There are two parts to beautiful hair: First how we care for our hair, then how we style it. We asked beauty experts Harold Leighton, originally from the U.K., now in Boca Raton, and Nicole Davenport of the Peninsula in Beverly Hills to give their advice on how we can improve the look of our hair.
To begin we need to recognize that the natural characteristics of our hair and the current condition and health of it will determine what we can do and what we should do with it. Determine if your hair is "fine" or "thick" (sometimes called "coarse"). This refers to the thickness of the single strands. Next you need to decide if your hair is "thin" or "full" (also called "thick"). This means the number of strands on your head, fewer strands are considered "thin" hair, a lot of strands are "full" hair.
In handling and caring for your hair the thin, fine hair needs the most delicate touch and can easily become flat, lifeless and stringy. It is the type most likely to be the victim of what Harold sees as the biggest mistakes we make in hair care: over-washing and over-growing. If you wash your hair every day, he says, you only need to do a light wash. And if you want long hair, have it trimmed regularly. Don’t just let it grow for six months without a cut—it will look straggly. On the same thought, Nicole has said that hair grows out better and stays healthier, without breaking, if you get it trimmed regularly as you grow it longer.
At the other end of the spectrum, thick, full hair, in many cases, requires the most treatment. It also benefits from regular trimming to keep it in shape, as broken ends tend to "fly away" more. This type of hair can be conditioned and relaxed to get it so that you can style it in many ways. Both of our experts say that the new keratin treatment gives amazing results in making hair straight and shiny in a healthy way.
For all types of hair, Nicole gave this tip to get a smooth, shiny look: Place your styling brush under a section of hair, against your scalp. Then, with a very hot blow dryer pointed in the direction the hair grows, move the brush and dryer at the same time, stroking the hair so that the strands lie down smoothly as you move toward the ends. Two or three strokes on each section should be all you need.
These experts also recommend using professional-quality products and in most cases using the entire line of products from one company. Harold thinks that some of the best products are ones from the top hairdressers; they have been developed to make hair easy to mold and style. When choosing a specific product, it is important to find the correct weight for your hair, not too heavy but heavy enough. Nicole suggests you ask your hairdresser which products would suit your hair because as your style and the condition of your hair change the products you need can change.
The Perfect Style
For choosing a style that is becoming, Nicole says both the hair characteristics—thin or full, fine or thick, straight or curly—and the shape of your face have to be considered. Very fine hair, if it’s thin, too, will have less body. And as it grows longer, it can get flatter. So if your face is long or rectangular-shaped and you want to add width, don’t grow this type of hair much beyond chin-length. That shorter length will allow it to have more body.
"If you have a wide or broad face shape, do not go for a center part," Harold warns. "And don't try to look younger by wearing long, straight hair if your hair is thin." He prefers cutting hair when it’s wet so that the hairdresser can see the movement and natural flow of the hair. Going with the natural tendencies of your hair, where to make the part, a smooth cut or a layered cut, can bring out elements that are uniquely you.
Part of the style you choose involves coloring. Slight variations in the shade you choose can make a big difference in your look and can also add to your unique image. Nicole says that besides making your hair style look better, choosing the right color for your hair can improve your skin tone and make you look healthier.
Getting good advice from a professional, even if you just go one time, is a great way to find a good style that works for you and get personalized input that fits you specifically. It is often well worth the investment to improve your image.
