Valentine’s Day Styles for 2012: Sweet, Messy, Edgy, Romantic

Valentine’s Day is just a week away, and romance is already in the air! Can you feel it? Here at the salon, we sure can. We’re already being asked about styles and products that can take a romantic adventure to the next level. Choose your Valentine’s style carefully and remember: hair that flows beautifully and catches the light of the moon can turn your evening out into a night to remember.

The hottest romantic styles this year are just a bit messy, and they temper soft sweetness with a dangerous edge. If your hair is long, consider a few subtle highlights to capture the glow of candlelight, and then choose a style that brings out your mysterious side, your fascinating duplicity. A loose curl or soft wave can go from honey sweet to sexy and sly with a bit of product to produce a wet, sleek shine. And a tight updo can become a mesmerizing puzzle if it’s messy, pulled apart, or tossed into a careless tangle. Try braiding some of your hair before pulling it back, or pinning curls to let them dry before styling.

For short hair, the same rule applies. Temper gentle softness with a piecy or razored edge. Try a glossing treatment for an ultra-smooth straight look, or let short curls come apart slightly. Bobbed hair is in now, but the bob of the moment is unpredictable, asymmetrical, surprising, and a bit off-center. Make this look work for you by playing up the romance. Bangs that are just a millimeter too long will have your companion staring into your eyes, and a single out-of-control lock demands to be touched. As always, remember that no matter what you’re wearing, your hair is the defining element of your look.

Men’s Hair: Current Celebrity Looks

Both men and women often come into my salon with a specific celebrity look in mind, and I’ve decided that movie stars play two important roles in our society: 1. Acting in movies, and 2. Providing inspiration and ready descriptions for those of us in search of a new look.

For men, this is especially true right now. This is partly because celebrity looks are very accessible this season. Popular red carpet styles for men have never been more attractive, laid-back, and easy for regular guys to wear and maintain. The look of the moment is short and messy, and it’s a look that compliments almost every age and every type of masculine bone structure.

For the longer end of this look, stars like Johnny Depp and Bradley Cooper let the hair grow out in front and fall almost to the collar in back. The long version requires a bit more attention and product than the shortest end of the spectrum, where we see a look just barely long enough to show life and motion. Stars like Zac Efron keep the top and sides well controlled, but still able to be tousled and shaped. The midrange short messy cut has been seen recently on almost everyone from David Beckham to Josh Duhamel. This cut allows a variety of looks that can change with your mood. It can be combed out for serious occasions or artfully deconstructed with product for outings that are fun and relaxed. Whether it’s dressed up or down, the short cut always stays within a safe range between professional and outgoing.

A healthy, well maintained head of hair that looks a little (just a little) out of control will always be a crowd pleaser. But for now, keep it short. Wait until spring and summer to see the return of longer styles.

Image By: Downing Street

Women’s Hair: Hot Style and Sculpture Trends for 2012

When it comes to hair, fashion is capricious and moody, and some years the hottest looks seem to come and go every time the wind shifts. 2012 is shaping up to be one of the most variant years ever. Tight, sleek cuts are in, but so are messy knots and romantic tangles. New York and Paris Fashion week have already shown us a few very different looks that are now making their way to the street.

The Wet Look

Slicked back hair with a tight, minimalist approach is very in right now. This look is sleek and glamorous, but simple and easy to put together, especially if your hair is naturally straight and your cheekbones are slightly flared.

The Postmodern Bob

Bobbed hair and bangs are making a comeback this year, but the 2012 version has its own geometric, not-so-pixie-like elegance. The new bob is fierce, not sweet, and it’s slightly or severely asymmetrical. The look depends on razor-sharp edges and smooth texturing, so it may require high maintenance if you’re accustomed to waves or loose ringlets.

The Tangled Twist and Messy Knot

The slightly disheveled, early-morning-rock-star look never quite goes out of style for those who wear it well, but this year the look will be everywhere. Wayward pieces falling from an updo, tangled strays, messy curls, loose pins and clips, and a lack of structural soundness will turn heads this season.

Center Parts and Angular Bangs

The center part will play a role in each of the looks above, and will work for both razor straight sleek cuts and more disheveled styles. The part will appear often with the season’s most popular trend: a carefree, natural style that looks just in from a hike or outdoor adventure. Like the center part, angular bangs can finish either a sleek style or a dreamy, tossed-together collection of loose waves.

Image By: The Style PA

Women’s Style Trend: The Center Part for All Hair Lengths

For almost a generation, the center part has been adopted with caution by stylists and fashion savvy women, since it has the potential to widen a round face, draw attention to the nose, and divide the face in way that can emphasize any form of facial asymmetry. The center part can look severe on some faces and as a result, it can be risky. The side part, on the contrary, offers a safe way to lend balance, harmony, and elevation to the features. But these days, risk is in. And so is the concept of finding beauty and drama in slight, deliberate asymmetry.

Stars on the red carpet have already embraced the center part, and daring women everywhere have followed their lead and left the sweet, safe side part behind. When it’s paired with a glamorous style and a color that suits the face, the center part can easily become the center of attention.

The best part about choosing the best part is that changing your part can dramatically alter your look with almost no commitment. Before you consult with your stylist or cut your hair, experiment with different parts on your own. Note how a slight change in your part can alter the angles and shadows of the face, and can elevate or de-emphasize the cheekbones, the eyes, the jaw line or the smile.

A center part can work well with or without bangs, and can showcase the life and shine of both short and long hair of every texture. But one of the hottest center-part looks of the moment is one that I’m asked about almost every day. This in-demand, somewhat retro style involves grown-out bangs, cut to the jaw line or longer. With a neat part in the center, the hair (curly or straight) is swept symmetrically back from the face or into an elegant updo.

Image By: catrineh