The party season is always the time of year when we want to look our very best. And as the saying goes, if you want to get ahead - get a great haircut.
The new trends for 2011 focus very heavily on glamour, funky up-styles and warm mocha tones that can give anyone a fabulous new look.
Barry Finnegan of Cezanne Hairdressing, knows this more than most. He is one of Irelands leading session stylists and his work has been published in many top magazines including Irish Tatler, U magazine, VIP and Social & Personal. He has also tamed to locks of well known celebrities such Maura Derrane and Jordan to name but a few.
We caught up with Barry to discover what hairstyles are going to be big this party season.
Georgina Heffernan: What’s the key hair trend for Christmas 2011?
Barry Finnegan: The thing about Christmas is that people want a happy go lucky style for the parties and, this season, big glamorous hair is bang on trend; It’s Jessica Rabbit but with a modern twist. I think that, now, more than ever, people want to make a style statement at the Christmas parties. With so much doom and gloom around, you can understand why people just want to let it rip and really push the boat out by going for something dramatic.
GH: Is it possible to create a salon style at home?
BF: Here’s a striking catwalk look that’s easy to do. Start off by creating a pigtail at one side of your head, just behind your ear. Then backcomb it and comb it all the way over. Push it under the original band and secure it with a bobby grip, so that it becomes a bun. It’s supposed to look a little loose and ‘undone’ so don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect. Secure with a few pins and finish with spray. Before you know it you have a glamorous catwalk style - and the good news in that it takes only a few minutes to create. They’ve had enough austerity – now they are going for full on glamour!
GH; Have you any more tips for women who want to create a fabulous style on a budget?
BF: The easiest way to achieve a polished look is by investing in a set of heated rollers. They’re so easy to use and they give you instant glamour and shine!
GH: for formal events, such as the office Christmas party, what sort of a style would you suggest?
BF: I would not go for anything too over the top or outrageous - this is not the time to make a bold style statement. Instead I’d suggest using heated rollers. Only this time, you are going to brush through the hair once it has cooled down. This will give it a nice natural wave but it won’t look too ‘set’ or retro. Next, give yourself a side parting but part your hair a bit further down than usual, as this instantly creates a high fashion style; it’s a look that I use on many of the big catwalk shows.
GH: What colours are big this season?
BF: Anything that’s mocha based is set to be huge. Red has been done to death, especially this time of year, but mocha looks fresh and it can be worn by almost anyone. It suits most complexions and skin tones and you can add mocha tones to almost any colour hair; it tones down brassy shades for blondes and adds depth to brown hair.
GH: What tips do you have for women that want to achieve party hair – on a shoestring?
BF: Invest in a doughnut – those round pieces of foam with a hole in the middle. They are so versatile and be can used to achieve a variety of great hairstyles. They are also great if you have thin hair as they’ll add much needed volume to your hairs. I’d suggest buying one and trying it out in a variety of ways, so that you can learn to create a few easy looks in an instant. Just try to stay away from the classic Air hostess ‘bun at the top of your head’ style.
Clip in pieces and hair extensions are also great if you want to create a different look in seconds. They are handy to have but can be awkward to style yourself, that’s why it’s important to get to know your hairdresser so that you can create a stunning new look together.
Barry Finnegan will he holding a Christmas Hair workshop next Thursday, November 24th between 7.30pm and 9.30pm at Dokota,Clarendon Street.
So if you want to pick up some more tips from the hair guru in person – don’t forget to pop in.
