Retro Big Hair Styles For The Prom

Introduction

Christina Aguilera

Big Hair never really goes out of style. It just returns on a regular basis making it's re-appearance on the fashion runways and celebrity Red Carpets.

Morphing between the heavily lacquered beehive styles of the 1960s and the wild innovative teased looks of the 1980s, big hair trends can be easily modernized by creating an array of shapes and profiles which combines the best of the past.

Hair fashion trendsetter Christina Aguilera has been a big fan of big hair styles.

The wild rocker wowed fans in the past with a stunning big hair style which was a spectacular cross between a 60s beehive, an 80s big curl and in the back, a messy French Twist seam.

If you didn't know what year it was when Christina showcased her big hairstyle you would've sworn that you had been jetted back in time.

Models such as Katie Chonacas, Michelle Deighton (America's Next Top Model) and Janice Dickenson have all worn huge teased out retro hair styles which ranged from sky high beehives to huge pompadours ending in ponytails which were big hair trends in 2005 and 2006.

Big hair continues to be hotter than ever. Recently big hair was sizzling at the Spring Diane von Furstenberg show. World famous celebrity hairdresser Frederic Fekkai was the hair genius behind the runway bouffant styles and whipped them into an array of shapes.

Katie Chonacas

The key to big hair is either having enough natural hair that can be teased and sprayed to new heights, or utilizing human hair add-on strands, extensions or wigs that can easily be back combed into the desired big shapes.

Retro big hair is always based on the concept that "anything goes".

As celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves pointed out recently "women are all about wearing hairstyles that make them feel beautiful, sexy or special" regardless of how big it is or isn't.

If you're attracted to the latest retro hair fashions and want to try one of the big hair styles give it a whirl.

One of the advantages to big hair is that it can be changed up to look fabulous with any face shape. Remember that you can purchase one or more add-on ponytails to save your own strands from potential teasing damage.

To steal some of the retro big hair styles worn by Christina Aguilera, Katie Chonacas and some of the other runway beauties, follow the steps listed below.

Christina Aguilera

Step By Step Instructions

Since back combing and teasing can cause wear and tear on the your strands, be sure to treat them with extra tender loving care. Deep condition in between big hair styles.

1. Shampoo hair with a product designed to address your hair's special needs. If you color, highlight or chemically treat your hair, select a shampoo that supports those treatments. If you prefer, use a dilution formula or a conditioning only (CO) treatment. Note: For extra volume the crown area, try PhytoVolume Shampoo or PhytoVolume Mousse Shampoo.

Note: Big hair styles are often easier to style when hair is slightly aged from the last shampoo. Newly washed, soft, or slippery hair, can often be trickier to work with then “day old” hair.

If your hair is naturally slippery, you may wish to let your hair "age" a few hours after shampooing before attempting this style.

2. Apply the appropriate rinse-out conditioners. (Avoid if hair is super thin or fine). Keep in mind that if hair is too soft it will be harder to back comb.

3. Finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close cuticles and encourage natural shine.

4. Towel blot and apply very light cocktail of desired leave-in detangler, conditioner or styling products (firm holding mousse or gel depending on your type and texture of hair).

5. For extra volume along the crown and sides, apply a firm holding or sculpting gel.

Katie Chonacas

6. Blow dry hair straight using a blow dryer with a concentrator attachment. If hair is naturally curly or wavy, apply a straightening balm like Phytodefrisant or similar to damp strands. Use a boar's head style paddle brush and separate hair into individual sections.

Note: For detailed tips on how to blow dry hair perfectly straight read Celebrity Hairdresser's Tips: Blow Drying Your Hair

7. When hair is completely dry, spray entire head with a firm holding spray.

8. Clip all of your hair except for a one inch section at the nape of the neck out of the way.

9. Take the one inch section of hair and pull it tight. Using a comb with tightly spaced teeth, gently back comb it up towards the scalp.

Focus on directing the back combed hair towards the root area about 2 inches from the actual roots. Consistently pack the hair tightly towards the scalp to achieve a strong base to for a bigger overall style.

For more details click on the link to How To Back Comb Your Hair for step by step instructions.

10. After you have achieved the desired fullness and height, spray well with a strong finishing spray. Let the hairspray dry while you move to the next section of hair.

11. Repeat the back combing process working completely around your head from side to side until all of your hair is backcombed to the height and volume you desire. Take your time and focus on using a consistent back combing technique.

12. Use your hands or a Mason Pearson, Kent or similar boar's bristle brush to gently smooth all the teased hair down.

Steal Christina's Big Hair Twist

Christina Aguilera

Follow the steps listed below to steal Christina winning big hair style:

If you prefer to create a French Twist with a pronounced seam like Christina's follow the instructions for a classic French Twist. Leave the top section of the crown full. Create one or two dramatic curls.

1. Gather the back section of your hair into a loose ponytail shape with a base halfway between your crown and nape and slightly to the left of center. Don’t anchor the ponytail. Leave the crown section loose. 2. Twist the ponytail all the way around twice, in a clockwise direction. This holds the base of the hair closer to your head and gives you a firm anchor to work against. 3. Hold the base of the ponytail in your left hand. With your right, hold its end up, pointing toward the ceiling. 4. With your right hand, fold the end of the ponytail, about the top third, down towards the nape of your neck. 5. Fold the entire ponytail down under itself, towards your nape so that is it less than half as long as it was. 6. Curl the folded ponytail in your left hand. There should be a slight hollow between the ponytail and your scalp. 7. With your right hand, begin to gently push the upper right hand portion of the folded ponytail down into the hollow. 8. Continue pushing the hair underneath your left hand into the hollow so that the folded ponytail is slowly rolling inside the hollow. 9. The twist is complete when you can’t push any additional hair into the hollow and the folded ponytail has become a tight roll. 10. Create a seam by tucking in bobby pins (the same color as your hair) along the line formed where the right hand edge of the roll meets your scalp starting at the bottom. Be creative and create a zig zaggy seam or one that is intentionally messy. 11. Place bobby pins all along the seam up to the top of the roll, concealing them just under the roll. 12. When you have secured the seam add additional bobby pins as needed to firmly anchor the style to your scalp. 13. Spray well with firm holding styling spray. 14. Finish the style by shaping the loose crown section. Use fingers to arrange the front of the hair into two big pin curls on either side of the head. 15. Brush the bangs to either side of a off-center hair part. 16. Pull some of the remaining strands from the loose crown section so that they lightly cascade over the top of the twist in back. 17. Apply a light touch of shine product to add shimmer. Remember not to apply too much shine product.

Christina Aguilera

Steal Katie's Big Coif Pony

Follow the steps listed below to steal Katie's winning big hair style: 1. To create a high quiff/pompadour with low ponytail look like Katie's, arrange the top of the crown hair into a full pompadour. Anchor around the edges of the pompador along the sides and at the back of the crown. Use bobby pins the same color as your hair to hide the pins. Gather hair into a ponytail with a base that rests right at the very nape of the neck. Before attaching a hair-friendly Bungee Band or Blax in the same color as your hair, make sure that the surronding area of the ponytail are completely smooth.

2. Separate a 1 inch section of hair from the side of the newly formed pony and wrap it around the elastic band. Anchor it in place with a bobby pin the same color as your hair.

3. Once the ponytail is created to your desired style you have many options. You can wear it stick straight like Katie or with curls and waves.

Katie Chonacas - 10-20-05

Note: Depending on the type of texture you desire for your tail, use a hot curling or straightening iron.

4. When the entire pony tail is curled, waved or straightened, finger tousle pony to integrate the new texture.

5. Spray well with firm holding styling spray.

6. Apply a light touch of shine product to add shimmer. Remember not to apply too much shine product.

7. Gently pull the tail of the pony so that it cascades over one shoulder.

8. Add appropriate accessories such as earrings, necklaces and where desired, hair accessories. Scale them to work with the length and size of the finished spiked hairstyle.

Summary

Big hair is a trend which never really goes out of fashion on the Red Carpet and the Catwalks.

If you want to go retro, give big hair a whirl. Whether you go for a traditional beehive, a bouffant or a combination of an up/down style the options are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to tease your hair into a tower of strand submission.

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- Revised Publication Date: 05/22/10

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