Alicia Keys dropped a hair bombshell on her social media followers on Thursday when she posted a stunning new photo featuring a totally different side of the artist. (Perhaps the summer heat got to her?) No caption, no context, just leaving us to drool over her enviable new 'do: a very short, Ariel-the-mermaid-red bob.

 BEFORE:

AFTER:

At first glance, the bob will have you doing a double-take because Keys is almost unrecognizable with a cut this short. Don't get us wrong, the Grammy award-winning musician has rocked a lot of looks during her career, but she's usually known for long braids or bouncy natural curls. The sleek, structured cut is a markedly different aesthetic than the au naturel vibes she's been running with, but this new photo just proves that Keys is a true hair-and-beauty chameleon.

How long can you go? If these celebrities are any indication, as long as you want — just throw in some layers, bangs, or shaping to complement your face shape and hair texture. There are endless possibilities with how to cut and style your mile-long strands. Of course, before you head to the salon to make a huge chop, it's good to know what kind of cut you're actually looking for. Good thing you have us to help. Here, a few of our cuts for long strands — and how to get them.

Diagonal Lines

Rachel Green put layers on the map with chunky, piecey ones that fell every which way. That discrete choppiness was the whole point circa 1996. Today, gradual layers that slide imperceptibly from short to long — Joan Smalls' start just below her collarbone — are much more versatile and subtle, but still dripping with style. It's a great way to preserve your length without going full-on Marsha Brady.

The mommy mogul may have a few shorter pieces just around her face, but the real story here is in Jessica Alba's ends, which are gently snipped into all around her entire head. It's not about precision — some snips are deep, others quite shallow — but it is about consistency. By taking the cuts neatly all around the hair, you're left with dynamic movement, perfect if you're the kind of person who touches and flips a lot.

There's no math or science to Lais Ribeiro's cut, but there is rhyme and reason: Lots of thick, blunt layers scattered anywhere and everywhere from shoulder-length down look damn hot. You do need plenty of strands to pull it off — otherwise, the back can take on a mullet-vibe — but in general, this flatters all face shapes and hair textures.

If you want to add bangs to a long hairstyle, look no further than Camila Cabello's '60s cut. To avoid dorky-looking blunt bangs, don't cut them too wide — that is, too far outwards towards your temples — or too thick. "They should create a triangle shape that aligns with the outer corners of your eyes," says Fugate. Also, ask your stylist to snip up into the ends so they're not too blunt and add a few light, graduated layers in front. As for the rest of your hair, you could keep it one length or sprinkle in a few light layers. "Just don't make the layers around your face too short," he warns. "They'll look most flattering if they begin below the chin."

Hailee Steinfeld demonstrates cascading long hair done the right way — meaning not at all like Rapunzel. The trick is balancing the length with a few face-framing layers. "Her hair is all one length, other than a few layers starting at her cheekbones, which are sliced with a razor," says hairstylist Marcus Francis, who has styled Steinfeld's hair. Pro tip: Avoid this length if you have fine strands — they can turn feathered or limp near the ends.

Long and Natural

Meghan Markle has been the talk of the town lately — from her royal engagement, to what she’s wearing, to yes, her hair. Markle’s lengthy locks include subtle layers at the end that add definition and give off a polished feel. Whether your hair is thick or thin, this cut is flattering on everyone. The best part? It looks and is oh-so-effortless.

To answer your question, no, there's nothing Rihanna can't pull off. From an asymmetrical pixie to "Studio 54 meets Bob Fosse meets Blaxploitation" diva-inspired hair, the singer is constantly switching up her look — and latest is a major departure from the long, dark hairshe's been wearing for a while.

Bustle reports that the Fenty Beauty founder and all-around superstar just shared a cheeky selfie on her Instagram Story in which she wears a waist-length, lace-front wig — with the lace still completely intact and showing halfway down her forehead. "What frontal?" she jokingly captioned the photo. We stan a lace-front truther.

Was Rihanna in the middle of a cut and fitting? Will we see her rocking this wig for real soon? Or, equally possible, she just grabbed the nearest wig in her dressing room, decided to snap a selfie, and posted it explicitly to troll us. It's unclear for now whether this blonde will become her new look for a while; knowing Rihanna, she'll step onto a red carpet in braids on Friday and a platinum bob on Saturday. But we do know that the singer is a longtime fan of blonde hair. As her hairstylist Ursula Stephen explained to *Allure* back in 2012, Rihanna loves to switch up her shade. "This blonde is one of her favorites," said Stephen. "You have to keep up your conditioning treatments when you go this light — the hair becomes porous from bleaching." If anyone doesn't have time for that, it's a multi-hyphenate like Rihanna.

A light blonde as pictured in Rih's selfie is so hard to maintain that it's easy to understand why she'd choose a wig over the hours spent in the stylist's chair, the constant conditioning, and the potential breakage as a result of an actual dye job. And since she's Rihanna, she can throw it on for a selfie and inspire thousands of fans who've been waiting for a signal to finally go blonde themselves. Have you been looking for an excuse to buy a new lace-front and/or a bottle of bleach? Well, here it is.

Wet, sweaty pieces of hair sticking to the back of your neck on a humid summer day is enough to make anyone with long hair consider chopping it all off.  

If you've been thinking about going short because you're ready for a major change, or you want to switch up your pixie for the new season, the red carpet is currently full of inspiration to bring to your hairstylist.

Kate Hudson's choppy, layered pixie and Zendaya's wavy bob with blunt bangs are a few of the on-trend ways to wear your hair short this summer. Aside from the obvious benefit of having less sweaty hair moments, the best part about these cuts is that they work for a variety of hair types and textures.

To help you narrow down your options before heading to the salon, we've rounded up the hottest short haircuts of summer 2018.

Nina Dobrev

If you've had the same lob for the past few seasons, upgrade it by going a few inches shorter with a chin-length angled cut like Dobrev's. Better yet, add piece-y bangs, too.

Zoë Kravitz

A pixie that's longer on top, like Kravitz's, has a textured, effortless vibe.

Scarlett Johansson

Side-swept bangs with a pixie cut? Johansson proves that the combination is possible.

Jourdan Dunn

Last year may have been all about the wavy lob, but this summer you'll see a textured bob like Dunn's everywhere. This cut flatters a number of face shapes and hair types, plus you can style it in a bunch of ways. Wear it in undone waves or run a flat iron over your hair for a super-sleek, '90s-inspired look.

Kate Hudson

Hudson's choppy, tapered layers are an edgy take on the classic pixie cut.

Zendaya

Have had blunt bangs forever? Make your fringe look even cooler by cutting your hair into a blunt bob like Zendaya wore to the 2018 Met Gala.

Katie Holmes

Holmes's short bob is a way to avoid one of the many awkward stages of growing out a pixie. Ask your stylist to trim your hair above the chin with minimal layers so that your length looks intentional. Part it deep to the side and tuck the front pieces behind your ears to make the cut look a little bit retro.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you've got dainty strands, there's a decent chance you've hoped, and wished, and spent a billion dollars on products for fuller hair. To not much avail.

And by now you've figured out that you can't actually change the natural texture of your hair. But, making your hair look thicker is as easy as switching up your style. It's not like every celebrity with an enviable pile of waves just happened to be born with an overabundance of hair. They have the tools (and pros) accessible to make the most of what they have. So let's learn a thing or two from them, shall we?

From Gabrielle Union's textured low bun to Laura Dern's side-swept waves, we've compiled six red carpet hairstyles for every hair length and texture that help fine hair look thicker and full of body. Keep scrolling for your next go-to style.

Pulled-Back With Decorative Hair Pins

Here's a reason to embrace the current hair pin trend: using them strategically can fake a fuller head of hair. Use two to pull back the front section of your hair at the temple like Alexa Chung did at Paris Fashion Week. Place another accessory right above your ear on the other side of your head.

Low Bun

A full, low bun like the style Gabrielle Union wore to the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscars Party hides any sparseness for natural hair textures.

Side-Swept Waves

Adding texture and dimension to your hair is one way of making it appear more full. After using a curling wand to style your hair in loose waves, sweep them over to one side as seen on Laura Dern to create the appearance of more hair.

Fluffy High Ponytail

A fluffy, wavy high ponytail like Kim Kardashian West's, creates the look of full, bouncy hair. Before tying your hair up, blast your roots with a thickening spray. It's formulated with vitamins that plump up roots and builds volume so that hair looks thicker.

Deep Side Part

Flipping your hair to the side is a simple trick that'll make fine hair appear more voluminous and full. A simple part switch-up works whether you have a bob, like Hailey Baldwin, or waist-length hair. Bonus: Loose, tousled waves will also give you more body.

High Half-Up Half-Down Ponytail

If you can't decide whether to wear your hair up or down, go halfsies. The narrowness at the top of this style juxtaposed against the fullness at the bottom can create the illusion of fuller hair. To make hair look even more full, leave face-framing pieces out of the ponytail, like Bella Hadid demonstrates here.

I love watching Instagram stories while trying to find cute and edgy styles to emulate as I head out onto the streets to soak up the sun and dance the night away. However, as much as I enjoy watching these styles take shape in a video, anytime I try to attempt one - regardless of skill level - I am oftentimes defeated by the summer heat and its ability to turn my perfectly styled locks into a frizzy, dull mess.

After so many years of living in an incredibly hot climate, I finally asked my hairdresser what I was doing wrong and how I could prevent my styles from going flat. After discussing with her, I learned that there are four things that are important to remember as you begin styling in these summer months.


1.  Put your hands up and back away from the hot tools.

    A surefire way to increase the likelihood of damage and frizz this summer is by adding more heat to an already heated environment. But also, forcing your hair to stay straight if it has any other texture or wave in it, can make your hair even more unlikely to cooperate. Hot tools can also cause your hair to become overly dry and brittle causing a lot of breakage and dullness to occur. So pack those tools away - at least for the summer months!

 

2. Swap out the hairspray for an anti-humidity spray

    If you tend to avoid hairspray because it can weigh your hair down and make it feel crunchy, you may feel like you are backed against a wall trying to keep your hair in check this summer. However, there are other options to try to foster health in your hair without creating “helmet head” with hairspray. By swapping in an anti-humidity spray instead of hairspray before styling, your strands will have a protective layer to prevent frizz and create stronger bonds in your hair.

 

3. If you are going to put your hair up, go for a braid or a bun or another coiled style.

    If you are trying to get rid of the possibility of getting overheated with a lot of hair on your neck, putting your hair up might be a great option. In order to ward against humidity, coiled styles, are not only lasting but will work to ward off any excess oil buildup from the excess moisture in the air.

 

4.  Keep your hands off and out of it!

    This one is pretty straight forward. Now we all love to run our fingers through our hair - especially when it is wavy and soft; but this is a complete no-no for the summer months. It’s pretty simple: the more you touch it, the more it frizzes. So when you are out in the heat, keep your hands out of your hair.

At Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Fall 2018 couture show, within an all-white mannequin-lined room at the Musée Rodin, an overwhelmingly large mirror loomed overhead. Multiplying all the silk ruffles and pleated chiffon ripples sent down the runway to dizzying effect, the glass surface also illuminated a bevy of striking, multifaceted hair looks created by none other than runway legend Guido Palau.

Playing off Peter Philips’s velvet-smooth complexions, painted with blush-y, barely-there earth tones, Palau’s range of wind-catching bobs, freshly shorn pixies, and textured crops felt as appropriate for a sun drenched Fourth of July soiree as a cool, lacquered catwalk. After all, the key look—a sleek, center-parted low plait—could have just as easily translated to a summer slip dress or better yet, a body-skimming maillot by the pool. As for the final show-stopping beauty statement? An equal parts intricate and effortless gathering of waist-grazing braids—worn high and delicately beaded. Proof that, even for the most elegant of occasions, the power of surprise should never be out of play.

Below, five aspirational hair styles worth stealing for the July Fourth weekend.

Punk Pixies
Brushed up to match her full-bodied, dark brown brows, model Martine Dirkzwager Wu embraced the opportunity to go under the shears as Palau’s muse for this freshly shorn, strategically tousled crop. Summer hair doesn’t get easier—or chicer—than this.

Smart Whips
Already summoning the need for a craft store outing, the inspiring results of these string-wound ponytails are sure to become the adult alternative to friendship bracelet braiding this season.

Slick Bobs
An ultra-precise part and a bit of smoothing crème is all that’s required to tame this chin-grazing cut on long, humid days. Extra points for keeping face-framing lengths tucked neatly behind both ears—the subtle bend offers the boyish cut that feminine charm.

Natural Textures
Clouds of born-with-it curls floated willingly over gauzy layers of chiffon, with asymmetrical statement earrings acting as swinging, uncomplicated substitutes for ornate hair barrettes. After all, ’tis the season where less is always more.

Embellished Braids
Pulled back into a taut high pony, the closing statement braids—a perfect mix of balanced beading and extreme length—are at once fantasy and low-key utility. Consider it the answer to any beach-to-barbecue extravaganza in your near future.

Shag hairstyles are relaxed and layered. It's focus is on looking messy and textured, with lots of layers cut into the hair that create a messy effect by eliminating any straight and harsh lines.

Short Straight Casual Shag Hairstyle with Side Swept Bangs - Light Blonde (Golden)

Face Shape Suitability: round,oval,oblong,square,heart,diamond,triangular

Description: Our model is wearing a short and funky 'do that is cut short through the back and one side, while the opposite side is jagged cut and left slightly longer to achieve this asymmetric style. The mid-lengths are waved to create height, lift and texture for a fabulous finish. Product is needed to piece out the ends to create this look and keep it in place. This haircut is ideal for fine hair types that benefit from volume-boosting hairstyles.

Short Straight Casual Shag Hairstyle with Side Swept Bangs - Light Blonde (Platinum)

Face Shape Suitability: oval,heart,diamond,triangular

Description: The back and sides of this short simple style is tapered into the head, with the front having many fine layers to soften the face. The shape of this hairstyle is perfect to complement a diamond face shape and needs only a small amount of product for hold and shine, along with some backcombing for height and volume. Our model looks stylish here in a short and chic ‘do that is perfect for trendy women on the go. This is an easy-to-style ‘do that is ideal for women who like short hair but want to maintain a youthful sense of style. Our model has a diamond face shape with dainty features, making her suited to short and sculpted hairstyles like this one. The deep side-parted fringe works well with her forehead and the tapered ends create a nice frame for her face. The many layers and backcombing help our model to add volume at the crown and pump up the volume in her fine hair. Our model has a cool, fair complexion and light blue eyes. This makes her suited to icy white and light beige blondes the best. Here, she has gone for a shade on the light end of the spectrum with this Nordic white blonde. Subtle violet panels of color have been added at the front. This looks gorgeous with her skin tone and brings out her large blue eyes, and also flatters her baby fine hair. Regular toning treatments are needed to keep this color looking silvery and cool. This cut and color combo is ideal for ladies who want to play up their fair features and maximize fine or medium hair.

Short Straight Casual Shag Hairstyle with Layered Bangs - Medium Brunette

Face Shape Suitability: round,oval,oblong,heart,diamond,triangular

Description: Layers are sliced all through the sides and back of these thick locks then blow-dried perfectly to smooth down the top while adding texture to the ends. This simple yet sassy 'do is perfect for those with medium to thick hair and best suited to frame an oval or heart shaped face. Product is needed to smooth pokey or coarse hair into place. Our model flaunts a striking shag cut here with fabulous results. This choppy-cut ‘do gives her a rocker chick look while showcasing her best features. She has a triangular shaped face which means she has a wide, broad forehead and dainty and defined cheek chin area. Styles that add bulk around the chin and neck area are ideal for this face shape, as are styles with bangs that provide some forehead coverage and frame the eyes. Our model’s layered bangs highlight her intense eyes well while the rest of the layers in her hair add movement to her thick, coarse locks. This 'do is ideal for ladies who have natural wave/ texture in their hair and a long or narrow face shape. Our model is working a gorgeous auburn brown hair color here with fabulous results. This tone flatters her cool, fair complexion nicely while making her dark eyes the center of attention. Highlights have been added to the ends which shows off her cut nicely, while the copper tips add a chic touch to her 'do and flatters her complexion. This is a lovely color combo that adds interest to plain brunette locks.

The secret to great hair is hair that is well looked after, and one of the best products for looking after your hair is conditioner! Like most hair care products, there are lots of little tips and tricks to using your conditioner in a way that will benefit your hair strands the most. To find out what they are, read on:

Condition Daily

Conditioning isn't just what you do after shampooing. Conditioner smoothes your hair cuticles and restores moisture- which is the key to soft, healthy strands. Even if you're not shampooing your hair, smoothing some conditioner through your locks daily (either the wash out or spray in kind) will instantly soften your hair and help to keep it protected from outside elements.

Cater to Your Hair Type

Just as all hair types are not made equal, neither is conditioner. If you use any old conditioner on your hair then expect lack luster results. Your conditioner should be catered to your hair type. If you have dry hair, use a moisturizing conditioner. If your hair is fine use a volumizing conditioner, or a fatty acid (almond, coconut, jojoba) based conditioner for thick hair types.

Get a Weekly Moisture Mask Hit

Some people only use things like deep conditioning masks if their hair is damaged. The truth is that every hair type and condition can benefit from using a weekly mask. Look for anything that promotes a deep condition and help your mask out by wrapping a warm towel around your head for 20 minutes after applying the mask. The heat will push the mask deeper into your hair cuticles by opening them up. After that, allow your hair to cool completely so that your cuticles have the chance to close and you don't wash out all the good work of your mask.

Condition Mid-Length to Ends

It's not just the frequency and type of conditioner you use that will get you the best results. Where you apply your condition will also depend on how well your conditioner works for you. Always start by applying your conditioner to your ends as that is where most damage lies, and then smooth what's left through your mid-lengths and further up your strands, but avoid applying conditioner directly to your roots. Your roots get the majority of your natural hair oils, so let that oil condition that area, and your store bought conditioner take care of the rest of your hair.

If you've scored an interview for that fabulous job you've always wanted, don’t blow it with bad hair! It can be hard to decide how to style your hair for an important interview- after all you may be more focused on selling your talents- but never underestimate the power of looking polished from head to toe. Here are the best looks that are perfect for wowing an employer-to-be:

Sleek and Serious
Keeping your hair tamed is always a good idea for a job interview, and there is no better way to do that then with a sleek, straight hairstyle. Whatever the length or texture, there is a 'do that is just right for your next interview.

This layered bob looks stunning when paired with a deep side part and killer blowout. Pair it with a smart blazer like our model for best results.

A center part and flat-ironed locks make this bob look beautiful and boardroom worthy! Angela Bassett looks stylish and chic in this hairstyle that is sure to make a fabulous first impression.

Long hair is best tied up for interviews, but for those who want to leave their locks out, take a note from Jourdan Dunn's book. Her long locks have been freshly cut, blow dried and straightened for an immaculate finish. Use spray or serum to keep flyaways in check for a flawless look.

Naomi Campbell shows us a smart look here that is interview-appropriate, even with super long locks! Her bangs and layers all over paired with a crisp white blazer looks fantastic. This look exudes confidence and style.