Creating volume, movement and head-turning curls

When it comes to hair, big was once again beautiful on the autumn/winter 08 catwalks, with the poker straight locks that have dominated recent seasons making way for movement, volume and curls. That transition has fast made it's way back into salons, as Lisa Shepherd, three times British Hairdressing Awards Midland Hairdresser of the Year, explains: "We are definitely seeing the return of a lot more movement in the hair in the form of soft curl which is being created using velcro rollers and tongs. "Clients are asking for style, but aren’t necessarily asking for a perm but they are wanting the 'soft, lived-in' curl almost like a 'slept-in' look."Session Stylist Zoë Irwin has also found it is a look enjoyed but her celebrity clients, including Lisa Snowden. Her tool of choice to create the loose, lived-in curl is the conical wand. "Lisa Snowden and I are both massive fans of the Conical Wands," adds Zoe. "I often loosely tong Lisa's hair in sections from the ear down to give a gorgeous tousled look." While Girls Aloud stylist Lisa Laudat also uses the wand to create the natural looking waves that have replaced the formerly dead straight styles of the country's favourite girl band. She adds: "The wand is fantastic for using on Nicola Roberts' hair. We use it from the mid-lengths to ends to make gorgeous waves." Wands, tongs, rollers, hot sticks, crimpers and straightening irons are already available to help you create volume and curls for clients who want to embrace the new trend but need to be coaxed into it gently or just don't like the idea of a perm. But London Errol Douglas MBE believes that the current trends will lead to even more industry developments and styling products to create head-turning bouncy and beautiful hair. "Movement is a key trend," says London Hairdresser Errol Douglas MBE. "And it's a two way street - the more curls appear on the catwalk, the more the industry responds with tools and formulas, and the more these are available, the more you'll see the styles filtering onto the high street." But is this all a passing fad or a one season wonder? No chance, according to Beverly C MBE. "Curls are back and they're here to stay," she concludes.

Styling Tips for On-Trend Volume and Curls

"At the Vivienne Westwood show at London Fashion week (pictured left), we used BaByliss PRO Crimpers to create gorgeous big hair with lots of texture. To recreate take hair in sections of about 7cm width and crimp from top to bottom. Spray each section with hairspray before crimping. Once all hair is crimped brush through to create a wild frizz effect!" Malcolm Edwards "For a glamorous yet soft look (like Angelina often wears on the red carpet) select different size rollers for a more natural finish and don’t wind all the way to the scalp. Larger rollers give larger barrel shapes so opt for these if you want to avoid tight curls. Spray each section of hair with hairspray or setting spray before adding the roller. Make sure the rollers are fully cool before removing, and run fingers through the curls once the rollers are removed. Avoid brushing as this will create frizz. Finish off with a gloss for all evening Hollywood shine." Patrick Cameron Pin each curl up as it’s created and then unpin all together at the end – this ensures the first curls don’t drop before the last ones are created. Make sure you spray hair with a heat protector and hairspray before curling to ensure long lasting, glossy curls. Malcolm Edwards To create the look of a sexy inspired bohemian glamorous girl take 1 inch sections and wrap the hair from the base of the hair around the curling tong from root to end. Once the whole head had been curled and left to cool brush the hair to create a glamorous sexy wave and then back-brush the underneath to give more volume at the ends. Guido Paulu Create bouncy curls with ceramic Hot Sticks