Trendy or Classic: Which Style Suits You?

A woman’s hair is an extension of her personal style, just as much as the clothes she wears. A stylish and flattering haircut completes a woman’s look. A fresh haircut is one of the easiest ways to update a personal look. Some women change their hair with the seasons. For example, many women go for lighter and shorter hair in the summertime, then go darker in the cooler months while letting their hair grow out. Other women maintain a signature style all year round. Either way, the haircut a woman chooses leaves a lasting impression.

When choosing a hairstyle, it is important to take into account the shape of the face and the texture of the hair. A short, layered haircut can give fine hair the illusion of body and volume, while long layers can help tame thick, curly locks. A good hairstylist will offer a consultation and ask many questions about a client’s lifestyle and personal preference before styling the hair. Not every popular hairstyle will work for every woman. The haircut is only the beginning.

Once you’ve gotten a good haircut, there are many options for styling your hair. A popular look for summertime is a side part, with the hair swept into a bun and a thin headwrap used to keep back wispy fly-aways. The side-swept bang, with long, flowing tresses is another favorite look. Some women prefer a bang with a soft edge, and others go for a blunter, more angled cut. Blunt hairstyles require more maintenance, something to take into consideration if time is a factor.

For women who have very short hair, the pixie cut is very popular. The tousled bob is another great look for short hair, with or without bangs. Another great way to soften up a bob is to add soft, romantic curl. Many women, especially older women, look excellent in tousled, spiky style. The trick for women with short hair is to go easy on the styling products, so that the hair is not weighed down and greasy-looking.

For women with thick, curly hair, a blow-out is an easy way to get a polished, sophisticated look. Women with thick hair can go longer without a shampoo, because oils don’t weigh thick hair down, and in fact, the oils can help to tame very curly hair. If the curls are tight, rollers can be used to relax and smooth out the curl for a wavier, tousled, sexy look. Some women with curly hair look great with very short hair, especially if the curl is tight, and the cut is well-done. But again, curly or straight, short hair requires more frequent trims.

Long, straight hair looks great pulled back into a sleek ponytail, or pinned up into a chignon. The part can be down the middle but for a softer look, a side part does the job. A side braid is a fun way to create a playful look for Fall or summertime. Side braids work for almost any hair type, too! Add a thick hairband or headwrap for a bohemian look.

A medium-length hairstyle is the most versatile look, and works for most hair types. Medium-length hair leaves a lot of room for creativity, and is the easiest to maintain. It hides layers that are growing out, and is easier to style. Short hair requires frequent trims, while longer hair is more prone to split ends and tangling. Again, the ideal hairstyle depends a lot on a woman’s lifestyle and how much time she has to devote to her hair but in general, medium-length hair is the ideal cut for most women.

Colored hair is high maintenance and requires frequent touch-ups, especially if the original hair color is much lighter or much darker. When choosing a hair color, take into consideration the skin tone. If the hair is being colored to cover gray, it is important to use a dye that specifically designed for that purpose; otherwise, the gray may not be fully covered or will be too light. An easier way to add color is to use highlights. Highlights blend in more naturally with the existing hair color, and are more forgiving of less maintenance. Highlights can be done all over the hair, or just in the front, as a frame for the face.

Trends aside, the most flattering look is the one that makes a woman feel comfortable and confident. Classic hairstyles like the shoulder-length bob stand the test of time because they are flattering, ageless, and go from day to night effortlessly.