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Let’s get these Hair Thursdays cranking! I’m getting carpal tunnel over here!

Please direct your attention to Dani.

Dani’s Hair:

Naturally dark brown with lots of gray
Thick and curly
Prefers longer styles due to “gigantic face and a five-head- ala Tyra Banks” (Did I mention how much I love all of your hilarious HT emails? HahhaaHAHAAAAA.)
Doesn’t spend much time styling, wears ponytails every day
Wants to keep bangs, but maybe change the shape

First off, I want to address the styling issue. When responding to my question about her techniques, Dani wrote, “Post-shower, I comb out tangles, air-dry my bangs and then use a curling iron to pull the curl out. But I feel that style looks too young and dated, so I’m looking for an alternative bang style.”

I wear my hair in a ponytail often, and I don’t think expecting Dani to stop wearing ponytails is realistic. However, I do think changing the style of Dani’s bangs will help with the “young and dated” look.

Take a look at her photo. Do you notice how Dani’s bangs are cut straight across? Also, how you can see a definitive part between the bangs and the rest of hair? Essentially, she has bangs and long hair – not much of a transition there. How about having her bangs cut at an angle, so the bangs become longer and layer into her hair? That way, the look becomes more updated and easier to style.

I have to admit, the part about using the curling iron to straighten the bangs made me cringe a teensy bit. I think purchasing a flat iron would be a sound investment for Dani to help achieve the sideswept look.

This would be a decent photo to show your stylist, Dani.

(Oh, hi! It’s me! Talk about personalized service.)

This is how my bangs looked while I was sporting the sideswept look and using a flat iron. Also notice how the bangs blend into the hair instead of having a half-moon part around the front of my head. Might I ALSO mention that sideswept, longer bangs are much easier to deal with, maintenance-wise. They grow out easily, and you don’t need to trim as often. (Trust me, as I now have blunt cut bangs, which I adore, but MY GOD, the maintenance of bi-weekly trims. GAH.)

Okay, enough about bangs. I also think Dani should take at least 5 inches off the length. With the updated layering in the front and the length off the back, Dani can rock a new style without sacrificing her long hair.

Oh! Also! I think a semi-permanent rinse (DIY) in an auburn or reddish-brown would be really complimentary to Dani’s skin tone for a subtle change. (And gray coverage!)

Here are a couple photos of the longer, sideswept look.

The look with Option #1 could be achieved with an allover flat iron, followed by the whoorlie curling iron. (Obviously, for a special event due to the loooooong styling time.) #2 is a more natural look, but on most days Dani could dry and style her bangs (3 minutes total) and let her natural curls air-dry. I also think the color of #2 (with a hint of auburn) is a nice shade.

So, hey! It’s basically the same hairstyle! Is voting irrelevant?

Well, do it anyway.

Who was I kidding? A 4-participant Hair Thursday over the Christmas holidays? Yeah right.

Like all of you special people, I’m busy. I’ve been spending a lot of my time with some wonderful Ho Ho Ho Creamy White Sandwich Cookies, and really, who am I to deny such a confectionery delight? Not to mention, my father’s sickeningly perfect Chex Mix. (Don’t even try to say your recipe is better. We aren’t afraid to throw down over here.)

Baby steps. How about you take a gander at Alice?

Alice’s Hair:

Naturally brown, colors red with blond highlights
Very fine and wavy
Oily scalp
Usually keeps hair below shoulders, but will go shorter
Uses lots of products when styling (hairspray, mousse, serum, gels), but mainly uses shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner on a daily basis

I’m pretty sure Alice used the word “stringy” 1,346 times in her detailed email. Don’t worry, Alice. I’m here for you!

First things first, take a look at my highly scientific equation:

Very Fine (and oily!) Hair + Lots o’ Products = Saddy Sad Stringy Sadness

Let them go, Alice. Throw away the multitude of products AND the leave-in conditioner. In fact, does anyone out there know Alice personally? Will you see to it that the products are removed? Because honey, that hair will be stringy and blah ’til your dying day with all of that stuff in it! Trust me!

Alice needs a great shampoo and conditioner, and a little dab of styling cream (for shine!) on most days. Period. Maybe a thermal protectant on days when heat tools are being used.

What about these two options?

Both of these looks would require a flat iron for the smooth appearance. Here’s my take on flat irons, if you missed the first go-round.

Speaking of flat irons, this one is my very favorite. And you are NOT getting a video tutorial, thank you very much. Just be sure to apply a thermal protectant (like this one) before using the iron. Clip you hair up and starting from the bottom layers, work with 1-2 inch sections, careful not to clamp one section for too long. Keep the flat iron moving at all times, working slowly down the sections until you have completed all of the sections. Work a small amount of FF glossing cream through the hair from the middle to the ends. Voila! Straight, shiny hair.

Option #1 – Love the color (the red looks great with Alice’s peachy complexion) and the long layers in the front, which cover part of the forehead without the hassle of actual bangs. (I forgot to mention Alice isn’t into hair hanging in her face.)

Option #2 – Same textured ends, but this style has an allover shorter look. Bangs wouldn’t be too hard to keep up with since they blend into the hair.

I definitely think Alice should keep playing around with reddish colors and I would like to see a little more of her forehead covered.

What say you?

More participants coming up soon. My three remaining 2007 gals will BE in 2007, I promise.

Thanks for all of the love, ladies. I’m telling you- your comments about my so-called young appearance could not come at a better time. I spent upwards of ten minutes this morning trying to brush a black “eyelash” off the corner of my eye, until I realized it was not an eyelash, but the deepest crow’s foot wrinkle in the history of the earth. Suckdom.

I love it when Hair Thursday participants do all of the work for me – especially after a rare night of martinis. Meet Veronique.

Veronique’s hair:

Naturally brunette with auburn highlights (doesn’t want to change and I agree)
Hair is a curly/straight hybrid that can’t make up it’s mind
Thinning in the front
Looks flat when it’s longer

Veronique is a kick-ass photographer with a fun sense of style and apparently, doesn’t need my help because she sent the absolute BEST photo of a possible hairstyle for herself.

Oh, I know what you’re thinking. I’m just saying that so I can wuss out on the work of finding a suitable style for her, right? WRONG. I’m prepared to defend my choice! With the 59 million reasons WHY this hairstyle would look great on Veronique.

Option #1 is the photo Veronique sent to me and #2 is a slightly more traditional variation of the same cut. They both are highly-layered and highly texturized, but #1 has more of an inverted shape and much heavier bangs.

Veronique seems to have the kind of hair that wants to be “in between”. In between lengths, in between curly and straight, in between thick and thin. Instead of forcing her hair one way or the other, she needs to spotlight what she’s got. Both of these style options would be great because a mussed look is the goal. (No one uses the word “muss” anymore. BRING BACK THE MUSS!)

Notice how the heavier bangs in Option #1 are coming from the middle of the crown forward. This type of cut would help give Veronique a thicker look, masking the thinness in front and the cowlick in the middle of her forehead. As for the sides and back, she wouldn’t have to do a thing. Just wash, towel-dry, put a dab of waxy pomade through the ends and let air dry. The way Veronique’s hair naturally dries (the in between thing) would look almost exactly like the photos.

Plus! The shorter cut and bangs would totally bring out her lovely eyes.

Which one do you like?

Our second participant is Lane. She is the 2nd official inductee into The Fishing Club.

Lane’s hair:

Naturally perfect color
Naturally shiny
Naturally everything
Prefers her hair longer

Oh, that’s too bad. I was going to tell Lane to shave it all off.

Oh, I kid. I totally know where she’s coming from with her hair boredom, but I do think she should leave it longer. However, she asked about the possibility of bangs for a new change. I think that could work- maybe starting out with longer ones at first to see if she is happy with the look, and then going shorter if she likes them. Maybe something like this.

What do you think?

p.s. – Totally unrelated to the participants at hand, but this is rocking my world right now.

Our next participant is the very talented photographer, Lori. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Lori in person, and to put it mildly, she rocks.

She even made this little photo for me.

(Now, that’s what I like to see.)

Lori’s hair:

Naturally dark blonde, but has tried every color under the sun
Itching to dye her hair again
Prefers shoulder length or longer
Healthy and thick
Fine texture
Uses styling products and tools

I agree with Lori on the length. In fact, I would like her to grow it about three more inches to get it past the length where it flips up and out from brushing the top of the shoulder. I definitely think she should keep the layers, but remove a little bit of the overall weight.

How boring is this? Hey Lori! Grow out your hair! Thanks for participating!

Not a lot of fun, I know.

(Wait! The good part is coming up.)

I definitely think it’s time for a major color change, but I’m a little torn between blond or brunette. No matter what, I want Lori’s gorgeous blue eyes to pop. Personally, I’ve always been a huge fan of brunettes with bright blue eyes, and the darker color would be perfect for fall and winter. On the other hand, Lori lives in LA, and it’s not like we’re roasting chestnuts in our woolly scarves over here. (I’m typing this barefoot with a wife beater on.)

Let’s look at the color options.

Does anyone else think Lori looks like Martina McBride? Either way, she’s gonna look hawt. (Although, I’m secretly pulling for the brunette. I might just drive to LA and make out with her if she busts out Option #1. )

What do you all think?

Welcome to Hair Thursday – The Highly Opinionated Week!

There will not be any voting this week because I HAVE THE ANSWERS.

(Also, I don’t have time for the polls. Wito hasn’t been napping well due to the buds of Satan, so he could start wailing any minute! MUST TYPE VERY QUICKLY.)

This week is very important because Erin, our first participant, will be reuniting with her husband in NINE DAYS, when he returns from his one-year deployment in Iraq.

That’s right. One year without her husband while he serves our country. One year raising their absolutely adorable 17-month-old boy without her partner-in-crime. Hell, I get sappy when D takes 2-day business trips. I can’t even imagine, but I am so thrilled for Erin and her family!

Obviously, Erin wants to knock her husband’s socks off when they see each other for the first time. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get to it!

Erin’s hair:

Recently thermally-reconditioned (the Japanese straightening treatment)
Medium brown
Thick
Proficient with a flat iron, uses a ceramic curling iron once in awhile
Not sure if she should cut it shorter for a big change

I don’t think Erin should cut a lot off right now for many reasons. First off, her hair is beautiful and she probably just paid a pretty penny to have it thermally-reconditioned. Secondly, I don’t want her to chop it all off and regret it, especially when her husband is going to see her for the first time in a year. My guess is that he probably likes it longer (because it’s GORGEOUS), and I want him to take a look at her and bow-chick-a-bow-wowwwww. You catchin’ my drift?

I’m thinking something like this:

BOWCHICKABOWWOWWWWW. Oh yeah, baby.

And guess what? This is going to be a breeze for her to accomplish, I promise.

As for the color, from what I’ve read, highlighting is not recommended in addition to thermal reconditioning. So, let’s just leave the current lovely color alone. (Seriously, I would never forgive myself if Erin greeted her husband with a bald head.)

As for the cut, I would take a few inches off (just above the chest) and go for the side-swept bangs. (Although, bangs aren’t crucial in achieving this look. And yes. I’m suggesting side-swept bangs again. Sue me.) A few subtle layers added for movement and she will be good to go.

Oh, but how will she achieve those lovely waves? Glad you asked! Might I direct you here?

Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Now Erin, you must promise us you will send an updated photo in all of your glory. (And, you know, a DVD of your reunion with your husband so I can bawl my eyes out…)

Since Erin won’t have the pleasure of seeing your votes, why don’t you give her congratulatory shout-out in the comments or at her blog.

Wito has arisen. I’ll be back shortly with Participant #2.