Spooktacular Halloween Inspiration

The frightfully fun season is upon us!

We’re ready to celebrate all things that go bump in the night with our most creepy, yet creative looks ever. Whether you want to create a sleek updo, add some terrifying texture or polish up your mysterious manicure, here at RMUK we’re here with all the spooktacular inspiration you need to get your halloween hairstyles and ghoulish gel nails turning-heads for all the right reasons.

The slick-back skeleton

Who said scary couldn’t be sleek? 

1. Apply a smooth control gel cream to the front section of your hair. 
2. Blow dry hair away from your face brushing your hair back as you apply the heat.
3. Apply heat protection throughout the hair and comb through.
4. Straighten in sections from mid-length to ends. 
5. Apply sculpting foam or control gel from the front hairline back to the crown.
6. Finish with a strong hold styling spray. Fix Design hair spray, has an ultra-strong hold that will keep your spooky style in place. 
7. Add black temporary hair colour to the front of your hairline for a defined character look. 

How to temporarily colour hair for halloween 

Gel

You can pick up a thick opaque temporary hair colour that comes in a squeeze tube, which allows you to easily dye your hair in a number of neon, metallic and matte shades. It dries incredibly quickly so it's great for updo’s of slicked back styles like this one.

Chalk

If you’re wanting pastel-coloured hair then chalking is your best option. It’s so easy to use, you just slide it up and down your hair without worrying about stickiness or build up. However, we would recommend a strong hairspray over the top as it can have the tendency to rub on your clothes. Easy to wash out with shampoo - this is a great temporary option for one night or party. 

Spray

You can find a number of crazy colours, glitter included, from these aerosol cans. Plus, if you’re wanting a multitude of colours, you can achieve that effortlessly. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hair after use and perhaps apply a deep hydrating hair mask to restore your hair health the morning after.

The purr-fect cat coiffure

Horrifying costumes not your thing?

1. Shampoo and condition your hair using volumising hair products to give your hair the boost needed to produce this cute cat updo.
2. Spray heat protection spray evenly and blow dry using a round styling brush to achieve as much lift as possible.
3. Section your hair into two sections starting at your parting.
4. Comb each section into a ponytail and secure with a bobble.
5. Take a donut hair bobble (preferably the same shade as your hair) and thread one of your pony tails through.
6. Spread your hair around the outside of the bun and tuck any remaining hair underneath.
7. Pull hair slightly until you achieve your desired look.
8. Secure with bobby pins and spray with hairspray to secure its hold.
9. Repeat with the other ponytail.

The phantom punk’do

Ready to make a statement?

1. Split your hair into three sections, holding the top section with a clip out the way.
2. Create three scalp braids on either side of your head, end them where your head stops, and secure with clear bands and spray with a strong hold hairspray.
3. Take small sections of hair, spray with heat protection, then create tight curls, or crimps using a heated wand or a crimping tool. If you want extra texture you could even try using both. 
4. Let the top section of your hair fall down then repeat, adding in some tight curls for texture.
5. Section off the top part of your hair again into layers and spray each layer with dry shampoo or texturising spray at the root. 
6. Rub the dry shampoo into the root and begin to back comb each layer - the bigger the better.
7. Mould the top section of back combed hair into a mohawk style and spray excessively with hairspray.
8. Take your desired hair colour spray and lightly mist over the top section and ends of your hair. 
9. Take any loose strands of hair that are laying flat and position into loose plaits for an overall cohesive look.

How to backcomb hair for an updo

1. Divide your hair into manageable chunks.
2. Hold your hair up vertically and place your tail comb at the mid-length section of your hair and gently brush down, pushing your hair against itself. 
3. Repeat in the section until you get the height and volume you desire.
4. Continue throughout the rest of your hair. 

Is backcombing bad for your hair?

Backcombing, also known as teasing, is an old stylish trick for providing your hair with more volume. While it really does work, the bad news is that it’s bad for your hair. When you backcomb your hair you are lifting pieces of cuticle that will never return to their flat arrangement. Instead, your hair will become loose and eventually break off - creating a split end. 

Is there a safer way to boost volume?

There are a number of volumising products that will allow you to boost volume without damaging or removing cuticles of your hair. Mouses and root boost stylers can coat and texturise your hair to give your hair fibres some stiffness which lifts the hair to create some temporary volume. 

How to untangle backcombed hair 

It’s the morning after the night before and you're tempted to grab a hair brush to rake through your backcombed hairdo. Stop. This is not kind to your hair, first you need to head to the shower. 

1. Cover your hair in conditioner then rinse thoroughly to untangle knots and make your hair more manageable. After conditioning, use a wide-toothed comb and brush through your conditioned hair, then wash with shampoo and condition as normal.
2. Gently brush through your freshly washed hair.
3. Stay away from heat styling for a few days to give your hair a much needed break.

The enchanted entwine

Who’s the wickedest witch of them all?

1. Spray heat protection spray evenly through the lengths of your hair.
2. Brush hair thoroughly so it is completely soft and clear of knots.
3. Section your hair into manageable chunks.
4. Take a small section of hair and wrap it round a curling wand of your choice. (A thinner wand will give tighter curls, while a thicker wand will provide more of a wave).
5. Twizel the freshly made curl with your fingers and spray with hairspray.
6. Repeat until your whole head is completely curled.
7. Let your hair cool down and then gently brush through for a softer, more elegant curl.
   

The bloodsucker blowdry

Pushed for time?

While we all know how to straighten our hair, our sleek tricks are sure to give you that chic tamed look that can last upto 48 hours.

1. Wash your hair the day before using a specialist smoothing shampoo and conditioner duo.
2. Divide your wet hair into sections and blow dry strands straight using a round brush to create tension and smooth as you go. (Rather than pulling down, use your round brush to lift your hair at the roots as you dry).
3. Once a day has passed, divide up your hair again then take 2-inch sections of hair at a time slowly running your straightens from root to tip. 
4. When all sections are straight, take a small amount of shine serum and run through the lengths of your hair.

Finish with a light hairspray. Be careful not to overspray as you don’t want your hair to look crispy.

Halloween nail designs

While you may be used to a DIY manicure at home, when it comes to Halloween, trickier nail art means it’s time to see a professional. Our nail salon in Leeds offers a broad range of luxury nail treatments, including manicures, pedicures, nail art and nail extensions, so you can achieve whichever spooktacular design you can dream of. Whether it’s a black gothic design or a playful pumpkin polish, our experienced nail technicians are sure to transform your hands ready for every gholish occasion on the horizon.

Here are some of our favourite quirky designs so you can get a print screen of your favourites ready for your next appointment…

https://pin.it/3vqrhaM

https://pin.it/2b0L54m

Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram in your spooky halloween looks! @rmuk_leeds

Whether you want to book a hair appointment, or need to upgrade your nail game then visit our RMUK Hair Salon, Beauty Salon and Day Spa on Great George Street in Leeds. Our luxury salon and spa offers you four floors of sheer indulgence, featuring a private room, bar and terrace, so you can enjoy a relaxing experience while giving yourself the best possible glow up.  Call us today: 0113 243 6842