If It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It
August 7, 2008 - 9:00 pm
Change is good, but sometimes it isn't necessary. When you have a hairstyle that works so well you can't imagine changing it, you've established your signature cut. It's the haircut you sport for several years, not because of a rut, but because you've struck gold.
Although a signature 'do can vary drastically from one woman to the next, most have a common denominator in their convenience, a trait women-on-the-go cherish.
"In today's world, you need easy maintenance," said Barb Garcia-Grove, owner of Square Salon in northwest Las Vegas. "Most signature cuts are simple with easy upkeep."
The definition of "easy upkeep" depends on who you ask. What qualifies as fuss-free for a woman with long tight curls will be a nightmare for a woman with short, stick straight locks. The key is finding what works best for you, a process usually discovered through trial and error. The best way to weed out the high maintenance styles is considering the number of tools and products they warrant.
Demi Moore, for example, has become known for her long, straight, all-the-same-length hair. There's nothing complex about it. The actress can easily pull it back or sport it all down, which she usually favors for red carpet walks. The most she probably does to accomplish her look is run some shine serum through the strands.
Although Jennifer Lopez has been known to change the length of her hair, she always manages to slick it back into the bun that's become synonymous with the actress-singer. A little hair wax to tame the fly aways, hairspray for hold and she's good to go.
When establishing a signature cut, Garcia-Grove recommends classic styles as of-the-moment looks will expire before your jar of molding paste does. "It's the same thing with your wardrobe," Garcia-Grove said. "Your classic, basic staples last the longest. The trendy stuff doesn't."
UP TO DATE No matter how good you have it, the craving for change will inevitably rear its head. Here are three subtle ways to update your look without completely altering it. Highlights: Whether you frame your face or go all-around with the highlights, it makes a world of difference in the overall effect. Bangs: You can go the route of the side swept bang or the chunky, full one, a la Anna Wintour. Both instantly freshen up an old 'do.Layers: Jagged ends for short hair or long layers on hair below the shoulders puts a new spin on a classic cut.