Hair

Best new haircuts and colours for 2017

Take inspiration from Hollywood for you new look.

Whether it’s a colour, cut or complete transformation, a new hairstyle can make you feel fresh and fabulous.

Sheree Mutton speaks with top stylists about how to create your crowning glory – with a little celebrity help.

Pros in the know, Kenneth Stoddart and Marc Armstrong, offer their tips on how to make the most of your luscious locks.

Eye-length fringe

“Fringes are all over the runways at the moment, at all different lengths,” says retail pharmacy hair director Kenneth Stoddart. “In this case, we have the eye-skimming fringe. I have always been a lover of the peek-a-boo fringe, as it draws attention to the eyes and is also a bit playful. Keep the ends of the fringe slightly feathered, as it makes it softer and more wearable. This style suits long faces, because it shortens the length of the face.”

Blunt shoulder-length

The blunt shoulder-length cut favoured by Natalie Portman was adopted by many Hollywood celebrities last year and the trend has continued into 2017. “If you want to look chic, a blunt shoulder-length bob is your go-to haircut,” says salon hair director Marc Armstrong. “It’s perfect for people with fine hair, as you need to keep your edges blunt to create the illusion of thickness. Although this style is easy to look after, it does need doing so it does not look untidy.”

Short crop

The short crop has made a comeback on the red carpet, but it’s not for everyone. “On the right hair texture, this can look young and fresh, but on hair that is

too thick, it can look old,” says Kenneth. “This suits women with fine- to medium-textured hair and can suit most face shapes with the right layering and lengths. Keep the top layers long and undercut thick hair to take away the weight.

Pixie cut

It may be difficult to pull off, but a pixie cut is the ultimate super-short hairstyle favoured by celebrities such as Michelle Williams and Jamie Lee Curtis (left). “Pixie cuts are timeless and can look great on the right face and head shape,” says Kenneth. “Highlights give it texture and make it more dynamic.” Often viewed as low-maintenance, this look usually requires a salon appointment every four to six weeks and lots of styling to keep it in shape. “Make sure your stylist introduces different lengths, so it’s not uniform,” advises Marc.

Layered lobs

Lobs, or long bobs, have been hugely popular in the past few years because they are flattering and frame the face. “Layering your lobbed hair makes it more flexible and the hair is still long enough to be worn up in a ponytail,” says Kenneth. “I like the layered lob because it gives movement and texture to the lob, which can drag the face down if it is too heavy.” To make this cut work for you, it is best to have the ends feathered. A dry texturising spray can help with styling and to keep the hair in shape.

Platinum blonde

The golden white locks are a statement for women such as Gwen Stefani (above) and Christina Aguilera. “The platinum blonde has always screamed silver-screen siren,” says Kenneth. Although this colour can make your hair prone to damage and dryness, the right products will ensure it maintains a healthy structure. “If you’re going to take the plunge into going blonde, it’s advisable to look after the integrity of your hair,” says Marc. Kenneth agrees: “Make sure you use a purple toning shampoo and conditioner to keep the right tone, otherwise it can look a bit yellow.”

Chocolate brown

Autumn is a great time to ditch the caramel for a darker colour. “Chocolate browns tend to suit people with darker skin, as going too dark can wash you out,” says Marc. “Darker hair reflects the light, so you will have shinier hair.” This colour will remove the “unwanted ombré” look, says Kenneth. “I like the richness [chocolate brown] gives hair, but I don’t like when it looks too solid,” he says. “It looks better with a few lighter pieces around the face to add texture. Consider colouring just the root area and pulling the colour through the mid-lengths and ends near developing time to avoid the solid look.”

Baby-lights

Babylights are super-fine highlights that soften the look of coloured hair. Incorporating babylights into your hair will add another dimension to the colour and increase shine. It’s ideal for women who want their colour to be soft and natural-looking, such as Jennifer Aniston. “This look can be striking,” says Marc. “Brunettes can have soft, subtle caramel hues, while blondes can go all out.”

Colour melting

Move over balayage (a freehand technique used for highlighting hair) – colour melting is the next hair trend that has plenty of positives. “Colour melting is like root stretching and introduces another colour to blend from the roots to the lighter ends, reducing any harsh lines,” says Marc. Hairdressers are embracing colour melting to give women a more worn-in and natural-looking colour that erases those distinct lines that appear when dyeing your hair. “This look is very wearable,” he says.

Blonde-grey

More women are embracing their grey locks and combining them with blonde highlights. “The blonde-grey look is showing up all over the place and not just on the more mature heads of hair,” explains Kenneth. “I like it when the tone is right and the colour has multi facets. Make sure that you have a great younger cut, so that the colour doesn’t look ageing.” The blonde-grey look is much easier to maintain and the colour is particularly flattering for women with pale skin, such as Helen Mirren.

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