Ngoc Huynh is a Vietnamese hair stylist who describes Asian hair as "hard" compared to other hair types because it is heavy, straight and quite resistant to curling and coloring.

This may be why so many women with Asian hair opt for a style that cooperates with their hair's natural tendency to lie flat.

Huynh says the most popular Asian hair style in her country at the moment is what she calls the leaf or Japanese cut. This style builds layers into a pointed shape, making the most of the hair's natural body and thickness. But Huynh says a new style is starting to take over from the long, straight look.

Cutting Edge Asian Hair Styles

Many salons in Vietnam are rushing to buy "digital hot perm" machines from China to meet the growing demand among Asian women for wavy or curly hair, in keeping with the American and European trend towards long, romantic locks.

These hot perm machines are reportedly very popular in Hong Kong but have also shown up in a few salons in major US cities. They can be programmed to deliver the precise amount of heat and chemical solution to suit each type of hair... even the most stubbornly straight hair.

Based on recent demands for more soft wavy hair, Huynh also started to use and experiment with the latest waving solution introduced by Jesse Briggs.

According to Huynh, S Wave Thermal Set is much faster than other hot perm solutions she experienced and finishing wave is much more soft and natural.

As a result, Asian women can now jump on the style bandwagon and take their hair places it never went before.

Asian Hair Color Trends

Black hair makes a dramatic statement, especially on women with Asian skin type. Sometimes, a good cut and style is all it takes to make Asian hair look simply dazzling. But for those who seek a little boost, color can provide a rejuvenating change of pace.

Huynh says copper and dark brown are the most in-demand color choices among her Asian clientele. In particular, she points to a Joico shade of moss brown that seems to be ideally suited to Asian skin tones.

Her observations mirror global hair color trends that feature rich chocolate browns and cinnamon tones for women with naturally dark hair.

Layered Color for Asian Hair

Another style suitable for Asian hair is "double sided coloring". The underside of the hair is dyed a dark brown shade and a lighter hue is added to the top layers. As the hair moves, the colors play against each other in a shimmering effect. With this type of color treatment, you can create a whole new look just by styling the hair in an up do.

Color highlights can also brighten up an Asian hair style, giving healthy, smooth locks a subtle frisson of excitement. Rich tones like eggplant, burgundy and mahogany add a whole new dimension to dark hair.

However, Huynh says highlights are not as popular in her part of the world as they once were. Now, her clients are mainly asking for overall color in cooler tones. No more phoney-looking, overprocessed chunks... at least not this year!