Model Ritika styles her hair with layers and soft waves with the help of tongs at Transcend

Bipasha Basu chopped off her locks for a stylish bob to create headlines and even Mandira Bedi went for the pixie look. So do you really need to stick to the same boring hairstyle you’ve been showing off to the world for ages? A trip around town to the choicest salons reveals that hairstyling is no longer about whatever-cut-your-stylist-cares-to-give-you.

Bridgette gives Sayani a high, layer cut with cascading curls and colour highlights at the Bridgette Jones’ salon

So what’s back with a vengeance? Layers, bobs (or blunts), bangs and fringes are the way to look this season. And if you have been battling with wavy hair, give it up, as curls are back like never before.

Guy Kremer, a London-based hairstylist who visited Calcutta recently, says: “A very short crop at the back and long layers in the front is the season’s new look. And of course lots and lots of waves are also in. Think singer Amy Winehouse and you get the look.”

At HeadTurners, model Devdutta goes for the Oriental Wave Look with curvaceous, long curls while Ushoshi chooses ‘telephone-wire curls' with long fringes

Graphiti columnist Bridgette Jones says: “This is the season of bobs. Straight hair that’s cut into a traditional bob stands the test of time.” At HeadTurners, Short Street, senior stylist Susan Francis is all for “luscious curls and sinuous waves which give a contemporary look.”

(From top) Hairstylist Guy Kremer says that the season’s favourite is a short crop at the back and long layers in front

At Eye Catchers, Wood Street, senior stylist Julie Tseng recommends a lot of layers. “Since people don’t want to compromise on the length, we’ve given the classic layers new twists with a variety of cuts,” she says.

Kremer would have you go for long layers that are cut short at the back. “The entire haircut should give you a sense of disconnection — that is, give a disjointed feel rather than a structured look,” he says.

Bridgette likes the angled side-parting which prevents the look from becoming ordinary. She adds: “The bang is very trendy.’’ Take your pick from side-swept bangs (part hair far off on one side and direct the lengthy bang across the eye), full bangs (this is a sharp cut straight fringe that reaches eye level) or convertible bangs (with shorter stands underneath and longer layers on top).

At Eye Catchers, model Dipannita goes for the party look in a bun; with curls tied up for a stylish look; and loose curls for a casual look

Eye Catchers too is all for layers, bobs and bangs. “We try different cutting techniques with the layers to give the hair volume at the crown and movement and lightness along the length,” says Julie.

Spikes, bobs and wedges (spiked hair shorter at the front and longer at the nape) are doing pretty good at Transcend, the Tolly Club salon. “Go for the zigzag cuts or a wavy look with lots of layers,” says owner Rita Mohan.

At HeadTurners, the blunt cut, so popular in the 90s, is doing great for people who like short hair. “Those with round face can have a shoulder-length blunt with asymmetric lines — that’s short from the back and long from the front — to make the face look angular and defined,” says Susan.

At the Short Street salon, blunt-fringed, bowl cut bobs are doing well for short hair (the hair is cut in a round way giving it volume) while long and mid-length hair’s given a blunt fringed with a soft perm.

Waves are ruling the popularity charts. “Hair curled out is in. Spiral curls using the heated iron instead of tongs are also doing well,” says Julie. “The new concept of curls is with digi waves — which are deep waves rather than tight curls,” says Susan.

Try the Relaxed Wavy look — hair scrunched up or soft curls with semi-spirals. At HeadTurners, go for the Oriental Wave Look where the hair is permed in long curls with wider rollers and tonged to add bounce. “For the curls blow dry the hair, use tongs, or try the roller stepping, keeping bounce at the back. Puff it up and tie at the back,” says Mohan.

“It is not very hard to get some long-lasting curls into long hair as well,” says Bridgette. Apply lots of mousse in your hair, separate some strands and roll up with medium size curlers stopping before the top of the head. Let the hair dry completely, remove the curlers and carefully comb hair with a wide-tooth comb. Style the front part to a wave using fingers and fix with a hair spray. It may take a while for the hair to dry, but then the curls will last.

It’s all about peek-a-boo hair colour — block colouring with different shades of blonde peeking out,” says Bridgette. Alternatively, colour your hair with solid global colours. “Dark colours like brown, mahogany, chocolate are very in,” says Mohan of Transcend.

A word of caution from Bridgette: “Study the overall trends and see what parts of it will work best for you.”