About Face!

Take a look in the mirror and determine what shape your face most resembles. Then check out Nick’s advice to find your most flattering cut.

If your face is ROUND:
The goal is to elongate your face. An above the shoulder cut, layered all over for maximum lift and softness will give the appearance of length. Avoid a center part which will emphasize the fullness of the face, and instead go for a side-part for a more flattering style.

If your face is SQUARE:
With a square face, aim to play down your strong, angular jaw. Texture, in the shape of waves or curls is a good way to do this. Opt for a long cut with layers that start close to the jawline and fall straight down. A wispy side-swept bang will help soften your face, as will any shorter, textured 'do with layers that blend into the jawline. Steer clear of any blunt lines which will exaggerate your boxy shape.

If your face is OVAL:
Lucky you! An oval shape is generally the most versatile, which means you can pull off a variety of styles. Choose a cut that highlights your best features—if you have smoldering brown or piercing blue eyes try a side-swept part that drapes elegantly over the eyebrow; or show off your beautiful bone structure with an angular bob-length cut that draws attention to your cheeks and chin.

If your face is HEART-SHAPED:
The heart-shaped face is also remarkably versatile. For the most striking look, go for side-swept or long, wispy bangs to downplay the width of your forehead and focus attention on your eyes and fantastic cheekbones. If you prefer short hair, ask your stylist to keep the top layers long, so they fall right below your jawline. For long hair, layers that fall by your cheeks will also look stunning.

Hair Rescue 911

Submitted by admin on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 01:49

March 2010

We’ve all had our share of bad hair days, but every so often we stumble into a full-scale hair disaster zone! Whether the damage was done at the hands of your stylist, or as the result of a little home experimentation, have no fear. Nick Arrojo, master and celebrity stylist, has the 911 plan to rescue your strands from any hairy situation.

Disaster 1: Botched Bangs
Do your bangs look like they met Edward Scissorhands? To camouflage the damage and try something a little daring, go for a modified pompadour—that’s when the fringe is turned back off the forehead in a roll. Simply grab all your bang hair, tease it back a little, lift and roll it under. Pin the ends into place with a bobby pin and a spritz of holding spray. To round out the look, give the rest of your hair lots of volume to match your newly volumized fringe—then wait for things to grow back to normal.

And don’t forget that most salons offer free bang trims. If your stylist has messed them up, the least he/she could do is fix them for free. To avoid the “botcher,” change salons. Requesting a bang trim is a great way to test out a new place––and, if they want you back as a long-term customer, it should also be free.

Disaster 2: Glaring Highlights
If your highlights are too obvious and streaky looking you can tone things down by pinning the lightened sections inside the rest of your hair. Hiding them strategically beneath the darker strands so only small splashes of color pop through is an effective technique for dealing with this disaster. You’ll end up with a more lived-in, beachy look, which is very popular right now at my salon. Many of my clients are actually asking for this kind of sexy, already worn-in color treatment. So try it out and you’ll be the fashionista of all your friends.

Disaster 3: Burned Out Hair
The heat that flat irons and other hot tools give off is great for making hair malleable, but left on for too long or used too often and you can end up with a scorched mess. If your strands are fried, opt for a deep conditioning treatment like a hair repair masque, which replenishes moisture and, even more crucial, keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein, and the main structural component of your hair. Dry, brittle locks are often synonymous with a loss of keratin. So restore the protein, restore the moisture, and you’ll restore your hair back to its happier, healthier state.

Disaster 4: Nightmare Cut
The worst hair cuts are usually crooked. Rather than trying to even it out, make it deliberately asymmetrical. Blow out your hair with a mid-sized round brush and a dime-size amount of smoothing serum. Use bobby pins to pin one side up and back behind the ear, almost as if that side has been cut totally short while the other remains long. The result: ornate asymmetry! Pinning back the hair dramatically opens out one side of your face for a casual and trendy style that will impress and intrigue.

Disaster 5: Color Gone Crazy
If you were hoping for golden blonde but turned out platinum, don’t panic—and don’t attempt to fix it at home! Make an appointment at the salon for cellophanes color service. This quick and inexpensive semi-permanent process uses glossing agents rather than pigment. This technique enhances the natural color so it comes out more vibrant and lush. If your hair is too light, you can choose from a whole palette of darker hues. If you went too dark, ask for a ‘clear’ cellophanes service to add shine while balancing out the tone of your color.