Top Hairstyle Trends of 2013

Whenever a new year beckons, new hair trends emerge and take over the hair, fashion and beauty industry. Some hair trends are futuristic, chic and transcend the passing of time whilst others however, come and go. Although we’re only a month into 2013 we’re already getting a glimpse of the hair trends that will be in vogue this year.

In this article we’ll show you which hair cuts, colors and styles will rule the roost this year.

Trend #1: The Pixie Cut

From Emma Watson to Rihanna, the pixie cut has made its way out of 1965 and is hitting runways and celebrity coifs. What makes this style so stunning is that it highlights stunning facial features and is low maintenance.

 Pixie cuts particularly favour individuals with striking facial features- think Halle Berry’s cheek bones, Emma Watson’s eyes or Rihanna’s lips. To get the best cut possible, always make sure you visit an experienced hairdresser and take a photo of the pixie cut that you like.

Trend #2: Purple Hair

Katy Perry isn’t the only one who’s spotting purple tresses. This year hair coloring will take on a new trend which encompasses unconventional colors. If you’re more conventional but want a drop of purple to spruce up your style, try experimenting with darker purple colors.

In contrast, if you’re more of a risk-taker dare to be different and opt for multi-layered purple tones.

Trend #3: The Low Bun

In 2012 the high bun was the most popular hair trend. However, in 2013 we’re heading in the completely opposite direction with the low bun taking over as this year’s go-to hairstyle.

Trend #4: The Side Sweep

Conjuring up memories of vintage Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe, side swept curls represent glitz and glamour. However, the side sweep isn’t just perfect for formal events; it can in fact be a go-to hairstyle for everyday occasions.

To get this look, it’s best to wear your hair in pin-curls at night and then unravel them in the mornings. Furthermore, keep bobby pins on hand so that you can neatly pin your hair to the side so that it falls effortlessly.

Trend #5: Bangs

When Kate Middleton stepped out with bangs, we were stunned! Who knew the Duchess was such a trend setter? Her hair was particularly striking because of its vintage-retro feel. 2013 will most definitely be the year of the bang.

This is a guest post written by Vicky Olubi. Vicky is passionate about all things beauty related and is the Director of My Curls; a natural hair care company based in London.  Visit her website at www.mycurls.co.uk.  

Top 10 bags on Pinterest

Pinterest is a great way to find awesome items and add them to our wish list. So, we gathered the top 10 bags we seen this month on Pinterest. In no specific order, here's our favorite bags so far:

1) MARC JACOBS, 'Paradise Rio' Bag
2) Joy Gryson, IIIBeCa
3) Reed Krakoff, Mini Shoulder Bag
4) Valentino Bag
5) Alexander McQueen,Orange Medium Heronie Bag
6) Ralph Lauren, Silver bag
7) Reed Krakoff, medium tote bag
8) Lanvin, Medium Happy Shoulder Bag
9) Wallis, Green Bright X Body Bag
10) Birkin Bag


If you want to repin any of this items, just go to our "Top 10 Bags on Pinterest" Board on Pinterest and repin what you love. Follow Styling Up on Pinterest. Browse through clothes for your body shape, and also a fine selection of clothes, accesories and footwear we found there.

Tell us, which bag is your favorite? If you have other suggestion (found on Pinterest), we'd also love to know what it is.

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Winter Sale Discount Shop

We've just launched a new page with the latest winter sale offers that includes dresses, jackets, jeans, trousers, skirts and much more with up to 70% off price.

Now, you'll be able to find all the items with the best special offers all in the same page. We'll update this page with the latest items weekly, so please do check it once in a while.

2012: Fashion in Review

Now that this year is coming to an end, we would like to make a special year on review blog post with 2012 biggest fashion trends. This is our very own perspective of the trends and, therefore, it's a subjective list.

Skinny Jeans

Skinny Jeans were a true mark of this year. We saw them is several flashy and neon colors, and also in more neutral colors. Basically skinny jeans came out from the 80s to make a stand for this year and they look stunning in several body types. Skinny jeans look particularly awesome in Straight and Hourglass body shapes and are a must have for this season. Don't have a pair? Check out these recommendations from our stylists:

• Tiffany Skinny Jeans, Black, from FCUK
• Getlegg Skinny Jeans, Red from Diesel
• Mirabelle Gold Skinny Jeans from Missguided

Vintage Look Leather Bags

Leather was pretty much in fashion this year. Bags were looking kind of vintage and very "square" shaped. Whether black or brown, or even is some more colorful versions, a leather bag was the biggest fashion trend for bags this year. 

Peplum mania

Peplum was also pretty hot this year. Brands have peplum for every body shape. If you're pear shapped, you could wear a more simple version of peplum without giving you volume in your bottom half, like this Origami Pleat Peplum Dress, from AX Paris. If your body shape in inverted triangle, you could wear this Taina studded peplum top, or this Leopard Peplum Skirt from AX Paris to balance with your larger upper body. If you're an hourglass, you can pretty much wear anything, as long as you balance properly your upper body with you lower body without adding unnecessary volume to your shape.

Animal Prints

Oh yeah! Leopard print was a true trend this year. Whether in shoes, bags or other accessories and clothes, leopard print was everywhere and we love it! But we also know that prints should be worn cautiously... we don't want you to look like the jungle queen. Our advice to you: wear prints on your skinniest half. If you're pear shapped wear it on the top half, if you're an inverted triangle wear it on your bottom half. Prints draw attention and you don't want to draw attention to your widest half. Here are some leopard print items available at our style shop:

• Cherron Leopard Print Bralet Top, from Missguided
• Leopard Ballet Pump, from AX Paris
• Leather Leopard Print Shoulder, from Autograph

Riding Boots

Riding boots are this seasons trend on footwear, specially the leather ones. They look amazing with casual dresses, skinny jeans, bootcut jeans and pretty much almost everything. They are also very comfy and therefore al women should have a pair. Check out these Kissa Riding Boots, from Ravel available at our style shop.

So, these are the top trends we elected for this year in review. But tell us, what do you think was the best trend of 2012?

Say hello to your customized newsletter

First of all thank you so much for signing up with Styling Up. We hope you're enjoying your experience at our style shop.

We just launched a weekly newsletter especially for you. This newsletter is fully customized according to your body shape, which means that the newsletter you'll receive will not be same as someone elses newsletter. With this, you'll be able to see some of our latest stylist recommendations each week, confortably by receiving it in your inbox.

To make sure you receive our weekly newsletters and they don't go to your spam box please add @stylingup.com to your safe list.

We hope you enjoy this new service. Like every new service, this may have some issues, so if you notice anything unusual, please let us know. Your feedback is the best way to help us improve our service to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us anytime.

We respect your privacy and we won't send you more than 1 weekly newsletter. If, for some reason, you don't want to receive our weekly newsletters with our stylists recommendations, just click unsubscribe, located below in the newsletter and we won't send you further newsletters.

Don't forget to spead the word about us! You can follow us in facebook, twitter, pinterest and linkedin. You can also invite your friends to join Styling Up, simply be logging in to your account in our website and clicking invite friends (you can invite them just by writing their e-mails). Thank you!

“Every woman should have one black dress, a fabulous pair of shoes and bag”

Carlos Martins is a devoted stylist at Styling Up. His style is mainly casual chic and he dreams of styling Evan Rachel Wood and Jonathan Myers.

He studied fashion in 2000 but his professional path took him to interior design. He has been an interior designer for over 6 years, but he kept dreaming of becoming a fashion stylist and he worked in theaters and contests as a wardrobe stylist ... he loves combining colors, fabrics, textures, and  he’s an art and design lover.

Carlos loves everything that is edgy and chic. He started working at Styling Up right from the beginning and in our website he has already styled hundreds of awesome outfits. You can find style recommendations from Carlos in our style shop. Get to know this stylist a little better in the interview below.

How and when did you start in the fashion styling career? Tell us your story.

As a fashion designer I worked at some projects in the area like wardrobe for characters in theater and contests. I also work as an Interior Designer at BoConcept. I made some interior projects and others like commercial stands at Lisbon Fashion Week.  Right now,AAAARight now, Rightcss  I´m collaborating with Styling Up at big scale, customizing outfits for all kind of clients and I’m also working at a worldwide fashion brand, very known for its casual and luxurious pieces, as a consultant.

What does fashion mean to you?

Well... for me Fashion is like a statement of art. It’s a large step for someone to become unique and singular!

What are your favorite brands & designers? Why?

My favorite designers are Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Dolce&Gabbana , Alexander Wang and so many others, because they all have an unique vision about concept and style. Besides of fashion, I also love other visual arts like design, sculpture, and so on.

Pepe Jeans Dress

How would you define your personal style?

My personal style is a mix of concepts and brands… so, mainly, I define my personal style as trendy. I’m always looking forward for trends and trying to discover new ways to approach my kind of look and style. Like every other person, some days I feel like I need to conquer the world with a new vision or statement, and on some other days I just get on a more casual and discreet mood. This is why I say that my style is my own statement… I follow my own rules, concept and style.

If you could pick 3 fashion must-haves that every woman should own, what would they be?

Funny, this is the old question that anyone wants to know an answer for...  It really depends because every woman is different, but I think that every woman should have one black dress, it doesn’t matter if it’s simple because you can style it up with accessories; a fabulous pair of shoes and bag… This always works and regarding the last two (shoes and bag) it really makes sense that you pay for quality (eg: a pair of Louboutin).

Which season do you prefer to style for: Autumn/Winter or Spring/Summer?

I love styling for the end of summer’s season, when everyone is relaxed, and thinking about the sun, the beach, parties and romance… everything is going on smoothly and perfectly and we can take some fashion risks with colors and patterns and mix all that.

All in One Jersey Jumpsuit, Diesel

Of the clothes you recommend in Styling Up's website, which is your favorite for this Autumn/Winter season?

Actually, I love several outfits for different reasons: This dress from Pepe Jeans, though it’s casual, I think it makes a beauty statement; This Jumpsuit from Diesel is very trendy and sophisticated and I think that this color is great for this season and I think it’s awesome to wear to a party or cocktail; This pleated dress from Missguided is great for someone who wants to be unique and make a statement wearing a more bright color… I also find the color very refreshing.

 If you could be a fashion stylist to one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Probably Evan Rachel Wood and Jonathan Myers. Both are young and have a peculiar attitude. They also represent so many things I enjoy, like for example indie movies, music, art and they both also rock at big parties. I would love to create their next style.

What do you think about fashion blogs and magazines? Which ones do you check out regularly?

I love both fashion blogs and magazines, because we can learn so much about fashion, designers and what will be trending next season. Since everyone has different ways of looking at fashion, it’s great to read about different perspectives and discuss it.

The blogs I check up frequently are the following: The Sartorialist, The Style Examiner; Alfaiate Lisboeta, and so many others. As for magazines, I recommend: Dazed and Confused, Kaltblut Magazine, Dsection Mag and V Magazine.

What's my body type?

Many of you have already asked this question over and over again. And we heard you :) . As you probably already know, Styling Up is a website that provides a free online fashion styling service to all women. After registering in our website, users will only find clothes that fit their size and flatter their body type. So, in our website we already know our users body shape, but we never shared that information with them, so they didn't know their body type.

Now, users and non users may calculate their body shape in our body shape calculator page, just by entering their bust, waist and hip measurements, in inches or cm. After clicking in "calculate my body type" button, you'll be redirected to your body shape.

We consider 6 body shapes: Hourglass, Pear, Inverted Triangle, Diamond, Oval (or Apple) and Straight (or Rectangle). Each body type has its own characteristics and, to dress proportionally and to create the illusion of an hourglass shape (if you don't have it already), you should really know what's your body type.

For example, if your body shape is Inverted Triangle, in other words, that means that your bust and shoulders are broader than your hips. To create the right proportions, tou should look for bottoms that balance your lower haf with your uper half, like full or A-line skirts or wide legs / boot cut trousers. This is just an example of how knowing your body type can really help you feel better about your body and help you embrace your body type and feel more confident about yourself. No matter what size you wear.

Our body shape calculator lets you easily calculate your body type, just by entering your bust, waist and hip measurements

In our body type calculator page (click on the image above) you'll not only be able to find out what's your body shape, but you'll also have access to a tips page especially dedicated to your body shape. You'll find some tops and bottoms recommendations and also some pictures of celebrities that have the same body shape as you. Most importantly, you'll also see some of the clothes recommendations of our fashion stylists, especially for your body type.

So, what are you waiting for? Take your bust, waist and hip measurements and go find out what's your body type, and take a peek at some of the clothes recommended by our stylists.

See you there! x)