Get me to the nearest haberdashery!

It’s the end of August, and as much as it pains me to say it – summer is coming to an end. (Please, don’t hurt me.)

The plus side, however, is that fall weather and fashion happens to be some of the best (unless of course you are a beach or ski bum). With the fall comes crisp air and perhaps a few more rainy days, and thus, some style adjustment! Maybe you’re thinking of going darker or getting an edgier cut to go with the fall fashion trends, or maybe you’re growing out a shorter summer style for the winter. Regardless, you may want to add that “it” accessory to go with a chunky sweater or tailored jacket. You may want to add… a chapeau.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. A hair blog is recommending a hat. And no, hell hath not frozen over. We must emphasize that a hat is no excuse for bad hair. A hat should complement your hair, not hide a lack of effort! (Although, we must admit, if you can’t help a bad hair day, a cute hat can work wonders…)

From fedoras to cloches, there are so many fashionable alternatives to a baseball cap for covering up your tresses. And if you’re looking for that statement piece for a special event, look no further than the pill-box or fascinator that are back in the spotlight because of the recent royal wedding.

Whether you’re going for pin-straight or soft curls, adding a stylish hat can make your hair look even better – emphasizing your style, if you will.

Here are some stylish chapeaus that we wouldn’t be angry to see on top of beautiful hair for the end of summer and fall:

So unless you are actually participating in something active like a marathon or the gym, you have no excuse for wearing a baseball cap and hiding your hair. From the casual to the super fancy, there’s a stylish hat for everyone if you need to cover those roots before your next hair appointment!

Five easy ways to be different for a day!

Have you ever gotten that itch?  No, I’m not talking about a rash, silly. I’m talking about that itchy feeling you get when you’re bored with your look. You want to change something but you don’t know how. And sometimes it’s just not possible to do something drastic. And other times you really just want something different only for a day or two.

Well, my lovelies. I have news for you: A change of style doesn’t always have to be drastic or permanent.

Here are Haartek’s top five ways of changing up your look temporarily:

1. ACCESSORIES

From headbands to  fascinators, hair accessories are majorly in-trend. And we’re not talking about little girl barette or bauble hair ties – these are accessories full-grown women are not afraid to rock!

Try a headband with a flower detail or the feather or glitter extension craze for a bit of flair that you can remove anytime.

2. GO KINKY

Are you tired of your normal hair texture, be it straight or curly, but you don’t have the time or patience to weld a styling tool? Well, why not texture while you sleep? Wash your hair before you go to sleep and put it in a loose braid. When you wake up your hair will be mostly dry and have amazing loose waves when you take out the braid. Use a beach texturizing product like Kevin Murphy’s Hair Resort spray and you’ll have a chic, gorgeous, un-done style with little effort! Don’t want to go to sleep with your hair wet? Braid your dry hair in the morning and run a flat-iron over the plait and get the same look!

3. USE THOSE TOOLS

While beach hair is brilliant in the summer, if you want a way to change-up your texture going into the fall, brandishing a flat-iron or hot rollers is the way to go!  If you have curly hair, try going straight for a couple of days. If you have straight hair, try using the flat-iron for curls or setting it with hot rollers. There are countless online tutorials for using these tools (here’s our own Carla demonstrating flat-iron curls) and your stylist would be happy to teach you as well.

An important thing to remember when using hot tools is to always use a heat-protection serum or spray before applying heat to prevent any damage!

4. GO FAUX

Who said you have to be stuck with the length of hair you have? Certainly not me! If celebrities can appear to have short hair one day and long hair the next, why can’t you? And no, I’m not talking about costly and permanent extensions (though, those are an option). I’m talking about rockin’ the faux look. Celebrities with long hair have been tucking and pinning their long hair under, creating the illusion of  a bob – a faux bob, if you will. Alternately, those who already have a bob can use clip-in extensions to add length temporarily or to add a pop of colour (think bright purple).

5. COLOUR FOR A DAY

Do you wish you could partake in the pastel hair trend but are just to chicken to make the committment (or have a job that wouldn’t allow it)? Well, your wish will soon be granted. In the fall, Kevin Murphy will release Color.Bug, a temporary hair colour (think applying eye shadow to your hair) that adds body as well. It will come in pink, purple and orange and will last until you wash it out… so you can have crazy coloured tips for the weekend and be back to normal for the office by Monday. Sounds pretty sweet to me.

So now you know five simple ways to change your style, even just for the weekend! Go crazy… at least a little. Why not, right?

Forget the dress! What about the hair!?

It’s almost the end of June and wedding season is well underway, but are you a bride-to-be that has no clue what to do with her hair on the big day? Fear not! That’s what blogs like these are for!

Whether your hair is short or long, curly or straight, the creativity and skill of your stylist will ensure that you find the perfect ‘do for your wedding! Doing your research is important too, however. Have a look at the cornucopia of wedding magazines and websites for style inspiration – this will give you an idea of the hairstyles you like… and give a reference for ones you hate.

Once you have an idea of the style you think will suit your type of wedding, the most important step is booking a consultation with your stylist.  If possible, find a quiet day at the salon where your stylist can dedicate a couple of hours to trying several different styles on you. Bring in any pictures of hair you like and accessories you may use to help the stylist create what you have envisioned. The consultation is especially important if you plan on using extensions – the stylists needs time to order the right kind and you may have to colour them to match your hair.

“It’s a big day and you want it to be perfect ,” says Stylist Olivia. “You want to eliminate any stress you can the day of, and knowing exactly what your hair will be like will do that. Especially if you are using extensions or accessories!”

Here are a few of our favourite bridal styles, from boho to princess, to help inspire you for your big day!

Need more inspiration? Check out Haartek Salon’s real life updos on our Facebook page!