Hair affair

Women give a lot of importance to their crowning glory and like it or not- seasons change and so does your hairstyle.

Women in Pakistan give a lot of importance to their crowning glory and like it or not- seasons change and so does your signature hairstyle.

Model, Nadia Hussain- currently sporting straight hair with fringes, loves to keep her hair “long and wavy.” For a more formal look at parties, her all time favourite look is to “keep them loose and perm them.”  Hussain finds that for casual days, a simple ponytail or “the hair tied up” look works best. Hence, encapsulating the ravishing models hair styles and the style convictions she adheres too.

Regarding hairdos, The Express Tribune spoke to a make-up artist and a hair-stylist, to know exactly what’s in fashion and what’s out and what style will dominate the seasons to come.

Bina Khan of Bina Khan Salon and Training Center says, “I can tell you that bangs are flattering to any face, are slimming, look youthful and will always be in fashion.” She further claims, “It seems that Pakistani girls have just started to be adventurous.”

Raana Khan, hair stylist of Raana Khan Studio took a more sharp edge towards trends, “Fashion is bold and edgy these days. Various kinds of looks are in but executed in a funky way. People are so conscious about how they look nowadays and are inspired by different cultures which make them think broadly experiment.”

The hair stylist shed light on why the old fashioned hairdos are back in fashion, Raana Khan says, “All the hairstyles are coming back. Finger waves of the 20s, short hair of the 40s with cute fringes and thick eye brows, big hair of the 70s, curls and Mohawks of the 80s is all back. I feel that old fashion is coming back because that era had a unique feel and fashion was really exaggerated.” An over-statement to make and define elegantly!

On the other hand, Bina Khan, believes in classic hair styles. “I think classic styles will always work, they will never go away. Referencing classic styles is always a good bet: a classic French twist is as good a basic as an elegant black evening high heel.”

For Raana Khan, women prefer fringes to anything and that’s a known fact. “One of the reasons why people prefer a fringe style is that it makes you look young and also if some women have strong accented features, they prefer having side bangs.  A lot of women think that their face would look slim in side fringes. But you should also try a slick back look or a centre parting for a change.”

Bina Khan gives credit where it is due and says, “People like Meher Najeeb, (the hair stylist) have brought bangs to Karachi in a big way. More textured relaxed hair seems to be in fashion but in the heat, hair dos are a big option. At my salon we do loads of pony tails with a coif in front and lots of relaxed, unstructured up sweeps.”

When it comes to hair tips, both the stylist and the make-up artist have a lot to share, as to what a woman should a woman do after a fresh shower as far as basic hair care is concerned, Bina Khan says, “After you shower, run your hands through your wet hair with hands that have a little moisturiser on them. You have to be careful that it is a tiny amount evenly spread on your hands, or else it can look greasy. However, the right amount will give you nourished, soft hair.”

As far as winters are concerned, Raana Khan says, “Oil hair regularly in winters because they become dry and can break. Olive oil is a great conditioner for ones hair and if you apply it before going in to the sun, it will protect your hair from losing its natural moisture.” She further says, “Instead of using heat on your hair wear big Velcro rollers and then take them off before stepping out. You will get an instant body and bounce in your hair.”

On a more aggressive note, as moisturising hair in the winter season is concerned, Bina Khan adds, “In the winter you need to moisturise your hair as much as your skin. So use moisture enriching products, anti frizzes. Toni&Guy and Paul Mitchell do great ranges.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2010.