FASHION

Hair abounds in Second Life and can make or break the way your Avie looks and as in Real Life, most SL women (and some men) are always in the search of new hairstyles and haircuts, because a simple hair makeover – a new haircut or hair colour - is the easiest way to get a completely new image, to make women (and men) look and feel fabulous. Stylish haircuts with bangs for example are the perfect choice if you want a quick hairstyle makeover, but still want to keep your hair's length and add a bit of attitude to your hairstyle.

Celebrities like Singer Pink, with her homonymous crop, and two years later Victoria Beckham and her fringy Bob, set trends. The main purpose, however, of celebrities’ haircut and fashion styles is to express uniqueness and individualism. They are hardly ever aware that they have such an influence on common taste.

Band member Bill Kaulitz, for example, who is the leading vocalist of Tokio Hotel, created the most newsworthy trend for men and women during this year. Many young people tried to copy him and asked their hairdressers to recreate his look with the painted, fringe streak that they so loved. But his fans’ were bitterly disappointed when Bill suddenly changed his appearance.

Hair has always served to beautify and as a means to express ourselves. It constitutes the only part of the human body that can simply and variedly be reframed and therefore is significant to almost everyone. Being aware of modern and up-to-date haircuts is especially advantageous these days since there are many factors that can contribute to the choice of one’s style.

Hot Hair Style Trends

In 2009 hairstyles took a trip down memory lane. With 1940s retro fashion being popular, and this has been reflected in hairstyling. On the catwalks much sophistication has been seen and as per the‘40s era, sleek updos and kinks have abounded. These styles take some work and hair products of course (real life speaking that is), but if spending time on your hairdo is not your thing, do not worry, as at the other end of the 2009 hairstyle spectrum, has been the bedhead hair, with fluffy curls, looking unkempt, even a little punky, being just ‘a la mode’! As usual there has been something to suit everyone, whether you have long hair, short hair, curly or straight, are male or female. Blunt fringes, side sweeps and layers have been ever popular as is the bob, but this year, short short crops are made a big come back, as did the colour red, from deep copper tones to more pinky red colours. If you cannot bear to part with your long locks, then wearing it up in a pony tail sufficed. Hair accessories added a special something to every style this year, so choosing something sparkly or plastic, will continue to update your style with very little effort!

Layers

Layers generally suit everyone, cut into the mid section of long hair they give volume, added to ends of hair they give a sleeker finish and layers are an easy way to update tresses. One length hair is notoriously difficult to wear, layers are usually more flattering, framing a face and making you look a little more edgy. Layers also add volume, think of Jennifer Aniston and the "Rachel" cut! You can create a variety of effects using layers. Layers are the easiest way to update your hairstyle, whether it is long or short, layers give you a more modern look.

Fringes

This year fringes have been worn super short, full fat and eye tickling, or visor like and layered. Rock chicks such as Daisy Lowe and Alexa Chung have been seen sporting side sweep fringes. Cameron Diaz and Hilary Duff have opted for super short heavy and blunt fringes. Brittany Murphy and Christina Ricci have feathered provocative, peep thru fringes.

Pony Tails

If you want to keep your hair long, but also want to show off your beautiful face to its full potential, then a pony tail is the answer. Giving a cropped hair effect, pony tails are practical and stylish. Dress up the pony tail with hair accessories such as sparkling grips, even feathers and alice bands. This year pony tails have been more than just scraped back hair, the actual pony tail should be scrunched or crimped for a full bodied textured look. Half pony tails also look cute and are fashionable, as worn by Cate Blanchett.

Updos

As with the pony tail, this year updos have had a little more attitude. You can easily add some attitude to any updo with back combed sections and even with a quiff. Hayden Panettiere is a shining example of how to accessorize an updo, bows are big and intricate braided updos like Sarah Michelle Gellar wears, offer a practical daytime look that are still suitable for a dramatic evening look upsweep. Updos are very stylish and many stars such as Eva Mendes wear beautiful updos that can serve as inspiration for you.

 Kinks

Kink the ends of super sleek styles to add a touch of the latest look to your hairstyle. For inspiration see Gwyneth Paltrow in our 2009 hairstyle gallery. Kinks are easy to add if you have hot irons or curling tongs, just tweak the ends of your style to give a flattering touch of interest to otherwise plain styles.

Short

Short hair is easy to maintain and is so very practical. It is quick to style and this year of course the best example of a brave short crop is being worn by Victoria Beckham. It goes to show that short hair can still be ultra feminine, especially if layers are taken advantage of and the fringe is cut right to suit your face shape. Colour can add texture to short hairstyles and this year red shades have been the hottest colour for hair. From low lights to a full head, colour can define and add a lot to short hair. With quiffs and their sculpted looks and lots of height being seen on many a catwalk this year.

Quiffs

Rock n Roll! Do we need say more? No self respecting rock chick would be complete without sporting the occasional quiff. Made popular by Elvis way back when, but no longer tied to the male domain, quiffs can add height and an element of glamour and style to both short and long hairstyles. Practical short styles can be properly glammed up for the evening, with just a touch of styling into a quiff and long hair also can be tied back with the front part quiffed for a very fashionable evening look. Dramatic and trendy, quiffs have definitely been all the rage in 2009!

 Mid Length

If you are growing out short hair and are at that mid length stage, there are as always plenty of options to look stylish. Mid length is also a good compromise for femininity, without the hassle of keeping long long tresses pristine. Sleek and sophisticated, like Paris Hilton, or kooky and cool, tousled a la Alexa Chung. Mid length styles are great when growing out shorter styles and can be versatile as well. Wear up for a cropped effect or loose and volumised for a feminine look. A fringe adds some edginess to a mid length hairstyle, Kate Moss is a good example of a nice mid length hairstyle.

 Long Hair

Long hair can look flat and lifeless, but you can easily add bulk and definition with some razored layers and curls. Lindsey Lohan plaits her long hair for extra texture and life, Kate Hudson wears hers sleek and Hayden Panettiere tousles her long locks. Jennifer Garner wears hers waved, as does Lauren Conrad. Long hair is still as fashionable as ever, as long as you are willing to put in the time to jazz it up, which need not take too much time at all really, as all you need do is plait a little, tousle a little, add a few accessories or curls and away you go. The latest and most fashionable thing for long hair, really is for it to be healthy and shining.

Bobs

A bob can be textured or sleek, so whatever type of hair you have, fine or course, there is a bob out there for you. The first bob was the flapper (Louise Brooks) and was seen around the 1920 amidst the women’s liberation movements, so the bob came and has stayed, as have the flappers ideals. Bobs really are very symbolic of modern women and in 2009 such a symbol remained as forward thinking and popular as ever. Even though Victoria Beckam has cut hers off, the bob is unlikely to go out of style and will remain a good look. To update your bob, cut some layers or kink the ends for the latest look!

The Colour Red

Warm, rich and vibrant, as seen on Cynthia Nixon, Marcia Cross and Julia Roberts, red tones and highlights have been a very popular 2009 hair colour. A red streak or a full head of pinky red tones, look great and fun and give any hairstyle a modern look. If red is new for you, do not forget that you may need to change your make up colours as well, as red hair calls for neutral tones, such as gold, chestnut, camel, beige, honey, terra cotta, russet and raisin. Smokey eyes particularly compliment red hair.

Blonde

If you want to be a blonde, then the way to go is to use an overlaying multi mix of shades within a tonal family, rather than a flat shallow blonde. A full head of blonde hair looks great, but use multi toned highlights to give it the modern look. Golden and ash blondes look great, remember to find complimentary make up shades. Gwyneth Paltrow is a good example of today’s blonde.

Dark

Think of the dark and brooding Angelina Jolie, as a great example of dark tones. Aubergine and deep chocolate rather than raven black, are what you should be aiming for. Dark hair looks great with lots of shine.

Sleek

Retro sleek looks are in, such as worn by forties starlets and they were sleek and neat with a glossy finish, as glossy as the magazines they appeared in. To add extra height to an otherwise sleek hairstyle, back comb the roots for extra height beneath .

Curls

Curls are cute and corkscrew or big and bouncy, fluffy curls are back. This season there has been a move away from dishevelled curls, towards more groomed, luscious looking curls. More glamourous with a retro 1940s feel, with the top section groomed and luxe, whilst the bottom section curls tumble freely and naturally.

Waves

Waves add movement to an otherwise static hairstyle. Leighton Meester has waves in her hair this year .

Retro Dos

Although sixties hairstyles have still been popular, in 2009 hairstyles have been much influenced by the 1940s. A glamorous and well groomed period that is reflected by the sleek, groomed looks we have seen this year. Kinks from curling irons, smoothed with serum and glossy waves, look great with retro chic fashion styles that are available now. If you like the 60s style then back combing and high worn quiffs will give you an edgy look. The forties also inspire the use of hair accessories, so accessorise to your hairs content, with bows, diamonds and feathers for a really retro feel.

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