The romantic style of Miss Knightley

Hair today, gone tomorrow. The same could be said of the season's styles.

Every season sees a dominant style pushing its way ahead of the others - last autumn saw the return of flowing locks and choppy crop cuts, but it's all change for spring.

Predicting a polished look for the season, Andrew Collinge says "In contrast to the boho look of 2005, haircuts will be strong and defined.

"A great haircut will stand out and get you noticed - go for shapes, strong fringes and an immaculate blow-dry to create a stunning style. Semi-permanent colours such as deep cherry or rich auburn will give a brilliant finish."

Avoid looking 'so last season' - here's the low-down on the styles you'll want to be sporting.

MY LITTLE PONY

Eva Longoria ties it all back

You may not give it a second thought when you decide to tie your hair back to stop it getting in your way - but the ponytail is emerging as a strong trend.

"There were many variations - a simple yet elegant ponytail tied into the nape of the neck, a glamorous high-shine high ponytail, or a more relaxed, curled or twisted style," says Adam Reed at Charles Worthington.

It's easy to recreate at home - Adam suggests brushing hair back to the crown of the head and tying it with a piece of wet string. The string will contract as it dries, ensuring the ponytail stays securely in place.

A small amount of anti-frizz serum like Q&A Frizz Fix Super Serum, £5.99 at Boots, Sunsilk Waves & Curls Frizz Control cream, £2.19, and Fudge's Fuel, £9.95 (01282 683 100), will tame any wayward strands.

DISCOVER ROMANCE

Love is in the air this spring, taking inspiration from the season's romantic fashion trends - think Keira Knightley.

"An alternative look for medium to longer hair is structured shapes with curls, which are still big news," says Andrew.

"The look has an Edwardian feel, so it should be wide, rather than high. The finished look should be slightly provocative, by pinning side sections up loosely and letting the occasional curl tumble down. Or leave hair down, blow-dried with lots of volume as if the hair is being blown away from the face."

Andrew Collinge's Simply No Frizz Design & Shine Gloss, £3.95, will help add definition, while Tigi's Curls Rock Booster spray, £10.50 (0870 330 0955), will amplify curls.

DO THE TWIST

Mariah Carey shows how it looks from behind

Chignons and twists are another popular look, and are quite versatile. Tied loosely, it looks soft and romantic but add some hairspray and more structure like Mariah Carey, and you have a glam up-do for a special occasion.

Like with the ponytail, it's easy to do - you can twist it as much or as little as you like, and you can either tie it at the bottom like a plait or tuck hair into a loose knot with a few wispy strands around the hairline.

An off-centre parting will disguise root growth and ensure hair falls where you want it to, but the hair gurus advise experimenting and going with the flow.

Bumble and bumble [cor] Does It All hairspray, £16.90 (01768 891 394), gives gentle hold and body while adding shine, and Phyto Phytolaque hairspray, £8.50 from www.hqhair.com, offers light hold for fine hair.

BOLD BOBS

The bob is staying quite prominent for a bit longer.

"This is a major trend, whether it's strong and blunt with a fringe, or totally shattered throughout the perimeter," says Adam.

Bobs should be sleek and glossy, so create maximum impact with Frederic Fekkai Glossing Creme, £16 (020 8740 2085), Umberto Giannini Sleek & Chic Straighten Gloss serum, £5.99, or Mark Hill Ultimate Gloss Mist, £8.99 at Boots.

If you're not bold enough to go for the chop, you don't have to. Get the look by tucking your hair into the nape and securing it with a headband, set to be a must-have item. Try Scunci's comfort grip headbands, £2.99 at Boots and Sainsbury's.

COOL COLOUR

"This season we'll see fewer highlights, replaced by block colour and all-over tonal changes in deeper, luxurious shades.

"Blonde continues to be a dominant force; a classic combination of sunshine and sunkissed," says Lisa Shepherd, Midlands British Hairdresser of the Year 2006.

Kirsten Dunst highlights her natural colour

With highlights out of the picture, it seems that colour will be designed individually using shade combinations. For blondes like Kirsten Dunst, tones of neutral beige, oyster, gold and pearl will be added to natural hair colour.

Redheads can have tones of raspberry, rose, claret and crimson, and brown hair enriched with variations of earthen brown, fawn, and mushroom.

Enhance what nature gave you with specially designed ranges - brunettes can try John Frieda's Brilliant Brunettes, from £4.49 at Boots, while blondes can stay bright with Denise McAdam Colour Enhancing shampoo and conditioner for blondes, £3.47 at Tesco.

And redheads can check out Trevor Sorbie Colour+Redhead shampoo and conditioner, £4.99 each at Boots.

BEAUTY SPOT 1

You may not be able to afford a Chanel boucle suit or the signature quilted handbag, but a spritz of Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle and you'll feel like a chic Parisian lady. The new light Twist and Spray fragrance, with lively top notes of orange and bergamot, comes in a handy handbag size, priced £45, with two refills.

BEAUTY SPOT 2

Get into a romantic mood this Valentine's Day with Fresh's Pink Jasmine range. There's a eau de toilette and body cream with pomegranate milk, £47.50 each, and a shea butter-enriched soap duo set, £15.50, which all capture the delicate and beautiful floral scent. Call 020 7486 4100 or visit www.fresh.com for stockists.

BEAUTY SPOT 3

Follow in the award-winning footsteps of Hollywood leading lady Reese Witherspoon, and recreate the 40s look she had in Walk The Line with 17 products from Boots. For a hint of ladylike blush, apply a creamy blusher like Get Cheeky in Spun Sugar, with neutral eyeshadow like Solo Eyeshadow in Ivory Coast all over the lid. The Lasting Fix in Hot Chilli lipstick will finish off your glam look.