beauty: hair

Express yourself

Laura Ming-Wong catches up with Buoy Hairdressing’s top hairstylist Michael Beel on the season’s styles
photographed by Angela Henderson
styled by the author

Excerpted from issue 21 of Lucire

THE 1960s are back and hotter than ever as the new influence for hair. Strong geometric lines with a lot of internal texture is what this summer is all about, and we discover from Buoy Hairdressing’s Creative Director Michael Beel, the latest looks are all about expressing individuality and embracing our hair.

‘This season is a lot more relaxed in regards to what’s hot and what’s not. It’s about embracing the length you have and enhancing. If you have short hair, go for the stronger, geometric shapes. The bob is back, so think Victoria Beckham. The length is all around her face and graduates up around the back. Medium-length hair should be played with texture and long hair should be styled with a soft approach.

‘Volume from the roots are great for the longer haired, and having a layered, disconnected cut around the crown will give that extra volume but in a softer approach.

‘We are finding out that women are grooming their hair a lot more. Gone is the messy bed head look, and welcome in the more refined, dressed look.’

Fringes still play a major factor to a hairstyle. ‘The fringe modernizes any haircut, but have a fringe that is softer and more versatile with the length. For long hair though, it’s about having the “fringe without the fringe”. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls is a perfect example of the long fringe style that is making this season’s catwalks.’

Curls make a feature this season but in a more natural way. ‘The fatter the curl the better,’ says Beel. ‘Get rid of those straighteners for summer as dead-straight hair is too restrictive. Let your hair fall as it should naturally and just enhance it.’ And curling with the straighteners is a no go, too: ‘Using straighteners to curl makes the curl too tight and ribbon like. A good way to get the natural curl look is to purchase large barrel curling tongs. The end result with these is pure Hollywood red carpet glam!’

Ideal products to use? ‘Sebastian Evokativ Bohemian cream is perfect for giving soft definition and taking away those flyaways. For fine hair that can give volume, use Wella SP Perfect hair. Also great on the market are the Sebastian Body Double range and the Wella SP Volume Magic. Should you use tongs for straightening or curling, please save your hair by applying first the GHD Thermo Dynamic Spray. This works wonders and keeps hair healthy and protected.’ •

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Michael Beel of Buoy

Sebastian Evokativ Bohemian cream, NZ$37


From the Sebastian Body Double Range: Thick In Shampoo and Conditioner, NZ$33; Thick Extreme Leave-in Treatment, NZ$24·20; Thick Spray Light, NZ$25; Thickify Styler, NZ$32

Prices current as of December 2006