Seasonal Tips
Damien Carney's Summer Trend Watch
Pretty, polished ponies; voluminous, bouncy curves, and edgy, rock-n-roll crops
comprise three of the summer's top trends in hairstyles, according to Joico International Creative Director
Damien Carney. After assessing the catwalks,
notable international ad campaigns like Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein and high-
impact celebrities like Pink and Rihanna, Carney concludes, "These are the
hairstyle trends, but I always stress that modern trends are meant to be elastic.
Adapt them to your age, your hair type, your personal style. That, I believe is the
most refreshing approach to beauty."Many runways this season featured very simple looks, says Damien, with hair pulled away from the face. "When the hair doesn't crowd the face," he says, "it instantly creates a fresh, young, innocent, 'I slept well' effect. Whenever I need to add spark to a hairstyle, I pull it away from the face." Right now, Damien loves youthful, groomed ponies and buns, and what makes them particularly modern, he says, is the foundational texture. "Dry the hair so that it's smooth and polished, but with plenty of body and bounce," he advises. "Velcro or heated rollers, or the Joico K-PAK ReconstRx Vapor Iron will a smooth finish that's curved at the ends." Another trendy touch? Use a tail comb to create a deep side part before gathering up the hair. "Low side partings are sexy and strong!" Damien declares.
Damien's tip: Tame summer flyaways with K-PAK Protect & Shine Serum or Smoothing Balm, followed by K-PAK Protective Hairspray. Rub the serum or balm into palms and run hands lightly over the surface of the hair.
Forties pin-up models like Betty Grable struck the perfect balance between sex kitten allure and girl-next-door approachability, and that's the overall effect of this hair trend, says Damien. Start with soft body, created with a classic roller set, then brush through with a firm brush like a Mason Pearson to loosen the curls. Next, gently pull the top portion of the hair to the top of the head and secure loosely with plenty of volume on top. "This look should be interpreted casually," notes Damien, "otherwise it can look a bit too retro."
Damien's tip: Prep hair for roller sets with a product that gives hair "grip" like K-PAK Thermal Design Foam. "This product is always in my tool kit," says Damien. "It contains a mild setting agent that gives you hold, but it also lets you manipulate the hair." If hair is fine and needs even more "bite," try Joico Design Collection Texture Spray. It's lightweight, so it won't cause fine strands to collapse, but it provides plenty of style support. "Feel free to layer it on," adds Damien, "if you need more style strength."
With high profile performers like Pink and Rihanna, it's all about fearless experimentation with haircuts and haircolors, and that's the trend takeaway, says Damien. "Many women," he adds, "are embracing this fun, frivolous approach to hair." What makes frequent changes possible, he reveals, is proportion-short on the sides and in the back, and longer on top. With this shape, the possibilities are endless. What's more, it works on all types and textures of hair. "With the right technique, you can reduce the bulk in thick hair or give fine hair more substance and strength," he says.
Damien's tip: To delicately dress and define longer lengths, nothing tops the Joico Design Collection Spray Wax. It produces a casual, tumbled and tousled effect. "With this, as with most styling products," Damien reveals, "I prefer to apply it onto my hands rather than directly onto the hair. I rub it into my palms and then work it into strands. This technique lets me target my application, and it looks more natural on the hair."
