Slicing and Dicing: Razor Styles Are Back

Whether they are called “chopped”, “shredded” or “shingled,” razor styles are back with a vengeance (and for men, they never left.) Whether used on long locks to give your waves a bit more romantic flow or used as multi-lengths to sex up a long do, razors can be artistic tools in the hands of an expert (like us here at Believe) or a weapon when wielded by a neophyte hair stylist with no experience. Working with scissors is taught in Hairstyling 101 but whisking away hair with a razor takes a cool hand. The three-inch blade adds texture by having a looping effect on the hair shaft. The razor can get rid of heaviness and bulkiness (you know those tufts of hair on the side that look like wings or that pile on top that weighs your style down like an invisible hat?)  Razors are usually used on wet hair to keep things manageable and the blade will cut the ends so that you don't look like you stepped out of the chair a minute ago.  The genius in a razor cut is that it removes bulk while building volume. How? Strands that are shortened help puff up the longer ones, but a razor cut isn't for everybody. If your hair is thin, too short already or frizzy, the razor cut may not be for you and some stylists say a razor cut isn't for curly hair either. Really the only way to tell is to come on in and let us look at (and feel) your hair and the way it grows. We will use our trained eye to tell you if the razor cut will make you feel beautiful or go batty. Long hair can be less boring when cut with a razor or, if you are worried about having to grow out all that hair to one length again, ask if a triangular wedge will work for you—it makes regrowing hair much less visible. (Or perhaps just your bangs can be done to give a long style a sense of movement.)  One word of caution about razor cuts: They tend to lose their shape sooner than hair cut with scissors, but for that wispy look, razor cuts really have no equal. From bob to flowing waves a razor cut will make a big difference in your look, so come in for a consultation first! We won't go all Jack The Ripper on you and bring out the razor until we, together, have determined it will be the best technique to use on your hair. You are an individual and at Believe, you will get an individual cut. Call us at 914-747-0778 today to make an appoint at Believe.

Learning About Layers

Fireworks aren't the only things hot this time of year. The temperatures are soaring and so is the humidity. Besides making you feel like there is no real point to taking a shower, humidity either makes you frizz up like Ronald McDonald or makes your hair as limp as a dishrag.

Help your hair beat the heat--without having to cut it all off—with the perfect solution...lovely layers. Whether your hair is long and luscious or short and sassy, layers are the way to add volume and body to your hair, despite the sizzling weather, and here at Believe we know how to make the most of your hair type.

If your hair is fine, you know those baby hairs of yours lay as flat as a rug at the first sign of ---well, almost anything. At Believe we can add long surface layers adding texture and volume. We'll create irregular lengths (with some fancy snipping) and not just blunt your hair horizontally (like the little Dutch boy haircuts you got when you were little) but vertically all around the perimeter. We can add texture by notching the ends with scissors (putting a little AESTELANCE BUTTER with Rosemary, Basil & Sandalwood oils in adds even more texture.) Really short hair is no problem to layer, too—you can spike it up (ask us for CHROMASTICS SPRAY GEL with sunflower seed oil, a natural sunscreen,which we carry at Believe) or, on really hot days, just run your fingers through it and off you go.

If you have thick hair, we will use chunkier layers in your cut, softening the ends with a razor to add a little swing to your style. We can go a bit shaggy (if you've got nice soft hair) or rip it up with some asymmetrical layers (from short to longer on the sides) for deconstructed coolness.

Round faces would do better with weight off the sides (this makes your face look skinnier) and wide foreheads look better with more top layers, letting your hair glide to fuller near the bottom. If your hair is straight, thick, and not too long, we can give you uniform layers, too (but don't try this with really long hair unless you are going for that Cave-girl look.)

If you have coarse hair, make sure you pick an experienced stylist (may we suggest the great staff at Believe?) as layers in this type of hair can be hazardous if not done carefully (you'll have ends popping out all over.) It takes a stylist who has a little sculptor in her (and we are Michelangelo of hair, we promise.)

Sculpting is also needed if you have curly hair. You have to be careful of the cut so it doesn’t grow out in a circular shape—or worse still, a pyramid. If your hair is long, surface layering should be long and, if your hair is short, you'll want uniform layers to control the curls.

If your hair is as straight as a board, be careful that your layers are blended in well, else it will be like seeing a painted wall with every brushstroke showing. Depending on how hip your are, you can get entirely different lengths cut into your hair. You can have real cowlick short hair on top or slightly longer to frame your face and longer at the bottom. Experiment! Be brave! Your hair will grow out.

We at Believe will be glad to consult with you about your hair type (taking into consideration your facial shape, too) and help you discover how layers can add bounce and body to your summer style. Call us soon though (because even the hardworking staff at Believe takes a vacation—Lisa will be gone July 16-23 & July 29 & 30) so call today.