Rapunzel to Fantine
Short hair can be a daunting concept, let alone if you already have Rapunzel like waves down to your ankles! To say the least, it is a commitment, you’ve got to follow through, there’s no stopping mid chop unless you’re Alice Dellal.
For Anne Hathaway’s role as Fantine in the new film adaptation of classic musical Les Mis, she went with commitment and chopped all her of her hair off! BRAVE you might say...... I say beautiful.
As I sport a bob myself I feel I should give those of you who are inspired by Anne’s latest hairstyle, the low down on short hair.
Having short hair can leave you feeling very exposed and for those who like to hide behind their hair........ very vulnerable.
Before choosing to go short make sure you have the right face shape for the specific style you’re going for. A jaw length bob on a very square jaw will only emphasise its squareness, however if you want a sharp, graphic cut go for it.
Look at the difference between a soft pixie haircut and a sharper Louise Brooks style bob on supermodel Erin O’ Connor.
The effect of a fringe is really surprising also. If a fringe sweeps from a side parting it softens the face, cut blunt above the brows can be, ironically enough, very classic vintage, modern retro or even just modern. Swept back off the face gives a more androgynous feel to the style.
With short hair you have a multitude of looks which can be easily achieved as the hair grows out. Carey Mulligan’s twisted braid added a romantic touch to her red carpet appearances, but when glamour called it was pulled back off the face and a
"soft-waved, low lying quiff" topped the whole style off.
Casual Day to Day Chic
For casual day to day chic there’s nothing like a hair accessory or headscarf to set you apart from the crowd. It’s a simple touch that can give you an instant one-up in the style stakes. Also play around with your parting and see how different partings work with the look you’re wearing that day and why not experiment with colour? While your hair is short a flash of colour is not only going to be less expensive to get done than long hair but as it grows out it looks quite edgy. You can afford to be more daring with your colour choices too while your hair is short. I have literally been every colour under the sun and all I did was change the tint in my fringe!
Texturising and Styling
Texturising Spays and Styling Cremes are great tools for short hair. Grazia Daily mentions in their feature of Anne Hathaway’s new do, “Rub some styling cream like, Toni & Guy Texturising Glue, £7.19 between your fingertips and run your hands through your crop, before spritzing with GHD Final Shine Spray, £9.95. This will guarantee added volume and texture and stop your crop from feeling flat.” I also find the Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme is fabulous and if you want that crazed Cher Lloyd effect try Osis Dust It Powder, it’s a mattifying product that you put in at the root after backcombing and you’ve essentially got a big barnet that’s not going anywhere fast!
Short hair also gives you the chance to play around with different makeup styles. If you’re struggling with what to do just pick one key area and really focus on that.
One day why not try a really bold lip with just mascara on the eyes. You could make sure skin is looking really fresh, clean and contoured and do a strong brow the next day, and what about working a dark, smokin’ hot eye that evening for when you’re going out, keeping the lips pale and interesting.
Short hair is not only stylish but allows you to be creative in a pretty effortless way. Whether you’re the next IT girl or a high flying business woman in the city, I always see a cheeky glint in the eye of a short haired girl.
- It’s rebellious
- It’s brave
- It’s independent
IT’S YOU !
