'Let Down Your Hair'

Hair - most women's crowning glory, often something that we hide behind and sometimes something that, if not washed or is a little flat, can ruin our day and confidence.  I'm very much a student of the 'messy, on the large side' hair school.  I don't like hair that is too shiny and groomed.  Give me tousled, back combed, bed hair any day.  

I'm a dye virgin, relying instead on Summer time sun to give it natural tint.  My styling tools are hairspray, a  comb, talc when it needs a lease of life (amazing on light-medium hair, it makes  it look cleaner, fuller and nice and matte), and sometimes for a real beach look, hot water and salt to give that same seawater texture.

When it comes to any kind of 'do' let it be relaxed, with the occasional wisp to ensure you don't look too uptight or prim. 

Here are some of the prettiest, fail safe styles.

The Classic Pony

High for a girly bounce, side for a flirty style, low for an effortless fashion look.  Back comb and tease 

the crown a little for a full, 60's style.  Ribbon can be a lovely way of adding an element of playfulness and should look really effortless if you tie it with not too much precision.  

Half Up Half Down

The most flattering style of all, this basically suits everyone.  Again, a little backcombed height at the top makes this do beautifully feminine.  Fix with kirby grips (the BEST ones are from Sally) or a hair band.  Sometimes a little knot of the ponytail looks quite cool too.

Plaits

Keep it loose, no one wants a boarding school plait. One simple braid is chic, a side sweeping one fixed with pins is gorgeous.  A french plait is easy to master with practice, and a fishtail can look sensational in the Summer but is a little more tricky.  Run a brush over it and loosen it if its looking too neat.

Bed Hair

The very best of hair.  This can be achieved with a lot of scrunching, or you can tong and tease.  If you tong it last thing at night and sleep on it, you will wake up with naturally 'tossed and turned' waves.  When hair is this sensationally sexy, tie a scarf, wear a hairband, play around with corsages...the sky's the limit.

Buns

Becoming more and more popular.  I guess every girl at heart, wishes she were a ballerina?!  A casual knot, or a full on maxi bun look sensational.  An old colleague used to have the best trick for a full bun.  Form a high pony, and wrap a (CLEAN!) pair of knickers....yes, knickers... round it like a scrunchie.  Then, coil the pony tail round the erm, underwear, hide it and pin.  Honestly, it works every time.  She even had a pair of socks in there once!  Don't knock 'till you've tried.

The Twist

Just gorgeous.  Simply twist and pin.

Coloured Kittens

At the Spring Summer 2012 shows, the beauty press was abuzz with the new trend for coloured tresses.  Painted hair, the colour of gelato and sugared almonds, was seen at Thakoon, Narciso Rodriguez and Julien MacDonald. 

 

Wearable?  Perhaps not.  

But certainly for Tim Walker's handsome collection of feline friends. 

And So To Bed

My aim for tonight is to roll around in my sleep enough to get bed hair like this...

Sweet dreams x

Girls Allowed

This morning, the amazing pink sky made me feel all girly.  Cue curls, backcombing and velvet ribbon x

Pick up a postcard

I found these postcards in a Sisley store, years ago. The cards were in a concertina which I've kept ever since and the shots still look so incredible today. I love Mini's tumbling toffee curls topped with pale pink ribbon, her black come-to-bed eyes, and the laddered stockings.  

Sensational Sienna

This weekend Sienna Miller announced she is with child prompting a few raised eyebrows at the younger father, but more anticipation about upcoming boho maternity wear.  Sienna (my only blonde girl crush) has had the most stunning and emulated fashion history but I think her absolute prime was her role as unhinged Nikki in Alfie.  You  can pause any of her scenes and the still will look like a fashion shoot - that shaggy hair, those sooty eyes and the most amazing array of bohemian clothing and underwear.  So here's to Sienna...and lets hope it's a girl.