Minki's Style Secrets

1. THE CUT
Currently, Minki is sporting the 'Mika' haircut, which consists of six layers blended with a long sweeping asymmetrical fringe. This haircut is versatile, as it suits most face shapes and can be worn sleek or wavy. The layers add movement and texture to fine, lacklustre hair and helps frame round and long faces. The sweeping asymmetrical fringe is best suited to a round face shape, unlike a thick, eye-skimming fringe, as this can make a wide face look even wider.

2. THE TREATMENT
Make sure you treat your hair before you colour it. The next time you visit your salon, ask for the in-salon Chemistry Extreme treatment from Redken (between R240 and R415). It's a three-phase pure protein formula for fine, limp hair that will fortify and strengthen your locks, build up its internal condition, and prepare it for colouring.

3. THE COLOUR
To create Minki's light and natural look, Hackett uses a highlight technique that makes use of foils and lowlights called 'balayage', which means to 'paint' the darker colour in with a shade lighter. This technique creates the illusion of depth and volume, and enhances your existing hair colour. To get Minki's sexy colour, first apply the highlights and then balayage in a beige brown.

4. THE STYLE
One of Minki's greatest style secrets is to use a paddle brush, as it's one of the best ways to straighten long locks. It's like flat-ironing your hair, except this way, you get more volume around the scalp area. Although predominantly aimed at mid-length to long hair, paddle brushes also work wonders on short, thick hair too.

For curls, Minki likes to use a Cloud 9 Flatiron (from R1 999), or hot rollers to glam up her look. She especially likes the 'old-Hollywood' feel – a deep side parting with subtle waves and tons of shine.

When she needs to make a red carpet appearance, Minki prefers a chic up-do. This look has a clean, no-fuss line with a simple shape. Make use of the 'spaghetti' blow-dry technique, mastered by twisting small sections of your hair around a brush, exactly as you would do if you ate spaghetti. This creates a casual wave when you wear your hair down and also helps in gaining more volume on fine hair when you're doing a soft up-do.

5. STYLE ACCESSORIES
Minki uses hair extensions or hair additions when she needs length or volume. Extensions can be coloured to suit any shade of hair. Best of all, they make a statement, whether they're permanent or clip-in.

6. STYLING AIDS
Minki's favourite styling aid is Redken Iron Repair (R290), a product containing xylose sugars that crystallise with heat. It has a dual action, as it improves the condition of your hair and protects it from high temperatures. Minki also loves to use Flatliner from Schwarzkopf (R284).

7. THE FINISH
Try Paul Hackett Shine Glimmer (R293) to finish off your look. It will leave your hair looking sleek and chic and also tame those dreaded flyaway hairs.

8. HOME MAINTENANCE
Use shampoo, conditioner and treatments specially created for highlighted and colour-treated hair. By doing so, you will keep your hair shiny, bouncy colour-maintained. In order to look after your colour, especially with blonde hair like Minki's, do a 'halo' service every four weeks and touch up your parting and hairline. It will maintain the magic.

Author: Paul Hackett