INTERVIEW: Wella Care and Styling Ambassador Travis Balcke

Here at miss chew I love to bring you up to date trends, and tips and tricks from the experts and so I bring you another interview with Wella Care and Styling Ambassador Travis Balcke.

Travis travels to Fashion Weeks across the globe each year to style models’ hair for catwalk shows. He is no stranger to creating celebrity looks, having styled Lady Gaga’s hair for the Alejandro video to name just one.

Travis’s styling expertise has also seen him working on international jobs such as Calvin Klein and Italian Vogue, so this guy really knows his hair. I was able to ask him a few short questions and also pick his brains on how he created one of his gorgeous looks. 

1. What do you see as the key hair-do trends for Summer? Long, loose, feminine enhancing natural texture, polished beautiful hair

2. What do you see as the hot hair colours for Summer? Textured and multi-tonal blondes working with pearl & creamy tones on the mid lengths and ends with warmer biscuit tones through to shortbread colours on the roots will be the season’s hottest colours! Wella has actually just released four fabulous new shades of blonde for summer which help achieve these tones

Re-creating the look:

1. Shampoo with Wella Professionals Brilliance Shampoo then condition with Brilliance Conditioner (both RRP $24) to create weight-less shine and help retain colour in hair. Apply Wella Professionals “Velvet Amplifier” (RRP $24), which works like a make-up primer, preparing hair for further styling. Apply Wella Volume Boost Mousse (RRP $24) and then blow dry with your hands to create volume with natural texture
2. Part hair loosely on the side
3. Roll hair around itself on side one, creating a loose victory roll, which should sit low. Make sure it’s not too symmetrical
4. Roll the hair into a loose shape and fasten with grips/bobby pins
5. Repete these steps on side two  
6. To personalise with accessories in this picture I used gold slides
7. Finish with Wella Professionals “Stay Styled” (RRP $24) to secure the look keep it natural with a soft shine

Just gorgeous huh?

 I hope you have found this interview helpful. I really love the Wella brand and every shampoo, conditioner or styling product I have used I have not been able to fault, they are salon quality and only sold in salons for a reason. If you haven't tried this brand before I highly recommend you do. 

miss chew

xx

INTERVIEW: Personal Hairdresser Colin Bond

Today I thought I would bring you an interview with my hairdresser Colin Bond, not only is he well respected in his field but he operated directly to you, that's right, if you live in Sydney he comes to your house to do your hair. This is a huge deal for me as my time is so limited and he brings everything he could possibly need and my fave part is he gives you a drink of frangelico... yummmm... So now, onto the interview...

1. What made you branch out into personal hairdressing?

Colin: After many years working with Toni & Guy and then in my own studio in Surry Hills, it was time to branch out and try something new. It seemed like a natural progression to provide an at home service to my clients that were starting to have children. I have now created a unique in home personalised hair experience complete with a glass of Frangelico and some tunes. My business is further expanding to service increasingly time poor people that are finding it harder to get to the salon and prefer to have their hair done in the comfort of their homes.

2. What products are you loving right now to use on your clients?

Colin: Loreal and O&M organic hair products. They not only smell beautiful but leave the hair with a natural long lasting shine. I'm loving O&M Atomic spray which works really well on fine hair giving it extra body without weighing it down and I love O&M Hydrate & Conquer shampoo for coloured hair.

3. What trends to you see coming for Summer for hair styles, shapes and colours?

Colin: I'm not the sort of person to follow what everyone else is doing with trends as it's all been done, so why follow. Life is about being different and creating something for the individual, something that suits, is wearable and easy to manage. The fringe has been worn in every possible way and it's definitely something that will not go out of fashion providing the hairline sits well. Brunettes and blondes are here to stay. My clientele are predominately Mums who are wanting something different but very to manage.

4. I have balayage in my hair (as is quite popular right now) and I want to know what people like me need to do to look after this particular colour? 

Colin: Balayage is most definitely the colour of the moment for mid to long hair. Its works well when the hair has a slight wave too. I would recommend a good treatment once a week leaving for 30-mins wrapped up in a hot towel and a great conditioner. To style, either let it dry naturally providing you have a slight wave or curl, or twist it up, pin, let it dry and viola, a natural curl.

Thanks Colin, I must admit when Colin uses the O & M products on me my hair is incredibly soft, definitely something to invest in!

To find out more information about colin you can visit his website: http://www.colinbond.net or see his facebook page here.

Have you guys tried Original and Mineral Products before? Would you like a hairdresser to come to your home?

miss chew

xx

INTERVIEW with Jewellery Designer from SanCerre, Sarah Wilkinson

Recently I was lucky enough to be able to ask Jewellery Designer 29 year old Melbourne Designer Sarah Wilkinson from cult brand SanCerre a few questions to get an understanding behind her designs and also about jewellery trends.

The brand SanCerre has been around since 2006 and is available online and at over 150 boutiques across the country.

When did you decide you wanted to be a jewellery designer?

I could never find what I wanted so I brought the materials and started to make jewellery myself. I was a uni student and had to come up with a way of changing my wardrobe without having to spend huge amounts of money - accessories become my answer.

Where do you draw your inspiration for your collections?

Travel plays a big role.  I am always inspired by the colours, textures and designs I come across, particularly in Asia. I also get motivated by accessorising my everyday outfits. I like to sample ideas on myself and see what sort of feedback I get off people. We also like to ask our customers what they want and try to cater to that too.

What do you have in store for Sancerre?
2010 is going to see SanCerre release a clothing line to complement our existing accessories. It is a line of mix and match pieces so each customer can create their own look, consisting mainly of basics with a twist that are designed to be layered and a few fashion pieces. We have chosen to avoid trends, so each piece will be able to be worn season after season. It encompasses a lifestyle really, proving that style and comfort are perfect partners. It will be easy to wear and care for and affordable.
We are also going to expand our jewellery lines with a strong focus on sterling silver. Stay tuned!

What direction do you want to take your jewellery design to? 
I particularly love tribal (100% silver) and sterling silver as it requires little to no maintenance and just wears and wears- you put it on and don't have to worry about it. These materials are going to play a big part in upcoming lines. I also love the gift giving aspect of our jewellery. A gift can be personalised, catering to an individual's needs and taste by choosing a specific medallion or charm eg. Love, health, friendship or guardian angel, making it a gift with meaning, so there is going to be a strong focus on pieces that carry significance and are not just aesthetically pleasing.

What are next trends that you see in the future of jewellery design, are there any particular materials you would like to work with or incorporate?

As I mentioned previously, I would like to continue to work with Tribal and Sterling silver. I prefer natural materials for their texture and endurability, although sometimes they prove more of a challenge to work with. There are still a lot of synthetic resin products being used in the market due to their affordability and availability however, I believe there is a trend encouraging sustainability and care for the environment incorporating the use of recycled products such a computer parts, car parts and recycled paper. We are currently searching for a supply of recycled glass to incorporate into our range.
 

How would you describe the current trend in jewellery?
In Australia we seem to be dabbling on both sides of the spectrum. Big bright chunky materials/jewels on robe or chain contrasted with super fine pieces with delicate trimmings. We will always have the traditionalist especially in Melbourne who love the classic pieces from the likes of Tiffany's.

Who do you have in mind when you are designing your jewellery?
We like to keep the consumer in mind. We therefore focus on quality, affordability and individuality. We like our pieces to be worn with ease and versatility to suit any outfit or occasion, with age no barrier.

What tip would you give for when girls are picking jewellery pieces to wear?

Don't follow current trends, follow your heart. Retain your own sense of style.

What's your favourite piece in your current collection?

Ohhh, this is hard! I wear the Tibetan silver bracelets continuously, but as Christmas and warm weather is coming, the bright colours of the fiesta necklaces and the Wood stock silk ropes are taking pole position as they are great gifts.
 

You can find out more information about the SanCerre you can visit the website here.

miss chew

xx