GERARD BOLLEI SALON’S FALL/WINTER 2011 PREVIEW OF BEAUTY TRENDS

A New Season…Always a time for new fashion trends that transition from the catwalk to the sidewalk in a New York minute!  This season the buzz word appears to be dimension in both hair color and cuts, as top hair pros add layers of color and hair lengths to create unique looks that are clearly defined, yet decidedly haphazard as if Nature had a secret plan in mind.  As such, these looks require a skilled hand to achieve results that are attractive and stylish.

We spoke to the Master Colorists and Styling Pros at Gerard Bollei Salon to get their ideas on what works this season in hair color and haircuts.

COLOR

Creative Director Joey Battisti is transitioning to cool undertones this fall season by redefining the traditional fall hair colors with violet or blue bases instead of reds, golds, and coppers.  Joey says, “This enhances the color depth with rich, cooler tonal values.  The technique works with every color, especially now at the end of summer and the beginning of fall when blondes are either brassy or faded.  You can bring them back to life with a cooler tone by adding a drop of violet.  I have begun taking my clients away from a gold-blonde to a cooler blonde without using highlights, employing instead more of a double process and adding different pigments and tones where wanted or needed.”

Master Colorist Anne Marie Barros reminds us that now is the time to start a moisturizing treatment regimen (like Bollei Blends Balm on the ends of your hair) to remove the dryness.  She also advises that hair color has to be enriched with deep autumn shades to complement your wardrobe.  “No matter what shade you are – blond, redhead, or brunette – low-lighting with rich colors is the technique used to achieve beautifully shaded and natural-looking hair color.”

To counteract those winter doldrums, highlighting specialist Nicholas Modlin uses a unique technique known as “Comb-Lights” to hold onto that lovely sun-kissed look all year round.  The color transformation works on all shades of hair, takes only 20 minutes to do, lasts 6-8 weeks, and enhances the new dimensional haircuts that dominate this season.

Multi-talented John DelGiudice sees a color palette leaning more towards warm chestnut browns and soft (rather than fiery) reds to match the earth tones and fibers of Fall 2011’s fashions. He places natural, complementary tones of highlights throughout the hair to accentuate this season’s newest cuts and styles.  For Fall 2011’s make-up trends, John is focusing on dewy smoky eyes and lip-licked lips in warmer tones.  His secret is to concentrate on the beauty inside, using as little make-up as possible, to promote your natural beauty from within.

Expert colorist Chiu Chiu has developed a signature technique she terms Six-Month-Highlights, which retains the sun-like strands of summer in your hair into the dark days of winter.  Outstanding results and low-maintenance color…a truly winning combination!

For Fall 2011, Janine Rosenthal is featuring a “Gloss” treatment to revive hair’s color and shine.  This crystal-clear, realistic color process adds a natural sheen and restores health to overstressed, lifeless hair. This quick and easy color treatment will also revitalize gray hair and cool down the unwanted brassiness in natural ash blonde shades.

Hair color specialist Blanche encourages her clients to give their hair a post-summer professional in-salon conditioning treatment (like Bollei Blends Antidote) to restore luster and moisture back into dull, dry, and brittle hair.  This will insure better hair color results that will last longer. She also suggests trying her Autumn Glaze – perfect for any hair color shade that needs an extra oomph this season.

CUT & STYLING

Creative Director Joey Battisti’s Fall/Winter 2011 haircuts are defined by disconnected layers.  As he describes, “The new look of layered hair is not about it being smooth and blended.  The effect is more geometrical and disconnected, but not piece-y…there is a definite distinction between layers.  This trend works on both short and long haircuts.  We have seen disconnected looks before, but this time it’s different because the hair texture is smoother, which still allows for movement and versatility in the look. This is very different from that circa 1990′s chunky layer do!  Now, the disconnected layers are softer, geometric and what’s most important is that the hair texture is smoother and softer.”  He strongly advises giving the hair a Brazilian Straightening treatment, which allows body and shine without leaving the hair limp and lifeless.  He likes the Brazilian process because it gives the hair smoothness without leaving it flat.

Skilled haircutter Alan Manson uses 3 different combs to create Fall 2011’s new dimensional cuts, creating a subtle and masterfully cut look.  Using this technique, Alan achieves layers that naturally fall into place – making his cuts easy to maintain when you’re on the go!

Stylist extraordinaire Ruben points out that fall cuts are usually shorter due to all that sun damage…it is the season to start anew.  This year, he is going one step further by featuring short, textured cuts (a la Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby) – softly feminine and not severely geometric.

Simplicity is a major component in this season’s styles, according to up-do expert Timothy Downs.  He is creating bangs and face-framing layers in one length for the front with longer collar-touching lengths in the back.  In the evening, he suggests using decorative clips or barrettes on either one or both sides for a purely chic look.

Not to overlook the male look of the season, popular stylist Shan gives his male clients a retro-60’s, Mad Men Look this season with short sides and back and a longer bang to be worn down in the front and stylishly slicked back…shades of Don Draper!

This fall, classic haircutter Marilyn Fernandez has designed a Graduated Bob with a Veronica edge, layered in the front and on the sides, with a calibrated length in the back.  Perfect for women who want a dramatic look that is non-fuss and low maintenance.

As an expert in conditioning treatments, Linda Bae offers a number of solutions for hair destroyed by summer sun, salt, and humidity.  To begin with, the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning changes frizzed-out damaged hair to smooth-as-silk locks, while adding health and shine.  Another solution for tired, dull hair is the energy treatment known as Bollei Blends Antidote, available in the salon and online.

SPA SERVICES

While it is important to address your skin care needs after every season, fall and winter bring their unique problems. Summer’s water and sun-worshipping activities cause substantial harm to all types of skin.  Now that fall is here and winter’s harsh weather and indoor heat soon to follow, maintaining a good skin regimen is crucial to the life and appearance of your skin.  This is what our highly trained skin experts have to say:

European trained Brigida Silva recommends a deep cleansing Microdermabrasion treatment to effectively remove all the dead cells that are cluttering up the surface of your skin.  She then prescribes a supplementary treatment of a soothing fruit mask to minimize pores.  Since the often ignored neck and décolletage areas are the visible signposts of aging, Brigida also offers a series of crystal peeling to soothe and minimize the crepe-like skin in those areas, followed by a fruit mask.

Renowned for her skill in shaping eyebrows, Nelly Rudman is introducing the Arch-Adding Brow Lift, a technique that imparts a natural arch that frames the eyes beautifully, while accentuating the cheekbones. These are not the highly dramatic arches of Joan Crawford, but rather the subtle and youthful brows of Jennifer Connelly – adding chic glamour, not artificial surprise to the overall look of the face.  Nelly also offers a “Fall Facial” composed of a 2 or 4 Layer Mask as well as customized supplementary treatments such as glycolic or enzyme peels and collagen boosters.  As an at home pick-me-up, Nelly recommends gently exfoliating your face and neck 3 times a week, followed by a face cream to freshen your complexion and maintain a healthy glow.

NAILS

This season’s nail shape is a combination of round and square – preferred by clients because it does not snag or break as easily, according to top nail tech Sanda.  In fall, more attention is paid to nail grooming by both men and women since nails are a crucial accessory to fashion.  The key to looking younger is to pay attention to those areas that are often ignored, such as hands and feet.  Sanda recommends a soothing paraffin treatment to smooth the skin, while making nails less brittle and prone to breaking.