Hot New Hair Trends

Vintage 20's and 40's inspired styling is hot for 2008. Pared down glamor. Sophisticated, elegant waves... A polished look with a low key "regal" quality.

Strong, blunt fringes or soft sweeping bangs (heavier than in the past) make a modern statement this year. And blunt fringes of shorter lengths play into the vintage feel that is popular now. If your hairstyle needs a boost, but you're not sure which direction to take it, try adding a fringe (either long or short). This one simple change can dramatically alter the feel of a hair cut.

Texture is all over the map. Stick-straight locks with the addition of a lash-skimming, blunt fringe transforms straight hair into a high-fashion showpiece.

Peaks and swirls add interest to cropped hairstyles. The faux-hawk is a good example of "peaks." To freshen up the look, bring the peak over to the side more, in keeping with the "at the side" trend for 2008.

A swirling motion creates incredible texture, while making a strong individual statement. The swirls can also showcase haircolor in a way that no other styling technique can.

How to Choose a New Haircut

Changing your hairstyle is always a stressful event. Even though hair (usually) will grow out to something like its previous state within a little over a year regardless of how you alter it, waiting out a bad hairstyle can feel like forever. And everyone knows there's nothing worse than a bad hair day.

Selecting a Hairstyle

The key to selecting a new hairstyle is to begin by assessing the shape of your face and body. Needless to say, not every hairstyle is meant for every face and body. For example, tall, slender women should generally avoid very short haircuts. If you have a rounder face, long hair can help lengthen your face, and sharper angles or layers can help accentuate cheekbones.

If your face if heart-shaped or oval, you are in luck--pretty much any hairstyle will fit you well. Shorter, bustier women should avoid long straight hair--to accentuate your curves properly, waves or curls are a great asset.

To find a hairstyle that appeals to you, do some research online first. There are countless online sites that offer services where you can scan a picture of your face in and try different hairstyles on your face. These generally cost a fee, but might be worth doing if you are considering a big change. At the very least, browse some pictures of hairstyles online so you can select one or more that you like to bring to your hairstylist. This can be a critical component of achieving your new look, for often, it is difficult for customers to communicate their desires clearly to the stylist. As they say, a picture really is worth a thousand words.