Avanti South has had to close its’ doors, and we would like to thank everyone for all their love and support for these past 3 years.

You can find where your favorite stylist has gone:

Avi Elkayam: Now at Patrice Vinci Salon at 91 Newbury Street

Please call 617-267-1900 for an appointment, or email avi.a.elkayam@gmail.com

Jaclyn Granera: Now at Kent Newton Salon, 1315 Washington Street in the South End

Call: (617) 426-2640 for an appointment

Recently we were lucky enough to be invited to an editorial styling workshop taught by Marco Santini (a top stylist and educator) in NYC to learn how to create some runway-ready looks.

Marco’s first look he demonstrated (and then let us all try - photo is Brandi Carra’s model) all about creating volume, while still keeping the curls visible (instead of just a big puff). It’s soft, and unstructured - an elegant look that didn’t end up overly slicked and sprayed like a traditional up-do.

Here’s how you can create these big volume curls yourself!

1. Starting from the back, curl hair all over using a 1-inch curling iron like Runway Tools’ EasyCurl (see! Brandi’s using it right there!)

2. When you get to the curls on the top of your head and around the face, clip those in loops so they can cool in place.

If your hair is really straight and doesn’t hold a curl very well, you may want to pin more, like Marco is doing here.

Spray with hairspray or a texturizing spray to set.

4. Once hair has totally cooled, remove clips. Starting at the back of your head and working forward, hold the ringlet from the end and gently begin to tease using a comb or your fingers. That’s so you get volume and still the shape of ringlets, instead of just a fuzzy mess. And that’s it!

We’re obsessed with the Hunger Games, especially Katniss’ futuristic side braid she wears for most of the movie. Here’s how you can get the look:

1. Her stylist from the movie says that they prepped her hair with a texturizing or beach spray first, which helps her naturally straight hair hold a curl and stay in the braid.

2. Next they curled her hair all over with a curling iron. Let curls cool completely so they set.

3. Do a French or Dutch Braid starting from the top left of your head, and down around to the other side. They did this in the movie so that the style is visible from every angle.

NOTE: Katniss’ braid is actually a “Dutch Braid” or an “Inside Out Braid” since the braid sits on top of the hair, which is what sets it apart from a regular french braid. It starts the same as a french braid, with the 3 sections, but instead of “left over center, right over center” its “left UNDER center, right under center”. It’s a little confusing, but wikihow has an awesome Dutch Braid How-To with step by step pictures.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Most people wash their hair by sudsing a handful of shampoo and starting at their hairline. But the hair at your hairline is usually baby fine and are prone to break if you’re not careful! 

The best way is to start shampooing at the crown and back of your head, where the hair is stronger. “Wash the back of your head like denim, the delicate front hairs like your favorite silk blouse” - Tom @ oribe

Recently we were lucky enough to have one of Oribe’s top stylist educators come to our salon and do a hands-on workshop on the Oribe Signature cut. It’s a modern take on the classic long layered haircut.

Tom also let us in on all of his secrets for tailoring this haircut to your clients’ unique bone structure, hairline, and texture. We think our models turned out pretty fabulous, don’t you?