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Lost on what look to request from your stylist this fall? Try one of these popular (or not-so-popular) fashion statements.
GIRLS
Bangs: Many may remember having bangs when they were in preschool. But bangs don't represent a childish style. When styled straight across, they can come off with sophistication, or as playful and sporty when shifted to the side.
In the past years, more and more celebrities, such as Rihanna, Katie Holmes and Reese Witherspoon have turned the trend into an everyday one. Although the big bang of bangs has cooled down, they remain a highly desirable hairdo.
Some styling is required--mostly for rebellious curls or fly-aways near the forehead--but other than the brief use of a straightener or serum, no excessive effort is necessary.
--Nina Gonzalez
The Wave: Unlike last year, where all you could see was snobby bobs waltzing around town with straight-across bangs, wavy hair is in for the winter of 2008.
Stars like Rachel Bilson of 'The OC' are a brilliant example of the new wavy-hair trend. Wavy hair looks natural, soft and still sexy; just keep it big, tousled and, well, wavy. Basically, keep the flat irons off, and start plugging in the curling iron.
--Stephanie Boscovitch
The Bun: Sometimes women don't have time to put hot rollers in--so for those mornings where nothing seems to be going right and you are in a rush, have a bun! No--not some sticky cinnamon bread, but a fantastic, easy and sleek hairstyle.
The style, which has always been popular with ballerinas, has been finding its way more and more onto runways recently, and, of course, was famously worn by Natalie Portman in the 'Star Wars' prequels--take that, Princess Leia!
To achieve this look of dignified elegance, simply take hair and put it to the side in either a low bun or ponytail. When you sweep your hair into a neat bun, no one will be thinking bad hair day, but instead, beautiful ballerina.
--Stephanie Boscovitch
The Dye Job: In the hair world, coloring can often be even bolder than styling or cutting. Dyeing one's hair can be seen as a symbol of adopting a new identity or embracing one's differences.
Celebrities Pink and Gwen Stefani popularized the pink-hair look in the early 2000s, taking some of the emphasis off of being a classic beauty and onto being an individual.
If you are considering dyeing your hair a bold or wacky color, keep in mind that the color will really look crazy and bold only if you are very fair-haired. People with a darker complexion will have to bleach their hair, which can be dangerous and is not good for your hair overall. It is important to always use a bleach kit, follow directions perfectly and not get the bleach anywhere but your hair.
--Addison Herron-Wheeler
The Lady Sovereign: When a pint-sized and rather pale British rapper called Lady Sovereign decided to braid half of her head into cornrows and pull the other half into a sideways ponytail, it was a slap in the face to those who love hair, symmetry and beauty in general.
But one thing that Lady Sov has made perfectly clear through her rapping and her style is that she doesn't give a rip what you think. After all, Lady Sov proudly proclaimed on her hit single "Love Me or Hate Me" that "I can't dance, and I really can't sing"--so it shouldn't be a surprise that she can't pull off a cohesive hairstyle either.
--Matt Cameron
GUYS
Bedhead: While going through middle and high school, bedhead is right up there with pimples and classes on the list of things to dread when waking up. But upon further review, living in a constant state of bed(head)lam has worked out rather nicely for two of mankind's finest specimens, Owen Wilson and Matthew McConaughey.
These two Herculean hairballs have, in fact, inspired a whole wave of messy-haired proteges. The style has gotten so big that any average Joe can step into a hair salon and request "the bedhead," which in salon-speak would be something like "a rumpled cut, with multiple layers."
Before requesting this style, though, be sure to take into account the reason for the two celebrities' success: Their bedheads fit in perfectly with their carefully crafted surfer-dude personas. Evidently, as long as you're tan, fit and funny, you don't have to bother wasting money on a comb ever again.
--Matt Cameron
The 'Fro: The Afro is one of those hairstyles that never goes out of fashion. Characterized by large, poufy, tightly curled hair, it first became popular among African-Americans in the '60s and '70s, and was famously sported by celebrities like Sly & the Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix.
Since then it has become a common sight, particularly among teens. Caucasian variations may be inspired by other long-haired '60s iconssuch as Bob Dylan.
Like the bedhead look, the 'fro doesn't require a lot of attention--but your laziness can be conveniently masked under a retro pretense.
--Francisco Gonzalez
The Mohawk: The Mohawk, and its close cousins, the faux hawk and liberty spike, have definitely laid claim to being among the most outlandish hairstyles of the 21st century.
American Indians were the first to sport this rad do, giving it its name. The style thrives today in the "down-with-the-man" punk scene, among Ultimate Fighting fans following in the footsteps of stars like Chuck Liddell, and with kids trying to be adopted by Angelina Jolie.
For everyone else, the Mohawk is a hit-or-miss hairstyle: Either you can pull this cut off or shave your head and try again.
--Nathan Carden
Lego hair: This hairstyle is not as rare as it may seem. Nearly any hairdo that is seemingly one-piece, and appears as though it sits perfectly molded on the head like a piece of plastic can be considered a Lego 'do.
Although it may be associated with the use of excessive amounts of hair product, perfectly shaped Lego hair can also be the end result of another fashion statement gone awry, such as the 'bowl' haircut or straightened-out 'emo' hair.
While the hairstyle does not actually indicate any connection to the Lego world, the 'do is usually accompanied with seemingly yellow skin and an unorthodox smile.
--Gordon Phillips
The Padawan: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, those in training to become intergalactic warrior monks--Jedi, if you will--grew the hair on their heads long, cutting it all short except for one piece behind the ear. This 'Padawan' would then braid the piece tightly, bind it with some string, and consider the style complete for the extent of his training.
This particular fashion is a must for those who are on their way to intergalactic knighthood (once this status is achieved, the braid is removed by light-saber); but it doesn't gather truly positive attention from those on Earth.
--Brinkley Sharpe
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