The haircolor trend springing up this season? Pastel blondes! 2011 saw a haircolor revolution take place with more and more celebrities coloring their locks in every shade of the rainbow, and in true spring fashion, the shades are softening up into pretty powdery shades. According to the trendsetters at Schwarzkopf Professional, all kinds of blondes are having a moment this spring and summer—from pure and decadent golden honeys and ambers to soft blush tones. This look, from the Essential Looks Collection for 2012, was created using Schwarzkopf Professional BLONDME Premium Performance Lightener and BLONDME Toning Creams in Ice, Strawberry and Caramel. See more blonde inspirations for spring/summer!

Gray hair is no longer the sole bastion of AARP members. In fact, the haircolor trend has seen several resurgences in the past year alone, and tons of cool celebs—from Kelly Osbourne to Lady Gaga—have been spotted sporting a variety of silver-y styles. “Brilliant shades of gray have been around for quite some time,” says Goldwell Art Director John Simpson. “With the tools we have now, we can embrace sterling, pewter, pepper and cool pearl tones and formulate them to sparkle and reflect.” When you work with these shades, he advises, you need to think of the new hair as vinyl, the mid-shaft as wool and the ends as cotton. “Your formula needs to drive the vinyl and offer durability through the wool and cotton!” John likes this Goldwell Topchic glaze: 20mls 10 or 20-volume developer + 20mls distilled water + 17mls 10A + 3mls 2A. “Before placing the detail slices or glaze, make sure you balance the porosity of the ‘wool and cotton’ with a stabilizer,” advises John. Check out another awesome color trend: pink hair!

A slick and sleek ponytail is one trend that will never go to the wayside. To put her twist on a classic style, Diva Poulos, a member of the Sebastian Design Team, created this look called “Whiplash.” It’s severe yet fun and full of infinite sass. “By slicking the hair back and gathering into a tight top ponytail, you’re able to showcase the movement and the shine in two completely different ways,” she shares. To get the look, apply Sebastian Professional Potion 9 Liteand Sebastian Professional Gel Forte to damp hair. Blow dry with a flat, soft brush. Once dry, spraySebastian Professional Trilliant to the bottom third of hair for thermal protection and flat iron the ends. Next, brush hair up into a high and tight ponytail, taking hair section by section and sprayingSebastian Professional Shaper to the roots to maintain a light-weight hold. Lastly, wrap and pin a piece of hair around the elastic using Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus and smooth over with a brush, pulling hair very tight at the top of the head. Learn another cocktailing how-to from Sebastian Professional!

From the fall catwalks to this year’s red carpet at the Academy Awards (think Natalie Portman), a trend that continues to gain momentum is ‘40s-inspired finger-waves. Joining the lineup of young starlets to don this glamorous look was Reese Witherspoon while promoting her new movie. We cannot get enough of her May 2011 Vogue cover! Her hair looks absolutely picture perfect. To create those Water for Elephant waves, you’ll need a curling iron and some serious styling skills, but also products that pack a punch. Suddenly, “cocktailing” becomes your new best friend. “My favorite cocktail for smooth locks with body definition is what I like to call the Star Express Treatment,” says Doug Martucci, ProRituals Global Artistic Director. “I start by detangling the hair with ProRituals Spray Treat. I then combine ProRituals Dream Cream Leave-In Styling Conditioner with some ProRituals Radiance Serum and ProRituals Smooth Straight Balm. This cocktail, coupled with a Marilyn Double S Pro brush and finished with a little ProRituals Light Play (for a touchable hold) is what makes my client feel like she’s ready to walk the red carpet.” Share your product “cocktail” and win FREE ProRituals Stylers & Finishers!