2011 Hair Trends Watch

Written by Tania Braukamper

Like all fashion trends, hair trends generally come, go, and then come back. Infrequently, though, there is the odd hairstyle that appears to have had its time only to soon reappear, though thoroughly evolved.
The bob and fringe (bangs) may be one such hairstyle.
Surging to popularity in 2008 before fading out at the tail end of 2009, I didn't think that less than a year later a come back may be on the cards. And yet here it is, spurred on largely by model Abbey Lee Kershaw.

How is it different for 2010 / 2011?

The bob in 2008 was all about razor sharpness; edginess - often bluntly cut to chin length. By 2009 the bob had softened a little. Fringes were growing out. Messy layers were taking over from blunt lines. But the styles to be seen were still either thoroughly classic, or thoroughly modern.
In 2010 and onwards retro influences will triumph. The trend towards sophisticated '70s dressing will be accompanied by the longer bob, neatly blow-waved under with a straight (but not too harsh) edge.

The same longer bob can, in 2010/2011, also be styled with a '60s twist: back-combed for volume with the ends flicked out, or with a softer folk influence and unfussy styling (think Jane Birkin and Francoise Hardy).

While the fringe isn't mandatory to create a retro-inspired bob, it is, regardless, also returning to the scene. The thickness and cut of the fringe hasn't changed all that much over the past few years; with fashion favouring thick bangs with blunt-cut lines. Wispy or layered fringes are still to be avoided. What you can play with is the length, with a shorter fringe (like the one seen on Abbey Lee Kershaw, below) another option.

Finally, one more way to mix up the fringe in 2010/2011 - round down the corners to add a mod face-framing effect. This can be very subtle, or more dramatic depending on your preference.

Hair colours to wear it with

All and any. There's no real restriction to colour when it comes to the new bob, but we would suggest keeping it to a natural, block colour.

Source: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--2011-hair-trends-2011-hairstyles-4338.html