Claude Thomas's 2018 trend Radar

2018 TREND RADAR: What is the style direction for hair and hair color

   Hello, 2018! We are HERE for the “new year, new me” mantra when it comes to predicting what trends will blow up in the next 365 days, and the ones we’ll be leaving behind in yesteryear.  Here is the new look to inspire you on into 2018

    1. Choppy Shag Haircuts

The iconic shag haircut made a major comeback last year, and 2018 is about embracing those ‘70s-inspired, choppy layers for a versatile and super-textured style. for Hollywood’s biggest stars—Kristen Stewart, Gwyneth Paltrow and Rooney Mara to name a few.  Modern shag features choppy layers, major movement and texture for days.

 2. Wash-And-Go Hair

We know you love the lived-in texture,  so I predict “wash-and-go” hair will be 2018’s way of embracing everyday style. This look with what I call selective cutting and/or point-cutting deep on the baseline and anticipating where that hair lives and wants texture. This cut is based on how you curl or style your hair. This creates a wearable, everyday texture you can style at home.

3. Goodbye, Rooty Blondes! 

We’re going to see the end of the grown-out, rooty hair color trend. Its time to say goodbye to the so-called designer root and make the commitment to being a blonde. Looking like a true natural blonde is what 2018 is about.

4. Razor Cuts

2017 was the year of the bob and  2018 will be the year of the razor cut. “We are moving away from the bob and women are open to more androgynous and edgy haircuts yet still soft. So soft ends and major texture is the on-trend cut.  And yes the fringe is back

5. Muted Shades

Keep your eye out for soft and subtle hair color. “Everyone is toning down and making their color more muted and darker.  Even the pastel hair color is going softer.  And what about the Metalic hair colors?   Well, they will definitely stay on-trend, but they’ll become softer and more opalescent with less saturated colors.

6. Go Green 

Pantone’s color of the year may be ultraviolet, but green hair color is about to go viral. Style icons like Rihanna, Kesha and Jared Leto have pulled off the bold and rebellious color trend in years past but get ready to see everything from lime to teal take over our Insta feeds in 2018.

7. Disconnected Haircuts

Mullets have slowly been making their way back into the mainstream, so keep disconnected haircuts (from subtle to an extreme!) Long hair might have an added fringe or a shorter side, but not necessarily shaved.  Short hair might have an added accent extension piece  It’s a new year…so if you want to edge it up, make a big change with bold, trendsetting styles.

Let's take a closer look at some great shag styles

Getting excited yet.......I know I am

The Eyes are the window to our soul and one of our best features to enhance Eyelash Lift and Eyelash extensions

Eyelash Lift

The Eyelash lift is not new but has come back as a new service.  The eyelash perming, or it’s new coined name “lash lift”, has become more popular than ever.

 A lash lift is like a perm for your lashes. Like old-school perms from the '80s, the lash lift sets the shape of your natural lashes using a chemical solution. "A lift is essentially what your lash would be doing with a really good mechanical curler (without the possible damage the curler can do), so [giving] a nice shape upward and a realistic curl.

This is Ideal for people who crave extra curl for their natural lashes; the curling adds natural lift to lashes and also helps mascara achieve a fuller look. The LashLift will hold your curled lashes in place for approximately 4-6 weeks.

 It's like a perm (but without chemicals like parabens or formaldehyde), for your natural eyelashes. It uplifts and curls them from the base of the lash, making them stand out and look longer. It's often paired with an eyelash tint, to enhance the defining effect.

If the lash lift will not cut it for you or give you that look you want….

THEN…

Let’s talk Eyelash Extensions.

There are three types of lash extensions: synthetic, silk and mink. Size availability ranges from 6mm to 17mm. Once selected, the lashes are applied one at a time using specially formulated, a semi-permanent glue that will not irritate the eye nor damage the natural lash.

1.       Semi-permanent eyelash extensions are way different from temporary strip or individual lashes. Semi-permanent ones are applied by hand one lash at a time by a technician who glues extensions on top of your actual lashes, They can last for six to eight weeks with proper care and remain on your natural lashes until they naturally fall out, as all lashes do.

2.       Eyelash extensions aren't a one-size-fits-all-eyes situation. That is why you need an experienced expert.  After you decide to get extensions, you have to make a whole lot of other decisions, beginning with the lash material, such as mink, silk, or some other kind of synthetic. (Mink is usually pricier, feels softer, and looks more natural; however, some synthetics, which are highly customizable, can also look and feel natural mink. Then, you'll discuss your density options (more lashes create a fuller look); curl (the steeper the slope, the more dramatic the effect); and length (a matter of personal preference).

 The longer the extensions, the more lashes you'll probably need. Super-long lashes appear to spread as they extend away from your lid, which can make them look less full than your natural lashes.

 You have to lay low for at least 12 hours after application. Your lash expert should tell you not to sweat, cry, swim, or wash your face for at least 12 hours after getting extensions to give the glue a chance to set and cure. When glue doesn't dry, it can dissolve and invade your eyes, or vaporize in response to your body temperature.

 Extensions are somewhat expensive and somewhat time-consuming to maintain but more than worth it. It isn't recommended to use mascara on top of extensions because it can damage them. A basic set (typically 70 to 80 lashes per eye) can cost $150. To $400 for an application. You do want to have an experienced expert for this service to assure a great result. An expert in this field can complete this service in about an hour give or take. Because eyelashes grow and eventually fall out, you may have to go back every few weeks for fill-ins. This cost can range from $20 to $60 in general.

 Extensions make everyday eye makeup pretty much unnecessary. They stand in for mascara, but also creates a bit of a base with each extension so it creates an illusion of eyeliner too.

 If you do need to apply a full-on eye makeup such as addition eyeliner and eyeshadows no problem just remove it at the end of the night using oil-free pads and gently swipe downward to take the makeup off.

 Some maintenance is required. Lashes can get tousled when you sleep or getting them wet, which makes them look messy, and they can also pick up debris. So, it's important to gently brush your lashes with a clean, disposable mascara wand when you wake up, after you shower, and at the end of the day.  It is recommended applying diluted baby shampoo to the lashes for gentle nightly cleanings. It's a myth that you shouldn't wash your lashes, but try not to play with, pick at, or rub them.

 After you get extensions, your natural lashes will always seem much shorter to you. Eye extensions shouldn't cause lash breakage, so long as your technician doesn't overload fragile lashes with extensions that are too heavy.