Joanna & Gary’s wedding 5 Jan 2013

Mrs Joanna Latter

Cute braided hairstyles, summer braids: braids are back!

Great summer new looks with revisited use of our good old friends the braids! Create fantastic on trend looks by using easy-to-do at home techniques which are easy to wear, look feminine and trendy. Here is the link to a recent Cosmo article with a few ideas. Our motto is embrace the new trend and enjoy, experiment, dare!
Don’t forget that our expert stylists are able to assist you with hair upstyles for any occasion and are also able to give you a one-to-one tutorial on how to achieve the look at home. Summer is here, yay!

Here are three styles which we have created for our clients recently:

Get the right look, right now!

I know, snow snow snow, finally here. But in true fashionistas’ style we need to look at the season ahead to be ready. Here are two new looks for spring. Two cuts which are easy to wear and to maintain and will give a new life to your hair stressed from the harsh winter temperatures. We also explain step by step how to get the right look, right now.

BLONDE BOB

The sleek shoulder-sweeping bob has been a recent obsession thanks to stars and celebrity A-listers. But moving on with the classic style, here is a softened version, skipping a blunt fringe and instead focusing on a slight graduation around the top layer and from the chin to the collarbone. The benefits of having slightly shorter pieces are that your hair will have a bit of “life”. Not layering as such but it means that when you ruffle it with your hands you will get immediately a bit of texture. Also the way it sits on the collarbone gives it a bit of a “kick”.

Once the hair is coloured and cut apply a walnut-size quantity of Wella SP Volume mousse along the root line with your hands. Then blow dry the hair with a large round brush, lifting sections out and around to create a smooth, slightly curved shape. Apply the finishing touches by spraying a strong hold hair spray such as BedHead Masterpiece hairspray directly onto your fingers and put it into the roots and give them a little shake on the skalp, ruffling hair as ou pull them out. This will give a slightly dishevelled finish without using too much product.

The sandy blonde hue was chosen to boost the model’s natural mousy shade, with highlights scattered throughout to liven up the colour a bit and give the skin tone a boost without looking too harsh or obvious.

CURLED BRUNETTE

Volume is back this spring and this is great news for everyone, a bit of lift to your hair does the same for your face!

The idea here is to create a smidgen of height and width without going overboard. Then you can add a beachy texture, those tousled waves which are a perennial fashion favourite or go for the more polished, smoother curls.

To achieve this look after a fresh layered cut use light hold mousse (Wella SP Perfect Hair) all over hair to tackle volumen and hold curl. When you dry your hair use a big round brush, pulling the roots up and directing the dryier up underneath to create that narural-looking wave. You can finish by using a large hot tong eveny all over. Start from the front and use the tong on section by section working your way to the back and pinning each curl to your head. Leave until it is completely cool and then undo and tip your head over and brush out with a cushion brush. Flip back and apply strong hold hair spray such as BedHead Maxx out hairspray from a distance. Give it a quick scrunch with your hands and you are done.

In this style, a graduated fringe, parted in the middle and swept back gives it a 70s feel and showcases the cheekbones.

The style gets an extra shot of volume thanks to the rich chocolatey shade, shine boucing off carefully lightened sections created with a “painted on” highlighting technique.

Keen for a new look? Our senior stylists are taking appointment now for the new Spring 2011 hot styles.

How to keep your hair from getting split ends

Stopping your hair from getting split ends is easy if you follow a careful hair care regimen. While it does require some time and effort,  your tresses will stay healthy for longer.

While split ends are inevitable due to heat, shampoo, and general wear, it is possible to reduce their occurence. Use these tips for keeping the split ends at bay.

Regular Hair Cuts

Visit our salon for regular trims every 6 to 8 weeks. Generally, this is when hair starts to weaken and lose its shape. Frequent trims will not only keep your hair fresh and attractive, but they actually encourage stronger ends, which are less likely to damage from simple brushing or styling.

Moisturize

Use a moisturizing shampoo often and a conditioner. Concentrate on rubbing the conditioner into the ends and leaving it there for a few minutes. Seal the ends of your hair with a blast of cool water. Every few weeks, put an intensive conditioning treatment on your hair such as Well SP Hydro Mask or a Colour Saver Mask. Apply the treatment to your hair according to directions. In some cases, you leave it on for a few minutes and wrap your hair in a warm towel, before rinsing your hair out thoroughly.  This will leave your hair silky and manageable. Do not use conditioner after a mask as this will make your hair heavy and difficult to style.

Avoid washing your hair every day. Waiting a few days between washes  as this actually lets your natural oil coat and protect your strands. Wear your hair in a bun or ponytail on days you skip washes.

After washing your hair, gently squeeze the water out of it to help it dry. Avoid twisting your hair into a towel turban on top of your head or wringing it violently. This can lead to breakage and weaker ends.

Use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair. Gently move the comb through your wet hair starting at the roots and sliding through to the ends. Avoid yanking or pulling on it. Apply a bit of detangling lotion if your hair is thick. Never use a brush on wet hair.

Blow Dry

Using a hair dryer can give you sleek smooth locks, but heat is a major cause of end breakage. Let your hair dry naturally a few times a week or wait until it is damp before using a dryer. In winter, when you need to use a drier more often to style  your hair, make sure to use a heat protector such as Wella High Hair Flat Iron Spray, Wella SP Split Ends intensive repair or Bedhead Some Like it Hot. These products will help sealing the ends. Apply a small quantity on your towel-dried hair and ensure that the ends are well care for and then style  your hair as usual.

When you brush your hair make sure you alway start from the ends and move your way up along the lengths as opposed to start with the brush right at the top and push the knots down. Brush gently! Especially if you have long hair. In doing so you will reduce breakages and keep you hair looking healthier for longer.  Avoid brushing your hair too often. In the past, beauty experts used to recommend brushing your hair 100 strokes a day, but this grooming rule is outdated. Brushing can actually damage the cuticle, causing the hair fibers to separate.

Avoid Over-styling

Curling irons, flat irons, and hot rollers all weaken the hair over time. Use a heat protector on your ends if you’re styling with any of these approaches.

Otherwise, experiment with heat-free styling such as foam rollers, pin curls, or braids. Wash your hair at night and wait until it is damp. Put in rollers or pin curls and sleep on it overnight. You’ll wake up to hair with lots of texture that needs minimal styling.

Finally, purchase hair ties and bands without metal pieces which can pull on or snag your hair. Also, consider sleeping on a satin pillowcase, which can reduce tangles.

Latest hair colour trends for this winter

Here is the link to Glamour Magazine – this fabulous article on the latest hair colour trends for this winter is truly inspirational. Give yourself and your hair a new fantastic look just by adding a touch of colour. Or indeed maintaining colour!

Be sure to visit our salon in Queenstown and let our expert stylist give a complimentary consultation on what colour suits you and your hair and award yourself with a brand new beautiful hair! Have fun

Shatoush

The new Shatoush technique enables you to obtain natural highlights effect on your hair similar to what you get after spending some time in the sun at the seaside. This natural highlighting technique consists on backcombing the hair and then using an ammonia-free highlighting solution so that hair gains a naturally highlighted look, reflecting light and shade with a lot of dimension. It gives a seamless effect, you don’t get the line of the regrowth and even on coloured hair adds multi-dimensional shine which looks natural. This technique was invented by Aldo Coppola, world-renown hair stylist and guru, by copying the effect of the sun on kids hair, adding some colour to the roots and naturally highlighting top strands and ends, with an effect similar to that given by the sun.

Simone, our Senior Stylist, trained with Aldo Coppola and has mastered the shatoush technique. Our clients rave about it and those who have tried it will never go back to foils, they said. Results are amazingly natural-ooking, long-lasting and much faster to achieve.

Shatoush is now available only at Absolutely Fabulous Hair in Queenstown. Come in and experience the magic!

New Trends

Our team of expert stylists at Absolutely Fabulous Hair wants to keep you always up to date with the new trends in hair fashion.  A new look which certainly got a lot of attention especially on the European catwalks recently is the short “boyish” cut, with a long finge and that “untidy” finish.

The advantages of this look are that it is easy to wear and requires minimum maintenance. Whether your hair is straight or wavy, this hair style requires very little styling. Ideal for summer, perhaps with scattered foils to pick up some light or to brighten a naturally dark colour, this is a hair style who suits those who are looking for a wash-and-go solution, easily achieved with the combination of Luminous Shampoo and a touch of Perfect Hair styling wax.

Another classic style favoured by many  ladies is the bob. Now the trend is to have it with different lengths at the front and at the back, with a play of layers that give the classic bob a brand new dimension. Jake recently carried out a complete restyle for one of our customers with naturally curly hair.  This lady had fairly long hair, all at the same length and wore it in a high pony tail every day.  Jake suggested a complete restyle and the end result was a funky layered bob short at the back (which was enhanced by the natural curls) and a longer fringe at the front.

The advantage of this is that can be styled and worn “off the face” for a practical look for work and with a little styling can give you a very sophisticated look for your special occasions. Our customer was delighted, especially because this look requires little or no maintenance.

With summer upon us it is time to think again about protecting your hair in and out of the sun. For naturally blond hair Wella SP Sunset Refresh Shampoo is ideal to maintain the level of hydration necessary for healthy and soft hair. If your hair is coloured or highlighted Wella SP Suset Express Cream used once a week in combination with Wella SP Sunshine Biphase Spray will avoid your hair becoming discoloured and straw-like to the touch.

Have a great time in the sun everyone and always have Absolutely Fabulous Hair!