We take our favourite looks straight off the international runways and give you the chance to recreate the styles at home.
The latest and greatest hairstyles straight off the runway and how to recreate the look at home
2008 was a year of extremes in hair and the top three styles couldn't be more different. From super slick to wild and wavy with a simple, yet sophisticated updo in between – there's a look for every occasion.
From left to right: Donna Karan (fall), Marc Jacobs (spring), Alexander McQueen (spring), Dolce & Gabanna (fall)
1. Faux bob
The first big trend of 2008 was a sophisticated (yet simple) take on the updo that creates the look of a tousled bob. It first appeared at Prada, Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs in spring then Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabanna and Giambattista Valli kept the trend alive for fall. This retro-romantic look is a great way for longhaired gals to fake a short new do.
How to:
1. Prep – Start with clean hair.
2. Dry – Blow-dry hair from above. Brian Phillips, owner of Toronto's worldSALON ( www.world.ca) recommends only drying to 90% dry to allow “for that cool, slightly fly-away messiness” in the bob.
3. Texturize– Add a product such as hairspray or mousse for added volume. Phillips likes worldOCEAN sprayed lightly everywhere to lock in texture and facilitate styling. Or for fine hair, Richard Ashforth, International Creative Director of SACO Montreal (www.sacohair.com) recommends a simple styling mousse to bulk up such as Wella's Supermousse.
4. Ponytail – Next, Ashforth advises pulling hair into a low, loose ponytail in the nape of the neck.
5. Tuck – Then flip underneath and tuck end of ponytail into place at the hairline with small barrettes or non-slip bobby pins suggests Phillips.
6. Finish – Finish with a light hold hairspray. Ashforth likes Wella's Ultimation, while Phillips is partial to La Biosthetique Fix hair spray.
Tips:
- Try this look for an evening out with a glamourous 30's-style dress.
- Use Goodies StayPut Hold Colour Collection elastics for a secure ponytail that blends into your hair colour.
- Sweep to the side and add a bobby pin for a romantic-retro style as seen at Donna Karan (fall) and Dolce & Gabanna (fall).
- Tease sky high for Marc Jacobs (spring) eccentric-pretty look.
- Sculpt with rollers to create McQueen's coiffed curls.
 From left to right: Lanvin (spring), Prada (fall), Ralph Lauren (spring), Balanciaga (fall) 2. Super slick The next trend, a tight and taught, super slicked-back style, was first seen on spring runways at Lanvin and Balanciaga, then Prada and Ralph Lauren picked it up for fall and this ultra-modern look continues into the new year as seen at Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga again at their Spring 09 shows. It's a simple, futuristic look that works well with the sculptural clothing seen on recent runways. How to: 1. Wet – Start with freshly washed or good and wet hair. Olivier Miotto, owner of Glam Salon Boutique in Montreal (www.glamsalonboutique.com) says starting with wet or damp hair will be the easiest to work with and will guarantee the “plaster effect.” 2. Gel – Next apply gel from root to tip and comb through for even distribution. Such as Gel Forte by Sebastian which helps achieve super shiny hair. 3. Slick back – The technique used to pull back your hair will determine the final look. Miotto suggests using a comb for the sleekest look, a brush for a softer look and your hands for a casual, messy look. 4. Secure – Pull into a ponytail with an elastic or pin back with bobby pins into a sleek bun. 5. Finish – Complete the lacquered look with a final spritz of holding spray – Miotto likes Sebastian's Halo Mist for luminous shine. Tips: - This style looks great on all hair types from super straight to curly. Different hair textures and styling techniques will change up the look. - It's a fast and easy solution on bad hair days. Simply wet hair, lacquer up and pull back. - If you're overdue for a colour touch up, don't try this style, as it will only emphasize your roots. - Add a side part for pretty prep as seen at Balenciaga (spring) and Chanel (spring). - Use plenty of gel and a fine tooth comb for the lacquered, plastered to the head look from Prada's fall show. - For Lanvin's (spring) perfectly imperfect style – pull hair back naturally with your hands and allow little flyaways to escape. |
 From left to right: Dior (fall), Gucci (spring), Versace (spring), Gucci (fall) 3. Wild & wavy At the opposite end of the spectrum comes the last important trend of '08 - big, bouncy hair with loose waves. The look premiered at Gucci and Versace for spring and made a big splash for fall at Dior with teased 60's-inspired curls. This sexy hair style works well for day or night with ultra-feminine clothing. How to: 1. Nourish – Start with clean, healthy hair. Dan Nguyen, Principle Designer of Vancouver's LURE salon (www.luresalon.ca) advises starting off with a fantastic shampoo and conditioner (he likes Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious line) to clean, nourish and condition the hair. 2. Prep – Next prepare the hair with a medium hold styling product from root to ends to accentuate the wave. Niki Pereira, a stylist at Ritual 2 in Toronto (www.ritual.ca) likes L'Oreal Professionnel's Supreme Smooth from the Hair Mix collection to keep hair soft and shiny and tame frizz. For straight hair, she uses a curl enhancing spray like L'Oreal Professional's Curl-Up Memory Spray on wet hair first. 3. Dry – Scrunch hair with a towel and diffuse with a dryer until hair is dry to bring out the hair's natural texture. 4. Curl – Curl hair in small sections with a 1 ¼” curling iron. Nguyen suggests curling random 1" vertical sections of hair in various directions (towards and away from the face) for more of an “organic and wild look”. Then run fingers thru to break up the curls. 5. Hold – Finally spray with a holding spray such as Nguyen's fave, Bumble & Bumble's Spray de Mode, to set the style. Tips: - Use a deep conditioner once a week to keep hair looking its best such as Frederic Fekkai's Protein Rx Reparative Conditioner. - When in a rush try Conair's 1-1/2" Hot Air Curling Iron and Brush to curl and dry hair all at once. - For Dior's (fall) sexy 60's style use plenty of hairspray and tease, tease, tease! - Curl with curling iron a little more for the posh curls seen at Versace (spring) and a little less for the natural waves at Gucci (spring & fall). |
