HELEN CARNELL, 27, works for a consultancy firm. She says: "I've always worn my hair long and blonde. I fancy a change - but not too drastic! I hope a fringe will make me look different, without the fear factor of a total re-style."

 

CELEB STYLIST MARK WOOLLEY, OF ELECTRIC HAIRDRESSING, SAYS: "Fringes are big news this season, but forget blunt, ultra-heavy styles and wear yours slightly longer and shaggier. I cut Helen's fringe when her hair was wet, keeping her natural side-parting in place, and then blow-dried it using a paddle brush."

 

HELEN'S VERDICT: "My new fringe is exactly what I wanted - it's changed my look, but I still feel like me. The best bit is that it's so quick and easy to style."

The messy, mid-length chop has been made famous by Alexa Chung, Chanel model Freja Beha Erichsen and Dannii Minogue.

 

LAUREN EZEKIEL, 27, is Fabulous' fashion co-ordinator. She says: "I've always had long hair and have been toying with the idea of chopping it all off for, well, years! Apart from the fact that it takes ages to dry, I feel like I haven't really got a 'style' and I'd like something with more shape that will give me a shot of sophistication. 

 

I'm also donating my snipped-off locks to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment - thinking of that makes my chop less scary."

 

MARK SAYS: "I knew a shorter cut would create a sexier, sophisticated look for Lauren. I gave her a graduated chop that's longer at the front than at the back to encourage her natural curl, which means she can let her hair dry naturally for an amazing tousled look. This season is all about full, voluptuous locks - Lauren's hair now nails that."

 

LAUREN'S VERDICT: "Initially I was scared so much was cut off, but now I wish I'd done it sooner. It's great that I don't have to do a lot to get it looking bouncy any more."

ALEX CUMMINS, 23, is the junior brand manager for make-up brand Illamasqua . She says: "I've spent years highlighting my hair and fake-tanning my skin, basically doing everything I can to make myself look like an all-American beach babe - but that's not who I am. I've got pale skin and an exuberant personality and I want my hairstyle to match who I really am."

 

It's the fierce and feisty hair colour of style sirens Florence Welch and Dr Who's Karen Gillan that's rocking our world this autumn.

 

MARK SAYS: "The minute I saw Alex I wanted to transform her into a redhead - it suits her skin tone and brings out her green eyes. Red's bang on trend and autumn's the perfect time of year to make the switch. Because Alex had blonde ends and dark roots, I applied a dark crimson colour to even it all out, with just a hint of copper for shine. I cut in lots of layers to give Alex's locks bounce and volume."

 

ALEX'S VERDICT: "Deep red definitely suits my skin tone better than the blonde I had before. My hair looks really vibrant now - I love it!"  "Fringes are BIG NEWS, but forget blunt, ultra-heavy styles and wear it shaggier  "This season is all about FULL, VOLUPTUOUS LOCKS "Red's bang ON TREND and autumn's the perfect time of year to MAKE THE SWITCH