Styling tips from guest blogger Laura Reid

Brown Sugar Senior Stylist and L’Oréal I.D artist, Laura Reid, is our guest blogger for today! Laura has been working closely with L’Oréal this past year for the I.D Artist programme, running workshops with her I.D artist team, in Manchester, which is then brought back to each I.D artist’ region. The 2012 collection is focused on ‘retro nouveau’ – a new twist on 50s and 60s classic iconic styles. Laura wowed the crowd, on Monday night when she displayed the collection in Dublin during the L’Oréal Catwalk Showcase, pictured below.

Laura has come on board today, to lend her expert advice on this seasons biggest trends, offering styling tips and tricks to take note of for perfecting some of her favourite  hair styles!

Prepping

“When styling hair I always tend to blast a cocktail mix of L’Oreal techni art Pli and playball texture tonic into clean dry hair, as this mixture makes hair feel like a fabric allowing it to become very malleable. From there, possibilities are endless” says Laura.

Top Knot-tastic

Coating the hair with this cocktail mix works great fo one of the hottest trends to come straight off the catwalk, the top-knot. When trying out this look “secure the hair in a bobbin at the crown of the head, lightly back-brush the hair and pin into place.” says Laura. Due to the coating of products in the hair, you shouldn’t need a sponge to complete this look…

Bouncy blow-dry effect

Another trick of Laura’s while generously coating the hair with Pli and playball texture is to set the hair – “pop down to your nearest Penneys (Primark) and pick up a a pack of velcro rollers, which will set you back a mere €2, pop them in the hair, (which ever way suits you best), heat them up with a hair dryer on medium heat, allow to cool completely before remoive and voilá, you have a gorgeous bouncy blow-dry effect.”

Whats trending

“Grown out bangs are a big trend this season, Cheryl Cole and Nicole Richie have perfected this look, framed fringes around the eyes give a mysterious retro sex appeal – consider this trying this look, if you’re in the business for the new style” says Laura.

Laura works her magic in Brown Sugar flagship salon in South William Street. Love her tips? Drop in to the salon, she would be more then happy to discuss any of the above with you… 

Aimee Penco, James Coleman, Laura Reid, MD Mark O’Keeffe, John Cheese

Cold Weather Hair Care Tips From Colour Technician Mark Byrne

Mark Byrne, senior colour technician in our flagship salon in South William Street, has been colouring hair for over ten years. Mark’s colouring skills are second-to-none and have seen him go on to give inspirational training for the L’Oreal academy, among other things.

Mark has lent his expertise to us, to offer his top five tips for keeping your tresses in check during the cold winter snap. Many women would imagine summer to be the most damaging to hair, but in fact, snow, sleet and rain can wreak havoc on your locks. Try these few Autumn/Winter hair care tips for keeping your maine in great shape throughout the colder months…

1: At Home Essentials 

“Home care is essential and would be at the top of my list for keeping your hair healthy during the cold snap” says Mark. “Investing in a good shampoo and conditioner is key, I would recommend Kérastase or Serie Expert which will help to lock in moisture that is sapped from the air during the colder months”.

2: Regular Cuts

Many clients query why having regular trims is really beneficial to having healthy hair, Marks explains; “regular cuts or light trims every 6-8 weeks help to avoid split ends before they occur” says Mark, “split ends give the appearance of frizzy, dry, uncared for hair which will look severely worse during the winter months”

3: Cutting Down On Heat

Another useful tip from Mark is to cut down on the use of hair tools like blow dryers, wands, curling thongs, straighteners which all draw ever more moisture out of your hair! Mark’s advice is to “limit the use of heated hair tools to just weekends or special occasions”.

4:  Protecting Your Locks!

Tying hair up daily and wearing rough textured fabrics throughout the colder months can be detrimental to hair pulling out around the hairline or causing damage or breakage – Marks advice if you are going to wear fabrics around your tresses “opt for wool hats or silky scarves with a non-rough texture, and ensure hair is completely dry before donning a hat, if your hair is even slightly damp you will be setting it flat against your head as it dries”

5: Treatments

“Kérastase elixir is the worst kept secret in the industry, but for good reason, this hair treatment is the holy-grail of beautifying oil treatments” says Mark. Kérastase elixir now available for three different hair types, including colour-treated hair. “Elixir Ultime adds a triple whammy of moisture after shampooing and conditioning hair”

 

Our Gift, To You…

Call us crazy, but we’re begining to feel in the spirit of giving already! Christmas isn’t for another couple of months, but to kick off the spirit of things we wanted to ‘treat’ our customers.

Our gift to you during October, is a FREE goodie bag worth €55, which includes Serie Expert Shampoo & Conditioner, Kohl Lipgloss and in-salon treatment.

All you need to do is book in and have your cut and colour done during October with Brown Sugar and we will treat you to this great goodie bag.

Book in your appointment now to avoid disappointment. Contact Jill on (01) 6169967

Terms & Conditions Apply

T&Cs

– Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer

– Promotion cannot be used in conjunction with Brown Sugar loyalty card and redemption for loyalty stamps

– Products not cash refundable

– Credit Card required to hold booking

– One goodie bag per booking

– Promotion exists only on full cut and colour services

– Existing discounts cannot be used in conjunction with this promotion

 

Jennifer Lil Buckley – Senior Stylist

We would like to welcome back Senior Stylist Jennifer Lil Buckley to our team. Jennifer has been busy in the UK, taking the hairdressing scene by storm.

Jennifer jetted to London and trained with the best in Vidal Sassoon, where she was top of her class and awarded ‘student of the year’ – an honour which was last bestowed five years ago! Suffice to say, this award was big deal, as the Sassoon academy take this prestigious award very seriously, carefully selecting the winners whom they feel went over and above their expectations.

Jennifer enjoyed working on high profile fashion shoots with magazines such as, Glam Cult and British GQ. She also worked on a London Fashion Week video for menswear designer Alan Taylor and also assisted on Alan’s lookbook and shows.

During her time in Sassoon, Jennifer was thought by the best Creative Directors, Daniel McCourt and Joshua Gibson.

Jennifer has always excelled during her time here with Brown Sugar and we are excited to have her part of the team once again.

Vidal Sasson Top Of Class, prize goes to…

Elle Intern 2012

Elle Intern 2012

Bitish GQ Shoot…

London Fashion Week SS13

Dozens of designers showed their collections for Spring/Summer 2013 during London Fashion Week! Check out some of our highlights from LFW which ends today…

A model wears a design from the Philip Treacy Spring/Summer 2013 collection during London Fashion Wee

A model showcases designs on the catwalk by Pam Hogg on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

Models showcase designs on the catwalk by Michael van der Ham on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013, at The Topshop Venue

A model showcases designs on the catwalk by Philip Treacy on day 3 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

A model prepares backstage ahead of the Christopher Kane show on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

Kate Nash and Noomi Rapace (C, L) attend the front row for the Mark Fast show on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013,

A model showcases designs on the catwalk by Philip Treacy on day 3 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

A model showcases designs on the catwalk by Giles on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

Designer Vivienne Westwood walks on the catwalk by Vivienne Westwood Red Label on day 3 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

Pixie Lott and Kelly Brook attend the front row for the Mark Fast show on day 4 of London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013

Rock royalty Tali Lennox gives us a dose of her unique style while she waits for one of the most star-studded shows of London Fashion Week – Burberry – in this tweed skirt, graphic stripe tee and baker boy cap. How cool?

A model wears a design from the Philip Treacy Spring/Summer 2013 collection during London Fashion Week

Marios Schwab – The make up look created by MAC was “Cher meets American Indian”, with fierce tribal liner applied under eyes and layered up with liner and powder to create a velvety graphic finish.

Kinder Aggugini – L’Oreal Professionel created textured tousled hair inspired by Natasha Kinski’s beauty from the earlier years – very natural, effortless and playful

4 great hair trends to try…

1. Braided Up Style

Work a new season updo by incorporating some loose braids into your hair. Braid back your fringe for something simple or go all out and create an intricate braided updo at the back

 

2. Sophisticated Twists

From Gucci to Valentino, the runways have been packed with elegant and sophisticated twist hairstyles. Leave your hair out and twist your fringe back for something a bit bohemian.

3. Precision Ponytails

Tell everybody you mean business by tying your hair into a sleek, tight ponytail. It’s a look that has been popular on the runways and can easily be translated into real life. You could part your hair deep to one side and secure low at the neck, or pull hair back and up into a high ponytail. Get the straightening iron and hair product ready for this ‘do!

4. Pastel Tips

Pastel coloured tips are still enjoying their time in the limelight. It’s become one of the most popular new hair trends, and if you haven’t already tried it then now is the time to give it a go. You don’t have to choose a permanent colour as there are temporary and wash-out options available. Admittedly, this trend is easier achieved on lighter hair.

3 unique braids, we’re loving…

1. Venice Hippie – Best for long, wavy hair. 

Step 1: Make a side ponytail at the nape of your neck.
Step 2: Separate it into two sections, leaving out a long 1″ piece underneath.
Step 3: Take the 1″ piece and wrap it in a figure 8 pattern around each of the two ponytail sections.
Step 4: Each time you pull the 1″ piece through the middle, add a bit of hair from the ponytails (similar to how a French braiding technique). This keeps you from running out of hair to wrap around the ponytails.
Step 5: Secure with a clear elastic and shape the braid with your fingers.
Step 6: Set with strong-hold hairspray

NY Chic – Best for any lenght, straight or wavy.

Step 1: Make a slight side part.
Step 2: Do a tiny (and we mean tiny!) French braid from the scalp down the side of your head. (If it’s going awry, start over. This time, find and work with the section of hair that falls naturally where you want the braid. Braid in that direction.)
Step 3: Pin the braid in place a few inches above your ear.

Bohomenian Princess – Best for long, wavy or curly hair.

Step 1: Imagine your hair separated into four quarters. Grab 2-inch sections from the top, left, and right sides; then pull them back toward the crown of your head to see how the hair best lays against your head. This is the direction in which you’ll want to braid it.
Step 2: Starting 1 inch from your hairline, braid each side back and secure with a clear elastic.
Step 3: Cross the braids in the back and tuck the ends under to form a “wreath.” Secure ends with bobby pins.
Step 4 (optional): For a more glamorous look, wrap the rest of your hair into a bun.
Step 5: Control flyaways by setting with strong-hold hairspray.

8 Steps To Festival Make Up…

With Ireland’s biggest festival about to make waves this weekend, here are our 8 steps to festival make up.

1: Cleansing & Toning Wipes – Keeping up your usual make up regime will be hard in a field, so instead, invest in some wipes to keep up your good work. Simply use them when you go to sleep, and your skin will continue looking great!

2: Concealer – The law of festivals says you’ll get a horrible spot on the worst possible day, so go prepared.

3: Bronzing Powder – Nobody wants to be the pale one in the photographs, so give your skin some colour and definition with a bronzing powder

4: Eye Shadow – The key to festival make up is to avoid bright colours, and look like a natural beauty. So, its time to invest in some seriously good nude make up!

5: Waterproof Mascara – Waterproof mascara is a must have for festivals!

6: Lip Gloss – Natural make up calls for a good gloss during the day, which will last without needing to be constantly reapplied, invest in one before you start your adventure.

7: Eye Liner – Next on the list is eyeliner. Once the daytime acts are over and you are making your way to the private parties and VIP areas, you’ll need a bit more oomph, that is where eye liner comes in!

8: Foundation – Using foundation everyday isn’t good for the skin, and most people don’t need too, but by the end of the festival your skin might be looking a little tired. Take a mini bottle of foundation to pep it up if you need too, and you won’t look washed out in the photos.

Autumn Hair & Beauty

From a flirty pink flush to a bright cerulean wink, a pretty spectrum of attention-demanding hues takes center stage with this season’s hottest hair and makeup trends.

A soft gray smoky eye paired with a glossy burgundy lip portrays gothic elegance and dark romance, for the look at Viktor & Rolf.

At Michael Kors, a soft pink flush bloomed both on the runway and off. It’s the look after a morning of skiing, an hour in a hot tub!

PAIR WITH

A bun. For sleek sophistication, coil braids around an elastic and set with bobby pins, like Murenu did at Max Mara.

MOST POPULAR: BORDEAUX LIPS Seen At: Badgley Mischka, YSL, Gucci, Etro, Rochas, Viktoy & Rolf

Meet…

Liam Boland

Liam is Brown Sugar’s newest addition to our ever-growing family, he has been in the industry for over 25 years and has been an artistic director for 15 of those! He has spent the last 8-10 years perfecting his trade working in a salon London.

Some of Liam’s clientelle have included supermodel Kate Moss, Spice Girls Melanie C, Geri Halliwell and movie starlet Jennifer Love Hewitt! Liam has also leant his expertise to numerous London Fashion Week shows and New York Fashion Week.

Top-Tip from Liam: “Don’t be afraid to bring pictures with you to your appointment or consultation, this will aid in achieveing the exact result you are looking for without crossing wires with you stylist”

Liam favourite product to use in salon is Shu Uemura Volume Maker which is a precision hair powder brush that gives instant root lift, texture and body! It also helps to refresh any blow-dry for long lasting hairstyles, invisible powder works on all hair colours.

Liam is a senior stylist in Brown Sugar and will be alternating between our South William Street Salon and Blackrock salon.

Liam is a senior stylist here in Brown Sugar and will divide his time between our South William Street salon and sister salon in Blackrock.