What? It’s Thursday again?!
The next two participants couldn’t come at a better time, as they will help me illustrate a few Hair Thursday rules.
1. I will not suggest a dramatically different cut and style in an attempt to spice things up. Nothing bothers me more than watching hair stylists on certain makeover-type shows lop off and mutilate perfectly lovely hair. If you have lovely hair, I’m not going to tell you to hack it off and color it purple. Sometimes, my advice might seem boring or extremely subtle, but sometimes your hair IS JUST THAT GREAT ON ITS OWN. FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS FACT.
2. I can’t help you find a new style, if you’re not willing to STYLE it. Hair Thursday is not a magic wand – if you want happy hair, you are going to need to put forth a little effort. (And by effort, I mean 10 minutes+.)
Wow, I’m crabby! My son currently has six (YES! SIX!) teeth coming in simultaneously. Excuse me while I chug this wine over here.
Ah, better.
Today’s first parrtithipant is Ellie.
Ellie’s hair:
Natural medium brown color
Thick
Wavy
Prefers shoulder-length or longer
Does not use styling tools
Spends 3-5 minutes styling her hair
Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. (I really like saying your name, Ellie.) (Ellie.) Ellie has lovely hair. It’s thick, shiny, and has great wave and body. I know a lot of people who would kill for their hair to look like this with only 120 seconds of effort. But, c’mon Ellie, can you give me like 10 minutes? 20 tops? For then, you could be the SUPER YOU. Tempting, isn’t it…
Looking though her photos, the major thing that jumped at me was hair color. With her skin tone, she could rock an auburn-brown or a deeper golden chestnut. Nothing too dramatic, though. In fact, a semi-permanent rinse would be perfect – low maintenance, washes out, etc. (Email me – we’ll find the perfect shade.) That and some long layers framing the face and VOILA! Perfection!
Both of these photos exhibit a similar hairstyle, but I like the subtle differences in the color.
Styling-wise, grab a round brush and blow dryer to achieve the look in the first photo. (Oh, and of course, my FAVE, Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream, but only a teensy bit!) As for the second photo, bust out your ceramic curling iron and get ready for the SUPER YOU. What do you all think of the options?
Voting is closed.
Gretchen! Coooome on down!
Gretchen’s Hair:
Naturally dark brown, but dyes it a touch darker
Very thick
Natural wave, but not enough to wear wavy
Doesn’t want short hair
Uses a blow dryer and round brush
Open to products, but not sure which ones to use
Is “tempted by long, swoopy bangs”
Gretchen’s hair length is in that in-between stage. You know the one, when it naturally flips out from brushing against your shoulders all day? My advice is to take it up a couple of inches or let it grow- and since SOMEONE does not like shorter hair *cough cough MR. GRETCHEN cough cough*, maybe you only have one available option.
Looking at Gretchen’s beautiful and fair complexion, I do think the current hair color is a little dark. Maybe she could take it one shade lighter? I think a chocolate brown would be just lovely. As for the swoopy bangs, it looks like she has a cowlick that is in line with her part, so she could definitely pull it off.
These options would be very easy to achieve. The cut would sit just past the shoulders, with some layers to achieve a textured finish while still adding movement to the style. The long bangs falling to the side would help to conceal her high hairline. Wash and dry, a quick once-over with a ceramic flat iron and FF glossing cream. Gretchen, do you feel the need to wash your hair every morning while showering? If not, this haircut would be great because you could wear it for two days, thus cutting down on the styling tools. Regardless, you don’t NEED to use to flat iron every day. I’m all for keeping the flat iron in the bathroom drawer when possible.
Both colors are pretty- I love Option #2 for the upcoming fall season. Gretchen did mention previously coloring her hair a reddish-brown before moving very dark. What do you think? Let Gretchen know!
Voting is closed.
Quick blowdrying tip – To reduce blowdrying in half and protect from the heat, use Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum. I wrote about it here.
Heather B.
September 13, 2007 at 7:23 amIf Gretchen gets Megan Mullally’s look, she too could win an Emmy. Talk about an added bonus.
Heather B.
September 13, 2007 at 7:24 amOh and I also wish I had hair that you could do something with. In fact just to see how good you are I might make an attempt just to see what you can come up with.
rosie
September 13, 2007 at 7:25 amYou mean how Nick Arrojo on What Not to Wear never leaves anyone’s hair long? Bugs the shit out of me too!
Emily R
September 13, 2007 at 7:42 amThis is SO MUCH FUN! You’re good. And inspiring. working new mom in a new house excuses be damned – I will wake up 10 minutes earlier and do just a little bit more.
erin rae
September 13, 2007 at 7:43 amNot sure if I am missing something, but I am v interested in your Paul Mitchell shine love, and all that shaft coating business….
However, I don’t understand how it halves blowdrying time by applying AFTER the hair is dry?
What am I missing?
Erin
~always on a mission to tame the wheat field on her head~
You apply it on towel-dried hair first, dry your hair and then you can add a tiny bit more afterwards. (Although, I only use it on my towel-dried hair lately.)
180/360
September 13, 2007 at 8:07 amWhoorl-
My hair stylist said the same thing you did (in #2)! Can you recommend a good straightening iron?
Thanks!
Sorry for the delay! I use a HAI 1-inch ceramic iron (with the sapphire blue plates) and really like it. :)
sizzle
September 13, 2007 at 8:13 amhow much do i love hair styling and voting? this is like a double whammy of awesomeness!
Sally
September 13, 2007 at 8:17 amYay for Hair Thursday! Thanks, Whoorl. I didn’t read the comments from last week, so perhaps this was already covered, but it would be very cool to see the “after” picture if the contestants take your advice. Thanks again.
txhorns
September 13, 2007 at 8:19 amThank you wise Whoorl. (I’m Ellie of picture one) I will try to spend more than 3 minutes on my hair—it has been done in the past. Of course, that was before two kids and a 30 minute morning drive… If I can look like Hilary Swank (ok, if my hair can look like her hair) then I’ll even give you 20 minutes! I never really thought of coloring, will definitely email you since you so kindly offered. Thanks again!
Not The Mama
September 13, 2007 at 8:48 amHave I mentioned how much I love Hair Thursday?! I voted for number two for both, but I liked all the options. And I totally agree that it’s okay for long, pretty hair to stay long. Not everyone needs a short, super modern do.
Isabel
September 13, 2007 at 10:06 amBest new thing on the interweb. Love it.
Annabelle
September 13, 2007 at 10:07 amI love hair Thursdays! Am I wrong or are the two options for Ellie the same cut just different amounts of time on different days? If so, I like both, #1 90% of the time and #2 10%!
And Gretchen, I like the idea of a lighter shade and/or red highlights.
rebecca
September 13, 2007 at 10:31 amWhoorl – hair Thursdays rock! I have an appointment with my hair guy next Friday and I am contemplating EITHER getting some swoopy bangs, OR cutting my hair shorter (like just above my shoulders).
I am totally cheating by skirting the official Hair Thursday system, but you know what I look like, so WHAT SHOULD I DO????? Help meeeeeee……..
kerrianne
September 13, 2007 at 11:55 amOooh, ooh. We get to VOTE. I love this.
Sharri
September 13, 2007 at 11:57 amFun Fun Fun. I think Gretchen could punch her color up with a little auburn-y highlights? I’m not a “professional” like Whoorl, so what am I to say?
Also, I just want to brag to all of you, who don’t know me, but I went from past shoulder length hair to a quasi-Victoria Beckham inverted bob two days ago! I was inspired to change from all this hair talk! So, thanks! I’m still working on styling it, but it’s fun. I say change can be good!