As the warmer weather arrives, we can finally put our winter hats away and embrace new spring hairstyles. Stylist Calie Kloppenborg-Van Zwol, from Finesse Spa Salon in Ames, said haircuts for both men and women will be more individualized this year, just like they have been the past few years. According to Kloppenborg-Van Zwol, “Your face shape and your daily routine are important things to consider when you style your hair.”

“The largest focus for this season’s hair is to push the envelope,” she stated. “Redheads, be red. Same with brunettes and blondes – try something new, change it. Make sure you can get that look at home,” she suggested.

Ladies

Stylist Abby Lycke, from Studio7 Salon and Spa in Ames, agreed that there isn’t really a more popular cut for women. “Hairstyles are more versatile now. There isn’t one set way,” she said. Lycke did say that having texture in your hair is popular, but that isn’t a type of cut.

Kloppenborg Van-Zwol, said “all lengths are in style, from a pixie to long, long lengths. The past Victoria Beckham bob will transition to above the shoulder,” she predicted. “Some [women] will take it shorter with a disheveled, textured pixie.”

When you’re styling your hair this spring, Kloppenborg-Van Zwol and Lycke did mention a few styles that might be more popular. Lycke said that braiding, dramatic side parts and soft waves will be some of the hit looks. Kloppenborg-Van Zwol agreed that braids and smooth waves will be “in” this season, and she also said women should try buns this season. This look she attributed to the recent Black Swan movie, which starred Natalie Portman.

If you want something fun this spring, try adding a hair accessory to finish your look. Lycke said bigger hair accessories, such as bows or flowery headbands, are good options for women. She suggested choosing accessories in spring colors – greens, purples or pinks.

Gentlemen

Even though hairstyles might not be as exciting as playing Call of Duty, there is no reason why men can’t have the “it” look this spring. When men come into Studio7, Lycke said that if they’re open to trying a new style, the stylists can help them change their look. “There’s not necessarily one cut that’s really popular,” she said. “If they want to change their look, we can help them find a quick and easy way to do that.”

Kloppenborg-Van Zwol suggested men try a disheveled look. She said that men can either go with a short, well-groomed style or a longer, messier look.

Quick and easy styles

It seems that a lot of people don’t have a lot of time in the morning to spend perfecting their hair. Luckily there are some easier styles for both men and women that won’t make you late to class in the morning.

Ladies

For those ladies who don’t have a lot of time to get ready in the morning, Lycke said that there are still things to make it look like you styled your hair. “Throw a braid in your hair or put in a flowery clip,” she suggested. “You’ll look styled without having to do much.”

If you have a little more time to get ready, Kloppenborg-Van Zwol suggested using a quick spray of spray wax to keep your hair’s movement.

She also described a quick style as well. “Over divide the hair into 5/6 sections and curl [each section] with a one-inch curling iron. Let it cool then run your fingers thru [it] and spray [it] for soft waves,” she explained.

Gentlemen

Both stylists said there are quick things that men can do to improve their look, too. “Throw in a matte hair styler,” Lycke said. “It will look effortless.” She said men can put this product in their hair in the morning, as it doesn’t require wet or washed hair.

Kloppenborg-Van Zwol suggested men use a thickening fiber, and “shuffle your hands through starting in back and working towards the front.” She said men can finish the style “by pulling [their] hair slightly to the side, so there is no distinct part.”

Staying up to date

Kloppenborg-Van Zwol said that one of her favorite things to do is to forecast and follow the trends in the industry. “It’s a great way to help our guests keep evolving,” she mentioned.

A stylist at Finesse for more than six years, Kloppenborg Van-Zwol said she finds inspiration by watching the international market, including how people style their hair and clothes in other countries. Redken provides Finesse Spa Salon a variety of tools to help stylists track and forecast trends for this coming spring and summer and even into 2012, according to Kloppenborg-Van Zwol.

“We are able to get amazing amounts of education every year,” she said. “This not only helps refresh our skills but work more hands-on with upcoming trends.”

At Studio7, Lycke said stylists also work hard to stay on top of current trends. They watch videos, get inspiration from TV and attend a hair show in Chicago every March, according to Lycke.

Strengthen your locks

Based on her experience, Lycke said that heat damage is one of the most common things she notices in clients. She suggested that women use a heat protective spray. “It’s one of the most important things,” she said. “I can’t say that enough. Repairing your hair takes a lot longer than spraying on a quick heat protective spray.”

Heat protective spray and a volumizer are the two things that Lycke said every woman should use. She said it can help any hair type and “even if you have healthy hair, it will maintain the healthiness.”

Kloppenborg-Van Zwol agreed that everyone should try to strengthen their hair. “Rebuilding the strength of your hair will give you more manageability and shine.”

Lycke also suggested that women try hair treatments to maintain healthy hair, whether it’s at home or in a salon. “You’ll see healthier hair with less frizz and fly-a-ways,” she said.