Why Every Woman Should Have These 3 Hairstyles Mastered

Do you ever finished getting dressed, only to fuss around with your hair because you're feeling uninspired- or worse yet; your hair is misbehaving and you just don't know what to do with it? I used to have days like this, even after becoming a hairstylist. Now, I like to make sure that I always have 3 go-to hairstyles that I can quickly choose from, and the fun thing is that you can totally change these with the seasons.

For example; my bun of choice used to be a messy topknot, this summer it's a low chignon with loose waves around my face.

I hope that you find my concept and general ideas inspiring. The ideas are just that; general. For example, when I talk about a bun, your favorite version can be anything. My goal is for you to have a plan that will save you time because you know exactly how to achieve your end goal, you know how long it's going to take, and you can choose quickly between the three. Think of this like having your three favorite outfits!

If you need inspiration to find your favorite ponytail, etc. please check out my IGTV where I share tutorials for everyday looks that you can do at home!

Look #1. Beautiful Texture

Insert your favorite wave/curl here. I'm currently loving what I like to call sexy messy hair. You might get a couple of days out of this style (when secured on top of your head while sleeping), and when that's over you still have the perfect foundation for looks 2 & 3.

New things to try:

Use dry shampoo right from the beginning to add volume and a defense against oiliness.

Give yourself a looser wave than we have been in the past few years by increasing your iron size by 1/4" and also tugging your hair straight while still hot to prevent it from waving too tightly.

Look #2. Elevated Pony

This is a great look on day 2. You've already got a great wave/curl, sure it has relaxed a bit, but there's no need to redo it.

Here's some ways to make your pony special:

Tease the fullest part of the pony to make your hair even thicker.

Use a fancy hair tie or cuff, or scarf.

Loosen the hair on top of your head by pinching and pulling pieces upward. This will give instant volume and texture and make your face look more narrow.

Twist a loose piece of hair around your hair band to hide the band. Pull this piece through with a topsy tail.

Look #3. Effortless Bun

This can always be a great choice on day 3 since you don't need to leave any of your hair down. A little dry shampoo and no one knows how long it's been since your last shampoo.

New things to try:

Wear a headband or tie a scarf around your head.

Try a bun with your natural texture if you have waves/curls.

Use decorative pins on the back of your head or nestled into the base of the bun for added sparkle.

Leave some loose pieces around your face.

Happy styling!

Ann

How One Chicago Couple Pulled off an Unforgettable Intimate Wedding!

When Aidan & Sal planned for their Summer Solstice Wedding, they new that they wanted to be surrounded by their closest friends and family, and that they wanted to get married right by the lake. Side note; this does require a little preparation (even if you're keeping it small) so make sure to do your homework so there's no surprises on the wedding day!

The universe was clearly working in our favor on this June day, because the rain held off for the afternoon, and once we finished doing Aidan's hair and makeup in her home, she was able to relax a bit, get dressed, and then walk a couple of blocks to her wedding ceremony!

In addition to the trends of the time (outdoor & smaller weddings) it is great to see a couple like Aidan & Sal make their celebration authentic to who they are as a couple. How special would it be to spend the first half of your special day in the comfort of your own living space, and then exchange your vows in one of your favorite place to spend your time?!

Above: Aidan re-writing her vows just before getting into her dress

Below: Aidan in her courtyard

Hair by Ann

Makeup by Nancy C.

Photos by Fuller Photo Co

Everything You Need to Know about the Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment

If your hair has a natural tendency to frizz and get a bit unruly in the humidity, I'll guess that these past few weeks have you feeling a bit frustrated when you spend extra time to look good only to have your style puff up or re-curl itself in an uneven way! If this sounds like you, you might love the benefits of Keratin Treatment!

In this post, I will answer all of the most commonly asked questions by my clients, as well as the important info I would like everyone to know!

The Results

Your hair will be noticeably less frizzy and your curl/wave pattern will be loosened for 3-5 months (depending upon how often you shampoo). You will be able to blow dry in considerably less time and achieve smoother, more polished results than before. One woman I work with is able to reduce blowout time from 60 to 45 minutes and eliminate the need for a flat iron all together! Those with natural curls still have the option to air dry with the result of considerably less fuzz for a more put together look.

Who benefits from Keratin Treatments?

Women with curly, frizzy, dry, unruly (and usually thick) hair love the added control and time saving results from Keratin Treatments. I personally love the fact that it gradually washes out over time, meaning that there is no harsh line as your hair grows and you get to choose just how much you do or don't want to commit. Example; some women love a Keratin simply to get through the humid summer months, while others opt for Fall-Spring treatments because they like it to aid in their blow dries during the cool weather and wear natural curls all summer.

The Process & Aftercare

I provide the Keratin Complex Brand- Natural Keratin Smoothing Treatment. This service is booked for 3 hours in salon and once you leave, you will wait 3 days (72 hours) before your next shampoo to ensure the best results, so it is important to check your calendar in the days preceding your treatment when scheduling. During these 3 days, you will also want to keep your hair in the straight style that you leave the salon with. If your hair gets a bit messed up, you will want to smooth it back out with your flat iron. You will want to make sure that you are only using hair products that are sulfate free moving forward, other products can drastically reduce your treatment's staying power!

What I want everyone to know...

When researching Keratin Treatments, it is easy to find some pretty amazing Before & After pictures that can be misleading and confusing. Generally, you may see a picture of a client's hair that is naturally curly, wavy, frizzy, and dry looking at the beginning of the process, then fast forward and she is walking out of the salon with hair that is straight, smooth, and shiny. While it's a super gratifying transformation, the true results are what you get after your first shampoo (see above), and you shouldn't expect your hair to simply be straight from here on out.

As always, I love to hear from you! If you have any questions on this or other topics I've covered feel free to reach out to me directly!

xoxo,

Ann