We have to wait until Dec. 1 to see the full insanity of the annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, but this teaser is totally making us want to tune in. Seriously, who can say no to a bevy of insanely hot girls (one of whom brought her puppy!), the unprecedentedly minimalistic wings, and fancy underwear? Cheesy though it is, the VS show is a pretty fun tradition at this point, and we love seeing a little of the prep work that goes into it. From tables of hair extensions to mounds of body glitter, it’s hilarious how much it takes to make these models look “natural!” Our favorite part though? Makeup artist Tom Pecheux talking about his ultimate show goal: “I want the girls to be like ‘wow, those bitches look fabulous!’” Well, congratulations, Tom—those bitches DO look fabulous.

We’re not saying whether or not we’re wild about Lily Allen‘s new ‘do (we’ll leave that up to you), but she is definitely a Hair Model Citizen for busting out something, well, interesting. So she’s got the rock star platinum thing going on: really choppy, thick bangs and plenty of chunks of black. Now the only way to get this look—if you’re interested, that is—is to be prepared to do some serious damage to your hair. You’d have to bleach the whole thing and then separately dye the black, unless you already have black hair and you could just not dye a few strands. On second thought, we’d recommend leaving this look to Lily Allen. [Manchester, 11/17/09]

I go to two separate hairdressers for my cut and color, yet often I like to schedule both appointments within a few days of each other to take care of my hair as quick as I can. Perhaps you also have stylists you stay loyal to, or you’re pressed for time and need to make two different visits—which do you do first, the cut or the color?

Film and beauty icon Sophia Loren won’t go changin’: She’s currently promoting a new film, “Nine,” and stepped out looking fabulous today. We were most struck that despite the fact that she has not changed her hairstyle in a few decades, it’s still totally working out for her. Huh. To get the look, you’ll need to find a hairdresser who still knows what a “curl and set” means. (Good luck with that one.) Basically, it’s the practice of rolling up your entire head of hair in curlers and either sitting under a huge industrial-sized hairdryer or just sleeping in them (ouch!). We suspect it involves a lot of hairspray, too. Sounds like a job for L’Oreal Elnett! [NYC, 11/16/09]

Lately, it seems, we’ve been inundated with red carpet high buns—Charlize Theron loves ‘em, Rachel Bilson went high and tight recently, and SJP has sported the high bun for years. Mostly I shy away from the style because I think they look a bit too ballerina and also just too sweet on me—until now. I happened upon this high bun, above, and instantly fell in love. Maybe it’s the French feeling of the style or the casual, just-swept-up look, but how cool would it be paired with, well, anything in your closet? Adore. Plus, I love that there are how-to photo instructions—because nothing says “this is how you do it!” like photos! Check ‘em out after the jump.

Hey, we all have our off-days, which may be the only explanation for this NY Times Style section piece about how women are like, really, really into “Gossip Girl” star Blake Lively‘s hair.

“In the 1990s, there was the ‘Rachel,’ named after Jennifer Aniston’s character on the TV show ‘Friends.’ Before the Rachel it was the ‘Farrah’ — the flipped out, flouncy hairstyle worn by Farrah Fawcett. Now, it’s Ms. Lively ... whose tresses are coveted: extra long, ultra-shiny blond with a mussed-up tussle frolicking through the ends.”

Really? That’s quite a statement, guys. Here’s another quote on the subject for you, from our own Lily Q: “People need to calm down.” After all, there’s nothing more to the look than really long, slightly wavy, unbrushed hair, and I’m not jealous because that’s what I’ve got and most days it goes in a bun. Their proof that women are just dying to copy this hairstyle? Well, there’s the hard cold fact that a Google search of “Blake Lively Hair” produces 713,000 results (at their press time). Wow! At our press time “Angelina Jolie Hair” was at 5,160,000, Jennifer Aniston at 2,290,000 and Blake Lively’s own costar Leighton Meester beat her at 839,000. Just sayin’. The other “evidence” of this phenomenon is that Blake HERSELF admits that stylish women like “Vogue staffers” routinely approach her and compliment her hair. Honey, we know Vogue staffers, and that definitely doesn’t sound like any of them, unless they were being facetious and mocking you behind your back. Of course, the Style section could have just run an article about how women will always want princessy blond hair. That might have made more sense, no? [NY Times]

The air is becoming cold and dry and that’s messing with your hair, right? From flyaway strands to dry scalp-induced dandruff, the war is officially on. Tackle the dried-out rat’s nest you used to call your hair with these tricks and products:

• If you’re starting to look legitimately dried out, a weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioner is a good idea. We like this “hair smoothie” by Carol’s Daughter.
• Once a month, whip out a hot oil treatment for immediate silky smoothness.

In Hollywood, a bob is a bob is a bob, which is why Dakota Fanning‘s ‘do in the new Teen Vogue gives us pause. Sure, we feel a little weird fawning over a teenager’s haircut, but this is a look that would work for any age. The key lies in the layers. There are none, see? It’s as if your typical blunt bob was grown out with just a hint of flip at the ends, and it looks sophisticated without being too precious. To get the look, print this pic out and take it to your hairstylist. Or just ask them to keep it mid-length, go easy on the layers, and blow it all out. For DIY-ers, apply Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum to damp hair. This cuts down on drying time, smooths, conditions and shines. [Teen Vogue]

Have you ever gotten your cut or color done at a beauty school or through a salon training program? You hear such mixed things about this. If you happen to get in with a fancy salon during a hair model day, you can walk away with a magazine-worthy ‘do ... or a disastrous look. Try out your local beauty school and maybe the cut is just as good but one quarter the price of what you normally pay.

Here’s a story that really made us think twice about going the student route. One woman on the blog Brokelyn posted a story about how she decided to try out a $10 haircut at her neighborhood beauty school. She brought a photo with her, which showed a basic bob. Things didn’t go well from the get-go.

This sweet puss is a Hair Model Citizen because she fearlessly dares to go where no cats that we know of have gone before. In fact, last time we tried to put a wig on our friend’s cat, let’s just say the outcome was anything but pretty. To get the look, you’ll need to click on over and order up this fetching shade of electric blue for a mere $50. Or, if you simply enjoy looking at photographs of cats wearing wigs (trust us, it’s much safer this way), you can purchase the new book based on this craze that’s sweeping the nation, called Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World Of Kitty Wigs. It’ll pretty much tell you everything you need to know. [Kitty Wigs]

Yesterday the new, creepy-looking movie “The Box” premiered in N.Y.C., and whether you’re anti or not, you have to admit its star, Cameron Diaz, looked really fresh and cute. Gorgeous gold necklace, classy oyster-colored silk dress, pitch-perfect makeup and a messy topknot as a hair styling finale for the ensemble. Maybe her hairstylist was inspired by all the spring 2010 shows where models strolled down the runway sporting the look (like this more extreme version at Marc Jacobs, right). Personally, I’m torn. I’m a huge proponent of messy hair paired with more formal attire—it looks wicked modern and is so much more interesting than your standard stale blowout. At the same time, this is how I wear my hair every day in yoga class, so I have a hard time enthusing over the look. The topknot is definitely a trend we’ll be seeing more of, like, erm, the all-pervasive bowl cut. So, is it working for you? I’ll give it this: It’s one updo that’s certainly easy to recreate at home.

Natalie Portman rocks a pompadour hairstyle for the latest issue of V magazine. Hawt. [WWD]

“You have curly hair?!” shrieked my friend of one year, Milena, when I told her the truth about my locks. “Yeah. It’s true. I totally do. I just straighten it all the time,” I said with a sigh. For the most part, I’m an open book, but the one thing people tend to not know about me is that the Leonora with the sleek, angled bob is, in fact, a curly-haired freak. It’s not like I purposefully keep it secret; it’s just that I never wear my hair that way. Ever.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore women who rock the curls like Blake Lively, with her loose, goddess-like waves, and Taylor Swift, with those cute ringlets. Unfortunately, my natural mane looks nothing like this ... not even close.

Was your neighborhood overrun with Lady Gaga impersonators this Halloween? For all those crazy fans out there, the wig-wearing diva is giving up a strand of her real hair to make their dreams come true. She’s selling a deluxe box set—complete with the book of Gaga, “The Fame” album, eight new songs, 3D glasses, and to top it all off, a lock of her hair. The price tag on this Gaga-licious item is $114.98. No word on where the money is going, but we’re pretty sure it’ll be added to the funds for her crazy costumes. We say this is way creepy. It was weird enough when Elvis sold his hair, but oh wait, he was dead already and he is also the King. Thoughts? [Mirror]

So, what are your feelings on Alexa Chung and Cameron Diaz‘s two-toned hair in these photos? Personally, I’m digging it—I love that Cam rocked the bubble-gum pink Chanel with the un-did hair. She’s not taking her look too seriously, which I love. And, well, Alexa can rock most any look and still come off as seriously cool. Apparently, they didn’t just grow out their blond highlights to achieve the look; they paid money for it—it’s called uplighting. A stylist only places highlights on the bottom bits of your hair. Actually, according to the Daily Mail, sections of hair are backcombed and then bleached at the end. The roots are left dark and the ends are lightened. But, got to say, it’s one thing to like a look on a celeb and quite another to attempt it on yourself. What are we feeling? Yay or nay to uplighting? [Daily Mail]

Too lazy to brush your own hair? No worries, help—or the worst twirled knot of your life—is on the way, for $34.95 plus shipping and handling. I don’t know what’s scarier, this rotating hair brush or the fact that the crazy abusive SlapChop guy’s commercials are still airing? [Everything Is Terrible]

So, last night I had a date with a guy who showed up with mutton chops. Three weeks ago he did not have them. And now he does.* Sigh.

The man who can pull off exaggerated sideburns is a rare breed, but it seems, guys really like to go for it several times in their life. Looking back, I recall with dismay two boyfriends who decided to grow mutton chops, plus a handful of male friends who had surprised me with new facial ‘dos after not seeing them for a while. Commenting on it, of course, is inevitable, and always met by the question, “Yeah, do you like it?” “Ummm ... interesting.” In a way, you can’t blame them. Girls have so many more styling options, and if I were a guy, I’d probably get bored and frustrated with my look. I’m just not sure I’d turn myself into Colonel Mustard. You know how in women’s fashion, we always talk about “dressing for guys” and “dressing for girls”? Is this the male equivalent? Do any ladies find mutton chops hot?

*For the record, the date was splendid—disliking a guy’s facial hair situation wouldn’t change the way I really feel about him.

OK, here it is: I am dying, dy-ing for super shiny hair. Maybe it’s because the weather’s turning cold and depressing and it’s only October, maybe it’s because I’m not feeling all that purdy these days, or perhaps it’s because I just came across this photo of Courteney Cox and can’t stop obsessing over her freaking super-glossy hair. (Um, not to mention Charlize Theron’s hair these days—yeah, perfection.) I don’t know. But what I do know is I want. I need. How do I get? Let’s see…