Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Fall Hairstyle Forecast

Hair experts weigh in on the hottest looks and hair colors to copy as the leaves change

Every change in season signals the beginning of new style transformations. Must have hairstyles and colors recycle in and out of fashion just as quickly as they appear. What’s hot? What’s not? Get ready! It’s time for top hair experts to reveal the latest and greatest looks to wear as we say goodbye to the summer sun and hello to fall fashions.

Cut Fall is all about keeping things short and sweet. Now is the perfect time for that much needed trim. Removing 1-3 inches is a great way for an instant hair makeover. Add more bounce to your step during autumn’s cooling trend. Split ends will vanish, reducing the appearance of unwanted frizz. A new cut will revive lifeless locks just in time to fight winter’s drying effects.

According to Jason Kearns, owner of Kearns Davidson Hair & Skin Care in Toronto, Canada, “This fall we will see a progression towards shorter hair cuts replacing the shattered chopped up hair of the past few seasons with stronger lines and more dimension”. Ladies, let your layers grow out and avoid over texturing hair with razors.

Which trends are perfect for autumn? The blunt bob is a great example of visible lines. Straight and solid: this cut is all one length, creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. This is a great style pick-me-up for thin, limp locks. Long strands can easily weigh down hair. Add perk to your mane with the botox for hair: bobs!

The infamous wedge cut is a flirty mid-ear-length with an emphasis on lines. Starting with the top layers, hair gradually gets shorter, creating the illusion of longer hair with the benefits of a short mane in tact. Curly or straight, this style works great with both. Asymmetric and angled cuts are the perfect combination of lines and dimension. Whether gentle or extreme, this cut creates a slant effect to your hair. Minus the presence of layers, asymmetric strands use straight lines to add depth to the cut. If you want an edgier look, opt for longer locks toward the front.

Color Say goodbye to the typical summer blonde and hello to your inner brunette bombshell. Change your color to reflect the fall foliage. Color Technician Kathleen McMahon of Kearns Davidson Hair & Skin Care in Toronto, Canada predicts, “Highlights will always be here, however over-processed blondes are gone. The shift is towards warmer more radiant tones, and translucent color to emphasize cut, natural body, texture and sheen.” Instead of blonde highlights, opt for deeper tones like caramel, strawberry blonde, and auburn.

Ultra sheer blondes are a trend of the past. Return to nature’s roots and color your mane with Earth tones. “There is an end to the days of “Done looking hair”, she adds. “Fall is all about catering to one’s individual beauty.” Choose rich and sultry solid colors in the brown family. Shades like espresso, mocha and chocolate are perfect choices for fall.
Celebrity hairstylist Bryant Renfroe, known for his work on ABC’s The View, predicts the trend of versatile color. “I see extensions for adding color (highlights/Lowlights).” He adds, “It is easier to clip in extensions with out making a long term commitment to a certain style.” Easily experiment with color to match your personality and mood. Plus, clip in strands mean no roots and high maintenance touch ups!

Style Now, the perfect hairstyle is key to combine with fall’s hottest cuts and color. As Bryant Renfroe reveals, “The thing that seems to me to be happening, the most now and even more in the fall, is changing hair as you would your clothes.” Style should never be static. Like an endless shoe collection, hair should never be limited to a few select looks. Don’t be afraid to try new styling tools and products. What are his must have do’s? “I see curl, volume, and buns.”

Curls: From tight ringlets to loose waves, curls are here to stay. This style can be created in a number of ways. If you have extra prep time on your hands, hot rollers create a voluminous sea of curls. Opt for different sized rollers depending on the look you want. An investment in a great ceramic curling iron is always a fashion do. Ceramic protects hair without frying your locks, producing silky, shiny strands. Other curl enhancing options include assorted braids, sponge rollers, and three barrel irons.

Volume: Dull, lifeless locks are history. Voluminous styles add an extra oomph to limp hair do’s. Look for volumizing or thickening systems. Ingredients like Vitamin B, wheat, rice, and vegetable proteins add strength and body to each hair strand. Don’t worry! Teasing is no longer a fashion faupax. Use a comb to create lift at the roots with steady downward movements. Smoothing this area out, softly comb the hair into your style of choice. Volume enhancing styling products amplify the boost.

Buns: Fun and flirty to sleek and chic, buns offer variety. You can gather hair to the side, near the crown, or at the nape of your neck. Don’t forget to pick a style to fit the occasion. If you are on the job, for example, opt for a simple chignon gathered at the bottom of your neck. Plus, buns are easy to create! They are low maintenance and simple in design. A brush and rubber bands are all you need. A touch of hairspray will control stubborn fly-aways. Whether naturally straight or curly, chignons compliment any hair type.

Appeared first in Hair Cut & Style Magazine.
Photo Courtesy of Matrix.
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By Jessica McCafferty

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