five favorite hairdo’s: june 2016

With temperatures soaring and Independence Day right around the corner, there’s no denying: Chicago summer is finally upon us! This month’s Five Favorites at Sine Qua Non Salon finds us totally inspired by gorgeous updo’s, bohemian braids and bangs, and bleached bombshells for days.

Lauren gave Marly a bohemian prom braided knot!

First on the roster is Lakeview‘s own Lauren, who created a beautiful half up/half down topknot for her client Marly. In honor of prom and wedding season, Marly asked Lauren for a more free-flowing and messy updo, but one that was still intricate and that would hold for a night of dancing. Lauren incorporated braids into this bohemian partial updo, and took advantage of Aveda‘s brand new Shampure Dry Shampoo to add a degree of grip and texture for this messy yet deliberate look. Additionally, Lauren utilized a flat iron to finish Marly’s ends with a luxurious curl, completing the artfully mussed look that’s become so iconic to Chicago summer style. By finishing with Bumble and bumble‘s Spray De Mode hairspray, Lauren guaranteed Marly a ‘do that would cascade freely but also survive prom night intact. Lovely!

Marita created a beautiful braided updo!

Our second Favorite hair creation this week comes from Sine Qua Non‘s exemplary New Talent Program. Team member Marita caught the same braided updo fever that’s been sweeping festivals and formals alike, and gave her client Becky an amazing style! Marita’s planning started at the shampoo bowl with this project: she used Bumble and bumble‘s Thickening shampoo and conditioner to activate any extra volume and space that Becky’s hair might naturally have, giving them plenty to work with when constructing the updo. Marita then curled Becky’s whole head of hair, giving a free-flowing look that would help avoid chunkiness in pinning and braiding. Following this, Marita gave Becky two different types of braids: a very tight fishtail braid, which was then pulled loose section by section and incorporated into a larger, regular braid. Marita wrapped this regular braid around the first one, and then pulled both even further out to give this look an added degree of wispiness and freedom. To ensure that all their work wouldn’t be for naught, Marita finished this gorgeous style with Bumble and bumble’s Does It All hairspray for hold that would still bend, and even added R and Co‘s Continental Glossing Wax, which is one of the most lightweight pomade options possible and helped maintain Becky’s lovely flyaways. This finished style is perfect for any Chicago June occasion: weddings, concerts, proms, date nights, and everything in between!

Stacia gave performer Marian Van Noppen beautiful mermaid waves!

Speaking of concerts, our third Favorite summertime ‘do at Sine Qua Non belongs to Marian Van Noppen, vocalist and performer around town and client of Stacia at SQN Lakeview. Marian came to Stacia seeking a choppy haircut that would open her face up but still preserve her length. Because she’s got such long, lovely tresses, Stacia was able to not only clear away her face-framing layers, but curl the mids and ends with Bumble and bumble’s new Surf Foam Spray Blow Dry. This new product is wonderful for creating beachy, salt-sprayed looking waves without the hair becoming overly gritty or grimy, and was ideal for Marian’s total mermaid effect. After her cut, Marian headed to sing backup for Sine Qua Non music fav Celine Neon, and looked fantastic doing it!

A look at Nate’s bleach and tone work when in a perfect pony!

Continuing in the vein of inspiration from musicians, stylist Nate at Sine Qua Non Salon in Andersonville helped design a Lady Gaga-inspired blonde transformation for his client Leigha Crumbley. Leigha is a singer/songwriter based in Chicago under the moniker Leo Kidd, and wanted to channel a combination of Mother Monster with Marilyn Monroe for this bombshell look. Leigha began as a somewhat rooty blonde with highlights, but Nate worked to bleach any remnant of that completely out. He then toned the strands to keep them from getting too ashy or cool, and blew out Leigha’s freshly flaxen strands with Bumble and bumble’s Styling Lotion (a must-have structuring spray for anyone with chemically treated hair), and Bumble and bumble’s Does It All hairspray to hold those opulent curls. For our bleached SQN Angels at home, Nate recommends Bumble and bumble’s Repair Blow Dry serum to lock in moisture and avoid crunchiness, and R and Co‘s Sunset Boulevard Shampoo and Conditioner to maintain the tone. The entire process took three hours, but by the end, Leigha left looking completely rock and roll.

Leo Kidd’s lovely blonde bombshell look done by Nate!

Last but certainly not least, we have SQN Lakeview’s stylist Sarah, who cut and styled her client Lora Conrad in what can only be described as an utter homage to Stevie Nicks. Lora came to Sarah with photos of the Fleetwood Mac star for inspiration, and Sarah was thrilled. “She’s got the perfect texture for this kind of cut!” Sarah explained.

Lora Conrad has the perfect Stevie Nicks cut thanks to Sarah!

Sarah used an amalgamation of scissors and razor cutting on this haircut to give Lora a very soft fringe, as well as lots of layers to remove weight and enhance her natural texture. To style this 1970’s-esque masterpiece, Sarah worked in R and Co‘s newest curl product, Twister (a lightweight primer ideal for prepping curly locks), and then diffused to bring out Lora’s waves. By day, Lora curates a vintage shop called Hungry Heart Vintage, and thanks to Sarah she now has the kickass vintage cut to go with her charming wares.

Yenning for a bohemian braid all your own? Found your own inspiration and ready to make a change? Stop by Sine Qua Non Salons at Lakeview, Andersonville, or West Town and let us make your summer style completely sensational.