Hair
and makeup by Salon Visage Artistic Team
Photography
by Jamie Carroll
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If it seems like
women’s hairstyles have become a bit tired over the past couple of
years (think ombre coloring and those ubiquitous Kardashian curls),
you’re in luck — hair is about to get a lot more interesting this
spring season.
Whether it’s
shedding long locks in favor of an edgy boy cut or opting for a happy
medium with an asymmetrical "lob," it seems women are
prepping for a hair revolution, says Frank Gambuzza, president of
international hair dressing organization Intercoiffure and owner of
the Salon Visage group in Knoxville, Tenn.
"People
have had long hair for a long time now," Gambuzza says. "The
shift was long and straight. Then it went into waves. And now it’s
the magical word — ‘lob.’"
The long bob, or
lob, as it’s been coined, has already taken Hollywood by storm and
is now trickling into the mainstream. While it may seem the design is
just another hairstyle rising above the trend horizon, Gambuzza says
it’s an indication that women are becoming more assured in their
look and style.
"This is
the first time in 40 years I’ve seen medium lengths," he says.
"Before, ‘medium’ was always the hairstyle you got when you
didn’t know what you wanted to be. Now it’s the cut everybody
wants," he says. "There’s a little bit of a movement going
on right now."
Gambuzza points
to the growing economy as the primary reason for why women are saying
sayonara to their long tresses. People are getting more comfortable
with change, he says.
"In 2008
and 2009, people tended to stay the course (with their current
hairstyle) — and change was getting put to the side," Gambuzza
explains. "You have bigger fish to fry when you’re trying to
pay your mortgage. Now, we’re seeing clients more often. They’re
getting more loose and casual."
That doesn’t
mean long hairstyles are out, Gambuzza says. In fact, this season
women can still expect to see long hair — but this time around,
so-called "non-styles" are taking precedent. Soft, framing
bangs, beach waves and other subtly textured, slightly messy styles
are all the rage.
It’s another
sign the economy is improving as clients invest in more products and
tools to achieve high style.
Even with
crop-tops and pixies, there’s a semblance of nonconformity in the
air. Perhaps, that’s why the styles tend to be less structured or
even nontraditional, such as shaved sides, slicked pageboys or simply
au naturel.
When it comes to
color, there is quite a range. While younger women have been trying
out all the colors of the rainbow — from teals to pinks to lavenders
— this spring, colors are taking on a softer, more elegant twist,
says Belinda Gambuzza, co-owner and master colorist at Salon Visage
and educational director color council at Intercoiffure.
"We’re
seeing a lot of nude blondes, velvety blacks and apple-cider vinegar
reds," Belinda says. "There’s been a lot of color, but I
think people are still getting the courage to do it. These are less
aggressive — they’re elegant colors in slow motion."
Unlike ombre’s
stark contrast, Belinda says the trend verges on blended, "pure
tones," a look that’s often achieved through balayage, a French
coloring technique that "paints" the hair rather than puts
it in place with foiling. "You achieve color without
definition," she explains.
The look
complements the natural craze taking place on runways and on the red
carpet. Along with dewy, healthy skin tones, pure tones coincide with
the Insta-glam, #IWokeUpLikeThis, look. Blame it on Beyoncé.
One of the
biggest hair trends to take hold this season hasn’t to do with the
hair atop one’s head at all. While eyelash extensions and false
lashes will continue to bring boudoir looks into the boardroom, this
spring is all about the eyebrow.
We can blame
that one on 22-year-old English supermodel and bona fide eyebrow
sensation Cara Delevingne.
People are
sporting thicker, fuller and straighter brows like Delevingne. It’s
a huge difference from the pencil-thin arches women sought 15 years
ago.
"People
have over-plucked for so long," Belinda says. "It’s
something you don’t really think about, but (outdated brows) is like
writing on your forehead. It ages you, so people really want to get
away from that stamp."
To combat years
of over-plucking, people are seeking services that include brow
coloring and maintenance, growth treatments, and — in more extreme
cases — lace brow wig applications and hair transplants.
"People are
so afraid to make adjustments, but eyebrows make such a huge
difference, and it’s a really inexpensive service to get done,"
says Belinda. "Fuller brows not only crown the eyes, but they
also complement healthy skin tones to get a more youthful look."
The focus on
eyes — lashes and brows included — is all part of the natural,
iridescent trend, adds Belinda. Of course, it takes just as much
effort to look "effortless."
Still, the new
trends aren’t keeping people from switching up their look, the
Gambuzzas say. "I think when the weather breaks you will see more
people taking the plunge," Frank says. "People are going to
say ‘I want to be unique.’"