The ten most influential hairstyles of all time
A good article: Friday, June 24, 2011 The ten most influential hairstyles of all time The idea that a celebrity's hairstyle can influence the tastes of the general public is nothing new. From Brigitte Bardot to Cher to Farrah Fawcett, every decade has had its share of superstars whose unique cuts or coiffures have been added to the annals of hairdressing history.Interestingly enough, none of these three women's hairstyles rated a mention when the UK's Hairdressing Council asked its members to list their ten most influential hairstyles of all time earlier this month. Some of the results might surprise you too... starting from number 10, they are:
- Number 10: Eva Longoria's Desperate Housewives 'do. It may not be the most obvious choice when one thinks of influential or iconic hairstyles, but nonetheless we can understand why this one made the top ten: it's classic, versatile, elegant and easy to style, all of which combine to make it one of the most requested hairstyles in salons throughout the United Kingdom today.
- Number 9: Demi Moore's shaved head in the 1997 movie G.I. Jane.
- Number 8: Rihanna's ultra-modern red hair. Red is without a doubt the colour du jour and nobody does it quite like sexy R&B singer Rihanna. While she's been a hairstyle chameleon for several years already, it's the pink-toned red of the last twelve months or so that has propelled her into iconic hairstyle territory. Since adopting this colour she's worn it in super-long extensions, in an afro of wild ringlets, in a retro-chic wavy bob and in various short crops .. is there any hairstyle that doesn't look amazing on this woman? (That would be a resounding NO).
- Number 7: Cheryl Cole's glossy waves. Singer, songwriter, model, and fashion icon Cheryl Cole can add one more feather to her hat: that of having a seriously influential hairstyle! Her shiny and super healthy-looking brown locks may make for a simple style, but it's one that ranks favourably among women of the UK, and is very similar in appearance to that of another British brunette who now goes by the title of The Duchess of Cambridge.
- Number 6: 'The Pob'. Spice Girl turned football WAG turned acclaimed fashion designer Victoria Beckham no longer wears this hairstyle herself, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming one of the most frequently requested haircuts in salons across the United Kingdom. The graduated nature of this cut means that it can be tailored to suit various face shapes and lifestyles, and while not universally flattering, it has a certain professional-looking charm that makes it an ideal hairstyle for career-driven women.
- Number 5: 'The Rachel'. Jennifer Aniston recently came out with the rather shocking revelation that she hated the hairstyle that launched her to fame, calling it " the ugliest haircut I've ever seen. " Regardless of this, it was a style that became so incredibly popular in the 1990s that it's been given iconic status, and is still among the most asked-for haircuts in salons. The beauty of The Rachel is in its simplicity: it's really just a textured and layered bob which is a hairstyle that can be modified in any number of ways, depending on the overall look the wearer is after.
- Number 4: Ariel's long, thick red hair from Disney's The Little Mermaid. Ever noticed that Ariel's hair is exactly the same above the water as below? No? Okay, never mind then... but at least I now know that I'm not the only one who coveted such perfect locks as a little girl! The cartoon mermaid's hair is clearly a favourite of actress Blake Lively as well, who, after stepping out with beautiful red hair at an event in New York last month, told reporters "I feel like Ariel." Influential? Indeed!
- Number 3: Twiggy's pixie crop. One of the most celebrated models to come out of the UK, Twiggy had a haircut that was synonymous with late sixties style: super short, super androgynous, and super chic. It's now seeing a major revival among celebrities and regular women alike, and as such is positioned firmly in number three on the list of the most influential hairstyles of all time.
- Number 2: Marilyn Monroe's platinum chin-length bob. When you think of old Hollywood glamour , nothing comes to mind faster than the shiny blonde finger curls of the late, great Marilyn Monroe. It's a hairstyle that continues to be copied on red carpets around the world and has also become a popular look for the formal events attended by us mere mortals as well.
- Number 1: Audrey Hepburn's classic French pleat in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's . 2011 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the movie in which Audrey Hepburn became a style icon. Until now, the focus has always been on the star's wardrobe in the film (the little black dress! the sunglasses! the pearls!) but Hepburn's hairstyle has also been given iconic status, with the elegant French pleat ranking number one on the list of the most influential hairstyles of all time.
