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WHAT'S NEW
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Spring 2008 bob -- Step-by-step hair styling
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After seasons of long, ingenue waves, there's nowhere to go but up. Bob's the word for Spring 2008. Whether you have curly hair or straight, find out how to style this hot new 'do.
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By Janine Falcon
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Do you know what "The Pob" is? OK, OK, I won't make you guess. Posh + bob = The Pob, which describes singer Victoria "Posh" Beckham's chic, sharp bob, the hottest haircut since "The Rachel," made popular by actress Jennifer Aniston. The bob has been in the spotlight again for the past few months with actress Katie Holmes' loose, wavy crop and pop sensation Rihanna's bold asymmetrical 'do. The bob taken hold as a key cut trend after what feels like years of long, wavy tresses.
"Hair is going shorter for Spring," confirms John Frieda Creative Consultant Howard Barr. "It's definitely influenced by Posh's bob, but the trend is broader than just the extreme fashion-forward style she's been wearing. Women are getting used to seeing shorter cuts, so gradually, in general, they're willing to experiment with shorter styles themselves." Barr predicts the trend will swing into summer, too, as the warmer weather encourages women to crop for cool's sake.
If you're thinking of taking a length-y break with your hair, here's how an above-the-shoulders bob can be wonderfully versatile.
The sleek bob
This look is of course dead easy for women with naturally straight medium-thick hair. Those of us with thick wavy or curly hair will have to do a bit of work, but the results are worth it.
1. Hairstyles with good staying power start in the shower, especially if you're taming or altering your natural texture. For this sleek look, if you have hair with wave, curls and/or frizz, use a smoothing shampoo and conditioner such as Pantene Pro-V Always Smooth shampoo and conditioner (600 mL, $9.49 each at drugstores).
If you have thin, straight hair, you'll need volumizing products, such as L'Oreal Paris Vive Pro Style & Body Infusion (385 mL, $7.99 at drugstores).
2. After the shampoo-and-condition stage, if you have straight hair, mist on styling lotion such as Bumble and Bumble Styling Lotion (50 mL, $10) while hair is damp.
If you have hair that tends to frizz or wave, on damp hair apply a smoothing serum such as John Frieda Frizz-Ease Thermal Protection Hair Serum (24 mL, $9.99 at drugstores) and comb through with a wide-tooth comb.
3. Tame waves and curls further with straightening balm such as Alberto European Heat Defense Straight & Smooth cream (120 mL, $5.49) and comb through to distribute evenly from roots to tips.
If you have unruly hair, try Redken Align 12 Ultra-Straight Balm (150 mL, $22.99) for seriously strong moisture-proof sleekness (this stuff kept my thick wavy hair straight even after I'd been out in the rain without an umbrella).
If you have thin straight hair, try Alberto European Extreme Style Weightless Volume Mousse (150g, $4.49) instead, then flip hair forward to boost volume as you blow dry from scalp to tips.
4. The blow dry is a cinch for naturally-straight-haired types, who then need only run a flat iron from root to tip for a super-sleek finish.
If you have thin hair, smooth only the top layers and make sure you use an iron that doesn't get too hot for your hair; try the Conair Heat Chic cordless flat iron ($69 at drugstores).
If you're working with naturally wavy or curly hair, blow dry while brushing from scalp to ends with a paddle brush (keep airflow directed from scalp to ends as well to avoid frizz). When hair is 80 per cent dry, divide hair into sections and switch to a large round boar-bristle brush for added smoothness, particularly at the ends. Finish each section with a flatiron before you move on to the next. Use the T3 Bespoke Labs Medium Duality Iron ($160) for consistently professional results.
Finally, for all hair types, lock in your style with TRESemme Tres Two Extra-Hold Hairspray (311 g, $6.99).
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