hair trends

After four weeks of fashion shows in four different cities, hair trends re-emerged from past decades. Fashion is recyclable, thus our love of classic vintage items; so when hair and makeup trends are seen again we embrace them with ferocity.

The trends that are repeating themselves this year are beautiful. flattering, and will live on for ages. Some are simple, some more complex, but all are applicable to any person.

(Versace)

(Diane von Furstenberg)

rock and roll waves

The "grunge" look of the nineties was a major presence on the runways of huge fashion houses, such as Versace, Diane von Furstenberg, and Roberto Cavalli. Center parts with tousled waves were showcased on many catwalks. To achieve an even more "rock n' roll" look, some designers such as Philip Lim, applied an almost matte finish.

This style seems simple enough to perform, but there are a few steps that go into the look to perfect it. According to Harper's Bazaar, "at Versace, hair pro Guido applied volumizing foam to damp hair and rough-dried with his fingers, scrunching up the ends before twisting strands into a bun and misting with aerosol hair powder for texture. After hair had set, he released the bun and sprayed with more powder for a "cool-girl" look that was sexy and "uncomplicated."

If you would like to accomplish this look with salon-worthy effect, we recommend using the Shuga Directional Volumizing Mousse at the start, as Guido did, and then finishing with the Benniefactor B More Building Powder or Benniefactor B Confident Styling Spray for the texture and extra volume. This would be an excellent style to have your favorite GENEVA stylist try out at our spring Trend Event.

(Bottega Veneta)

(Vera Wang)

undone updos

The "throw together and go" look is a style every woman would love to perfect to save time in their day. Thankfully, this look was a big hit on many runways this season.

At shows such as Donna Karan, Vera Wang, and Chloe, models were featured with hair that seemed to be thrown together in seconds -- left intentionally loose for a casually cool look. A mix between chignons and ponytails, these looped loose looks were a great alternative to traditional updos.

At Chloe, models were featured with a side parted loose low ponytail which was looped back throw the holder to create a low slung bun. At Vera Wang, models appeared to have tousled textured hair which was pinned up and around to create a large loose updo.

All of the undone updo looks can be created with a few simple steps and some essential products. The ideal light hairspray or texturizing spray can perfect these looks and hold throughout the long day. And if a few strands do fall, it only becomes more stylish.

(Ralph Lauren)

(Marni)

knotted at the nape

Looks gathered at the nape of the neck were huge this season, but none more so than the knotted bun. Showcased at Ralph Lauren, Marni, Chanel, Gucci, and more, the low knot was a common sight on the catwalks.

Some were finished cleanly, making a very chic and put-together style. The Ralph Lauren hair pro went with his look because "this look goes along with what I typically think we create in New York in that it's very American and wearable..."

At Marni and Paul Smith, the knotted chignons were styled loosely, sometimes with pieces still hanging free. Seen as a blend between the two trends of undone updos and knotted at the nape, the style is simple and flattering.

To master your own knotted bun is slightly more difficult than the undone updos because you are potentially working with more pieces and products. Where the undone updos were the "throw together and go" style, the knotted at the nape chignons are sleeker and more polished.

Some of the products recommended to achieve your own knot would be an excellent shine mist, such as the Shuga Dressy Mist, or the B Excellent Oil Treatment to give your hair the smoothness necessary before it is pulled up and twisted around.

(Louis Vuitton)

(Moschino)

sixties retro

Sixties retro volume and beehives were seen in collections in all four fashion capitals. Influencing both the clothes and the beauty looks, a vintage vibe was observed on many different catwalks. Marc Jacobs went with a sixties look in both his personal collection and at Louis Vuitton. Moschino also adopted a half beehive type style and Chloe displayed deep side partings and teasing at the crown.

Whether you are going for a fully pinned up beehive, a half updo, or something else, the most important part of this look is VOLUME. Teasing is key to the outcome.

To achieve the perfect look without damaging your hair with extreme back-combing, the proper products must be applied. You would be amazed at the amount of volume you can get from merely applying B More Building Powder and working into the crown of your head, no teasing required. A strong hold hairspray such as B Proud is also a good choice. And finally, applying Shuga Directional Volumizing Mousse before drying your hair should help immensely.

makeup trends

The makeup trends we loved from the shows this year are beautiful, applicable to all, and fairly simple additions to your ordinary makeup routine.

In all four fashion capitals, the eyes were the focus of many shows. We observed a grungy lower liner, a pop of color on the lower lash line, and large fluttery lashes. We also saw minimalism maximized and shades of brown blended for a natural look.

(Diane von Furstenberg)

(Stella McCartney)

lower lash focus

The nineties were a major inspiration on this season's runways. From the fashion to the beauty, many designers displayed multiple nineties trends. To go along with the grungy rock and roll waves, Diane von Furstenberg, Versace, and others created a grungy, smudged lower lash line to match. On the flip side, at Stella McCartney a bright lower liner was applied to bring the focus there and make the eyes pop.

A more modern take on the grunge look, the lower lash focus is a swift change from past eyeliner trends such as the cat eye. Smudged correctly, the trend will look sophisticated and easy; smudged incorrectly and it could look disastrous. It should not be paired with a smoky lid or smudged liner on the top lash line because the outcome could very likely turn into raccoon eyes.

If you chose to go with a bright color on the lower lash line like Stella McCartney displayed, the color you choose is key. Depending on the color of your eyes, the color on your lower lash line will bring out certain shades that you might desire. It also is a very clean and polished look. The liner is not meant to be smudged, just cleanly applied to the lower lash line to add a pop of color.

(Roberto Cavalli)

(Versace)

shades of brown

Different shades of brown were shown on all parts of the face at many shows this season. Brown was used to contour the eyes and face at shows such as Roberto Cavalli, Alexander Wang, and Diane von Furstenberg. Caramel tones were shadowed eyes at House of Holland and Sass & Bide. Bronzes were on display at Gucci and Versace.

At shows such as Diane von Furstenberg, the browns were used to create the grunge look that was also part of the lower lash line trend. At Gucci, the bronze eyes were offset with long fluttery lashes.

Browns are popular colors on most people and can translate well into clean spring or warm summer looks. A bronze highlight on the cheeks can prequel and lead into the color acquired from the summer sun. Youngblood offers a couple of eyeshadow quads that are appropriate for this trend, such as Shanghai Nights and Timeless. They also carry wonderful mineral radiance options that can give your cheeks a bronze highlight.

(Gucci)

(Armani)

fluttery lashes

Long, beautiful eyelashes. Always in season, always gorgeous, always a big hit. This season, long lashes were a focus on many models faces, including at Gucci, Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Moschino. To deviate from the grungier nineties focus at some shows, beautifully displayed eyes with long lashes were seen at some of the most major fashion houses.

Even though the lashes on the runway were openly faux, long luscious lashes can be achieved without any false ones added on. With the right mascara, your lashes can remain healthy longer than when a cheap alternative is applied. When your liner on top is applied correctly, the lashes can appear longer and thicker.

And, of course, there are lash growing serums that will make your lashes longer and fuller within a few weeks. Some serums have countereffects that can detract from there value; however we sell a serum called Revitalash that is Opthamologist reviewed, Dermatologist reviewed, non-irritating, hypoallergenic, and clinically tested. And it works! The girls of GENEVA that used it were extremely pleased with the results.

(Balmain)

(Ralph Lauren)

enhanced minimalism

A fresh, clean look was the backdrop at mulitple shows this season. Glowing, flawless skin was shown at Ralph Lauren, Valentino, Balmain, and others. The look wasn't about the lack of makeup used, it was about the right products used to create a natural glowing look.

At Dolce & Gabbana, makeup artist Pat McGrath created a "Sicilian Summer" look with liquid foundation, concealer, and three different shades of blush. At Balmain, skin was "prepped to perfection, whilst a little clever contouring, a subtle curl of the lashes or a flush of pink on the cheeks gave the look an added dimension".

Good skincare is always recommended to create any sort of clean makeup look. A light reflecting primer worn underneath makeup and a highlighter dabbed on the high points of your face are also key tools to create this look. Youngblood offers a mineral primer that would work as the priming substance used before the makeup is applied, and the highlighting pencil and lunar dust can be used to highlight the different high points of the face.

color code 1

Liz, Cara, & Allie attended a Davines color class at The Space this month, known as Color Code I, the class went over the basic knowledge that every stylist should have about the entire Davines color line.

The stylists who attended the class were able to participate in a hands-on training session with the Davines color line. They split off into groups and were able to experiment with formulating and applying color on live models.

Allie particularly enjoyed the opportunity to formulate and apply what she had observed in the class on a live model and see her own end results.

“I learned more details about contributing colors and the natural contributing color that is in the hair. Knowing that opened my eyes to what Davines colors come from and what their base colors begin at.” - Liz

airbrush PRO makeup workshop

Liz, Holly, and Amilee were in attendance for the GENEVA Airbrush PRO Makeup Workshop hosted by GENEVA Master Makeup Artist Ashley Renee Salazar in our studio this month. The workshop focused on airbrush makeup artistry techniques used to create the perfect look for any special occasion.

The workshop covered full application of foundation, contouring, blush application and more, leaving any client with a Hi-Def finish.

“Great! The hands on portion was really helpful – the dots and dashes on paper were a great warm-up for applying them on real people. Thanks Ashley!”

"The class was very helpful in learning new airbrush techniques. The trigger control tips were great in learning how to support and control the air brush gun.”

america's beauty show: chicago

The entire GENEVA team headed to the Windy City to attend America's Beauty Show. 

The annual trade show included multiple vendor booths, live haircutting & coloring demonstrations, as well as hands on classes over various techniques.

Holly's favorite look from the show was a light lavender cut with straight across bangs.  Her favorite moment of the show was sighting Tabatha Coffey and trying to say hello.  Holly also claims that she yelled "I'm taking over!"

Liz says “Attending the show was definitely inspiring. It is a very cool environment to learn, take classes, purchase awesome goodies, and get inspired! Standing back and observing all of the product lines and hair guru’s take stage was pretty awesome.”

enjoy a night out at your favorite eastside cafe

I love visiting The Legend in Irvington. The hometown, home-cooked feel is so...homey! From the moment you enter through the front (or back) door, you feel very welcome. The symphony of clatter coming from the kitchen is remniscent of a childhood memory, and the food that follows is soulful and delicious.

The Legend first opened in 2003 and has been serving the eastside with pride since then. It is locally owned and operated by the Robertson family. The Robertson's opened their restaurant with the goal of establishing a relationship with the residents and patrons that will carry on throughout their lives. Once you eat at The Legend, you will always want to come back. I know that we at the salon will walk over there for lunch or dinner on a weekly basis.

The menu at The Legend isn't huge, but it holds many favorites and is very reasonably priced. They have new specials every day and homemade soups that will run out if you aren't quick enough. Food served is known as "comfort food" and it does just that: comforts. The sandwiches are good-sized and fresh, half of one will fill you up for lunch. The Pepperjack Macaroni and Cheese is technically a lunch-time side (it is only offered during the lunch hours); however, sometimes I treat it as a full meal and get a double order. It is that good. The entrees are an original take on old favorites, such as the Maybe-Your-Mom's Meatloaf. And the triple chip cookies are out of this world, incredible, and amazing (milk, dark and white chocolate combined?! Yummmmmm).

I highly recommend making a trip over to The Legend for a meal, whether it be with friends, family, co-workers, or getting some take-out for yourself. You will be pleased that you did. It truly is to die for.