Hot medium length hairstyles this season include, curly layered cuts, bobs, shags, choppy layers and don’t forget the bangs!

Medium length hair can be the most versatile AND the most challenging length of hair to style and manage. Longer than your chin, shorter than your collar-bone, medium length hair has to stand on its own and make a statement, otherwise it can get lost in the neverland of the “betweens”.

If your hair is medium length, here are some styles you might want to consider for Spring:

Jennifer Aniston made famous the “Friends” shaggy cut oh so long ago, but the beauty of that medium length hairdo is that is has stood the test of time. Universally flattering and relatively easy to style, this cut will work for most face shapes, hair textures, and can even help mask scraggly ends and roots that need to be touched up.  To get this look try side swept bangs and cutting longer layers around the face, leaving length to frame the chin and graze over your shoulders. This look can be achieved with a bit of styling gel and a blow dryer, or try adding volume with some giant velcro rollers or hot rollers.

Medium length hairstyles also favor one length cuts. Not quite a bob, not quite a full mane, medium length hair looks classic when it frames the face and lands softly above the shoulders. Elle Fanning looks both adorable and sophisticated with this simple medium length haircut. To get her look, towel dry your hair, add some styling gel, mousse or a smoothing creme and then blow-dry with a large round brush. For more volume set with large velcro rollers.  The end result is soft and carefree.

If you prefer a sleeker look for your medium length hair, thy this elegant look that Nicole Ritchie wears. Long side swept bangs blend into face framing layers. This bob cut hits just between her jaw and shoulders.

If your hair is curly or wavy you can increase your style options with this layered cut by letting your natural curl fly free.  This soft look for spring is great for both day and evening looks, and will make your medium length hair feel more versatile.  Smooth it or let it go natural, it  has a bit of that 70s vibe which is on trend for spring fashion.

Medium length hair can also handle a sharper edge to styling.  These blunt cut bangs and choppy layers add a bad girl element to an otherwise simple layered bob haircut.

Whether your style is “wash and go” or “the more work the better”, medium length offers a lot of styling options and can work well with busy or laid back lifestyles. And the best thing about mid length hair is you can pull it back in an easy and cooling ponytail once spring is over and the summer heat kicks in.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Hair Coloring Too Pricey?  You’ve Got Some Options!

Salon hair coloring can blend a range of colors  giving you a unique custom hair color.  Because your hair colorist is a pro, when you leave a salon, you have vibrant, rich color plus soft, conditioned hair that’s been nurtured back to health after the dye chemicals. A salon hair color treatment is definitely pricey, especially if you need regular touch-ups.  But, if your budget is tight and you need to cut it back a bit, there are ways to get your hair colored for less.

Make Your Color Last

First off, you will get the most for your money by making your hair color last as long as possible. Dial down that water temperature when you shower, since hot water rinses out hair color dye faster. The same goes for reducing the heat on your blow-dryer, curling-iron, flat-iron or hot rollers.  Since beach hair and casual messy looks are totally in for spring and summer, let your hair air-dry as much as possible using texturizing products like, sea salt sprays or volumizing mousses, with a leave-in conditioner and your hair color will last longer and get healthier at the same time!

Try one of the many tinted shampoos and conditioners available to help enhance shades of reds, blondes, and brunettes. These hair color refreshers will help boost the richness of your hair color with temporary dyes and extend the time between hair color appointments.  If you only can afford one of these products, go with the tinted conditioners which don’t rinse out as much as the shampoos.

Professional Hair Color for Less

If you can’t pay salon prices, there are ways to get your hair colored for less. If you live in or around a city, there may be a beauty school or an advanced hair color school nearby, let your fingers do the walking. Beauty school students need hair models for cuts and colors. The prices will be half the cost of a regular salon treatment. The instructors will over-watch the formulation of  the color but students are in the process of learning placement of color.  So, if you have a simple root touch-up or a semi-permanent coloring, no problem.  However, placement of highlights and lowlights is a learned skill, so if you want to look like . . . say, Jennifer Aniston . . . take it to a professional.

If the idea of seeing a beauty school student makes you shudder, you can still find cheaper way to get your hair colored  if you’re willing to do some legwork. Ask everyone you know–your manicurist, your coworkers, strangers (with really good colored hair) where they had their hair done.

Call salons and ask about their color prices. Some reputable salons have in-house training for staff. By calling around for prices, you might luck into a discount for hair color at a salon that’s doing some advanced training for their colorists.  Scour craigslist or salonapprentice.com where you also may find a color service for less near you.

DIY Dye

Brave divas can wade into the world of hair color with dye kits, highlight kits, and temporary color. First, do  your  homework and read “How to Dye Your Hair at Home.”  Then be sure to start with a hair color that’s no more than two shades different from your natural color. Have a friend help you apply color to your hair, to help you get even coverage.  Always, always, always follow the directions . . . don’t make any of these most common hair color mistakes.

Rinse out when time is up, then nourish with the deep conditioner included in the dye kit. Take the same approach when it comes to touching up roots or doing your own highlights. It may be nerve-wracking the first couple times you dye your own hair, but you can do it.

Barb Quinn on Google+  

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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Celebrity 2012 Hair Trends You May Not Have Considered

The year 2012 is all about revival when it comes to hair trends. There’s still that modernist millennial vibe, but you can see all the styles of the 80s, 70s and 60s cropping up in this year’s catwalks.

Long and Bouncy Blow-dry Hair

This look is perfect for anything. Whether it is for Monday morning at the office, a countryside picnic or a fine-dining date, your hair flows like a waterfall to a stream. The trick to getting this style down pat is using a round brush and brushing away from the roots, adding that much-wanted volume for your hair. For longer-lasting waves, use large barrel-shaped rollers and a little bit of hairspray. If you have short hair, there really is no problem. Simply use hair extensions and you’re all set.

Slicked Back Hair

Want that look that says, “I just got out of the shower and I’m too busy to style my hair”? The perfectly slicked back hair makes you look as though you don’t care what your hair looks like, though you really do. You can go for a half-wet look and smooth gel and shine serum to your crown while keeping the lower strands dry and texturized. Or you can create a messy texturized wet looking updo, by running a texturizing creme throughout your hair and pulling it back into a low messy bun. Loosely style the top back creating a quiff while it’s still partly wet and let a few loose strands fall as they may.

Side-Part Hairstyles

Side parts are hot to rock this year. In 2012, whether mirroring Old Hollywood divas sexy finger-wave styles or not, side parts look stunning on short hair and long hair alike. A sweet and sexy side part is one where you sweep the longer part over your forehead and tuck the other side behind your ear. Or you can simply let the sides of your hair fall over your shoulder. This is an elegant and understated look to wear for nighttime parties and fashionable events.

Center-Part Hairstyles

It seems a little pointless talking about the center part since it’s the default hair part for most women. But with so many new hairstyles and hair trends coming our way, its refreshing to see a simple, back-to-basics look that fits all sorts of hairstyles and hair color. You can wear it black, blonde, brown, red or purple; cut it short, long, bobbed or layered. Whatever your cut or color, the center part is here to stay.

This was a guest post by Brenda Panin, passionate fashion blogger from Brisbane who represents hairdresser Melbourne a hairdressing and body piercing studio that offers alternative and stylish hair look. She enjoys blogging about fashion, beauty and home decoration.

Got a question, war story or comment about this topic? Click on the "Leave Your Comments" link at the very bottom of this article. Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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