by JD Leigh

Created on: May 05, 2008   Last Updated: May 20, 2008

Having a trendy haircut is all the rage these days. What the clothes can't say about a person, the hair can! But when a style is so funky that the word "EMO" just doesn't quite cut it, what do you tell your hairdresser to ensure your cut comes out looking Wicked Cool and not just Wicked?

One of the major keys to accomplishing a true Emo haircut is to make sure when you go to your hairdresser, he or she has enough to work with. The style is very layered and can be extremely short in places and long in others. You should grow your hair out at least 2 inches longer then you want the actual cut to be so there is plenty of room to Rock.

The front of the Emo cut is a longer and very chopped and layered. If your hair is not naturally straight you will need to straighten it to appeal to this style. Dont just go to Walmart and buy any old straightener. Go to a place like Sally Beauty Supply and invest in a really good iron that heats up to at least 400 degrees for best results. There are many different brands to choose from but it is the temperature that is really most important. Use a heat protector like Tresemme Heat Protecting Gel to keep your hair from getting fried! Simply lather in a small amount (about the size of a dime) to damp hair, blow dry and straighten!

Traditionally, the back of the hair is much shorter then the front but like most things in life it is all about personal preference. The shorter you go in the back, the more spike you will want. DaxWax is a great wax product that will give you all the spike you need. It is fairly inexpensive and works great. When using the wax make sure you don't overdue it. A little can go a long way so just a few dabs on the fingertips and that should be all you will need.

The most crucial part of this style is the bangs. Large swoop bangs are really in right now and easy to maintain. Part the hair above the outer portion of your eyebrow on the side of your choice. Use the hot iron to train it over to the opposite side and spritz a small amount of hairspray to keep it in place swooped over one eye. Again you don't want to overdue it because hairspray can leave your hair stiff and flaky if you use too much. I find that Tresemme Hairspray works well especially in conjunction with their Heat Protecting gel. You can also opt for the short bangs which should be cut to the middle of your forehead and given a "chopped" look so they are a bit uneven.

If there is nothing else that is more important with this style, it is the color. Most commonly, black or blue-black is the way to go. Don't be afraid to add a splash of color. Some red low-lights at the bottom tips or some pink streaks works well. Just be careful you don't over process your hair because it will become dry, brittle and unhealthy. Always let a professional color your hair because what you buy in a box and what the pros use is very different!

The Emo Hairstyle is one of those unique things in life like a snowflake. No two cuts are alike so don't feel bad if your cut doesn't look exactly like the your friends. Thats the point. Being different and unique. Edgy is key. Sometimes I find it is even better to sleep on my Do' for a day before it looks really fantastic. The whole appeal is looking fabulous without looking like you spent hours in front of a mirror. Just wake up and Rock it!

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