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MY XEX LoginThe hair trends for 2012 are about revivals and evolution, taking inspiration from the most iconic styles in the 20th century and infuse them with a modern interpretation and texture is the buzz word in style!
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One of the hottest trends and made popular by hit box office “The girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, actress Rooney Mora’s short fringe/bangs brought mainstream for broader. The short fringe once considered very avant-garde is now considered a modern elegant trend. Very short fringes are suitable on short foreheads and a little longer on high foreheads to cut a bit of the length of the face. Fringes also look great on the popular softer pixie cuts and the trendy rock crop, a variation of the pixie. The rock crop is much shorter on the sides and on the back with a variation of lengths on the top. Different shapes of pixies and crops will allow you to play around with waves, curls, and messed-up texture. Going with short locks can be a very brave commitment asks one of our XEX stylists to which shape will be more suitable for you. Decide whether you want to add roundness to your features or if you would like to narrow your face with a layered crop. Cropped and bobs, done with a boxy shape are more of an avant-garde style while texture layers and channel cutting or razor to remove weight will create a unstructured laid back relaxed vibe into your look. These short hairstyles will help you combat split ends, unmanageable texture and monotony.
For mid length hair we are seeing the revival of the flopper bob with a twist. Instead of finger waves, the 2012 look is tousled, mildly disheveled, a lot of texture and added care free sexiness. To ensenuate the texture we have seen a return to the perm which now we call texture wave. The texture wave is much softer and creates less stress on the hair, avoiding breakage of the past, and maintains softness to the hair with improve conditioning solutions.
In 2012, long hair is defined by minimalism and natural beauty and elegance. The sporting life is also a popular theme, with styles that look fresh from the ocean with wet looks and toussel outdoor with ponytails, braids, twists, or glamorous soft waves and bouncy blowouts. Knots and twists having a bit of an edge are also chic. The center parts are a revival from the 70s and long fringes can be worn also on the side more than ever. Longer is so versatile and worn in unlimited variation from short, long or medium fringes depending what is more suitable to your face shape choice. One of our XEX stylist can suggest to you the best choices!
Long layers look fabulous on long hair and will allow you to benefit from an enormous amount of versatility. The best thing about long layers is that they offer the same benefit for curly, wavy, or straight hair creating volume and a relaxed look. If your hair is poker straight then we recommend a texture wave wear rather than having the curl. Start from the top of the head we drop it down and create no demarcation from straight to wave which is different than the “stack perm” of the 70. We leave the fringes straight.
Update your stylish haircut with a dazzling new color. Put a different spin on the traditional hair coloring trends and combine your base tone with a bright and beautiful one. Add a little bit of your personality to your new hairstyle by choosing a unique color that enhances your skin tone and your new look, so you can underline best your individuality.
Multi-tonal hair color looks awesome!! Highlights when placed in the fringe section will attract immediate attention. If you are into subtle looks, place highlights in the lower layers.
Should be natural looking this season and create a shiny look and inject vitality into your strands. For a suitable look, on the other end you can experiment with loud hues which radiate a modern edge and adventurous attitude.
Technique is perfect to experiment with bright color trends. Various tones can help you create the impression of thick and voluminous tresses.
Has been popping upon red carpets for more than a year and it’s a great option for brunettes creating gradual shade from dark to light.
Is the perfect shade between blonde and brunette. It was first made popular in 2007 by supermodel Giselle bundchen and remains popular in 2012.
Is taking the country’s salons by storm and works on all hair colors, but especially great on blondes with a beautiful base.
Remains popular this year. Keeping hair this blonde is high maintenance and won’t suit all skin tones. Women with cool skin tones look great with and this color service will create a lot of volume to the hair. If you have super pale skin and brown hair, consider going lighter around the face wither by adding some highlights pointed or foiled in.
If your hair is thick, texture, corkscrew curls this is the perfect time to embrace them, to enhance them. The influence of the 70s fashion means there is no better time to go with the fro. Bushy spirals can be faded with caramel highlights for a more striking effect, a perfect color variation suitable for all seasons.
The latest trend for Nails: nude is in!! After all the neon and odd ball colors the emphasis is on pretty, cream and beige shades. Being Spring, there is bright moments to be enjoyed but it’s all about reds, chic corals, soft pastels, and mellow yellow mixed with cool ombre and metallic designs.
The 2012 for men hairstyles is about exploring true masculinity edge. The slicked back undercut is a classic haircut revived, once for the old, stylish gents, the side parted, slicked hairstyles have become just as much a look for the young. Natural, but no less stylish short waves and curls hairstyles are cut shorter on the sides with longer lengths on the top. The length will come down to what suits you best, and our stylists at XEX can help you. Brit rock indie looks are also very popular. Inspired by British bands, this style has nearly one rule, sweep the hair forward, the length choice is whatever suits you best. Long hair has also become popular in the last year with a lot of texture, shagged outsides lines to create a carefree look but still a definite style.
Hair is all about revivals and evolution. The trend of 2010 are still popular in 2011 with the evolution been a diversification of length rather than shape.
Haircuts
Haircuts are all about revivals of 60’s influence on short hair and mid lengths influenced by the 70’s.
Fringe/Bangs
Fringe/Bangs are more popular than ever and still worn thick, blunt either long and swept on or off the eyes with a messy neo bohemian grungy edge or with a 60, or straight and sleek, elegant but still natural. Fringe is always great in the evolution of a mid length bob.
Short Crop
A Pixie crop with a longer fringe is the evolution from the popular 60’s look, the short fringe, heavy short but wispy will still be very chic.
Bob
As the longer Bob creeps its way into our hair trends for fall and winter 2011-2012. Another variation is arising as a result. Of longer length: The waved bob, most suited to everyday, casual, textured look. Texture wave is a great service required to achieve this look. For limp fine hair creates volume and wave. On thick hair a change from straight hair to a more care free, wash and go look. Bob’s this season is either short above the ears on the side and very short taper on the back, with the variety of lengths for the fringe. What is new is the mid length bob shoulder length,with fringes, softer rounded lines inspire from the 70’s and volume on the crown inspired from the 60’s.
Razor Cuts
There is also the return to razor cuts on a variety of length either to remove bulk on thick hair, or to create a very unstructured effect in the interior and perimeter line of diverse styles.
Long Hairstyles
There’s been a fixation of late for hair trends for long hair to have an effortless appeal to them. The double hair knot builds on that appeal or half braided hairstyles worn with an effortless attitude. Also half up Brigette Bardot Bouffant hairstyles half up half down as sexy or as sleek as you want to make it, it’s one that sits perfectly with the years fashion, suited as a day or night look.
Extensions
Extensions are always very popular if you like instant added length or want to try different colored highlights varying from extremes color to natural shades without the chemical service treatment.
Keratin Treatment
Keratin treatments are still very popular to achieve a very shiny healthy look, and to control unwanted frizz and unruly curl.
Afro Hair
If you hair types leans to thick corscrew curls then 2011 is the perfect time to embrace them, and to enhance them. Forget the straightening irons and chemical treatments, the influence of the 70’s fashion means there is no better time to go with the “fro” For a more striking effect, spirals faded through with Carmel highlights are a trendy look.
Colors
The focus on color trends for 2011-2012 are head turning dramatic shades. White blondes/ platinum blondes are one of the particularly strong looks.
Red heads
Red heads being a rare hair color puts this into their own exclusive group. Darker Auburns on olive skin , and lighter reds against pale skin. Pale porcelain skin will almost always work as a treat with red hair particularly if your eyes are green or blue. This is a great winter look. Women with freckles and bronzed skin are the perfect neo reds. Go for lighter reds like neutral tone coppers.
Blondes
If you are going to change your color and want to opt to set you apart of the crowd consider a white blonde, golden tones are still popular for a more subtle feel.
Mens
The men’s fringe is the dominant hair trend for the gents. Straight fringes swept on the side, the wet fringe created with pomades, messy on curly hair, a rocker look is also very popular. From short to long men hairstyles and fun and natural, and the choice of the length is what suits your lifestyles best. Also for a more conservative look the slick back look been a trend in 2010 is still popular in this season as seen on Ralf Lauren catalogues.
Fall is in full swing here in Chicago. The season for fresh produce and flowers is drawing to a close, and as disheartening as that realization is, I’m extremely excited for falling leaves and layering up. Although the weather is still temperate during the daylight hours, I’ve fished my winter coats and fall accessories out of the basement in preparation for the approaching cold weather. Here are some of my favorite fall items:
1. Zara parka
2. J.Crew sequined bell skirt
3. Rifle Paper Co. card set
4. Chloe perfume (I sample this fragrance nearly every time I visit Sephora)
5. Les Khakis de Chanel nail polish (these are selling fast, so get yours while they’re still available)
6. Karen Dalton’s It’s So Hard To Tell Who’s Going to Love You the Best (only available on vinyl)
7. Anthropologie booties
8. Stila convertible color in Peony
The Zara parka and Chanel nail polish fall in line with the military chic trend that I’ve been seeing everywhere lately. Although I used to have issues mixing blacks, browns, and greens, new military inspired pieces have made it stylish to do so. An olive parka, black tights, and brown booties (e.g. Anthropologie’s well-weathered booties, pictured above)? Adorable. I also love the abundance of sequined pieces I’ve seen this season. Unfortunately, this particular sequined skirt is currently out of stock on the website but is still available in select stores (I spied some at the Lincoln Park location this past week).
I can firmly stand behind three of my fall favorites: Sephora’s convertible color, Karen Dalton’s It’s So Hard To Tell…, and Rifle Paper Co.’s card set. Sephora’s convertible color is the perfect cosmetic item to throw in your bag before you leave the house. It serves as a blush, lipstick, and an eyeshadow. I always keep mine in my purse to give myself a little added color after a long day of riding the L. Karen Dalton’s debut record It’s So Hard To Tell… from 1969 is an essential record for the fall season. I’ve been spinning it daily in my living room. It’s perfect for unwinding after work or relaxing on the weekend. All items found on Rifle Paper Co.’s web store make great gifts and are ideal for dropping a line to loved ones. Based out of Winter Park, FL, Rifle Paper Co. specializes in paper goods and is available to customize wedding and event announcements. Wouldn’t you love for them to design announcements for a Thanksgiving feast or a holiday party?
At XEX Hair Gallery, we are consistently reminded of the uniqueness of functional art. Our hair salon is also the only US distributor of Darra Functional Art, a line of unique art pieces created by a father and son team from Venice, Italy.
Some of the most popular Darra pieces are their custom-made belt buckles and necklaces. These items have become so popular because of their ability to add a unique flavor to even the most basic outfit. You will get noticed wearing a t-shirt and jeans if you accessorize with a beautiful handmade Murano glass belt.
We are huge fans of Darra at XEX, but there are many other exceptional artists providing creative jewelry and fashion accessories. A couple of weekends the Renegade Craft Fair here in Chicago was a great testament to that fact. Division Street was full of people excited to find unique clothes, accessories and jewelry. We live in a city that embraces the artist. Accessorizing with handmade items is a great way of supporting their work while establishing your unique style.
To see more Darra jewelry and accessory pieces, stop by XEX Hair Gallery at 35 West Wacker Drive in the Leo Burnett Building. Check out Etsy and Renegade Handmade for other great options.
Keratin Complex Hair Therapy offers beautifully straight hair therapy with damage control sealed in. Eliminating up to ninety-five percent of frizz and curl from the hair. It will rejuvenate the hair, giving it the soft, silky feel that everyone is raving about. It is “skin care for your hair.” And unlike other salon services, the more you treat your hair, the healthier it becomes. With each treatment, the build-up of Keratin makes the hair: