Holiday Party Hair Ideas: Overview of 2012 Trends

'Tis the Season for Holiday Hair! We know Holiday parties come with the territory of this time of year and want you to be the head turner of the evening with a style inspired by Fall/Winter 2012 Trends.

The Boho Side Braid is an adorable way to make a statement at your next holiday event and has proven to be a fave amongst the stars of Hollywood.

See? Nicole Kidman looks relaxed yet chic, and when paired with dangly earrings, a definite way to make a statement.

Tip #1: Start with dry hair that has been brushed out completely free of knots. Create a side part using your fingers (not comb) to reinforce the Boho-feel.
Tip #2: Pull your hair over the shoulder opposite of the part and braid to the side. If you can create a French braid, do! If not, no worries, a simple 3 strand braid (like Nicole Kidman) is just as cute. Fasten with a clear elastic, and leave out wispy pieces to frame the face. To make a softer finish wrap the loose strands around the barrel of your curling iron to create a Boho-wave.
Tip #3: If you want to give it a more "done up" holiday finish, tie a colored ribbon into a simple bow over the elastic band and you've got yourself a totally presh Holiday Style!

If a braid is not so much your style, then let's not forget about the other styles we featured this season! They would be simply perfect for your holiday event.


Remembering The 1960's Ponytail:

If this seems more like your flavor, then go to our post 1960's Ponytail for a step by step how to!

Tip: Dress it up with a dangly pair of earrings or a cutesy headband.












Remembering The Burberry Tousled Look:

The Burberry Tousled look gives your holiday look that Boho-chic feel, refer to blog post  Tousled Hair: Inspired by Burberry and Gucci for the "how to".




Tip: Try accessorizing with a flower clip (we just so happen to sell them at La Bella) on one side or a cute scarf to complete the look.



  

 

Remembering the Gucci Half Up Twist:

Gucci's Half Up twist gives the tousled style a more finished "dressed up" look. Once more, refer to our blog post Tousled Hair: Inspired by Burberry and Gucci for the "how to"


Tip: Spunk up this look by braiding the hair before twisting and pinning back.
















Like we always say, celebrities are the absolute best people to look at for inspiration with hairstyles, the Kardashians (whether you love them, hate them, or hate to love them) are constantly keeping up with the trends so I felt I just had to share this gem of a photo.

Not 1, not 2, but 3 of our featured hairstyles shown by Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe. I will remain Keeping Up With the Kardshians for as long as they continue to execute flawless displays fashion and hairstyles. 

And as for you we hope you have found inspiration for any occasion by following our blog posts. To Keep Up With the La Bella team follow us on Instagram at labellahair for fun tips and daily pics of us being us!

Happy Holidays to you and yours, and (of course) Happy Styling!!

The Indie Fringe

If you have been flirting with the idea of getting bangs, it's time to commit. The Indie Fringe is a  great way to give your look a new attitude, without sacrificing your length OR having to get an entire new style. This is technically a new style though, because (believe it or not), adding just a simple bang can work wonders with your confidence and and inspire you to be more daring in other areas of your look (ie clothing, accessories, or makeup) Not only are people in the music and fashion industries sporting this grunge-chic look, but we have also seen it make appearances on the red carpet....not to mention a main character role on New Girl. Of course, if we're doing a post on bangs we have to mention someone who became famous and remained true to her style (which has paid off)

Zoey Deschanel, could you be more cute? Perfectly full, yet still room for texture is exactly what makes these the signature Indie Fringe

All I can say about Nicole Richie is this lady is always in "the know" with fashion. She is always bringing fabulosity to the table and makes this edgy style look like an elegant statement....and we hairstylists appreciate LOVE the versatility.

Tip #1: This style works best if your hair is straight, or with a slight wave. Slight waves can add to the tousle of the look, but more of a curl will require straightening, so only make the cut if you can commit to either using the flat iron or paddle brush for straightening.
The thicker the bangs the better! If your hair is on the finer side, consider that the fringe will have to be quite deep in order to achieve thickness. (leave that up to your stylist's discretion, we will always recommend what's best)
 
Tip #2: Don’t go for wispy layers! In 2012/2013, if you are doing bangs more of a blunt cut is best. 
The length of the bangs should fall just below the eyebrows or just sweeping the eyes.
The rest of the hair can be bobbed or long, the key is just to keep it relatively straight but tousled (refer to Tousled Hair: Inspired by Burberry and Gucci for styling tips with this look).
Use a lightweight pomade, like OSIS+ Air Pomade Wax Spray to get that messy/texured effect even on cleanly washed hair.

Why not reinvent yourself for 2013?

Tousled Hair: Inspired by Burberry and Gucci

Between Burberry's Tousled Flowing Style and Gucci's Half Up Twist, you will have a style that is perfect for any occasion and any season. Whether you have a work Holiday party approaching and prefer more of the "I didn't really try (but I really did)" look, or you're tired of wearing your hair down-straight and are looking to spice it up: either one of these dreamy, deliberately disheveled looks should do the trick.

First we'll take a look at Burberry's Tousled Flowing locks:

The style is nice (great for inspiration), but we prefer a little more "umph" in our styles at La Bella.

We LOVE celeb references, it seems their hair is always on point.

Who doesn't love Julia Roberts? This is a beautiful display of that sexy, not overdone tousled wave perfect for anyone.

Reese Witherspoon is looking absolutely breath taking with a little more separation in her waves yet still stunning and red carpet worthy.

Tip #1: First you need product to create some thickness and texture in the hair. We recommend pairing Unite's 7 Seconds condition and Boosta Spray into the hair from root to ends. Dry the product into hair, using your hands to scrunch and diffuse, for maximum texture. 

Tip #2: When going to curl your hair, don't put too much thought into it (the point is imperfection is perfect) So grab one random chunk at a time and wrap the hair around the barrel without clamping. We recommend using the Keratin Complex 5 in 1 Curling System, which offers a variety on curl shape and size with only having to use one tool! The barrels are detachable and range from tighter curl to looser waves, but guarantees the "Celebrity Curl". (We do sell the 5 in 1 Curling System at La Bella) 

Tip #3: Finish with a pea sized amount of Unite's Second Day Cream from mid strand to ends to create more of the separated finished look.

Gucci's Half Up Twist is remarkably similar, what's the difference? Two pieces from the front are twisted  and pinned back....easy enough, right? Before we get into how to transition from Burberry to Gucci, let's take a look at what lady celebs are rocking this boho-chic look.

<Vanessa Hudgens brings this effortless style to life, bringing glam to the beach with a looser twisted look.<
>Jessica Alba made her half up style debut on the red carpet, with a tighter twisted style.>
                                                                

Tip #4: Take two small sections of hair that frame your face, from either side of the part, and pull them backwards towards the crown of the head.

Individually, twist the two sections, and pin them against the back of the head. The Flower Hairclips (sold at La Bella) paired with a single bobby pin would be perfectly adorbs and sufficient to hold the hair in place. Of course, you could double up bobby pins or use a hair clip of your choice. We are just loving the Flower Clips for any look you may be going for.

We hope that you can find the right look for you this Holiday Season and can translate the style into an everyday, every season look. Happy Styling!

1960's Ponytail

Ok ladies, this one is for those of you who love the easy-going ponytail style, and those of you looking to switch things up with your day-to-day look!

     Ponytails have gotten a makeover and we hairstylists are (actually) loving it! This 1960s ponytail can be instantly marked as a 2013 hairstyle you can wear right now, and is one to continue throughout the seasons.  Luckily, this style is easily achieved at home. 

 Whether you are going to a Sunday brunch, a romantic date night, or a friend's wedding: this is perfect. Pair it with a bold eyeliner, and you've got yourself a fashion statement! Like so:

  



       *This was a featured style for Anna Sui in Fall/Winter 2012 Fashion week.



       










So you see, it's just an innovative way of recreating an everyday look. Now the question is, how do you take it from basic to chic? Well, of course we have provided a step by step! Take a look:

Tip #1: Use the arch of your eyebrow as a guideline to determine from which point to part your hair to the side. (that goes for anytime you are trying to create a side part if your hair doesn't have one naturally). Continue by taking a parting going from ear to ear (creating an invisible head band) and pulling the hair from the crown of your head straight back. Looking directly down at the top of your head you should see a T-shape parting.

For more volume back comb the hair at the crown in 3-5 horizontal sections. The more you tease, the bigger the hair (this gives it the 60s feel). Use a natural bristle brush to lightly smooth the hair resting on top for a cleaner finish.

Tip#2: Tie all of the hair at the nape of your neck with an elastic band to create a low ponytail.

        Take a small section of hair from the bottom of the ponytail and wrap it around the elastic band to create the polished/chic look and hide the band. Use bobby pins to secure the hair in place. Use bobby pins that are as close to your hair color as possible.

Tip #3: If there are any loose hairs that couldn't make it into the ponytail, try to pin them as close to the ponytail as possible. If they are too short try using Unite's Go365 Hairspray with the nozzle on H (this hairspray give you the option of having either light, medium, or heavy hold just by simply twisting the nozzle to L, M, or H).

        Pull back every strand of hair that’s  out around your face and tuck it behind your ear.

Finish with the Unite Go365 hairspray on H, generously, especially at the halo of your head to keep that lovely volume alive!!

        Simple enough, right?? Of course, modify depending on personal preference if need be! It looks like celebrities are doing just fine taking this hairstyle to the next level by premiering them on various red carpet events.....

Jennifer Aniston looks absolutely breathtaking at the Golden Globes. Her ponytail is placed between the crown and nape of her head (which we fully support), this may be the look for you!

     

     

  Nicole Richie seems to always bring her hair styles to the         next level, which is exactly what she has done here. Digging more of a tousled finish? Try curling the hair by wrapping strand by strand
        around the rod of your curling iron after it's secure in the ponytail. We completely encourage (want) you to try it!

   Not necessarily feeling the side part? Jessica Alba didn't either, so she decided to show off her beautiful face by pulling everything back. Stunning! The difference would be to lightly tease your hair in (about 5 sections) directing away from your face. We are loving it!

Simply chic, right? Now that you have created the look, how about we suggest  accessorizing? Nothing goes better with a 1960's ponytail than a cute pair of dangly earrings. If you're interested, here are a few different examples we've provided for inspiration on your new look!

 

Whichever way you choose to wear this style, we are absolutely confident that it is perfect for you! No matter what the occasion, it is not only appropriate, but a hot trend guaranteed to turn heads. According to trend predictions, this style won't be going anywhere anytime soon, so you can already count on being able to sport this 'do well into Spring 2013.