DIY or salon-styled, here's how to make school ball hair and makeup stand out.
Celebrity styles have a huge influence on school ball looks, with retro-glamour red hot. Whether it's cascades of Kardashian curls, the bright lips favoured by Katy Perry, or updos that owe a little to Audrey Hepburn and a lot to young Hollywood stars there's no doubting teenagers are wanting to emulate a more "done" look.
"This year it's all about highly polished looks," says Lauren Gunn, creative director for Stephen Marr salons, one of Auckland's "go-to" destinations for school ball makeovers.
Sophy Phillips, a 22-year-old rising talent, from Bettjemans cites the movie Black Swan for lending a sense of theatre to this season's up-do. "Hair is clean, tight, and a play on feathers and sparkle with a gothic twist," she says.
At the M.A.C counter they're busting out the false lashes. Smashbox's brand manager Neisha Henry is also an added lash fan, saying they work to enhance nude or smoky eyes.
Girls who favour a less contrived look are aspiring to recreate the sun-kissed "natural" skin of the likes of Taylor Swift, says Phoenix Renata of Phoenix Cosmetics - House of Makeup.
For those trying to introduce a touch of alternative edge to their look, inspiration comes from some of this season's grungier international runway shows.
Read on for how to bring a fashion edge to the big night out.
HAIR HELP
What's popular?
Lauren Gunn: Ball hair used to be about looking a little undone; messy braids, tousled ponytails and casual topknots, but things have changed. Picture-perfect chignons, smooth flowing waves and sleek ponytails all indicate a move to a more sophisticated feel for ball season in 2011.
Time will tell if Waity Katy's wedding do will be a hot ticket this season - there may be a tiara here and there.
Sophy Phillips: For those glamorous gowns, you can't ignore the incredible influence that the red carpet has on hair. This year, we think Jessica Alba epitomised young sophistication.
Gunn: Big, glossy, bouncy Kardashian waves are one of the hottest requests. It's the perfect style to team with a body-con frock and stilettos. If you're going for this look your hair needs to be in tiptop shape so begin a few weeks out with moisture treatments.
Phillips: The Kardashian sisters have taken over the world. Typically these girls are wearing their hair down with soft curls, keeping it simple and pretty.
Gunn: To copy the look blast your hair with a dry hairspray, run a brush through it, divide your hair into 8 sections and wrap them from the roots to ends around a large tong. Clip the sections up to cool as you go and when all your hair is waved take it out, throw your head upside down and spray. (Try Sebastian Zero Gravity which is lightweight and quick to dry).
Any tips/tricks/products for making a style last the night?
Gunn: Layer in styling products that are light and dry. Take a mini-hairspray in your clutch for touch ups. (Try Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper Hairspray Mini).
Phillips: Having good prep is really important. (The aim is to add hold, texture and volume). This season's miracle product is Kevin Murphy's Fresh Hair. (Spray this dry shampoo at the roots, work it with your fingers, for instant volume and matte texture).
If your hair is short, and you want playful, matte texture you can rework, work Fatboy hair putty through your hair from roots to ends. For touch ups L'Oreal's Play Ball Anti-Frizz Fizz is the perfect handbag-friendly hairspray. It'll stop a bird in flight.
Do you have a recommendation for a simple but stunning DIY do?
Gunn: Back to the royal wedding, I thought Victoria Beckham nailed it, combining super-slicked back hair with a silk sheath dress and dramatic eyes. It is an easy one to replicate, simply flat-iron your hair from roots to ends, smooth back fly-aways with a little moulding cream, and, using a boar bristle brush, sweep your hair into a tight ponytail.
Finish with a light layer of serum or spray shine and load up lashes with blacker than black mascara.
Phillips: For DIY hair, it's time to get creative with your flat irons. Start playing around with water waves, kinks, and irregular movement. This will make any style more textured.
(Check out the new mini crimpers from Vidal Sassoon).
MAKEUP MAGIC
What look(s) are popular?
Neisha Henry: Strong lips are really hot! If you're wanting to rock a brighter lip you can use a lip-stain for a softer, matte finish or a touch of gloss for a perfect juicy pout. If you're accentuating your lips, use a nude lip liner to define the shape and then fill in the whole lip.
Phoenix Renata: Makeup that has golden bronze eye shadows, or the use of gold flecks on cheeks or lips is really significant. Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Mila Kunis have been big influences for the sun-kissed bronzed look. It is all about glow this season. Selena, Taylor and Mila always have impeccable makeup which is generally soft and natural with glowing dewy skin, but with hints of gold and bronze on eyes and lips to give an extra glam polished look.
Iain Smith, creative director for Me: Taylor Swift, Olsen Twins, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester images have been popular among ballgoers.
Must-have item in the purse?
Iain Smith: Lipstick and or lip gloss! Drinking from glasses always takes your lips off. Put them on as if you have a compact mirror, you'll be amazed how accurate you can get at it without one. Don't over-pack your clutch purse!
Henry: You'll never go wrong with a Smashbox Antishine compact in your clutch for any long night out. It will instantly remove excess shine and leaves an invisible antibacterial film over the skin without moving your gorgeous makeup.
Renata: Lip gloss!!
How have requests changed in the last few seasons?
Henry: Softer eye makeup is making a comeback, teamed with strong defined eyeliner. It's easy to wear and compliments any eye shape; you can also use a brighter eyeliner - I love Smashbox's Limitless Eyeliner in Peacock for a pop of colour!
Renata: More and more often, makeup requests are tailored to suit the individual. Girls are looking at their colouring and hair colour and how this affects their makeup and thinking about what makeup textures and colours would enhance their own features rather than following a fashionable trend. Smoky eyes are always a popular request, but girls are mixing it up and asking for glittery smoky eyes or bright colours with dark eyeliner instead of black or charcoal eye makeup.
Henry: To easily transform your eyes from day to night, use a soft kohl eyeliner pencil to line the top, upper and lower waterline, this will give more definition. For a smoky finish, smudge out the top lashline with a smudger brush and blend in with a deeper eyeshadow.
Any advice for making makeup last the distance?
Renata: Invest in good skin care: a quality moisturiser will keep your skin in good condition and will ensure makeup stays put and looks flawless. Always have your makeup done after your hair, and try to get your makeup applied as close as possible to the time you need to be ready.
Smith: Applying your base correctly will make all the difference. A mineral powder foundation will help throughout the night if your makeup is slipping and you need touch-ups. Gel your eyebrows with an old mascara wand as good eyebrows always make eyes look fresh.
Henry: Always use a Lid Primer underneath eye makeup, it will give a nude, matte finish as well as preventing your eye makeup from melting or creasing all night long.
Calling card
You can save a bundle with ball night DIY (see our styling suggestions in the main story), but if you want professional help it pays to shop around. A number of hair and beauty salons and in-store makeup counters have latched on to school ball business with packages. (We've listed a few indicative options below).
It is wise to book early. "Girls are pretty savvy these days and often the best places are booked within minutes of the school announcing the ball date," says Phoenix Renata. M.A.C makeup counters report a similar frenzy, with ball season in full swing.
Makeup offers some of the best ball deals, but sadly some hair salons seem to regard evenings out as akin to weddings and want to charge accordingly. Fair enough, I guess, if you're expecting the full princess treatment, but if you know that all you're after is a relatively simple hairstyle, ask for a quote and see if you can strike a deal.
Several mainstream hair chains without a school ball option quoted me $90 to $100-plus for an updo, which is up there with prices at top salons. Don't discount suburban salons, these may be more flexible on pricing, and perfectly competent with a blow-drier and styling irons. Wherever you go it pays to check if a junior or senior is needed for the job because charges vary. Some salons also charge extra to work on very long or thick hair.
New Zealand's first specialist blow-wave bar, Pony Xpress at Glassons, Newmarket, is expanding its set menu of looks from this Saturday, with four more belle-of-the-ball styles available at $35 for 30 minutes. Menu photographs let you see in advance what you're getting, with the new trend-driven styles including a bohemian braid, a classic chignon, a beehive and an 80s pony. Pony Xpress also offers a ball do tailored for you at $65 for 60 minutes, but with that, and menu looks, a wash and blow-dry, if needed, is extra. (For a menu look and blow-dry you'll pay $75).
Bettjemans in Orakei, is offering a special Viva deal. Its ball hair appointments cost $112.50, but when you mention this article, you will receive a complimentary L'Oreal Playball Anti-Frizz Fizz (150ml) hairspray valued at $32.
Me Salon in Ponsonby and Takapuna offers a ball package for $120. Ball hair ups alone cost $85 and makeup $65.
At Stephen Marr salons in Ponsonby, Takapuna and Newmarket, the ball package costs $190 for hair and makeup, with $90 redeemable on products, plus you can book a complimentary consultation first to decide if you want to commit.
Phoenix House of Makeup in Kingsland and Takapuna does ball makeup for $55, fully redeemable on products. You can book in for a ball makeup session at the Smashbox concept store in Ponsonby for $70, also redeemable on product.
M.A.C charges $90 for an application, extra for lashes. The cost is redeemable on product and comes with a face chart.
Brand makeup counters may do a free quick makeup, but bookings cannot always be made. At a beauty salon you may be made up by a therapist rather than a specifically trained makeup artist; expect a cost of $50-$100.
