your Beauty Our duty

Credits:

Editoral - Essence Magazine
Pictures - Berry Behrendt





Change Your Part

The middle part is back in a big way, whether you wear your hair in layers like Beyoncé or channel Halle’s blunt cut. Think of it as your ten-second shortcut to effortless sex appeal. Keep it chic with a shine spray like Dr. Miracle’s Healing Oil Sheen Spray ($7.12 at Classic Closeouts).


Update Your Bob

It’s a surefire way to freshen flat, lifeless hair. The perfect length for a fab bob? Top stylists say anything shoulder length and above. If you’re too scissor shy to go short, opt for a good trim. Just an inch will give your style more mileage.

Rock the Latest Accessories

Whether you pin up your hair with a beautiful comb or pull it back under a colorful headband, nothing adds instant attitude like the right accent piece.









Do It Up Right

From the red carpet to the silver screen, celebrities are wearing upswept looks that are sexy and sophisticated, not stiff (read: no more slick-and-set gel styles). Ready for top billing? Pull hair up or tie it back, letting strands fall naturally into place. A wide-tooth comb and a light holding spray like S-Factor Vivacious Hair Spray ($26, beauty salons nationwide) are the only supporting cast this production needs.

Create or Update Bangs

The best ones slim the face and soften features. For a fresher look, cut or grow your bangs to just above your lashes. And try a different shape: side sweeps work best for rounder faces like Queen Latifah's; straight or asymmetrical bangs look great on oval faces like Rihanna's. Keep yours looking fabulous, not frizzy, with Luster's Renutrients Replenishing Style Creme ($5.99 at Walgreens).

Add Extensions

The favorite new hair accessory? Clip-on hair extensions, like Euronext 100% Premium Remy Human Hair Clip-in Extensions ($70, Sally Beauty stores). They make it easy to achieve a fabulous style, as well as add thickness and volume to your look. Even better: Clip-on extensions don’t require as much time—or money—as a full weave.

Take a Short Cut

Short can be chic: Think Kelis or Keyshia Cole. If you're a girl on the move who likes to just shake it and go, a close crop is the look for you. Keep it funky with a sculpting wax like Pantene Pro-V Texturize! ($4.59 at Drugstore.com), and don't forget to keep sides and back smooth and sleek with an Umberto Beverly Hills boar and nylon brush ($13, Target stores).












Go Back to Your Roots

If you’re considering growing out your relaxer and going natural, there’s no time like the present to make the transition. To help with those in-between stages, use a curling cream like Kinky-Curly Curling Custard ($25 at Kinky Curly). They’re great for smoothing down new growth, defining waves or curls, and adding moisture.

Play With Texture

Curls and waves add volume and body. Here are a few stylists’ tricks from our photo shoot: For natural hair, two-strand twist or plait wet or dry hair, then pin-curl to set at night; release in the morning for beautiful waves. If your hair is relaxed, reach for hot rollers—the pros’ go-to gadget. Try using the Profiles Spa 20 Piece Tourmaline Hairsetter Rollers ($54.99, Amazon.com) instead of a curling iron to achieve lush, romantic curls. For extra volume, set hair at the crown.

Pump Up Your Color

Make a statement in the season’s hottest hues. Deep, warm colors like reds and dark browns always look best against winter’s frigid backdrop. If you are a dye-hard blond, try getting lowlights— a method of streaking hair with darker shades to give lighter colors added dimension. Can’t get to the salon? Color at home with Dark and Lovely Fade-Resistant Rich Conditioning Color in Soft Amber ($5.99 at Walgreens).