Stylist Tips for Deciding Which Makeup Goes Best With a Particular Hairstyle

When your hair and makeup are in sync it can completely pull together your entire look. But deciding which makeup goes best with a certain hairstyle isn’t always easy.

Professional stylists spend years testing out different hair and makeup combos before learning which ones work best together. You can use their tricks of the trade to create a look that wows without spending years to figure it out.

Find Beauty Products That Work

First and foremost, no makeup look is going to complement a hairstyle if the products are sub-par. Pro stylists and makeup artists know they can’t trust the marketing hype when they’re investing in beauty products, and you shouldn’t either.

Beauty product testing from a reputable third party and consumer reviews are two ways to find out how well makeup products work before you buy. The bonus is that research and consumer reviews also tell manufacturers which products are in-demand so they’ll be easier to find in the future.

Research the Latest Hair and Makeup Trends

Instead of reinventing the wheel, you can reinvent a look that was put together by a high-end stylist. You can spend hours on Instagram alone checking out the latest looks from top designers, makeup artists, and your favorite celebrities. They’ve done most of the legwork for you. All you have to do is find a look that you like and tweak it to make it your own.

Keep Hair and Makeup Appropriate for Your Age and Coloration

When you’re researching looks online keep in mind that not all hairstyles and makeup work universally. Stick to looks on models that have the same hair, eye, and skin color as you. Your coloration can make a huge difference in how makeup hues appear. They can look gorgeous on one person but totally washed out someone else.

Another cardinal rule of creating a knockout hair and makeup look is to make age appropriate choices. There are some styles and haircuts you can pull off in your twenties that just don’t work in your forties. That’s not to say older women have to choose matronly hairstyles and makeup. It just means that some styles will look a little too juvenile, which will detract from your beauty.

Keep It Appropriate for the Occasion

Both your hair and makeup should be appropriate for the occasion as well. Keep the venue, time of day, guest list and purpose of the event in mind when you’re creating a hair and makeup look.

Keep the Season in Mind

Seasonality also comes into play when you’re creating a hair and makeup combo. Start with choosing a hairstyle that works with the weather, since humidity and temperature can affect the texture of hair. Next, choose makeup colors that are complimentary with the season. For example, in the spring delicate pastels are usually on-trend.

Do a Dress Rehearsal

If you’re attending a big event like an anniversary party or wedding and want to look your absolute best, do a dress rehearsal. At least a week before the event try on your outfit, fix your hair and do your makeup to see how the ensemble looks when everything is pulled together. If things look off, play around with your hair and makeup until it’s exactly what you envisioned.

Balance the Boldness of Your Hair and Makeup

There’s a good rule of thumb to follow with your hair and makeup is to keep things looking balanced rather than too simple or too over-the-top. If you’re doing a fancy updo, then keep your makeup simple so that your hair takes center stage. If you’re keeping your hairstyle simple feel free to be a little more daring with your makeup. For instance, a slicked back high ponytail pairs nicely with dramatic eyes.

Keeping your hair and makeup balanced will help you look put together without looking costumey. Decide first which element you want to play up and then plan the rest from there.

Remember that your hair and makeup work together in tandem. Everything has to work in harmony as a cohesive look or it can easily appear off.

Having naturally curly hair can make your style look shorter. This can be frustrating if you prefer to wear your hair nice and long. But don’t worry, you’re not doomed to a life of shorter hair styles. Here are five easy ways for you to make your 3B/C hair look a little longer.

1. Contrasting Colors

This is a psychological thing, but if your hair is dyed and contrasting colours at the roots and at the ends, it will look like it’s a bit longer. You don’t even need to do anything with your hair other than dye it. It’s worth experimenting with different colours to find out what you think compliments your hair the most. A lot of people fail to consider how colors affect people’s perception of their hair lengths, but it’s quite a big factor. Worth reading more on.

2. Clip-in Hair Extensions and Weaves

Sometimes the simple methods work the best. All it takes is a few extensions and you’ve instantly created the illusion of having longer hair. If you don’t really have the time to do any of the more elaborate methods here this is probably what you should do Just find something that matches the look of your own hair and viola, all of a sudden it looks like you have longer hair. If you want to go all out, you might like to look into a curly hair weave, which can do wonders for your hair. The kinky curly weave is a great example.

3. Scalp Massage

If you give yourself a scalp massage after you wash your hair, it can help it to maintain more volume. Voluminous hair always tends to look longer than hair which has no volume, so this is worth doing to make your hair look a bit longer. It can be a bit time consuming, but if you added this into your daily hair care routine, you’d be sure to notice the effects before long. Definitely worth trying.

4. Hair Care Products

On the subject of volume making hair look longer, you might like to invest in a conditioner or shampoo which has been specifically designed to make hair look voluminous. There are a lot of volumizing products on the market and it’s best to shop around and find one which best suits you. Here is a useful shopping guide.

5. Straighten It

Straighten your hair and you’ll find that it looks longer. Of course, doing this will mean that you will have to lose your natural curl, which might not be so appealing, but it is still an option. Worth keeping in mind is that straightening it too often can have a detrimental effect on your hair, causing it to lose moisture and become unhealthy.

So if you want your hair to look a little longer, these are the tips to follow. Everyone has a different approach to haircare and these pointers might not be applicable to everybody. Choose the options which you know best suit you and how you know your hair to behave. What tips do you use to make that curly hair look a little longer?

By Hollie Jones

Hollie is a freelance writer and co-writer for the Hollie and the Ivy blog. She is passionate about many things, including upcycling, interior design, crafts and weddings. Writing is one of Hollie’s favorite things to do and so she takes a lot of pride in writing articles on her favorite subjects.

The Fashionista’s Guide to Red Carpet Hairstyles

It’s red carpet hairstyle season once again! You probably spent most of your time scouring the red carpet for ideas and inspiration from A-list celebrities and personalities for fashion and hairstyle trends. And we did get quite a lot of them in the recent red carpet appearances, particularly noting the 2015 Golden Globes Awards and the 2015 Critics’ Choice Awards. If you are looking to get some celebrity hair inspiration or hairstyle trend ideas worth trying this new year, make sure to check them out below.

Bombshell Hair

This was one of the most talked-about looks during the 2015 Golden Globe awards not just for her stunning gown, but also for her perfectly styled bombshell waves. Experts recommend that you start by allowing hair to naturally dry first. Then, use clip-in extensions to create volume, especially around the crown area. Work on dividing two-inch sections of hair for the extensions to look natural. If you want to create more volume, simply place the extensions higher on the head.

When the extensions are clipped in, start backcombing the hair and spritz a long lasting hold hairspray. This will ensure that the perfectly volumized hair stays that way all night. Then, use a 2-inch barrel curling iron to add soft curls to the hair. The soft but defined curls will bring that retro vibe to the hairstyle, just like it did for Jennifer Lopez.

Braids

Who said that braids are going to lose steam in 2015? Definitely not true! Celebrities Emily Blunt and Joanne Froggatt proved that braids are here to stay. Both women sported Grecian braids on the red carpet!

Lobs

Another hairstyle trend that has proven its staying power – the lob! In fact, this is one of the most talked about hairstyles on the red carpet during the award season so far. Sienna Miller’s perfectly textured lob to Naomi Watt’s soft curls . . . there are several hairstyling ideas to get inspiration from at the red carpet.

Sleek Hair

This is one of the most difficult hairstyles to pull off, but nonetheless one of the most head-turning, too. Hair that is styled super sleek and straight (in some cases even with a wet look) was quite a hit on the red carpet as showcased by celebrities like Marion Cotillard, Camilla Alves and Maria Menounos.

Effortless Curls

There is nothing more romantic and glam than hair that is curled to perfection. Whether it’s a retro side swept curls or a touch of wavy ends, you can expect for this hairstyle to never be missing on the red carpet.

Hair Accessories

Fun and unexpected accessories can definitely perk up a regular hairstyle. The addition of these unique hairstyles certainly made Emma Stone’s and Keira Knightley’s hairstyles stand out even more.

What was your favorite red carpet hairstyle so far this year? Any of these hairstyles you want to try?

Contributing author Abby Pringles is a writer who likes to write about topics relating to beauty, hair, and fashion. You can check her personal blog, Life in the Fash Lane, to read more of her works. Aside from fashion and beauty, Abby is also a hardcore basketball and tennis fan. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.