Act like the stars and reinvent yourself with a new haircut. Hair guru Jon Sewell explains how a new style can take years off your look.
Helen Mirren – The chic crop
Before: Having only one layer that sits mid-cheekbones doesn’t do enough to give hair body. Length that stops at the top of your cheekbones draws the eye up and leaves the face free of hair to reveal your features.
What to ask for: A round, angled cut with a graduation of length around your face.
Styling Tip: After washing your hair, apply a mixture of bodifying spray and shine serum, from roots to ends. Style with a hairdryer, using a medium bristle brush to smooth as you go.
Give it a go: Fudge Professional Gloss Blow Dry and Finish Serum, $24.50; Matrix Style Link Volume Builder, $21.50.
Celia Imrie (63) – The sleek, short cut
A short, wispy fringe softens the forehead, while hair tucked behind the ears shows off your face.
Before: A voluminous style that flares out behind the ears and forehead is not only outdated but it also makes the face appear droopy.
What to ask for: A light, fanned-out fringe, with graduated layers, and 2cm length below your ears.
Styling tip: Spritz a volumising spray all over, but blow-dry your fringe first so it doesn’t kink. Add texture by combing your hair with your fingers – not a brush.
Give it a go: Kevin Murphy Body.Builder, $49; Remington Silk Ceramic Hair Dryer, $149.99.
Sharon Stone (57) – The flirty flick
Before: A cut without layers draws attention to your neck and doesn’t do anything to highlight your facial features.
What to ask for: Long layers that sit in line with your ears and are no longer than the bottom of your cheeks.
Styling tip: When your hair is wet, apply a voluminising spray to the roots only. Let it air-dry, then apply a styling cream to separate the ends.
Give it a go: O&M Rootalicious, $40; L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Wild Stylers Depolish, $34.
Sally Field (68) – The lively lob
Layers that frame the face will emphasise cheekbones, and a sweeping fringe will help to minimise a larger forehead.
Before: Hair with no volume is unflattering as it hides youthful features, such as your cheekbones and jawline.
What to ask for: A collarbone length cut with graduating layers and a side-swept fringe.
Styling Tip: On damp hair, apply a styling mousse from roots to ends. No good at blow-drying? Use your fingers to push your hair in the direction that you want it to go. Create even more movement around your face by tonging a few pieces on each side of your part.
Give it a go: Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Amino-Q Hold Mousse, $9.99; VS Sassoon Ceramic Curler, $59.99.
