Spring summer 2011 styling trends: mastering matte

While super-shiny hair remains a favourite with polished princesses, the fash-pack know that matte is where it's at this season. Whether styled in to grungy waves, braids or frothy candy floss updos, matte has the edge that cool girls crave. Best paired with a textured finish and bags of attitude, eliminating shine for a flat, matte look is the on-trend choice for summer.

"Matte hair gives the impression of not trying too hard but looking effortlessly good - just like Alexa Chung and the Olsen twins," says Kristina Jones, Peter Prosser Hairdressing, Hereford. "It creates a youthful and modern appearance, which works best worn with a slightly messy, dishevelled texture."

Andrea Martinelli, HOB Salons, London, explains the appeal of this low key look that's already a firm catwalk and editorial favourite: "Matte hair works hand-in-hand with texture to deliver a look that's perfect for Summer. Matte texture is the look of the moment and makes a finished style far more interesting and intricate."

A matte finish can be achieved with two summer staples: dry shampoo and salt spray, both of which work to create a gritty appearance and give hair grungy guts. 

Gary Hooker & Michael Young, of Hooker & Young salons, explain: "Dry shampoo is key to achieving this trend. Spray into the roots to dull any shine and work into the midlengths and ends to add texture. This look is styled on purpose not left to its own devices, so don't let clients think it's the easy option. The look has to be mastered and teased into place to be stylishly lived-in." 

When it comes to colour, although gloss and vibrancy are the usual buzz words, a matte effect offers an of-the-minute alternative. A velvety matte look with just a hint of muted sheen works well with this season's colour blocking craze and for those who favour the fabulously fake dip-dye look as modelled by the likes of Nicki Minaj, a flat finish provides the slightly DIY feel that this trend demands.