The Shag
L to R: Joan Jett, Kristen Stewart
Okay, so we’ve received the memo that Kristen Stewart sucks. But guess who doesn’t? Joan Jett! Steal her rockin’ locks by asking your stylist for a layered bob with angles starting at the chin. Make it your own by adding heavier, straight-across bangs for a style that’s much more 2012.
The Rashida Jones
L to R: Kristin Cavallari, Rashida Jones
Remember back in the day when every teenage girl with access to a TV crowded salons clutching a picture of Kristin Cavallari from Laguna Beach? Fortunately, we now have um… classier celebrities to copy. The bob/bang combo is flattering for all face shapes and works on all hair types. Women love it so much, we didn’t even care it was the bitchiest character on reality TV we were copying.
The Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel
Love her or want to puke, no one does hair quite like the girl who trademarked Cute. Ask for heavy, layered bangs at the salon that just barely cover your eyebrows. Play around with them in the mirror until you find a part that works with your face–the most awesome of bangs can be transformed into side swipers, middle-parters, and straight a-crossers. To get the waves without using a curling iron, try twisting your hair into a low bun after blow drying and leave it in for a few hours. Warning: may cause excessive eyelash-batting and a sudden urge to play the ukulele.
The Brooklyn Barmaid
Mary Kate Olsen
Why must hipsters turn wonderful things into terrible clichés? German braids are both adorable and ethereal; plus, there’s an easy way to cheat the complicated inverted-French braid process: just create two low pigtail braids and use bobby pins to secure them in the top of your head. However, stay away from red lipstick and thick-rimmed glasses or risk being a sight worthy of an eye roll.
The Pixie
L to R: Abby Wombach, Emma Watson, Michelle Williams, Robyn, Anne Hathaway
Before deciding to jump on the pixie trend, make sure you know what look you’re really after. There’s the straight and spiky, low-key Abby Wombach, the short, sweet Emma Watson, the swoopy side-banged Michelle Williams, the edgy bowl-cut Robyn, and the wavy, voluminous Anne Hathaway. The pixie is effortlessly butch-chic any way you work it, and is more versatile than we give it credit for.
The Betty Draper
January Jones
How is this not already a trend? Actually, how has Betty Draper’s hair not already been a trend so big that it is now completely overdone and cliché? Whatever, at least you can try it this year, worry-free! To prevent yourself from looking like a costume-y burlesque dancer or 1920’s flapper, don’t overdo the makeup. Get the look by creating a deep side part, and using a curling iron, twist the hair that’s pushed behind your ears towards your chin. If you have bangs, pin them to the side and reveal a face that’s even more feminine but way less crazy than Mrs. Draper’s.
Almost Too-Short Bangs
L to R: Rooney Mara, Lizzy Caplan
Okay, so most of you probably aren’t looking to imitate the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." But the blind disgust for bangs that are even the littlest big too far up the forehead is officially outdated. If you don’t believe me, check out Lizzy Caplan in Season 2 of Party Down. I mean, she’s the love interest of Adam Scott. If that isn’t proof enough, I don’t know what is.
And one that you should leave in 2011...
The Rachel Zoe/Kim Kardashian
Rachel Zoe, Kim Kardashian
Yeah, the middle part/curl away thing was chic for a hot minute, but ever since then it’s become nothing but the signature of every Real Housewife anywhere. Ugh, if I had a nickel for every reformed Guidette roaming the streets of New York rocking this cut in an attempt to “break into the fashion industry”, I’d be able to physically ban salons from allowing people to request it. But maybe I’m just bitter that I can’t pull off a middle part. Who knows.
If you happen to be one of the women whom I just lovingly ridiculed, lucky for you, there’s a super easy way to update your look. 2012 will be the year of the über-side part. Brush a few front pieces in front of your face so that they’re almost covering one eye. There. You’ve gone from Botoxed cougar to a chic-er version of that emo girl from middle school.
Posted by Sherlyn on January 19, 2012 at 12:20 AM EST #
Posted by RachelA on January 19, 2012 at 02:40 AM EST #
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Posted by Marizel on January 19, 2012 at 07:57 PM EST #