Thursday, July 06, 2000
'Feathered' hair on the cutting edge
Farrah-Fawcett's 'Charlie's Angels' look grows more refined and convenient
By Christine Oliva
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Julie Morgan likes change — especially when it comes to her hair.
The 39-year-old teacher from Terrace Park says she tries new looks all the time. This week, it's “feathering.”
“She has a great sense of style,” said her stylist Paul Hitch, artistic director at Mitchell's Salon and Day Spa in Kenwood. “She has perfect hair to do this with — just enough wave to really support this style.”
Although the hair-spray cloud has significantly decreased and the preparation time is cut in half, feathered hair is back in style — this time with a 2000 flair. Tamer than Farrah Fawcett's hair in the 1970s TV show Charlie's Angels, variations of the style are appearing on runways, and more people in Cincinnati are trying it.
“Bigger looks are coming back in,” said salon owner and stylist Sharon Hargis-Thompson of the Hairy Cactus on Chester Road in Sharonville. “We've gone from a straight, smooth flat-iron into some texture and volume through cutting, razoring and even some perming — but not as we knew it before. We're trying to mimic the natural look.”
A proper cut is the key, said Chris Chambers, a stylist at Matt Bradley Salon on Erie Avenue in Hyde Park. The end result: “It has a disco look to it with today's edge.”
Although it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to style the soft, textured layers, the look is easily adaptable. And it's perfect for people trying to grow their hair out from the short, blunt cuts that have been popular.
Cindy Loon, 29, of Montgomery, updated her basic bob in April. As a mom, she wanted something easy to take care of without having to sacrifice style.
“I wanted a nice, trendy haircut that I could do easily, so I don't look like a frazzled mom,” she said. “And I love it. I feel like a Charlie's Angel.”
The feathered look was first evident on runways in the spring of 1999, when fashion designers coupled the hairstyle with 1980s-inspired fall 2000 apparel. Since then, the Zeitgeist has been gaining momentum among women, with the curled-back tresses appearing on rapper Mary J. Blige, whose halter tops, hoop earrings, and glossy red lipstick complete the late-'70s look.
Madonna, ska singer Gwen Stefani, 17-year-old country music phenom LeAnn Rimes, and actresses Liv Tyler, Jenna Elfman, Raquel Welch, and Pamela Anderson Lee have also adopted the cut.
Mr. Hitch, 31, says the hair trend is flowing from retro clothing styles. Just look at Jennifer Lopez's oversized, tinted aviator glasses and Sarah Jessica Parker's flower lapel pins and vintage Halston in Sex and the City.
“It all has to balance with the clothes and makeup,” he said. “Like those big, platform shoes that everybody's wearing. We don't think anything of that. It's the same thing with hair.”
But there is also cultural nostalgia for that era. Around the corner, after all, is a summer stamped with the Diana Ross tour, her hair bigger than ever. Shaft, another '70s style icon, hit the big screen June 16. And this fall, the movie version of Charlie's Angels debuts.
It all reflects the revolving nature of fashion, said Lee Bressler, owner of the Fourth Street Salon downtown.
“Every 20 to 25 years, hair keeps coming back around,” said Mr. Bressler, 50. “We just finished with that '60s and '70s retro look and now it's feathering.”
Jamie Thibert of Newport has modeled on and off since she was 16, so she's always had to keep her hair long. But with her new cut, Ms. Thibert, 32, can still look current, she says.
“I can flip it or I can totally feather it, like when Farrah Fawcett was the queen on Charlie's Angels ” she said. “It's very versatile.”
Some Cincinnatians never gave up the feathered style.
Becki Ryan, 33 , of Mason, has worn her hair the same way for about 10 years, changing only the length. Right now her permed tresses fall just below her shoulders.
“I'm not one to follow trends much,” she said. I just do what I want. I always go for simple and quick.”
Melissa Wheatley, a receptionist at Matt Bradley's salon, adopted the style about three weeks ago and says it's “fun and trendy.”
“I feel like I'm in style and up-to-date,” Mrs. Wheatley said. “I was scared to do it because I thought it would be really hard to manage, but it's not at all.”
Mrs. Wheatley, 23, uses two tools: A round brush for the fluffy, feathery look and a blow dryer to straighten her natural curls.
“I don't think women will ever go back to high-maintenance styling,” said Mrs. Hargis-Thompson, 43. “None of us have the time. This look is no set, no fuss, dry and go.”
Mrs. Morgan says all she has to do is blow dry her hair. Mr. Hitch used only his fingers to style it. And it doesn't require frequent returns to the salon.
“The way Paul cuts it, it can keep growing, and it always looks good,” she said.
Lisa Acker, 35, of Hyde Park, had worn her hair long for years, but she was tired of spending so much time blow drying her wavy tresses.
“I thought if I didn't do anything to it, then it wouldn't look cute,” she said. “I was surprised that it took less time than long hair.”
The latest wave of Matt Bradley billboards going up this summer in bus shelters citywide show two variations of the style. One model has loose, open curls. The other is growing out her hair.
“You can adjust it to fit your lifestyle,” said Mr. Chambers, 37, who crafted Mrs. Wheatley's cut. “It doesn't have to look like you just stepped out of a fashion magazine.”
But Mr. Bressler said most of his clients aren't ready to sacrifice even that much time on a daily basis.
“People are used to simple and easy-to-maintain hairstyles,” he said. “They're not spending as much time styling their hair as they were in the '70s and they're not ready to give that up yet.”
Mr. Hitch says he's been giving his customers this latest cut since November, but the requests for the style are becoming regular.
“People in Cincinnati are as apt to change as people in Chicago and New York,” he said. “I have a client base to prove it.”
Although the Midwest has a reputation for lagging behind when it comes to fashion, Mr. Chambers said Cincinnati is “really catching on.” He estimated that 20 to 25 percent of his clients are opting for feathered styles. He expects the the fall collections to spur even more Cincinnatians toward feathering.
“I think this is really going to be a big thing,” he said.
New York Times News Service contributed to this report.
Natural gas in demand, too
Pastry lovers lose old friend
Gore invites AME members to join his quest
IRS owes millions, audit says
Heavy-hitters stay late at steakhouse
Who should be cast away?
Bad drivers come in all ages
$11.5M for stadium transfered
Councilman Saylor's foes fire first official salvo
Multistate lottery attacked
Poll finds Bush leads in N.Ky.
Sister's arrests strain identity
Suspect can't buy a haven
Suspect subpoenaes council
Bridges pleads not guilty
Care center security reviewed after rape
'Feathered' hair on the cutting edge
Fort Mitchell plans new park
Harry Potter parties greet 'Goblet'
Pig Parade: CPA (Certified Piglet Accountant)
Plaza named for civic giant
Prosecutor: Delays hampering West End board probe
Renovation project hits snag
Coroner: Baby was asphyxiated
Health studies in kindergarten heralds changes
Judges discuss probation officers' complaints
Merit pay plans popular
Ohio limits sale of driver data
Science teachers get back to basics
Stores make way for new CVS in Cheviot
Unwanted animals get second chance at haven in Indiana
Center plans to expand
16 die on Ky. roads over holiday
Driver enters plea in death
GET TO IT
Tristate digest
