Hair trends lend themselves to fashion faux pas

Fashionab-Lee

From straightening irons to shaping mousse, fixing hair often is a daily battle for many – but it doesn’t have to be.

The first step in hair care is the cut.

"I like to customize the haircut to fit the trends — fringe is really hot right now," said Ann Walsh, master stylist at The Studio on 380 E. Market St.

Consider the shape of your face and the texture of your hair when finding your ideal cut. Hair textures vary from poker straight to Curly Sue, and faces can be round, oval, square or heart-shaped.

Once you have achieved your perfect style, a trim is necessary every six to eight weeks to keep hair healthy looking — split ends not only are unattractive, but they also inhibit hair growth. Guys may need trims more often, depending on their preferred hair length.

Are you getting bored with your hair? Spice it up with a new shade the next time you go to the salon. Darker tones like reds and browns are great for fall.

"Your hair color is the makeup that doesn’t wash off," said world-famous hair colorist Louis Licari on "Today Show." If you don’t have enough nerve to dye your entire head, go for a subtle color change. Brunettes could try red highlights, and blondes could request lowlights.

"Everything is dimensional instead of a monochromatic color — a lot of people have two to three shades, which accent the haircut they’ve been given," Walsh said.

In the recent past, highlights and coloring for guys often were thought of as daring. Most guys didn’t normally consider dying their hair because it wasn’t socially acceptable. However, it is becoming more popular.

Walsh has numerous male clients. These days "it’s more socially acceptable for guys to take notice of their appearance," she said.

Without a drastic change, ladies can switch up their hairstyle. Take Paris Hilton’s advice, for example. "I love changing my hairdo almost more than I love changing clothes," Hilton said in her book, "Confessions of an Heiress." "There’s a reason you rarely see my hair look the same way twice: I get creative."

Try wearing hair in variations of the classic ponytail — such as half up half down, or in a sleek, low ponytail. Also, much can be done with a cheap batch of bobby pins. A bright barrette or a sparkly rhinestone clip is perfect for going out. Use your imagination.

When all is said and done, hair is just hair, so have fun with it. Try new things and, eventually, you are guaranteed to end up with a look that you love.