bumped-up ponytail ON PARADE

LOVING THE BUMPED-UP PONYTAIL 

at Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2012 show... it's the perfect way to update your hair for Spring/Summer!

The equestrian-inspired ponytail was created to be full and straight with lots of movement. The hair was prepped the hair with a volumising serum to get a sleek look through the crown, then the ponytail was teased in sections using a Mason Pearson brush, which has fine and thick bristles. One last brushing along the crown and over the outside of the ponytail gave the whole hairstyle a smooth look. The finished ponytail was so voluminous, you would have sworn hair extensions were used (but they weren't) and it bounced along the model's shoulders as they walked along the catwalk {as you can see above}!

day & night PONYTAILS

TWO SIMPLE TWISTS ON THE CLASSIC PONYTAIL...

For Day {above}...

To diy: Loosely tong your hair to give it some wave and movement. Gather it up into a low ponytail, leaving the front sections free, to frame your face. Once secured with a band, take a small section of the hair in the ponytail and wind it around the band, to conceal it. Pin the end of the hair with a bobby pin, pinning it behind the base of the ponytail.

... and Night {below}

To diy: Style your hair as if you were wearing it wavy and down (curling iron, hot rollers, night-before braid - your choice) then weave it in sections a few times and pull it back with a clear elastic ever so gently, by your shoulders. All your hair doesn't need to be completely in the ponytail holder, which helps give it that romantic vibe. If you want to go there, leave a section of hair beneath the ponytail out and slip a few hairpins in there in order to keep the section of hair and ponytail adjoined.

If you would like us to create these looks for you,

call 02 8919 0146 to make an appointment

the NEW PONYTAIL

WANT TO UPDATE YOUR EVERYDAY PONYTAIL?

Here's the trick that has made this ponytail look a little more 'bumped-out' than normal...

There are actually two elastics holding this pony in place, one stacked on top of the next to make the pony stick out further for extra bounciness and swing. They're also tightly wound to help keep the pony perfectly placed!

And they great thing, this trick works on both 'sleek' and 'messy' ponytails!

X

Cornrow Updo Hairstyles

Cornrow updo.

While they are currently a popular style among young people, cornrows have been around for many, many years. They can be as formal or as casual as necessary, depending on the occasion. For this reason and others, cornrow updo hairstyles are versatile and great for any occasion.

Cornrow updo hairstyle

Cornrows are small braids which are plaited along the scalp, somewhat like a french braid. The process can take hours, but has great results. This hairstyle originated in Africa, and was brought to America by slaves from many different regions. They continued to braid their hair this way even in the New World, maintaining a part of their culture. In some parts of Africa, such as Nigeria, the hairstyle is primarily worn by women, while in Ethiopia, it has long been associated with warriors and kings.

Beautiful cornrow braid updo

These braids had fallen out of style by the middle of the 20th century, with most black women preferring to wear their hair straight. It was shocking when, in 1963, actress Cicely Tyson was seen wearing her hair in cornrows on television, and it caused many women to rethink their hairstyle. Within the next several years, many black women had begun to embrace their natural hair texture, and cornrows became popular once more.

Due to its African origin, the hairstyle is strongly associated with people of African descent. However, Bo Derek's appearance in the 1979 film '10' showed that white women could look fabulous with their hair braided too. When hip hop became popular in the 1990s, celebrities of all races were seen sporting the style.

Cornrows are an especially versatile hairstyle because of the variety of options available to the wearer. They can be washed gently and left in for weeks at a time, making them a great choice for anyone seeking a low-maintenance style. On the other hand, they can also be ideal for a sleek, red carpet look. Singers Mya, Lil Mama, Ciara, and Alicia Keys have all been spotted with their hair in tight braids, sometimes only braiding half the hair and leaving the rest in a partial Afro or a sleek bun.

The cornrow hairstyle has its roots in ancient Africa, but has firmly established itself in America as well. Although it is low maintenance, it can be equally appropriate as an everyday look or as part of a glamorous Hollywood updo, making it one of the most versatile hairstyles out there.