hair

Stevie Nicks

by Amber on June 11, 2010 in Notebook

Do not sharpen this image in Photoshop under any circumstances. So. much. texture. It almost makes me dizzy. That said, I’m regretting tossing my ancient crimping iron in the trash while moving house last weekend. Look what could have been!

{ 0 comments }

French Braids

by Amber on April 27, 2010 in Notebook

For the last three years or so, the fashion world has been braid crazy. Now, plaits have just gotten even wilder, with this concept from French hair stylists Studio Marisol, in conjunction with the Spanish creative agency CuldeSac.

Hair bonnets, obviously the next step up from Lady Gaga’s hair bows. I like them a lot! The images are part of a promotion for ‘Crazy Hair’, a styling workshop to be held at Domaine de Boisbuchet in August.

[via dezeen]

{ 2 comments }

RAPUNZEL, RAPUNZEL

by Amber on July 26, 2009 in Style

Out the windowLongest

locks

Lookbook

Let down your hair, let down your hair! Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.

I’m not cutting my hair until January. At least. I want long locks, I want braids, I want hair blowing in the breeze. I’ve had extensions before but they’re not for summer. Trust me on that one. So growing it is… It’s finally down to my shoulders, after being chopped off in January.

Flowing locks please. By Christmas, if not for Christmas.

{ 3 comments }

UP, DOWN, BANG BANG

by Amber on May 3, 2009 in Notebook

Totally self indulgent style meditation ahead! I’m facing a similar quandary to Samantha over at Missbehave. That is – to fringe or not to fringe? Dilemma!

Right now it’s at that awkward stage; locks mincing past my eyebrows but not quite long enough to keep off my face without being pinned. Comparison (obvs. I will trim the hair curtain if bangs triumph):

haircut

I’ve been committed to the fringe for just over a year… ever since that spur of the moment cut at a bubblegum pink salon in Melbourne. Fringe pros include covering my prematurely aging forehead (I screw up my face a lot) and zits. Fringe cons – I find the face frame devours a lot more time when I’m getting ready.

What do you think? I really can’t decide! Or is it time to go with the undercut? Don’t worry, I’m kidding. Kind of.

{ 11 comments }

UNDERCUT TILL IT BLEEDS

by Amber on March 29, 2009 in Notebook

Alice Dellal

Alice Dellal

Alice Dellal

Alice Dellal

Alice Dellal. I hear you have a story, and that’s cool, everyone does. All I really care about is your hair. It makes me want an undercut. In any case, I’m growing it l-o-n-g. None of this short business any more.

{ 4 comments }

DRESS CODE: LATE SPRING 21-11-08

by Amber on November 23, 2008 in Notebook

Late spring. Standing in the dappled light of my front porch. Or, of my verandah as we say around here. The differences in language use between various English-speaking nations really become apparent when you start putting things out on the Internet for consumption, as opposed to just observing.

It’s a wonderful thing though, especially as a writer, you get to tap into a vocabulary well deeper than you ever imagined. A few examples of the variations I love are:

Candy – sweets – lollies. Bodega – convenience store – dairy. Popsicle – ice lolly – iceblock. Comforter – doona – duvet.

But most of all… I love fringe – bangs – iron curtain of hair! This is what started all my musing – isn’t it funny how the two words are completely unrelated? From what I understand fringe was the original term, then bangs developed colloquially, from a use of the adverb bang – meaning abruptly. It obviously stuck. Anyway, here is my new fringe in action:

i have a fringe!

+ Tempt blue dress
+ Levi black jeans
+ Silver canvas plimsolls (shock, from the Warehouse)

hair

;)

pinky

There seems to be about 20 different shade of pink & purple in my hair. If I was to step into full sunlight you’d see a halo of magenta around my crown. Anyway, bangs are fun – it’s amazing how different they can make you look.

Rather a lot of thinking and commentary for an outfit that ended up being very pared back. I guess I’m just fascinated by language and culture. How about yourself -  are you a fringe or bangs kind of cat?

{ 0 comments }

Breathless, Effortless

by Amber on November 19, 2008 in Notebook

I am having my hair cut tonight at my beloved Blaze, and sought inspiration. I found it in the gorgeous Jean Seberg, who has rocking the blond pixie crop long before any “name” models. Casually cool, tousle and go… Sigh, unfortunately this will not work for me, now or in the future, much to my dismay. I think I will leave it up to the hairdressing gods!

What’s your dream haircut, attainable or otherwise?

{ 2 comments }

Blazing Hot Hair

by Amber on June 3, 2008 in Notebook

“Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself” :: Hubert de Givenchy, Vogue, July 1985

Blaze Hair

And a good tip-off to a great hairdresser is often a cohesive and stylish brand. A week or so ago I had the pleasure of getting my hair styled at Blaze. It’s a hair salon that offers the complete package: from a fun and easy website, to the super friendly staff (who make great coffees) and the glossy easter coloured interior (designed by Katie Lockhart).

What initially attracted me to them was the strong sense of overall design investment, and then I was completely seduced when I discovered the complete offer. It’s the little touches that count – like a design library with Eames chairs, a brand book and a dinky little members key chain.

Blaze Hair

I am also very impressed by the scheme they have with (oh-my-gosh) shoe designer Kathryn Wilson to show off her kicks (all the Blaze stylists wear them). Clever elements and a strong sense of direction pay off when it comes to building brand awareness, for both parties in this situation!

And finally, after all my oohing and intellectual ahhing, I got a great cut from Kelly. Elegant yet easy care, the result was fantastic. Hurrah for Blaze, it’s awesome to see small independent brands being considered at every touch point. I’ll be back and I recommend! Even if you’re not in Auckland, the Blaze Hair website is worth having a look at for latest trends and an interesting look book.

BLAZE, 350 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland.

{ 1 comment }