Salon Review: Sloans, Lane Cove

By Tammi Ireland

Since moving to Sydney, I’ve been on the hunt for a fantastic hairdresser who can turn my thick, curly hair into a manageable, ‘looks like I didn’t even try’ ‘do. I’d also love for that place to come with some cool staff, a wealth of experience and be in a good location.  Last month, Sloans ticked all the boxes.

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The salon is located in a quaint street surrounded by cafes and flooded with natural light. The team is fun and a nice mix of classic and contemporary with their own style, making the salon a great fit for families and fashion forwards, alike.

My hair was cut by salon owner and creative director, Scott Sloan.  Scott is also an international creative artist for Schwarzkopf, so he knows his stuff.  He cut my hair into layers underneath, leaving a veil of long hair on top, meaning I didn’t lose length but I did lose a lot of that weight that was keeping me from styling anything other than a ponytail pre-cut.

Spring Hair Trends with Barney Martin

By Tammi Ireland

Barney Martin Hairdressing in Surry Hills is a quintessential Australian salon, where the team has worked on editorial and customer hair under the superb direction of their director, the salon’s namesake.  The Barney Martin website showcases all the staff in clean images, reflective of the respect Barney Martin the person gives to his team.  As a beauty writer, this sort of team-relation is important, because so too is the need for a person to love where they work.  Last week we were lucky enough to hear straight from the horses mouth what the key trends for Spring will be, and what Australian women are asking for when they’re in the salon chair…

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Barney Martin, 40, Pantene Expert Hairstylist and owner of Barney Martin Hairdressing

What are the key trends you’re seeing for Spring, by way of cuts and colour?
For colour, there is definitely a move away from balayage, but instead we are seeing what is called smudged colour, and bronzing, where blonde and brown is merged for a more natural affect, with lighter colours underneath the hair. We are also seeing a lot of pastel colours in hair, pastel blues and pinks at the ends and underneath. This works well with a blonde base or balayage.

New: Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair range

By Tammi Ireland

My natural hair type would give Scary Spice a run for her money.  Thick, tight and unruly curls with a layer of frizz on top for good measure, I have been struggling with styles since I could pick up a comb.  No wonder then, that when a product claims to de-frizz or define, I snap it up immediately.

After an unsuccessful experience with semi-permanent, in-salon hair straightening, I thought my chances for smooth hair were behind me.  Little did I know Schwarzkopf were about to release a new range of hair products tailored to my very needs.

Schwarzkopf Ultimate Repair

The Ultimate Repair range contains Liquid Keratin, which must be the product that has made my curls easier to straighten after washing with the range’s shampoo and conditioner (RRP $6.99 each).  The formulas are thick and smell absolutely divine, working up to a thick lather.  After using the combo once, my curls naturally dried a lot straighter than usual, making running the ghd over them a breeze.  Add a spritz of the gloss treatment (RRP $8.99) and the shine is incredible.  My hair also felt thicker and slightly heavier, without the greasy feeling.  Volume? Check. Frizz-free? Check.  Great scent? Check.  I haven’t tried the anti-damage mask (RRP $8.99) as yet, but gosh I can’t wait to!

And would you just look at those prices – what’s not to love!?

T x

 

We Love Lucy

Trawling fashion and beauty blogs throughout the day is part of my job (isn’t it!?) so I always get a little thrill when I come across a particularly inspiring one.  The latest lady to win blog kudos from me is Lucy Laucht. Her outfits are sleek, classic and fun, plus her filler tan and barrel curls make for one envious beauty editor.

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It’s the red nails that set off that tan, plus the sandy, light blonde hair that looks as though it comes naturally but wouldn’t be hard to achieve in the salon.  Here’s how you can get the look…

Make the most of your Curls!

My hair is very curly, though those that don’t know me wouldn’t know it.  I wear it straight 99 per cent of the time because I can’t deal with it being curly – it’s frizzy rather than the perfect barrel curls I dream of.  I’m always trying new curl products to make the most of my natural curl. This week, it was Lendan’s Extra Liss 3 step beauty ritual.

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Intense Smooth Relax Shampoo – The first thing you notice about this is the packaging.  The lid is amazing and very tech-cool.  The shampoo itself is a bit runny but it lathers up nice and thick and a little goes a long way.  I felt clean, used a little product and could run my fingers through without yet using the conditioner.  Great.

Top Tips for Curling Your Hair

Those of us not naturally blessed with cascading curls have to work at perfecting the hottest, easiest-to-wear hair look that transcends time – goddess curls.  Or, as my good friend calls it, kinky hair.  Celebs that pull off this look the best include Lauren Conrad, Giselle Bundchen, Jessica Alba (pre-chop) and Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2. The look works when you’re traipsing down the street, running errands or when you’re in high-glamour mode and partying your way through the weekend.

LC has her hair curled with curling tongs.

Head Studio in Perth were kind enough to share with me their tips on creating the perfect curl.

Why use a curling iron rather than a ghd straightener?  Less effort!  So when you’ve hit snooze too many times in the morning, the curling iron is your first step toward glamourous hair.

Your Guide to New Years Eve Party Makeup

So, the end is near.  2010 has been a helluva year and as it comes to a close, we’re all making final arrangements on how to bid adieu in style.  Personally, I’m celebrating with a low-key house party.  And what will I be slapping on my face come 5pm tomorrow?  I’ve got a few options to share with you…

HOORAH!

There are a bunch of ways you can look smokin’ hot during the final hours of 2010, and they all involve preparation.  Be sure to tick (fake) tanning, moisturising, hair removal and priming off your list before you even look at that foundation.

Curls from Morocco!

So, here at CC we love curls.  You all know that because this editor has crazy curly hair that she is only just coming to understand.  We also love Moroccan Oil.  Like a cult, I’m telling you.  So imagine our delight when we received Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream to trial!  Wheeee!

Now You’ve Got ‘Em, Hold Onto Them!

Okay, so for the past few days we’ve been learning about curls and how to get them, what products are amazing for defining them, and how to fake them. Now – how to keep them!

Sebastian Professional‘s Shine Define may look tiny but it packs a mean punch.  This is a hairspray that comes out in spurts instead of being aerosol-released where you can sometimes end up using more product than you need.  It goes on light and you can feel the result – a hard stick and lots of hold.  Perfect for curls, non?

It also adds shine (hence its name) and protects hair from hot tools while conditioning.

RRP $30.

pic: supplied

Make the Most of Your Natural Curls

The ever-cool kids at Head Studio in Perth share their words of wisdom on everything curls, right here and just for you!

The most common complaint about curls is that they are either frizzy or the curls make your hair feel shapeless.  It is important to establish what your wants and needs are with your curls, as it can only take a few very simple steps to shiny, nourished and defined curls.