Cutting edge hairstyles played as much a part as the fashion during the spring/summer showing. You'll be seeing a lot more of these four trendsetting 'dos

Flowing

Long, cascading, freshly washed and brushed locks with a hint of just-rolled-out-of-bed wavy goodness was a key look on the catwalks and is oh-so very achievable.

Sophie Roberts from ghd perfected this look at Zimmermann, complementing the delicate fabrics with hair that was similarly long and flowing. We're looking to replicate all the hallmarks of a freshly washed mop - soft, bouncy and shiny.

Roberts says she was directed by her desire to steer clear of products and hair wefts, instead maximising the model's natural hair length and weight. She achieved body and lift with ghd's Maximise Mousse.

This style works well with a centre part sporting brushed out waves. Roberts applied bends and soft curls to sections at random with a hot iron, dragging them out as she went along. To finish, splay the hair out over the shoulders and spritz a small amount of finishing spray for brilliance (Roberts used ghd Reflection Shine spray).

It seems the more casual the hairstyle, the more finicky it is to achieve. However, unless you're one of our naturally-blessed-with-wash-and-wear-hair sisters, you will need product and technique to make this look really work it.

Evo Liquid Rollers Curl Balm 200ml, $26.95,
Saxx Botanical Hair & Scalp Cleansing Shampoo 300ml, $27.95,
KMS California HairPlay Sea Salt Spray 200ml, $36.95,
Schwarzkopf Professional Osis+ Loopy Curl Cream 150ml, $28.95,
VS Sassoon You Curl, $59.95BRAID

Braids

Hair wove a captivating tale at fashion week, going wild and wonderful with braids.

Renya Xydis went primitive at Kirrily Johnston, busting out an entirely different look again. The theme behind Johnston's new collection was post-apocalypse, so she produced a new breed of humans who would plait each other's hair and makeup tones that mirror that of the earth.

For this particular show Xydis chose a ‘more natural, organic' aesthetic. She began by creating tight cornrows and braids using a fine-tooth comb and a combination of ghd hairsprays - Ultimate, Obedient and Creation - before manipulating them into horn-like shapes and coils. The ‘dos were finished with a generous spritz of shine spray.

Camilla Franks's Avatar-inspired story was told with a Babylonian flair. Graphic feminine shapes were supported with Joico JoiWhip Mousse and Brilliantine Spray Gloss Weightless Shine. Here we saw further use of the crimping backcomb style and pin weaving, which created a whimsical but structured look. Get back to your roots, ladies!

Redken Style Connection: Outshine 1 Anti-frizz Polishing Milk 100ml, $27,
Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray 400ml, $23.50 and Wool Shake Texturiser 8 145ml, $36.95,
Terax Silk Foam Volumising Mousse 296ml, $27.95,
Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Smoothing Serum 75ml, $9.99

Quiff

Quiffs have focussed in and out of the fashion microscope and are now enjoying their time as a key contender once again. From the Renya Xydis ‘young, rich and gorgeous Arabian princess' hitting the French Riviera at Alex Perry to the messy, textured quiffs at Sara Phillips - big was back.

Xydis styled up the front in a huge quiff and draped long locks over one shoulder with a loose, luxurious wave running through. To create the look, wefts were used in the back as well as lots of ghd Fat Hair and Maximise Mousse to add volume. Teasing the hair as high as possible, the hair is then brushed out and moulded into a quiff. Two silver slide clips secured hair over to one side, while a third raised the hair above the ear. The look was finished with hairspray. ‘The bigger the better is the motto we're standing by,' Xydis says.

Over at Marnie Skillings, Sophie Roberts created quiffs with the ‘50s in mind. ‘The Marnie Skillings hair this season was inspired by the Teddy Girls' hair of the 1950s. Part Edwardian and part quiffed, this look is a modern girls' take on a vintage style. Romantic and a touch tomboy,' she says.

Roberts built texture with ghd Maximum Mousse and Sea Spray for volume and hold. She roughly parted the hair to one side and then divided hair into two sections from crown to nape. She tamed them with straighteners then twisted or braided each section starting behind the ears, at the hairline, one side at a time.

Knot the braids together and roll up towards the head, pinning at the nape. Blowdry hair at front into a quiff, by lifting with fingers and securing with a hairspray.

Pass me that hairspray and I'll be backcombing my locks faster than you can say rock ‘n' roll.

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GirlBoy Tease Super Hold Styling & Finishing Lacquer 520ml, $8.16,
Kiehl's Stylist Series Super Thick Volumiser 250ml, $38,
Goldwell Volume Double Boost 200ml, $20.95

Sleek Up-Dos

New takes on old favourites came with the modernisation of the classic up-do. The French twist and the chignon get a head start this year.

Lance Blanchette of Joico brought us hair swept into a schmick ‘60s reminiscent top-crimped French twist that was as sleek as the cocktail dresses that sashayed down the catwalk for Nicola Finetti. The revamped French twist saw Lance using crimping rather than backcombing to achieve the requisite height and volume with Joico Silk Results Thermal Smoother. This modern twist on a fundamental technique re-introduces the beehive with a strict vertical pleat in the back, held by JoiMist Medium and Brilliantine Spray Gloss Weightless Shine. All styles required Silk Results Thermal Smoother which not only protects the hair from heat damage but adds smoothness, softness and shine.

At Lisa Ho, Redken's Kenneth Stoddart executed the ‘flowerpot chignon' with expert precision. To Stoddart, a return to classic styling with a modern touch was what this collection required, and he designed an up-do that he dubs ‘strong and sculptural; a polished woman.'

The flowerpot chignon showcased minimalist elegance, in a style reminiscent of early century Parisiennes. ‘The hair looks graceful but contains strength in quality and design,' says Stoddart. ‘The large mass of hair is swept back into the flowerpot shape just underneath the crown, so not too low. The dry texture of the chignon contrasts well with the patent shine at the hair line.'

He began by securing human hair wefts to each model in order to create uniform length. He then applied Redken Guts (a volumiser to add lift and create a solid foundation). With U-pins, he then layered Redken's Layer Lift and Work Force hairspray, shaping the hair into a ponytail before twisting it into a large bun and securing it just above the nape. Redken Strong Hold Forceful Hairspray was then used to set the up-do.

We love this look because it gives the face a lift, but more importantly it's old-school chic at it's best. Pair it with a wiggle skirt and join the Mad Men revolution! bella

Frederic Fekkai Coiff Extra Control Styling Gel 118ml, $46,
Redken Style Connection Forceful 23 Super Strength Finishing Spray 400ml, $23.50,
Joico JoiShape Shaping and Finishing Spray 400ml, $22.95

Bella Beauty Magazine