London - Many women want a change when they go to the hairdresser but they don’t want to risk a trendy cut that might be difficult to maintain.
Well, stylist to the stars Nicky Clarke has revealed the hairdo that makes the wearer look different – and fabulous – whenever they want. And it’s as simple as copying Taylor Swift.
According to Clarke, the American pop star’s “beach bob” is one of the most versatile cuts that women of any age can pull off.
Explaining the benefits of the B-Bob, he said: “It is somewhere between under the chin to shoulder length, with some long layers and a fringe-ish bit to it. It’s a versatile and universally flattering haircut that suits all ages and face shapes because it has movement.”
Clarke, who styled Princess Diana’s hair, also said good examples of how the cut can flatter include actress Kate Hudson, 37, and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, 29.
He said it works so well because it can be styled in a number of ways with minimal effort. “So often I’ll get a client coming in with ten different pictures telling me they like this bit of this one and that bit of that one, but very often they’re all the same haircut. You can create such different looks by drying in a different way. It can be flat, lifted off your face, on your face, flicked out, wavy, curly, beachy and put up.
“Taylor Swift’s is a perfect example. She changes it up so much and so often. When it’s slightly longer it works just as well. Just by altering it slightly [you can] create completely different looks.”
Swift, 26, has her hair cut just under her chin and has appeared on the red carpet with dramatically different styles including tousled waves, a slick pony tail and sleek bob.
Clarke, who has a salon in Mayfair and a high street hair care range, also said he was horrified by how many women don’t wash their hair properly.
He said: “I don’t know what that’s about, whether they’re only conditioned to use a small amount of shampoo or only wash it once. But as a result, they’re constantly leaving grime and natural oils in it that need to be washed out if they want their hair to look good.”
He also said that products such as hairspray and gels can help make styles look red carpet worthy. “For the majority of people, you need to do something – not just leave it,” he added.
HOW TO GET THE TAYLOR SWIFT ICY BLONDE BOB
THE COLOUR
Sam Burnett, Owner & Creative Director of West London salon Hare & Bone, is an award-winning hair stylist. He says: “Bleached blonde hair is definitely having a moment! This cool, platinum blonde can be achieved in different ways; Taylor Swift has opted for a graduated blonde with natural depth through the roots.
“A freehand balayage technique allows you to control the depth of the colour which is perfect for achieving her cool rock and roll chick look.”
Jack Howard is widely credited with bringing Balayage to the UK and has worked with Gillian Anderson, Poppy Delevingne, Vanessa Kirby, Abbey Clancy and Suki Waterhouse.
He said: “It's noticeably that mid level cut that it works really well with, not the super pixie crop that we often associate super blonde with but the longer version which is on trend for hair cuts this season.”
THE CUT
The edgier shorter cut is what sets this look apart from other more typical Hollywood styles.
Sam Burnett said: “A shaggy, undone bob has been created for Taylor by cutting slightly into the hair and framing the face with a choppy fringe and shorter layers around the cheekbones and jawline.
“To achieve body and movement, shorter internal layers are chopped through the back of the hair, keeping the ends of the hair very blunt.”
MAINTENANCE
It's not easy to achieve this colour, and it's not easy to maintain it either. The bright colours can become dull and brassy if they are not given proper care.
Skyler McDonald Creative Director at SeanHanna and Global Ambassador for L'Oreal Professional said: “The colour can easily pick up pollution, any minerals in water that can make the hair colour appear yellowish, or dingy, so watch out for this.”
However she advises that you can tone the hair at home with mauve shampoos and conditioners to stop locks from taking on a yellowish tone.'
Jason Collier, hair stylist to Victoria Beckham, also advises: “I recommend using a high graded Silverising shampoo like Original & Mineral Conquer Blonde Silver Shampoo which will maintain colour and hair condition for longer and Khairpep Mask once a week.
“The KhairPep Transforme leave-in masque with K18Peptide for thicker hair is a restorative, intense therapy masque which will start working immediately to repair your damaged hair leaving your hair stronger, healthier and more elastic which is the perfect product for bleached blondes to maintain colour.”
“To achieve this colour, you will need very strong chemicals applied to the hair, I would really recommend that you consult a genius colorist before doing this.
“You may have some hurdles in the way of achieving this look. An example of this could be, previous colour, bleach already applied to the hair, condition problems.”
Daily Mail