BEST HAIRCUT TRENDS FOR FALL 2012

Rihanna's Pixie

Proving that short can be tough and sexy, the singer’s geometric crop has a square shape that balances an oval face.

Cameron Diaz’s Beachy Bob

The imperfect edges and tousled texture make this cut forgiving on every face type and super easy to maintain.

Karen Elson’s Angled Crop

Take a cue from the fiery redhead’s newly debuted bob, which is short in the back and slightly longer in the front to convey just enough edge.

Eva Mendes’s Beveled Cut

By slicing into the hair to create layers, this look gives movement and shape to thick hair (no wonder Mendes has been loyal to it for years).

Julianne Hough’s Razor Bob

It’s piece-y and perfectly undone—the thinly sliced ends are the key to what gives this universally flattering cut its tousled effect.

Leigh Lezark’s Asymmetrical Cut

It’s a street style that’s as chic as anything, and looks great on hair that’s straight or flat-ironed to show off the intentionally uneven lines.

Anne Hathaway's Boyish Cut

The feathery edges and side-swept styling lend a prettiness to this classic borrowed-from-the-boys crop.

Rose Byrne’s Wavy Lob

The more untamed this cut is, the better. But the subtle shearing at the middle and ends of strands is what keeps the volume in check.

Charlize Theron’s Shoulder Skimmer

The flippy layers draw attention to the face while the soft texture—best achieved on fine to medium hair—adds a feminine feel.

Jessica Biel’s Blunt Bangs + Long Layers

The combination of straight-across bangs with ultra-long length elevates a simple look into something stunning, and slims a square face.

Penelope Cruz’s Choppy Ends

The zigzag effect at the tips helps control excess volume, so hair doesn’t pouf out at the bottom, and adds chic sophistication.

Kate Hudson’s Wispy Cut

The subtle, bouncy layers lend a classic, surfer-girl vibe to anyone’s look, and work on all textures. Just go for layers that fall below the shoulders for a cascading effect.

Hairstyling How To: Creating Curls with a Curling Wand

If you want gorgeous curls then our step-by-step curling wand guide will show you how to get them!

Curling wands are ideal for creating lovely loose waves and beautiful tight curls. To enjoy a fabulous curling wand hairstyle, follow these steps.

Curling Wand Styling Steps

To get the best results, start with dry hair that is a day old (i.e. washed the day before). This will help your curls to form and stay longer in your hair. If you have really frizzy hair or natural curls that may stop you from getting a nice curl with your wand, consider straightening your hair first so your strands are smooth and flat.

• 1 Pull your hair back like you’re going to put it into a half up half down hairstyle and pin the top sections out of the way.
•  2 Take the loose, lower sections of your hair and divide them into manageable sections. If you want tight curls, create at least 6 sections. For looser waves or larger curls, divide your hair into 3 or 4 sections.
•  3 Use clips to pin away all sections except for the first section that you want to work on.
•  4 With your first section ready, lightly spray your strands with a heat protection spray, add a touch of mousse or use a small amount of curl enhancing product. Whichever is your preference.
• 5 Hold the section out from your head and put the base (the thick end) of the wand as close to your roots as possible and then wind the section of hair around the wand until you reach the point (the thinner end) of the wand.
• 6 For tighter curls, wrap your hair tightly around the wand. For looser waves/curls, wrap your hair loosely and space it out along the length of the wand.
  
  Hair Tip: For a natural looking finish, take one section and wrap it around the curling wand towards your face. With the next section, wrap the strands away from your face. Continue wrapping your hair around the wand in alternate directions until all of your hair is curled. The different directions will create a curling look that isn’t too structured or defined, resulting in a finish that looks much more natural.

•  7 Hold your hair in the wand for up to 10 seconds. If you have fine hair or are only wrapping small sections of hair, you may only need to keep your hair in the wand for 5 or 6 seconds. Because curling wands get so hot, they don’t take long to form a curl. Remember to mind your fingers/hands and use gloves to protect your skin.

• 8 Release the end of your hair from the tips of your fingers and then gently pull the wand from your hair. Don’t unwrap the curl or you’ll damage the shape.
•  9 For extra staying power, coil the curl back to your head and then gently pin it in place and allow it to cool while you continue curling the rest of your sections. Pinning your curl back also keeps your curled sections safe and out of the way while you continue styling.
•  10 After you’ve curled your bottom section, move to the top sections of hair, leaving the areas around your face until last.

• 11 Once you’ve curled each section and your hair has cooled, gently remove the pinned away curls and shake your hair loose.
  
• 12 Check that each section is curled to your liking and then touch up any curls that need it.

And there you have it! A beautiful curly hairstyle with the help of your curling wand.

Styling Ideas: Deep Side Hair Part

We show you how to make the most of your hairstyle with a deep side hair part.

One way to ensure that your hairstyle ends with fantastic finish is to style it with flattering touches. A deep side hair part is the type of styling touch that suits pretty much everybody, and as you can see from the great examples below, will give you the ability to create a range of different looks!

A Deep Side Part and Side Styled Locks

A deep side part is so universally flattering because it ensures your hair falls across your face, adding softness and helping to minimize features such as a high forehead. When you team a deep side hair part with a side styled hairstyle, you get a look that is subtle, elegant and timeless. 

A Deep Side Part and a Half Updo

A half updo that uses a deep side hair part will create a look that is more chic than casual, so you can use this option at work, on a date or any function that needs a hairstyle that looks effortlessly stunning and stylish.

A Deep Side Part and an Updo

Updo's can be harsh on some face shapes, especially if all of the hair around your face is scrapped back. To keep it flattering, use a deep side part instead.

A Deep Side Part and Loose Lengths

For a simple style that looks great, just add a deep side part to your loose lengths and then style the rest of your hair any way you want. Curls, waves and poker straight hair textures look great with a deep side hair part, and so will you!

Evening Hairstyle Ideas

If you're after a stunningly simple evening hairstyle, these ideas are for you!

Regardless of where your night out is, if you're hitting the town then an evening hairstyle that takes your look to the next level is in order. For some ideas about the kind of 'do to wear, check out these hairstyles.

Pretty Half Updo

It doesn't get more simple than this braided pretty half updo option. All it requires is a middle hair part and two thin braids plaited from the very front sections of your hair and pinned together at the back of your head. The beauty of this style is that you can style the rest of your hair anyway you want. Sleek and straight, curly or with just a hint of wave. Just ensure that no matter the hair texture, your locks are clean and healthy looking for best results.

Soft Waves

Waves are a great evening look because they work so well with glitzy dresses. Keep your waves soft by using a large barrelled curling iron or wand and don't overload your hair with too much product. You want the waves to look as natural as possible. If you need more sparkle, dress your waves with some hair pins or a fancy headband.

Undone Updo

When you're evening out is more casual than formal, but you still want a spectacular look, the undone updo is the option for you! It involves very loosely styling your hair up into a soft bun, or numerous soft buns as shown here. The key to this look is loose strands of shiny hair pulled out around the face to incorporate lots of pretty softness into your finish.

Beautiful Bun Hairstyle Tips

If you’ve been seeing a lot of buns lately and also want to achieve such a simple and stunning style, these hair tips are for you!

While it might seem simple enough, you are after all only pulling your locks on top of your head; a bun does require a few tips and tricks in order for you to create a successful look. Keep reading to find out what they are…

Bun Hairstyle Tips

•  The key to a great bun hairstyle is ensuring your ‘do will hold its shape. For that, you need to style with day old hair. If you have washed your hair the day you want to style a bun, however, you can cheat a little and use dry hair shampoo to add texture and grip to your locks.

•  Don’t pull your hair back too tight. It will tighten the skin around your face, and unless you want to look like you’ve just had a face-lift, it’s not a great look.

• Hair gel is the ideal bun forming hair styling product because it has plenty of hold and really helps to slick your hair back. Just don’t go overboard with it or you’ll end up looking like you’ve dipped your locks into a vat of oil.

•  Keep a spray bottle filled with water on hand to spritz over your locks when you’re pulling them into place. It will help keep all of your strands together and make them easier to mould. The water will then dry, leaving your strands with a natural finish.

• If you have fine hair, or need some extra oomph for your locks, add clip in hair extensions, braids, bun enhancers or tease your locks to inject the type of volume and thickness required to create a nice, full finish for your bun.

•  Using hair pins is a great way to keep your bun in place and won’t show any tell-tale hair accessory signs like a hair elastic will. To make your pin placement extra strong, crisscross two pins together like an “X”. Need even more grip? Spray each pin with a spritz of hairspray before sliding them into your strands.

•  If you want your bun to be the only part of your ‘do that looks messy, cover a small natural bristle hair brush or clean mascara wand in hairspray and then smooth through the locks around your ears, the nape of your neck and your forehead (if you don’t have bangs). This will put any stray strands back into place.

•  For a bun that stands out, or if you plan on wearing your bun for a special occasion, using decorative pins, flowers, chopsticks, headbands and other colorful hair accessories to liven up your ‘do and finish off your look is the only way to go!

Hairstyle Ideas: Modern '80s Inspired Looks

Modernize some great throwback looks with inspiration from these hairstyle ideas.
While there are some hairstyle trends we're happy to see the back of, there are also just as many that deserve- at least in part- a bit of a revival, if only for the nostalgia!

If you're a fan of big hair and the crimping from the '80s, but don't want to look dated, these hairstyle ideas will give you the feel of the classic looks while still keeping your finish modern.

Crimped Locks

Crimping was huge in the '80s, and the fact that you can still buy crimping irons today proves getting curls this groovy is still as popular as ever. The key to ensuring your crimped locks are more modern than dated, however, is absolutely eliminating any frizz and keeping your locks down and loose. The moment you sweep your crimped strands into a half updo or ponytail is the moment that you step back in time, so put down the scrunchie and keep it in this decade.

Multi-Color Volume

While multi-color locks aren't new, teaming them with a short, sassy, volume filled hairstyle can look very '80s. Make it modern by choosing vibrant hair colors to mix and match and get them expertly applied so they blend seamlessly into each other. Then, while at the salon, ensure your short and sassy haircut is clean, neat and newly trimmed. There's nothing more dating than a short cut that is overgrown and messy looking.

Curls

Perms were a hallmark of the '80s, and you can re-create the glorious feel of those fabulous curly looks by using a curling iron or hair rollers. To keep those curls modern, make sure they are well defined and are free from hair frizz. You can also add an extra touch of nostalgia by incorporating the curls into a hairstyle that packs some volume, as pictured.

Big Hair

Teasing and backcombing wasn't limited to the '80s, but it certainly was around. Big hair is still just as sought after today - as the number of volumizing products available prove! To achieve a modern big hair look, go easy on the teasing and only add volume in the key areas where it will enhance your style, not take it over the top.

Flirty, Fun Short Hair Ideas

Spice up your short locks with one of these great hair ideas.
With a short length being one of the quickest hair lengths to style, it gives you plenty of time to play around with some awesome new looks, so here's some inspiration!

Waves

Who says waves are for long hair lengths? Texture is always a great way to create a new look, especially if that hair texture goes against how you normally wear your hair. Large, loose waves like the waves shown here can be added with a large barrelled curling iron. Keep the waves soft and only slightly defined for a casual finish and feel.

Funky Finish

If you have a dynamic short cut, show it off by using hair styling products to highlight the best angles. This cut has a unique fringe and really benefits from product through the roots to lift and add volume to the back sections of the hair. A funky finish like this not only draws attention to your hair, but also your face, so have your makeup on point too. 

Short and Sleek

Sleek strands look fantastic in short hair that has a little length to it. If your locks are similar to the strands shown here, get out the hair straightener and some straightening balm and give your strands a sleek finish.

Bangin'

If your short haircut already involves bangs, or you're thinking of adding bangs, then styling them in a similar way to this eye-skimming fringe is a must. It's not just the glossy sleekness of the strands that makes this finish appealing, it's also the eye catching hair color. Using a temporary hair color mascara can get you this great look for the night, and it will also work just as well for side-swept bangs.