Beyond Bare

One is a fun twist on the messy bun, and the other turns your hair into a French-braided headband. Way 1: The Messy Bun with Braided Sides You’ll need: A hair elastic, a few bobby pins, and hair long enough to put up in a bun. Way 2: The Twisted-Crown Braid You’ll need: A few bobby pins and hair slightly longer than shoulder length. Video: Amanda Nyren and Mae Rice, Groupon

Lincoln Park’s Salon 1800 has been featured in Michigan Avenue and Allure magazines, but it wasn’t its reviews that won me over. It was the salon’s promise to remove my fear of commitment—that is, my fear of committing to a permanent hair color. The answer, as offered by stylist Jade LaVoy, was glazing. Her explanation—that glazing is a semipermanent, low-commitment alternative to full-out dyes—eased my worries about hating the results or missing my natural hair color. The idea caught my normally fickle fancy, and after a few weeks to think it over, I decided to take the leap. Jade began the appointment with a brief consultation. We discussed options to enhance my natural light brown color—if you have dark hair, glazing can add shine, but the pigment may not show as much. We ultimately agreed on a coppery auburn, ideal for the approaching summer season and for complementing my hazel eyes and fair skin. She mixed the custom shade and slathered my hair in a reddish goop. The treatment required only 20 minutes to set—another bonus. After a shampoo and conditioning, I caught my first glimpse of my new color as pieces of bright hair sprang from the towel on my head. I already felt like a bolder person—so bold, in fact, that I allowed Jade to cut my freshly tinted locks into an edgier bob that was longer on one side. After all, hair grows as much as semipermanent color fades. After my temporary transformation was complete, I sat down with Jade to learn more about the technique and what kind of maintenance I was in for. Turns out the upkeep is as low-commitment as the service itself. GROUPON: What exactly is hair glazing? JADE LAVOY: Glazing is a semipermanent color that doesn’t absorb into the cuticle. It eventually fades into your natural color and adds tone and shine. G: How does it differ from hair dye?  JL: Permanent color will penetrate the hair cuticle. It uses ammonia to open up the pores and allow the color [to absorb]. Glazing doesn’t use ammonia. G: In what ways is glazing better or preferred over permanent hair dye? JL: Glazing is used in many ways. It is good for someone who is not looking for commitment or wants to see how a color looks before making a permanent change. It adds shine or maintains the color clients already have. It is also good for anyone who wants to [transform] their highlights because it can change the tone of highlights, too. G: What makes glazing different than the semipermanent, at-home box treatments? JL: You never know what you’ll get in a box. Those kinds of treatments can actually leave buildup on hair and hamper the results of a professional treatment. Plus, professional glazing lasts longer, about six to eight weeks, and the products [stylists] use will help keep the longevity of the color. G: What is the maintenance like for this treatment? JL: Glazing is such a low-maintenance service. Since the color doesn’t grow out, you don’t need a touchup. If you want to keep the color or change it, you would just come in for another full glaze. We highly recommend professional products to keep the color longer. Professional products have a lower pH, which helps the color molecules [last]. Sulfate-free products work well, too. Products with a higher pH strip the hair and actually reverse the process. G: What would you tell people who are new to the process or are thinking about getting it done? JL: Set up a time to consult with a stylist. Depending on where you go, most consultations are free and there’s no pressure to commit to anything. It’s always nice to have a second opinion, and consultations really help you determine the best color and style for your lifestyle.

Can a person not named Kate Middleton really wear a tiara without looking like a Disney character come to life? Four Etsy artists say yes—and show us how. Tiaras appear to be having a moment, and not just on Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey either. Earlier this year, Kate Middleton caused a commotion when she attended a state event wearing a diamond- and pearl-studded tiara—the first bejeweled headpiece she’s donned since her wedding. Royals aren’t the only ones driving the trend: designer Vivienne Westwood has been known to wear a coral tiara of her own design on bike rides around London, and Lupita Nyong’o's sparkle headband at the Oscars added a regal touch to her elegant Prada gown. And lest you think the craze is just for eccentric fashion icons or movie stars, remember that Gatsby-style headbands and boho flower crowns are essentially variations on the traditional tiara. Of course, plopping a sparkly crown on your head and running around town is liable to earn you a few sideways glances, unless you know how to do it right. Below, four Etsy artisans—and tiara makers—provide tips on how to pull off the trend without looking like a fairy princess, using their own creations (which we've ordered from subtlest to boldest) as inspiration. The Flower Crown Rustic Berry Circlet by Felicite from Noon on the Moon This berry flower crown is one of Felicite’s simpler designs, which makes it easy to wear with any kind of outfit. “I personally love it paired with a creamy peasant blouse, some skinny jeans or cute cuffed shorts, and a pair of chunky sandals for a bohemian look,” Felicite says. “It also looks great with a flowing maxi dress and some beaded flip-flops.” Another tip: size matters. “The trick to wearing a crown casually is to keep it small. An oversized wreath may look great on Pinterest, but wearing it around town will be a bit of a challenge. A smaller headpiece with dainty flowers is a great way to add that whimsical touch…while staying comfortable and not being too costume-y.” The Flapper-Style Headband Gracie Headband by Jaymie Senga from Lottie-Da Designs Senga—who decided to go into the accessories business after making her own wedding jewelry—embraces an aesthetic that’s less fantasy, more flapper. “My designs are all vintage inspired. This year’s collection is reminiscent of the 1920s art-deco era using feathers, crystal, lace, vintage netting, and ribbon as my main materials,” she says. For this ‘20s-style headband, she suggests hair be worn “wavy, in a loose, low bun or chignon off to one side with a few wavy pieces framing your face.” To avoid costume territory, she'd style it with a “white denim jacket, blush-colored top with an above-the knee, A-line flowy skirt, and a pair of great pointy flats.” She advises keeping “your outfit simple…and your other accessories understated. Let the headpiece frame your face and be the focal point.” It's also probably a good idea to steer clear of any flapper-inspired clothing, i.e. anything featuring beadwork, fringe or a giant feathered boa. The Crystal Circlet Elsa Snowflake Circlet by Jennifer Beasley from Beasley’s Wonders To style this simple, sparkly circlet, Beasley recommends “white skinny jeans and a flowing blue shirt with cutouts on the shoulders.” Her inspiration: the movie Frozen. “I'm just so obsessed with Frozen. I've got more snowflakes than I know what to do with right now,” she jokes. For those who fear the Disney influence, no matter how subtle, she also has other suggestions. “Try the natural look with a bronze circlet and wear loose clothes in earthy tones. Remember to keep your hair relaxed, either flowing free or in a messy ponytail or braid.” The Medieval-Inspired Tiara Forever My Heart Headband by Elnara Niall from Medieval Bridal Fashions Like most, Niall’s love of tiaras was born in childhood. “I’ve always had a passion for all things princess,” she says. “I played with dolls until the age of 21. I used to dress them up in fantasy medieval stuff. I used to make dresses out of napkins and stuff like that.” As you might expect, her designs evoke an ethereal feel, made from precious metals, semiprecious stones, and some lab-grown stones, blended together with silversmithing techniques. To avoid a costumey look, she typically recommends headpieces that don’t come to a point in the middle, since those are more fantasy inspired. She also recommends wearing them as a headband, instead of across the forehead. As for an outfit, she remembers one of her customers wore this tiara with a “really puffy white cable-knit sweater and scarf that looked fantastic.” Photos (from top) courtesy of Felicite, Jaymie Senga, Jennifer Beasley, Elnara Niall