2013 was a big year in celebrity hair news. Miley Cyrus completely revamped her Disney star image with an edgy platinum pixie. Beyoncé ditched her long waves for a cool, shaggy A-line bob, which, although short-lived, made plenty of headlines. And Kim Kardashian proved she still had it going on with sizzling golden highlights. So what will 2014 mean for mane news? Expect to see Kardashian’s highlighted look everywhere this year, says George Papanikolas, the man responsible for the 33-year-old’s new hue. “Ombré is moving into more of a sun-kissed effect,” he explains.
Likewise, Teddi Cranford, who has styled top runway models like Gisele Bündchen and Kate Moss, suggests embracing your hair’s natural depth and density.
“Heavy natural hair with bold color — whether it’s a little longer or a bit shorter — is going to be huge,” says Cranford. “It’s all about natural texture and good quality hair.” For the new year, you’ll need a fresh start — and our panel of experts are here to dish on the details.
The Look: Rich Brown with Blond Highlights
Who Wears It Well: Kim Kardashian, Naya Rivera
The result? The dark-haired diva ended up with rich golden highlights that perfectly complemented her bronze skin tone.
Papanikolas recommends going in for a few lightening sessions before aiming for full-blown blond, to diminish the risk of hair damage.
Sometimes the hair will lift in one session, but it can take up to three sessions to really get the desired tone, he says.
Mission accomplished! Kardashian’s bold look is already trending within Hollywood circles.
“Glee” star Naya Rivera also took the plunge, going from dark to light with a new shoulder-length look featuring honey-blond highlights.
Tommy Buckett, who often tames the enviable tresses of celebs like Ashley Olsen and Elisabeth Moss, says we should look forward to seeing more subtle highlights in rich dark brown hair.
“There’s something striking and Hollywood about it,” he says.
The Look: Punk Pixies
Who Wears It Well: Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence
The pixie cut is nothing new; it has been a staple Hollywood style for ages. What is new, however, are the A-listers literally taking the look to new heights — styling-wise. Jennifer Lawrence is presently rocking a carefree crop that encourages flyaways, while Anne Hathaway has kept hers fresh since its debut. The new pixie is all about movement, shape and versatility. Hairstylist Nunzio Saviano, known for his precision cuts, says the majority of his clients ask for the pixie.
“The pixie is very fun,” he says. “You can wear it flat, or you can add some height by teasing it. It’s very versatile.”
The Look: The Ponytail, High or Low
Who Wears It Well: Emma Roberts, Maria Menounos
To get red-carpet ready in a flash, celebrity stylists rely on the old faithful: the ponytail. Rock it high or low, as recommended by Buckett. “I love a classic ponytail. I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of them on the red carpet this year. My favorite looks are slightly higher — as in right below the crown of the head — or very low, rather than that in between.”
Buckett’s foolproof guide to the perfect high pony can be achieved in a few short steps: “A great way to achieve a polished high pony is to look up toward the ceiling while you wrap the elastic. This will tighten the hair at the nape of the neck, where that bagginess usually occurs. Brush out before pulling hair up and add a little dry shampoo — high ponytails work best when hair is dirty.”
For a more work-appropriate take, the stylist suggests moving the band a few notches lower. “As for a low ponytail, I love that sleek, flat-ironed look. It has to be super-shiny, so use a shine spray to combat flyaways.”
The Look: Pastels With Pop
Who Wears It Well: Kelly Osbourne, Demi Lovato
Freelance stylist Cynthia Alvarez says we should brace for another wave of the pastel color trend in 2014. “I absolutely love that women are experimenting with their hair [color],” says Alvarez, who sports signature gray tresses herself.
For inspiration, look to stars such as Kelly Osbourne and Demi Lovato, who typically opt for shocking shades (aqua blue, soft green).
The Look: Bleach-Out Blond
Who Wears It Well: Rita Ora, Elle Fanning
To become a real member of the platinum club, it’s all about bleaching out. “Color like you mean it,” instructs Kyle White, lead colorist at the Oscar Blandi Salon. “We’re having a peroxide moment right now.”
The Look: No-Fuss Bob
Who Wears It Well: Lena Dunham, Elisabeth Moss
The sleek bob continues to be a popular look, but it’s tough to maintain. That’s why Cranford predicts people will go for cuts that show off more of the natural hair texture.
“Look for girls to grow out their bob into a more A-line shape, so it swings better, unlike a heavy bob,” she says.
The Look: Bold Red
Who Wears It Well: Isla Fisher
If the runways of Prada’s spring 2014 collection tell you anything about beauty, bold red is going to be the favored trend of the season.
“The biggest hair trend to look out for with color is bold red,” says Cranford. “It was huge for the Prada show. Every model walked down the runway with bold red hair. Isla Fisher has the ideal shade.”
Color Tips:
“Every time you wash your hair, you’re removing color molecules,” says White. “Use a mild shampoo that’s not going to strip your hair, or try a dry shampoo.” And when frequent cleansing isn’t the culprit for fading color, sun exposure often is. “Think of it like this: Sun exposure will bleach out paint on cars, so imagine what it does to our hair,” White says. “Fifty hours of sun exposure is the equivalent of 30 minutes of bleach. We need to use [products containing] sunblock for our hair.”
Buckett, the celebrity hairstylist for Garnier Fructis, emphasizes the importance of enlisting a healthy conditioning routine. “Use oils to condition, style and maintain frizz,” he says. “It seals in the style.”