by Helen Kelly

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

One thing all Emo's have in common is color. Rainbow colors. The warm brights: startling reds, golden yellow, electric green, bubble gum pink! The cool colors are not forgotten. Bright blues, ranging from the color of the sky, to the depths of the ocean...wine-dark burgundy, even the royal purple is not left out. . These colors that draws the eye...no, assaults the eye, are part of what this style is about. Emotional, or Emo for short, is an outgrowth of the Goth movement in Fashion...where Drama reigns Supreme.

A flat iron is a must for this style. It would be wise to invest in a good quality instrument. It is needed to achieve the look of smooth, straight hair. First you cut on many different angles, in many different directions. When you cut the hair, you can either use scissors, or use a razor. Scissors are best for blunt cuts. As in the bangs, when cut straight across the forehead. Scissors can still can be used to "piece" the ends for a ragged look, or use scissors to shear across the twisted hair sections for effect.

The multi- length look is achieved by first tightly twirling the divided sections of the hair. Then, cut at an angle starting at the root area, or shear the hair at an angle upward, across the twisted sections away from the roots. It's no longer necessary to "measure" the hair with the previously cut section to keep it even. This can be done very little, for the idea is for the hair to have a random appearance. Order is not the order of the day in this look.

The dramatic color is applied by pre-bleaching whatever section is to be highlighted, then applying "specialty colors" that will bring the desired effect. An effect that is no longer limited to where on the head it should be, but where on the head it could be. In front, on the crown, off to the side, behind the ear, or at the nape. Anyplace there's hair on the head is now considered a place to strike with the aforementioned colors.

To finish off the look, a smoothing serum must be used to smooth out the hair to make it silky and shinning. Other products, such as "Scare Spray" or "Manipulator", will give the hair the strength it needs to stand on it's own (if that is the look you are going for). "Molding Mud" or "Hair Taffy" are other products that will give your hair the ability to stand out in any direction you choose. The hair can also lay flat against the head, but should be shiny. Before you head out the door, use a stiff holding spray that will hold the hair high.

This style works best on straighter hair. The severe angle of the cuts in the hair, are only emphasized by a straight look. Curly hair tends to soften this style, and that's not the point. This look makes a statement, and soft. it is not. This is a look that compliments a younger face.

When asking for this style at the Salon, it would be best to bring in a picture. Or just tell the stylist that you want your hair to look like your 3 year old cut it, then you stuck your finger in the light socket as a can of blue paint dripped on your head. Most stylists are unaware of this style. If they are aware of this style, your will only need to say..."Emo".

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