t over-style; keep it simple with beach waves and bed hair.

Dry Shampoo – what are you missing out on?

 

Dry shampoos - a rapid way to refresh your hair

Dry shampoos are pretty down-played considering the clever technology that allows them to bear such a name. Every dedicated party goer should own some, especially those who take so long they can be pretty pushed for time when that taxi gets called (ring any bells?!).

Dry shampoos are typically powder-based products, which work without water to absorb excess oils (sebum) produced by the hair when left unwashed. Whilst brunettes may prefer to use darker coloured shampoos (see below), lighter hair types can generally stick to whatever works for them. Give the following few brands a go and let us know what you think:

 

Batiste

This brand could potentially reign supreme as the range that tops the lot! Batiste offers a cool variety of dry shampoos including those for brunettes, those requiring extra body and those in need of a tropical twist.

More amazingly, Batiste offer a Shimmer shampoo! Yes, your hair can sparkle and shine all night long, guaranteed to attract many a admiring glance. The downside is that until the trend resurrects itself once more, I can’t help but be reminded of my cringey pre-teen phase, when I thought coatings of hair mascara and lashings of hair glitter would make me a Spice Girl.

Regardless of whether the Shimmer shampoo is just that bit too much, the Batiste range is incredible to say the least. See this Batiste user’s review to assist in your conversion to the lazy side that is dry shampoo.

 

Tigi

For festival fanatics and party ravers alike, Tigi’s Rockaholic dry shampoo could be your match made in heaven, serving to bring out the rocker in you. Keep your ‘Dirty Secret’ to yourself this year by maintaining luscious locks throughout the party period. Indeed, whispers of  ‘how does she do it?’ will be resounding in your footpath the moment you enter the vicinity.

 

Charles Worthington

Once again a hair pro reaps some of the best reviews of the product in question. Charlie’s Front Row Refresh and Revive Dry Shampoo offers your barnet a revitalising smell and fresh finish without having to venture near a shower.

With some rather posh ingredients such as white nettle and rice protein, and with an assurance that this man knows exactly what he’s talking about, you won’t have to scan the aisles for too long before settling on this product.

The Fringe Benefits – Fringe trend for 2011

 

Glee star Lea Michele makes a statement with a fringe

The fringe is set to make a welcomed comeback this year, refreshing hairstyles across the nation with a single snip of the stylist’s scissors. A fringe can really serve to change your image, so take the plunge before anyone else gets to the trend first!

Variations of the face-framer include a blunt cut as modelled by Nicole Scherzinger or with a bevelled finish i.e. smooth layering around the face, as seen on Heidi Klum. To stick to the up and coming trend this Spring, and change your facial landscape in the process, ask your hairdresser to cut your fringe thick, blunt and long (steering well clear of any horrid memories of your childhood you may possess, involving a bowl and pair of heavy-duty scissors).

If you’re not brave enough to go the whole hog with a full fringe just yet, opt for a side fringe and gradually work one into your hairstyle each time you visit the hairdresser. Or alternatively, opt for a lighter full fringe to begin with and slowly add more hair, for a thicker style, when you have it trimmed.

Telltale tip: As fringes sit on the forehead it is easy for them to get greasy quickly. Don’t over-style your fringe, play with it or use too many finishing products as this will only make it ‘stringy’. Simply blowd ry and use a little hairspray to set in place.

♥ What a difference a fringe makes ♥

Here are a few examples of the dramatic, yet dazzling, effects a fringe can have on your look.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Top 5 Hairsprays

Hairspray your way to a hairdo that will stay in place throughout the party

The scenario rings true with girls the world over: hair looks picture-perfect before the night out but falls flat as soon as you hit the tiles. So what hairsprays can offer hairdos both hold and longetivity in one blast? Depending on the exact needs of your hairstyle, here are my top five:

1. Tres Two Freeze Control

Promises a mega firm holding and fast-drying formula and indeed, it does exactly what it says on the tin. This hairspray is perfect for updos which require that extra bit of assistance in keeping fly-away strands at bay. Remember a few sprays will do just the trick, ensuring your hair looks naturally held in place and not industrially accomplished with a crunchy finish!

 

2. L’Oreal Elnette Satin Normal Strength

For fine hair that gets easily weighed down by the overuse of products, this hairspray is right up your street. If you require just a little volume, turn your head upside down, apply a swift blast and voila! What’s more, as part of a range endorsed by Cheryl Cole you know it’s got to be good!

 

3. Kevin Murphy Session Hairspray

Want to promote a more environmentally-friendly world? This CFC free and low VOC hairspray will secure this wish for you! Although slightly more expensive than most styling products, it allows you to create a style with an item used by hair-pro Kevin Murphy and simultaneously do your bit for the environment. Whoever said beauty had to be superficial?

 

4. Bed Head Hard Head

Prone to a spot of backcombing?  If you require a firm hold, a non-sticky formula and lustrous shine  that will last all night long, then this is the spray for you. Simply backcomb, spray, tame into place with a paddle brush and hold with a second squirt.

 

5. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening

With a household name such as John Frieda, expectations are undoubtedly sky-high. However, you will not be disappointed with this spray, guaranteed to enhance volume and thickness when styling. Claiming to ‘lock in style for up to 24 hours’ you may aswell throw away the key and party all night (and day) long!

 

Telltale tip: When spraying hair, always hold the canister atleast 10 inches away. This will minimise product concentration and prevent hair from setting rock-hard.

The Midi – the new hairstyle sweeping the nation

Sarah Harding sports a pin-up girl’s version of the ‘midi’

Once again, a new hair trend has taken shape in the form of the ‘midi’ i.e. mid-length hair  . OK, so an ‘inbetween’ hair length may sound a  bit boring but there are tons of advantages to having hair that is long enough to tie back, but refuses to resemble rats’ tails.

Even Cheryl Cole has ditched the 20 inch hair extensions in favour of a more demure ‘midi’ – a notably more classy and sophisticated hairdo than her previous ‘Promise This’ look.

Moreover, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway and Rochelle Wiseman have all jumped aboard the ‘midi’ bandwagon.

The ‘midi’ can be curled, volumised or straightened, ensuring a range of ‘do options at your disposal.

A particular favourite variation of the ‘midi’ is that of the sixties-esque blow-dry. Take inspiration from Lulu’s Boom-Bang-a-Bang days and don’t hold back with extra height. To begin, blow-dry wet hair using a large curling brush and set in heated rollers. For additional height, backcomb hair at the crown of your head, hold with hairspray and smooth over with a paddle brush. If hair continues to fall flat, use Bump-its, available from all Claire’s Accessories stores, where the elevated inserts allow hair to fall high on your head.

Alternatively, straightened styles can offer an elegant and more effortless feel. Remember to begin with a good blow-dry, pointing the nozzle downwards and guide it down the hair shaft. Finish with a pea-sized amount of John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease hair serum.

Daytime maintenance of this hair trend is extremely easy. Scrunching your bonce for a bit of bounce, or tying back  into a neat ponytail or bun are just a few of the modest styles available to you.

So if you fancy an image overhaul to showcase at the next Christmas party, take-on the trend of the  ‘midi’ and you’ll undoubtedly be the talk of the town.

The fishtail plait makes a comeback



With the Autumn of 2010 well underway, it is now time to look ahead to the upcoming trends of Winter 2010/11.

There is no better place to start than in the arena of hairstyles, where one ‘do can snowball into a frenzy of fashion-minded girls wanting to get their hands on a bit of the action.

One of the potentially most sought-after hairstyles as the temperatures plunge, will be that of the fishtail plait.

Already showcased on Cheryl Cole (she never fails to get there first), this quirky variation of the plait will ensure you look more high-flying fashionista than goat-herding Heidi.

The key is to wear the hair swept to one side and try not to make it look too ‘done’. Embrace the messiness by gathering the length of your hair into a fishtail (see demonstration below) and teasing a few strands out of the plait so it appears as if effortlessly accomplished.

Backcomb hair at the crown of your head for added volume and hold with a few blasts of hairspray.