Hair & hairstyles

Charlotte Di Calypso brings a fringe plait to the cover of Elle Russia’s February 2012 edition.

The 1920s have taken another deep-end dive into the ocean of hairstyles. But in 2012, the disciplined finger waves are given a modern update - now with more texture, more tousle and a whole lot of added sexiness. Read on for details of the style, as well as steps for how to create it.

When you have beautiful features and a nose sprinkled with freckles like a starry night sky, any hairstyle will look good. But Julia Hafstrom’s ginger-haired beauty aside, these 2012 hairstyle inspirations from Elle Taiwan are the kind that any hair of enough length can benefit from. From thickly fringed to bouffantly Bardot-esque, there’s a strong basis in the ’60s as the era of inspiration.

Straight on top then bursting out voluminously on the sides, this hairstyle is one that can have an ethereal softness, or an aura of '70s glamour. For brushed-out curls you can wear any time of day or night, follow our how to guide.

The cool, perfected beauty of the retro faux bob. If you haven’t already attempted this sculpted 2012 hairstyle, you can follow the steps at that link. You’ll find the style is surprisingly simple to create. If you want more inspiration, however, on suiting the look to your own hair type and colouring, it’s worthwhile seeing how it was applied to the various models in Jil …

As the temperatures drop, the colour mood also changes dramatically. For fashionisers in the Northern Hemisphere currently experiencing autumn's cool days, it's not too late for either a minimal seasonal update or total colour revamp that will take you into winter 2012. Read on for details of winter hair colours to choose right now.

Flowing waves and bouncy blow dries are in hot demand for spring 2012. Another variation, as spotted on the runway at Sonia Rykiel, sees the '40s collide with the '70s: more relaxed than the former yet more formal than the latter, accessorised with a youthful hair clip. Read on for steps on how to master the style.

Elegantly equestrian, fetchingly fresh: pair a slick center part with a looped-under ponytail for one of spring's chicest up 'dos. As seen on the runway of Carolina Herrera, it's a style that doesn't have to be reserved for after the sun goes down.

On the spring 2012 runway of Diane von Furstenberg, models emerged with a back-combed crown that swirled back into two mirrored French twists. The effect? A 1960s style bouffant hairstyle that crowns any outfit with an elegant vintage vibe. For steps on how to create the style, read on.

Wear it left, right, up, down, wet or dry: the question is not whether the side part is in (it's never really far away), but how to wear it in 2012. Read on for the year's best interpretations as well as our styling tips.