Hair Salons

Caring about your hair: Stylist enjoys giving his clients fashionable designs

Published: Friday, 11 May 2007 09:09:31
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Stylist enjoys giving his clients fashionable designs

By Dhyana Levey

Atwater --Trendy hairstyles come and go. As with most elements of fashion, the "in" look usually comes full circle over the decades.

But whatever coiffure is most popular now, good hair care is timeless and personal style remains a stable factor.

Hairdressing is an art, said Anthony Smelcer, hairstylist and owner of Anthony's Hair Salon in Atwater.

He studied at Merced and San Francisco beauty schools and has run his own hairdressing business for about 15 years.

"You can be really creative -- everyone has a different personality," said Smelcer, 43. "I thought 'what better way to express myself than to do hair?' It's a different method, but it's still artistic."

He compares hair to fabric. Fine hair is like working with silk and satin, and thicker hair can be like working with wool, he said. Each hair type or fabric can only be used for certain fashions.

Smelcer uses this knowledge at hair shows in cities such as Chicago, New York and Seattle. He styles models as a guest artist for Pravana International, a hair company that offers salons and products.

He recently returned from the West Coast Spring Style Show in San Jose, where he worked on creative, trendy hairdos.

"The looks you are going to see are bright, bold hair colors and hair extensions," he said. "For the younger generation -- making hair pieces blonde and then putting bright blues or greens over them."

Smelcer sat down with the Sun-Star at his Atwater salon to discuss this season's styles and hair "dos and don'ts."

He also demonstrated a popular cut on his hair model Debbie Johnston, a seventh and eighth-grade science teacher at McSwain Elementary School.

What kind of cut are you doing on your model today?

It's called a "disconnected bob." This style has been big for about three years. It's a method of incorporating short hair and long hair. It's designed to bring shape to thick, coarse hair, but it can be used on many other types.

What are some other styles popular this season?

Extremely short hair for young girls, almost a pixie cut. Bright red, you will see a lot of that; or mahogany. Red makes a statement that you are confident. ...

A heavier bang is in this year. ... I think mohawks are in for guys. I think mohawks are fabulous.

In bigger cities you will see a more asymmetrical cut, one side short and one side long. That look will make its way here.

Why are you using a "disconnected bob" on this particular model?

She likes a look that is current, and has the right color, texture for this. Her hair is blonde on top, chocolate brown on the bottom. The colors complement each other.

What is a bad color combination?

Color blocking with extreme colors like platinum blonde and black. That is too dramatic. Also, make sure to choose colors that complement what you wear and how you do your make-up.

What are some hair care dos and don'ts?

Don't shampoo every day. That's a no-no. You are stripping the natural oils. It causes breakage and fades color. If you hear your hair squeaking, you have overwashed it.

Don't flat iron or blow dry on a daily basis -- twice to three times a week max. It takes shape out of hair, removes the natural body and causes breakage.

Always condition after shampooing. A spray-in, leave-in conditioner is great for fine hair. ... Olive oil is an incredible conditioner. Use 1/4 of a cup on long hair and leave it in for 20 minutes.

Get your hair cut every six to eight weeks. It maintains a healthy look. People who wait too long get hair that looks frayed and torn.

What are you doing now with your model's hair?

I'm putting in layers to give her some body. It's short underneath and the long pieces fall right on top of it. I'm blending the short crown with the long front. There's a lot you can do when you leave pieces out front. You can curl them.

Are there any styles getting popular that you aren't a big fan of?

The mullet is coming back on girls -- a different version of the Billy Ray Cyrus look. I wouldn't suggest that for a client.

Big hair from the '80s is coming back. Everything always comes back. At the hair show, some of the hairdressers had big hair. That's not my thing.

What kinds of styles do you see on the runway or at hair shows?

Hair pieces: Adding hair to current hair.

You see ribbons added, bows, chopsticks. ...

Off the runway -- for updos, simplicity is best. I like them really sleek and sophisticated, more wrapped in the back like a bow, full on top.

What do you suggest for people who don't like to spend time on hair?

Get subtle highlights and long layers.

There are easy ways of twisting hair up that can be complementary. Tie knots: Take two pieces, tie it, twist it and pin it up with bobby pins.

Are there any variations on unusual runway styles that people can wear every day?

A: Yes. This hair style I'm working on right now.

So, what are you doing to your model's hair now?

I'm adding texture to the hair by removing every solid line with texture sheers. It adds movement to the hair. ...

I'm doing a zig zag (cut) underneath with the dark brown hair. The zig zag helps integrate the light color with the dark. ...

I recommend tomorrow that she blow dry lightly as she uses a brush. Clients should be able to manage their hairstyle so they can recreate the look we did in the salon.

Find out more:

For more information about this look, call 358-9775

Visit www.mercedsun-star.com to see video of Anthony Smelcer talking about hairstyles

DLEVEY@MERCEDSUN-STAR.COM

Source: Merced Sun-Star