Couldn’t you have just died when Posh left her iconic bob on the cutting room floor? I know her gamine new look is supposed to be evocative of Audrey Hepburn and Mia Farrow, but the question is, is Posh? I certainly don’t think so.
When I really started thinking about hair trends, I couldn’t help but contemplate iconic hairstyles.
What is it REALLY that makes us so quick to hop in line for that dramatic new look?
Here’s my opinion…
1) It’s not in style. No matter how beautiful the hair, it won’t get noticed if it’s what everyone’s wearing. Farrah Fawcett’s wings were a stark contrast to the stick-straight hippie look. Posh’s crisp bob stood out amidst a sea of long curls and lopsided scene cuts.
2) There’s buzz. After Farrah Fawcett appeared in the 1970’s version of Charlie’s Angels her hair got more press than she did… which she hated. When Friends made a splash, so did “The Rachel.” More often than not, the celeb with the coveted hairstyle is making news with more than just her locks. Plus, big news means big photo ops, and lots of photos of the celeb floating around the salon.
3) There’s synergy. An iconic style comes from… a style icon. She picks the right ‘do for her face, her clothes, and her personality. Di looked demure, Dorothy Hamill seemed sporty, Farrah was a sex kitten, and their hair matched the image. When women request the style, they don’t want to just look like the icon–they want to *be* like the icon.
So the question is, how do you create your own iconic style without winning a gold medal or scoring a sitcom? It’s easy if you follow three simple steps:
1) Start a relationship. Find a stylist who you trust and build a relationship with him or her. Once she knows your hair and your personality, ask her to help you create a look that’s just for you. If your hair’s not yet long or healthy enough for what you’re trying to achieve, she can help you get there.
2) Mix but don’t match. You won’t look like a copycat if you pull inspiring attributes from a variety of icons. Imagine Angelina’s voluminous locks in Jen’s honey blonde, or Reese’s asymmetrical bangs with Katie’s chic bob (may it rest in peace).
3) Keep it crisp. Super-short cuts look best with monthly trims, but you can get a little more time out of a shoulder-length or longer cut. Color should be touched up every 4-6 weeks.
–by Kari Stubblefield
Kari creates iconic looks every day at Richard Joseph SalonSpa. You can make an appointment at 205.871.6001. Check out her stylist page on salonfly to learn more about Kari.
