Ask Karen - April 2007

Many hairdressers have their own "style speak" when it comes to describing different hairstyling and cutting techniques. Therefore, it is always helpful if you can ask your hairdresser to show you images or styles that have the suggested look. That way, you can be sure that you are both on the same page and avoid a shock or disappointment after the style is finished.

In general, shattered styles are created around the bottom edges of a shorter style like a bob or shag with a razor or scissors. The hairdresser slices or cuts into the bottom fringe of the style to create uneven edges.

The usual goal of a shattered style is to create texture and movement. Styles can be lightly or heavily shattered depending on the desired style.

Although shattered edges can be created on most shorter styles, they can be very flattering on hair that tends to fall flat or is overly fine. Shattered styles are classic designs that never seem to completely go out of style.

Shattered edges offer a lot of styling flexibility when combined with a volumizing cream or spray and a little wax or pomade swiped through the ends.

If you are unsure about whether to ditch your blunt bob for a funked up shattered style, ask the hairdresser to create just a few shattered edges around your face, leaving the rest of your hair in your standing style.

Play with the new shattered pieces and if you like it, go for the entire head on your next visit.

Dear Karen

I want to go baby blonde but my stylist told me that with my dark hair I would need to include a bleaching step. She also recommended that I cut my shoulder length hair shorter because she hinted that all that bleaching could be damaging. I still want to go ahead with the blonde trip so what do you recommend?

Cora,

Answer

Dear Cora,

There is something totally irritable about baby blonde tresses. It is an instant attention winner and can add new life to any hairstyle. Your stylist is correct that if you are starting from a dark brunette base, you will need to have your hair bleached to lift out all of the darkness and take you to the lightest blonde shade that you desire. Bleaching, like any other chemicals applied to hair, can definitely be damaging over the long term because of how it interacts with hair.

Do you need to go shorter? While bleaching could potentially cause enough dryness and damage to warrant a shorter style there are many things that you can do to neutralize the impact of the bleach to your strands. As an example, you can crank up the use of deep conditioning treatments and moisturize replenishing hair care products. While I don’t want to second guess the advice of your stylist, why not wait and see how your hair reacts to the new blonde color and decide at that point whether shorter will be better for achieving a more flattering look

Some hairdressers believe that heavily bleached strands look better when worn shorter. Other hairdressers believe that with the right treatment, bleached hair can be worn longer. Ultimately the choice of how long you should wear your hair should be yours.

Best wishes,

Karen Shelton

I am so bored with my chin length bob. I want to change it around but have no idea what to do. Before I go for my next maintenance cut can you suggest a few ways that I might jazz up my do?

There are many different ways you can instantly tart up a look ranging from adding carefully placed highlights, lowlights or overall multidimensional color, to changing the part or bangs.

Another great idea is to create texture which can make a short style look completely different. So what do I mean by adding texture? You can ask your stylist to give you razored layers or shattered sides or edges. Lightly razored pieces added along the crown would give you the option to wax your hair into a slight faux Mohawk or pseudo updo or create feathery spikes near the back of the crown.

If you leave a few sections a tiny bit longer you can add baby curls or braids along the front of the back of your bob to spice up the look.

Bangs are also another "presto chango" option. Long fringy bangs that sweep the top of your eyelashes with bold highlights can make a different difference.

Bottom line? The options to punch up your look are endless. You are only limited by your imagination. Keep an open mind and remember to have fun with your style and you can’t go wrong.

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