Hair Makeover Magic: Stacey

Introduction

Finding the best cut, style and color that works in harmony with your face shape, skin tone and other features can definitely pose a major challenge.

Recently the hair gurus at MultiMedia partnered with the hair artists at David Groshen's New York salon to weave makeover magic on some lucky hair models and remove the guesswork out of finding fabulous new styles.

Before

Model Stacey (shown to the side in her Before Photo) has a gorgeous heart shaped face with a softly rounded jaw line. Her soft chocolate brown hair was weighed down by faded and overdone highlights that had all but disappeared in her overgrown bob style.

Heart shaped faces require balanced cuts and styles that carefully straddle the fine line between too short and too long.

Opt for styles that are cut just below the jaw line or a bit longer that utilizes face framing layers and choppy ends that help to offset or soften a prominent jaw or chin.

Avoid styles that are too short, brushed off the face or focus on deep side parts.

It's important to make sure that a heart shaped face does not have too much width. Be sure to also take into consideration your hair color and select a hue that works with your skin tone and eye color.

The Makeover

Hair artist and stylist Andrea Krakern accessed Stacey's current hair length, style and color. She recommended minor rather than major adjustments designed to kick up the texture, creating lots of body, volume and natural movement without drastic chopping.

Andrea took Stacey's overall length slightly shorter and more sculpted along the sides and at the top of her head to minimize facial width.

Softly chiseled and angled forehead hugging bangs were added to showcase Stacey's big brown eyes and cause them to literally pop. The newly created fringe also added additional magnification to her beautiful eyes.

Careful snipping and carving of select strands around the facial perimeter resulted in a new face hugging silhouette that added a sizzling appeal. Select pieces of hair were pulled slightly forward along the cheeks to minimize and flatter.

Focusing on brightening up Stacey’s previous highlights, her base was lightened and softened one half of a level. Chunky highlights were painted on top of the new base hue concentrating along the top and crown sections.

After

The result? A magnificent transformation from thick weightless tresses to a sleek basic bob shape.

Stacey's new style combines soft textures with flexibility. She can wear it sleek or play it up with pomades, pastes or waxes to ruffle and chunk it up a little.

Styling Products

The key to re-creating this style at home is to choose the correct color care, maintenance and styling products.

Since hair is colored and highlighted, consider using a color enhancing shampoo and conditioner from Mine, Paul Mitchell, Rene Furterer or Avedadesigned specifically to protect, deepen and brighten delicate hues.

Use a post-shampoo lightweight, detangling cream rinse like Rene Furterer's Fioravanti Light Weight Detangling Cream designed to remove static electricity, nourish and soften the hair while adding elasticity and shine. This will add to the sleekness of the style and control frizziness as well.

Blow-dry the style with your fingers to lift and pull the strands into placement. If you prefer, you can also use a flat or paddle style brush to get sleek straight strands and then use a round brush for gentle root lift. Add a bit of mousse to help with volume creation.

Apply a tiny bit of styling cream or gel to the bangs and then finger pick to give them that sexy, just tousled style.

Finishing Touches

Add a dab of shine with Phyto's PhyoLisse, Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss or Robert Hallowell's Love That Shine Drops and you will have a bright and shiny new hair style just for you.

Add instant bling to the chignon by pinning in a shimmering hair clips, chignon pins & couture jaws, decorative flowers or other hair jewels.

To add even more color depth opt for Ken Paves Healthy Hair Boost Up Color Drops in your favorite hue. Or you may wish to use a color enhancing shampoo to pump up the color.

Add a dab of shine with Phyto's PhyoLisse, Rene Furterer's Spray Gloss or Ken Paves Healthy Hair Shine Serum. Another option is Robert Hallowell's Love That Shine Drops and you will have a bright and shiny new hairstyle.

Summary

When the proper cut, color and style is designed to offset face shape, skin tone and eye color, the makeover results are nothing short of eye popping, mouth dropping and miraculous.

Many times makeovers can be achieved with minimal rather than maximal changes. Adding softening layers and brightening or lightening the existing base can often do an amazing job.

Finding a talented team of hair stylists, colorists and make up artists who can create makeover magic is key.

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.