Summer Style Secrets
Jason & India Miller, International Creative & Artistic Directors, Charlie Miller, www.charliemiller.com
We coax our favourite stylists and celebrity hair whisperers into sharing their secrets for fabulous hair all summer long!
By Jessica David
“Liven up your winter blond and look summer ready with some fantastic Apricot blond flashes amongst your blond highlights. And get your rollers out! This is an easy way to achieve an über-glamorous curl - then brush out with a bristle brush to create huge waves with lots of volume.”
Jason & India Miller, International Creative & Artistic Directors, Charlie Miller, www.charliemiller.com
“If like Posh you’ve decided to grow out your crop this summer, then take a tip out of her new look and play on the new length by adding texture and interest to the look. Short hair can take a few fine plaits which will help to create volume at the roots. If you’re brave enough to go for a short look this summer, it tends to work best on delicate features. Use a mini-straightener (Fudge Cordless Travel Iron, £100) to create smooth contrasting texture to the plaits.”
Richard Ward,www.richardward.co.uk
“I love up-dos, and ponytails and ballerina buns have been huge on the catwalks. They’re simple yet feminine, and easy to do. Most face shapes can wear hair pulled back off the face, but if you have a longer face then wear these looks with a fringe. The slick-back look suits straight hair but can be achieved on curly hair using a strong gel or by ironing the hair first. For straight-haired girls, hair can be tonged first for the softer option. To cheat this look on short hair you can slick the hair back into the nape then attach a hairpiece to make the bun.
Michael Barnes, www.michaelbarneshair.com, 020 7240 0311
“Style inspiration for this Spring/Summer comes from Cheryl Cole’s impossible glamour…Or is it? Her look is the most asked for style of the moment and is actually easier to achieve than you may think. To create the look, think rollers; heated rollers, Velcro rollers – literally throw them in and apply heat then leave the hair to cool and set before taking them out again, (if you remove them whilst the hair is warm the curl will collapse). Whilst they are in, your hands are free to do your make-up, unlike when using straighteners which are labour intensive.”
Charlie Taylor, Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, Charlie Taylor Hairdressing, www.charlie-taylor.co.uk
"This is an effortless pony tail with little to no product! It was part of one of my favourite collections called Allure, and it’s an easy wearable look that is über cool and very current. With the influx of what I call the ‘girly girl’, this pony epitomises this trend, and can be dressed up or down with accessories to suit every occasion. Also, a headscarf is the best way to protect your hair from the sun. It’s a ‘must have’ holiday item in my opinion, plus I think it adds a hint of glamour to the beach!”
Lisa Shepherd, www.lisashepherd.co.uk
“We love Lady GaGa’s coloured hair, to achieve it for one night only get an eye shadow in your desired colour, preferably something that contrasts against your overall hair colour. Using your finger tips, appply the eye shadow to the tips and some lengths of hair (get the shadow between your finger and thumb and pat it on). Spray with hairspray to fix the colour. I used this technique on the platinum blonde styles (attached) to achieve this eye catching original look. You can use an eye shadow with a bit of shimmer for a night out, and it just washes out in the morning!”
Karine Jackson, www.karinejackson.co.uk, 020 7836 0300
“As the season changes so should your hair colour, even if it’s just a little bit. The shops are full of fab new fashions and you’ll want your hair to be on trend too! Blondes are getting cooler, whilst auburns are getting redder and more plummy for summer – if you have highlights go for a fine, almost translucent effect rather than thickly striped highlighted hair.”
Errol Douglas, www.erroldouglas.com, 020 7235 0110
“Bobs will begin to die out a little with a lot of girls wanting long hair for summer. The more daring may go the other way and opt for a cropped style, which seems to be finally picking up momentum. Braids, plaits and hair bands will still be strong as a way to create new looks, and for long hair, there will be a resurgence of softly textured, tousled, layered styles with wispy side or full fringes. A return of the messy bo-ho beachy styles that can be created using tongs or stylers to add shape to your curls.”
Steve Carr, stylist at Jo Hansford, Mayfair, www.johansford.com
“For a quick fix to go from office to party use the palms of your hand in a rotating motion against your roots to create texture and with your fingers backcomb your crown. Voila, sexy volumised hair. And USE HAIRSPRAY! Hairspray is making a huge comeback and has come a long way since the ‘80s. It no longer makes the hair rock hard or flake and many add shine or colour protection and brush out for changeable style.”
Sally Brooks, Brooks + Brooks, www.brooksandbrooks.co.uk
“If you have frizzy hair, it is always advisable to carry travel sized gel and serum in your handbag throughout summer. If your hair turns frizzy due to the humidity or after being caught in a rain shower, mix the same amount of gel and serum together in the palm of your hand and pat sparingly over your hair. Run your hands through your hair very lightly. The serum will de-frizz and the gel will re-set your hair.”
Jo Hansford, Colourist, www.johansford.com
“Show-stopping accessories are huge for summer – think Lady Gaga’s hair bow. The hair bow is a key style from Schwarzkopf’s Essential Looks – it’d take a stylist a couple of hours to do and would cost about £200, so it’s really a one-off look! Cheat this style by making the bow (or getting your hairdresser to do it) from hair pieces – then simply fix into your hair like an accessory whenever you want to wear it.”
Rae Palmer, Southern Hairdresser of the year, www.raepalmer.co.uk, 023 9242 6622[/i]
“Spring/Summer 2009 will see tinted soft blonde bases with subtle streaks, and warmer honey bases - gone are the days of a flat ashy blonde. We will also see a big copper comeback for those with a pale skin tone – deep titian reds to a soft apricot blonde. Think ‘Karen Elson’.”
Taylor Ward, colourist at Jo Hansford, Mayfair, www.johansford.com
If you do not want something as severe as a haircut, then accessories and hair jewellery are a fantastic way to give yourself a different look for spring and summer, and so on-trend. My tip for top condition? Always towel dry hair before applying conditioner, otherwise you can be diluting the conditioner by up to 70%!”
Joe Nions of Cutting Room Creative, Town Street, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 4NB, 0113 269 7070, www.cuttingroomwired.co.uk
“This summer is all about shine and healthy looking hair. Blonde hair needs to have a shimmer coming through – gold highlights that literally looks like its sparkling! Prepping your hair for a summer colour change means a good month’s worth of twice-weekly deep conditioning treatments to ensure your hairs in its optimum health. Summer sun, colour, heat styling will all take a toll on the shine and moisture, so ensure you help your hair’s condition with some TLC too.”
Damien Carney, Joico Global Director, www.joico.com
“I think that natural is where it’s at – a shade that provides super shiny results but also works with your hairs natural tones to give you a wonderful summer sun-kissed look as it enhances the darks and lights of your hair. The hottest style trend of the summer is short boy-ish crops with dishevelled texture which looks really cute and carefree for Spring/Summer.”
Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, Aaron Blondell – Assistant Art Director at John Carne Hairdressing, www.johncarne.co.uk
“Wet your hair in fresh water before going into the sea or pool this summer, and then rinse off when coming out. This will help protect the hair from the damaging effects of chlorine and salt. Also, braid long hair with some leave-in conditioner in the morning. In the evening, remove plaits and you will have loose, glossy curls. This keeps you cool in the day and glam for the evening.”
Trevor Sorbie, MBE, www.trevorsorbie.com
"The Summer cut of the moment has to be the choppy, layered, sexy look with a long, almost awkward fringe. This look can be worn on midi, short or long hair. Current leaders of this look are Katie White of the Ting Tings and Gossip Girl Taylor Momsen. The original leaders of this style are Chrissie Hynde and of course the legendary Debbie Harry.
“A great quick fix for a mid, night-out spruce-up is to splash a little bit of water or your hands in the ladies, work through your hair and stick your head under a hand dryer – automatic strategy volume and back on the dance floor in no time!"
Andy Heasman, Int. Artistic Director, Rush London, www.rush.co.uk
“Red is the new blonde! We are seeing more and more clients swapping there blonde hair in favour of red shades in all variations from the summery strawberry blonde shades, to highlights in shades of pink to rich vibrant coppers (think Lily Cole or Kirsten Dunst in Spiderman) and intense reds. These colours are not for the faint hearted as they are sure to get you noticed.”
Angela Lowery, Colour specialist, Y Salon, www.ysalon.co.uk
If you want to maintain the length of your hair but reduce the weight on top ask your stylist for short layers. These layers will give your hair more body and transform a plain one length cut into an interesting funky style. And why not have hi-lights or low-lights put through just the parting of your hair for a brighter, fresher summer look.
Anita Cox McMillan, Celebrity Stylist, www.anitacox.co.uk
“The latest trend directions for hair and make-up include a strong trend of 70s and 80s influences. One of my favourite looks is ‘Glamazon’, which is heavily influenced by the glamorous 70s. The key to getting a past era-influenced look right is to take pieces from it, but not to wear it as was.”
Rae Palmer, Southern Hairdresser of the year, www.raepalmer.co.uk, 023 9242 6622
