Summer can be a stressful time of your life– for your hair! Heat and humidity are notoriously not hair-friendly, but there are a ton of other environmental factors that can wreak havoc on your hair in the summer. Wind, sun, saltwater and chlorine can leave your hair dull, dry, and damaged. Add styling to that: blow-drying, curling and straight ironing and you have a recipe for hair disaster. I also start every summer off with lightened locks so I have to be really careful to prevent damage.

For starters, I like to spray on a leave-in conditioner with sunscreen. I like Nexxus Phyto Organics Luxxtress – Leave In Hair Moisturizer. To tame frizz, I like the entire line of John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease Collection. It’s good for straight styles too, so not to worry if you have naturally straight hair.

Air-drying can take a long time, but you can still get sleek volume by letting your hair dry naturally. I have medium-length straight hair, and I get great summer volume with finger-twirling damp hair or pinning it up still damp before I go to bed. A styling cream will do the job to hold the curl.

Of course there are lots of options for medium length to long hair. I like the updated ponytail with a poof or a twist in the front. The added volume around your face is softer than a regular ponytail. You can just pin it back, or you can give some extra interest with a twist. Headbands and combs also add instant interest. One of my favorite styles is to braid or twist back a section in the front (think Jennifer Aniston’s Oscar night hair).

I also love Frederick Fekkai’s Beach Waves. It adds texture (think of that great volume you get after you’ve been in the saltwater) while locking in moisture. It also offers UV protection which is great to keep in mind.

For curly gals, I suggest working with your natural curl using a curl cream or serum to cut down on the frizz. Trust me, us straight-haired ladies are super jealous of your hair! You’ll find that pin curls and finger-twirling will also work well for your natural waves. Try to keep blow drying to a minimum and remember that you can also work great accessories like headbands to make your summer look low maintenance.

Lastly, remember moisture is key. Make sure to condition your hair often.

Nearly every woman I know obsesses about her hair. It’s no wonder. Hair is perhaps a woman’s most important accessory. It doesn’t matter how beautiful a woman’s clothes, shoes or bags are, if her hairstyle is outdated. Many people won’t even get past the hair to admire a woman’s stylish outfit or stunning figure, if her hair style is unattractive, unhealthy and/or messy. Therefore, it is important to find a hair style that is current, flattering and even a bit sexy.

As 2009 just about reaches its’ mid-point and summer approaches, many women, especially the fashion forward, are beginning to think about updating their hairstyle. Like most members of the fairer sex, many women look to get their cues about what is hot from celebrities. Typically, this exclusive club sets the trends for what is popular and is current. Below, we will take a look at what hairstyles are “in” this season and how the most beautiful celebrities are styling their coifs.

Fashionable hairstyles for 2009, involves extremes. Long, sexy hair, throwback waves (think the 1940’s), milkmaid braids and straight, slick styles are being worn by well known actresses and beautiful models strutting the catwalks is some of the world’s most fashion forward cities. Short, pixie cut styles are also becoming very popular. Rhianna is currently rocking this style as is Selma Blair, sometimes Katie Holmes and Elisha Cuthbert.

In 2008, short hair was very much in style, though long hair never really goes out.. However, many of the hottest starlets chose close crops as opposed to long, flowing locks. Katie Moss sported shorter hair, Victoria Beckham made it really cool and even a bit fierce to wear the pixie-cropped, school boy cut while Lily Allen shortened her hair as well.

Besides the pixie cute, the bob especially the cropped bob, is also really “in” for 2009. The bob is a mainstay when it comes to hair styles, it never completely goes out of style, but do what you can to make it unique and trendy. Instead of opting for a boring bob, consider adding some layers or highlights A cropped bob can help you achieve an edge, though the look will not be flattering for everyone. It’s always more important that a particular hairstyle looks good on you then if it’s trendy. What will look good on someone else, especially a super model or gorgeous actress, may not look good on you. Keep this in mind.

If you are curious about whether or not a hairstyle will suit you, consider checking out online websites which allow you to upload your picture and “try on” different hairstyles. This can give you an idea of how they might look on you and which one looks best. Try DailyMakeover.com. They use cuttng-edge technology that allows you to apply celebrity hairstyles and makeup applications to your look.

When it comes to long hair, celebs are choosing sleek, straight styles, milkmaid braids and mermaid waves. If you hair is currently short or mid-length, don’t worry, you can have extensions put in by a professional (though this can be expensive). If you have a smaller budget, consider buying clip-in extensions and putting them in yourself. You can find these at many beauty supply stores. Whatever style you choose, go with what leaves you feeling comfortable and great about yourself!

Up ‘dos mere mortals like us can actually replicate at home Who has enough time to get the perfect up-do hairstyle anymore?  I’m sure every woman would love to have their own personal hairdresser to be armed with a blow-dryer and ready to take on the tough task of getting your hair perfect the way you want.  Those that don’t have this convenience may need some helpful tips to get the look they want in only a few minutes, and be out the door!  Here’s 17 hairstyles to try out that won’t take up much of your time.   With a few (and only a few) key products and styling tools, you can quickly give yourself a salon-worthy ‘do. And hey, if you hate it, try a different one — at least you haven’t blown 60 bucks and a hour of precious time on it. …More at Total Beauty

.

That is the (beauty) question.

Thinking bangs? Trends – even ones we love – just aren’t for everyone.  Bangs are everywhere! Some say it started with the Heidi Klum look, but suddenly everywhere you looked – from the Red Carpet, to fashion magazines, the SoHo girls whose style we so admire – bangs were on every face. Bangs can give ho-hum hair a little rock and roll punch; disguise those lines developing on your forehead (skip the Botox!); and might even make you look younger.

The best part about bangs is that you can drastically change your look without losing length or changing your color – good for someone like me who gets bored about a day into a new hairstyle.

Before you dive headlong (clever pun intended) into a haircut commitment, think about what style you’d like. Bangs can be cut and styled in a variety of lengths and shapes. Short bangs may not suit a long face; blunt bangs work best on oval faces. My personal favorites are bangs that are angle around the brow bone or side-swept bangs. Side-swept bangs can elongate a round face and soften square-shaped faces. They’re also a great way for ladies with hairstyle-cold-feet to get used to the idea of bangs.

Never cut bangs yourself (ask me how I know!). You may be able to tackle a trim on your own here and there, but if you’re not a stylist, cutting bangs on your own is treacherous territory.

Remember, the same cut won’t work for everyone. Here are a few factors to consider before you try out bangs:

• Hair Type and Texture – Straight and wavy haired girls rejoice! Bangs work the best on your hair type. If you’re hair is thick and tends to curl, stay away from super short bangs. Shortening your hair can lighten it, resulting in tighter curls and short short bangs! You might want to try layers and angles instead of bangs. They’ll give you a fresher, edgier look without the pitfalls of bangs-gone-wild.  Super fine hair? You may want to stay away from bangs that are too wispy or short. Fine and thin hair works well with side-swept bangs that give you more volume and texture.

• Skin Type - Is your skin really oily? You may want to think twice about styling your hair across your forehead. Your hair also produces natural oils and the two together can cause a skin breakout of epic proportions.

• Growing Pains -Bangs are, for the most part, a temporary style update. They can grow out in as little as two weeks. When they start poking you in the eyes, it’s either time for a trim or time for the growing pains! If you work with your stylist, you can have them trimmed so that they start going to the side. I do this in between trims. It’s fun because it’s like two haircuts in one! Trendy bangs across the brow one week, and sexy side-swept locks the next.

While styling products, a great brush and blow-dryer can help you through the growing out or in-between phase, I find that accessories (and there are a lot out there to choose from) can be a girl’s best friend!

Headbands, scarves and wraps are so hot right now and can disguise even the most unruly bangs as they grow out. I like to part my bangs to one side, twist slightly and pin them back for a sophisticated, stylized look. No one would guess you were growing out bangs!

Are You Ready?

Before you sit in your stylists chair, find some pictures (Heidi Klum, anyone?!) of styles that interest you. Being prepared might mean the difference between getting those perfect side-swept layered bangs a la Jessica Simpson, or getting blunt bangs that don’t suit your round face.

I tried full bangs across my brow bone and I am loving them! I have a lot of fine, straight hair; and this type works really well on my oval face. The best is – I instantly turned up my style factor. I find that I can just blow out my bangs and rush out the door. Instant hairstyle. Good bangs will always make you look finished and polished.

If you’re going to try them, now’s the time… although… I hope they never go out of style!