Bobs are the way to go!

Hair is one of the best ways to make a style statement. Sure, you can wear the smartest outfit you own, but without the right hairdo, the look can backfire.

Brent Baber, a seasoned hairstylist from Melbourne, who was awarded UK's best hairstylist of the year, recently, talks on the latest trends in hairstyling in India.

He has styled the rich and famous including Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss, Kiran Rao and Rowan Atkinson and even cricket legend Shane Warne.

According to Brent, from what he has seen in his own studio, he says bobs are the current rage for women. "I have seen a lot of lovely bobs and variations of bobs leaving our salon in the last few months. As for men, they seem to be getting the idea that the overdone wet look and spikes is "oh so 2002' and are moving towards more cool understated styles with a matte finishing product.

With the monsoon already here, Brent says the best tip he can give is trim and treat. "You have to get rid of those tired ends with a regular trim and nurture the rest with a frizz-easing Kerastase ritual treatment," explains Barber.

But as Indian women are more inclined towards long hair, is it a disadvantage? "No Way!" says Barber, adding, "There are so many ways to layer and shape long hair and this is what we teach at our b:blunt academies, so much so that the long layered cut has become a signature look of ours. Of course if someone says "I want to maintain my length and have a total change" then yes, this can be a bit limiting but then it's my job to know what will work and to find a solution," says Barber.

Indians have been known not to keep time and this has irked Barber, who says: "The challenge is not the hair. But getting them to turn up to appointments on time! On the positive side, I have found that my clients are more open to direction and suggestion when it comes to changing their style," he says.

Though Bollywood seem to rule to roost when it comes to defining India's fashion trends, however, Barber says, it falls behind in hair as it likes to play it safe. "In my very limited Bollywood experience, I think, Indian film stars play it pretty safe with their looks opting for variations on the classic styles. But once in a while someone will break the mould and change it up a bit and this can inspire people to try the same," adds Barber.