| Celebrity Prom HairStyle: Christina Aguilera |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Revised Date: June 23, 2006 - Publication Date: 11/6/2004 |
Introduction
 Christina
A or Xtina, as many of her fans refer to her, was born on December
18, 1980 in Staten Island, New York to Irish and Ecuadorian parents.
Her mother was a violinist/pianist while her father was a military
man.
(Image of Christina Aguilera at AMA Awards - 2003).
It has been reported that from the time she was a small child,
Christina was a natural talent and had an instant affinity for music
and singing. Not only did she learn how to sing at a very
early age, she performed at parties for family and friends. Because
of her exceptional natural talent in music, she was selected as a
national anthem performer at professional sporting events in the
area.
 Christina
became a sizzling hot singing sensation with her Genie In A Bottle
while still in her teens. After the amazing success of her
debut album Christina went wild with her image. Over the span
of the last 4 years she has morphed through a range of hairstyles
and colors designed to compliment her dizzying array of images from
dirty rock girl to glam fashionista.
At the 2003 American Music Awards Christina mixed it up with a range
of styles including a very soft, feminine curly version that showed
her soft, girly girl side.
Ironically Christina's soft cascading curls are right in style for
2005 and would work fabulously for Prom 2005's fashion trends of
leather, lace, velvet, feathers and other exotic trims.
If you would love to recreate Christina's look above, follow the
steps listed below for a similar hairstyle.
Getting Started
Notes
Model Danielle (shown to the side)
has baby fine hair with a slight bend that barely brushes her
shoulder tops. r>
Danielle, like Christina, has chemically enhanced light blonde hair
with a slight shadow of darker roots. Like Christina Danielle has a
face shape that is mostly oval with a slightly squared jaw line.
Also like the famous rocker, Danielle has gorgeous eyes.
(Image of model Danielle above. Hair by Barbara Lhotan, photography
by Eric Von Lockhart, copyright MMI and HairBoutique.com - all
rights strictly reserved - 2004).
In order to create a spectacular transformation of Danielle to
Christina's famous AMA curled hair appearance, celebrity stylist
Barbara Lhotan meticulously applied
pin curls
to Danielle’s entire head.
Although this same look, although looser, can be created with hot
rollers, for a classic look like Christina's Barbara created
Danielle’s curls the old fashioned way.
It should be noted that this same look, although looser, can be
created with hot rollers, for a classic look like Christina's 50s
style curls, it is best to use pin curls and create the luscious
curls the old fashioned way.
Creating Style At Home
When created correctly, this style
may require the assistance of a skilled hairdresser. Why? A truly
great pin curled style like the one created for this article,
involves lots of precision to achieve uniform curls.
Keep in mind that when crafted properly, the style can take some
time to finish. If you do decide to do the style at home be sure to
have several practice runs before the night of the big hair event.
More On Pin Curls
 Pin
curls are one of the most basic type of curls that has been around
for years. Not only has it been used for a long time, this popular
type of curl cycles back into popularity on a regular basis as
witnessed by Christina's recent appearance in the style.
(Image of Model Danielle courtesy
of MultiMedia International - all rights reserved - hair by Barbara
Lhotan, Photography by Eric Von Lockhart - 2004 - all rights
reserved).
Although pin curls can be used to
curl an entire head of hair, like used in Christina's style, they
are more often used to curl much smaller sections of a hairstyle.
Pin curls are also often used as "fill in" curls for an overall
look. Fill in curls are used in the areas between shaping that
frame the face and run around the crown. They are ideal for creating
fluffy bangs. They are also used for just the ends of the hair to
unify an overall curl.
Pin curls are always created as a
"wet set" on damp hair (newly shampooed or misted damp with a water
bottle) and can be combined with other types of curls for a unique
set.
Pin curls are either forward or reverse which means basically
that they are either clockwise or counterclockwise. Forward
pin curls on the right side of the head are formed in a
counterclockwise direction. Forward curls on the left side of
the head are formed in a clockwise direction.
Best Styling Tips
  This
classic pin curl style works best for hair that is shoulder length
or longer, medium in texture and either straight or
pre-straightened.
Regardless of your hair's texture,
type or actual length, it is important to start with strands that
are damp and dressed properly with the necessary styling products to
help hold the finished set.
(Image of Model Danielle courtesy of
MultiMedia International - all rights reserved - hair by Barbara
Lhotan, Photography by Eric Von Lockhart - 2004 - all rights
reserved).
Although Christina's style was
designed with a short center part along with off-the-face side
sweeps of hair to show off her beautiful oval shaped face and
gorgeous eyes, a variety of different parts and bangs could easily
be incorporated into a customized version. This style could also be
worn without either.
Before you start make sure that
you have all the proper tools including plenty of hairpins, a good
brush and comb. If you wish to add hair accessories be sure you
have them ready to be added to the style at the end.
Remember to use
good
styling sprays or
similar
products to give hair instant texture and stylability.
Instructions - Steps To Create
Start by carefully
separating your hair into equal sections approximately 1" in size.
Depending on your type or texture of hair, use the appropriate
amount of styling products as you work on each section of hair to
make sure that the finished set is not too soft and will hold the
curls tightly.
To achieve the same uniformity of
curl on both sides of the head, the technique used to form a curl on
the right side of the head must be mechanically different from that
used on the left side. This is because you use the same hand to
form curls on both sides of the head. If you are right-handed, you
always use your right hand. If you are left-handed you use your
left hand.
The procedures described in the
following sections are for right-handed people. If you are
left-handed, you should use the procedure given for the right side
of the head on the left side and vice versa.
Counterclockwise curls are formed
away from your body position, whereas clockwise curls are formed
toward your body position.
Pin curls have the advantage of being fairly easy to create after a
little practice so take your time and be patient.
Steps For Creating A Forward Clockwise
Curl
 Starting
on the left side of of your head, create a series of Clockwise Pin
Curls that carefully extend from the front of the hairline back
towards the nape of the neck.
(Image of Model
Danielle courtesy of MultiMedia International - all rights reserved
- hair by Barbara Lhotan, Photography by Eric Von Lockhart - 2004 -
all rights reserved).
To recreate the same type of pin curls recreate the following steps:
-
Part off a section of damp, not
wet, hair for the base of the curl. Apply a medium amount of
styling gel.
-
Insert the comb across the
section strand. Place the index finger of the left hand in the
center of the strand and control the ends with the comb and the
thumb of the right hand.
-
Turn the comb down a
quarter-turn forward so that the comb forms a twist at the base
of the curl. Forming the pin curls is a lot like winding a piece
of string into a ball.
-
Use the end of the comb to
ribbon, or stretch, the hair down along the index finger of the
left hand.
-
Continue to ribbon the curl
upward in a clockwise direction to form a circle. Be sure that
the very ends are inside the circle.
Note:
Be sure not to twist the hair as you wind it. Make sure that the
ends are tucked inside of the curl, and curl is pinned right on top
of it natural hair base. Do not pin the curl away from the base of
the curl.
-
Hold the circle with the index
finger and thumb of the left hand and insert a pin curl clip
across the curl to hold it in place securely.
Note: Keep in mind that many
people prefer the double prong clips for sleeping comfort. Under no
circumstance should you use bobby pins which will form dents in the
hair and may add to overall frizziness.
Steps For Creating A Forward
Counterclockwise Curl
 Once
you have carefully created pin curls on the left side of your head,
create a series of Counterclockwise Pin Curls that carefully extend
from the front of the hairline back towards the nape of the neck on
the right side.
To recreate the
same type of pin curls recreate the following steps:
-
Part off a section of damp, not wet, hair for the base of the
curl. Apply a small amount of styling gel.
-
Insert the comb across the section strand. Place the index
finger of the left hand in the center of the strand and control
the ends with the comb and the thumb of the right hand.
-
Begin to circle the strand forward with the comb while holding
the base of the curl with the thumb and index finger of the left
hand. Forming the pin curls is a lot like winding a piece of
string into a ball.
-
Use the end of the comb to ribbon, or stretch, the hair forward,
turning it in a counterclockwise direction. Be sure that
the very ends of the strand are inside the circle.
-
Hold the formed curl with the index finger and thumb of the left
hand and insert a pin curl clip across the curl to hold it in
place securely.
Removing Pin Curls
 1.After you have
carefully created the pin curls let them dry naturally in the air or
sit under a hood style dryer until the curls are completely dry.
Note: If you have plenty
of time to burn before you need to remove the curls, you will get a
tighter set.
Pin curls are also easier to sleep in compared to the brush or large
Velcro style rollers. Pin curls that are left in overnight create a
longer and tighter set and they are good for a quick morning
styling.
If you’re in a hurry, you can use a blow dryer with a diffuser
attachment to dry out the pin curls. Be careful to use the blow
dryer on a slow speed, medium heat, to avoid over blowing the pin
curls.
2. Once the hair is
completely dry, remove the clips and use fingers to gently pull,
fluff and arrange the curls in the desired pattern.
 For
more volume of a big hair look, use a boar’s head bristle brush
(like
Mason
Pearson,
Kent or
similar) to gently brush out the curls in a uniform direction. Use
your fingers to help pull out and direct the curls.
If you wish, you can carefully sculpt
the sides with a comb. However, keep in mind that the more you
fuss with the new curls, the softer they will become.
Keep in mind that if some of the curls are not as tightly curled as
you would like, you can use a hot curling iron to touch up any
straggler strands.
3.
 Apply
a drop or two of a shine serum like
Phyto's PhyoLisse,
Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss or Robert Hallowell's
Love That Shine Drops to the palms of your hands.
Rub the serum into the palms and then lightly glide over the top of
the style to add instant shimmer and shine. Spray well with
hairspray like
Phytolaque or
Jessica Simpson’s favorite
Phytolaque Soie made with real silk to give an extra glossy look
to the style.
4. Attach any desired
hair accessory to the finished style. Because this is such a
glamorous style, if accessories are added, they should be small to
avoid detracting from the incredible beauty of this classic pin
curled style.
Note: Remember to always attach
accessories last after all styling products have been applied to
avoid damaging delicate accessories.
5. Finish with a good application of hairspray for long term hold.
Ones to try:
Rene Furterer Instant Hold Finishing Spray,
Robert Hallowell's Rawhold Hairspray
Summary
 From
certain angles it is completely amazing how much Danielle looks like
Christina. For the final photo shoot, Danielle was even dressed in
the type of style that Christina has been known to favor and would
easily translate to a Prom style.
(Model Danielle to the side and
Christina Aguilera below at AMA awards).
The finished curly style would look spectacular with a high glitter
Swarovski or Austrian Crystal hair clip, barrette or hairpins to add
instant shimmer.
The
Christina A curled style is very versatile and can work with a
variety of prom dress styles from total glam to more rocker chic.
Adjust the curls by wearing them as shown or pinned up, if you
prefer a slightly different look.
With the current
trending of curls and waves as demonstrated by Christina A, don't be
surprised to see pin curls making a huge comeback as women aspire to
copy her retro style. |