Tory Burch, love her or hate her, is a go-to designer for fresh-faced affluent or upwardly mobile 20-somethings of a certain attractive milieu. So a perky, stick straight, center-parted pony is just perfect for spring and for Tory. You can see above how the beauty look for her Spring 2010 fashion presentation (more installation than runway show) went from concept to fruition at Bryant Park in New York.

“The look is going to be young, fresh, youthful, earthy,” said Redken lead hair stylist Yannick D. He and his team created a strong silhouette with a center part. “When hair is pulled back like this it looks so young and fresh on these girls,” he commented, pointing out the face-lifting affects of hair pulled up tight from the sides of the face. (Because you know, 17-year-old fashion models could use the help.)

To get the airy texture of the pony, hair was blown dry using Redken Layer Lift 07 Length Elevating Spray Gel and sectioned on the side for a decorative affect.

“It’s really about keeping it fresh,” Yannick said. “A pony is just a pony until you do something special to it.” Amen.

Badgley Mischka is always one of the most glamorous and exciting shows of New York Fashion Week. Always classic and always stunning, the designers didn’t dissapoint this season with gorgeous red party frocks and lots of fantastic beading and detail work. Redken key stylist Peter Gray kept hair clean and sculptural to match the polished pieces.

The hair look, which included a very sculptural origami-like twist on the bun, was inspired by a 1950s Jetsons vibe. I chatted with Gray while he was finishing up Chanel Iman’s style, above right.

“There were a lot of scalloped tops, the tops go down, so let’s make the hair go up,” Gray said. “It’s modern and funky, but uses classical techniques.”  To create the style, the team used Redken Guts and the new Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream Mousse.

Gray was the first to admit this isn’t the most achievable look to copy at home.

“It’s aspirational, it’s what the red carpet is all about, taking it to another level, a fantasy,” he said.

I was in New York for the Spring 2010 shows and am back to report on all the best hair and makeup from the runway and behind the scenes. The textured curls created by Redken hair stylist John Ruidant for Chris Benz may be my very favorite hair look of Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week.

The look was sexy, messy curls. In fact, Ruidant said “the sexier and messier the better … it’s easy for someone at home to achieve this look.” The Redken team used Fabricate and Hot Sets 22 Thermal Setting Mist before curling hair, and then applied a mix of Outshine and Glass brushed through with the fingers.

“Looking at the clothes there was a nice mixture of color and texture, so I thought we would do the same with the hair,” Ruidant said. “A nice mix of textures, not using any brushes, just your fingers – spray some fabricate on and wrap around the curling iron.” No curl is perfect, and the hair was curled layer by layer.

There was also something exciting happening in the makeup chair – the debut of Lancome’s latest designer collaboration lip color – Chris and Tell. Benz described his inspriation as “the idea of Cheryl Tiegs at a party” for this pink lip color. “The color feels very beachy for the spring.”

Lancome makeup artist Daniel Martin said the color looked different on everyone, probably due to its sheer color.

“It’s a really nice opague, but the great thing is that it’s such a sheer color, just how much pressure you use to apply it [determines how much color you get.]” he said. “Dress up your face without a lot of makeup.”

Everyone’s talking about fall and I can’t help but join in. Unless you’re going back to school, thinking about fall clothes ahead of time doesn’t have a lot of purpose. But thinking about what you’d like to be able to do with your hair this fall and winter actually makes sense. You might want to plan accordingly with your stylist at your next cut and/or color appointment.

These styles, dubbed The New Classics by Redken Creative Consultant Guido generally require longer hair and have a more retro feeling to them. You might want to forego a major cut if you’d like to try them, and also keep your color more flat – all those highlights and tonal variations are decidedly 21st Century.

Guido revolutionized the French twist at Louis Vuitton in Paris, above left. The height and texture are somewhat inspired by Marie Antoinette, with an unexpected, softly subversive touch. To get the look, apply Redken Thickening Lotion, rough dry your hair using your fingers. Curl hair with a wide-barrelled curling iron and backcomb. Pin into a messy French twist – this is one of those styles where it pays not to have perfect styling skills. Obviously, you might not want to go as far with the height as they did on the runway if you’re actually going somewhere formal or conservative or … the office. But if you’re headed for a wild party, go nuts!

For the look at right, seen at Miu Miu, start with a strong side part, one side swept over the eye and the other tucked behind the ear. Twist hair back from the sides and pin into a low, neat bun. Mist on Redken Vinyl Glam and Quick Dry Instant Finishing Spray.

When that alarm goes off at 6 a.m. (or earlier! eek!) the first day of school, your best-laid plans for the perfect back to school hairstyle could go out the window in favor of 20 mins more sleep.

Here’s an easy-peasy way to create sexy, natural waves without heat styling. Besides the obvious advantage of saving time, you’ll also avoid getting all hot and sweaty running your blowdryer and styling iron in the bathroom. You may be ready to whip out your best fall fashions, but the weather probably won’t be cooperating quite yet and a September heat-wave is all too common.

First, spray a bit of Redken Curl Force Texturizing Spray on dry hair.

“It’s a trick we used on a photoshoot at the beach when the power ran out,” said Redken session stylist Noah Hatton. “This product allows hair to keep the curl easier and helps it coil naturally.”

Then, spritz Workforce Flexible Volumizing Spray all over and separate your hair into four sections. Start twisting one piece until it coils in on itself and secure with several bobby pins. Do the same with the other three sections, making sure to twist in the same direction each time to create a consistent, natural-looking smooth wave. Leave coils pinned for about 20 minutes. Then just remove the bobby pins and shake out the waves. Finish with Outshine Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk to tame frizz and add shine.

Check out more hairstyles:

Back to School Hair: a sophisticated side ponytail

Back to School Hair: Jen’s chic braid

With the ’80s revival happening in fashion these days, the mere mention of a side ponytail could be enough to send you screaming. But trust me, I’m not talking about a Kelly Kapowski side pony.

The new breed of side pony is low and chic, as seen on Nicole Richie at left.

“A ponytail secured on the side of the head is easy and is always in,” says Noah Hatton, Redken Session Stylist.

Begin by creating a deep side part on either side of the head. Prep by spritzing Redken Fabricate heat active texturizer on dry hair and blow dry the product through. Using the product this way adds extra texture to the ponytail while it’s resting on your shoulder. Gather all the hair in a low ponytail on the opposite side of the part, just below the earlobe and secure with an elastic.

Make sure the end of the ponytail falls over the shoulder so you can see the ends of the hair from the front.

“For an added variation, don’t pull the end of the ponytail all the way through the last loop, stop midway,” Hatton said. “This creates a loose, deconstructed bun – we see this look sported quite often on the runways at fashion week.”

Redken Summer Hair Color Trends

If you want just a hint of lightening power for the summer without obvious streaks or highlights marring your brunette do, this is a great video to check out.

David Stanko began with the consultation process to hear directly from Angelique what she was looking to achieve and portray with her new haircolor. See the coloring process below:

Step 1: To lighten Angelique’s overall base, David used Color Gels, a dynamic permanent haircolor brand from Redken.

Step 2: Next , David added highlights with Blonde Icing Power Lift, part of the Blonde Glam Collection, which provided luxurious, conditioning lightening ability for all bases and hair types, as well as a faster and higher lift, better conditioning with exclusive Lumisilk Technology, and a new, creamier formula.

Step 3: David toned and glossed Angelique with new Shades EQ, part of the Blonde Glam Collection, which added condition and shine to any cool blonde while controlling unwanted yellow tones.

Step 4: Redken Chemistry, an exclusive, professional in-salon service, offering intense, customized treatments to help preserve Angelique’s fresh haircolor and treat distressed hair as a result of chemical and/or mechanical processes which can results in dry, brittle, frizzy, damaged, weak, sensitized, faded, and/or dull hair.

Step 5: To keep color radiant at home, David recommended the following Redken products for Angelique:
Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner dedicated to the care and preservation of color-treated hair
Real Control Overnight Treat night recovery treatment, renews and repairs dense, dry, sensitized hair during sleep. Blonde Glam Perfect Platinum, to neutralizes brassiness and preserves warm tones for ultra pale to light blonde locks.

To make your haircolor appointment, visit Redken.com for salons.

“This season, it’s all about the ‘do’ … hairstyles that have a strong presence, that push the boundaries, these kind of looks are dependent on the use – and in many cases the overuse – of hair products,” said Redken Creative Consultant Guido.

What are some of the hot products and tools needed to achieve these looks?

Tools
Paddle brush
Blow dryer with nozzle
Curling iron
Flat Iron

Products

To add height:
GHD Uplift spray for root volume
L’Oreal Professionnel tecni.art volume lift

To straighten perfectly:
New Redken Sheer Straight lightweight straightening gel for fine hair
Redken Align protective straightening lotion for medium hair
New Redken Power Tame intense straightening balm for coarse hair

To boost shine:
Redken Glass smoothing serum
Redken Vinyl Glam mega shine spray

To finish any style:
Quick Dry instant finishing spray
Joico Joifix Firm Finishing Spray