You remember what my hair looked like before. Long, boring, brown. All one length with sad little blondish highlights poorly spaced throughout. I was terrified of cutting it or darkening it or lightening or doing anything to it other than waking up in the morning, washing it, drying it, straightening it, and waiting for it to look fabulous. Enter the geniuses at Sally Hershberger downtown New York.
My "Before" hair...
Matt Fugate, one of their super-star stylists, agreed to help lift me out of my hair rut with a fabulous cut. At the sight of me, he and his colleague Justin Jensen decided I needed a color overhaul too. Who knew, though, that subtle changes in color and texture could make such a crazy difference? Even this beauty writer was totally overwhelmed. And yet, I feel like myself… only prettier.
Want your hair to undergo a similarly seamless spring transition? Start by bringing in a photo of someone whose hair is similar in texture and color to your own, but it’s just all around better. I brought this one of Natalie Portman. Discuss what you like (in my case, long hair) and what you need (something more modern, something that doesn’t hide my face). Matt suggested we cut only what we needed to for the sake of the split ends at the back, but then at the front he created some gorgeous long layers to frame my face. He also cut the hair so I can wear it parted to the side for everyday, and amp up the sex appeal at night with a cool middle part and a flat iron. The style also compliments my natural waves, something my old one-length look was not accomplishing.
For the color, Justin hand painted highlights throughout, focusing where the sun would naturally lighten the hair. Ask your stylist to utilize this technique rather than the typical slop-foil-slop-foil routine. It might mean going to someone with more specialized training, but the end result is a natural color look that will grow in beautifully. I am obsessed with my hair and owe a HUGE thank you to Sally Hershberger and these two hair magicians. Next time you’re in the NYC area, you should book yourself an appointment. I should mention you can buy her hair products on hsn.com now! They all work wonders and smell delicious. The bright, punchy packaging isn’t half bad, either. So, now the big reveal… What do you think of my “after”??
The moral of this urban hair story is, sometimes it takes some major adjustments from your comfort zone, but with a few tweaks and a REALLY good team of experts, you can brighten and pretty up your hair without a massive overhaul or any more split ends to speak of.
About Jenny