This fall’s beauty trends are all about laid-back practicality. Whether you refresh your color or try a chic new hairstyle, the idea is to spend less time in the salon and more time doing what makes you happy.
Anyone who enjoys hair color highlights or balayage hair painting knows that locks look great for a few weeks after color, but as the roots begin to grow out, there’s a clear line of demarcation at the scalp. Two clever camouflaging hacks, root shadowing and teasy lights, are picking up speed.
“Instead of traditional techniques in which newly placed highlights originate at the scalp and grow out as stripes, we soften the effect at the scalp area with a color that’s a bit lighter than the natural color to create a more subtle shadow root. Clients enjoy this option because they can wait longer between color visits,” says Cecil Diaz, senior stylist at Silver Vine Room in Summit (485 Springfield Avenue; 908-679-8657).
“Teasy lights give a similar effect around the face frame and top part,” says Diaz. “First, we tease or back-comb the hair to create a cushion. Then the teasy lights are applied above the cushion for a subtle effect. This is another practical hair option that extends the time between hair color appointments.”
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Autumn hairstyles are also about easy, practical looks that complement the wearer’s lifestyle. “Soft, natural waves are beautiful, approachable and touchable,” Diaz notes.
For the perfect beachy look, he suggests wrapping each section of hair around a curling rod or curling iron, but leaving the ends straight. Then simply break up the curls a bit with the fingers and finish with shine gloss to help define the soft waves. The finished style can be sprayed lightly, but should move freely with no stiffness.
“The right hairstyle always considers the client’s facial structure, lifestyle and ability to style her own hair,” Diaz says. “Some clients like to bring in a photo of their desired look. This can be helpful, but often, the hairstyle shown in the image looks great on a model but isn’t really appropriate for the client. This is why a 10- to 15-minute consultation is so important before we color or cut.”
For examples of the latest fall hairstyles, visit @the_cecildiazhair on Instagram.