Formal Wear: Up Do Hairstyles

Putting hair up for formal occasions has been around since the beginning of time, and women over the years have always worn elaborate decorations in their hair and unique styles. Putting hair up for special occasions is still a popular thing to do even today, and there are numerous designs for the up dos of today. In history women in Greece and Egypt, wore elaborate hairstyles that looked as if they had a lot of hair, and this type of fashion was popular on and off throughout history. In the 16th through 18th century women wore big, elaborate wigs, and, in the 18th century, some women had their wigs designed with birdcages in them (complete with singing birds) and wore them around. In the 1800s (19th century), women toned down their hair and started to wear it naturally, and, at formal events, they would dress up their hair into formal up dos of that era.

The up do today can be as simple as a bun at the nape of the neck, back of the head, or top of the head, or can be as elaborate as using multiple pin curls in your hair. To put pin curls in your hair you first need to start with dry (newly washed) hair, and then put up the rest of your hair except a section at the nape of your neck. Which you can make the hair sections as thin or thick as you want for different size pin curls. Take some hair from the section (about an inch) and dab some mousse in it or spray hairspray, and then starting at the tips begin rolling your hair upward (making a loop). Then, secure the pin curl in place using bobby pins, and start on the rest of the hair (make sure to do this to your whole head for the perfect pin curl up do). If you have curly or wavy hair, you may want to straighten it to get this look, but some curly and wavy pin curls look just as great.

For a simple up do, you can do something like a bun, a French twist, or a chignon, and the bun and chignon can be placed anywhere on your head (top, back, or side). A simple way to complete an up do look is to first use a mousse or gel through your hair, and then you pull your hair back to form a ponytail. Then, you twist the hair around the ponytail (to make it easier you can use a hair band if you need to), and pin it with bobby pins as you go along so keep it from falling out.

Two-Toned Colors: Highlighted Hairstyles

Coloring hair is a popular way to style hair nowadays, and most women have colored their hair at least once in their lives. The look of today is not just simply dying your hair a different color, but it is getting highlights to match the new color. Hair coloring has been around for some time throughout history, but highlighting did not become extremely popular until around the 1990s (although, in the 80s they used bleach to highlight their hair). The most popular form of highlighting in the 90s was a technique called balayage, and this is basically where the color is applied free hand, which uses a sweeping motion from the base of the hair to the tips. Ever since, highlighting has continued to remain popular, and while some people like to get drastic colors placed in their hair others go for more of a natural look. The natural look is dominant more so today than it has ever been since coloring and hair first started.

There are many different ways to highlight your hair today, and the amounts of colors available are numerous, so you can pick any color you want. Although, it is always a good tip to remember not to go two shades lighter or darker than your base hair color. Two-toned colors have become popular, and there are many different ways to highlight your hair to get that second tone (shade of color) to your hair. Three-toned color has become as equally popular, and the method to getting this effect is to add both highlights and lowlights to your hair. The different highlight techniques include chunking, balayage, hair painting, lowlights, and foil highlighting.

Foil highlighting is when strands of your hair are colored and separated from the rest of your hair by using foil. This is to ensure that the color does not mix into the rest of your hair, so you can have sleek and even highlights throughout your hair. How this technique works, is that sections of the hair are parted and dyed, and then they are wrapped in foil. Hair painting is basically where you paint the highlights on in the places you want, so you are free to determine the amount of highlights you want. Chunking is when the highlights are added into the hair thickly, and this method is best accomplished by going to a stylist because they have special caps with holes where they can take out the desired amount of hair and color it.

Going Retro: The 1940s Waves Hairstyle

Many times hairstyles return to an era in history that held a lot of importance for fashion, and one of the eras in history that had a big impact on fashion was the 1940s. There was so much that was going on in the 40s that impacted the world, culture, and even fashion. The Second World War was going on in the 40s and this impacted many aspects of the world, which one of them was the role women played, and the influence they had. Because the men were off fighting, women had to learn how to “hold down the fort,” and women had an influence not only at home but also on the battlefield. It was a time for independence, and this showed in the things they accomplished and in the fashions they wore. The hairstyle that every woman wore (whether their hair was short, long, or medium) was waves, and women of today have been seen wearing this style more and more as its recent popularity rises.

Starlets of the 1940s wore these waves, and today starlets are returning to the retro 40s hairstyles, as actresses wave their hair to imitate the women of that era. Technology makes curling your hair healthier than the heating methods they used in the 1940s, so curling your hair in the 40s fashion is easy and does not damage your hair. To curl your hair in this fashion you need to first section off pieces of your hair (about three inches) and use a curling iron (it is best to leave the hair in the iron for 5 to 6 seconds). When curling your hair for this style you need to curl from the roots to the end, but make sure you stay a decent length away from your scalp. Place the curling iron near your roots and without opening the iron to grip the hair, twirl your hair with your other hand around the iron. Then you take the section of hair you just curled, and secure it with a hair pin or clip (a butterfly clip is best to use for this). When you curl the back of your hair separate the sections into 4 or 5 inches, because you want the curls looser in back. A few good tips to use for this style is, first, use a heat protection spray on the sections so that the curler does not damage the hair, and if your hair is hard to curl you can use hairspray to help keep the curls in. When finished with curling and pinning, you then un-pin your hair and brush your hair (downward) with a flat brush.

The Queen of Curls: A History of The Perm

A permanent wave (which is more commonly called a perm) is a ladies hairstyle that is one of the oldest hairstyles, and has been around since 1872. There have been many different methods used throughout history, but, in the year 1872, Marcel Grateau invented the practical thermal method. Today a similar method is used, but the chemicals used have become less harmful to skin and does not damage the hair. Perms became very popular during the First World War, and their popularity continues today because many women who are born with straight hair desire curls. The Marcel method of waving became popular among women with short hair in the 1900s while other hairdressers had methods that only worked for long hair.

By the year 1917 the first permanent waving heaters were invented, and a similar method is used today in modern times. When the 1930s came around the heating units and waving method were well established, which allowed many middle class women to have their hair permed. Most of the influence for permed hair came from the films because all the famous women of that time wore perms. In 1938, Arnold F. Willatt designed what is called a “cold wave,” which is a predecessor of today’s perm, and there were no machines involved in this process. The hair was wrapped around rods with a lotion that contained the chemical ammonium thioglycolate, and this would break down the bonds in the hair. Then after the bonds of hair were defused, another lotion was applied that would re-infuse them to make the hair curl, and this entire process used to take 6 to 8 hours.

Today, technology has made perming less damaging on hair with better solutions and leave-in conditioner, which helps rejuvenate and de-frizz hair. The new style of perming makes hair feel and look as natural as if you had been born with curly hair, and is healthier on your hair in the long run. Stylists today can create all different types of perms – small curls, large curls, and medium curls. The size and style of curls varies because a stylist will go with the client’s hair, because there are many different types of hair (thin, thick, etc.). The stylist is able to fix the strength of the solution, and the amount of time the solution stays in, to match the client’s hair type.

Trend Hairstyle For 2012

Long Hairstyle with Side Swept Bangs

We’re still seeing hair color that starts dark at the roots and lightens at the ends for a fun twist to the old traditional color. Try blending in several shades of blonde instead of just one, to get a more subtle and natural effect while still showing off the trend.

1940s Old Hollywood Glamour Long Hairstyle

This gorgeous recreation of one of Hollywood history’s most beautiful hairstyles is so perfect with the multi tonal blondes but would be just as amazing with a darker brown or vibrant red. Even black! You can’t go wrong with this classic. Layering helps soften out the shape.

Long Tight Curly Layered Hairstyle with Braids

Mix up the curls and braids for a fun look. Just a few braids is all it takes to spice things up a bit without losing your curls or the fabulous volume you’ve got going on. Don’t think you’ve got enough hair? Add extensions!

Short Bob with Longer Layers and Side Swept Bangs

This fresh take on a traditional bob is made more fun still by the wave going throughout the style and the deeply side swept bangs. The colors keep it youthful and the cut can be customized to suit any face shape.

Fun Twisted Messy Side Updo

A messy side bun is even more fun when you toss in a couple of twists for more drama. The brighter red is more work to maintain, but worth it in the long run. The end result looks fabulous!

Jessica Alba's Long and Pretty Layered Soft Side Part Hairstyle

This longer style isn’t too much to handle but still has enough length to play with. The soft layers add body and shape to the style while the deeper side part sweetens the style up.

Long Layered Curly Blond Center Part Hairstyle

Free and easy, this loose carefree style looks perfect for a runway or the beach. The long length looks even better with some layering and curls. The highlights make her hair look sun-kissed. Definitely a mood lifting style!

Medium Length Mad Men Curly Hairstyle

Want in on the retro trend? Try out this adorable style! It’s versatile enough that you don’t have to keep your hair styled the same way all the time, but at least you’ve got that option. The color takes you back to the 50s era - in a good way!

Long Dreamy Beachy Curly Layered Hairstyle with Bangs

Subtle highlights are pulled throughout this style to give it a custom glow without making it too light. The layers keep it from looking heavy or blah, while the curls make it special without being too fancy.

Easy Medium Length Tapered Bob with Side Part and Face Framing

The multi-tonal bob would look good in any color, but looks perfect with the different shades of blonde. That play on color keeps the simple style fresh. The cut is tapered just a little bit in the back to help create the rounder shape.

Short Vibrant Red Pixie Style Cut

With a bit of whimsy and a lot of style, this amazing shorter hairstyle can be altered to suit any face shape or hair texture. The red is amazingly vibrant, but it would look just as fabulous with a darker or lighter color, even a bit of a wave!

Hairstyle For Holiday

Try a new look for every holiday event you have this season with inspiration from these hairstyle ideas!

Hair Accessories

No matter the type of hairstyle you'll be wearing this holiday season, it can always be improved with hair accessories! Clips, headbands, flowers and ribbons can be added to any hair length, an updo or a half up half down hairstyle in any hair texture to create a fun finish that will look great.

Retro Waves
For a more formal holiday party, retro waves are a beautiful option. With plenty of backcombing in the roots, some large, soft waves in the lengths and the right attitude, a stunning look like this can be yours! Side-sweep your bangs or hair length for added drama and keep your waves hair frizz-free to get the most out of your finish.

Elegant Updo

Updos are a hairstyle staple, but when you need something extra for celebrating joyous occasions, an elegant updo is your best bet. Any updo can be made elegant with some fancy twisting and braided styling thorough your locks before your hair is styled up. The result is a pretty, detailed 'do that is sure to stun.

Hair Color Fun

If you already have a hairstyle in mind then enhance it with some hair color fun! Two-tone hair color is really on trend now, especially looks where the color is added in random panels through your hair. This can be done temporarily with hair mascaras or pre-dyed clip in hair extensions, or you can have your hairstylist permanently add some festive color for the holidays in the salon.

Perfect Hairstyle

If your like most women, you are always searching for a new hairstyle either for a special occasion or just for a new look. Are there any guidelines that can help with choosing a hairstyle? Yes there are many, but we will tell you a few here for choosing hairstyles.

First of all you must be honest with yourself! In general you will want to accentuate your best features and minimize your least favorite when choosing a hairstyle. For instance if you have larger forehead than you might want to have bangs, but if you have the most beautiful eyes than you dont want to cover them up with hairstyles with long bangs.

Look at your face shape! Hairstyles for rounder faces would normally be longer, possibly shoulder length hairstyles, to minimize the width of your face. On the other hand a hairstyle for a longer faces could be shorter with bangs with hair flipped outward to give your face a wider appearance.

No matter what hairstyle you are searching for, the next best advice we can give is look at our many hairstyle galleries or celebrity hairstyles and find pictures of women with similar face shapes and features.

Print the pictures of hairstyles and show them to your hairstylist for some expert advice specific for your face shape and desired hairstyle. We have hairstyle galleries for all different lengths including short hairstyles, long hairstyles, medium hairstyles, prom hairstyles, celebrity hairstyles and much more!