In this week’s How-To- Video James from the Michael’s Salon and Spa Design Team will be demonstrating how to style the trendy faux hawk.  The faux hawk is a short, popular hairstyle that can be worn by both males and females.  This look has been seen on many celebrities and fashion icons such as David Beckham, Adam Lambert, Pink and Rihanna. Watch this video for tips and tricks on how to create the perfect faux hawk look!

Salon Tools Needed:

• Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Spray
• Osis Grip Mousse
• Hair Dryer
  
• Flat Iron
• Aquage Transforming Paste
• Osis Freeze Hairspray

How To Style Long Hair in a Curly Updo

• Start by using a texturizing product, like Michael's Styling Creme before you blow dry your hair - this will help give your hair some texture so your curls will hold
• You will need a good supply of bobby pins to hold this style
  
• Once your hair is dry, begin by teasing the front to add a bump, and then pin it back
• Start by taking approximately 1 inch sections, and curl from the end to mid-shaft
• Be sure to let the curl set on your curling iron before releasing
• Twist the section back until the end of the curl remains, then pin it in the back
• Klara recommends pinning the side pieces toward the top of your head, and pinning the pieces in the back lower so that you have a full look in the end
• Continue curling, twisting and pinning your hair in 1 inch sections
• If you have pieces that you left too long, you can re-curl, or put in another bobby pin to hold it in place
• Don't forget to curl the hair that you pinned back; Klara doesn't twist these pieces, but flips them and then pins - these pieces will give your updo more fullness in the center
• If your hair doesn't hold the curls well, use hairspray right after releasing the curling iron to help keep your curls
• Be sure to finish the look with hairspray to hold your look
• Accessorize your look with a flower or headband, or start with feather hair extensions for a fun look - they will curl just like your natural hair!

How to Curl Hair with a Flat Iron

• Brooke preps her hair with Michael's Styling Creme before blow drying to give her hair more texture and hold
• This look is good for the day(s) between shampoos. The build up in your hair can help hold the curls, and prevent fly-aways
• Always use a thermal protectant spray to protect your hair from heat damage
• Brooke used a 1.5 inch wide flat iron - the size of your straightening iron determines the tightness/looseness of your curls
• Section off your hair and start on the bottom layer and work your way up, one side at a time
• In small sections, start the flat iron at your root, turn the flat iron, and pull it all the way to your ends
• Brooke curls her hair toward her face, but you can alternate in and out for a different look
• For the back, Brooke pulls the pieces toward the front to make it easier to control
• Once your hair is curled, take a look to make sure you didn't miss any pieces
• Use a dime-sized amount of Michael's Texture Taffy to give your curls separation and texture
• Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray

How to Crimp Your Hair with a Flat Iron

• Sheena preps by blow drying her hair up-side-down to create as much volume as possible
• Part your hair into one-inch sections
• Starting at the root, slide your flat iron down the section, flipping it over and under to create a zig-zag wave
• Always end "under" so you don't have harsh edges on your style
• Squeeze your flat iron tight to get more definition in your waves
• Sheena twists her bangs to the side and pins them with a stylish clip
• You can vary the look by parting your hair in larger or smaller sections

Round Brush Blow Out

• Finger-dry your hair until it's 80% dry, and then start round brushing
• Clip your hair out of the way to start round brushing your bottom layer and work your way up
• Round brush one section at a time, and hit the cool button on your dryer to allow your hair to cool before removing your brush
• Work in small sections for the best results
• At your crown, brush your hair back at about halfway up your part - if you follow the part all the way back it will look flat.
• Use a good hairspray to hold your look

7. The hairstylist/aesthetician/manicurist who spends her time trashing the job the last person did on you is the hairstylist/aesthetician/manicurist you need to replace, stat. Truly talented people focus on bringing out the best in you, not telling you what's wrong with you.
Sally Hershberger ain't cheap, but a cut with her is better than any outfit.

9. You wear your haircut every day, so think about that when agonizing over the price: You. Wear it. Every. Day. So it could cost more than your shoes and that would still be a reasonable thing.

As we prepared for our quarterly photo shoot, our team discussed what works and what doesn't. The fashion magazines all display images of young, beautiful models with hair that is NOT wearable for the average woman. Could you imagine getting ready to drop your kids off at school, or heading to the office - but first taking hours and hours to style your hair like this?

Image by Intercoiffure

This is a fantastic image, but it doesn't fit the lifestyles of most of our clientele. We want to inspire our guests to try new looks, but each person needs to be able to envision the look on him/herself.

For our May photo shoot, instead of having our designers or Michael select models, we asked our clientele. We sent out emails and asked for submissions on Facebook and Twitter:

Michael's is looking for real women over 40 to be a part of our upcoming makeover photo shoot. We're asking you to nominate yourself, or a woman you know who would be willing to make a major change.

We received more feedback from this online contest than any previous online contest. It was very difficult to select the winners, but we narrowed the field down to six. These brave women put their trust in Michael's talented staff to design their new look. 

Before and After Photos:

Our designers went above and beyond just cut and color to empower each woman to discover the best version of herself. Click the names below to see more pictures and to learn about each makeover:

Andrea                   Digma                    Ellen

Karin                        Lisa                  Sharon

What do you think? Are YOU ready to make a change?

• While her hair was still wet, she used Sea Salt Texturizing Spray from Aquage to add volume, texture and separation to her locks.
  
• Once her hair is dry, she preps her strands with Bed Head Masterpiece shine spray by TIGI.
  
• When curling, Myka takes vertical sections of her hair, and curls by starting mid-shaft,  and working her way down
• She makes sure not to curl the ends, to keep the look loose and natural
• Once she curls the top front sections, she works on the bottom layers around her face, then curls sections in the back
  
• You don't have to curl every strand
• To finish, use a pea-size dollop of Bed Head AfterParty by TIGI to separate strands and add a smooth shine
• Flip head upside down and shake out curls, then use your fingers to separate and shape

• Apply product when hair is wet, beginning at the roots and spreading down to the ends. Michael used Elixir and Swell Gel on Rachel.
• Finger dry hair until it is about 80% dry. With Rachel's curly hair, he then smoothed her hair with a denman brush before round brushing.
• When round brushing, hold the dryer at the nozzle so you can control the direction of the heat.
  
• After you round brush a section, bend it to the side so the section keeps its shape and you can continue underneath.
  

As always, please let us know what you think. If there is a technique you would like to see featured, give us some feedback!

• Tonya uses Styling Creme by Michael's when her hair is wet, applying from root to tip.
  
• When blow drying, begin by finger-drying your hair until it's 80% dry and then use a round brush to add body.
  
• If you use good products and a good flat-iron, you should only have to pass it through your hair once. More than once and you will burn and damage your hair.
• Tonya uses Beyond Shine by Aquage to protect her hair from heat damage.
  
• To finish her look, Tonya uses Michael's Shine It paste to give her hair flexible hold that's not too sticky.
  

If you have any styling or beauty tips that you would like featured, please let us know! And let us know what you think about our new video series - comments are always welcome :)