Top Hair Trends of 2012 Hair Trends 2012 - Celebrity Hairstyles Trends 2012

Hair Trends 2012 - Celebrity Hairstyles Trends 2012 When it comes to hair, this year's top trends were certainly out of left field. Did we really scrape our strands up into Sumo wrestler buns and paint them pastel with colored chalk? Why, yes ma'am, we did…and we looked fabulous. Here, check out the most memorable mane moments of 2012.

Mermaid Hair

What's sexier than sweeping your hair to one side, letting loose, mermaid-y waves cascade over one shoulder? Not much, according to celebs like Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain and Stacey Keibler. We hope this Old Hollywood-chic style sticks around in 2013!

Beach Waves

Piecey, textured and shot through with random straight pieces on the ends, tousled beach waves (like Selena Gomez's) looked impossibly seductive on all hair types, face shapes and hair lengths. Easy-breezy, equal opportunity hotness!

Pastel Hues

From Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj's rotating cotton candy-colored coiffures to Lauren Conrad's hot pink ponytail bright strands were everywhere in 2012. The salon trend spilled over to DIY with the advent of hair coloring chalk.

The Pixie

Big, bodacious hair has been so happening for so long, it was refreshing to see celebs like Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway and Ginnifer Goodwin step out in wildly chic, sleek pixies this year.

Mod Bangs

Lea Michele, Beyoncé, Lana Del Rey, Carly Rae Jepsen – what do these sultry singers have in common? They all managed to bring back one of the year's prettiest tress obsessions: eyelash-grazing mod bangs. And we thank them for it.

Messy Chignon

At once elegant and wildly sexy, prim French twists edged up with flyaways and face-framing tendrils was all the rage on red carpets this year (see Emma Watson…so hot!).

The Top Knot

The Kardashian Klan made this sleek, slicked-up bun completely ubiquitous — and a couple years later, the trend is hotter than ever. There's something so effortlessly sexy about sweeping all your hair off your face and neck! Just check out Nicole Richie's glam, high knot.

Braided Accents

Whether it was tiny micro-braids swept into a high pony, or a goddessy, French-braided headband (a'la Florence Welch), adding plaited enhancements to your ‘do was a super-elegant way to dress up your ‘do.

Haute Holiday Hairstyles Holiday Hairstyles - Celebrity Inspired Party Hair

Holiday Hairstyles - Celebrity Inspired Party Hair The eggnog-swilling, tree-trimming season is upon us yet again – and the holiday party invitations are flooding in. So many opportunities for divine hairstyles! For your soiree inspiration, we've complied eight supremely gorgeous looks for every hair type. Thank us later.

Sweet Bun

We don't know if its the sleekness, the sharp center part, or the few sexy escaped tendrils that make Gwyneth Paltrow's bun both festive and timeless—but it so is. Amp up the party quotient with a sparkly statement earring!

Haute Hollywood

Emma Stone's Old Hollywood siren waves are sure to steam up the season…and they're easy to pull off. Simply separate hair into four or five sections, set on jumbo hot rollers and let cool. Finger-style and sweep one side back in a fun clip.

Twist and Shout

The pretty, pretty princess look never goes out of style—just check out Ashley Greene's romantic side-twists and Rapunzel tresses. Party perfection.

Best Accessory

Sometimes all you need to make a party-fabulous statement is a blingy barrette! Exhibit A: Jennifer Lopez's sweet curls and festive, iced-out clip…show-stopping, yet simple.

Seventies Siren

Wearing a major outfit? Keep your party do simple, a la Emily VanCamp's easy-breezy, seventies-style spirals. To do: Spritz hair with volumizing spray, wrap one-inch sections around the barrel of a large curling iron, and then shake out with fingers.

You’re the Top

Thanks in part to bun-happy Kim Kardashian, the severe topknot trend shows no signs of abating this holiday season. At once elegant and outrageously sexy (all that neck!), it's a genius go-to look for your most swanky soiree.

My Pretty Pony

Nothing says low-key elegance like Kate Hudson's long, nape-of-the-neck pony. So perfect for the party where you want to look like, “Oh, I just accidentally rolled out of bed looking this fierce!”). Get the look by wrapping small sections of your pony around the barrel of a ½ inch curling iron.

Curly Cues

Need a quick, easy way to sass up wild spirals? Take a cue from Kelly Rowland and rock a haute half-up/half-down ‘do with tons of texture in the back.

On the Side

Cosmo's December cover girl Taylor Swift shows off a simple way to up the glam factor this holiday season: Just curl your ends and sweep all of your hair to one side. Wonder if rumored new beau Harry Styles thinks it makes her beautiful?

A Fine Mess

We love updos that are just a wee bit unkempt and imperfect like Keira Knightley's. A few flyways can keep you looking modern and fresh, not matronly.

Show Us the Bounce

Fire up the hot rollers, ladies! Big, bodacious waves are not just for surfers as evidenced by Kerry Washington's sexy curls. We're pretty sure he'll be dying to run his fingers through that 'do.

Bobbing for Style

We can't get over how much we love Leighton Meester's post-Blair Waldorf cut. So sleek. So modern. All you have to do is sweep it back off the face and add a red lip for a gorgeous night out.

Cosmo Beauties of the Week Cosmo Beauties of the Week - The Week's Best Beauty Looks November 23

Cosmo Beauties of the Week - The Week's Best Beauty Looks November 23 From Rihanna's rock star waves to Jennifer Lawrence's femme fatale winged shadow, check out the sexiest superstar beauty moments of the week. Hint: Red lips were everything and Swiss Miss chic made a comeback!

Taylor Swift

Our Swiftian girlcrush is shameless and knows no bounds, but really – how elegant does she look? With her delicately smoky eyes and rose-stained lips, her AMA moment takes “less is more” to luxe new levels.

Rihanna

At the superstar's “Unapologetic” party, she was every inch the rock star in sassy scarlet lips, lashes for days and a tough-girl swirl of inky black waves.

Diane Kruger

We're suddenly deeply into Swiss Miss chic, ever since the German stunner showed up at the Champs Elysees Christmas lighting ceremony with these glamorously coiled, golden braids.

Scarlett Johanssen

At the N.Y. premiere of "Hitchcock

Kourtney Kardashian

The glamorous new mama arrived to receive the key to North Miami looking stunning in easy-breezy chestnut strands and a classic crimson pucker.

Jennifer Lawrence

The starlet took a vampy turn at the L.A. premiere of Silver Linings Playbook with dramatic lashes, winged grey shadow and paler-than-pale, candy pink gloss.

Gwen Stefani

At the AMA's, the superstar served up classic Stefani in bold, penciled-in brows, matte orange-cherry lipstick and a tumble of platinum waves. Looking hot!

Jessica Biel

With her luscious, waved pompadour, strawberry-stained lips and radiant skin, the newlywed was all aglow at the L.A. “Hitchcock” premiere.

Layered Hairstyles You'll Love Layered Hairstyles - Pictures of Celebrity Layered Hairstyles

Layered Hairstyles - Pictures of Celebrity Layered Hairstyles This season is the perfect time of year to switch up your style. So, if you're bored with your one-length cut, use these sexy celebrity pictures as inspiration and go for a layered hairstyle instead. Why? They make your hair more full and swingy, and leave you with tresses that just beg to be touched.

Selena Gomez

This pop star's super-sleek and straight layers are the perfect accessory to pair with any sexy outfit she throws on.

Jennifer Aniston

She wasn't the first woman to get layers, but she was the first to make layers crazy-sexy, thanks to The Rachel — the highly sought after cropped cut she wore on Friends (for those of you who live under a rock).

Michelle Williams

You don't have to have long or medium-length hair to flaunt layers. Just take a cue from Michelle and Anne Hathaway. 

Isla Fisher

Pulling your hair forward on both sides of your face not only frames it, but it also brings people's attention up to your eyes.

Jennifer Lawrence

The Silver Linings Playbook star's new black-as-night locks make her usually layered hair stand out that much more. PS: Jennifer, we're loving the new hue. 

Kirsten Dunst

A cool way to show off your layers? Create a side part in line with the arch in either eyebrow, and then sweep the rest of your strands to the opposite side.

Kim Kardashian

Straight, layered strands are always a safe bet when stepping out in the spotlight. And all you need to get the look is a good haircut and a flat iron—easy enough, right? We love this look the Kim wore to Cosmopolitan's 40th anniversary celebration recently.

Jessica Alba

This girl can do no wrong. Her bedhead layers go perfectly with her moto jacket, giving her that instant cool-girl vibe. (We're kind of obsessed if you couldn't tell.)

Alessandra Ambrosio

This Victoria's Secret Angel's waves are iconic—and look amazing, thanks to her layered cut.

Brandy

Long, wavy layers = statement-making hair. We love the red-hot texture and length that Brandy is sporting here.

Nicole Richie

We love how Nicole's shortest layers draw attention to her eyes, not to mention her subtle layers throughout the rest of her rocker chic-looking hair.

Vanessa Hudgens

When the first layers hit your chin, it instantly frames your face and brings the attention there. Even better, this cut is one that anyone can pull off.

Rihanna

Though her cut is unconventional, she did however manage to work some chic layers into her mane. We crown her the queen of curly layers.

Kristen Stewart

This Twilight star makes any hairstyle look gorgeous (we kind of hate her for that), but she oozes sexiness when she rocks it out in a layered 'do. Case in point: this pic.

Hot Hairstyles for Black Women Black Hairstyles - Celebrity Hairstyles for Black Women

Black Hairstyles - Celebrity Hairstyles for Black Women Need inspiration for the next time you want to change up your look? We heart these celebrities—and their hairstyles. Celebrity stylist Kristan Serafino breaks down each 'do.

Fringe Benefits

If you have textured hair and want bangs like Beyoncé's, a de-frizzing smoothing serum is going to be your best friend. Apply it to wet hair and smooth your strands as you blow-dry using a round brush. Then, finish the look with a mini flat iron to score a sleek fringe like B's.

Wild and Free

We love the way Rihanna is embracing her natural texture these days. But be sure to amp up yours with a high-gloss serum after it's dry—and go.

Sleek and Centered

First, flat iron your hair so it's super-smooth, like Solange Knowles' strands. Then, create a center part and gather your hair into a low ponytail; secure it with an elastic band. Next, wrap your pony around the hair tie, creating a tight bun. Use bobby pins to help your style stay put.

Plait Appreciation

To get Jennifer Hudson's sexy side braid, start by spritzing your hair with a heat protectant spray and then smooth it out using a flat iron. Next, using the arch of your left eyebrow as your guide, create a side part (if you have bangs, sweep them to the side to recreate this look). Then, pull your hair to the right side of the nape of your neck and begin braiding; secure the plait with an elastic band. Lastly, mist your hair with hair spray.

No Shortage of Spirals

For sexy spirals like Jordin Sparks', run a heat styling and curling cream through your strands from your roots to your ends. Then, set your hair using a 1/2-inch curling, rolling each section of hair in opposite directions for a more natural finish.

High and Mighty

Pull your hair into a high ponytail, like Kerry Washington's, using the crown of your head as the base. Smooth any bumps with a boar bristle brush, and then secure the pony with a hair tie. Next, using a one-inch barrel curling iron, begin to randomly curl the remaining sections of hair for added texture. For extra shine at the ends of your hair, use a drop of high gloss serum.

Cool-Girl Curls

To copy Kat Graham's laid-back mane, start with straight, dry hair and use a one-inch barrel curling iron to recreate her pretty, soft waves from mid-shaft to the ends. The key to this look: rolling the iron away from your face.

Pretty Pomp

Beginning with dry, straight strands, tease the top front part of your hair with a teasing comb to recreate Zoe Saldana's mini pompadour. Next, gently smooth your hair using a boar bristle brush and pull it into a high ponytail; secure with a hair tie. Then, use a one-inch barrel curling iron to create soft spirals. Pro tip: Remember to only use sections of hair that are the width of the curling iron, so your hair gets the right amount of heat. So if your curling iron is one inch, the sections of hair should be one inch.

No. 1 Stunner

Drooling over Selita Ebanks's sleek style? Again, hit your hair with a heat protectant spray first, then flat iron it straight for a smooth finish. Next, comb your hair away from your face and tuck the left and right sides behind your ears. Finish with a firm-hold hairspray to keep your strands in place.