The woman sits comfortably, with a relaxed look on her face at her weekly hair appointment. This week, she is getting a simple hairstyle, something that she can do for the rest of the week. Some trimming, blow drying, curling, styling and spraying is involved in the process.

"If you don't look good, you don't feel good," DeAnne Plotts-Guyette, salon manager of Progressive Hair, said as she shaped, teased and fluffed Mary Ann's hair.

More than once, one has wondered why hair is so important to people. It seems as if it could be a defining factor of someone's personality. That of course can easily be seen as a generalization like any other.

For centuries hairstyles, like fashion, have stirred much to talk about. Like clothes, one can easily use hair styles to determine some characteristic of an specific era.

Austin hairstylists have been busy keeping up with trends and novelties of the hair care world.

With the season, comes new fashions and new hair styles.

The winter trends tend to be a recycling of old trends, which could be said for just about everything in the fashion world.

"We work with the NCA," explained Gary Ramseth, of Ramseth's Beauty Salon.

Each season the National Cosmetic Association picks, creates and teaches a trendy look that sets the stage for what they will be seeing.

The look then is adapted in three levels: short, mid and long lengths.

"We work with over 3,000 looks. The majority of the people come in with a look and will say what they want they want to look like," Ramseth said.

After 30 years in the business, Ramseth said he deals with hundreds of ideas for looks each month. Styling is about adapting the looks the best way he can for the clients.

Specific styles and trends this season encompass everything from color to texture to lengths.

"We are seeing more reds, big hair with softer waves and that give more body to the hair, perms and more razoring and texture shear," Plotts-Guyette said.

People want to look good and Plotts-Guyette admits that's what a stylist's job is -- to make everyone feel more beautiful.

She said nowadays the industry has so much to offer, there isn't much a hair stylist can't do.

"We all want something we don't have. Those with straight hair want curly and those with curly hair want straight hair," Plotts-Guyette said.

The same can be said for color. She tells her customers how much she loves "chemically dependent" people.

"Once people start asking me to take pounds off, I tell them I am their beautician not a magician," she said.

Down the hall, Sharon Teigen, works on Betty Pell's hair.

"Dimensional color, not just one flat color, is in. Blonds are not as popular and brunettes seem to be getting more recognition," Teigen said.

A certified hair extensionist, Teigen will be offering hair extension in the beginning of next year.

The natural hair for the extensions is available in just about every color. The hair is imported from India and is said to be one of the best qualities. Pieces of hair are added to the natural hair creating the effect of length and volume.

Teigen said that although there are always trends, it comes down to whatever one feels comfortable with.

"It is not just dealing with hair, but with the whole physiological profile of a person. Hair affects everything," Teigen said.

Her boss, Plotts-Guyette, said people, at times, want to look like somebody else, and celebrity looks become popular.

Some of the more requested looks include Halle Berry and Meg Ryan because they tend to be carefree looks, Teigen said.

The Halle Berry look also has been a popular request at the Golden Tress Salon.

"The flip look on the back, shattered ends and the messier styles with coppery warm red coloring we've been seeing a lot. It does not have to be a strong hair style," Marsha Leathers, co-owner of the

salon, said.

Men, too, have enjoy the new products on the market.

It has become more acceptable for men to color their hair and there has not been a better period for men to try hair styles and products hair stylists, Plotts-Guyette said.

"Highlights on men are very popular," said Sandy Nelson, of Shear Design Salon.

She said men are wearing their hair longer, curlier over the ears and longer on the back of the neck.

In contrast to the wavy, curly, soft perm look, stylist also have seen an increase of people wanting their hair straightened. Many stylists are trying to work with naturally curly hair clients by offering alternatives to the chemical products usually used to straighten hair.

"Thank God for people who want to look good. That's what makes the hair salon industry thrive," Plotts-Guyette said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com