| Prom 2002 Hair: Simply Elegant |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 11/5/2001, 6/6/2002 |
Introduction
 HairBoutique.com
is proud to announce that for Prom Season 2002 we have partnered with some of the leading Prom Dress designers to help you
select a gorgeous Prom dress and a matching dream hairstyle. (All photos included in this article are copyrighted by Alfred
Angelo and may not be copied without express permission).
A series
of Prom 2002 hair design articles will be published over the
next several months at HairBoutique.com.
These articles will include photos of
actual Prom 2002 fashions that you can purchase along with
step-by-step styling instructions for stunning hair designs that
compliment each Prom style.
Alfred Angelo's Black Fuchsia Creation
 The
stunning gown shown in this article is the Black/Fuchsia
spaghetti strap crisscross backed gown (3312) by Alfred
Angelo. This romantic creation
has an A Line silhouette where the skirt gracefully widens from the
curved Basque waistline to the floor.
This is a very flattering style for many
body shapes and instantly slims and elongates body forms. The
dress has a gorgeous fuchsia bodice with a black net overskirt.
The top of this incredible gown is a black low cut front with a
gorgeous floral jewel line decoration highlighting the top of the
dress. (Where To Buy: Alfred
Angelo Store Locator).
With a stunning front and elegant back, this fairytale dress calls for a soft
yet sleek romantic updo.
The hairdo described in this article is designed around a very simple
twist that hugs the crown and the back of the head. The hair is
completely pulled back from the face and neck. This style can be worn for any formal event.
Simply
Elegant Sculpted Updo
 This
updo normally requires the assistance of a professional stylist or a
friend or family member that can help you fix your hair. Because
the hair has sculpted loops that hug the back of your head and crown,
additional hands are required to achieve a carefully finished style.
If you wish to try this style on your
own, be sure to spend time in several practice sessions to see if you
can duplicate the look. If you have never worn an updo before,
be prepared to adjust to a change in your hair comfort factor.
If you are in doubt about how well you
would look in this style, have your hair done by a stylist several
weeks before your Prom and have a friend take photos. This will
give you a chance to look at yourself as others would see your hair.
Getting
Started Tips
 The
model in this photo has medium length, medium thick hair with a slight
wav. This
updo style is
designed to work best for hair that is medium thickness, shoulder
length or longer.
Thin/fine hair can also easily wear the
look. One option to consider with baby fine hair is to use a volumizing
shampoo and gel or spray to blow up the hair cuticle. This will
help achieve a fuller set of hair loops for the crown and back of the
head.
 Curly or wavy hair
may need to be temporarily
straightened before the sleek look can be successfully
created. Moderate natural curls or waves can be incorporated
easily into the style.
Thick or super thick hair may not be
able to achieve the desired level of sleekness. It would be
possible to re-create this look on thick or super thick hair that has
been relaxed.
This elegant sleek style highlights the face along with
the dress. Although most face shapes will be flattered by this
style, if your face is long and thin it is better to design the updo
so it lays closer to the head with more volume added along the sides.
Oval and heart shaped faces will look
beautiful in this style. Square faces can achieve balance by
carefully pulling ringlet tendrils down around the jaw and cheeks to
soften. Round face shapes can achieve a slimming effect by
adding more height at the crown, adding tendrils at the cheeks and
playing with a light dusting of side parted bangs or hairline
tendrils.
Instructions
 If possible, create
this look on hair that is not freshly washed. Right after a shampoo
hair tends to be soft, slippery and harder to work with. This
is especially true for an updo style.
Step
One: Starting
at the front of the head use a pointed comb and make a part down one
side of your head. Although a center parting is possible, you
will need to consider how to adjust the volume of the updo to lay
properly on your head. If you prefer bangs, these can also be added
to the style. Keep in mind that if you modify the style from the
instructions the look will not be identical to the photos shown in
this article.
 Step
Two: Apply a good hair spray like PhytoLaque,
Vain
Hard Up or Edwin
Paul Shaping Spray to saturate and dampen hair. This will help to make hair more
manageable as you style. It will also help to keep the curls longer.
Step
Three: Set your entire head on either velcro or hot
rollers that are large to very large (2 inches or more) in diameter.
Large rollers will add uniform texture and make the style easier to
achieve. Remember that it is
important to experiment weeks before your Prom to determine which size
rollers give you the best texture for this style.
If you don't have large
rollers use a large barrel curling iron and methodically work from one
side of your head to the other side. After you have curled a
section of hair, pin the hot curl into place. Once all the curls
are cooled, remove the pins.
 Step
Four: After the curlers have finished setting or
"cooled" carefully remove them. Spritz lightly with a
light styling spray or use a good
sculpting gel that you carefully apply to your fingers and then
lightly "fingercomb" through your hair using your fingers to
avoid dislodging your curls.
Note:
Do not use a brush or comb. Use your fingers to style and
arrange your hair.
Step
Five: Carefully brush all the hair from the hairline back to the
crown in a soft ponytail. Be careful to brush as lightly as
possible to retain the new curler set. Use your fingers as much
as possible to smooth.
Step
Six: One you have all the hair brushed back from the
hairline use a comb to make a diagonal part along the back of the head
that runs from ear to ear.
Step
Seven: Separate the back of the hair into two individual
hair chunks. Tie off each of
the two hair chunks into a soft ponytail or hair bunch. If possible use a
"hair friendly" elastic or clip that matches your current
hair color. When you are finished with this step you will have one
ponytail at the top of your crown and one ponytail between the nape of
your neck and the middle of your head.
Keep the hair as close to
your head as possible since this updo look is sleek, elegant and close
to the scalp.
Step
Eight: Carefully release the hair from the top ponytail and
separate the entire amount of hair into two equal sections. Clip
off each section temporarily.
Step
Nine: Smooth the first section of the top ponytail back and
crossed above the bottom ponytail. Drape the section as you would like it to lay
above the ponytail. Pin with hairpins that match your hair color at
the base of the ponytail.
Step Ten: Smooth
the remaining section of the top ponytail back and crossed above the
bottom ponytail from the opposite side. Pin with hairpins that
match your hair color at the base of the ponytail .
When you are finished the top hair will
have been carefully merged into the top of the bottom ponytail to
create a soft "wrap" effect.
Step
Eleven: Starting
at one side of your head work around your head and carefully pin all
the strands in different sections to give a balanced and even
distribution of curls from the base at the crown. You can pin
the curls as close or high off the head as you desire. You can
also pin the strands as tightly or loosely as you desire.
Remember to take your time and check
each strand as you pin. Make sure that each strand is firmly
pinned once you position it.
Step Twelve: Once
the two sections of the top ponytails are pinned and
"wrapped" into place, subdivide the bottom ponytail into 1-2
inch single strands. The number and thickness of strands will
depend entirely upon the thickness of your hair and how many twists
you desire to create).
Step Thirteen: Take
each individual hair strand, one by one and lightly loop or twist
clockwise. Secure the twists above the below the ponytail flatly
against the head. To hold securely, spray each twist with
holding or styling spray as you work.
You have the option to make big fat
loops or twists or smaller twists. The key is to sculpt the
loops or twists from the middle of the head to the bottom as shown in
the photos in this article.
Step Fourteen: Work
from the top of your head down to the bottom until you have pinned the
number of loops or twists desired. You can go with just 4-5
large loops or many smaller twists.
To hold securely, spray each twist
with holding or styling spray as you work.
 If
you prefer, you can leave
long tendril sections to cascade down around your face. If you want
tighter tendrils use a 1/4
to 1 inch barreled curling iron or hot rollers to give you a
tighter ringlet.
Step Fourteen: Carefully tuck
away and pin any remaining hair ends from obvious view.
Either pin down any straggling pieces for a smooth elegant look
or tease them up for a more feathery look.
Add
a little styling wax for a more edgy look. Or keep the look soft by
spraying with a light hairspray to finish the look.
Decorate the finished
updo style by adding
one or more gorgeous fresh flowers or add pink
crystals or white colored
tiny crystal headbands,
hair snaps, magnets or jeweled clips.
If
you prefer wear this beautiful style without any adornments.
If
you use fresh flowers, wait to pin them into your hair right before
you leave for the Prom to keep them as fresh as long as
possible.
Note:
A special thank you to Alfred Angelo for sharing this gorgeous
gown with HairBoutique.com. If you would like to purchase this gown go
to the Alfred Angelo
site for a list of retail stores that carry this design.
About
Alfred Angelo
 Alfred Angelo is the most recognized brand of formal and bridal dress apparel around the globe. For the past 70 years Alfred Angelo
has been dressing Prom goers in elegant and affordable gowns.
Alfred Angelo is the world’s leading maker of Prom, wedding gowns
and bridesmaid dresses, yet they retain the personal touch of a family
owned company.
Founded in the 1930’s by Alfred Angelo Piccione and his
wife, Edythe Piccione, today the company is owned by their son and
daughter, Vincent and Michele Piccione. Together they dedicate their
business, technological and creative talents to ensure that Alfred
Angelo continues to provide beautiful formal wear of the finest
quality at affordable prices.
You
can find Alfred Angelo gowns in thousands of retail stores
throughout not only North America, but on every other continent as
well.
Alfred Angelo is unique because they have a design team that
creates both exquisite gowns and coordinating looks. They have an
extensive collection of gorgeous Formal dress styles, most of which
are very affordably priced, all of which are available in sizes
16W-28W.
We invite you to explore all of AlfredAngelo and their gowns at: www.alfredangelo.com.
Browse through the complete collection of gowns, learn some key gown terminology,
and most importantly, use the great store
locator/where to buy guide, to learn which stores in your area carry
these gorgeous products. |