Prom 2008 Hair: Pretty In Purple Raspberry

Introduction

HairBoutique.com is proud to announce that for Prom Season 2008 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 Purple Raspberry Creation

The stunning gown shown in this article is the Purple Raspberry spaghetti strap gown (3335) by Alfred Angelo. This romantic creation has a beautiful brocade front and a sizzling laced back that is graceful and elegant. (Where To Buy: Alfred Angelo Store Locator).

With a stunning decorative front and sexy back, this fairytale dress calls for a soft romantic updo. The hairdo described in this article is designed around carefree ringlets that cascade wistfully around the face and neck. Even better, this style can be worn for any formal event.

Soft Ringlet 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 loose curls that cascade down the sides and back, 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 long layers. This updo style is designed to work best for hair that is medium thickness, shoulder length or longer.

The 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.

Hair that is fine or thin may not adopt well to this style unless add-on hair is incorporated into the look. If you wish, you can also experiment with a foam filler in the same color as your hair to give your hair instant volume and boost.

Another option is to use a volumizing shampoo and gel or spray to blow up the hair cuticle. Curly or wavy hair may need to be temporarily straightened before the look can be successfully created. Moderate natural curls or waves can be incorporated easily into the style.

Instructions

If possible, create this look on hair that is not freshly washed. Right after a shampoo hair tends to be soft and 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 right down the very center of your head. Although a side 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 be added to the style.

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 medium in diameter. Depending on the number of ringlets you desire, you may want to use curlers that measure 1-2 inches in diameter. You can alter the look by increasing or decreasing the size of the curling tools. Remember that it is important to experiment weeks before your Prom to determine which size rollers give you the best texture for this style.

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 comb through your hair.

Note: Do not use a brush or comb. Use your fingers to style and arrange your hair.

Step Five: Use your fingers to take a small section of hair at the crown (back of your head). Lightly backcomb the base of the crown section with a comb or brush to give the hair fullness.

Note: You can also use an old toothbrush to get even more lift at the roots.

Step Six: Turn the newly "teased" section under in a soft roll and pin with hairpins or bobby pins in the same color as your hair. The new roll will create a base for the rest of the updo to rest upon.

Step Seven: Use your fingers to carefully separate individual sections of hair into sections that vary from 1-3 inches. Depending on how many different curls your want, create more or less sections.

Step Eight: Pull each individual section of hair up towards the crown. Drape each section as you would like it to lay and then pin the section to the base of hair at the crown. Pin the hair midway through the strand to allow the ends of the hair with the curls to cascade down around your head.

Step Nine: 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 Ten: In the front of your head carefully position and drape the strands back along the head and up to the crown to give the crown a covered and more finished look. In essence you will be using the sections at the front of the head to wrap lightly around the crown to give a more finished look.

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 Eleven: Carefully tuck away and pin the 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.

Step Twelve: 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 purple 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 retails 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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