Curly Wurly

Curly Hair... The Do's and Don'ts

Bouncy and defined curls is what we all aim for when trying to style our naturally curly locks. But other factors can rudely interrupt us getting to that desired look; such as heat, humidity and products. To help you get your desired look every time we have created the do’s and don’ts of looking after your curly hair.

The DO'S

Get your hair cut regularly

Don't let your hair get out of control book an appointment online

            Trim your hair every 3 months to keep those ends looking fresh and healthy and to rid any split ends.  After around 12-20 weeks of growth, hair branches at the ends (split ends) this causes hair to look frizzy and wispy, by keeping these ends in one piece, you are also strengthening the hair shaft and keeping it looking healthy.  For the longer hair add long layers, this will help to make your hair look less bottom heavy

Get specialised Products

available at www.tommysonlinestore.co.uk

If you are having some trouble with unruly curls, then follow some simple steps.  Use a water spray and distribute evenly over the hair, then use a product to help curls such as Osis Twin curl.  Simply place a small pea size amount, and spread over your palms and fingers, then scrunch into the hair and leave to dry naturally or diffuse and watch as your once wild springs are now a tamed curly mane.

     

 Stay in the shower for a few moments longer.

This may seem stupid, but by standing in the shower for a couple of minutes after you've hit the tap off, the humidity helps to bring the bounce back in to your hair,  then simply scrunch dry with a towel once you step out.

      

      

Use moisturising hair products 

Organic Hair Care

To keep your hair in best condition, use moisturising products.  The newly packaged Essensity range we sell in the salon, has a moisturising family which is a deeply moisturising product collection. They immerse dry, coarse hair in moisture and nutrients.  They are enriched with Organic Olive Oil, organic essence of Aloe Vera, and Panthenol.

The DON'TS

     Don't -    

Brush your hair, brushing curly hair can cause breakage and frizz.  Be gentle with your hair and scrunch dry, only using a brush when combing through a rinse out conditioner.       

  

   Don't -   

Shampoo your hair too frequently, for the finer hair stick to every other day and for the thicker hair types keep to twice a week but can rinse in between on the other days

Don't - 

 Use to much heat on your hair. Leaving moisture in your hair will help you shy away from frizz.

 Don't -

Get your hair layered to short or razor cut. Shorter layers can cause overly puffy hair and razor cuts can make your hair prone to frizziness.

By following these simple list of do’s and don’ts you will be on your way to create the curly look of some of our most idolised celebrities such as Beyonce, Julia Roberts and Leona Lewis. 

Calum xx

London Fashion Week!

Hello guys, this is Camilla!  I thought for this Fridays blog we would try something a little bit different, you could call it a 'Special Edition' for you!  As myself and Amie from our recently crowned Salon of the Year in Chester, have been down to the one and only LONDON FASHION WEEK!! Yeah baby!!


Now we were instantly hitting the new and emerging designers as we wanted to see what was going to come strutting down that Catwalk with the freshest ideas, and we saw 5 showcasing their up and coming collections for S/S 12 (S/S means Spring/Summer just in case... like me, you couldn't figure it out!  Thanks Amie!)


But we weren't only looking at the clothes... Ohohohoh No!  Make up and hair was also on our Fashion Week agenda and we were eager to see what the designers had in mind for the Catwalk shows, so that we can report it all back to yourselves for A/W 2011 and S/S 2012, and you can be ahead of the trend!

Our First designer was Eleanor Amoroso

The consistent theme through this collection was the gorgeous wedges that the models where wearing. 

Doesn't matter what colour, texture or size, furry or material, they are going to be massive in A/W 11.  Go peep toe if you want to add a little bit of fun to your footwear.

Next we had the amazing   Jayne Pierson

                                  

Get Leathered... In the clothing sense of the word!  Whether it be hot pants, jackets, or ( I think this is going to be amazingly in season) 

ankle swinger pants.

These are really strong looks from Jayne Pierson.  She is the winner of London Graduate Fashion Week, Ecological Design Award.  

She is also the Vogue Italia New Talent.... so Keep your eye on this one!  (Can you tell she was my favorite?!)

image courtesy of coterie

 Crimping!  Get your crimping irons back out guys, because it is well and truly back, crimped and put up high...simple but SO effective as you can see... 

Hair Colours are starting to get FUN FUN FUN!

Seeing lots of pastel blues and pinks, and even some peachy tones which have recently been seen sported by the likes of Fearn Cotton and Lauren Conrad 

We didn't see too much colour on the Catwalk, however there was an abundance of these pastel shades in the audience, which I think is always a big sign that the trend is changing, as sometimes the Fashionistas influence the season as much as what trickles down from the Catwalk!

I hope you enjoyed our London Fashion Week blog! With Love xxx

X Marks the spot

Sally our Academy Stylist, is a young lady who certainly has her finger on the pulse, as I was in London last week with Tommy and Esther at The Most Wanted Awards, I received a little phone call from Sally as I was on the train.  "Gavyn I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since the X Factor started.... and we haven't blogged about it yet?!"  As I hung my head in shame into my Virgin Rail Chicken Sandwich I realised she was right... So I put her on the case straight away, here she is!

4 weeks and no posts about X Factor?  I think it's about time we changed that!  Where should we start?  Well obviously there was massive controversy over Cheryl leaving, and also regarding her replacement... Tulisa from  N-Dubz.  Gavyn and some of the other crew are a bit too old to remember N-Dubz first coming on the scene but I remember her, and she certainly has changed since those first days with her blonde hair, and if I'm honest, she looked like any other late teens girl wanting to be different.  I probably would of passed her in the street and thought 'trying too hard'. 

But then she went brunette... and WOW the difference a hair colour can make!  She went really dark, and with striking lipstick this really brought her style completely up a level, and gave her a level of sophistication that she had previously been missing.

Then came the new look of rich browns, and the flash at the front of blonde mixed through a subtle rich red.... I think it really adds something different without going for the block flashes which can sometimes look like a disaster if not done correctly.

I have young ladies coming into the Academy with longer hair, looking for something different, but wanting to keep the length.  I feel like colour statements such as Tulisa's on the right, are a really great way to give longer hair a new lease of life, without having to completely change your style.  The colours work well, and it's an easy way to make a statement without going over the top!

Then we have my new style icon.... 

Kelly Rowland

The Destiny's Child singer just oooooozes style, fashion, and brilliance every time I see her!  The singer has had some style changes over the last 18 months, but her new stylist Mekel Bailey is doing an amazing job!

            My favourite outfit on the left, the gorgeous lace dress, with Copper belt and her bright red Giuseppe Zanotti wedges.... AMAZING!

      She has been seen in figure hugging body con dresses, mini dresses, and skirts that nip in to show off her tiny waist. And why wouldn't  you with a body like hers!!  

      She has apparently been working hard at keeping her body in trim, on the X Factor this weekend, Tulisa made a joke how at 1am the judges where having drinks down the bar, when Kelly Rowland walks in with a skipping rope and starts working out before heading off to the gym! AT 1AM!! You go girl!

      When I discovered Kelly Rowland was going to be on the judging panel, I must admit I was a little dubious, and I wasn't too sure what she was going to bring to the table, but she has an air of maturity and sophistication topped with killer style that makes her absolutely the right choice to be an X Factor Judge!

      So all in all I think the new X Factor Judges are doing a fantastic job, and I'm really enjoying the show so far.  I can't wait to see what the competition is going to turn into in the coming weeks.... but in the meantime, I will be enjoying the fashion show and hair ideas that are hitting my TV every Saturday night.  

       Hope you enjoyed my first blog!  xxxx

Thank Blog it's Friday! Blow Dry Blues?

Saran hair is a beautiful thing a photo by *Saffy* on Flickr.

Ok so we have all had it.

You get to that point before your next hair appointment, and you just wake up, and do everything as normal when POW! Your hair feels, looks, and acts as though it has been replaced with the hair of Satan.

It's fly away, it's lumpy, it won't curl in the right place, or lie flat where it's supposed to. So what do you do? Back in the day, I used to start with a little water, put it on, lay it flat or curl it out and wait for it to dry... Into exactly the same position it was in before.

Secondly comes the product attack. We start with gels, seeing if we can somehow push it down, just to watch it... slowly... rise back up. As if in slow motion pushing up a hairy middle finger at you in the mirror.

Thirdly comes the all out surrender of washing your hair, and trying to make it work again, and again, and again.... And we arrive back at the start.

Well ladies, i'm a gent, and I can't begin to imagine the horror of having a bad hair day when my hair is over 6 inches long, so for you girls with meters of it... I salute you. However I came up with a solution and it worked for me and my short curly locks, so for you guys it's a sure fire thing. It's a three pronged attack, and it is amazingly simple.

Step 1. Switch on your Computer

Step 2. Sit in their chair

Step 3. Watch Camilla show you how to do it!

Here she is with hints and tips on how to blowdry your own hair....Thank Blog It's Friday!

Fringe-Tastic Friday!

If I had a penny for every phone call I got starting with ''Gavyn she thought she would trim her own fringe because it was easier'' I think I could pay myself for a year.

Well here at Tommy's fringe trims are complimentary for our Guests.... We made the video blog to show you how you can change your look in-between appointments without having to spend a penny!

Fudge (Virginia) phoned us, she has a fringe trim to keep her going in between cuts, and she very kindly agreed to be a part of our blog so we can show you how we can change your look in five minutes or less. Ideal for when you feel like a little change, but it's a couple weeks until your next appointment! 

 Thank Blog it's Friday!

The Devil Wears Prada.... But what's everyone else wearing?

Thank Blog it's Friday... With a twist!

This Friday we decided to give our very talented Camera man Milo a few days off  to sun himself, so the video blog will be back next week.  So I thought I would take this opportunity to introduce  the new page that we have decided to make for the  blog... another bow in our string so to speak!

For those of you who haven't been to the Salon let me introduce you to Kristina....

As you can see from this picture she is the kind of lady who could turn up to work 

saying she had the worst case of man flu alive, and still have the demeanor 

of a Princess and styling that makes Gok Wan look like he's been left in the stalls.   

So I thought to myself why isn't this lady giving us her opinion 

on what to put on our backs?

Here it is... The Fashion Page 

 August is here and still no sign of summer, the sales are on and all the shops 
look like a JUMBLE SALE !!

Quite depressing really ...So I decided to cheer myself up and get excited about 
the new season trends autumn/winter 2011. 

The homework begins !!!!

My top 5 fave fashion pieces ..  

 
 Pick a Decade ANY decade !!

Whether it be 40's ,50's,60's,70's and even the 80's there all acceptable this 
season ...It could be 40's with a nipped in at the waist pencil dress or 50's 
Audrey Hepburn style dress with a hint of tweed .60's swing with a shift or 70's 
patterned floaty number,or look to the future girls and wear leather and lace 
combined huge trend .
DKNY

Dorothy Perkins


Prada
Find it in - Miu Miu and New Look 40's ,Isabel Lucas in 70's or the Lace vibe worn at Julien Macdonald (seen above) ,Salvatore Ferragamo.


COLOUR,COLOUR,COLOUR!!

Whether its Purple ,Orange ,Cobalt or green wear it block and bright. 

Forget the neutrals...brighten up ladies!

Seen on - Ginnifer Goodwin in Green Topshop ,Gwyneth Paltrow in a yellow Rachel  Roy and Angelina Jolie in an Orange Jenny Packham number. 

 Ditch the maxi... 

Bring on the Pencil Skirt...this chic curve enhancing skirt 

doesn't have to be boring, looks sexy worn high waisted,or teamed with pussy bow 
blouses or bring on a bright top killing two fashion trends in one go..Wahoo!!

Vera Wang

Dolce & Gabbana 

Seen on - Christina Ricci -Dolce&Gabbana,Leighton Meester wearing Vera Wang and 
seen in the high street stores Zara , Oasis ,Warehouse.

Bring out the STAR in you ...

Massive trend this season is going to be clothes 
with starry creations ,whether its dresses, jeans,jumpers 
or even if its just a pair of starry earrings 
if they've got stars they're rocking it!.
 
 
 

image courtesy of ikanacca.com

Seen on - CATWALK Dolce & Gabbana HIGH STREET - Oasis,Next 

and worn on Solange  Knowels and Pixie Geldof. 

  See you in COURT... 

I thought you can't have all these great outfits 
without a fab shoe, and the court shoe does it for me. An elegant shoe that can 
be worn with just about anything ,comes in different colours,heel sizes and 
textures, a gorgeous all round shoe .

office Pewter leather Court Shoe

Seen on - Alexa Chung ,Jennifer Aniston and more.. shops Aldo ,Nine west and 

Pied A Terre .

Saving the best till last of course the

 HAIR !!!!!!           What to do?  well very simple 

Plus it looks stunning with all outfits ,The PONY TAIL , can be worn high and 
textured like Kate Beckinsale below , the low pony tail textured or smooth or the 
sharp parting sleek and sexy like Eva Longoria,all rocking the A/W catwalk trend 

Kate Beckinsale c/o glamour.com

Eva Longoria c/o goodhousekeeping.com

The pony-tail hair kit ...  

Hair bungees to help grip that pony tail in... 

Aqua slide for a wet look 

 

essensity fixing spray for a scrunched textured look 

and finish with a Hairspray essential. Freeze, to make sure that it all 

stays in place

courtesy of  leeloveshottrends.com and getty images

For the short hair lovers ,lovely little pixie crops worn on Emma Watson and 

Ginnifer Goodwin or a cute short textured bob very vintage , Alexa Chung wears it well and Kirsten Dunst .

Pixie kit ...definition and texture Flex wax  

and for a sleeker shiny look Aqua slide (see link above)

Vintage Bob - scrunched in texture twin curl will give you that beach look or a 
smooth wave use curl me soft .

    

.

I hope we have given you some inspiration for the up coming season, and I will keep you updated on any interesting fashion news.  More soon... 

Thank blog it's Friday!

What are you going to do with your hair?  You had the slick pony last weekend, and the thought of sitting there with a pair of curling tongs and hairspray, with Neighbours in the background brings on thoughts of suicide. Plus, you haven't washed your hair for the three days... What the hell are you going to do???

QUIFF IT!

It's a brilliant idea... I know!!  The great thing about the quiff is they can be as rough and textured, or as smooth and sleek as you like, they always look great!

We've seen them on the Red Carpet from the likes of Cat Deeley

As you can see here with her sporting a lovely textured quiff, it doesn't have to be perfect for it to look good, in some cases the rougher it's put up the better it looks.

image courtesy of glamourmagazine.co.uk

I know what you're thinking... ''I've got short hair I can't do that'' Well NEVER say never, Rihanna with her short hair managed to put it up into a stylish quiff. 

image courtesy of mariclaire.co.uk

Now unlike Rihanna, we know that you don't have a team of sixteen stylists there to do your make up and hair before you go out, or wake up in the morning (Wouldn't that be great?)  so here is our wonderful Camilla again to show you how to do it at home... I know... You can thank me later...