Best Hair in America 2012

We uncover the top 100 salons and stylists: the country’s most-requested cuts—and how to get the look you want.

PIXIE

Jason Segel isn’t the only one enamored with Michelle Williams. The actress’s cropped cut garnered the most requests, jumping from last year’s third-place standing. “The cut is low-maintenance and more versatile than you think,” says freelance hairstylist Thomas Dunkin, who works with Williams. When her hair is damp, he brushes down the shorter back and sides, then uses his hands to smooth the longer length on top. The cut is particularly popular in steamy climates. “Even when the temperature reaches triple digits, the pixie looks put together and effortless,” says Rachel Gower, owner of Houston’s The Upper Hand salon.

PRO PICKS

A few sprays of Got2B Oil-Licious Dry Oil Mist fight frizz and deliver shine; Dunkin crafts “movement and texture” with Sebastian Molding Mud pomade but says less is more: “Don’t be too fussy overstyling this look. The beauty of it is the simplicity”; the fine bristles of the Mason Pearson brush keep “the sides flat and fluffiness down.”

LONG LAYERS

America’s hair hall of fame has a new inductee: Sofía Vergara. The actress’s long, layered waves inched out last year’s winner, Kim Kardashian, for most lusted-after style. “Sofía has made nighttime hair work for morning, noon, and night,” says her stylist, Jen Atkin. After blow-drying straight with a round brush, Atkin wraps two-inch sections around a curling iron, leaving the ends loose to avoid tight ringlets. Michael Barsamian, owner of Boston’s Mizu salon, says the Hollywood-inspired style is popular among the city’s young professionals. “The layers add just enough lift to keep the cut looking fresh.”

PRO PICKS

The alcohol-free formula of Rahua Voluminous Spray creates bombshell body without drying out strands; coat wet hair in Kérastase Nectar Thermique. The leave-in conditioner protects against heat damage for the softest, shiniest waves; Atkin favors the T3 11/4-inch Tourmaline Curling Iron and uses her fingers “to loosen curls for longer hold.”

BOB

Cameron Diaz turned heads when she walked the Oscars’ red carpet with a wispy, chin-length bob. America took notice too, awarding it the third most-requested cut. Diaz’s longtime stylist, Lona Vigi, “kept the length a bit shorter in the back, leaving the bangs and sides longer for a sexier feel,” she says. To style, section off hair and blow-dry with a round brush “to give body at the roots.” The cut’s functionality makes it a hot request in the City of Brotherly Love. “Philly is a walking city—women need a cut that won’t lose its shape in the wind and humidity,” says Giovanni Mele, owner of Giovanni & Pileggi salon.

PRO PICKS

For extra volume at the crown, Vigi spritzes dry hair with Philip B Russian Amber Imperial Dry Shampoo (“I love, love, love it,” she says); a volumizing mousse, such as Pantene Flowing Body, will lift limp strands for allover movement; John Frieda by Conair Full Volume Medium Porcupine Round Brush smooths hair to reduce frizz

BANGS

After a one-year hiatus from our list, blunt bangs are back, and top fringe goes to adorkable Zooey Deschanel. Hairstylist Danilo, who tends her tresses, suggests bangs that are longer on the sides and shorter across the forehead, “just dusting the eyebrows.” To get fringe to lie flat, he directs hair forward and down with a brush while blow-drying, “It’s really important they lie in place with minimal volume, which can quickly look dated,” Danilo says. In Montana, clients at the Living Room salon, according to owner Jolie Kiser, want “classic styles that are still fresh and fun,” making Deschanel’s retro-chic bangs “a huge hit.”

PRO PICKS

Secure a scarf, such as the limited-edition Byredo Seven Veils silk scarf, around bangs for a few minutes to flatten, suggests Danilo, who mists fringe with a light-hold spray such as Oribe Superfine Hair Spray to finish; for the most uniform edges, pass the Sedu Revolution Pro Shortie Mini Styler Iron over fringe, slightly curling the ends under, Danilo says.

WINNING SHADE

Jennifer Aniston knows not to mess with a good thing. For the third year running, her golden-blond hue has captured top prize for most coveted color. Aniston’s secret weapon is colorist Michael Canalé, who paints “thin highlights, connecting to the last touch-up,” he says. “Every third foil, I brighten the ends to create that sun-bleached look.” The shade dominates requests at New York City’s Edris salon. “Aniston’s color is a healthy alternative to an allover, bright blond,” says salon owner Edris Nichols. “A natural-looking hue requires fewer trips to the colorists, which my busy clients love.”