Dan's Papers - August 31, 2007

Fall is right around the corner and as the seasons change, your hairstyle needs a change, too. A popular trend this fall is shorter hair. Some celebrities are already sporting this sophisticated look. Singer Rihanna first took center stage with long hair that flowed with her every dance move but now she's flaunting a fabulous bob cut that really shows off her flawless features. Rumor has it that when "Ugly Betty" returns this season, Vanessa Williams will have a shorter cut, giving her a younger look. The layered shag is another trend you'll see women wearing if they want to create more volume. A shorter cut will make your features more dominant so make sure to keep your brows shaped and groomed.

Short hair not for you? Then, keep your long hair looking fashionable this fall with a soft yet natural style. Soft waves and side swept bangs will have you looking like a classic beauty. If your hair can't hold a curl, the straight and sleek look may be more accommodating. Use a flat iron to keep the look fresh all day and when there's no humidity, you won't have to worry about hair frizzing out. Longer hair does require more time but the good news is that you can get away with only having to wash it every other day.

When trying to decide which cut suits you best, consider what color enhances that cut. The summer calls for lighter tones and highlights while fall focuses on deeper earth tones and lowlights. Before picking a color take notice of your skin tone.

If you have redness in your skin or are fair skinned, you may want to consider cool colors such as ash blonde or a cool brown. If you're more olive or tanned skinned, use a warm golden brown or even a red color. Whatever color you choose keep in mind that the type of shampoo will affect how the color fades. Using the same shampoo will ensure that the fade will be consistent.

Once you've decided what color you want, bring a picture of it to show your colorist because different colors can be interpreted differently. Another indicator for getting the right color is your make up. If you dye your hair and find that you're putting on more make up than you did before, you've got the wrong color. Your new hair color should make your face radiate with a beautiful glow, not look dull and tired. Remember that the closer you are to your natural color, the less time you need to spend on maintaining that color with extra care and treatments. If your hair has some damage to it, you may want to consider a darker color first. Darker hair colors actually reflect light better than lighter colors, thereby minimizing damage to the naked eye.

Finding the right style for your age can be a little tricky, too. For those in their twenties and starting to establish a career, spiked hair won't go over well at the office. Some ladies who find that they are competing in a man's world will actually cut their hair short in hopes that the top brass will put them on an equal playing field as the men. This is a great time to experiment with different styles and lengths because your hair will grow back faster at this age than when you're older. For the single gal in her thirties, long, sexy waves or curls will turn heads while the married mom of two might opt for a versatile style that she can throw back by day and put in a romantic up do for her hubby by night. Turning forty these days doesn't mean chopping off all your locks and turning into a Stepford wife. Again, depending what you do for a living is key. If you're the athletic type, a short cut would probably look good on you and if you are bringing sexy back, long flowing hair can look just as good as it did twenty years ago. When all is said and done, remember that your cut and color should make you feel attractive and confident and if you don't like something you've chosen, you can always change it.