Best New Haircuts of 2011

For 2011, hairstyles are a throwback to the 60’s and 70’s. It is a time to explore personal style and experiment. Hair is something to have fun with, because nothing is permanent. Take advantage of the carefree spirit that has been dominating 2011 and do something crazy. Try new bangs, add subtle streaks of pastel highlights, or take a leap of faith and embrace a short, shaggy cut.

The pixie cut has been cropping up all over Hollywood. Stars such as Emma Watson, Keira Knightley, Halle Berry, and Elisha Cuthbert are all perfect examples of how to make short hair sexy and stylish. It takes a bold, confident woman to chop off her locks, but the pixie style that has become so popular lately is an amazing way to open up the face and frame the eyes. This short style is refreshingly sexy, and is much more versatile than it seems. Not only is short hair much easier to care for, but it is very flexible when it comes to styling options. Add some side-swept or eye-grazing bangs, textured layers, or subtle highlights to give short hair some interest. The pixie cut can be worn in a variety of ways; muss it up with some styling putty or try a faux-hawk to give it some edge, or wear it straight and sleek for a feminine appeal.

There is no doubt that long, tousled waves are here to stay. Courtesy of Victoria’s Secret fashion shows, every woman in the world has tried this style at least once. Long, face framing layers are the key to this look, because without them, hair would be limp and would lack the necessary volume and body that the style requires. All it takes is a few twirls of the curling iron through day-old hair, and voila, sexy bombshell hair can be yours.

Another long haired style that is popular for 2011 is fringed bangs. This is a universally flattering look that can be incorporated into either long or short styles. The spring runways have seen a plethora of eye-grazing fringe, which was a nice complement to the feminine clothes. Fringe bangs work best when they are cut thick, blunt, and long. This style is great when paired with a bob, a short crop, or long hair. This look is very 1960’s Jane Birken, and should be worn with attitude and flair. Make it sexy by giving hair a messy, tousled, bed-head look, or keep it sleek and chic by running it through with a flat iron. No matter what way fringed bangs are worn, they act as an instant eye-opener; just what every woman is looking to accomplish with her hairstyle.

For men, 2011 means a more relaxed style than the meticulous styles that were seen throughout 2010. Gone are the days of the side swept bang; sorry Justin Bieber. Rather, men have begun to embrace longer, more laidback hair. The look is not shaggy, so men must be conscious of the thin line between overgrown and artfully carefree. Keeping it easy is the style mantra for men in 2011, think James Franco and Ashton Kutcher. The great thing about this style is the minimal trips to the barber shop that are required, which no doubt garners a sigh of relief for men everywhere. Piecey and front wave styles are the perfect way to achieve a nonchalant, “I didn’t try too hard” look. Both of these styles require a traditional, conservative haircut. With that, work a tiny dab of pomade through the hair to achieve the desired piecey effect. If hair is grown out a little bit, the piecey style has the ability to transition into an edgier, untamed version that is popular among Hollywood style setters. The front wave, a popular style among men in the 1980’s, is also on the comeback. The look is very natural and windswept, which makes it easy for most men to pull off. Use styling mousse in medium length hair to coax the hair into a sweep to one side. Once it is dry, comb hair on either side of the head straight back.