Philips HP8342/07 ProCare Perfection Hair Straightener

Right now is an exciting time to be styling hair. Sometimes hair isn't a big story on the catwalks, but this season it's the main attraction. We think it's because, in these economically challenging times, getting creative with your hair is a relatively inexpensive way of dramatically altering your look. From futuristic geometry to grown-up beach babe hair, texture, ghetto fabulous crimping and updos of all shapes and sizes, there is a great opportunity to have fun and experiment with hair this season. And as you'll see from our key looks, the possibilities are endless. Mix and match your hair to your mood as much as your outfit and most of all, style your hair with your imagination. (Andy Uffels - Philips Haircare Artistic Director)

For a really professional-looking updo, it's a necessity to straighten your hair first. Straightening adds extra shine and creates a polished finish. We created a chic yet playful effect by smoothing the top and sides but leaving the poker-straight ends free. This juxtaposition of textures was one of the buzzwords backstage for all the hairstylists at the shows. The key to two-tone perfect is to keep it asymmetrical. This prevents the style looking too contrived.

Achieve a perfect finish day and night, with less heat, with the Philips ProCare Perfection straightener

The Philips ProCare Perfection gives you shiny, straight hair around the clock. The unique Style Refresh® setting allows you to reinvigorate your style for a perfect finish day and night, while minimising the damage that repeat heat styling can cause. Popular on the catwalks and currently sported by celebrities of all ages, ‘Be Blunt’ is a stylish long bob with a heavy fringe. Our interpretation of this look is soft, feminine and will show off your hair’s natural potential. The rounded fringe keeps this look shiny and modern. The intention is not to look like Cleopatra!

Understand:

This look starts with a great cut and will work on most hair, in particular slightly thick and springy hair with a natural wave. It’s also an incredibly flattering style for all ages since it frames and accentuates the face.

Care:

With this style, don’t be tempted to use too many products as they can reduce the shine. In fact when using a good hair straightener--like the Philips ProCare Perfection--you will find you won’t need to use a lot of styling products. This is great because you want to keep the hair flexible and soft so you can see and feel the bounce despite its straight look.

Create:

For that ‘just left the hairdresser’ result, straighten your hair in small sections. Start close to the roots and glide the straightener all the way down to the ends of the hair, keeping it moving at all times. Don’t forget to use the clever Style Refresh® setting to restyle throughout the day.

Get the look:

During the daytime, this look can be soft, fresh and feminine yet professional. At night, it can be dressed up to look sleek, polished and modern.

1. You want to start straightening underneath, so clip up the fringe out of the way and then clip each side up. Starting on one side, release a section at the back and clip the rest back up out of the way. Keep the section small, otherwise the straightener won’t reach every strand of hair.

2. Apply a heat protection spray to the section you are about to straighten. Choose a heat activating protection spray that is suited to your hair type.

3. Using the Philips ProCare Perfection, straighten each section from root to tip. Keep it moving smoothly through the hair at all times for an even result.

4. Lastly, release the fringe. With a thick fringe look like this, don’t try and straighten it all on one go. Take two or three layers of hair instead. Turn the straightener inwards as it moves down the hair to make the fringe fall inwards. The more natural movement and texture you want, the smaller the sections.

Don’t forget, you can use the Style Refresh® setting to reinvigorate your style and ensure a perfect finish, day and night.