Two of Taylor Swift’s Favorites

Taylor Swift’s career is in full swing, garnering rave reviews from music critics and her legions of adoring fans. The incredibly talented, award-winning 21-year-old is one Mean singer—and she’s got stunning, naturally curly strands to match!

To get the lowdown on Taylor’s magnificent mane, we spoke to Kevin Mancuso, Creative Director for Nexxus, who’s one of her regular hair stylists. “Taylor’s hair is cut into long layers with a long side bang,” says Kevin. “It’s quite simple, which makes it really easy for her to change styles.” Here are two of her faves: Full, ultra-sexy waves—her trademark look—and smooth with a loose, iron-curled piece in front.

SMOOTH SPIRALS: “For hair like Taylor’s—fine, wavy, a lot per square-inch and color-treated—I like to use Nexxus Thermal Protection Mousse all over and some Pro Mend Leave In Treatment on the ends.

• Blow hair dry with your head upside down, massaging the roots to give it some lift.
• When roots are dry, stand up and use a round brush to smooth the ends. Thermal Mousse prevents hair from tangling, so it’s an easy brush-glide experience. It also protects hair from heat styling damage, which is really important to Taylor or any star who’s having her hair done on a regular basis.
•  When hair is dry, apply a little more Pro Mend Leave In Treatment throughout—it repairs any splits and damaged areas along the shaft. Take a medium curling iron and spiral small sections diagonally with the iron pointed down. Tilt your head and wrap hair around the iron. A shot of Comb Thru Finishing Mist holds the defined spirals even longer.”

TAKING IT STRAIGHT? “The best thing to do is start with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner, like Nexxus Sleektress and Humectress Deep Conditioning Treatment. They soften hair, detangle and cause frizz to relax, and you’ll also rely less on styling products to get it straight,” he says.

CURLY HAIR “MUST”: “Curling irons are always used on stars with curly/wavy hair on the red carpet,” says Mancuso.

Article courtesy of Harris Publications

For further discussion on Taylor Swift hair you might want to check out these other articles:

• Taylor Swift’s Curly Hairstyles Fashion Inspiration
• Curly Hair to Straight for Taylor Swift
• Taylor Swift’s Grammy Hair Style
• How To Get Hair Like Taylor Swift
• Updo Hairstyles at 2009 CMT Music Awards
• Taylor Swift Curls and Auburn Hair Color at MTV Awards!
• Taylor Swift Hair Color Formula

If you’re thinking of a new hair color this Spring here is what you should be considering

Experimenting with a new hair color is the quickest and easiest way to refresh your style! You get a new look without the drama of changing your hairstyle. This year’s trending hair colors are clean and simple and with these effortless hairdos, you can afford to venture one step further and experiment with hair color like; ombre, highlights, subtle tints, dramatic vibrant colors, neons, dip dying or even clip-on color extensions…you name it!

Face Framing Highlights

Adding a few simple face framing highlights or all over highlights and lowlights, spruces up your existing style and helps to brighten your complexion. With short hair, multiple layers of highlights help to create added dimension, depth and fullness to the hair. Women with blue or green eyes and a bit of a tanned skin tone,( think Jennifer Lopez) look fabulous with warm brown tones and honey colored or light brown highlights. Others with bouncy curls prefer hair highlighting because of the additional volume as well as the look of perennial sunshine on their hair.

Ombre Hair or Dip Dyeing Hair Color

Not a fan of the highlights? There are always alternatives such as going ombre or dip dying. Yes, ombre is still trending this year! That may be simply because it’s such a low maintenance hair trend and looks great on just about everyone. Women with medium/long and long layered hair wear ombre color or dip dying best. Brunettes simply love experimenting with lighter shades, as it adds dimension to their hair, so it doesn’t look flat and at the same time it adds a modern edge to their old hairstyle. One benefit of this trend is that in the event you are displeased with the color or it has faded over time, you can get your hairdresser to simply . . . snip off the colored ends!

Black Hair Dye and Deep Brunette Tones

Black hair color and darker palettes of brown tones are a huge trend this season and trend is keeping salons busy with both applications and corrective color services. Most of the corrective coloring comes as a result of at home, DIY’ers attempts to dye their own hair dark. Careful with this one ladies, you can check out some advice here, if you have dyed your hair too dark.

Katy Perry set the tone for ladies with pale skin to have some fun with black hair dye, (as well as some neon shades for you brave fashionistas!) There are a growing number of lighter skinned women embracing this contrast. Jet-black hair is also extremely flattering on ladies with olive skin tones (Salma Hayek, Cher)

Black and deep brunette hair colors not only appear thicker, but they often have the highest amount of shine. Healthy black hair is the shiniest because it reflects the most light. If your natural hair color is two or more shades lighter than the color you desire, you will need to be diligent at keeping your hair color appointments . . . roots are not pretty. A good shampoo and conditioner for colored hair will help substantially in preserving any hair color and its radiance!

Barb Quinn on Google+  

For further discussion on new hair color trends you might want to check out these other articles:

• Fall Hair Colors Look More Dimensional
• Funky Hair Color Ideas
• New Hair Color Technique is Next Trend
• L’Oreal Haircolor for Fall
• Hairstyle Trend Alert

When I went looking for pictures of short hairstyles with a formal look for this article I realized how women with short hair are short-changed when it comes to formal party looks for shorter hair. I’m as guilty as the rest of the hairstyle bloggers out there. But today I’m here to fix that and just in time for Valentines day if you’re looking for something special for a date with your sweetie. Let’s take a look at your options.

The Classic Twist With a Twist

The French twist is a timeless style that oozes classy sophistication and it’s the type of formal hairdo that’s great for any holiday party. You can’t go wrong with a classic French twist or some sort of swept up variation of it. Charlize Theron is wearing a revision of the French twist, undoubtedly stirring up a whirlwind with a certain “Je ne sais quois”. Slight variances on the theme, with pinned up sections, make it more modern & interesting. She looks magnificently feminine and sexy in this hairstyle, wouldn’t you say? . . . with that high collared sparkly necklace and low back halter dress!

The Classic Bob With a Bit of Old Hollywood

Beautiful! The timeless bob haircut is ageless for its elegant simplicity and it can be styled in many more ways than you may think. Smooth and shiny, curled, slicked or waved and styled like this to mirror a retro 30′s look, a short bob hairstyle is hard to top for versatility and it’s always, always modern chic!

Classic Inverted Bob With Side Bangs – pure elegance!

Arguably the quickest and easiest hairstyle to maintain, this short inverted bob takes little work for a big style payback. For ladies with straight or slightly wavy hair, a quick blow-drying with a round brush and some root lifter or volumizing product will do just fine. Key to looking party fabulous is a great haircut and to keep your hair healthy and shiny with spot-on hair color.

Classic Short Finger-Wave Party Style

What makes this short finger-wave hairstyle a classic? It’s been around since the 20′s and it’s back again looking as smart and adorable as it did back then! Halle Berry looks endearing in about every style she wears, but with a little gel, a fine toothed comb and some clips, she’s taken on a whole new persona. That’s the beauty of this style, it totally transforms this short haircut into a hairstyle worthy of any grand occasion!

Classic Formal Short Retro Wave

Gwen Stephanie rocks this short hairstyle in platinum and pink! Retro styles have been high fashion for a while now and don’t seem to be going anywhere fast. Whether your hair is long, medium or short you can radically update your look by learning how to style in retro waves. Check out these videos; one from renowned New York hairdresser Oscar Blandi, and another at a Gucci runway show. Pick up some tips on how they create runway ready retro waves, or if you just want to look famous for the night, make an appointment to have your hairdresser doll-you-up and give you some hands-on personalized styling techniques!

Barb Quinn on Google+  

For more discussion on updo hair styles you’ll want to check out these other articles:

• Prom Updo’s
• Up Do . . . How To’s
• These Formal Hairdos are Edgy Elegant
• French Twist Updo How To
• Updo Hairstyles
• New Years Eve Party Hair Styles
• Kristen Stewart’s Bella Wedding Updo

Hair Accessories Change Your Style

When you look back at hair trends of any era, there are always hair accessories that help define the times and today’s hair trends are no different. Who ever the fashion guru was who coined the phrase, “accessorizing is everything” was brilliant. Well, it’s true that great hair accessories can make your style go from plain to fabulous. Apart from hair style, texture and hair color, try adding one of these accessories to give added depth and an extra something to spice up your look.

The Head Band

The head band can be a colored ribbon, a funky metallic finished head band or any sort of floral cluster! Call it vintage, quirky or modern, these versatile gems are the highlights this season. They add a touch of feminine charm, as well as a burst of color to tie together any outfit. Head bands can be worn to pull back all the hair off your face (Jennifer Lopez), giving that fresh-faced look or, as an adornment that simply compliments your style. The head band remains high on our list of easy accessories to wear, so those who are less adventurous with head-gear, a simple head band may be your quick fix to your fashion woes!

The Head Wrap

Although slightly similar, these hair accessories are not worn on top of the head, but high on the forehead or across the forehead and are closely identified with the signature bohemian chic look. Other designs include those larger than the usual ones you find on the streets. These have increasingly become statement pieces sported by many celebrities this season.

Barrett’s and Jeweld Pins

Another hair accessories trend that women just can’t seem to get enough of is barrett’s and jeweled pins. Barrett’s are essentially clips to keep hair in place, but with a little added shimmer and sparkle, these elegant pieces can easily transform your entire look and bring it to the next level.

Floral barrett’s are extremely popular this season and can be worn on any occasion. They go with tied back hairstyles like the sophisticated bun or even loosely untied hairdos! For formal night events, elaborate jewelled barrett’s give a classy and elegant finish while keeping hair intact throughout the night.

Head Scarves

Let’s not forget head scarves! They don’t have to be swung loosely around your neck to make for a high fashion item, they can also worn around your head as hair accessories. Loosely covering your hair or around your forehead like a headband. And, if you are not the kind to go overboard when it comes to hair accessories, you can try monochrome or single colored headscarves that suffice as superb statement pieces.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

For further discussion on hair accessories you might want to check out these other articles:

• Hair Accessories
• Accessories for Hair Make Easy Wedding Updos
• Fall’s Hottest Hair Accessories
• Hair accessories — scarves, barrettes and other hair thingies
• Hair Sticks Make Captivating Hair Accessory!
• Hair Headbands and More Sparkle this Season!
• Want Affordable Holiday Hair Accessories?

The Golden have always been a fabulous place for inspiration when it comes to hairstyles and this year bangs were a big hit. We couldn’t help notice how many celebrities wore bangs to this formal event. Are any of these bangs right for you? Now find out what type of bangs will work best with your hair type get advice on how to style your bangs and the know-how on how often these bangs will need to be trimmed to keep you looking your best. Anyone can wear these bang styles, but if you choose bangs that are not recommended for your hair type, you can expect to spend more time maintaining them.

Olivia Wilde’s Thin Bangs

Thin bangs like Olivia’s, work best on women with thin, straight hair with no cowlicks. A cowlick with thin hair is hard to style straight and keep it that way. However, people with curly or thick hair can achieve this look with just a little effort. These bangs can be straightened with use of a flat-iron or with a blow dryer and vent brush. This type of bang requires regular trims every one to two weeks.

Nichole Richie’s Heavy Bang

Heavy bangs are youthful and flattering, so for those of you wondering if bangs make you look younger, the answer is yes, most of the time. Women with thick and straight to wavy hair are the best candidates for these types of bangs. Do you want to style your bangs like Nicole Richie? There are two ways you can. You can blow dry your bangs with a large round brush or you can smooth them out with a large barrel curling iron. Because these bangs are cut below the eyebrow, trims are recommended every one to two weeks.

Michelle William’s Short, Wispy Bang

Short, wispy bangs are playful and trendy. These bangs look their best when they are paired with a short haircut like the pixie cut. You can create Michelle’s wispy bangs look by defining pieces of your bangs using pomade or a similar texturizing hair product. These bangs look their best when they are trimmed every two to four weeks.

Emma Stone’s Thin Side Bang

Thin side bangs are romantic. Women with thin, straight hair will have the easiest time styling this type of bang. Side bangs are also the optimal type of bang for those with a cowlick in the front of their hair. Because these bangs are thin, they look best when they are straight. You can straighten your bangs using a flat-iron or a blow dryer with a paddle brush. Thin side bangs bang should be trimmed every four to six weeks.

Amber Riley’s Thick Side Bang

Thick side bangs are stylish and fashionable. They are best for women with thick hair and little to no waves. Those of you with a cowlick, where they would like the bang to part, will have an even easier time with this bang. You can style your side bang like Amber’s in two easy steps. First, smooth your bangs with a flat-iron. Next, use a medium-sized curling iron to curl the ends of your bang off to the side.One advantage of side bangs are their length. Because they are long, you can easily go four to six weeks before you need a trim.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

Looking for a new spring hat?  See which hat trends will work with your face shape.

When ushering in the new spring, there are things apart from shoes, dress and coats that we want to think about changing. Even if you have not been an avid hat-wearer in the past, this can be your year to change things up and transform your style from mysterious or sporty, to chic and classy with just a change of a hat. And, if you’re having a bad hair day or feeling sun shy, voila . . . hats become your new best friend!

The fashion industry simply can’t get enough of the over-sized floppy hats craze, from straw, cloth and even suede. The great thing about these hats is that they can help you achieve a classy feminine look at a very affordable cost! Furthermore, by playing with the different angles of your hat, you can recreate a myriad of looks that will bring about any number of different sides of your personality.

By tilting the floppy hat slightly such that it hides most of your forehead, you will invoke an element of mystery and bring out your soft feminine side. Over-sized floppy hats generally suit oval-shaped fashionista’s best, but squared shaped faces  also look magnificent in this trend! Don’t mistake these hats as being strictly beach wear or simply trendy, causal accessories; they can also work with business and other formal attire!

If you are looking for something less dramatic, then you might hail the return of the cloche hat! Similar to the over-sized floppy hat, when tipped at just the right angle, it hides a little bit of the face, preserving an element of mystery. With this jazzy fit, women can achieve the shy yet, oh so sophisticated look, at the same time!

Of course, we cannot forget the fedoras that have received so much attention this last year. But this euphoria has not ended and trend analysts say it will continue for most of 2012! So don’t be too quick to chuck them out of your wardrobes yet! If you are tired of your fedora, you can always add (or remove) feathers, ribbon, bands or gems, to make it funkier or liven it up for spring! Most women can pull off the fedora look, like most hat’s . . . it’s an attitude thing.

Another hat in the same family as the fedora, is the bucket hat, which is also one of the more surprising trends this year. The reason for its lack in popularity previously could be its simplistic designs or because of its original function as a fisherman’s hat. However, nowadays we see more and more bucket hats that are decorated with ribbons and jewels that have made it more feminine and increasingly more wearable! The shapeless nature of this hat makes it compatible with almost all face shapes and will definitely add that extra punch you need to jazz up any outfit!

We love what hat’s do for a woman’s look!  Grab your best girlfriend (or best confidant) and go in search of a hat or two, you will need a second opinion and you can laugh all the while you’re gettin your fashion on!

Barb Quinn on Google+  

How to do hair highlights

Hair highlights are popular because they allow you to change-up your normal hair color without the dramatic results of an all-over hair transformation. Hair highlights also offer you a way to gradually lighten your hair, instead of risking a dye job that you eventually hate. In short, highlighting your hair sounds like the perfect solution to spice up your look, or if you’ve just been bored with the same color you have had since birth. Of course, it’s really important to get ready for the process, and here are some tips for how to prepare for hair highlights.

Have Realistic Expectations

When you’re flipping through catalogs of women with gorgeous hair highlights, don’t expect your new hair color to look exactly the way it seems on the models. Unless you’re the model’s identical twin, you’ll probably have a different face shape, larger or smaller forehead, and your starting hair color may be completely different as well. In short, you can’t trust the highlights in pictures because they could have been touched up digitally, making the color hard to recreate in a salon. Hair highlights will also vary due to your hair stylist’s preferred techniques.

Find your Match

If your skin is pale with freckles, you don’t want highlights identical to Jennifer Lopez because you’d end up with hair that doesn’t work well with your natural features. And if you have medium-to-dark skin, the hair color you choose shouldn’t be based off of what a natural redhead or blonde girl would choose! Before getting hair highlights, it’s best to research the colors that will work best with your natural hair color, skin tone, and hair style to find the best match for you.

Be Aware

When preparing for hair highlights, think of it as adding a beauty accessory to your hair. Highlights need to match your style of dress – both when you’re at work and relaxing at home. You’ll also want to think of any important occasions like job interviews, weddings, proms, or other times where you are expected to look your best. If you’re going to any of the previously mention events, you don’t want to get over-the-top highlights in your hair that don’t match up with what you’re doing.

Lifestyle Appropriate

If you’re not expected to look professional at your job, then you have more freedom to experiment with chunky highlights that offer a higher contrast. But beware of making your wrinkles more visible with stark contrasting highlights since they tend to enhance one’s flaws more than subtle highlighting changes. If you’re concerned about making a drastic change to your appearance, opt for well-blended highlights that look natural while complimenting your natural hair color.

Be Committed

Having hair highlights requires commitment if you want the color to last. You should be willing to use a shampoo for color treated hair, and be ready to revisit the salon every other month (or sooner) to have your highlights retouched. You may even need a few more deep conditioning masks or treatments after you’ve gotten highlights to reduce the chance of damage from using heat on your hair.

Revisiting salons every month or two can be very damaging on your hair, so it requires a couple of extra minutes each day to keep the hair from splitting or becoming dry! Highlights also need more time under the dryer if you’re not happy with the end results. Highlights can be difficult to reverse, and can further dry out or damage your hair, so it’s important to understand the risks and benefits of getting hair highlights.

Find the Right Hair Stylist and Salon

The last step in how to prepare for hair highlights is ensuring that you go to a salon you’re comfortable with. This will make the experience go smoother, and allow you to relax while you’re under the foils. If you’re uncomfortable asking the hair stylist questions, then you won’t feel comfortable telling her you’re unhappy with the color, or explaining in detail what you really want him or her to do.

With so many hair trends, hair highlights have never gone out of style. In fact, they have only gotten more and more popular with men and women of all ages. Since they’re an easy way to add a change to your hair, and can even be done at home now, it’s no wonder why so many people are turning to highlights instead of dying their hair one boring hair color.

Going back to our original discussion on preparing for hair highlights, don’t forget to ask questions when you have them, and be honest with your hair colorist about what colors you like. Also, be open to suggestions since hair stylists will give you helpful hints to find the right color of highlights for you.

Guest contributor Ashley Olson is a professional writer and she enjoys sharing tips on hair coloring and in several other beauty topics.

For further discussion on hair highlights you might want to check out these other articles:

• How to Fix Bad Highlights or Lowlights
• Caramel Highlights
• Highlight Hair at Home?
• Hair Lowlights – what is it? Can I do it at home?
• Hair Highlights A New Technique
• A Highlighting Tip From American Salon Magazine
• Tips for Hair Highlights at Home

What straightening balms do:

They temporarily tame textured hair, reducing frizz and flyaways.

Why you need a straightening balm:

If you want sleek, soft hair that does what it’s told, a straightening balm (aka serum or creme) will smooth the hair shaft. While flat irons and salon straightening services are also effective, they can be damaging if used excessively.

How to use a straightening balm:

Begin with a smoothing shampoo and conditioner. Then, apply product to damp strands and blow-out hair with a brush working section by section, being sure that each one is totally dry before moving onto the next.

Just work Cutler Straightening Cream into damp locks from root to tip, then style normally. It adds a sleek, flyaway-free finish that’s soft and shiny.

You can multi-task with Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener . . . it straightens and smoothes while adding a mega dose of gloss and heat protection.

Straight Finish Humidity Control Hair Mist from Paul Labrecque offers quick-drying, weightless, flexible hold. It takes hair straight without sacrificing soft, touchable movement.

Liqwd Professional Smoothing Catalyst’s Nano-Hydraspheres surround each strand to smooth it out and add a boost of moisture. After you blow-dry, your mane will be flat-iron sleek!

Tame unruly locks from the get-go by using Unite Smoothing Conditioner after you shampoo. As a bonus, it locks in color as it defrizzes.

6 Braided Ponytails Make for a Variety of Easy Hairstyles!

If quick and easy hairstyles are what you’re looking for or, if you find yourself constantly asking the question “what should I do with my hair?” Visual-Makeover has some simple suggestions. For instance, see what Redken creative consultant Guido Palau, brought us in braids and more with this hairstyles with braids article.

I have long hair, well, at least long enough for a credible sized ponytail (it’s about 2 inches past my collarbone) and I thank the Lord everyday for bringing the ponytail back into style. Whether you have a long layered hairstyle or one length hair, the ponytail gives us a variety of options. The ponytail can be totally no fuss and casual or, with just a few simple styling tricks it can morph into a perfect updo for any event.

How easy is this hairdo? All it takes is a quick lesson in braiding 101, a great headband and your there. The headband makes this hair style an eye-catcher!

Kate Hudson has long layered hair with natural hair wave. To get this look;

1. Blow dry smooth with a round brush and a volumizing product like Sexy Hair Big Sexy Hair Root Pump.
2. Backcomb at crown to create lift.
3. Smooth over and create a low loose braid, letting sides fall out naturally.
4. Curl face framing layers with a large curling iron.

A fishtail braid is the easiest braid of all to master. You’re basically working with two strands of hair versus the three strands for a conventional braid and I think it’s one of the prettiest braids too! You can covert the fishtail braid into a side braid or a half-up ponytail as well.

This fiber blend braided switch is an easy way to create some quick and easy hair styles. The switch comes pre-braided and can be worn as a ponytail, twisted into braided chignons, buns or twisted knots. It is easily attached with an elastic loop as you would wrap a ponytail holder around your own hair. This one sells for $51.00 at www.wigs.com

Hair styles don’t get much easier than the ponytail and with so many ways to wear them; high, low, side, braided, smooth, curled or ratty . . . or add bows, beads, braids, bobbles or whatever you can come up with and you’ve got enough hairdo options to last for . . . a long time.

For further discussion on quick and easy hair styles you might want to check out these other articles:

Preparing for an Interview

Each of us must continually engage in hair style trade-offs. Looking your very best all the time is just not realistic, unless you are a TV anchor woman or movie star. Sometimes kids, job, money, time, energy or pleasing someone else on the job limits our ability to choose the right hair styles.

You can’t have it all, but you can prioritize!

Rank these issues in order of importance:

• Spending money on my hair
• Career or job advancement
• Attractiveness to potential partners
• Time to spend on my hair each day
• Pleasing others
• Lots of appointments at the hair salon
• Kids
• My self-esteem
• Getting compliments
• Being fashionable Career and Job Interview Hair styles

If you’re preparing for an interview, your hair style is just as important as your clothes. Maybe even more important. In a career change or job interview, first impressions are important. Studies have shown that an opinion is formed in the first four seconds. If you don’t make the right impression, your interview skills are not going to matter.“Preparing for an Interview”

I’m married to a management trainer. My hubby Gary spent many years training top-level managers. I sat down with him just recently and asked him what hair style advice he would give my readers in a job or career interview situation. Here are some of his suggestions:

• Look like your interviewer – If you’re interviewing with librarians,you better have some horn rimmed glasses and a bun in your hair. If you’re interviewing for an Wall-Street job, you better have on a suit and conservative haircut. If you are interviewing for an entertainment career, you better have a updo.

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• Never be outside the box – This is not the time to go with the latest spiky hair style, dramatic haircuts or creative hair colors. You never want to stand out . . . you want to look impeccably well-groomed and appropriate. When you appear polished and well-groomed, it often gives the impression of attention to detail, which is definitely in your favor.

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• Never, ever . . .  turn on the sex appeal. Women will hate you . . . and the male prospects will lose respect for your competency or question your intelligence (and probably make a pass instead).

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• Wear conservative, classic hair styles – One length bobs, layered bobs or inverted bobs are good shorter length hair styles. For longer hair, anything that is pulled up or back, such as twists and braids are great, professional looking hair styles for preparing for an interview.

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• Keep your hair colors subdued – Avoid blonde (studies have shown that the dumb blonde image can result in a negative first impression and may even lead to discrimination) and if you’re a bright red-head, you might want to consider toning it down a bit. The safest hair colors in the business world are sandy blonde, light browns and subdued brunettes.

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• Shorter hair styles are better than longer hair styles – Keep your hair style length above the shoulder and preferably terminating just below your ears.

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• Go short, but not too short – Avoid the short-short pixie hair cuts, unless you’re interviewing for a job in the medical profession.

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The bottom line: do not stand out from the crowd and always look very healthful and impeccably groomed. Pay attention to the hair styles you see on your local TV anchor women for inspiration. Their hair styles are very carefully chosen to appeal to your local audience tastes and sensibilities and to avoid looking like dim wits.