Instead of sleek pixie cuts and long bobs, stylists are looking forward to choppy layers and in-between lengths. "Everyone will be growing out their pixies," says Potempa. "So the new length will be somewhere in the middle." Corby agrees, and sites Dianna Agron as inspiration. "It's a bob, but it's layered out," he says. There's also another reason to get excited about this cut: "We haven't seen layered bobs since the '80s! And we've been locked into boring long layers for so long now," Corby says. Shorter says clients like Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys have been considering major cuts. "There's going to be a lot of hair on the floor this year," she says.
Photo 7/11
In: In-salon deep conditioning
Out: Brazilian straightening
Aside from color, 2012 isn't shaping up to be a big year for chemical processes -- instead, it's all about repair. "There are so many great innovations in deep conditioning," says Potempa. "People are realizing how horribly damaged their hair has become over the last few years, so now they want to fix it." Potempa is excited about a new treatment called Noiraudepro by the company Milbon, which developed Japanese straightening. This keratin-focused service isn't just for people who chemically alter their hair. "People use flat irons and curling irons more than ever -- companies are finally focusing on reversing the damage," Potempa says.
Photo 8/11
In: One-day color
Out: Pink and blue ends
Not everyone can pull off pink hair like Katy Perry, but that shouldn't stop you from trying a new hue in 2012 -- at least for a day. Alterna created 1 Night Highlights, $29, a brush-in foam that comes in blonde, brown, or red. "Apply it to your hair, let it dry, and you get a subtle, shimmery hint of color that looks totally natural and won't budge � until you shampoo it out," says Corby. If you want to go more extreme with a neon shade, Potempa suggests clip-in pieces: "Get some bright strands and hot-glue clips onto the end. It's a lot less of a commitment than bleaching your hair and dipping it in Manic Panic -- only to realize later that you hate it."
Photo 9/11
In: Tape extensions
Out: Clip-in pieces
For devout extension-wearers -- or anyone who's always been tempted -- 2012 is a very exciting year. The newest technology uses medical-grade tape instead of clips, glue, or sewing techniques. It's called EZ Fusion, and it takes about 30 minutes to have an entire set of extensions applied. "Each one takes two minutes to put in and lasts for weeks -- then you just spritz a remover and it comes out," Potempa says. In fact, they sound so revolutionary that even if you�ve never been tempted to get extensions, you might want to give them a shot.
Photo 10/11
In: Warm shades
Out: Cool shades
If Michelle Williams' recent switch from ultra-pale blonde to medium, almost-strawberry blonde is any indication, there's going to be a big shift away from fair hair this year. "The new blonde is less icy and white -- more buttery blonde," says Shorter. "It's flattering on most skin tones and easier to maintain." Brunettes will also be going warmer. Instead of shiny blue-black highlights, Potempa likes natural, honey-colored streaks. "Ask your colorist to match your strands to golden flecks in your eyes. The result will be a glistening, light-reflecting shade."
It's impossible to predict every hairstyle and color that will go from Hollywood fad to full-on, mainstream trend. Did anyone really think Lauren Conrad's multi-colored hue or Katy Perry's hot-pink bob would have women everywhere filling their beauty-supply-store baskets with Manic Panic?
But top stylists do have something like a crystal ball when it comes to hair trends: They�re the ones who create the trends in the first place. They work on Fashion Week shows more than six months before the actual season, and then they recreate those runway looks on celebrity clients. In turn, the stars hit the red carpet and set the trends in motion among the masses.
Even if you aren't looking for the "it" cut or hottest color for your 2012 hairstyles, there are plenty of high-tech salon treatments, fresh-looking updos, and braiding techniques worth trying. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here's what you should be doing to your hair in 2012 (Katy Perry's latest, craziest styles not included).
