This article is a supplement to the first version of Tips from a Cosmetologist, which was written to bring an understanding of the hair's structure and what affects it. This portion talks about the artistry in hairstyling and how to achieve it. Many fine hair dressers are men because of their love for art and style when it comes to hair. Unmistakeably, women do hair well too but when it comes to coiffing the rich and famous the homage is given to men as the hair stars. This is because hair is taken to another level - art. Famous hair dressers such as Christiaan, Frederick Fekkai, Julien d'Ys and ahhhh, there's a woman - Annu Prestonia of Khamit Kinks creates fantasy, poetry and philosophy on one's main (Collins, 1995). They are not the conventional beauty school students but tress gurus who have worked their magic on well known people such as: Claudia Schiffer, Nicole Kidman, Linda Evangelista, Andy Warhol, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Angela Bassett, and Janet Jackson respectively.
Hair can be made into art that is worn on the head. Sometimes a hairstyle can only last a day while others can last up to 2 weeks. Therefore from the artists' perspective the elements of design are considered . These 5 elements are: form, space, line, texture and color (Milady, 2000).
Form
Form shows the silhouette and symmetry of the hairstyle or how is outlined. For example, if you look at the silhouette through a shadow, you can actually see the form in one dimension. The form can also let one know if the hairstyle is proportionate or even on both sides and should also add symmetry to the person's face shape, neck and features. A short hair makes a long neck look longer and a long hair makes a short neck look shorter. Hair that is pushed back in a pony tail makes a prominent nose even more noticeable. These are just some examples when gauging the perfect coif.
Space
Space is also considered the volume of the hairstyle. It is the length, width, and depth of the hairstyle. How much space is left between the scalp and form of the hair? Is it too flat on a small head or is there too much volume on someone with a head that is already too big? The head shape helps determine how much space or volume the hairstyle will need. For instance, a person with a flat head in the back will need volume in the back in order to make the hairstyle flattering to the face and head or add what’s missing to create the perfect balance between face and head.
Line
The line of the hairstyle causes the eye to move in that direction. They create the form, design, and movement of the hairstyle. For instance a slanted bob is cut in a slope and creates lots of movement towards the back yet it also brings focus to a receding chin – balancing the proportion of the face. Lines are your friend as long as you know when and how to use them. For instance horizontal lines or a cut straight across the occipital bone to above the ears creates width to the head.
Texture
The texture of the hair is the look and feel of it. Fine, straight hair may need more volume because of the propensity of this hair to fall flat on the head. Curly hair usually gives more volume because of the number of coils on the hair shaft which gives the appearance of thickness to the main. No matter what the texture of the hair, all hairstyles can be created to please the face. Texture can be manipulated with styling tools such as rollers or chemicals such as relaxers or body wave perms. This allows the artist to truly produce the desired affect which will add proportion and look pleasing to the face.
Color
Color is very important when it comes to hairstyling. It adds dimension to the hairstyle by either receding, which is also called contouring or highlighting, used to add volume to hair. The color used on the hair can also create an illusion of lines and texture to hair. Another important factor in hair color is that darker colors give an older appearance the face, while lighter colors make the face appear younger. No matter how color is chosen for creating interesting looks on the hair, the importance is that the right color should be placed on the right area of the head.
There is more to meets the eye when shopping around for the right look. The masters of hairstyling themselves use techniques requiring elements such as form, space, line, texture, and color to concoct the perfect look. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hairstylist, the next time there’s a search for the right hairstyle consider what the hairstylists to the stars are doing and shine just as they do.
Milady’s Standard Textbook. (2000). Artistry in Hairstyling. Thomas Learning. Albany NY: Author.
Collins, A.F. (1995). Hair Style (1st Ed). HarperCollins. New York, NY
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