Sunday, 19 August 2012

The Wave Forward

Guess who's back? I took an extended summer holiday and I'm now back behind the chair and ready to help you keep your hair looking fabulous. So, what have you been doing to your hair in my absence? Now that I think of it, I have seen some dodgy styles walking those Edinburgh streets. That might be the Festival tourists mind...

Anyway, the hottest way to wear your hair right now is wavy. Glam, retro, vampy or beachy - any wave will do. It's a hairstyle for any occasion and is super easy to manage. As always, shine is key so make sure you are using the right products to keep your hair healthy.

Serial wavers include Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo, who all love a long, Cali-inspired beach wave. While the queens of the fash pack Kate Bosworth and Sienna Miller go for a more daring retro wave. Kate loves this look and it has become a red carpet fav for her.

Waves are not only good on long haired ladies, check out the beautiful Reese Witherspoon and equally gorge supermodel Adriana Lima's short and sweet wavy styles.

Who's your favourite?
Lauren Conrad - one of my personal favs. She has a way with the waves indeed.

Cali-girl Whitney and her signature beach locks.
New York fashion royalty OP even has perfectly polished waves. 

Sienna's timeless wave with a deep side parting.


Kate loves a retro wave, and here you can see why.

Short and simple - Reese works a sleek wave into her red carpet look.

Smokin' hot Adriana Lima goes for a relaxed yet glam wave and er... a simple diamond bra.



Thursday, 28 June 2012

Rainbow Brite

Remember Rainbow Brite? Oh you're showing your age! Well, she didn't actually have rainbow hair but her horse did (she did have a pretty neat outfit though).

Recently we've noticed lots of A listers (and our super cool team and clients) experimenting with bright pops of colour. Pink, purple, yellow, green or blue - are you brave enough to try a splash of rainbow colour?

There are lots of ways to try this look and the colours can be adapted to work with your haircut, whatever the style. Try a full head colour like Katy Perry, the queen of the rainbow hue or dip your toes into the water and try some subtly positioned panels underneath your hair for a less obvious look.

What colour is your favourite?

Demi's pink pony

Hayden goes for the full on rainbow

Katy's latest look is her tamest for a long time

Vanessa's ends show a hint of purple

Demi shows how an updo really shows off the ends

Monday, 18 June 2012

Resort 2013: the hair

Understated hair for overstated colour. Stella McCartney resort 2013 - the models still looking hot in silly star sunnies!


So I'm just back from New York where I sat frow (that's front row to you guys) at the resort collections. I was between Anna Wintour and Giselle. What? You don't believe me? Well, if all those fashion bloggers can do it a doggie blogger can dream, right?

Seriously, whenever I can get my little paws on Claire's iPad I'm all over style.com. I thought I'd bring you a quick round up of the main hair trends from the shows.

Key looks:
1. The centre parting. Worn two ways - full and bouncy at Derek Lam or the modelesque 'I've-not-done-my-hair' look as seen at Stella McCartney and Alexander Wang. This look actually needs to be styled (but more on that soon).

2. Fun colour - pastels and brights. All over colour as seen at Chanel, or in slices, panels or dip dye (yes, this one's sticking around for a bit longer) if a full head isn't for you. There are so many ways to incorporate colour into your look. I'll be doing a colour special soon, don't miss it!

3. Fringes - the full, chunky, block fringe is back but doesn't work for everyone. Your stylist will tailor the perfect fringe for your hair type and face shape, updating your look instantly.

What's your favourite resort look?

Loose waves and centre partings at Alexander Wang

Fun pastels and block fringes at Chanel

Bouncy waves and centre partings at Derek Lam

Yet again more centre parts with that natural wave at Rag & Bone



Wednesday, 13 June 2012

ECA Fashion Show 2012

We're so proud to be the official hairdresser for one of the city's biggest annual fashion events - the Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show. The fashion and performance costume students show their collections they've spent the past year working tirelessly on. It's bursting at the seams with the new breed of Scotland's fashion talent and never fails to impress. We love the buzz of being part of it and finally have some backstage snaps to share with you.
The ECA is the only Scottish art school whose grads are invited to debut at London Graduate Fashion Week, which is massive testament to the standards of work being produced. Hats off indeed.

Our Creative Senior Stylist Ryan McCreadie developed the hair for the show and was inspired by the 90s pony tails (or topsy tails to some of you). This is a simple look that works well for a fashion show as the models change outfits so quickly that more complicated styles can end up looking tired very quickly.

To recreate it, put your hair into a pony tail then feed the hair back through behind the elastic giving a 40s roll feel. He then added texture and a little swing to the length using conical wavers to curl the hair.

Toolkit: Paddle brush and covered elastic bands, a little Sebastian Craft Clay to rough up the ends and create a contrast to the smooth finish on top.


Ryan and the team at work backstage





Thursday, 31 May 2012

One Trick Pony

In that brief flash of summer we enjoyed, I heard lots of clients asking for advice on battling frizzy hair. Heat, humidity and rainy showers can wreak havoc with your luscious locks and it's not a good look, is it?

It's easy to beat the frizz with the perfect ponytail – (and no, it's not only a style worn by school girls) the pony is one of summer's key looks. As seen on the runway at Donna Karan, 3.1 Philip Lim and more recently, at the ECA Fashion Show styled by our very own creative senior stylist Ryan McCreadie and team.

Whether you want it chic & sleek, high & striking or soft & understated, there are so many ways to wear this simple style.

What’s your favourite ponytail? Check out the celebs below for some inspiration. I'm not sure about Katy Perry's look but I had to salute her bravery with fun colours. Now, how can I work a pony into my look...?


AnnaLynne McCord wears a soft and elegant ponytail with a side swept fringe on the red carpet


Kim loves a ponytail, and she wears is smooth and sleek for a red carpet event (that'll be her life then?)
Katy - never one to shy away from colour or high impact

High fashion at Donna Karan

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Good hair day, bad hair day

Everyone is so happy with all the beautiful sunshine we're enjoying, isn't it lovely? Well I've been super busy as usual, what with entertaining in the salons and just keeping up with what the team are doing. This week they are all about the Edinburgh College of Art Graduate Fashion Show. Watch this space for a blog post with pics and details of the looks created.

In the meantime, here are some of the best and worst celeb looks around. What do you think?

Florence in Marie Claire - this shorter, curled look really works for her. Love the dark plum shade too.

The happy couple, rumoured to be engaged - Blake and Ryan. The messy fishtail, still cool and a nice relaxed summer style

Doesn't he look dashing? One of our favourite Scottish exports Ewan McGregor. Handsome and with good hair
Kirsten Dunst looks a little weird here but I'm diggin her old school Hollywood waves
K-Stew need some serious hair-help. Her barnet is screaming out for an actual haircut. A shape. Something!

Monday, 14 May 2012

Blow Dry Masterclass: Lauren's Glamorous Waves


This California Girl knows a good blow dry

One of the most asked questions in the salon is 'do you have any tips on blow drying at home?' The answer my sweeties is YES! The lovely Lauren Conrad is never without a beautiful blow dry. Her classic Cali-girl blonde locks are always glossy, no matter how light she goes.  Here’s my quick guide on recreating LC's glamorous waves.

Toolkit:
Moroccanoil Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner – for body and shine.
Sebastian Volupt Spray
Sebastian Halo Mist Hairspray
Round brush
Large barrel tongs
Hair sectioning clips

1. After washing, apply Sebastian Volupt Spray to the root area to give the hair body. To begin with roughly dry the hair using only your fingers and the hairdryer. Once your hair is around 95% dry reach for the brush.

2. The trick here is to work section-by-section (1-2 inches) using your round brush, starting at the root to add volume, then working your way to the ends until hair is completely dry. The hair at this stage should be full of body and oomph with a smooth finish.

3. Now use your large barrel tongs to add the waves. Starting about three inches from the root, take one-inch deep sections and wind around the tongs. Hold for up to 30 seconds depending on the thickness of your hair (you’ll be able to tell by the first section how long you need to hold for) then slowly release. After each section has been curled, wind it back into itself and secure with a long hair clip.

4. Work up each side of the head and then through the back (a friend to help is handy here!). Remove the clips once the hair has cooled. Allow all sections to fall then gently glide your fingers through the hair and bring the curls together to form the wave. 

5. Finish with a blast of hairspray to seal the style and you’re ready to go.

Let me know how you get on recreating this look!

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

The Met Ball 2012


Actress Amber Heard stole the show in dusky pink satin Zac Posen. With the man himself on her arm, of course.

The Costume Institute Gala aka The Met Ball, is the launch of the annual fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. You know, those steps where Blair Waldorf perched with her minions in Gossip Girl? It’s the BIGGEST red carpet event in the fashion world and if you’re not there then quite frankly darling, you’ve not arrived. I was simply too busy to attend this year, as you know, my Medusa clients come first!

Instead I’m sharing a quick rundown of my favourite looks, a few not so good and oh can somebody please give Rachel Zoe a burger! Who was your favourite?
       













Diane Kruger looking radiant in bright purple Prada frock.

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy and some killer jewellery. We love!
Christina Ricca in Thakoon - daring and different.
Scarlett looking timeless in Dolce & Gabbana.

Coco Rocha - not sure about the suit, but loving the pink dip dye.
The ultimate glamorous mummy - Jessica Alba looks every inch the classic beauty.
Her glossy waves and red lip are the eptiome of old Hollywood.
Now I LOVE Bey, and she looks fabulous having lost all of her baby weight . Who wouldn't want to show that booty off.
This was not the right dress choice. It. Is. Terrible. Why didn't anyone stop her?
Don't get me started on this one. Celeb fashion stylist turned reality TV star Rachel Zoe needs
to be rushed to the nearest hospital. Painfully thin.







Monday, 7 May 2012

Kim Kardashian and THOSE heels


The signature K-Dash glossy waves.

Kim's understated heels look so comfortable.

The crazy lives of the Kardashians are one of my biggest TV guilty pleasures. Come on, doesn't everyone watch them? Kourtney is definitely my favourite but I love watching all of the shows, even the re-runs.

Kim posted a picture of the new Christian Louboutin heels she was breaking in over the weekend and just looking at them made my paws hurt! No pain, no gain - right! These spiked silver heels are incredible.

We are always asked how the K-Dash girls get their subtle and sexy waves, and this week, I'll be sharing a quick guide on how to recreate the K-Dash blow dry at home.

Which Kardashian is your favourite?




Thursday, 3 May 2012

Tulisa, say what?

Tulisa looking coy...

Everyone is (still) talking about Tulisa. Now, if you know me, then you'll know I'm not a huge fan. I can't believe she was voted FHM's sexiest woman!

Still, she's come along way from the UGG boots and velour tracksuit combo of her early days in N-Dubz. Oh but we do love her lustrous, shiny hair, so I'll give her some points for that.

Shopping list: Sebastian Halo Mist Shine Spray, RRP £12.50 available at all Medusa Salons.