Celebrity Kenneth Darrell shares this great article with us — enjoy!

Fig. 1

Perhaps, of all the questions asked…I’m asked about the most important aspect of determining what hairstyle is the right fit. The answer: There are none more important than the shape of your face!

A terrific hair design will only work if it’s a good match to your face shape. So, you might ask, “how do I figure out what my shape my face is?”

Most everyone thinks their face shape is round. I’ve heard it a thousand times, “my face is kind of fat and round.” While this is a natural tendency to think your features are round, there are actually six basic face shapes: oval, rectangle, round, square, heart, and triangle. Take a look at the figure 1. What shape is your face in?

Once you determine what shape your face is, the goal then becomes to create a pleasing shape to hide or soften flaws. It’s really easier than it sounds! The most versatile shape is the oval. Even if your face is not oval, this should be your goal to try to create the “appearance.” (No matter which shape you’re in!) …And you can do this by balancing your shape with the right hair design and style.

There are multiple factors that go into choosing a great hairstyle such as hair texture, density and lifestyle. These are great things to talk about with your stylist, but the shape of face is most relative.

Now, here’s a very cool trick. To help you determine your shape pull all your hair back away from your face, take an eye liner pencil and draw the outline of your face in a mirror. This is a technique that I have shared with my clients for years.

Now that you know your shape, let’s talk about which style works best for you!

Oval

(Such as Jessica Alba & Beyonce Knowles)

Well, you’re in luck! This shape will work great with just about any style. It’s what we call the “perfect” shape. The eyes, nose and lips are in proportion with each other. So all lengths will be great and, remember, if you have this shape you can sweep your hair back and fully expose your face.

Rectangle

(Such as Sandra Bullock & Lucy Liu)

Our goal with this shape, as with all shapes, is balance. Medium to short styles work best. This elongated shape will balance out with a style that creates width. Bangs will also shorten your features, bringing you closer to an oval shape.

Round

(Such as Cameron Diaz & Kate Winslet)

This face shape is complimented by a hairstyle that has height at the crown. For this shape, pick a style that stays below chin length; This will help to lengthen the appearance of your shape. An off-center or side part is best. Avoid parting the hair down the middle or styles with bangs. These tend to shorten the face rather than lengthening it…and that’s our goal.

Square

(Such as Demi Moore & Gwyneth Paltrow)

With this shape, you will want to select styles that frame the face, softening the square corners of the shape. A design with a little height at the top is also helpful. Texture plays a big part in this shape as well. A square shape softens when combined with hair that has some curl. So, break out the rollers and curling irons!

Heart

(Such as Scarlett Johansson & Reese Witherspoon)

If you have a heart-shaped face, then a chin-length design is your best choice. Choosing this length will broaden your appearance at the chin where it is needed. I love bangs on this shape as well and bangs are a “must” if your heart shape is at all exaggerated. With this shape, minimize or eliminate height in the top of your style.

Triangle

(Such as Kathy Ireland & Victoria Beckham)

This shape will appear most balanced with designs that are short and compliment the temple area. Avoid styles that stop at chin length, (ex. the bob). If you insist on wearing a short do, keep one side tucked behind the ear. Shoot for a design with some layering to create a bit of volume through the upper areas of the style.

No matter what shape your face is in, remember the most important aspect of any hair design is “owning it.” Project confidence and energy, and your hair design will come alive. Now that you understand your face shape, use that knowledge to bring out the Hellmann’s–
Bring out YOUR best!

Celebrity stylist Kenneth Darrell shares his expertise with us in this article.

Cuts

1. “Iconic Long”

bohemian, hippie chic, long hair look!

(Hair like that of Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker)

Now when we say long, were talking bra-strap length or longer. If you don’t have it or have the time to grow it, and you want it and want it now, you can buy it. The addition of temporary extensions, wefts and various types of length-creating accessories are now as close as your local beauty supply store. Combine these lengths with texture and body, and you are right in the jet stream of what’s hot with hair for ‘09.

2. The Short Bob

(Hair like that of Mena Suvari and Katie Holmes)

Last year’s just-off-the-shoulder length bob design has undergone a major-length modification. This bob is hottest worn from cheek to chin in length. It has also become less “constructed” and has an edgy feel with a definitive look of movement and action.

3. The Super Short Pixie

(Hair like that of Rihanna and Halle Berry)

Generally cut with a razor, with extreme jagged textural shape, this super cute design is topped off with baby doll bangs, rendered very short and with impish flair or with an exaggerated long front fringe. This design is the boldest of the trends and requires a strong, confident personality to maximize its potential. When worn this way, it leaves a memorable impression that is hard to forget.

Colors for Spring/Summer ‘09

Any of these three cut designs can be paired with the color trends for this season to make them “impact” cuts. Colors have taken a turn toward drama, with vibrant reds and outrageous blonds leading the way. This season will be the time to step out and step up. Where some trends in the past have dictated that the natural or blended color are the highlight, this season, “color” can make women feel empowered and “color” will be
noticed from clear across the room!

Tips for Capturing the Trends

1. Discuss with your stylist which cut, design and color is best suited for you, your lifestyle, and perhaps most important, your personality. It is helpful to do your homework. Collect a few pictures and email them to your stylist, if it’s possible, a few days before your appointment. This will allow your stylist time to review them and give some thought to the direction you wish to go.
2. Remember, to keep the look, hair has to be maintained. Develop a maintenance plan with your stylist to keep your new style looking fresh. Short hair will need to be shaped every 4-5 weeks and long hair trimmed every 6-8, with a color service generally at every other cut.
3. Ask your stylist to help you select the right products for your look. There are too many products on the market to “select by guess.” You will need a guide through the “product jungle.”
4. It’s okay to request extra time at your appointment with your stylist so that he or she can show you how to work with your hair. Even if you pay for this extra time, it will be well worth the investment. Remember, your new cut and color is only as good as your ability to fix it at home on your own.
5. Show the love…tip your stylist. The quality of your hair service is a direct reflection of how your stylist feels about working with you. Show your excitement and appreciation! Hairstylists are artists and as many of us do, they too crave validation. When it’s time for your next appointment, your stylist will roll out the red carpet for you!

Five Tips to Do-It-Up-Right at Home

(You Can Do-It At Home!)

1. Invest in quality tools to style your hair. Look for ceramic curling irons, blow dryers with ionic features, and quality brushes that feel good in your hands. Remember, these are the tools you will use every day to prep the most important part of your look…your hair!
2. Practice makes perfect. Style your hair on your day off when you have time to be a bit more creative. You don’t want to wait until just before an event to test your skills.
3. Be flexible in your styling. You will never get the exact results twice, and that’s okay. It’s what makes styling hair an art form.
4. Have your stylist take a couple of photos of your finished style. You can use these pictures later as a reference to recreate the look. (And don’t forget the back!)
5. Book some “style-out” appointments with your stylist. Have him or her style your hair in different ways with different tools. Take advantage of this time to watch, ask questions and learn, so that YOU can do it at home.

That’s a Wrap!

Capturing a hot new hair trend can be one of the most exhilarating feelings there is. You feel sexy and empowered wherever you go, no matter what you’re wearing.

Hair creates more impact than any other aspect of your look. If your hair is beautiful, you can look fantastic in jeans and a t-shirt.

Develop and cultivate a great relationship with a stylist. Your stylist wants to make you a “hair celebrity,” so people will say… “Pardon me, but…who does your hair?”

Your stylist can become one of the most important persons in helping you from season to season to bring out the best in your personal style.

Celebrity stylist Kenneth Darrell has written this trend article for NaturallyCurly. Enjoy!

To achieve the hottest look of the summer, work those BANGS!

If you want bangs, avoid an at-home, “kitchen beautician” bang nightmare. Suck it up and go see your stylist!

Have your stylist cut a few bangs and gradually add more until you reach the prefect balance for your face. Bangs are hot, hot, hot this season and whether you choose a baby-doll short bang (Victoria Beckham/Rihanna/Kristen Johnston), an eyelash tickling sexy bang (Jessica Alba/Keira Knightley/Reese Witherspoon) or a side-swept, cheek-length bang (Eva Longoria/Kate Winslet/Jennifer Garner), sleek styling is the key!

If you are an ‘80s girl, this may feel strange, but trust me, trash your Aqua Net and teasing comb and go for the bangs— this is a sizzlin’ look!

Styling your non-swept bangs with minimal volume is optimum. So, pull out a comb or vent brush and dry bangs by directing the dryer heat downward (toward your face) while you brush the bangs to the right and left, repeating several times until dry. You can also choose to use a straightening iron to smooth your bangs.

Now that you have achieved a sleek, sexy bang, CONTRAST is the next summer trend.

So, we want messy, textured volume throughout the rest of the hair! This is achieved with a large barrel curling iron, or, a set of jumbo hot rollers will also do the trick. Ladies, dig out those dusty irons and rollers, it is time to have beautiful, feminine hair again!

Apply mousse throughout wet hair and dry completely. We want a smooth crown. (No pageant hair here!) Roll the hair around the iron, stopping 1 inch before reaching the head. Each time you roll a section of hair in the iron, change direction of the iron rolling first toward the face and then away from the face. This technique will achieve that messy, tousled look.

The same technique can be used with hot rollers, placing each roller slightly off the scalp, letting them hang a bit, and rotating their direction as placed.

It’s very important to give hair in the iron time to warm before releasing it and hot rollers should cool in your hair before removing.

Gently shake curls loose and spray with a light, working spray. If you can’t wait for the beach, mist the hair with sea salt spray for that added beach texture. This will give you the “IT” look of summer-carefree, messy, curls with straight bangs!

This contrast of texture and volume against sleek and sexy bangs will transform you into a HAIR CELEBRITY!