Latest Hairstyles

The Latest Hairstyles

Get ready to embrace a potpourri of styles this season! There's something for everyone, from the long, thick and curly to the short, thin and fine-haired among us. You may have already caught these styles on some of your celebrity favorites – now it's time to make the look yours.

Fortunately, there isn't too much effort involved on your part. Once you see a style you love, grab a picture or two for reference and hightail it to your hairdresser. The pictures are important, because they provide a visual for your stylist to work with. He or she can also determine whether the style is ultimately suited for your hair type and face shape.

Of course, the beauty of the current crop of styles is in their versatility. These looks cater to all occasions, can be dressed up or down with ease (and some styling products, of course) and have a timeless, classic appeal.

Bobs

The bob hair style is fresh and summery, yet seems to look appropriate at any time of year. As seen on Katie Holmes, the chin-length bob is a youthful cut that easily takes on a mature edge with a little effort. It's surprisingly versatile, too. Blow-dry it and, using a medium size round brush, flip the ends up for a cute everyday look.

A flapper bob is sharp, sexy and playful all at once. It features exaggerated, wide bangs that graze the eyebrows and smooth, swingy hair that shines in the light. It's a popular style amongst Hollywood's elite, as proven by Holmes, Victoria Beckham and Kate Bosworth, among countless others.

The inverted bob is suddenly huge, thanks to singer Rihanna. It's the very definition of edgy, with its razor-sharp lines and drastic cut. This style features long hair in the front and short hair in the back, and it's a look that screams attitude and confidence.

Smooth and Sleek

No matter what your hair's length might be, you can't go wrong with a smooth, sleek style that encourages shine. Short hair, especially when cut in a bob style, is enigmatic and instantly more mature when given a healthy dose of shine. To achieve smoothness worthy of a magazine cover model, look for styling products that prevent frizz and protect hair from heat styling, such as Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Serum, Carol's Daughter Hair Balm or Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion (all available at Sephora).

Bouncy Curls

As glamorous and timeless as sleek hair is, there's room on the styling agenda for vibrant waves and curls, too. If you're interested in this look, you'll need to make a pit stop at a beauty supply store for a set of hot rollers. If you already own them, make sure you've got a set of comfortable clips to hold the rollers in place. Hot rollers were the styling tool of choice for women for decades, and even today they hold the same importance. That's because of their ability to create cascading, glamorous curls, as seen on the likes of Beyonce and Angelina Jolie.

Start by running a volumizing mousse through damp hair. After drying, secure the hot rollers in place. You might want to spend some time doing your makeup or taking care of small tasks while you wait for the curls to set. Once you release the rollers, finger comb them lightly so as not to break up the curls. The result is instant glamour.

Ballerina Buns

A low bun knotted below the crown is as easy to dress up as it is to wear when lazing around in sweats. It's a classy take on the standard dressy updo – even though the hair is held lower here, it still carries all the grace of a Hepburn-like updo. To style, simply gather the hair at the nape of the neck into a low ponytail, twist and coil, tuck the ends in and secure with bobby pins. Dress it up by adding a few discreet, well-placed ornaments on the bun or near the temples. Don't overdo it; the look here is simple, elegant, and classic.

Other Styles to Keep an Eye On

This is just a taste of the latest hairstyles to sweep the nation, of course. Others that have garnered attention include:

• The glamorous, flat-ironed, low ponytail
• The hair-headband, achieved by twisting hair from one ear to the other to create a "band"
• The close-cropped, textured and easily-styled short cut

Need More Inspiration?

Keep an eye on Hollywood trends for the latest hairstyles around. If you tend to take inspiration from celebrities, you may want to focus on individuals who share a similar face shape and hair type as you for a more accurate idea of what's suitable. Flip through magazines, ask that gal on the street whose hair you can't help but admire and keep an eye on Fashion Week when it rolls around – the choices are overwhelming!.