| Prom 2004 Hair: Simply Elegant |
| Karen Marie Shelton / Dedicated to FFOS |
| Date: 2/11/2004 |
Introduction
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Style #3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection |
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Alfred Angelo
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Prom Season
2004 offers an array of absolutely gorgeous Prom gowns in every style,
color and fashion.
For 2004, as we have done in the past,
HairBoutique.com is selecting various prom gowns from the top
manufacturers with matching hairstyles and providing the details on
how to match a Prom hairstyle to the gown.
The gown in this article is
Style#3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection and truly matches the
article's description of Simply Elegant.
Keeping with the hottest fashion trends from the
world's famous catwalks, this gorgeous spaghetti
strapped gown comes in a scrumptious shade of red and is
encrusted with spectacular crystal beading (see photo to
the side of the front of the gown).
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Style #3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection |
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Alfred Angelo
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The gown has a sensuous front slit that
forms a triangular peekaboo opening from the knees to the toes.
The front split is decorated with a saucy ruffle, also keeping with
current fashion trends for ruffled fashion designs. (Where To Buy:
Alfred
Angelo Store Locator).
This breathtakingly beautiful dress
would be very flattering for someone who is taller, wants to enhance
their chest area or wants to show off a beautiful back, shoulders or
legs. This dress will also help to accentuate a tiny
waist. It would also work well for someone that has an athletic
build since it would look smashing against well developed upper body
curves.
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Style #3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection |
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Alfred Angelo
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Because
the dress has beautiful crystal beading and delicate front and back
spaghetti straps, an ideal hairstyle would be one that is pulled back
off the face and elegantly pinned up.
The slightly fanned updo hairstyle that
the model is wearing is very elegant, yet simple to do. Even
better, it shows off the front and back of the dress to absolute
perfection. The updo hairstyle also allows for the addition of a
gorgeous choker style necklace, matching crystal looped or chandelier
earrings and delicate bracelet.
Strappy high heeled sandals add a
wonderful finish for the lower slit area of the dress. Add one
or two playful toe rings to be a little naughty underneath your
elegant style.
Simply
Elegant Updo - Steps To Create
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Style #3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection |
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Alfred Angelo
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With a stunning front and elegant back, this fairytale dress calls for a soft
yet sleek romantic updo.
To compliment the gown you could go with
the edgy fanned updo look (as shown on the model) or you could also go
with a ballerina type of bun or a nape knot.
Hairstyle
Definition
The hairdo described is designed around a very basic tightly crafted
ponytail that is anchored at the top of the crown with hair sculpted
to fan out and up. The base of the updo hugs the crown and the
back of the head. Although the model is not wearing bangs, this
style could also be created with any type of fringed front
hairline.
Face Shape
Considerations
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.
Best For
Hair/Length/Condition
This fanned updo would work best for
chin to shoulder length hair that is medium to fine in
texture.
One option to consider with baby fine hair is to use a volumizing
shampoo and gel or spray to blow up the hair cuticle.
Challenging For Hair/Length/Condition
Hair that is longer than shoulder length, exceptionally
thick, naturally wavy or curly would require pre-styling straightening
to prepare it for this 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.
If you have short hair and wish to
create this look, consider add- on extensions or clip on ponies.
Getting
Started: Creating The Updo
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Style #3673
from the Alfred Angelo Prom 2004 collection |
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Alfred Angelo
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This
updo may 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 fanned hair strands that hug the back of your head and crown,
additional hands are required to achieve a carefully finished style.
With a little practice you or a prom
going buddy could create the updo style. If you prefer, book an
appointment with your favorite stylist to create the
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.
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.
If you prefer to create the style on
newly washed hair be sure to dress the hair well with styling creams,
gels or lotions to help anchor the style for long term wear ability.
Step
One: Create a deep side part on one side of the head. Starting
at the front of the head use a paddle style brush and brush all of
your hair back from the hairline on either side of the part to form a
ponytail at the back of your crown near the top. Merge the hair
on either side of the part to form a very tight angled ponytail
sculpture.
Note:
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: Once you have a sleek and tight ponytail, secure it
with a hair bungee or Blax band in the same color as your hair.
Apply a good hair spray like
Phytolaque
to saturate and dampen hair. This will help to make hair more
manageable as you style. It will also help to create and sculpt the
fanned hair pieces.
Step
Three: Grab the entire ponytail in the thumb and
forefinger of the left hand approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches down from
the base of the secured ponytail. Taking the right hand,
wrap the entire ponytail clockwise over and completely around the
thumb and the forefinger to create a large loop with the ends of the
new loop pulled up to the same level as the ponytail base.
Step
Four: While holding the new hair loop in place with one
hand, smooth and flatten the new hair loop and pin securely on the
underneath side of the loop next to the scalp.
Use tiny hair or bobby pins
in the same color as your hair. Make sure that the new loop is
evenly balanced and symmetrical. Use as many pins as necessary to make
sure the style will hold. As you pin the new loop be sure to leave 2-3
inches of long ends free.
When you are finished the
looped hair will
have been carefully merged into the top of the bottom ponytail to
create a soft rounded bun effect.
Step
Five: Once you have pinned the loop securely into place you
should have a stalk of untamed hair ends sticking up near the ponytail
base.
Apply hairspray, gel, wax
or styling cream to the complete length of the ponytail ends to give
them form and texture.
Take one strand and layer
it around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic
band.
Step
Six: Using your fingers carefully arrange the strands to
form a type of free form hair fan. work from side to side to create a
balanced fan hair sculpture.
If you want more control
over the fanned strands, separate them into 1/4" to
1/2" individual strands, lightly twist clockwise and then pin
into place.
Remember to take your time and check
each strand as you pin. Make sure that each strand is firmly
pinned once you position it. To hold securely, spray each fanned
hair section with holding or styling spray as you work.
Position two bobby pins in
a X formation near the end of the hair strands to get them to stand
up. If you prefer, you can lightly back comb each fanned strand
and spray to give it fullness and to form a larger feathery splay
form.
Note:
Do not use a brush or comb after you have created the ponytail. Use your fingers to style and
arrange your hair. Keep the hair as close to
your head as possible since this updo look is sleek, elegant and close
to the scalp.
Step Seven:
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 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.
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.
Summary
This style can be
easily modified by adding more or less wax and/or styling products. 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.
Experiment with a
range of options from adding different parts and bangs to pinning in
add-on hair pieces to create more fanned hair pieces.
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.
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