Cool And Quirky Autumn/Winter Hair

Often, when catwalks forecast the hair and makeup trends for the season ahead, they're either really difficult to replicate or totally inappropriate for everyday wear. Luckily for us, though, 2014/2015 is all about laidback, care-free hair that's actually known as "normcore". Which means that that just got out of bed look is just perfect for this season - so you don't have to spend ages fiddling with your locks for 'em to look their best and can spend more time in bed. Yay!

The Cool Colors

Color is still really rather important for autumn/winter 2014, but the emphasis is mainly on warm hues like chocolate brown and auburn - and if you want to go slightly cooler, opt for ashy tones and use a purple shampoo and conditioner to keep that ashy tone in your hair.

Sounds obvious, but otherwise, you'll lose that color really quickly.

The Braids

Braids are in at pretty much any point of the year but for A/W they're back in a big way. French braids are where it's at, and they're perfect for bad hair days as they hide grease brilliantly! One of the coolest looks for this season is the braided headband - starting at one ear and French braiding the hair around your face until you get to the other ear. Pin in place behind the rest of your hair, then lightly spritz with hairspray to keep in place. This looks lovely with a deep side parting, but it's also a great way to jazz up straight hair. Another cool way to wear braids is a fishtail plait - they're a little more complicated than regular plaits, but just make sure you pull it to the side, roughly backcomb the crown (or spray on a bit of root plumping powder if you don't have time to do anything fancy), then pull little bits of the braid out so that it looks a little bit undone. For extra texture, use some salt spray.

The Side Part

Side partings are all the rage this season. For the last few years, center partings have been all the rage, with huge Hollywood curls. Now though, relaxed side partings with your hair falling into a fringe - it's really very flattering and works well with virtually all hair lengths. Wear your hair curly or straight, or part it on the side before pulling it into a high or low ponytail or a ballerina bun. Again, it's also a handy hairdo for those bad hair days when you don't have chance to wash your hair.

See Also: The Hottest Hair Hues for 2014

For an edgy look, comb hair from the side part, fix in place with gel and then sweep around the side of your neck.

The Cool Ballerina

Ballerina buns have been really popular for a while now, but they're getting a little bit overdone. One of the most common looks on the A/W catwalks was the severe bun - hair pulled back tight from the forehead into a high ponytail, with the hair wrapped around the pony tightly and securely. Fix in place with bobbie pins and smooth your hair with hair back with hair spray.

This look isn't about looking sweet and pretty - it's cool and edgy. If you want to soften it a little bit, wear with cute and pretty makeup rather than anything too severe - a sweep of blush and a slick of mascara.

The Loose Pony

Loose ponies have often been derided as the lazy girl's hairdo - but they're considered to be sleek and chic for autumn/winter. Divide hair into a very loose center part and then lightly backcomb the underlayers of hair next to the parting to give it a bit of volume. Pull back into a ponytail in the center of the back of the head for an office-appropriate look, or into a low pony at the nape of the neck for a sports luxe feel.

The Swinging 60s

We love a 60s vibe - it's cute, playful and utterly elegant. That's why we love a flick of cat's eye liner along the upper lash line. For an easy 60s hairdo, part hair down the center, and then from about 2 inches back from the forehead, brush hair backwards. Blow dry the hair and backcomb at the crown for extra height, using a hair treatment to ensure that your hair stays silky smooth. This might all sound like it'll take a really long time but in reality, it's as simple as blow drying your hair from the shower. Finish with a bit of shine spray but no hair spray - this style really requires movement and "swishiness" - not the static look that hair spray sometimes gives.

The Wispy Up-Do

Wispy, pretty, princess hair is absolutely one of our favorite styles and luckily, it's incredibly easy to create.

See Also: Post-Summer Hair Plan: How To Reverse Sun Damage

Take small sections of the rest of the hair and wind them around the bun, pinning each little bit into place. Leave some of the strands out and around the face, and if you have time, before you create the bun do a little bit of backcombing to create some volume around the crown.

This season, almost anything goes. Whether you want to wear your hair in a severe and edgy bun or slicked back wet look creation, or would prefer a sweet, girly hairstyle with waves, swishy locks and gorgeous braids, you'll be right on the money in terms of hitting this season's style trends. Blond or brunette, warm or cool - just go for it!