HairStyles and colors fall and winter

Carmine Minardi of the Minardi Salon gave us a whole banquet of styles, starting with . . . The Ponytail. Not new, you say? (Well, this ponytail will be gathered up at the crown of the head with light backcombing for substance, height and glamour!)

Textures hair will be very hot . . . texturizing will be achieved with special shears or razors that will make hair look "sliced." More hot styles: very short cuts . . . hair tucked behind the ears are the new "signature of chic" - it really enhances the cheekbones, making them look higher and more pronounced.

The old "Bob" will make its comeback but a bit transformed . . . it will be much shorter, cut above the jaw line with lots of textures layers on top of the bob.

Bobs that are longer at the sides will enable you to tuck the hair behind the ears or you can gel the sides and comb them up into the crown for the appearance of a really short haircut that really isn't that short! Clever, hmmmm? (It's a way of getting a lot more mileage out of a cut). Now, for you long-hair worshippers, not to worry - very long hair (well past the shoulders) will continue to be in style - however it will have lots of angles cut into it starting at the chin all the way to the bottom.

We were informed that we'll also be seeing a lot more "dressed" hair styles . . . not for everyday wear, but for special occasions of all kinds. An example of this would be a variation of the French twist . . . rolled tightly only at the nape of the neck, the rest would be very loose and a bit "messy" - looking . . . the crown will have pieces of hair left sticking up . . . (a 60's shape with a 90's twist!)

Crimped hair will also be very popular. "It's a very interesting texture - sort of frizzy, but not bushy...a flattened version of frizzy hair." Carmine calls it, "the New Frizz." Crimped hair can also be gelled and tucked behind the ears for a more natural, yet chic look.

We think these styles are scintillating . . . but what about color? Doug MacIntosh, Senior Colorist of the Minardi Salon had this to say, "People are starting to realize now that very blonde and frosted, highlighted hair is very dating and aging . . . people are showing a preference for deeper, darker, richer and more natural colors such as light "goldeny" chestnut browns and dark chestnut browns with a touch of red in them."

Sounds like good news all around . . . who can argue against rich, natural, "earthy" hair? (Not us!)

We asked Kim Lepine, one of New York's top hair stylists and director of her own salon to tell us her predictions for the fall and winter season.

Wondering what will be hot this fall and winter? Not the shag . . . it's on its way OUT! This fall and winter season will see sleeker, shorter hair styles. She predicts that the lines will be much cleaner; the head will appear more compact.

What about hair color? Two-toned hair is out and natural colors a rein such as rich, dimensional browns. Also hair that is healthy and shiny will be what's sexy!

Michael Gordon (director of the famous Bumble and bumble Salon), when asked what he thought would be "hot" this fall and winter, didn't feel that there will be any great changes in hair styles. "Right now, it’s more of an evolution . . . nothing too exciting." He feels that the shag is out along with "striped" hair. He predicts that we'll be seeing more monochromatic color . . . one tone with variations of that tone. (Ooo, sounds "heady," doesn't it?)

Michael also favors razor cuts, (one of his talented specialties), "Most hair responds very well to a razor . . . it creates a lot of texture when used with the right product."