A good coif has got be expressive and eclectic to scream chic, says Stephane Amaru, creative director with hair experts Toni & Guy, who was in Mumbai courtesy L'Oréal Professionnel. Rakhi Agarwal tells it the masterclass way!

The Mohawk is hip and happening, but not everybody's style, just like red is not everyone's colour. This goes to prove that fashion rests with the individual. And hair length always belongs to the one who wears it; mini or long, it's yours to choose. What does make a difference is hair texture and effect. That's Amaru's philosophy for you and me.

Just as couture took a while to become haute; hairstyling, too, has taken a while to come into its own. Today, hair is probably the most important accessory for a person's image.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow Fashion changes, generations come and go, and haircuts and styling have to change too. The helmet effect, courtesy the hair spray of the 1960s, gave way to the more natural, gel-styled hippie-look of the '70s - the neo-romantic era; hair was somewhat curly, soft and not very strong. Then came the big revolution of the 1980s, with the invention of hair wax, inspired by the dirty, sticky hair of the homeless. Hair looked greasy and untidy, but very fashionable. The 1990s saw the hugely popular Calvin Klein effect - no make-up, flat body (almost like a man's), loose shirts, aromatherapy. Extremely clean, yet sexy.
Today, hairstyling is more technical, more interactive and full of colour. And the styling products more cutting edge. You get control with flexibility.

Stylist Must-Haves “A hairdresser ought to be a fashion translator, not a fashion dictator,” says Amaru. “A trend is not something that reaches everywhere at the same time, and when it does come, you have to understand it. If you don't learn, you don't grow and if you don't grow, you die. Simple!”

He adds, “A stylist has to have a mission. If I am happy, the haircut is good. If I am feeling miserable, the cut is awful.”

No look can work if your hairstylist is not with it. Get one who: * Gives you a good haircut and sets the limits, too. * Understands the basic cut and goes on to develop and customise it. The haircut should suit your hair texture, be low on maintenance and last longer, replacing re-styling every month with once in three months. * Can educate you on keeping your hair looking and feeling good. Remember, no cut is complete without styling agents - the make-up for your hair. And a styling product needs to be well suggested for it to work well. * Helps you get started with the easier products first, instead of throwing technical jargon at you. He/she should work with you to realise a look for the day and one for the night.
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