With the daffodils blooming and the crisp
winter air subsiding, there’s no doubt that spring is finally
upon us. As you pack your winter clothes deep within the closet,
exchange your blacks for whites, and promise to exercise so you
can fit into that bathing suit by June, remember that your hair
may need some shaping up as well.
Like the weather, it’s hard to predict the season’s fashion trends
before they’ve rightfully begun. But the consensus is in on the
hottest spring and summer hairstyles, and although the look should
suit the lifestyle, the key word is "change" – whether
that means leaving the plain wash-and-go do behind for a trendy
wash-and-go do, or drastically cutting, coloring and styling.
Despite being apprehensive about changing my hair, the talented
and friendly staff at Cavale Tonuzi in Bay Ridge only made me
wish I had come in sooner. Partners Georgette Franzone and Charbel
Elias, along with their staff of colorists and hairstylists,
are dedicated to making their customers feel welcome from the
moment they walk in.
Coated in bright white from ceiling to floor, and appointed with
comfortable MG Bross furniture, the salon at 82nd Street at Third
Avenue is as inviting as the staff is knowledgeable.
As suggested by Elias, a stylist at Cavale since 1992, "healthy,
shiny hair with lots of waves and texture" is in vogue this
spring.
Luisa Vieira, hairstylist and co-owner of the new Beehive Salon
in Williamsburg, agrees. At Beehive, textured bobs are very popular.
"People can wear it shaggy and have it appear shorter, or
they can straighten it to get a longer look," said Vieira.
Lots of layers are also in vogue for the warmer weather. "A
lot of people like to bring it a little shorter for the spring,"
Vieira said, while noting that "some people are keeping
the length and bringing layers up, giving the hair a lot of texture."
Vieira has been a hair specialist for three years and was trained
at the Long Island Beauty School. Co-owner Jeanine Schappert
has also been a hair specialist for three years, and was trained
at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Minn.
Though layers are in, the amount a client should get may depend
on the natural texture of their hair. At Cavale Tonuzi, Elias
gave my straight, thin hair subtle layers to add body. Taking
off too much would have made it appear thinner, he said. For
others, the opposite applies.
Color is as important as texture this spring, and the consensus
of the pros is that lighter and brighter is better. Elias first
decided my incongruous shades of blonde should be evened out.
He then used a lighter shade of blonde to highlight my hair for
a brighter, sun-kissed appearance. Copper tones and lighter blondes
are in, Elias said. "But the important thing is it’s healthy
and shiny."
In winter, people are inclined to grow their hair longer and
keep it dark, said Vieira. "In spring, people have a tendency
to want to lighten it." Multicolor highlights of darker
and lighter shades combined were very popular last year to make
the hair even more dynamic, and to some degree they still are,
said Schappert. But this year, the tendency is to stick to the
lighter shades.
At the Beehive Salon, some people are going for natural looking
highlights this spring, but many others are favoring completely
wild colors, Vieira said. Clients are asking for everything from
bright blues, greens and intense reds, to subtler shades of their
natural hair color.
"We like to create wild and crazy hair styles," Vieira
said. "We’re not afraid to do the funkier stuff."
She added that people seeking conventional hairstyles should
not feel nervous about entering this Beehive. "We do a thorough
consultation," said Vieira. "We find out what the client
wants, what they don’t want, and then we work with them to find
the right hairstyle for them."
Summer haircare
No matter how good your hair looks, the summer can easily take
a toll on its health and vitality just by routine exposure to
the elements. To protect hair from salt water, chlorine and sun
damage, there is a wide variety of conditioning treatments, sun
gels, leave-in conditioners and chlorine removers available at
most salons.
Cavale Tonuzi offers a full line of Aveda products, which are
derived from plants and flowers. Their deep moisturizer and spray-in
moisturizer are recommended for protecting exposed hair.
Beehive offers a line of Simply Organic products, including a
hair sealer, which seals hair cuticles and protects hair. "It
can actually be used as a skin toner too," Vieira said.
"Sitting on the beach, you can spray it on your hair, and
then mist it over your body to for a refreshing feeling."
When buying sealers and moisturizers it’s important to choose
products that are alcohol free.
Open since Feb. 12, business at Beehive Salon "has been
very good," Vieira said. "We have a very good following."
While Beehive has a lot of younger clients as well as devotees
coming from Manhattan, the salon is attracting people from all
over who are looking for a new, fresh look.
Cavale Tonuzi has been servicing Bay Ridge for 18 years, but
only last year relocated to the space once occupied by the Kleinfield’s
bridal shop on 82nd Street.
The Beehive Salon is located at 494
Lorimer St. at Powers Street in Williamsburg. For an appointment,
call (718) 782-8376.
Cavale Tonuzi salon is located at 8211 Third Ave. at 82nd Street
in Bay Ridge. For an appointment, call (718) 748-9880.
