Amy Winehouse Beehive

Beehive - behave!

Love it or hate it - you certainly can't ignore it! Our email box is divided over whether the "Amy Winehouse" style is a super new trend or a bedraggled bird's nest?

The beehive may have been a sixties thing, but there are actually comparisons to be drawn much further back. A similar look was fashioned over 3,000 years ago by the Egyptian Queen

Nefertiti - whose name translates as 'the beautiful (or perfect) woman has come'. She was the mother-in- law of Pharaoh Tutankhamun and is re-known for her unique look. Accentuated kohled eyes, flicked up at the corners and an amazing head-dress that could have been the original beehive/ helmet head. It was even the same colour as Marj Simpson's version and next to Amy Winehouse there are startling similarities!

Here's how the evolution of the 'beehive' has come about:

Top row: Queen Nefertiti, Marj Simpson, Amy Winehouse
Bottom left: Model made based on statues of Queen Nefertiti
Bottom right: Same model with Amy Winehouse hairstyle.

Homer Simpson will never know what a style icon Marj is fast becoming with her gravity defying up-do!

We've whipped up a storm with our virtual hairspray and air brushes, to show you how the Spice Girls would look if they followed 'Winehouse fever'. Just think of the problems it would cause if everyone turned up at the Spice reunion concerts with lacquered beehives. No-one would be able to see the stage - let alone the fab five!

Below are a couple of photos of Amy with her unique 'beehive' and another with our blonde makeover for her!

If you still want to join the rush to get the 'Winehouse' look - beware: A true beehive is created with a lot of back combing, held together with pins and then strands of straight hair are arranged over the top to conceal all the fluffy bits, topped off with some heavy duty hairspray. You will also need to rig up some sort of rear view mirror system to see how 'the nest' is looking from the back!

Too much of this sort of treatment can be damaging to hair, so here's an alternative styling suggestion with some product ideas available online:

The Beehive works best with shoulder length or longer hair - clip on extensions can be added to short hair or even pre-formed nests are available to give more height.
Hair will be easier to style if it has not been washed for 1 or 2 days.
Blow dry your hair using a root lift product such as (Lanza Root - Effects Volumizing Spray Foam) getting as much volume into your hair as possible without stressing it, by scrunching it with your hands.
Leave some straight hair around the front and sides
Taking your hair in sections, use curling tongs (Babyliss Twisted - Porcelain Twin Barrel Tong) and curl it from halfway down to the ends.
Loosen the curls by running your fingers through them.
Add some coloured strand extensions for extra effect (BaByliss Colourlights).
Pin the rest up around the crown with Kirby grips, arranging to give maximum volume and letting some curls escape down the back for a more tousled look.
Pull the straight strands back over the 'nest' and secure.
You will need a strong hairspray (L'anza Volume Formula Final Effects) for this high maintenance style, also avoid breezy to windy conditions, low doorways, motorcycle helmets and polo neck tops!

Article by Heather Bell.