Sweat dripping down the side of your neck is what’s in this summer! Jokes aside, the heat’s dizzying intensity makes it hard to care when it comes to what you look like. Jackets and jeans are tucked away in the closet and the ganjee seems like the best option. Dabbing on make-up isn’t fun this time of the year, as it sometimes cakes with sweat, and as for hairstyles…well what do you do? Luckily, natural is in. “The current fashion is to wear your hair naturally, not overstyled,” says hairstylist Vikram Mohan of Bounce Style Lounge. For those who are feeling particularly adventurous, chopping your hair is a great solution. But others need not fret either, as there are some cool styles out there which are your best bet for beating the heat. Rachel from Stylesmith says, “The buzzword for the season is ‘texturised’.” And we know what that means – messy, cool and fashionably au naturel!
Following expert advice, here are a few pointers for short, mid and long hair-lengths to follow this summer:
SHORT AND SWEETWavy Bob
“There’s this popular style, where hair needs to have some movement and texture. So we try out a lot of bob shapes,” says Philipp Haug, International Artistic Director from Toni & Guy, London, who was in the city with colleague Jo O’Neill to conduct training sessions. “What you see now, especially in the case of a lot of celebrities, is that the wavy bob is in,” he adds. The hairstyle has been worn more recently by the likes of Anne Hathaway and Sienna Miller. It’s also a sign that bed-head chic is back. It’s short, messy and easy to maintain.
Edgy pixies and Shaggy dos
Philipp and Jo believe that short hair, in fact, can be more feminine than long hair. “Extremely long hair can often just be curtains,” says Philipp, while Jo adds, “Tying back doesn’t help either.” Pixie cuts are making their way back in a big way – the most recent celebrity to take the quantum leap was former model and television host Tyra Banks. If you want to get that rock star glam look, take inspiration from Kristen Stewart’s choppy razor-cut. The thing to remember, though, is to play up your features by softening the edges around your face, making it all the more feminine.
CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLESide Bangs
Lovely, side-swept hair is big in the picture this year. Just ask the queen of country music, Taylor Swift. It’s perfect for framing your face in a chic manner, without falling into your eyes like a blunt fringe, or sticking to your forehead like an uncomfortable wig. It’s also great for working professionals who want to spend the least amount of time on their hair. To make your side bangs look more stylish, play them up with barrettes or clips. Delicate gold bars and rings, colourful clips and flower accessories are a fun way to go.
Buns
Buns are never out of fashion during summers. And as Vikram Mohan says, “In hot climate, for women, a certain length of hair works when they can easily tie it up if they need to.” But even men seem to have joined the bandwagon – whether it’s on the red carpet with Game of Thrones ’ Kit Harington, or a water-gun toting Leonardo DiCaprio.
For the day, you could try a big bun tied up, possibly with a few strands out. It’s great for work, pool parties and classy evenings as well. Just slick over and pin the truant strands with a little hairspray.
GO LONGBraids
Braids, nowadays, aren’t just a severe rat’s tail down your back. Softer styles are more the case in summer, and the variety is breathtaking. From model Chrissy Teigen’s side braid on the red carpet and braided updos to fishtails, the list is endless. Right now, the romantic milkmaid braid is dominating the scene. Emily Blunt wore a beautiful one during this year’s Golden Globes.
Blowouts and beach waves
Go long, go big. This year, say goodbye to carefully straightened hair, to major blowouts that (sometimes) defy gravity. The year also gives a nod to a couple of retro styles. Long back, super-wavy hair was a sign of glamorous beauty. All you need is a rounded brush and a hair dryer to get that lovely blowout. “I get a lot of requests for these,” says Rachel.
Beach waves, however, deal with looking tousled. To get the perfect sea-blown waves, work with a little spray or hair cream and a curling iron.
COLOURINGAnd now, let’s add a little colour to those strands, shall we? In Chennai, a little “undone-ness” works, says Jo O’Neill. He recommends natural, soft colours. In this sense, there’s the ‘bronde’ shade that’s in fashion – not blonde and not quite brown either. Mochas and shades that are closer to the skin tone also work. Ombre, however, which was a major hit earlier, is slowly pulling out this season.
