Children’s Haircuts Need Variety and Style

Boys and girls hair styles can be as fun and as varied as their parent’s. Whether your child wants a long or short style, he or she has a wide range of styles to choose from. There are many factors that will help you to determine which type of style will work for your child.

The first thing to consider is your child’s age. If very young, you may want to consider a simple cut. You will be the one who has to take care of your young child’s hair, and you don’t want a cut that will require a lot of maintenance. Young children look best in simple, carefree styles.

Take lifestyle into consideration. Is your child active and plays sports? If so, consider a shorter style that is easy to care for like a short comb forward style for boys. Active girls may prefer a short bob or layered cut that is wash and go with a minimal amount of styling time, while some may want to have long hair that they can pull back into a ponytail to give them more options.

As your child nears teenage years they will want more sophisticated styles. There are several options available that are easy to care for yet give your pre-teen a hip sense of style. Just look at any Disney or Nickelodeon show and you will see that boys and girls alike have short and long styles that have a lot of fun and movement. Encourage your pre-teen to stay with styles that don’t require a lot of fuss and product since they will still have get to school on time, and they need enough sleep.

No matter what style your child desires, a good stylist can help you and your child make the right choice for their age and lifestyle. Mimicking popular styles should be moderated by tailoring them to your child’s hair type and thickness. Consult a stylist who enjoys working with children.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Sexy, Glamorous Curly Hair Styles For 2010

2010 is promising to be a very interesting year for hair styles. It’s like Independence Day run amuck. Based on what we have seen so far from last quarter of 2009 and coming into January this year, hair stylist predict that curls will still remain a style favorite.

The trend with curls for 2010 is not the tight, stiff curls, but soft, gentle rolls of hair cascading down a woman’s back. It’s going to a wonderful year of sexy, glamorous curly hair styles.

For spring, many stylist predict the curly messy hairdos up in a gentle bun with a bit of hair framing the face. The interesting part of this trend is that it is so easy to do it on your own. Of course, nothing beats the professional touch for nights out on the town. This is because it isn’t just a simple case of “bun-on-the-run” but a more controlled effect with some degree of controlled movement and texture.

This brings us to the management of curly hair which is very important to stay in touch with fashion today. Having curly hair always makes a statement. It draws people’s attention. This can work for or against you because curls need more time and attention. The curly hair trends for 2010 needs definition. In other words, you need to get your curly locks under control. If you allow it to run wild without definition, that’s exactly the opposite of the 2010 look.

To do this, ask your stylist to slightly layer your hair to keep the weight even. The best lengths for 2010’s fashion look for curly hair would still be the medium to long hair. You can add some straight bangs to your look to put some contrast and style. Avoid curly bangs though because it just is too reminiscent of a young baby girl look, which is not a 2010 fashion statement.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Straight Hair Styles for 2010

This 2010, many hair stylists have predicted that straight hair will remain in vogue, but with a twist. However, before even venturing into what the trend is likely to be with straight hair, first and foremost, is the health of straight hair.

No hair style will ever look good if the health of your hair is under question. The most difficult hair length and hair type to maintain could possibly be straight hair. This is because there are no curls to hide flaws.

To maintain healthy straight hair, condition regularly, trim the ends every two months even if just a quarter of an inch if you see signs of split ends. Never use too much hair styling products or pull wet hair. Avoid using a brush on wet hair, and never over blow dry your hair.

When you have healthy straight hair, it becomes easier to style your hair. You won’t have weak, bumpy hair strands, and it will fall naturally.

Some of the trendy styles for straight hair this year would be long, layered with bangs. Avoid getting too much bangs because it makes the hair look heavy, and your face becomes smaller.

You should also consider trying some light waves to create body, texture, and movement. If you are unsure about the outcome, play around with some large curlers to find out if the style will fit you. This is easily removes with a simple shampoo.
The trend for natural-looking curls is going to be all the rave this year. This is because there is a move towards simpler styles that flow free and easy. You will not see too much edgy cuts especially with long hair. Think soft and natural.

For hair colors, again the trend will be earth tones. These are neutral colors with natural looking highlights. In other words, nothing stark or glaring; and no obvious contrasting colors. For instance, a good combination would be golden dark brown with golden light brown highlights, or mahogany brown with medium red highlights. Just make sure that the color you select will compliment your skin tone.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

2010’s Long Hair Styles To Watch Out For

With the Golden Globes Awards barely over, millions of avid fans had a clear view of what 2010’s hair styles to look forward to. Many of the celebrities came out all guns blazing wearing what that they thought was the best outfit ever made. However, no outfit could ever look great without the right hair styles.

What was seen on the red carpet is just an inkling of what hair styles for this year are all about. What was most obvious was the free flowing hair of most of the celebrities, and this sets the trend for 2010.

The byword for this year is versatility. This means being able to look fresh, fantastic, and new. If you have long, wavy hair, there is so much you can do – you could take a cue from Penelope Cruz and create some sexy waves on a layered hair style. Or you could go the other direction and have sleek, silky, long straight hair with stylish fringes to frame your face.

What most stylists recommend is having healthy, long hair that will allow you to change your look in the wink of an eye. If you plan to have a trim, add some waves or curls, layers and heavy conditioning. This will make it possible to carry the classic, elegant look and shift to a sexy, glamorous look the following night. This is what versatility means.

The sweeping fringes will still remain popular simply because it compliments all lengths of hair, as well as hair types.

Women who opted for a bob will probably choose to lengthen their hair because the bob will grow old. One of the main focuses for 2010 will be soft hair, and the bob tends to look too harsh on anyone but young Chinese girls.

In 2010, you can still expect the long shaggy hair to be around. By shaggy, the hair appears to be messy, without really being messy. This means not having the “just got out of bed” look, but the hair that has been put in a glam updo, but in a casual, sexy way. This means tiny fringes of curly hair barely framing the face, and making the entire look appear soft with just the right amount of texture. This kind of hair style for long hair, regardless of your hair type, is easy to do on your own with elastic bands, the right hair products, a comb, and your fingers to pull down some hair to serve as fringes. Above all, make sure to keep the hair looking and feeling soft, so don’t use any harsh hair products like starchy hair spray.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

2010 Layered Hair Styles – Short, Long, Medium

If you want to start the new year with a trendy look, consider a layered hair style. The latest styles are layered, carefree, and fresh.

A layered look creates movement and texture, with just the cut alone. You can often enjoy a wash and wear look that looks refreshingly vibrant and cool.

Your choice of layered hair styles will depend on your current hair length, hair thickness, face shape, and lifestyle. Some layered looks require more attention and time to manage properly.

Curly hair is much harder to layer than straight hair, because curls are harder to control. If you have straight, thick and course hair, layering might be your best option because you gain control over the stubborn fly-aways and avoid the “too much hair effect.” Your hair should compliment your facial features – don’t try to go the other way.

Some of your choices for the layered look are a short, textured layered look with fine wisps of hair barely touching your cheeks and forehead. You can even have baby bangs that are above the eyebrows, long enough to be swept upward for formal events. The latest short layered looks are the asymmetrical and textured styles. It’s similar to a boy’s cut but with an edge. Uneven lengths on short hair are best with thicker hair.

Layered medium length hair is versatile, young-looking, and generally fits all ages. If you taper the back and get some soft bangs, you could have a great frame for your face. If you want to focus on your eyes, make sure the bangs aren’t too long. If you want to draw attention to your lips, ask your stylist for some appropriate layering to softly touch your cheeks and chin.

Longer layered hair will need more time to maintain. A great way to layer long hair is by giving it a choppy look – minimal layering with blunt ends – think Meg Ryan. If that’s not your style, maybe the soft layering with curls or waves – it’s youthful, casually sexy, and trendy.

Whichever layered look you choose, it is important to remember that your hair texture and the health of your hair will determine the end result of your layered cut. As always, consult your stylist.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Put Your Best Face Forward After Fifty

Many women have the mistaken idea that as they get older, their hairstyle options get smaller. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Nowhere is it written that once you get past a certain age you have to wear your grandmother’s hairstyle.

Celebrities have known that a good hair cut can make or break your look. Take a look at Annette Benning, or Jane Seymour, Isabella Rossellini, Glend Close, Blythe Danner, or Michelle Pfeiffer. All of them are past fifty and look young and vibrant. What is one of Annette Benning’s secrets? Her hair, it’s short, blonde and wispy. Glenn Close’s chin length layered cut highlights her terrific bone structure and pulls your attention up to her fabulous blue eyes. Soft waves and highlights frame Blythe Danner’s classic beauty. And who can argue that Michelle Pfeiffer’s tousled mass of curls doesn’t make her look young and sexy? All of these actresses are over fifty but still look fresh and youthful.

Finding a talented stylist is key to getting the right cut and style. An experienced beauty professional can give you a personalized consultation to find a style that meets your hair’s needs and fits into your lifestyle.

• If you’re a wash and go type of woman, a fun short layered style will let you get up and out in the morning with a minimal amount of fuss.
• Soft curls that frame your face will help to soften your features and give you a feminine grace.
• Nothing beats a classic bob for a polished youthful look. Today’s bobs are versatile and have depth and movement to keep the look fresh.

Yes you can wear long hair after fifty. The key is to have some height at the crown. Another key is to have your layers frame your face so that one length does not pull your face down and make you look older. With these tips in mind, you can find a hairstyle that will not only boost your spirits but make you look and feel younger.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Hair Styles Can Make You Look Thinner

The start of a new year means that many women and men will be signing up for the gym, starting a new weight loss program, and looking for the magic trick to lose the weight they put on over the past year and especially over the holidays. What they may not realize is that choosing the right hair style and color for your face shape can create a more slimming look.

Thick, heavy hair that is long and hangs around your face can actually add to the appearance of a double chin. Women who tend to carry excess weight on their face and neck need to be careful not to pick a style that is going to create shadows around the face, as this only enhances the appearance of your extra weight, especially around the cheeks and neckline. You need to find a style that will not be heavy on your face. Depending on your face shape, your stylist can help you pick a style that will seem to take some weight off of you instantly.

If you have a round face, think of a modern bob that comes a little bit beyond the neckline. A modern bob should be shorter in the back and longer in the front. Keep this style sleek with a good quality flat iron. Women with round faces who want to keep their hair a little longer should consider long layers with some wave. Short layers only make hair fuller, which adds to the roundness of your face. If you have curly hair, make sure it is not “big” hair! Curly hair tends to get big and often takes on the Cocker Spaniel ear look (flat on top, heavy on the bottom) if not cut properly.

Some women with a long shape may also find a slimming style in a few different ways. A chin length bob with a little volume will help round out the face without adding extra pounds. Consider adding some long bangs – long bangs that you sweep to the side are good for slimming while short bangs will give you a choppier look that tends to add pounds to your look. Look for a curly style that frames your face with light layers of curls. Ask your stylist to thin out your curls to avoid a heavy look around your face.

For the square shaped face long hair is great! Try going for a look that has layers starting at the jaw line to thin out the area below your chin to help reduce the shadowing that can cause the look of extra weight to show up. Another great look for the square face is a short bob, avoid the blunt cut bob or blunt bangs – these will only make your square face look heavy. Instead try a layered bob or a modern bob that is short in the back and longer in the front. You can pair up your bob with long bangs that are swept to the side.

For the best results, ask your stylist to help you choose a hair style that will help you look thinner! Your stylist has the knowledge and skills to help you pick out a great new look that will have everyone wondering how many hours you have been spending at the gym!

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Out of town appointments welcome.

Types of Women’s Hair Braids

Hair braiding is an ancient, long-standing art. It started back in 4000 BC in the West African tribes. Originally, it was a social activity, with grandmothers and mothers braiding their daughters’ hair, and the youngsters braiding even younger children’s hair. As the years passed, the art of braiding was brought to the rest of the world and gave rise to different types of hair braids. Today, braids are worn for almost all occasions, from weddings to sports meets.

Braids are typically done on medium to long hair and while short hair is often exempt, some manage to braid their hair using inventive braiding techniques, like braiding hair horizontally across the head, or even using thinner strands of hair to create micro braids all around the head.

While there are only a few ways to braid short hair, multiple styles of braids are available for long tresses. The simplest of these would be the English, French and Dutch braids. The English braid is the most typical braid you see among women. It is done by plaiting three strands of hair from the nape of the neck downward to the tips, then securing it either with rubber elastics or barrettes. French braids are similar to the English braids, but they start from hairline, near the forehead. As this braid progresses, it incorporates hair strands from either side of the head into the weave, securing all the hair. An inverted French braid is often called a Dutch braid. This type of braid gives the look of an embossed braid, as opposed to the smooth look of the French braid. Another simple braid would be the biker’s braid. Though not technically a braid, it is often used by bikers and motorcyclists to secure hair from whiplash from wind. This hairstyle is done by securing a high ponytail at intervals with a number of hair elastics. Rope braids are also examples of false braids. These are done by twisting two to three strands of hair and should be secured in the end with hair elastics to prevent untwisting.

Other braids are not as simple or as fast to do. The Heidi / Swiss braid gives the appearance of a hair tiara for the wearer. It is made by taking two braids at the nape of the neck and crossing them over the crown of the head. Depending on the length of the hair, the Heidi braid could be wrapped around the whole head, forming a crown of hair. More complicated braids are done using more strands of hair from four to seven. Nine-strand braids can be considered the height of hair braiding art and are exhibited only by Renaissance Fair professional hair braiders. Keep in mind that the more strands there are, the harder it is to make it into a neat weave. It also makes for wider and shorter braids. Herringbone braids are time-consuming, whether doing or undoing them. These are technically a two-strand braid, formed by bringing sections from one half of the hair to the other. The braids remain neat for a long time, and don’t need to be secured. This braid style is also called ‘fishtail’ braid, because the unsecured braid splays at the bottom, like a fish’s tail. Lace braids and crown braids are two other complicated braids which employ techniques used in the French braid. Lace braids are done by gathering hair from only one side and incorporating it in the weave as it travels down the head. Crown braids, on the other hand, are woven around the head to make a crown. They are much more complicated than the Heidi braids and are very difficult to do solo.

While braids can be worn as is, they can also appear in different combinations and configurations. One such combination is the classic braid, which is basically two English braids worn on either side of the head. It is a style most consider childish or schoolgirlish. But if they are worn coiled, they can give a very sophisticated look. Another elegant braid configuration is the cascade braid. It is done by letting half of the hair in the back stay loose and flowing. This gives the overall effect of femininity to the hairstyle. Braids can also be braided into other braids, like taking two braids and weaving / twisting them into one larger braid. Braids can also be accented by smaller braids to add to the overall effect of the hairstyle.

There are practically no limits on how a woman’s hair can be braided. Different styles and combinations can be employed, especially if they are to be worn ifor very special occasions like weddings. All it takes is imagination, and a lot of patience.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City. Out of town appointments welcome.

Style Lives in Female Ranks

We all know that men joining the military must have their hair cut very short,  but women have some options for haircuts. Each branch of the military has their own guidelines:

ARMY

Extreme, eccentric, trendy haircuts/hairstyles are not authorized; dyes, tints, or bleaches must result in natural tones for hair color.

You may wear braids and cornrows as long as the braided style is conservative and cornrows lie snugly on the head. Dreadlocks are not allowed while on duty.

Hair cannot fall over the eyebrows or extend below the bottom edge of the collar.Long hair that falls below the bottom edge of the collar must be fastened or pinned, so no free-hanging hair is visible.

Extensions, weaves, wigs and hairpieces are authorized as long as they conform to the standards.

You may wear small, plain scrunchies, barrettes, combs, pins, clips, rubber bands, and hair bands as long as they are plain and as close to the hair color as possible or clear.

NAVY

The same rules apply as for Army, with the exception of braids – they must be small (1/4”) in diameter. Beads, decorative items cannot be braided into hair. Short hair can be braided in corn rows.

Jumper uniforms allow the hair to extend 1-1/2 below the top of the jumper collar.

You are limited to 2 small barrettes, combs, or clips that are similar in color. Elastic fabric bands are not allowed. Hair ornaments must not present a safety hazard.

AIR FORCE

Can’t wear excessive amounts of grooming products. Hair can’t touch the eyebrows and must not be visible below the front band of headgear. Hair may be visible in front of a women’s flight cap.

Hair nets may be worn for safety – made of cotton or synthetic material of a conservative or solid color similar to your hair color and must contain no metal fasteners.

Hair must not extend in length on all sides below an invisible line drawn parallel to the ground at the bottom of the shirt collar – must not exceed 3” in bulk.

MARINE CORPS

During physical training and not in the utility uniform, you may wear your hair naturally. To break down the rules:

Long hair is fine, as long as it is neat, pulled up, and not touching the collar.

Short is fine, as long as it is not cut extreme (GI Jane) and does not touch the collar.

No hairstyle may prevent proper wear of headgear.

Military women don’t have to have boring clone-hair, and aren’t limited to styles that don’t fit the shape of their faces. Consult your stylist for a style that conforms to military norms, and also compliments your appearance.

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City. Out of town appointments welcome.

Short Ideas for Short Wedding Hair Styles

How many weddings have you attended where the bride had short hair? Didn’t she look gorgeous? Hip? Flattering? A lot of brides opt for long hair, but there is no optimum guide to the length of the brides’ hairstyle; it’s about feeling fabulous while complimenting her dress. Often, the most elegant and stress-free approach is to base it on your every day look, and then jazz it up a bit with highlights, tiara, headband or jeweled barrette. Some ideas for short hair:

• Tiara: elegant, glittering diamond-patterned crown
• Sparkling headbands with or without a veil
• Pearls attached with Velcro
• Dazzling rhinestones
• Layered tones: a two-tone, professionally colored and layered cut
• Small curls: for vintage or country garden themes; create loose curls and capture them with bobby pins to create a frame around your face
• Simple part: for a classic theme; make a part, and hold with gel and hairspray.
• Straight: use hairspray and comb the parted style…pretty much what you would wear to work, accented with some earrings.
• Wild and Crazy: for a funky themed wedding; use a brush some super hold gel and hairspray and get creative
• Elegant wave: for very short hair; put some medium hold gel in your hand and scrunch your hair to create a little bit of wave

Anastasia is a salon hair stylist in Oklahoma City. Out of town appointments welcome.