The Perfect Prom Chignon

Amanda Digregorio of Hair Gallery Salon and Spa of Southbridge, Massachusetts came to Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island to finish sister Alex's hair for the Senior Ball. Before she knew it, Alex's six other suite mates were lined up for their own coifs.

My daughter Margot was last in line and kept calling me "You better get here quick," she said. "You have to see what Amanda can do. She is a GREAT hairdresser."

We stepped on the gas and arrived just as Amanda put in the last bobby pin. "These bobby pins are supposed to show," as said as she pointed to the pins surrounding the low chignon. "It adds texture and just makes the whole look a bit undone. I've added a few braids for texture and fashion."

Amanda had more challenges (other than time) in creating the seven looks. The suite was a MESS and she had a bit of trouble trying to find a place to set up. For a new hairdresser, I was impressed with taste, ability and kit. She had a Salon Tech Phoenix Pro 550 blowdyrer, the new Bio-ionic Ion brush kit ("these are amazing brushes," she says), assorted curling irons including conicals from Brazilian Heat and the newest curling iron from Rusk. Her finishing products were all TIGI and Redken. By the time I got there, her stuff was all over the place. "This look is supposed to be messy-ish," she told me (appropriate in this setting!)

Personally, it was particularly moving for me to see how this freshly graduated hairdresser made our youngest daughter look so elegant for this special night.