Taming The Mane in 2012

Hair Trends ,Tips & How To's
Ever heard the saying " A women's crowning glory is her hair  " ? Truth be told its much more than just a crown . Nowadays , no ensemble is complete without the proper hair do . The fashion fabulous know that there isn't any excuse for dull greasy hair in a ponytail,no matter how expensive the clothes . Contrary to that , a shiny yet carelessly tossed  blow out can make a pair of faded jeans and a baby doll tee look deliberately designer ! Your hair is what frames your face and adds volumes to your personality.

Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.  ~Hubert de Givenchy, Vogue, July 1985

Here is a jamboree of the latest styles & haircuts for the year 2012 . Carefully select your hairstyle to match the look of your ensemble and you will up your X factor quotient by 50%.

Hair Styles  for Long Hair 

 

Big Blow Dry 

 © Getty Images

This look was featured by Armani 2012 . This look is suitable for any ensemble whether formal or casual . It will go fabulous with a tailored suit or with a summer dress . It is class , elegant as well as very feminine . This look is easily achieved with only the use of a voluminising mousse applied on damp washed hair and then blow dried straight and out with a wide curl at the end , or with a slight wave to the body of hair . Good for those with long hair that is cut to uniform length or with slight layers.

Braids 

Knot it , Twist it , Turn it ,BRAID it . Any kind of braid is hot this season , the fish bone , herringbone ,five plait ,messy braids , rope braids or gypsee braids . Everything is in vogue this season . The braided chignon this season is sleek ,clean & neat . The long Braided look can be done sleek and wet looked or tossed around and messy . Check out these styles featured on the 2012 runway at New York and Milan .

Michael Kors  © Getty Images

 Armani © Getty Images

Charlize Theron 

Check out the video for a DYI braided wrapped chignon for long to mid length hair (this hairstyle looks good on women too ...don't mind out little friend the model ) Click here.

At home curls and Tight ringlets 

The afro is a look that is very stylish this season and shouldn't only be contained to only women of the African race . Ladies with long hair or even medium length hair that is straight should try this look for a super fabulous make over . Curling your hair into tight baby curls can often be tedious and may even damage your hair if not done properly . Don't resort to a perm because , this is a permanent change that you will not be able to change for a very long time until your hair grows back .Apart from this perms of any kind are not good for healthy hair . Try hot rollers and a hairbrush to achieve an afroish look . 

At home curls are done so easily with hairspray and a medium width curling iron or blow drier . Be sure to use heat protection before using an iron or even a blow drier . After you've curled all the sections of hair gently separate the curls with your fingers and spray them and your ready to head out .

Hairstyles for Medium Hair 

The classic French Twist 

This year , last year , next year , this style never goes OUT of style . The 2012 twist is anything from a classic french ,side or double french twist . This style is suitable for any formal or red carpet event and always oozes class and elegance . Do a careless version of a french twist coupled with a hair stick and you will have a pretty , casual girly look . Click here  to learn how to do a classic french twist ! 

Bangs and Ponytails 

This years pony tails are not just ponytails , they are style statements .Side parted ,slicked back or bumped up are all very fashionable ways  to wear pony . Use styling wax for a very smooth , slick look . To give your pony height , tie it high up near the mid section of your head and use strong elastics to hold up thick hair . 

Donna Karan  © Getty Images

Bangs are always nice for for making you look younger , preppier &cuter . If you are going for a bangs and bows look , try it on preferably a darker hair colour to compliment your skin . Never let the length of your bangs get too long that they are in your eyes . Your hair should not be able to over power your face ; just frame them . 

Bumped up & left 

A continuing trend for last season as well as 2012 is the bumped up back combed looked. This usually results in a high fashion look for any event with its added height and volume . This year this look is featured in a myriad of different ways , with a chignon , a bun , a messy braid or a ponytail . it doesn't matter how it is put together . Its all equally fashion fabulous . 

 

To learn how to do this at home click here

Side Pinned waves 

One of the coolest , school girl chic looks this season is the side parted & pinned look .Choose a large bejeweled pin or a large slide to tuck your hair back on one side after a middle parting or use multiple coloured bobpins . 

 Prada © Getty Images

The Bob and the Role Up 

These are two hairstyles that are really catching on this season . The role up hairstyle is a modern twist on a very retro look . This hairstyle is very easy to achieve if you have medium length hair cut without layers . After a straight blow dry tease a top section of your hair to give it volume . Spray from behind the section for added volume .  Pin the side sections of your hair to the back center of your head . Smooth over the section from the front over the pinned side sections . Gather the hair at the nape of your neck , roll inward and pin . This look is good with a high fashion ensemble . 

Jill Sander © Getty Images

Hairstyles for Short hair 

The Bob cut and colour 

The bob yet another all time classic and very retro look promises a clean , suave fashion savvy look . Its a very sexy look that will compliment any ensemble. This season try a wavy bob or a tight curled , layered bob . 

 Rhianna 

The Pixie look 

Need i say more ? The name says it all . This waif like hairstyle is every thing and more a woman needs to make her feel sensual , young , trendy and stylish . This look is so versatile it can change with your moods . It can be made to look cool and elegant or rebellious and preppy . Experiment with hair colours if you have short hair . Short hair has more room for experimenting than women imagine . 

The time to get a new hair cut is always an exciting moment . Before you walk into a salon , find out about how capable and skilled your stylist is . Have a clear picture in mind about what you want . Take a picture along , if necessary . Listen to the stylists advice because they are have a trained eye that knows when a hairdo will not suit you . 

Thats a wrap ! Stay tuned for more on make up tips for this season .....stay FASHION FABULOUS .