Two years ago, I was flipping through the latest issue of NYLON and came across a spread with a model whose hair was so bleached it was silver and was cut into a choppy, spiky mullet. Yes my friends, this is the very picture I brought to my hairdresser and asked her to re-create on my head. “This model is wearing a wig, you know,” was her somewhat incredulous answer to my request. Wig or no wig, I was ready to make the drastic change. After a couple of seasons of having my hair as my “thing”, (and getting called Garth, yes, from Wayne’s World) I got extensions and took my mullet to a whole new level. Almost a year later and immense amounts of regret for putting my hair through irreparable damage, I have learned the art of the updo and will continue to pile my hair on top of my head until its long enough to look normal again. (This will take years, according to my hairdresser. She’s too nice to say, “I told you so,” even though she was apprehensive to bleach, tone, and bleach again to achieve that non-colour I so desperately sought after).  Luckily for me, as a product junkie, I have a whole lot of new reasons to slather, massage, wrap, heat and slick on the slew of miracle creams and masks for damaged and splitting hair. Hopefully, after a few more weeks of using Redken’s Heavy Cream and Ojon’s deep conditioning masks (which are AH-MAZING!), my hair will be long enough to attempt to recreate the stylish and chic hairdos that dominated the spring runway.

PLAITS, PLEASE

A major reoccurring trend in the hair department that was seen on the runway from the likes of Rochas, Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Want, and my personal favourite, Giambattista Valli, the school-girl braid has been taken to a whole new level. Popular styles varied greatly in design and the braid can be really be worn any way this season and still hit the trend bullseye. Spotted on the runway:  simple, loose, and on the side; a more complicated, twisted updo version,  milkmaid style, and inspiration from Heidi to Pippi Longstocking was evident. At Giambattista Valli, the models’ hair was pulled into a big, voluminous ponytail before being teased some more and braided or fishtailed. A style so easy we were doing it in elementary school. Guess I’ll have to come up with another excuse for being late!

POLISHED & PRETTY

The slick look has also been a reoccurring trend for a few seasons running now, but this spring, the hair can either be parted (centre or side; it’s your call) or pulled back off the face. Let the rest frame your face or pull back into a ponytail; both were seen on the catwalks this season. Previous seasons looked hard and shellacked while this spring, the style looked like it was created with a few mists of water and shine serum as opposed to a tub of super-hold gel.

SHE’S COME UNDONE

Last week, part of my intern duties included transcribing an interview with one of the hairstylists from the set of the Sex And The City 2 film. After rewinding and listening to the interview about 700 times to catch every. single. word., the “ undone styled style” is the only thing I could think of for days. After catching a glimpse of this look at Gucci, Chloé, Giles and Tommy Hilfiger, I finally understood the stylist’s obsession. Loose, big waves with lots of movement and texture fall right in the very centre of the spectrum of prom queen curls and bedhead. Hair should look styled, but not like you looked like you spent hours styling it. Tips on how to achieve the look: use a texturizing product, (my personal favourite is Bumble & Bumble Brilliantine) and a few different wide barrel curling irons, switching directions and never clamping the hair but instead wrapping it around the outside of the iron. Shake it out (upside down for added body), mist with light hold hairspray and don’t get mad when people stare.

OMBRÉ

Long since a trend from everything from cardigans to cocktail dresses, it was Prada’s sequin ombré clutch I was after last season. This season? The trend has migrated north and is allowing me to stretch out the salon visits to 12 weeks instead of 6. (Both my wallet and my damaged hair are thanking me). Letting your true colours show has been a huge hit on and off the runway. Trendsetting fashionistas from Rachel Bilson to Cameron Diaz to Alexa Chung have been sporting major roots, but fear not, the look gives off a laid-back cool vibe and totally looks on purpose and not like you missed your salon appointment. The trick is to ensure your roots are a maximum of 2 shades darker or lighter than your ends, any more and it quickly goes from trendy to tacky. Any trend that is encouraging me to show my true colours while saving cash? I’ll take it!

Aimee Brothman

Style.ca Writer