What Hairstyle Suits Me?

Like dressing our bodies, it is important to consider balance and proportion when it comes to choosing a haircut or style that will suit our face shape.

OVAL FACE

• Features: Perfectly symmetrical , gently rounded hairline, slightly wider at the temples than at the jaw.
• Objective: Show off your perfect proportions!
• Choose: Most hairstyles and lengths suit an oval face.
• Avoid: Ensure that your cut doesn’t hide your facial features.
• Celebrity examples: Cindy Crawford, Jessica Alba and Julia Roberts.

OBLONG (LONG) FACE

• Features: Face is quite long, with similar with at temples, cheekbones and jaw.
• Objective: Your haircut should create the illusion of a wider and shorter face.
• Choose: Short-to-medium length (above the shoulder), layers (fullness at sides of face), volume/body, side parting, wispy fringe.
• Avoid: Long hair, straight styles, centre partings, no fringe.
• Celebrity examples: Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler and Hilary Swank.

HEART FACE

• Features: The face is widest at temples, narrowest at chin.
• Objective: Balance out the wider forehead/temples area by adding visual interest or volume around the jaw/chin area.
• Choose: Chin-length, fullness at jaw-line, soft or curly styles, side parting, wispy fringe.
• Avoid: Short or pixie crops, volume at the crown / upper half of face, severe cuts.
• Celebrity examples: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Charlize Theron.

ROUND FACE

• Features: Rounded hairline and chin. Face is widest at cheekbones.
• Objective: Lengthen the face for a slimming effect.
• Choose: Longer than chin-length, height at crown, sleek cut that is close to the face, side parting.
• Avoid: Very short or very long styles, straight fringe, middle parting.
• Celebrity examples: Cameron Diaz, Kate Bosworth, Drew Barrymore, Mandy Moore.

SQUARE FACE

• Features: Strong square jaw and hairline.
• Objective: Soften the hard angles of the face.
• Choose: At or below shoulder length, layers, waves or curls, side parting, side-swept fringe.
• Avoid: Square or geometric cuts (e.g. bob), very long styles, middle parting, straight or heavy fringe.
• Celebrity examples: Demi Moore, Sandra Bullock, Calista Flockhart.

DIAMOND FACE

• Features: The face is widest at the ckeekbones.
• Objective: This is a particularly attractive face-shape so your objective should be not to hide your great features!
• Choose: Any length (a graduated bob looks especially good), nearly all styles, volume around the neck area.
• Avoid: Bare neck, hiding facial features.
• Celebrity examples: Linda Evangelista, Sophia Loren.

Yours in style,
Caroline

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Video: Aug Hair Faves

In this video, I talk you through the haircare products that I have been using most this Summer.

VIDEO: SBC Hair – August 2010 Favourite Hair Products

FEATURED PRODUCTS

• Shampoo: Pureology Shampoo
• Conditioner: Vichi Dercos Conditioner
• Conditioner: Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave In Conditioner
• Dry Shampoo: Batiste Dry Shampoo
• Serum: John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum Finishing Spray
• Hair Accessories: Scünci No Slip Grips

Yours in style,
Caroline

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Pureology Haircare

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article bemoaning the hysterical claims made by beauty product manufacturers in order to increase sales. Usually, I greet extravagant claims with scoffs and tut-tuts; however, some assertions are so outlandish that I can’t resist trying them out and seeing can I prove them wrong.

However, last week, it was I that was proved wrong. I expected codology; instead I got Pureology.

About Pureology

Pureology was developed in California 2001 by hair-care specialist, Jim Markham, for a friend who was going through Chemotherapy and required a gentle organic shampoo. It was only when the product was developed that Markham realized that it helped to prolong colour-treated hair. The reason for this is that unlike most other hair cleansers and conditioners, his products did not contain sulfates which strip colour from the hair. Furthermore the products contain UVA/UVB protection which also helps to prevent colour from fading.

Range of Products

Pureology offers a range of hair-type-specific products, including:

• Hydrate^TM System: For dry colour-treated hair
• Pure Volume^TM System: For fine, colour-treated hair
• Essential Repair^TM System: For distressed, colour-treated hair

Value for Money

The shampoos seem pricey at €20 a pop; however, My Lovely Hairdresser tells me that each bottle should last for 80-100 washes. You must be joking, I thought – I barely get 10 washes out of a bottle. But she assures me that you should only use a pearl-sized amount of product at a time, and shampoo twice for best results. And in fairness to her, despite what I would have considered ‘meagre rations’, my hair has never felt softer or silkier.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

If my testimonial doesn’t hold true for you, then you’ll be impressed to hear that Pureology offers a money-back guarantee within 4 weeks of purchase if you’re not satisfied with the product. Now there’s confidence eh!

Have you tried any of these products? I would love to hear what you thought of them.

Yours in style,
Caroline

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Secrets of Healthy Hair

Clients often ask me how to get great-looking hair. The answer is simply TLC! It takes a bit of work, but the rewards are worth it. Check out my tips below:

A Balanced Diet: Be sure to follow a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals and protein. Drink at least 2 litres of water per day to maintain soft, healthy locks.

A Great Hairstyle: A good hairstyle will not only enhance your facial features, it will also make you appear younger, more vivacious and attractive! Furthermore, I recommend that you trim your hair every 6-8 weeks so as to avoid split ends.

Choose Suitable Products: As obvious as it sounds, choose cleansing, conditioning & styling products that are specifically designed for your hair-type i.e. frizzy, curly, fine, dry, damaged, dandruff, coloured etc. It really does make a difference.

Shampoo twice: For squeaky-clean hair, shampoo it twice, using only a coin-size of shampoo each time. Rinse your hair in cool water for an extra shiny look!

Always condition: Apply conditioner to your hair after shampooing and leave it to penetrate for at least one minute before rinsing. Don’t apply conditioner to the roots as this will make your hair look greasy (use your ears as a guide of where to start applying). If your hair errs on the dry side, treat it to a weekly conditioning treatment.

Dry, don’t fry: Avoid drying your hair with a dryer until it is 2/3 dry. Not only will it be easier to style your hair, it will also help to prevent your hair from drying out. If possible, try to let your hair dry naturally at least once a week. If you like to straighten your hair, be sure to use a heat protecting product on your hair, before you touch it with hot irons. Don’t straighten your hair every day as it will shortly lead to a frazzled, unmanageable hair.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Parlux 2800 Hairdryer

Clients are always asking me how to achieve the elusive 'salon blowdry' on their hair, without the assistance of a salon:

There are a few crucial ingredients:

1. A good haircut.
2. A suitable styling product for your hair type.
3. A suitable brush (e.g. paddle brush for long hair, round barrel brush for shorter hair).
4. The manoeuvrability of an Olympic gymnast to control the darned hairdryer.

Whilst 1,2 and 3 are essentials, thankfully no.4 isn't a problem for me any more since the arrival of my new Parlux 2800 Professional Hairdryer.

I bought this dryer on the recommendation of My Lovely Hairdresser and I'm delighted to report that it is as good as she said it would be. Importantly for me, it's lightweight (my thick hair = long drying time = tiredy arms), it channels the heat beautifully (resulting in no pesky flyaway hairs) and it doesn't require a computer programmer to work it.

My only quibble was the hair-raising cost. In fairness, that's not Parlux's fault, rather my local salon supplies store who charged me over €100 for the 2800 dryer...only for me to discover it on the internet later for half the price! The same store quoted me €80 for a set of heated rollers, only for me to buy the exact same ones in Argos for €31. The lesson is to SHOP AROUND and don't get stung for high prices.

Despite paying over the odds, I'm reminded of a wise friend who once said, "I can't afford to buy cheap". As I type, my hair is bouncy, sleek and shiny - and it only took 10 minutes to achieve this look this morning with the Parlux 2800. It's a helluva dryer and would have been a bargain at double the price I paid.


Yours in style,
Caroline

To Layer or not to Layer?

Last week I told you about my recent hairdressing infidelity.

Today, I have an even bigger confession resulting from last week's choppage; after 15 years, I finally bid adieu to my 'layers'*.

*Cue dropping of jaws and gasps of disbelief from the hairdressing fraternity.

The verdict: I wish I did it 14 years ago!

Let me take you all the way back to 1995, when 'The Rachel' was in fashion. Oh you were at nothing unless you were sporting Jennifer Aniston's sleek, bouncy 'do. Shur didn't it look so easy and healthy and altogether lovely!

So of course, where Jennifer Aniston led, I (and half the country) blindly followed. Bye-bye lovely, controllable locks; hello frizzy unmanageable shock. And what a shock it was indeed at 14 years of age to realise that the sleek, bouncy 'do ain't so easy to do after all - especially when one has thick, course, unruly hair like I. Oh the folly of youth.

So, what caused the frizz I hear you say? Twas those darned layers. Coarse hair + short layers = hard-to-manage hair. The layers were simply too light to keep in check - my hair needs weight and length to keep it quiet.

So, for the last 15 years, I fought the frizz with an artilliary of ceramic straighteners, leave-in conditioners, straightening serums...even a household iron at some stage. Adding to my woes was the rainy Irish climate; every time I set foot outside the front door I required several scarves and industrial-strength umbrellas to shield the mane from the rain.

So what eventually convinced me to get rid of the layers?

A fortnight ago I misplaced my hair straightener; as a result, my hair went into a state of frizzy delerium. Finally I snapped: "that's it, I'm not putting up with this any more", and so, last Monday, I instructed a gobsmacked hairdresser to "cut it all off". Thankfully, instead of my drastic plan, she rather more reasonably suggested that I cut it all one length.

The results were astounding. Overall, I lost 4" in length, but I have gained FREEDOM, and at least an extra 2 hours in the week! I can't believe how easy it is to manage - I'm like a walking "Wash and Go" advertisement! While my hair isn't poker straight, it is full, healthy and dare I say bouncy, with minimal frizz. I'm quite simply amazed.

Admittedly, an equi-length hairstyle ain't the most exciting look in the world, but I'm happy to live I can jazz it up easily with accessories and colour. A satisfactory trade off I think.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Tune in later this week for my top tips on fighting the frizz.

Hairdressing Infidelity

Today I cheated on my My Lovely Hairdresser. And I feel wretched.

Before I fill you in on the whole sorry saga, let me first of all tell you a bit about My Lovely Hairdresser. As her name suggests, she is very lovely. Not only is she a dab hand with a scissors, crucially she gets the balance right between "chatting time" and "OK! Magazine time", plus she serves fancy biscuits with the tea. See, lovely.

However, today I strayed. And as if that wasn't bad enough, I went to the hair salon down the road. Oh the guilt!

In typical cheater fashion, I'm quick to defend my infidelity (eh,ease my guilt) with an excuse; My Lovely Hairdresser doesn't work on Mondays and I needed my tresses tending to in advance of an important day tomorrow (more of that anon).

I'll even be honest and say that I quite enjoyed The Other Salon. Nice décor...check, soothing music...check, tea & biscuits...check, massage chairs...check, sudsy shampoo...check.

Yet, I have a gnawing feeling in my stomach since that won't go away. What will I say to My Lovely Hairdresser the next time I see her? "The Other Salon meant nothing to me"..."It will never happen again"...I could deny the whole thing...except that my hair is 4 inches shorter and a visibly different style.

Will My Lovely Hairdresser take me back I wonder? If she does, will things ever be the same again?

Yours in shame,
Caroline

Hair Trends for SS10

Like this season’s style trends (see upcoming post), the hair trends for Spring-Summer 2010 are whimsical, romantic and verrry verrrry feminine (apart from a glaring grungy gel look, but more of that later).

Having scouted the catwalks, here are the Top 5 most fashionable looks:

• Long, straight hair: This look is sleek, glossy and oh-so-healthy looking. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock (pictured below) sported this look with aplomb at last night’s People’s Choice Awards in LA.

• Long, wavy hair (side parting): This style sounds deceptively easy; in actual fact, it can be difficult to achieve a balance between waves and curls, likewise waves and frizz! Similarly it can be challenging to maintain this look. Nonetheless, if you do wish to try it out, arm yourself with a can of hairspray and good large rollers. Look at how well Penelope Cruz carried off this look at the New York premiere of Nine (pictured below).

• Plaits / braids: I don’t think I’ve worn a plait since primary school, but having seen the relaxed side plaits sported on the runways, I’m tempted to give plaits another try. The key to getting this look right is to ensure that the plait is ‘strategically messy’ i.e. it shouldn’t be too neat, but it must not be downright raggy either. Wear with a side parting.
• Classic Updos: Think soft chignons and sleek twists. Very Jackie O / Audrey Hepburn. The look is gentle, feminine and chic.
• Slicked-back hair: Ooooh, I’m not too sure about this one. Basically, you take a dollop of gel and work it through the hair for a slicked-back wet look. It’s very hard to wear though as you could very easily look like you haven’t washed your hair for a fortnight!

As for accessories, the following items will be all over the high street shortly:

• Minnie Mouse hair bows: Thank/blame Lady Gaga for this trend. Since Cheryl Cole wore a super-sized bow on X Factor last November, the fashion mags have been going mad for them.
• Feather headbands: In as many colours and sizes as you can imagine!
• Ribbons: Chic made simple. Buy a roll of ribbon from your local draper supplies store or haberdashery for tuppence and make your own simple band to suit your outfit.

Yours in style,

Caroline

Another Solution for Hairloss

Juicy is a sister-salon to Couture in Adare, which is renowned for trendy tresses. Like it's sister-salon, Juicy has a fantastic team of expert staff, offering you a vast range of cutting, styling and colour services. If you're into your interiors, the funky décor in itself is worth a visit!

Amongst its services, Juicy offers a wig-fitting service to clients who have experienced hair loss through medical treatments, alopecia or other. Consultations and wig fittings are conducted by a trained, experienced specialist at in a private room.

Address: Racefield Centre, Dooradoyle, Limerick.
Telephone: 061-308522

Yours in style,
Caroline

Stylish Solution for Hairloss

I am an avid reader of the County Living section of the Farmers Journal. I like their down-to-earth, no-nonsense approach and their lifestyle features rival any of the Irish glossy publications. Every week I pick up wonderful tips and this week was no different...

In this week's edition I came across and excellent recommendation for http://www.headwear.ie/, which is the brainchild of Athlone-based designer, Ursula Hanley. Ursula designs and manufactures beautiful and affordable headscarves, turbans, bandanas and nightcaps, which are created specifically for women who have experienced hairloss or baldness.

Ursula's business us goes to show that triumph can come from adversity; Ursula's sister Sheelagh lost her hair following successful chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. During her recovery, Sheelagh found that wigs were too hot and uncomfortable to wear but she struggled to find a practical, not to mind fashionable, alternative.

Whilst watching Samantha Jones' character on Sex and the City battle with breast cancer, Sheelagh lamented that none of Samantha's beautiful, stylish headwear was available in Ireland. This inspired seamstress Ursula to develop a range of her own. Ursula selects the softest stretchiest and most beautiful fabrics, out of which she creates comfortable, secure and stylish headwear (see example pictured left).

To view the full range, check out http://www.headwear.ie/.


Yours in style,
Caroline