As I type this, the red carpet at the 25th Academy Awards has just been walked and the fashion, but more importantly the hair, did not disappoint. One trend that dominated was the slicked-back ponytail. Kate Bosworth, Sharon Stone, Yara Shahidi and Sienna Miller all offered the lacquered-to-perfection look. With either a sharp middle parting or no parting at all, the most common outcome for the ponytail was a simple, ballerina bun. This works beautifully to show off a neckline or statement earring, both of which were on the menu last night. For more impact, make like Lily James who opted for a more 90s-inspired spiky bun. The ‘balletcore’ trend continued with little black bows, in line with what we’ve seen on the catwalks recently. Max Mara and Susan Fang showcased this trend throughout their shows, and Vanessa Hudgens and Florence Pugh used the neatly tied ribbon to add a little drama to their hair.

The ballet bun is an easy look to recreate. With the right products you can create this at home and my suggestion would be to invest in a good brush and KMS Stay Working Hairspray. Blowdry your hair with a smooth finish, before using the brush to guide hair back to the position of your desired bun. Secure with a band and twist the ponytail into the bun shape, fix in place with a pin and finish with hairspray. This look works well for weddings, on the beach, at work and socialising. You can always add the small, black bow for some extra detail.

Hot List
1. Extensions. Read about our latest salon addition below 🙂
2. Oribe Superfine Hairspray – if Jennifer Aniston is a fan then so are we.
3. Easter. Our favourite time of year. Obviously.
4. Hiding grey roots. Make like Naomi Watts and embrace the colour.
5. Split-ends. Never good. Or stylish. Regular trims are the best way to promote growth.

News
In the last issue, I introduced you to the team at Esher and mentioned we had some exciting news coming to the salon this month. Please welcome Stacy Odwell. Stacy is a natural extensions specialist and her brand of unique hand-tied extensions has gained her a celebrity clientele. She is now in our Esher salon every Wednesday and is a great addition to the team. I caught up with her to find out more.

Sam: How does it feel to be working with HARE & BONE?
Stacy: I am thrilled to be joining the team. Your instinctive, fashion-focused and bespoke approach perfectly complements my unique brand of natural, hand-tied extensions. We share the same vision to create beautiful hair that works with an individual’s bone structure and aesthetic. I’m particularly excited about our colour partnership. Your colourists create luxe, high-shine colour that blends seamlessly, and working together, I’ve no doubt the results will be phenomenal.

Sam: What is it about extensions that made you want to specialise in them?
Stacy: Around 20 years ago, my mum’s hair started thinning temporarily after a stressful event. As I was in the hair and beauty industry I naturally looked for a solution. I spent months researching and decided to take a course in hair extensions. I studied all the various techniques and eventually found that the natural-looking results of hand-tied wefts were far superior to anything else so I created my own techniques to fit the wefts. As well as giving my mum her confidence back, I became hooked after seeing the self-esteem boost if gave to my clients.

Sam: What advice would you give any of our clients interested in hair extensions but concerned about commitment and aftercare?
Stacy: There are a variety of options on the market and to achieve the natural and ‘real’ look we see on celebrities, hand-tied wefts really are the gold standard. The good news with hand-tied wefts is, they are relatively low maintenance. The weft is fitted to your head seamlessly and acts like a veil of hair, my clients tell me they can hardly even feel it’s there. You wash your hair as normal and either leave to dry naturally or blow dry for a smoother look. I advise clients to keep on top of their conditioning treatments with a hair mask once a week and add in a leave-in hair oil from time to time to keep it shiny and well-nourished. The weft needs refitting anywhere between every 6 – 8 weeks but the highest-grade quality hair can last years, so you’re only paying for the refit which makes it an economically sound option too.

Sam: And if someone is interested in having extensions, what is the next step?
Stacy: The best way to go about exploring whether it’s right for you is to book a consultation. As part of that consultation, we’ll discuss your lifestyle, your hair habits and needs and the look you’re hoping to achieve. I always welcome you to bring in images of the look you’re inspired by. This is your chance to raise any questions, so come prepared.

Q&A
Sienna James: 
Working across Fashion Weeks, who are the biggest models /celebrity hair have you done?’
I have worked with Dua Lipa and Charli XCX but when you’re working on shows it is so fast-paced that all the models and celebrities merge into one. Once I’ve had time with the creative time and designer I create a hair concept for the show and present it back for approval. When everyone is happy, I produce a team of backstage stylists and demonstrate the look to them, ensuring everyone understands what is expected. When working in fashion, hair is not the focus. It’s there to enhance the designer’s vision. Often there are three, sometimes four people working on the model at any time – stylists, make-up artists, assistants and show producers so our attention is on getting the hair right and in time.

Jonathan Waites
‘What are the biggest men’s trends for the Summer? My hair is in a floppy, style just past my ears not sure whether to go for a crop or to grow it out. I need a change I know that as it’s been the same for years.’
Men’s hair is beginning to move into more refined styles—both on shorter and longer lengths. If you have texture or a curl to your hair, then embrace this at the front using some curl products to add definition. This style has shorter side panels, keeping the length on top. However, if holding on to the length is more your thing then something such as the Wolf cut could be a good option. It’s a popular trend this season and adds texture to the hair.
We consider various factors when advising a cut, such as face shape, bone structure, hair texture and lifestyle, so I suggest that you visit the salon where we would be happy to go through everything with you. Our consultations are complimentary so if you call 01737 924800 or email esher@hareandbone.co.uk our front-of-house team can arrange a time that works for you. It sounds like you’re ready for a change and we’d be happy to help figure out exactly what that is. And if you decide to grow it out, you still need to ensure it’s tidy.