Top Stylists Talk Chop

TOP STYLISTS TALK CHOP
AS THE WEATHER COOLS, HEAT UP
YOUR HAIRSTYLE WITH THESE
TIPS FROM THE PROS

Fall '07 Cut Forecast

Kiss your wild summer hair goodbye and opt for the season’s hottest style, a clean, sleek, refined bob. “Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes have made the bob hot again,” explains Nick Chavez, a celebrity stylist in Los Angeles, CA, who has worked with Nicolette Sheridan and Denise Richards. “What’s great about the bob is it’s such an easy look to maintain, and virtually anyone can wear it regardless of their hair texture.” Chavez notes that the bob—especially a layered version—is fun and easy to style. For a sleek look, he recommends applying a dollop of styling gel to wet hair and then blow drying with a flat brush. A good one to try: his signature Nick Chavez Honey Gel ($23.64, www.qvc.com). Ready to chop it all off? Ask your stylist for a blunt cut featuring simple lines or if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, a layered, asymmetrical cut that isn’t too undone.

Fall '07 Color Forecast:

Just like your flip flops get stored away for the winter, so should your beachy blondes and highlighted brunettes. Accordingly, look for a resurgence of rich browns, deep reds and amber golds this fall, says Jason Backe, who has worked with celebrities such as Renée Zellweger and Anne Hathaway and on campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Redken and L’Oreal. “We will see a departure from a lot of dimension and move into more monochromatic, single-process tones,” he says. “Ask your colorist for strong, solid colors that will make a confident statement, yet still exude a sexy, natural sophistication.” A rich single-process color, reminiscent of past style icons like Audrey Hepburn, Anne Margaret, and Goldie Hawn are right in line with fall’s retro runway fashion trends.

In the fall and winter everything begins to dry out, and your color-treated hair is no exception. If you shampoo every day in the summer, try your best to cut back to every other or even every third day in the winter, Backe recommends. His tip: on off days, rinse and condition with an everyday conditioner, paying special attention to the ends. A good one to try: ted gibson daily nourish conditioner ($32, www.saks.com). Additionally, as radiators and heaters can lead to static electricity, calm flyaways and add some shine with a smoothing product like TRESemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Crème ($4.75, www.drugstore.com). Finally, Backe recommends visiting your colorist for a bi-weekly gloss treatment to keep hair looking shiny and feeling luxurious.

Fall ’07 Style Forecast:

Reminiscent of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, ladylike looks were seen on several runways this season, including those of Marc Jacobs, Versace and Peter Som. To create hair that’s neat, proper and positively polished, try a classic chignon. To achieve this style, Guido Palau, a Redken stylist who created the feminine looks at the aforementioned shows recommends beginning by blow-drying hair straight and smooth with the help of a straightening balm such as Fekkai Coif Contôle Ironless Straightening Balm ($25, www.fredericfekkai.com). Next, pull hair back into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and then neatly wrap the ponytail into a bun. Apply a finishing spray like Redken forceful 23 super strength finishing spray for lasting control and frizz-free shine ($12.95, go to www.redken.com for salons).

Not interested in an updo? For a look that’s long on glamour, Palau suggests beginning by applying a volumizing product like Herbal Essences Body Envy Weightless Volumizing Gel to damp hair and then blow-drying with a large round brush ($3.59, www.drugstore.com). Next, spray dry sections with a thermal setting mist like Biolage by Matrix Thermal-Active Setting Spray and then curl with a large barrel iron ($11.89, www.drugstore.com). Finish with a flexible, medium-hold hairspray for control and shine. Our pick: Pureology Incharge Flexible Hold Styling Spray ($22, www.drugstore.com).

MAMA'S GOT A BRAND NEW 'DO

Returning to work this fall after maternity leave? Why not arrive in (hair)style like hot mama Becky Weiss of Vienna, VA did. Fed up with her uneven color and lackluster style — and determined to return to her job at Microsoft looking as if she hadn’t skipped a beat post-delivery—Becky visited Perez, a Redken Salon in Chevy Chase, MD, for a total hair makeover. Stylist Tony began by evening Becky’s color, darkening her base from sun-damaged auburn to a rich brown, and then painting in subtle gold highlights to add warmth. He then trimmed the length, adding long layers for volume and style, and then blew it dry with a round brush to create volume. The result: gorgeous and sexy, yet completely low-maintenance (read: mom-friendly) style.

—Chelsea Kaplan

Click here to read all about TFG Deputy Editor/Beauty Director's life with child in her blog, “I'm Somebody's Mother?”