Do you have a signature hairstyle? Should you keep the same style or mix it up?
Last week I went on a family roadtrip to Melbourne. After another amazing meal at my aunt’s house we pulled out the family albums and were in hysterics over all the old photos. There were some hilarious photos and some very bad hair. Especially from me!
As everyone’s style changed with the fashions, my sister noticed there was one who looked the same.
My cousin’s wife has always had the same hairstyle, not dissimilar to Anna Wintour, except her hair is always shoulder length or longer. Give or take a few inches in length, she’s had the same style for 30 years. When my other older cousins were rocking 70s flicks and big 80s curls, my cousin’s wife stuck to her signature style. Her hairstyle almost makes her ageless, as you can’t date any photos of her. Her hairstyle really suits her face and her hair type, and until now we’ve never really noticed that it hasn’t changed. It’s such a classic hairstyle that it never goes out of fashion.
The same can be said for Anna Wintour and her signature bob. She’s lightened the colour over the years (as it’s brighter and softer on your face as you age) but the cut has been virtually the same for over 20 years. You can date her by the outfits but never by her hair.
Other celebrities with signature hairstyles:
- Zooey Deschanel
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Goldie Hawn
- Halle Berry
- Jennifer Aniston (not in the 90s, but she developed a signature hairstyle over the last decade and it was international news when she cut it. It may have been a slow news day.)
I am not one for signature hairstyles. I change my hair so much people hardly recognise me the next time they meet me. I used to change the style and colour all the time, although I have kept it the same for the last few years in an effort to grow it. That’s one of the reasons I love hair so much – it grows back! You can mix it up and have fun with your hair and then start all over again. A new cut or colour can instantly update your look.
Perhaps I’m still looking for my signature hairstyle?
A signature hairstyle has to work with your hair type (unless you can afford to spend hours styling it each day) and complement your face shape. You may have had the same hairstyle for a decade but it doesn’t mean it’s the one. Signature hairstyles should be classic and elegant to stand the test of time. That is, will your kids laugh when they look back in photo albums?
Do you have a signature hairstyle? Are you still looking for yours? Or would you never be seen with the same hair twice?
Images from Racked via Stylelist
I thought I would do the same thing and try things different but I went a little crazy and got it shorter than I wanted to. Now I am waiting slowly and painfully for it to grow back out. I loved your post about braids for short hair. I have been experimenting with braids in my hair and it is really fun! Think I want to wait for it to get long and layered, then keep it that way!! 🙂
Thanks Annalesia! You can still do a lot with short hair, and it helps distract you while you wait for your hair to grow back x
Thanks for an awesome blog! Found my way here last week and have already learned tons 🙂 On the signature hairstyle subject, I read somewhere that 80% of people (specially women) tend to keep the hairstyle they find in their 30’s for the rest of their life. Don’t know if thats true but its an interesting thought.
Thanks Hillevi! That’s an interesting stat, and thinking about people I know, it is pretty true. I wonder if when you settle down, your hairstyle settles down too?
Have just discovered my new favourite blog post – EVER! Thanks hun!
oh thank you Katy! xx
I got my hair cut a few weeks ago – it’s very similar to this: http://www.exposay.com/aj-cook-criminal-minds-celebrates-its-100th-episode/p/33752/1/?f=A.J.+Cook
I absolutely love it. I used to have side-swept bangs, and then I grew them out so they were past my chin. I’ve been told that I have a round face, so I was thinking that having long hair with no bangs would elongate my face, but I think it just ended up looking blah, like I really didn’t have a style. So now I’ve got bangs again, and I think it just suits my face so well. It’s versatile because i can wear it straight or I can curl it or wave it. And on the days that I don’t feel like doing anything, the back of my head can look a mess but I still look stylish because of the bangs 😀
Sounds great! That’s s true, neat bangs makes a mess hairstyle look more polished (and vice versa)
I probably only have a signature hairstyle because I’m too chicken to get it cut … ever.
? Lexi
FASHION: Glitter & Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings
If you’ve found a style you love, why not stick to it. I’m still looking for mine (or maybe it’s curls but I’m not ready to settle down…)
I never thought of it as a “signature hairstyle” but I feel like I always need to have bangs. I just do not look good with a bare forehead! Side-swept looks the best on me, and I’ve decided to stick with that from now on. The only thing that will change is the length of my hair. I’m trying to grow it out now, and as soon as that happens I’ll probably decide I hate it and chop it all off again. The cycle will continue until I get old and start going bald. Then I’ll get a bunch of wigs. With bangs.
Lol! Bangs forever x
Ive tried a few things but my hair always seems to return to it’s generic default setting which isn’t very statement making. It’s a shame. I definitely have the guts to do something drastic and experiment but I’m always convinced to stay similar to what I already have. Tbh I don’t think I have the image/personality for it. I’m getting there though. I think I’ve found my perfect colour now… Ironically after several years of looking its my natural colour!!!! The cut I’m hoping will be similar to Zooeys. It was like that before, naturally, and definitely suited me the best but then I cut it all off after I was dumped and I regret it. I went for a sleek bob which just wasn’t for me. I need a bit of bead head and as long as the fringe is neat and tidy no one notices the rest (shouldn’t have admitted that should I LOL)
Ha that’s a great tip! A neat fringe does take all the attention!
Don’t feel you have to make a statement with your signature look, it should be classic and more importantly it should suit you.
I was shocked (SHOCKED!) when I read an interview recently with Jennifer Aniston and she said she didn’t really cut her hair as much as take out her extensions. EXTENSIONS. I couldn’t believe it because her hair has always seemed like it was “hers”. It also made me a little sad too, that so many of us have run around envying her hair, when all along it wasn’t even really HERS.
I just read that too! I think there’s a post in that. Extensions are so common, you’d be surprised who’s wearing them.
I think I found my signature hairstyle. For the past few years, It’s been long with some sort of bangs. I have small features, but a big face, so I find bangs or fringe emphasizes my features and not my face. And the long hair is fantastic. My stylist does an amazing job at updating it or playing with it a little each haircut, but it still remains easy to style and adaptable to many styles.
Bangs are perfect for drawing attention to your eyes. Sounds like you’ve found a great hairdresser as well as your signature style!
I personally have a signature hairstyle–but that’s only because I kind of have no choice about it. My hair is so unmanageable! Someday I’ll learn how to deal with it. 🙂 I love your blog!
I kept my hair long practicly all my life, always waist length and longer. But every now and then I go for a shocker style, like going from tailbone length to shoulder length, or heavilly layering my hair. But I would say long wavy and slightly layered is my style.
You obviously missed my tragic ‘deviation’ haircuts! Or had they been mysteriously removed from the album ?(I swear it wasn’t me). Like the full perm that made me look like my mother, the Princess Dianna look alike, or the super short spiked top! I have tried- but inevitably return to the safe and easy to manage ‘signature’ style- just add a few layers or highlights for slight variation!
Hi Rosemary! You must have hidden all those photos, but if you find them I would love to see them! Seriously we were looking through and you always look so well put together and there were no bad hair days! You found yuor classic style and it always looks good on you. Thanks for inspiring my ‘signature style’ post xxx
I love switching up my hair. I had been coloring my hair since I was about 12, but about a year and a half ago I decided to use my lack of money to finally just go natural and see what it was! I’m also growing my hair out in hopes that I can donate it to Locks of Love, and then I plan to chop it off and maybe change up the color finally. I love drastic hair changes!
Once again another great article Hair Romance. Can’t wait to read more original posts like this in 2012! Keep up the good work. 🙂
Thank you! xx
I’ve often thought about a signature hairstyle and what it means. Sometimes I feel like in order to be considered an adult, I should style my hair a certain way as opposed to more edgy or hippy-ish styles. I used to have long hair – ended up cutting off 10 inches for locks for love – but it’s not something you see very much beyond college age (at least where I am) and so I chose a bob style for my new ‘do. Still not sure how I feel about it. I’ve always been afraid to mess around too much with my hair 🙂
No signature hair cut or style for me. I’m too fickle.
I find that I have a signature cut (longish – past shoulders, with long layers and some version of a fringe) which works because of the versatility in styling as well as flattering my face shape. The colour, however, is always up for negotiation 🙂
Yes, you suit so many colours! Love you as a redhead x
I love zooey’s hair! I had her color and style for a while, but I decided to mix things up and go red! But I know I’ll go back to it soon. I can’t stay away for too long.
onstagehair.blogspot.com
Love Zooey. That heavy fringe just draws even more attention to her blue eyes.
I don’t have a signature hairstyle and I don’t think I will ever want one! I’ve had my hair short, long, blonde, brown, red. I find that changing my hair is the easiest way to do something new with yourself without worrying that it’s permanent.
That’s how I feel too. Hair is supposed to be fun but I know there will be some funny photos in my album when I look back…