Blush Application Tips

Extracted from InStyle / April 2005

Hair's To You!!

A good head on your shoulders is topped by wonderful hair. And these days, the most up-to-date styles are anything but high-maintenance.

It's one of those bad hair days, and you've barged into the salon demanding heat-styling, colouring - the works.

Think again before you let yourself in for it all, because every single one of those treatments robs hair of its natural beauty, says New York-based hairstylist Ouidad.

Fortunately, "the trend has moved away fromaggressively straightened and tousled hair to more feminine and wearable styles that put a greater emphasis on hair health and natural beauty," says Manhattan-based stylist Antonio Prieto.

To get the best "natural" look, the pros offer these tips.

The look
Long hair has been believed to be best on taller women, and pixie cuts have usually been recommended for those with delicate features.

These generalisations no longer hold true. Stylists from the modern school say the best style is achieved by playing up your hair's natural texture, rather than following a set of arbitrary rules.

"The idea is to emphasise the real state of your hair," says celebrity hair guru John Sahag. "Don't try to force it into something that it's not."

John Frieda, another salon owner, adds: "Beautiful hair does not exist on its own. It suits a woman's personality, style of dress, bone structure and the occasion."

The cut
"A good cut requires minimal styling, and is as becoming to you as it is practical," insist Ouidad. To that end, stylists can't say enough about layers, which provide volume and emphasise texture. Long layers work best for medium to long lengths, and graduated ones for short hair.

Forget hard edges and straight lines, and go instead for razored ends and a subtle unevenness. The effect, says John Frieda's international creative director Rick Haylor, is "like you've had a beautiful cut that's been growing out for a few weeks. Think of it as no-makeup makeup for hair".

The ritual
In terms of shampooing, every pro has an opinion on frequency. All agree, however, that over-washing is a no-no, though newer, milder formulas allow clean freaks to get their daily fix without too much damage to the hair.

Take note: "Shampoos that don't lather a lot contain fewer sufactants, which can be harsh on hair," Ouidad says. Better to go gentle and choose products like Kerastase Re-Balancing Shampoo, Pantene ProV Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo, and Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Shampoo.

Conditioning after every shampoo is also important, since "you have to put moisture back into the hair", says hairstylist Philip B. "Most hair problems, such as fly-aways and split ends, are caused by dryness.

"Work conditioner through the hair with a fine-tooth comb," he continues. "It's a myth that wide-tooth combs are better. You have 120,000 hairs on your head. A fine-tooth comb will distribute conditioner to more individual strands."

To make the most of your conditioner, Ouidad has another technique: Leave about 25 per cent of it in your hair after you've rinsed. Also, get a deep-conditioning treatment at least once a month.

The trick
The state of your hair tells a lot about your diet, says Manhattan nutritionist Heather Greenbaum. "I see so many women who have hair problems because they are always dieting." She is against depriving yourself, and advocates sensible meals that are high in protein, which is essential for new hair growth, as well as in Omega-3 fatty acids. The latter, found in fish like tuna and salmon, work as internal deep conditioners for dry, brittle hair.

The surprise
Next to your hairstylist, your masseuse might be your scalp's best friend. Goldwell's national training specialist, Cydni McCoy, says a sensual cranial massage improves blood circulation in the scalp. The increased circulation feeds hair follicles so that strands stay stronger, longer.

If you prefer to DIY, Philip B recommends a peppermint shampoo: "Peppermint works as a local anaesthetic," he says. "When combined with massage, it relaxes the scalp muscles, penetrates thhe skin and increases circulation."

Those with weak hair may consider Sisley Botanical Extract for Hair and Scalp, which stimulates hair growth (it's supposed to be effective on eyebrows and eyelashes as well).

Two local salons offer the prescribed head massages: The Salon (Wheelock Place, tel: 67340734) and Mahogany Hair Body and Soul (Winsland House, tel: 67375956).



Text: Nanny Eliana
Extracted from Family: March 2005