Welcome to this week’s Hair Thursday, straight from my deathbed! (Also, who says Alka Seltzer Plus Nighttime Cold Medicine is just for night?! Why am I seeing double? Where’s my toddler?)
I think it’s best for you and I if I keep most of my thoughts/hallucinations to myself this week.
Here is cute Jodi!
Jodi’s hair:
Red/auburn with blond highlights
Chemically-processed, a little dry
Medium texture and thick
Prefers shorter styles
Spends 15-30 minutes styling
Uses flat iron
Uses Brocato max hold hairspray and Rough Paste by Redken, sometimes Aveda Volumizer
I like Jodi’s hair! Don’t you think it’s cute? I can’t really tell what it looks like on the sides and back, but I like how it’s texturized and the highlights look nice with her skin.
However, something (the cold medicine?) is telling me that Jodi would look great with shorter hair. Maybe the same layering on top, but taking the sides and back up.
Something like Option #1. (BTW, this photo is from a CUTE HT participant on the waiting list. Why she’s wanting to change her darling hair, I DO NOT KNOW.)
(Cute seems to be the operative word this week, yes?)
Jodi’s hair is already very similar on the top and in the front, so she would only be taking the bulk off the sides and back.
OR Jodi could keep the length and REALLY texturize the hell out of it, for a super modern look like Option #2.
(OMG, a gray piece of matter just emerged from my lungs.)
Light brown – trying to kick the highlighting habit and get back to her natural color
Normal to dry
Stick straight, baby fine, but lots of it
Prefers length between chin and shoulder and no bangs
Product junkie – Frederic Fekkai, Aveda, Bain de Terre
No layers
From Lauri’s photos, she appears to have a heart-shaped face with a high forehead. In general, a heart-shaped face should steer clear of blunt bangs, super short hair and/or really choppy layers. Subtle layering is really the key for Lauri.
I find it a damn shame that Miss Lauri has no interest in subtle, sideswept bangs because they could really lessen the appearance of height and width in the forehead, plus add some dimension to her hair. Looking at her requests, she prefers the length between chin and shoulder, so I would recommend a chin-length bob for her shortest option, with just the slightest layering in the front like Option #1. That way, the cut won’t look too severe. I also like the idea of a side part.
Now, as much as I would like to stick to Lauri’s wishes, I am going to suggest an option to keep her length and add bangs. VERY SUBTLE ONES. Option #2 would totally complement Lauri’s face shape and hell, I’VE BEEN DEEMED THE HAIR EXPERT, RIGHT? Listen to me!
Plus, look! It’s Babs!
People, people who need…people…
You can barely see those bangs! Notice how the forehead appears minimized, and how Lauri’s perfectly shiny hair would look so lovely in general. Of course, #1 is cute too. Decisions, decisions.
Very dark brown with caramel-tone highlights.
Prefers chunky streaks
Oily, thick, with a little bit of frizz
Wants length below the shoulders
Uses Matrix Sleek Look shampoo, conditioner and sealing serum
Ponytails all the time
I think Nicole has very pretty, shiny hair and I empathize with her wanting to keep it longer. SO, I am going to suggest keeping it long and adding more bangs to emphasize her eyes OR growing the bangs out, cutting it shoulder-length and adding more highlights for the summer.
Let’s look at the options.
Option #1 would keep her hair dark, maybe with some subtle highlights for a different look. I really like the piecey bangs, and think they would really emphasize Nicole’s almond-shaped eyes. Now, Option #2 would be a hot look for the summer (yeah, I just said a “hot look for the summer”. What of it?) I think Nicole’s complexion could also withstand a lighter, golden look. Something about #2 just screams summer to me, and the shape of her current bangs would grow out very easily and blend with the style. Plus, she could still pull her hair back. It would be quite a change, but a fun one.
You guys. SERIOUSLY. Thanks for all of the fantastic comments/emails/votes regarding Hair Thursday. Of course, the lazy side of me is all DAMN YOU AND YOUR NEEDS, but the Sally Fields in me is repeating “You like me! You really like me!”
(And of course, the conceited boob in me is screaming I TOLD YOU SO.)
So, we’ll keep things as is for now. I do think, unfortunately for some, I’m going to start sorting through the requests and finding new dilemmas to address. One of the main reasons I feel bogged down is the plethora of requests from long-haired people who still want long hair. THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PHOTOS OF SIDESWEPT BANGS AND LONG LAYERS, PEOPLE.
(Hey! That’s why I added the Hair Length, Type and Color search section in the sidebar. Be sure to use it if you are wanting a subtle change and are looking for photos!)
(Oh! One more thing. I am still going to do two participants on Thursdays, but will separate into two posts, so they will be easier to find with the search feature.)
So, let’s get on with it. Meet Joey.
Joey’s hair:
Brown hair with subtle natural highlights
Normal-to-oily
Fine, very straight
No preference for length and wants a change. (Yes!)
Usually spends around 5 minutes on hair, but will spend more if needed.
Owns a flat iron and hot rollers
Uses no products besides shampoo and conditioner
Wants to quit wearing ponytails all the time
Joey is open to shorter hairstyles, but wants to make sure she can pin the front out of her face, since she works in a lab. Joey has super straight and fine hair, which is perfect for shorter haircuts that some of us thick and wavy gals can’t pull off without a lot of maintenance.
Let’s look at two options.
Option #1 is a very sleek, chin-length bob with heavy texturizing. With Joey’s straight hair, she wouldn’t need to spend a lot of time using a flat iron, and she could pull the sides back for work. Option #2 is a much more casual style – sideswept bangs, layering all around, and texturized ends. I really like this style for Joey’s face shape, and she would only need to blow dry her bangs, add a little styling pomade or wax to the back for definition and she would be out the door. Plus, the bangs would look cute pinned to the side with a bobby pin while at work.
I also think the reddish brown shade in Option #2 would be a lovely color for Joey.
Dark brown with gray coming in under the sides and back
Thick, with a little natural wave
Length needs to be at least touching her shoulders
Spends about two minutes styling – brushes and pulls it back in an elastic rubber band on most days. Uses a curling iron occasionally.
Uses shampoo on a daily basis (but didn’t mention conditioner)
Michelle is a SAHM and finds herself pulling her hair back in a ponytail or baseball cap on most days around the house. Although I can totally relate to that situation, a couple of subtle changes will make such a difference.
Michelle mentioned that she usually wears a baseball cap because she doesn’t like the way her forehead looks when she has her ponytail pulled back. Sounds like someone needs some ponytail bangs! I will say it until my dying day – long, sideswept bangs are the ticket for ponytails. Since they fall to the side, they cover a little bit of the forehead and you don’t get that whole dramatic, slicked back look.
Also, Michelle’s hair is lacking in the shine department, but that will be a breeze to fix.
Let’s look at some options.
Now, these styles are very similar, but there is one major difference. The length of the bangs. Option #1 has longer, cheekbone-skimming bangs (which might be the way to go for Michelle’s intial foray into bang territory). Option #2’s bangs are shorter – grazing the eyebrow, but the overall style is similar.
Michelle had additional questions about styling and covering her grays. Michelle, do you ever wash your hair the night before and style (flat/curling iron) the next morning? This might not work for everyone, but since Michelle is a SAHM, she might be able to pull it off. If I’m planning to spend some time styling, I wash in the evening, let air dry and then either flat iron or curl with an iron the next morning. I do think Michelle will benefit from a flat iron, to help smooth her hair and promote shine.
Oh, yes! Shine. Michelle, have you bought the Frederic Fekkai glossing cream? BUY IT. Buy it and covet it. Oh, and buy a good conditioner. Less expensive – Infusium Moisturizing conditioner, More expensive – Terax Crema conditioner.)
As for coloring her grays, I would recommend staying close to her natural shade. Of course, when it comes to first-time color, I would suggest visiting a professional, BUT does anyone have good recommendations for at-home, semi-permanent color? Natural instincts? Color Spa?
Let’s get on with it!
Our next participant is Kristen.
Kristen’s hair:
Dark brown, never colored or highlighted
Normal condition, naturally wavy
Prefers longer hair
Lets her hair dry on the way to work, spends absolutely no time styling
Would like to learn to use a flat iron
You know, I’m really glad that Kristen was one of the participants this week. I can now prove to you that my obsession with cute, ponytail bangs does have its limits. Yes, believe it or not, I simply don’t think EVERYONE benefits from bangs. Kristen included.
The great news is that when I contacted Kristen to see if she needed to update her photos, she informed me that she had been growing out her bangs for the past several months, and they now reached the end of her nose. Phew! The hard work is already over for Kristen.
Kristen has really shiny, thick hair with lots of volume. Her options for styling are really endless once she gets her hands on some good tools and cleans up the shape.
She mentioned an interest in flat irons, and I think an iron could add a sophisticated style for her, but she shouldn’t forget my friend, the curling iron. First off, let’s look at her options.
This more of a now and later situation, but I would suggest Kristen take the first photo to her stylist and shape up. The length has been left below shoulder level and soft face framing layers have been added around the front to create shape and body. The great part about this style is that it will allow Kristen to wear her hair wavy, but will look very smooth and sleek when she dries it with a round brush and/or uses a flat iron.
As for the flat iron, we all know what I recommend, and she should pin up her hair and work from the underneath up, sectioning off 1-2-inch sections. Kristen doesn’t need to spend a ton of time with the iron – just enough to smooth the waves, close the follicle, and promote a nice shine.
As her hair grows, she can always bust out the curling iron for the second look, but let’s focus on the cut for now.
What do you think about the first photo? Should Kristen shape it up accordingly?
Here it is, part 2 from last week! Better late than never, right?
Meet Natalie.
Natalie’s hair:
Dark brown with a bleached white stripe
Doesn’t know what to do with the front part of her hair – wears it pulled back 75% of the time
Oily at the roots, dry ends
Fine hair, thin at the front. Thick, minimal wave
Spends anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes on hair
Uses round brush with a blow dryer
Ceramic straightener occasionally
I can’t really get a clear idea of what Natalie’s hair looks like in these photos. To me, it looks reddish (which I really like) opposed to a dark brown, and I can’t tell if it’s wet or not. First off, if it isn’t wet in the photo, too much product is being used.
Natalie has a patch of gray hair located on the top of her head, and has been bleaching it to create a light stripe, as you can see in the photo. Although it adds some visual interest, I would prefer to see her with the entire head of hair colored uniformly or let the gray patch grow in au naturale.
To me, her natural gray patch of hair would still create a streaked look, but she wouldn’t have to consistently bleach (read: damage) that part of her hair. Think Stacy London.
BUT. If Natalie isn’t comfortable with flying her gray flag, what about an allover color? Natalie’s hair is currently brown, but I think a dark auburn would look very nice with her coloring. Something like this:
Oh, look! It’s a Nice and Easy advertisement! (I promise, I have no sort of agreement with Clairol. I just really liked this hair color on their website.)
Wouldn’t that color look lovely on Natalie? Now that I think about it, that cut would look great too. Cutting two inches off the bottom and adding long layers in the front would give Natalie’s hair more dimension, but she could still pull it back if needed. I would recommend using a color/heat protectant before drying and using a round brush and dryer to create a smooth, shiny style.
