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Hair Trends Predictions - Winter 2005
It's fun watching the styles of hair and fashion change. Something new comes along and makes a splash,
then its popularity spreads and - slowly but surely - what may have started as a fad, becomes a trend, and finally takes its place as 'the
fashion' of a specific period of time. For example, in the mid-nineties, the television show "Friends" introduced a series of mid-length
razor-cut layered hairstyles that became instantly popular among the shows fans. Soon, the fad had hit both the urban and rural
communities of the world and by the year 2000, razor-cuts and mid-length layers were the fashion.
So now, let's take a look at the new developments in the hair care industry and the current trends
in hair styles to see if we can predict the upcoming trends for the winter season.
The Development: Chemical Hair Straightening
A new process, developed 9 years ago, has emerged and is becoming immensely popular. The process is
called Japanese Hair Straightening, Thermal Restructuring or Ionic Reconditioning (among other things) and has been so successful in
making even the curliest hair sleek, silky and straight that women are flocking to salons in order to tame their previously untamable
locks.
This new process provides permanent hair straightening, which means, as with other "permanent" hair
processes, that it requires "retouches" periodically as new growth reaches a certain length. However, reports are that with shoulder
length or longer hair, this process can be good for up to six months before a "retouch" is required.
The process is expensive (averaging US $500 to US $1500 dollars depending on the length of the hair
being straightened) though as more and more stylists and salons train and become versed in the procedure, competition should drive the
price down further.
The Development: Fusion-bonded Hair Extensions
This process, while not as new as the Japanese Hair Straightening process, is becoming more and more
popular because of the completely natural and versatile results it provides. Hair extensions themselves have been around for a long time:
First, there is the Track and Sew Method, a thin horizontal "track" is formed by braiding the hair in
cornrow fashion against the scalp. Several tracks can be created on the head, depending on the amount of hair to be added. Then panels of
hair that are attached along one end are sewn to the track using a curved needle and neutral-colored thread.
Second, there is the Bonded Method, where instead of sewing the panel of hair, it is instead "glued"
to either a track (see above) or directly onto the existing hair along a horizontal parting. The problem most often encountered in this
method is that pre-made panels of hair were hard to match exactly to the natural color of the client's hair. Quite often, the natural
hair and the extensions would require coloring to blend them.
Fusion-Bonding eliminates the need for creating tracks, because loose strands of hair are
"fused" to existing strands singly or in small clusters using a specialized tool and bonding agent. Because the hairs come separate,
they can be blended to more closely match the natural color of the hair, or to create highlights and lowlights, without additional
coloring. The downside is that fusion-bonded extensions can be costly.
The Trend: Long Locks
A couple of years ago, the most popular hairstyles were around shoulder length, and almost everyone
on television and in magazines had hair within a few inches of that length. Since that time, hairstyles have gradually gotten longer.
As a large number of television and movie celebrities have allowed their hair to grow, their fans have done the same. The individual long
styles may vary - from sleek, silky straight hair, to long cascading falls of curls - but they are growing steadily longer as the months
pass.
The Trend: Razor Haircuts
Razor cutting is a technique that slips into and out of fashion often. At times, the entire haircut
is created using the straight razor, while at other times the razor is used only as a texturing tool. The result is a softer, more
sculptured style than is usually achieved with shears. In the last year, razor cuts have become more and more popular, especially in
long-layered styles, where the soft layers created make for a romantic effect.
The Prediction:
Following the current trends for longer hair and razor cuts, as well as the growing popularity of the
Japanese straightening process, I expect the winter season to feature super-long razor-cut layered styles that are smooth and straight.
With the advances in hair extensions and the increase in their popularity, even women with short hair can have long hair overnight.
I also see a swing in the trends regarding haircolor, away from the chunky, blocky highlights and
two-tone effects toward subtle more natural looking highlights. However, rich colors are going to be the trend as women gear up for the
holiday season and all the attendant parties - golden blondes, rich auburns, fiery reds, and gleaming blacks.
Stacy McCurdy - Stylist ©Hairfinder.com
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