STYLE: Mane Event

Baubles, bangles and hippie beads aside, this is the year when fashion demands the ultimate hairdo. And if you weren’t born with ultimate hair, don’t despair. The latest accessory is fake hair.

With the right hairpiece, you can change your hair’s length, volume, even color. Go from short to long or longer. Add braids or curls or both by combining several hairpieces. The results can range from a slightly enhanced natural look to voluptuous fantasy hair.

Hairpieces will set you back less than a designer blouse, but before you invest, it’s helpful to split a few hairs: Human locks are fairly expensive (about $70 to $240); the newest synthetics are virtual lookalikes at substantial savings. Real hair, of course, stands up to curling irons and chemical perms; but faux hair, which comes pre-styled, is the no-fuss ‘do of choice.