Hair!

HAIR.....you wear it EVERYDAY!   Sometimes we don't "style" it, but it's still there (like it or not).  Long, medium, short, curly, straight, wavy, curled, crimped, braided, shiny, dull, limp, fried, bleached, frizzy, greasy, the list goes on and on........ 

What does your particular hairstyle say about you?  All too often I think our hair speaks for itself, and I hate when it tells a story that I didn't intend.  Maybe you're hair is telling the world you're too busy to get a haircut or color?  Maybe it says you woke up late? Maybe your hair forgot to graduate high school (to another style) with you? Maybe it says your a risk taker or not a risk taker?......My point is, whether or not you want your hair to reveal something about yourself, it probably is.

 Hopefully you all cut your hair.  Seriously I can't stand when I see someone with nasty hair long enough to clean the toilet bowl with.....you've all seen it! Ladies, long hair doesn't necessarily mean pretty hair!  Yes, we see models and movie stars with outrageously beautiful luxurious hair, and we drool over it, then attempt to grow our hair out to look just like it.  Unfortunately about 10 months in (with no haircut) our hair begins to transform, and instead of looking like Blake Lively your hair begins too look more like the members of Guns and Roses (Axl or Slash depending on your hair type).  I'm not saying you can't have long hair, I'm just want you to keep in mind that you still need trims to keep your hair looking healthy and that depending on your hair type you might look better with shorter hair. 

When picking a good hairstyle you have to take into account your hair type (thick, thin, coarse, fine, straight, curly, wavy), your face shape and your lifestyle (are you going to take the time to do a high maintenance haircut? or do you need an easy on the go type)?  If you don't know your hair type, ask your stylist.  When choosing a cut, remember to keep in mind how much time you want to spend on your hair each morning.  Your own personal style (as far as clothes) should also be taken into consideration.  Do you follow the latest trends? Do you consider yourself more of a "classic" look? Your hairstyle should coincide with your wardrobe.  (Example: If you want a super short pixie cut, with purple highlights you might want to wear funky clothes along with it, not your Ann Taylor slacks). 

 

 Most women color their hair. Yes, we all have friends that won't let anything touch their glorious locks, but for the rest of us who are fighting the greys and natural dull color we are left to choose what color will look best on us.  I'm one of those "crazy" women who has tried almost every color of hair. I've been blond, dark blond, golden blond, red, brown, dark brown, reddish brown.....I think you get the idea.  It's amazing how much your hair color can change the way you look.  Your skin, your eyes, the color of clothes that compliment you, they all change when you alter your hair color.  It can also make you look younger (covering those greys) or make you look older (over-processed blonde's). 

So how do you decide on a color?  First you must take into consideration your natural hair color.  If you are a natural brunette, it will probably look best to stick within a couple shades of your natural.  By this I mean if you want to go blond, its ok, but you need to be aware that trying to go platinum blond will normally fade out your skin tone and will also damage your hair quite a bit trying to get to that super blond color.  Think of a scale from 1-10, 1 being black and 10 being blond.  If you start at a natural level 5 (brown), you have to lighten 5 shades to reach that 10, and in the process your hair is going to take a beating.  You will most likely achieve an orangish/yellow blond that many of you won't like.  Blonde's are best left to the naturally blond, this means people with a natural level 7 (dark blond) or lighter.  There isn't as much processing to reach the desired blond when you start with a lighter natural color.  Make sense?  The good news is we can achieve a lighter look by foiling (highlighting) or balayage.  This allows people with darker shades to achieve the look they want without completely damaging their beautiful locks. 

On the flip side we have many women that want to achieve the exotic dark hair.  This is when your natural dark hair comes in handy.  Coloring your hair a darker shade, is way easier on your hair follicle so it tends to leave your hair looking shiny and healthy. Keep in mind your eye color, skin color and eyebrows......yes your eyebrows will be a dead give away that your hair is way darker then normal.  I think it looks best if your eyebrows are a similar shade to your hair color, so you might need to darken them in with an eyebrow pencil if you go considerably darker then your natural.  If you have blue eyes, you will normally look better with cooler tones of browns, as opposed to brown eyes will tend to look better with warmer tones.  Again it's always good to consult with your colorist before choosing the right shade for you hair.

Let's not leave out the fabulous reds!  Red hair is probably the hardest of the colors to pull off.  When done right it just looks so beautiful, but when the shade is wrong...yikes watch out!  Red is also hard to maintain, it fades really fast so keep this in mind when you choose a red shade....you might be needing touch ups more often then with brunette or blond. 

Learn to work with your hair!  Your stylist isn't going to be at your beck and call each morning to help blow dry, flat iron or whatever else it is they normally do.  You need to be able to do your hair yourself!  I believe every women should have a flat iron, med barrel curling iron, hot rollers, ponytail holders, bobby pins, hairspray and de-frizzer.  I understand that you don't need ALL of these items especially if you have short hair but they are great to have tucked away in your closet for those special occasions when you want a change.  Obviously most of these won't be used everyday.  The best way to learn what hairstyles you like is to experiment!  Take a rainy day when your bored and try out that curling iron, maybe attempt a cute braid or messy ponytail.  You never know when something might look good, and then you've added another number to your mix of hairdo's.

• When choosing a stylist, look at their hair!! I always tell women, that if they don't think their stylist has good hair/style, then they should probably find another one.  (Think Jon and Kate Plus 8, the Mom's hair....sick, if your stylist looks like this....run...)
• Blonde's....don't get stuck thinking that this is the only color you can be.  Sometimes we think that because we were blond as a child we must be blond forever.  Not true!  The fact of the matter is, your hair gets darker with age so chances are by the time your twenty your hair is probably dark blond or brown.  A great way to achieve a beautiful blond color without over processing your hair is having balayage done.  Your hair will be darker at the roots, which makes for easier grow out, but then fades into a beautiful blond color towards the ends.  (FYI:  I love blond hair, I don't mean to pick on you ladies with it, just make sure you choose the right shade and you will look fabulous!) PS I'm super jealous of those of you that can pull off being platinum blond, when done right it looks amazing!
• If you color your hair try to find a color safe shampoo and conditioner, this will help maintain your color longer!
• Experiment! Experiment! Experiment!  Try different colors, styles, cuts.  Don't be afraid to try something new.  Ask your stylish friends for advice on what they would choose for you.  (remember you don't HAVE to do what they say)  If more then one of your friends thinks you would look good as a brunette, try it.....who knows maybe you will!  Or maybe you've always wanted to try red, or a dark brown......do it!  You only live once!