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While spring might seem a little way off, now is the perfect time to start thinking about updating your style for the year ahead. Many of us start to feel that all familiar itch around this time of year, longing for a change from winter. A great way to inject a little freshness into the winter months is with a new cut or colour. With this in mind, here are the spring/summer hair trends for 2019 that we are loving…

The Blunt Bob

Angular hair is at the top of our lust list for 2019, with blunt bobs making a big comeback. Blunt cuts can suit all face shapes, because the length of the cut can be adjusted to suit each individual, while blunt edges can help fine hair look thicker, or thick hair look softer, depending on how the hair is styled.

If you’re considering going shorter and embracing the blunt bob this year, start slow. While it can be tempting to dive in head first, consider a cut a few inches longer than you might like to start, to check you’re happy with your shorter locks before taking the plunge.

Charcoal Tones

Grey has been big in hair colour for some time now, which is great news for anyone that’s naturally going grey. This year it’s all about smokey ashy greys, which can be used in blonde hair or hair that’s naturally grey. This stunning cool shade has a creaminess to it, making it really soft and pretty.

Super Straight

The super straight styles of the ‘90s are back. For a long time now, we’ve been embracing the natural look of soft curls and waves, but 2019 is all about a more structured look. Layers will be less important in cuts this year, with straight hair all one length being the stand out style. This means investing in a pair of GHDs, and a trip to the hairdresser to tidy up any wispy ends, or to level the length out.

Undone Topknots

Chanel’s 2018 ready-to-wear catwalk saw models supporting undone topknots, that appeared to have been styled within minutes and with little in the way of product. This is every woman’s dream that finds herself short of time in the morning, because the undone topknot is the updo of choice for the year ahead. To achieve this style, tie your hair into a ponytail before twisting into a bun. Let the ends remain loose and a little messy, if needs be you can quickly tease a few strands out to perfect the look.

Copper Velvet

Burnt orange, rust and terracotta are everywhere at the moment. From fashion and interiors, and now even hair. Copper is a reddish-brown shade, but copper velvet provides a stunning update with a beautiful multi-tonal finish. This is a complex colour, and so needs a professional touch to get right, but it can look really striking and yet still appears to be natural when done well.

If you’re ready to update your cut or colour, pop in and see us to discuss your ideas and what you want to achieve. Sometimes a new look is just what you need.

Naturally looking wavy hair is one of the most sought after looks around the world. Waves seem to always be on trend, and it’s this relaxed ‘I woke up like this’ vibe that we all want to achieve. Waves look soft, pretty and feminine, without being over done or too styled. Wavy locks are a go to for many occasions – from festivals and summer holidays, to bridal looks and everyday style – waves continue to be in high demand.

Night Time Buns

No time in the morning to style your hair? Try this simple way to create natural waves, without the addition of heat damage. Just before bed, part your hair and split into two sections. Twist each section into a tight bun and secure with grips. Use a spray bottle to spritz each bun to make the hair damp. Leave in over night to create natural looking waves. In the morning simply unravel each side. You might need to tease the hair into place here and there, and back brush a little to create volume, but you’ll only need five minutes in the morning and you’ll be good to go.

Mermaid Worthy Waves

Creating waves with your straighteners is easier than you might think. Our tool of choice is the GHD IV Styler Hair Straightener, as it’s the perfect size to create mermaid style waves. In addition, who doesn’t love having a tool that you can create multiple looks with?

To create waves with your straighteners, section off the top three quarters of your hair and secure with a band so that it’s out of the way. With the hair that’s left down, take a section at a time around one inch wide and place your straighteners at the top. Move them down the length of the hair curling in and out, in and out as you go. You can make your waves as tight or as lose as you want. Work your way around all of the hair that is down, then take down another quarter section of your hair and continue until you’ve done it all.

Back brush the roots a little to avoid the hair being flat at the roots, spritz with hairspray and you’re done.

Whether you want to create quick and easy waves without heat, or you want to go for a more precise look, creating waves at home is doable with these two methods.

Beach hair can feel tricky to approach. You want to look and feel great on the beach this summer, but you don’t want to spend a lot of time styling your hair. In addition, you want to protect your hair from the salty sea water and the sun. The trick is finding the right balance – creating a style that you love but that is practical and speedy to achieve. Read on to discover our top three beach worthy hairstyles, for your summer break in 2018…

1. Half Up Braids

Keep your hair out of your face and off your forehead with this half up-do. The whimsical festival feel makes it perfect for a day at the beach. Simply section off the hair, taking two 2-inch wide sections at the front of the head. Begin to plait backwards, picking up a little more hair as you go to create french braids. Do this on either side, and secure at the back of the head with grips. Ready to go for a swim? Simply pop your hair that’s left down into a bun to protect your hair from the salt water.

2. Half up Bun

This is another great style that will keep your hair off your face in the hot weather, as well as looking stylish. Split your hair into two, picking up the top half and leaving the underneath down. It’s best to section your hair off from the top of your ears, creating a line from your ears to the back of the top of your head, in an upwards motion. Use a comb to brush the top half of your hair back so that it’s neat, then twist into a bun at the top of the back of your head. Secure with grips and tease a few strands out to create a chilled out beach vibe.

3. Side Swoop Braid

Keep your hair off the back of your neck and off one side too, with this beach-worthy braid style. This is ideal if you want to keep your hair neat, but don’t want to go for a full up do such as a ponytail or a bun. It’s also ideal if you’re going out in the evening and want to create beachy waves the natural way. Simply leave your braid in all day and sprizt until damp, leave to dry in the sun and take out in the evening for natural waves.

To style start by parting the hair on one side. At the front of your head, take a section about two inches wide and start to braid the side that has the most hair on. Sweep the hair from the other side and the back of the head round the back and onto the side you are braiding. As you go, start to add in more sections of hair from the back. This doesn’t have to be neat and precise, this is all about creating a laid back look. As you reach the length of your hair, you should now have all of your hair in the braid. Secure with a band, then take a section of hair and wrap round the band to conceal.

Beach-worthy hair doesn’t have to be a headache. Create stylish hair that’s practical too, with these three styles.

Many of us have a pretty good idea of what suits us, or the length in which we most like our hair. Choosing a flattering length and shape for your hair is key to feeling and looking your best everyday, but some of you might actually be supporting the completely wrong hair length for your features. If you’re thinking about trying a new style, or you simply want to find your most flattering hair length, read on…

Consider your Face Shape

While there are various factors to think about to find your perfect hair length, one of the biggest elements is your face shape. It is important to create balance to your overall appearance, and balance can be enhanced, just like imbalance can be emphasized through the shape and length of your hair….

– Long face: if you have a long and narrow shaped face, avoid long hair. Going for length will simply drag your face down, making it appear even longer. Instead, try a bob that sits just short of your chin to create better balance.

– Round face: If you have a round face, opting for longer styles will help to make your face look more balanced and oval in shape. Long length and a side swept fringe can help to slim your face and make it look more contoured.

– Square face: Try waves or curls in mid lengths to soften a square face. Shoulder length hair or a little longer is perfect for those with a square face.

Heart shaped: Long hair is great for a heart shaped face. Avoid blunt edges though, particularly in shorter cuts, and stay away from bobs.

Oval face: An oval face shape is considered to be balanced already. If you have an oval face you are lucky as you can try out almost any length.

Consider Texture

The type and texture of your hair matters when it comes to length too. If your hair is pretty normal – i.e. not particularly thick or thin, not coarse or frizzy, you can get away with most hair lengths.

– Fine hair: When hair that is on the fine side gets long it can end up looking limp. The longer it gets, the heavier it will be, and so the more it will drag itself down. Shorter haircuts can create more body and volume. If your face shape requires a longer cut but you have fine hair, consider going for a length just a few inches under the shoulders, with lots of layers.

– Thick hair: Those with thicker hair might find that their hair is unmanageable in shorter styles. Thick hair is often coarse and frizzy, which results in a mind of its own in short styles. Try growing it long to add weight and tame it. As your hair gets longer, it will naturally sit smoother and be easier to manage.

Finding the perfect hair length means achieving balance, and both your face shape and your hair type matters here. If you’re not sure what’s best for your hair, book in for a consultation to receive professional advice.

You’ve been looking forward to your summer holiday all through the winter. That chance to escape, relax and get some sun on your skin is exactly what you need. You want to look and feel great on your holiday, but you want to enjoy yourself, and worrying about your hair is the last thing that you need. Instead opt for flattering, stylish and chic hair styles, that are easy and quick to do, so that you can make the most of your summer escape…

The Low Pony

This is an ideal summer holiday style – low maintenance, easy to create and always stylish – the low pony is your go-to this summer. Think chic, smooth and simple. To create the look wash your hair in advance with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Part the hair in the middle and smooth back towards the base of your neck. Secure in a low pony with a band, then wrap a piece of hair around the band to hide. Finish of with a spritz of hairspray to smooth down any fly aways. This is the ideal style for humid and hot weather, as it’ll stay looking smooth all day.

The Falling Down Up-Do

This look is so easy to create as it requires little in the way of precision. It’s an undone up-do that allows you to get your hair up off of your neck for hot weather, but that still looks soft and pretty. Scoop your hair back into a simple chignon, placed just above the neck to help keep you cool. Then coax out a few strands around your face and ears to soften. Curl the strands if needed to create a pretty and natural finish.

The Double Bun

This playful look is ideal for a day on the beach – it keeps your hair neat, out of the way, and can even result in beachy curls if your hair gets wet and dries in the sun. Start by parting the hair in the middle and split the hair into low bunches. Secure with bands at the nape of the neck. Start on one side, twisting the hair until it starts to wrap up, wrap into a neat bun and secure with grips. Repeat on the other side.

Whether you’re jetting off on a beach holiday, to a festival or for a family adventure in the sun, try these easy hairstyles to help keep you cool, but looking stylish all day long.

Hair colour is a little more complex than you might realise. Over the years, if you’ve experimented with changing your colour, you might have found some shades were a great success, while others just didn’t have quite the same impact. This is because hair colour and skin tone are both very precise, meaning while some hair colours look great on some people, on others they are unflattering.

We are always happy to advise through consultation in regards to the best hair colour for your skin tone. For now though, read on to get an idea of the kind of colours you can pull off, and which to avoid…

Cool Blonde

Cool blonde or ‘ice blonde’ is ideal for those with pale skin tones. If you have very fair skin, with rosey warm undertones cool blonde is an ideal colour choice. If you have blue, grey or green eyes and fair skin, try and ash blonde.

Warm Blonde

Including caramel, gold, honey, butterscotch and amber, warm blonde is best suited to those with olive skin tones, or fair skin with cooler undertones. Lighter ashy blonde shades can wash out an olive skin tone. If you want to go lighter, try a caramel blonde rather than a cool blonde.

Cool Red

This shade includes dark auburn and burgundy. It may not sound quite right, but red is very flattering for those with red tones in their skin. Opting for a red shade will make your skin look glowy, rather than trying to fight against it. If you have a warm and fair complexion, try a cool red to make your skin glow.

Warm Red

Think copper, strawberry blonde, amber and rust. Warm reds are very flattering on fair and neutral skin tones. Try mixing a cool and warm red to create a creamy shade that’s warm and soft, but with a hint of golden tones too. If you have a cool skin tone, you could also try warm reds to counteract the blue tones in your skin.

Cool Brown

Cool brown tones include mocha, dark chocolate, dark auburn and chestnut. Cooler brown tones can look particularly striking on those with warm skin. Whether you have fair skin, medium or dark skin, cool brown is a great choice is you have a warm complexion.

Warm Brown

When it comes to warm brown, think cinnamon, caramel, golden brown, honey, amber and mahogany. If you have a medium skin tone, a warm brown is ideal as it will stop you looking washed out.

Warm Black

Think brown black or dark mocha. Add chocolatey tones to your black shade to warm it up, this is super flattering on cool-toned skin, and ideal for medium to dark skin tones.

Cool Black

Deep shades of coffee, blue-black and licorice are what you’re aiming for here. Opt for a cool black if your skin has warm or neutral undertones. Avoid this shade if you have fair, cool-toned skin.

If you’re interested in a colour change, book in for a consultation. It’s good to have some ideas before you visit us, but if you’re not sure which shade to go for, we can advise on what will be most flattering for your skin tone.

Managing curly hair can be tricky. If your hair is naturally curly it’s likely that you will have developed your own way to look after your curls over the years. Product is key when it comes to making the most of your natural curls – from curl defining to curl calming – products can transform your hair with minimal effort.

Finding the right product for your hair type is key. Read on to discover our top products for naturally curly hair…

Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancer

For anyone who wants more defined curls, or to bring out the natural curl in their hair, the Be Curly Curl Enhancer by Aveda is the idea product. Working to intensify curls, tame frizz and add shine, this product has been designed for use on waves and curls.

Containing a wheat protein blend, the product expands on wet hair, and then retracts when the hair dries, to lock in and define curls. For best results, apply to towel dried hair and dry with a diffuser. Add a little more product as you go to coax your curls into place. Finish and define the style with one final application once dry.

Wella Sebastian Professional Twisted Curl Manager

This curl cream by Sebastian Professional from Wella works to polish and define curls. Light and easy to use, the cream doesn’t add extra weight, crunchiness or stiffness to the hair. The Flexi Alg Complex technology works by fighting frizz and dryness in the hair, resulting in natural definition and a light bouncy finish.

To use apply all over damp hair and scrunch well. Dry with a diffuser or air-dry for curls that are defined and smooth with soft movement. The end result is smoother, softer and glossier curls.

Aveda Be Curly Curl Controller

This is the perfect option for anyone with tight or frizzy curls who wants to tame them. Working to lengthen even the tightest of curls, the Be Curly Curl Controller by Aveda also controls volume and smoothes frizz.

With organic babassu oil, the hair is conditioned and the curls are relaxed, while the corn-derived smoother works to reduce volume and frizz. Finally, the pure-fume aroma adds a beautiful fresh scent to the hair, with organic lemon, orange and bergamot. Simply apply to damp hair before drying, then dry with a diffuser or air dry for natural yet smooth curls.

In addition to product, your cut also influences how your natural curls sit. A great cut makes styling curls simple. For expert advice on the best style for your naturally curly hair book a consultation and let us help you find your perfect style.

Every now and then you probably find that you get the urge to experiment with your hair colour. While it’s not advised to change your hair colour too often, we all like to try new looks and trends from time to time. From ultra on-trend styles, to colour updates that will stand the test of time, why not consider trying one of these three colour updates this year…

Nude Hair

The nude hair trend is all about getting your hair looking as natural as possible. Those who have been through years of dyeing may find that their hair has varying tones, is patchy and brassy. This is all about going back to basics, using mid shades that are natural and cool in tone, rather than extremes such as black or white blonde.

If you want to try this trend without going lighter or darker, book in for a toner to create an ashy and even shade from root to tip. Nude hair looks best when it’s healthy, so consider a trim and a conditioning treatment too.

Rose Gold

This one isn’t for the faint hearted – in the spotlight this year is rose gold locks. This is the latest colourful update following a string of pretty pastel hair colours, in a variety of finishes. If you’ve always wanted to experiement with colour in your hair, but you’ve been unsure of the bright blues, pinks and purples, this trend offers the perfect middle ground.

Not as bright or as instantly obvious as brighter and bolder colours, rose gold has been on-trend in fashion and home décor for some time now. It’s translated into the hair and beauty industry, with the colour of the season being pretty rose gold tones. For blondes, try and allover colour that’s intensified at the roots and softer on the ends. For brunettes, why not try a rose gold balayage.

Contrasting Tones

We’re not suggesting you go back to the stripy highlights of the ‘90s, but undone roots are one of the leading hair trends for the season. Influenced by past trends of dip dye and balayage, this trend can be done with most hair colours. Ideally you’d want to have a professional dye job, to blend your roots with the length of your hair, but it’s a great excuse to leave your roots au natural in between salon visits.

For light blondes try mid blood roots, for mid blondes try light brown roots, and for those with mid to light brunette hair try super dark roots.

If you are considering a colour change this year book in for a consultation to discus your options. Colouring your hair can cause damage, so it’s important to seek the advice of a professional, to ensure that you are not putting your hair under too much distress and that your colour is done in a way that will not compromise the health of your hair.