Next Step: Hair

 Found the perfect dress? Check! Makeup done? Double check! And now for the finishing touch -

glamorous, celebrity hair - that's where our MC Salon experts come in.  Let us show you how to do it

yourself in the easy step by step guide:

Step 1: Use a curling iron to curl the ends of your hair.  

Take small sections at a time and curl the front away from the face.

Step 2: Back comb the crown to give it some height and blast it with hairspray.

Step 3: Pull back the crown of your hair, give it a little twist and secure.  Try to ditch 

that ordinary claw clip and use bobby pins to help make it look a little more polished.

Step 4: Once the pins have been placed and your hair feels secure, use 

your curling iron to curl the remaining ends of your hair.

Step 5: Use a wide tooth comb to separate the ends of the curls or keep 

them as they are - the choice is yours!

Done and done! This go-to-glam style is universally chic! 

The best part is that it frames the face and works with almost any face shape!

Meet Morgan

 Morgan Littlefield, 35, Before

• Lives in New York City
• Likes her hair, but wants a change
 
Her Problems
Morgan has naturally thick, wavy hair, but she wasn't taking advantage of it.  And by leaving it long
and unshaped, she wasn't doing anything to show off her pretty, youthful features. Lastly, this natural
blonde (who didn't previously color her hair) needed a little brightness.

Morgan Littlefield, 35, After

Why This Cut Works
Face-framing layers retain the look of longer hair without the limpness. The side-swept bangs

minimize Morgan's high forehead while playing up her baby blues. Streaks of buttery blond add extra

oomph.

What You Can Do
If you don't have a specific cut in mind, tell the stylist what you don't want and let them make

suggestions. Just don't be pressured into trying anything that doesn't sound right.

Hair Trend: Tomboy Hair

If you were to simplify it, there were two main ways that boyish hairstyles for girls were being

interpreted by high fashion this year. One is by pairing boyish hair with androgynous fashion for a

complete, or near to complete, masculine look.

 The other is to contrast highly feminine fashion with a contradictory hairstyle that’s careless and

tomboyish. Some tomboy styles take inspiration from the refined, Dandy side of menswear – they’re

perfectly slicked and clean and parted.

 But for the most part, in 2012, they’re about creating a look that’s effortlessly chic, as if you just

rolled out of bed and whipped your hair into a fabulously boyish ‘do.

What do you think? Is it for you?

Hair How To

Have you picked up the latest issue of Midtown Magazine yet?! 

When you do, look for our step by step guide for perfect hair this holiday season!

Youthful Hair in 5 Easy Steps

A lot of people with thinning hair think, Well, now I have to do a lot to it to make it look better.   

So they get a perm, or they buy a special brush and give their hair a hundred strokes a

day. But none of that is worthwhile. 

Here are a few easy hair-care changes that you can begin today: 

 The less you handle your hair, the less damage you'll cause!
Rather than brushing hair a hundred strokes a day, aim for the opposite: Brush your hair as 

little as possible. And choose a brush with broad-based bristles — they don't snag hair. 

 Shampoo at the roots!

 Shampoo can actually damage the hair shaft, roughing up the cuticle!  Instead, gently rub 

shampoo into your scalp, work it into a lather, and, when you're ready to rinse, run it through 

the rest of your hair with your hands.

Condition after every wash!
This step makes locks nice and smooth. If you hair seems too oily after then just apply it only 

on your ends. In fact, conditioner doesn't have to go near the roots since they have enough of 

hair's natural conditioner.

Stick to a routine!
Caring for your hair isn't a one-shot deal.  With every wash, you need to repeat and use a 

daily or deep conditioner and a treatment or styling product.

Wear a hat in the sun!
The pigment in your hair helps stop UV damage by absorbing radiation. Your best defense against
the sun, which also fades hair color, is to cover up with a hat, scarf, or umbrella. But if that's not
possible, apply a leave-in conditioner with sun protection when hair is wet.

Got your 1st Gray?

Don't pluck! While there's no truth to the old wives' tale (that pulling one hair will cause three to

sprout), removing those bad boys will not help in the end.

Gray is tricky: Wear it well, and you could be unforgettable. But play it wrong, and you risk looking

like a (great-) grandma. Despite the challenges, lots of women do go natural — and love it. 

Would you consider being one of them?

Judith, age 56: "Gray doesn't look great when it's too wild, so I blow mine straight every day."

Louise, age 45: "To keep my hair shiny, I follow shampoo with a cold water rinse."

 

Ruth, age 55: "A good cut goes a long way — people stop me on the street to compliment my hair."

Nancy, age 44: "I colored my hair long ago, but now I enjoy my gray — it's part of me."

Meet Malena

 Malena Aleyanez, 49, Before

• Lives in Union City, NJ
• Thinks blondes have more fun

Her Problems
Malena isn't too mature for long hair, but overprocessing had left her locks straw-dry and
unmanageable. And the color was way too light, making her look pale.

Malena Aleyanez, 49, After

Why This Cut Works
  This sexy bob brings out her gorgeous bone structure. As for color, the beauty is in the contrast.

What You Can Do
Take a good look in the mirror. Does your hair color mimic your skin tone? If so, you may look
washed out, especially in the winter. Choose a base color that's at least two shades darker than your
skin tone, even if your hair is blond. If you crave a lighter look, go for highlights.

Meet Maryellen

 There's no denying it: Your hair and face change as you get older. And so should your cut, because

falling into a hair rut will age you faster than you can say, "I'll take a Dorothy Hamill." 

"Finding the right cut and color can give a huge boost to your overall appearance", 

says Mark Eubanks of Mark Christopher Salon.

Maryellen Hays, 60, Before

• Lives in Middletown, NJ
• Says her hair is thick with cowlicks

Her Problems
Maryellen's hairstyle was too severe. A long bob with bangs can be flattering, but 

her particular cut lacked shape and movement. She opted to cover her gray, but the dark,

one-dimensional brown that she chose framed her face too starkly, as did her too-thick bangs. 

 In her words: "I looked like a mushroom!"

Maryellen Hays, 60, After

Why This Cut Works
Softer bangs combined with length at the nape and fullness at the crown flatter her oval
face and really bring out her cheekbones.

What You Can Do
Remember that flat-against-the-head rarely means pretty, unless you're 16. We all need a little lift
around our faces — from layers, styling, or color — to get that extra zing.

All you need to know about Brazilian Blowouts

Q. Who is the best candidate for the Brazilian Blowout?

A. A good candidate for the Brazilian Blowout is anyone who has frizzy, damaged or processed hair.

The MC Salon team has performed the treatment on every hair type (fine/course/frizzy/curly), as

well as hair that has been permed.  In doing so, we have found that everyone can benefit from the

Brazilian Blowout smoothing treatment.

Q. What kind of look will you get from the Brazilian Blowout?

A. The hair will be left totally frizz-free, shiny, effortlessly manageable and with plenty of body and

bounce. There will still be the option to wear hair curly/wavy (depending on the hair type) and the

freedom to blow dry hair smooth and straight in a fraction of the time invested prior to receiving the

treatment.

Q. Can I still receive a Brazilian Blowout if I have highlights and/or color?

A. Yes! The Brazilian Blowout will actually improve the health of color-treated/highlighted hair by

conditioning the hair while sealing the cuticle for enhanced color, reduced frizz and radiant shine.

Q. Is the Brazilian Blowout going to make my hair straight?

A. If your hair is wavy, the Brazilian Blowout will make your hair appear naturally straight and

healthy. If your hair is very curly, it will minimize frizz while enhancing the appearance of the natural

wave/curl. If you have straight, frizzy hair, this treatment will eliminate frizz and promote radiant

shine.

Q. How long does the Brazilian Blowout last?

A. The Brazilian Blowout will last for 10-12 weeks. 

Q. Can you apply the Brazilian Blowout directly on top of other relaxers and strengtheners?

A. Yes. The Brazilian Blowout actually works best on chemically treated hair, and helps to improve

the hairs condition by fortifying each strand with essential amino acids.

Q. Will my hair lose volume if I receive the Brazilian Blowout?

A. No, your hair will not lose volume as a result of receiving the Brazilian Blowout. Your hair will

maintain its natural volume and you will still receive great bend and memory when blow-drying

and/or using a curling iron.

Q. Can you color your hair the same day you receive a Brazilian Blowout?

A. Yes, however, you must color your hair prior to having the Brazilian Blowout smoothing

treatment.

Book your Brazilian Blowout today! 919.239.4383

Hair accessories aren't just for kindergartners

Hair accessories aren't just for kindergartners or the JV cheerleading squad anymore. In fact,

accessories are having a huge moment, showing up everywhere from runways to the red carpet, with

top models sporting barrettes and A-list stars wearing headbands to the Oscars. 

But when you're past your pompom days and not a celeb or a sunken-cheeked model, can you wear

hair accessories without looking like Shirley Temple?

Yes!

The key is to wear the right hair accessory with the right  hairstyle. Need some inspiration -- but don’t

have the time to get sucked into Pinterest? We did the dirty work for you. Take a look at these

gorgeous Pinterest photos of the best hair accessories to wear when you're over the age of 30.

 

 Wrap a head scarf around a bun 

The best part about this accessory is that you already have it. Any silk or cotton scarf with a pretty

floral pattern will do for the warmer seasons, but go for a softer hue and subtle pattern for fall. Tie

your hair into a ponytail then, wrap your hair around the elastic, pinning it into a large bun 

Tie a ribbon at the end of a braid

When you think ribbon, do you have a cheerleading flashback? Us, too. But this picture is proof that

you can wear ribbons tastefully.  Using ribbon adds something playful to your hairstyle without going

over the top. You can do a French braid like this one, or braid just the upper half of your hair, tying

the ribbon at mid-length. 

Use a wide barrette on a ponytail

The barrette is the new fall hair accessory. And it's an easy way to punch up your basic

 go-to ponytail.

Wear two headbands with an updo

I love the idea of wearing two headbands! Place the two thin headbands a couple inches apart, and

tease your hair at the crown so that the bands are separated with volume. Also, avoid headbands that

are glittery or have rhinestones.  Go for chic but not girly, pull your hair into a high ponytail, twist

into a messy topknot, and pin in place. 

Accent the back of your hair with a bow pin

OK, so we admit most bows scream Minnie Mouse -- 

but they don't have to as long as you wear them discreetly.

Go retro with a bandana

A bandana worn as a headband reminds us of the "Rosie the Riveter" poster, but this version is less

factory girl and more fashion girl thanks to a modern twist.

Pin your hair to the side

Using multiple bobby pins is great because it's a simple way to accent your hair without trying too

hard. We recommend wearing your hair down and curling it in one-inch sections. Using a one-inch

curling iron, wrap your hair away from your face to create loose waves. Then use a few gold or silver

bobby pins to clip bangs out of the way, or create a small side twist from your off-center part.

Need more suggestions? Book your appointment today at Mark Christopher Salon!

919.239.4383