The key hair trends showcased on the international runways are a yardstick for the season - although inevitably the ridiculous sometimes rubs shoulders with the sublime.
Hair statement: RETRO ROCKS
Whether it's the 'Factory Girl' crop a la Sienna's turn as Warhol muse Edie Sedgwick, or from the other end of the Sixties spectrum, the vertiginous beehive. The former is clean, chic and shiny, the latter, matte, moody and magnificent.
To get that authentic Twiggy endorsed elfin look use a paddle brush to lift hair up at the roots to create volume and blow-dry, using the nozzle attachment on your hairdryer for increased control. Sex it up with a texturising product to achieve separation through the ends.
Crop stars: TIGI Bed Head Superficial Smoothing Liquid, £12.75 www.tigi.co.uk, McAdam Shine & Define Gel Wax, £3.47, Tesco.
Making it big is all in the prep. Layer products to create an invisible support system, retaining movement and swing to prevent your style looking stiff and dated. For all up-dos backcombing is de rigueur, whether you're aiming for the slightly disheveled or the massively mussed-up. Comb hair towards the scalp instead of away from it to roughen the cuticle and create that must-have gutsy effect. The most hair friendly technique is to do it in one continuous motion.
Beehive builders: Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Breakage Defence Strengthening Lotion, £3.99. Wella Shockwaves Ultimate Effects Wonder Freeze Hairspray, £2.99.
Make up to match: Panda eyes
Liquid eyeliner, aka the Winehouse wing, requires a steady hand and positioning close to the upper lash line, build the line up as you head to the outer corner of the eye. Equally effective worn with just mascara, or the whole works - deep hued eyeshadow on the lid and kohl below the lower lash line.
Hot property: Guerlain Divinora Eye-Liner, £19.50, 01932 233 887.
Hair statement: CHIC CHIGNON
Keep if foolproof and pull hair into a low ponytail and secure with a band. Slick the ponytail with shine serum to both make hair more manageable and for an all over shine. Twist around and pull it up to make a large loop.
Chignon champions: Philip B Shin Shine Blow-drying Mist, £22 www.spacenk.com, Charles Worthington Dream Hair Eternal Shine Serum, £5.99.
Make-up to match: Couture clean complexion
Deceptively barefaced looks dominated the runways with matte neutral skin. The illusion of perfection is augmented with cosmetics in sheer glossy finishes in delicate pearl and matte textures.
Hot property: Christian Dior Diorskin Airflash Mist Makeup, £29.
Hair statement: HIGH PONYTAIL
Super-polished high ponytails from the Madonna Blonde Ambition tour archive have been dusted down and are precise and powerful looking for Noughties disco divas. Blow-dry hair smooth from roots to ends for a clean finish and using a soft bristle brush direct hair back and up towards the top of the head using an even tension. Secure with a covered band and wrap a small section of hair taken from underneath the ponytail around it like you would a ribbon, for a classy finishing touch.
Pony power: TONI&GUY Cushion Brush, £8 Boots, 0845 070 8090. Aussie Hair Care Luscious Long Leave-in Conditioner, £3.99.
Make-up to match: Hot metal
Keep things harmonious with pared down metallics. Subtle shimmer is more suited to summer than flat-out disco glitter, but after hours you can be more adventurous. If you're using highly coloured, metallic eye shadow, apply a thick crescent of loose powder under each eye to catch any falling particles, sweeping away the powder and any debris with a large brush.
Hot property: L'Oréal Paris Color Appeal Chrome Shine in Dazzling Khaki, £4.99.
Hair statement: BANDS AND BANDEAUS
Join the bandwagon with the key hair accessory of the season. From the skinny and elegant to the super-wide wear them snug to the forehead over simple slicked back styles. For a full on glamour-puss interpretation sweep hair back cleanly into a ponytail, position your bandeau and pull a big loop of hair halfway back through the hair band securing your ponytail and shape evenly for an elegant bun like effect, with strands of hair hanging underneath.
Knock them bandy: South Beach Rocks hair accessories (www.hqhair.com). Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Buff, £9.50, 01296 314000.
Make-up to match: Defined eyebrows
Making the most of your brows will add balance and structure to a face left exposed by slicked back hair. Use an old toothbrush to brush up brows into an arch to create a fuller appearance. Subtle use of brow powder or pencil will fill in any gaps and keep the effect natural looking.
Hair statement: UNDONE WAVES
Tousled with a touch of texture is one of the key looks of the moment. Prepare the hair first by blasting it upside down to achieve as much root lift as possible. Achieve long loose curls with the help of heated rollers and brush through a couple of times on removal for a more deconstructed feel. Otherwise introduce subtle texture through plaiting or twisting long hair after washing and conditioning and allowing it to dry naturally.
Wave machines: Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Shampoo, £18, 0870 990 8452 and www.hqhair.com, Remington Hair Envy Lock 'n' Roll, £29.99 call 0800 212 438 www.remington.co.uk
Make-up to match: Lip sync
What updates this classic natural hair and make-up combo that rolls out every summer is the return of colour-intense lipstick. With lips so firmly in focus this season's hottest shades are attention seeking pinks, peaches and reds. It's not just about blondes looking pretty in pink, brunettes can and should wear neons, and redheads, crimson and corals, expect the unexpected.
Hot property: Benefit Silky Finish Lipstick, My Treat, £12 www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk
>>>See the trends fresh from the catwalk in our spring/summer hair trends report
