Get shorty

Small and perfectly formed hair shapes are at the cutting edge of style this festive season...

Short hair is very much back in vogue so there's no need to feel like a wallflower in the company of the big haired brigade. Kylie's brand of short and chic has encouraged more women to go for the chop and as she proves that an elfin cut is the perfect accompaniment to chandelier earrings if you've full-on glamour in mind. Adding colour to a short style will really enhance both shape and texture. “Aside from the fact that hair usually has more body when it's coloured, says award winning colourist and nominee for Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year, Russell Eaton, “Turning monochrome into multi-dimensional with slices, smudges, highlights or lowlights creates the optical illusion of additional texture and energy.”

  Kylie Minogue If you want to introduce a rock n roll spin to the gamine look create lift through the top sections using straightening irons or with backcombing. Wearing the sides sleek and the top in a quiff will create the illusion of an up-do. Slicking the hair back and down with a wet look gel and combining it with smoky eyes will create a decadent androgynous look. For a really smooth finish start on the underneath sections first. Comb Redken Solid Water 06 Wet Set Gel. £10.75 (0800 444880), through dry hair.

Bob slay
If like Victoria Beckham, Sandra Bullock or Natalie Imbruglia you've recently become hooked on the classic bob a radial brush is ideal for creating a straight finish or if you find them too tricky too handle use a medium sized vent brush instead. Straightening irons with skinny plates specifically for shorter lengths of hair will make a pin straight finish more achievable. A great shape offers plenty of scope for personalising the look – whether it's with a glossing treatment based on your natural shade, temporary fashion colour or a semi-permanent transformation of a brilliant blonde to a bittersweet brunette.

If you want your hair to look more hedonistic, Sally Brooks of Brooks & Brooks has the following advice for transforming a classic bob into textured tresses. “Braid small sections of damp hair in the morning all over the head. Clamp the braids with straightening irons to set. When it's time to get ready for the party unpick the braids to reveal sexy, loose waves for a funky yet sophisticated look. Use a light finishing spray for lasting hold.”

Work to wow
Dress up a short do with hair accessories. Luke Hersheson, stylist for Daniel Hersheson salons, says, “With accessories it's best to leave the hair quite natural with lots of movement. Don't go overboard by putting too many in your hair and don't go for sparkly accessories, but organic looking pieces or jewel-coloured resin ones instead if you want to look runway fashionable.”

Stash it
Short Sexy Hair Hold Out (www.sexyhair.co.uk) – alcohol free medium holding gel that's flake proof. Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity £11.95 (01282 613 413) or HQhair.com – lavender scented volumiser and gentle texturising lotion from one of Kylie's favourite stylists. Camila Paris hair accessories, £5 - £18.50, (www.kentbrushes.com) - add ooh-la-la a choice of 48 hair accessories and 14 hair bands.