Hot New Hair Style Trends For 2007

By Michelle Schill

Looking to experiment with new hair style trends in 2007? Your choices abound! There's an absolute feast of looks to choose from. Update your hair style with one of these hot trends that dominate the hair scene this year.

Bobs With Bang

Precision cut bobs are huge this year, coupled with smooth, sleek styling, a blunt fringe and heaps of shine. Your bob should be carefully crafted to accentuate your unique facial structure, or highlight a long, beautiful neck. Bob hair styles range from ear level to shoulder skimming and are best for straight or slightly wavy hair. If your hair is too curly, a bob can take on the look of a triangle, widening at the bottom in an unflattering way. Only opt for the bangs with this hair style if it works with your facial structure. And if you're feeling a little more groovy baby...incorporate a mod feel into your bob.

Mad For Mod

Heavy, side-swept bangs and blunt lines characterize this cut. A mod hair style is similar to a bob, it's texture and direction that add a mod feel. This cut has a generous amount of slicing or texturizing to lighten up the bluntness. Your hip, mod hair do should be styled with a swooping motion, directing the hair around the head from the crown or a deep side part. Using hair products like waxes, clays, or muds add texture and a bit of grungy-funk to a mod hair style.

Asymmetry in Action

This edgy look just keeps getting more extreme! Bold exploration is the name of the game. Unexpected texture and length differences. The asymmetrical look can be done on a range of hair styles from a short cut, a bob or a longer, layered style. And the angles can range from soft and gently sloping to an extreme plunge. This year, asymmetrical bangs are hot, and whether they're cut blunt or heavily textured, a sloping bang adds interest and can highlight your features nicely.

Strategic Layers

Carved throughout the interior of the hair, strategic layers bring out the authentic movement of each individual head of hair. Cutting techniques are advancing, and hair styling is becoming more bold and unique to each person rather than a universal one-size-fits-all hair trend like back in the "Rachel" days. Strategic layering allows you to capitalize on what YOU have, not just mimic "The look of the day." Find a good hair stylist and listen to their ideas about styles and techniques that'll work best on your hair, while complimenting your features.

Peaks, Swirls, and Waves

Directional styling, if you want to sound technical. This look is funky and daring, and offers alot of room for individuality. Since every head of hair is different, your unique character can shine within the peaks of this hot new hair style. Use a wax, clay, or mud hair product, something with a little grit, and a little hold. Emulsify the product in your hands so there's a thin veil of product all over your palms and between your fingers. Then plunge right in there and move the hair around with an eye out for an appealing shape. Swoop it, swirl it around, change directions suddenly. Coiffe with reckless abandon! And when you've achieved the start of a good look. Grab you blowdryer (on a low setting) and maximize the peaks and waves using your most important hair styling tool...your hands. Do not strive for perfection, but do aim for an "artful" feel, and some sort of discernible shape. Then set about your day and go forth with confidence knowing you're the baddest hipster on the block!

Color for Character

Hair color can have a dramatic effect on an otherwise plain hair style. Rich dark colors are ultra-hot this year, sprinkled with a few equally rich highlights peeking out from underneath. Deep tones of eggplant, burgundy, and mahogany are a great compliment to a dark brown or black hair color. Strategically placed highlights, lowlights, or panels can accentuate texture and add tons of character to your style. Compliment your features and skin tone, and add an edge to your haircut with some artful hair coloring.

About the Author - Michelle Schill is the founder and webmaster of Style Hair Magazine, which offers hair style and hair color techniques and advice. Plus hair trends, hair style photos and new hair style ideas.