The revival of touchable, romantic hair as distinguished by shapely curls is the thing for spring. Women may either let their long locks flow for a gentle touch or pile up the tresses on top of the head for an elegant look.
According to Anthony Linzalone, Rave creative stylist, "Women are coming into the salon now and asking for the runway looks - the up-dos, the finger waves - not necessarily because they are trendy but because they are beautiful and romantic."Many women are looking for perfect ringlets, layers that don't just hang in the face but frame it like a piece of art. Subtle layers and pretty textures are being combined with the hope of creating elegance in hair styling. Women with curly hair are expected to be tossing aside straightening brushes and blow dryers and letting their curls hang freely.
Stylists are saying, though, that all this cascading and piling of hair does not mean that hair cannot be controlled. Linzalone says, "Styling products will be big this year, because these styles can easily be ruined by things like frizz, static and errant strands."
Beautiful up-dos can be held with a spot-styling spray, and curls can be molded to be smooth and uniform in shape, also with sprays. Linzalone says, "Women with natural curls are in luck this season, but even women with straight hair can achieve the look. Curls are great day and night; and with a little styling know-how and good products, curls can mean built-in style."
According to Gordon Nelson, Regis' International creative director, a superb haircut is the foundation of a look and ought to offer a low-maintenance, day-to-day style. Most women undoubtedly prefer some flexibility in their haircuts - the ability to wear different finishes for different occasions. Nelson recommends that women ask their hairstylists to show them alternative looks during the haircut.
As a case in point, Nelson used the same model and created several finished styles out of a shoulder-length cut, with subtle, long layering and the addition of an almost non-existent fringe. The result was a very unstructured, natural look, allowing an easy change from one style to the next.
Even celebrities, whose styles are often emulated by the general population, are turning to curls, as symbolized by Nicole Kidman's cherubic curls and porcelain beauty.
In the recently announced "Best Tressed Celebrities" survey by Sally Beauty Supply in conjunction with Yankelovich Surveys, one thousand men and women across America were telephoned randomly.
Michelle Pfeiffer, whose signature soft do is emulated by many women, was selected as the No. 1 choice for "Movie Actress With the Best Hairstyle"; with Demi Moore, as seen recently in "The Juror" and "Striptease," in second place because of her full, flowing dark mane.
Sharon Stone was next, followed by the long, soft mane of Sandra Bullock and the curly, newly blonde locks of Julia Roberts.
The winning actress for the best hairstyle in television was Courtney Cox, one of the stars of "Friends," whose soft, dark, classical style is so popular, while Jennifer Aniston, also of "Friends," was second for her longer "Rachel do" - and "Seinfield"'s Julia Louis-Dreyfuss came in third for her dark, loose curls.
Soft curls are everywhere.