Chop to it; TOP STYLIST STEVE BLYTH ON HOW TO MASTER THE CROPPED LOOK INSPIRED BY VICTORIA BECKHAM.

Byline: By DEBRA GREENHOUSE

VICTORIA Beckham created a sensation earlier this autumn with her new Peter Pan cropped hair style. It was loved by high street fashion followers, but many of them are not quite so bold as Posh Spice when it comes to trimming their locks.

According to stylists at top Chester salon Denton & Hyde, day-to-day customers are just a little bit more reserved. "They love Victoria's new elfin look and a lot of people are asking for something similar, but just a little bit longer, or more tousled," said Steve Blyth, an awardwinning artistic director with the salon.

"It's right, too, that people should think before having such a dramatic style. Not everyone has petite facial features like Victoria and so they might need a slightly different version of the cut, more along the lines of Mia Farrow, maybe."

The manga - based on Japanese comic book female characters - also continues to be a key style, following the trend of the summer but with a less structured look.

"It's still sculptured, textured and choppy, but our clients are now looking to make it a little more subtle, slightly softer."

With the autumn season in its stride a palette of intense colours have also been attracting attention.

"It's a great season for colour and it's true people do begin to go for deeper, warmer shades at this time of year. Rich tones, blackberries, cinnamons and spices are definitely in, nothing too drastic, but a way of giving themselves a little more zest in cold weather. We've noticed people are also enhancing their colour as a way of perking themselves up to counteract all this talk about the recession."

They'll go for tones which fit in with current clothes designs - tartans, heavier fabrics, winter boots and wool tights.

The two-tone look has not lost its place in hair fashion stakes either.

"Clients are still asking for that too. It's all about what suits the individual really.

We have to be careful to match colours with skin tone and eye colour."

Originally from Glasgow, Steve, 38, now lives in Ellesmere Port, and has worked in top salons all over Britain as well as attending hairdressing seminars and demonstrating at home and abroad.

He currently specialises in creating headturning wedding day styles.

Denton & Hyde, 45 Lower Bridge Street, Chester. Call 01244 345090

FREE HAIR CARE FOR SIX MONTHS

We've six months of beautiful hair care up for grabs, with Steve providing cuts and colour to suit you. For your chance to win just answer this question:

What's the name of the salon where Steve is based?

Answers on a postcard please with your name, address and day-time phone number by November 12 to Sarah Batley, Hair Competition, Daily Post, Vale Road, Llandudno Junction, Conwy LL31 9ZD. Prize is for one person, for six months, with a cut and colour every eight weeks.

CAPTION(S):

The sculptured textured and choppy look (let) which Victoria Beckham started this autumn (above),and(top)the manga style based on Japanese comic book female characters