Style It Out

Six ways to up your styling game for the party season (clue: more texture)

Newflash: the bouncy blow-dry is cancelled this Christmas. Okay, the reality is that a volume-heavy blowout is probably one of the most requested styles for Christmas parties – but the trends dictate it’s time to switch it up…

“We’re moving away from the typical bouncy blow-dry towards a cooler vibe,” says Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist and owner of KAM Hair & Body (kamhairandbodyspa.co.uk).

Strip your styling back for this season - and indeed for SS19. The runways are seeing a more raw form of styling to enhance your natural texture, rather than hide it.

Want to play up texture? Read our ultimate insider guide for styling that’s oh-so-now.

1. Rethink your styling

Party season is already packed with enough sequins and glitz. Tone down the bouffant styles and stiff chignons with a way more relaxed mode of styling. Runways including Balmain, Blumarine, Etro and Isabel Marant all put modern texture on the hair agenda.

PRO TIP: “Effortless glamour is how I would describe on-trend styling right now. Instead of super-glamorous styles, focus on healthy, shiny hair that’s been styled in a less obvious way.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

2. Boost your product prep-work

Focus less on heated tools and let your styling products do the groundwork for a more natural, effortless finish. Backstage, session stylists are increasingly using their hands to dry in products.

PRO TIP: “I like to use a combination of Matrix Style Link Volume Builder and Matrix Style Link Heat Buffer. I apply the Volume Builder in damp hair and then layer with Heat Buffer to add strength and stability to any style.” - Christian Wiles, Matrix Artistic Director.

3. Embrace those kinks

The ongoing trend for individuality on the catwalks now applies to hair styling, too. Working with waves, curls or kinks (not against them) means you’ll end up with a far more authentic final look.

PRO TIP: “When it comes to styling, always try and work with natural kinks and texture as opposed to trying to mask it. Hair health is also a massive focal point right now so people are moving towards air-drying their hair and avoiding heated styling tools day-to-day.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

4. Turn edgy into accessible

As seen at AW18 catwalks including Prada, Alexander Wang and Richard Malone, wet-look hair is surprisingly wearable when it’s styled the right way to take it from catwalk to street.

PRO TIP: “The wet hair trend works great on any hair length and style. Remember to still style those ends to make it look polished and not like your client’s just stepped out the shower.” - Ashleigh Hodges, Matrix Artistic Director.

5. Finishing touches

Half a can of strong hold hairspray definitely isn’t required for this new wave of styling. Think subtle instead with styling finishes that don’t distract from the natural movement you’ve created.

PRO TIP: “To remove flyaway hairs on smoother, sleek styles try spraying Matrix Style Link Volume Fixer onto a soft make-up brush and gently smooth them down. I also spray a small amount onto my fingers and work into the hair to define the shape of the hairstyle.” - Christian Wiles, Matrix Artistic Director.

6. Add an Accessory

To inject some glamour into a natural textured style, try adding a bling hair accessory. Sparkling adornments were spotted in up and down hair on the AW18 catwalks at Zadig & Voltaire, Max Mara, Simone Rocha and Chanel.

PRO TIP: “You can base a style around a statement clip or grip. If your client’s considering a hair accessory, ask them to bring it to their appointment - they’ll have peace of mind knowing it’s been placed securely in the right place.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

Show us your party season style, or Matrix product hero and tag @matrix and #matrix

Six ways to up your styling game for the party season (clue: more texture)
Newflash: the bouncy blow-dry is cancelled this Christmas. Okay, the reality is that a volume-heavy blowout is probably one of the most requested styles for Christmas parties – but the trends dictate it’s time to switch it up…

“We’re moving away from the typical bouncy blow-dry towards a cooler vibe,” says Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist and owner of KAM Hair & Body (kamhairandbodyspa.co.uk).

Strip your styling back for this season - and indeed for SS19. The runways are seeing a more raw form of styling to enhance your natural texture, rather than hide it.

Want to play up texture? Read our ultimate insider guide for styling that’s oh-so-now.

1. Rethink your styling

Party season is already packed with enough sequins and glitz. Tone down the bouffant styles and stiff chignons with a way more relaxed mode of styling. Runways including Balmain, Blumarine, Etro and Isabel Marant all put modern texture on the hair agenda.

PRO TIP: “Effortless glamour is how I would describe on-trend styling right now. Instead of super-glamorous styles, focus on healthy, shiny hair that’s been styled in a less obvious way.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

2. Boost your product prep-work

Focus less on heated tools and let your styling products do the groundwork for a more natural, effortless finish. Backstage, session stylists are increasingly using their hands to dry in products.

PRO TIP: “I like to use a combination of Matrix Style Link Volume Builder and Matrix Style Link Heat Buffer. I apply the Volume Builder in damp hair and then layer with Heat Buffer to add strength and stability to any style.” - Christian Wiles, Matrix Artistic Director.

3. Embrace those kinks

The ongoing trend for individuality on the catwalks now applies to hair styling, too. Working with waves, curls or kinks (not against them) means you’ll end up with a far more authentic final look.

PRO TIP: “When it comes to styling, always try and work with natural kinks and texture as opposed to trying to mask it. Hair health is also a massive focal point right now so people are moving towards air-drying their hair and avoiding heated styling tools day-to-day.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

4. Turn edgy into accessible

As seen at AW18 catwalks including Prada, Alexander Wang and Richard Malone, wet-look hair is surprisingly wearable when it’s styled the right way to take it from catwalk to street.

PRO TIP: “The wet hair trend works great on any hair length and style. Remember to still style those ends to make it look polished and not like your client’s just stepped out the shower.” - Ashleigh Hodges, Matrix Artistic Director.

5. Finishing touches

Half a can of strong hold hairspray definitely isn’t required for this new wave of styling. Think subtle instead with styling finishes that don’t distract from the natural movement you’ve created.

PRO TIP: “To remove flyaway hairs on smoother, sleek styles try spraying Matrix Style Link Volume Fixer onto a soft make-up brush and gently smooth them down. I also spray a small amount onto my fingers and work into the hair to define the shape of the hairstyle.” - Christian Wiles, Matrix Artistic Director.

6. Add an Accessory

To inject some glamour into a natural textured style, try adding a bling hair accessory. Sparkling adornments were spotted in up and down hair on the AW18 catwalks at Zadig & Voltaire, Max Mara, Simone Rocha and Chanel.

PRO TIP: “You can base a style around a statement clip or grip. If your client’s considering a hair accessory, ask them to bring it to their appointment - they’ll have peace of mind knowing it’s been placed securely in the right place.” - Karen Thomson, Matrix Guest Artist.

Show us your party season style, or Matrix product hero and tag @matrix and #matrix