Popular Hair Styles of 2009

• Hairstyles change by the year, with different styles gaining popularity, and in 2009, feminine styles and edgy cuts were popular for women. The styles of 2009 were a mix of classic, timeless waves and modern, funky bobs. Short, groomed styles were popular for men, as well as long, shaggy layers.

Long Waves

• Long waves took center stage in 2009, creating a feminine hairstyle. To create the look, keep your hair long, reaching below the shoulders. If needed, wear hair extensions to obtain this length. Cut soft, long layers into your hair to add dimension and body. Cut soft layers around your face. Wash your hair and apply mousse to the locks. Dry the hair using a blow dryer and large, round brush. Create a deep, center part in your hair and use a flat iron to smooth the hair while creating subtle waves. Clamp 1- to 2-inch sections of hair in the flat iron. Beginning at the roots, pull the iron down the hair shaft and twist it about half-way down, creating smooth waves. If more curl is desired, use a large-barrel curling iron. Gently separate the waves with your fingers and apply a texturizing cream throughout the hair to define the beachy, feminine style.

Asymmetrical Bob

• The bob went from straight and classic to modern and edgy in 2009. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Paris Hilton and Victoria Beckham helped spiral this style into great popularity. To create the hairstyle, cut your hair short in the back, reaching the top of the neck. Taper it to longer locks in the front, keeping one side longer than the other. The short side of the hair should reach just below the ear while the other side should reach close to the shoulder. If desired, cut bangs at an angle and side-sweep them across the forehead. Part the hair on the shorter side. Use a flat iron to straighten and smooth the hair. Apply a shine serum to the hair and tuck the shorter side behind the ear.

Side-Pulled Hair

• A feminine style in 2009 was characterized by gentle waves, which were pulled loosely to one side. To create this look, use heated rollers to create large, '40s style waves in your hair. Part the hair on the side and loosely comb it to one side of the head, leaving the waves cascading over the shoulder. Other ways to style the hair is in side-chignons and low, side ponytails. Either form gentle waves in the hair or keep it straight and sleek. Pull it loosely to one side of the head, near the back, and gather it together. Hold the hair in place with a hair elastic. From here, either form the hair into a chignon and hold it in place with decorative pins or keep it in a ponytail, falling over the shoulder.

Faux Hawk

• Many men wore their hair in a short, styled "faux hawk." This popular 2009 style is characterized by hair that is very short on the sides and longer at the top, where it is pushed upward and together. To create this style, cut the hair short around the sides and back of the head (about 1/2 inch in length) and taper it to longer hair along the top of the head. The hair at the top should reach about 2 inches in length and 2 inches in width, forming a longer strip from the forehead to the top, back part of the head. Apply a styling gel to the hair and smooth it down on the sides. Push the hair at the top upward and together, forming a peak along the middle strip.

Shaggy Layers

• This layered, shaggy hairstyle was made popular by actor Zack Efron. To get the look, keep your hair rather long, reaching about 3 inches in length all around. Cut layers all throughout the hair, blending them together well. Comb the hair forward and toward one side of the head, sweeping the bangs over the forehead. Use your fingers to apply a texturizing cream to the hair and gently tousle it to create a shaggy style, keeping the locks pushed forward and to one side. Flip the ends slightly up.

Short Spikes

• This popular 2009 men's hairstyle is identified by its short, groomed spikes. To create this look, cut your hair short around the sides and back, reaching about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. Taper the hair to longer locks at the top of the head, reaching anywhere from 1/2 to 1 inch in length. You may wish to keep the bangs slightly longer than the rest of the hair. Apply a styling gel to the hair using your fingers. Smooth the hair down on the sides and back and push it upward at the top of the head. Gently tousle the hair at the top, creating a purposefully messy look. Use your fingers to slightly twist small sections of the bangs and push them slightly up.