CUTTING EDGE

Considering a new hairstyle? Follow our guide to the latest trends for your crowning glory.

IF YOU’RE NOT USUALLY one to jump on trends, this could be the year you break tradition. Embracing lilac hair (a search trend that Pinterest says is up a rather whopping 1077 per cent) is a bold leap, but you may be tempted to try this year’s most fashionable cut — it’s as close to universally flattering as they come. “The bob suits anyone at any age,” says Alexander Fuchs founder of Fuchs Hair and education director for La Biosthetique Australia, “especially the longer version, which is straight all the way around and just touches your collarbone at the front.” If you’re going for a stylish chop, make your hair mantra ‘the blunter the better’. “Blunt above-the-shoulder bobs are back, especially teamed with a cute, blunt, baby fringe,” says Darren Summors, Aveda guest artist and educator. “Blunt cuts can suit any age, face shape and hair type.” The trick is to find the perfect length for your face shape — ideally it should make your face appear more oval, as this is deemed the most visually flattering of all face shapes (and the luckiest because they can carry off virtually any style). “For round faces, longer haircuts below the chin will help lengthen the face,” says Darren. “Chin-length bobs are great for heart-shaped faces as they add width to the chin area, while curtain bangs will help soften the corners of a wider forehead if you have a square face.” Bangs are a big trend this year, and worth considering if you aren’t afraid of a little maintenance. “They’re a must-have for sure and suit most,” says Alexander. “But if you have a low forehead, multiple ‘cowlicks’ around your hairline, or a lot of fine baby hairs, you should stay away from having a fringe. You won’t do yourself a favour!” If you’re not confident, there are ‘gateway’ options, such as the on-trend ‘curtain bang’, a centre-parted long, wispy fringe made famous by Brigitte Bardot and, more recently, British fashion designer Alexa Chung. If you tire of a fringe, you can always sweep it to the side with an on-trend accessory. “Clips, pins and combs are back!” says Darren. “Try placing a cute clip just above or behind the ear for a touch of chic this season.” Alternatively, a fresh colour is a fun way to completely update your look. If Google’s Year in Search 2018 data is anything to go by, chances are you’ve probably already considered it — in the US at least, ‘what hair colour looks best on me’ was the fourth most Googled beauty question last year. The answer, says Alexander, depends entirely on your skin tone. “There are a few simple rules,” says Alexander. “Fair skin suits cool blondes and ashy brown; rosy skin suits warm blonde, even strawberry blonde; olive skin suits warm tones such as coppery browns or caramel blondes.” The trend this year is generally towards warmer colours. “Full-head colour-blocking techniques are back, because they are low maintenance, less mess and less fuss,” says Darren. “Say hello to peachy, coral, coppery tones.” Or even natural grey for that matter — it made the top 100 Pinterest list last year, with grey hair searches up 879 per cent. “I think women feel like they don’t have to cover up as much any more,” says Alexander. “They can work with their natural beauty.” If you’re not so happy with natural silver, there are options that don’t involve a time-consuming colour. “Rather than completely covering the grey, I love toning it into a creamy blonde,” explains Alexander. Whatever your chosen shade, adding shine remains the number-one styling goal this year. Styling products can help add lustrous sheen to strands, but so can a few simple techniques. “Make sure your hairdryer has a nozzle,” says Darren, who advises blow-drying with a natural bristle brush. “Directing the air flow downward will smooth down the cuticle, leaving hair smooth, shiny and perfectly polished. Avoid using high heat and high speed — slow right down; the results will always be worth it.” Neither a cut nor a colour is forever but, if you’re nervous about making a change, you could always consult a ‘magic’ mirror first. Piiq is an in-salon digital mirror that uses facial recognition technology to show you which celebrities share a similar bone structure and face shape, and thus which cuts will suit you best. “There can be a lot of anxiety for women when trying to explain what they want to a hairdresser,” says Richard Kavanagh, Piiq co-founder and Australian-based hair stylist. “Being able to see a new look in the mirror in front of you gives you a lot more confidence that a new cut or colour is going to look great… then more people are saying, ‘go for it!’”