This Valentine’s Day, don’t wait until the last minute to decide how you’re going to wear your hair. Up? Down? To the side? So many choices. We asked owner and lead hairstylist Nicholas Penna, Jr., of the Salon Capri in Boston’s Newton Highlands and Dedham’s Legacy Place, some of his favorite hair styles to wear for the year’s ultimate date night. Read on to find out step-by-step how to create four easy, romantic, do-it-yourself hair looks, along with some of Nick’s favorite products.
Sock Bun
This styling trick plays up the volume of thin and fine hair types for ample up-dos.
· Start by blow drying hair with a natural bristle brush.
· Once hair is dry, apply a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum to the shafts and ends of hair. Nick recommends Shu Uemura’s Silk Mesh Elastic Moldable Cream for added shine and softness.
· Using a fine-tooth comb to smooth out bumps, slick hair back into a high ponytail at the crown of your head and secure it with an elastic.
· Cut off the end of a clean, unwanted sock (where your toes would be), and roll it up into a donut shape.
· Place the sock around the base of the ponytail so it is tightly against your head.
· Tilt your head slightly forward and spread your ponytail evenly around the sock so that half of your hair is toward the top of the sock (pointing toward your forehead) and the other half is at the bottom (pointing toward your back).
· Use a second hair elastic to wrap and secure the hair around the outside of the sock, creating a ballerina bun at the crown of your head.
· Twist remaining hair in one direction and use bobby pins to tuck and clip the ends underneath your bun.
· Finish with a light application of hairspray. Nick swears by Shu Uemura’s Sheer Lacquer Finishing Spray.
Sleek, ‘Wet-Inspired’ Hair
This look relies on styling products to create a slicked-back, wet appearance.
· Start by combing through wet hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove tangles.
· Add a walnut-size dollop of styling balm to the top half of wet, tangle-free hair.
· Brush your hair towards the back of your head with a fine-tooth comb and secure it tightly with an elastic.
· Twist hair gently (Nick recommends one full turn for medium to long hair), and wrap it around the base of the ponytail to create a round bun.
· Use bobby pins to secure the end of your ponytail and tame fly-aways.
· Run a fine-tooth comb through the top of your hair up to the bun to smooth over any bumps.
· Finish with a generous amount of an extra-hold hairspray. Nick loves Shu Uemura’s Sheer Lacquer Finishing Spray.
Bouncy, Volumized Hair
A modern take on “pageant hair”; full, voluminous hair is an easy way to add sex appeal to your style.
· Start with a classic blowout using a round, natural bristle brush and a palm full of volumizing mousse. Nick recommends Shu Uemura’s Fiber Lift Protective Volumizer.
· Once hair is dry, add volume to the top of the head by teasing the hair using hairspray and a round brush.
· After desired volume is achieved, curl hair away from the face from end to root with a large barrel curling iron. Nick uses a two-inch barrel to achieve big, bouncy curls.
· Using a dime-sized drop of smoothing serum, rub your hands together and gently run your fingers through the curls to separate them. Shu Uemura’s Silk Mesh Elastic Moldable Cream is Nick’s favorite.
· Finish the look with light hair spray and you’re red carpet ready!
Smooth and Sleek Hair with a Center Part
While voluminous hair is hot this season, so is sleek and straight. Center parts are making a comeback!
· Start by parting wet hair directly in the center of your head using the edge of a fine-toothed comb.
· Dry hair with the nozzle attachment of your blow dryer, and a natural bristle brush, pulling hair and the dryer downward to smooth out hair.
· Apply a pea-sized drop of smoothing serum from the shafts to the ends of your hair. Nick recommends Shu Uemura’s Silk Mesh Elastic Moldable Cream.
· Run a straightening iron through your ends to straighten out any waves and voilà, you have a classic look for day or night!
Check out our photo review of Spring/Summer 2012 hairstyles for short, medium and long hair.
For more giveaways and contests, sign up for our newsletter HERE.
If you like this post, share it with your friends and give it a LIKE on Facebook.
