If you didn’t catch the finale of America’s Next Top Model last night, allow us to share the good news on who won: Sophie!

Granted, she was awesome on the runway and had a bubbly personality that caused Tyra Banks to give her the super-hero nickname of “Illuminata,” but we suspect it was quite another reason that clinched it for the Brit—her hair, of course!

The super-tall, super-leggy model, who was the runner-up in Britain’s Next Top Model, grabbed first place this go-round with her cotton-candy pink hair and adorable wispy snip taking centerstage. And just in case you missed this cycle, we’ve got some of our fave pix of Sophie (and her hair!) to share with you…

While athletes will be competing for gold in the Summer Olympics, you don’t have to do one cartwheel to make the precious metal your own. Josh Shores, colorist at Maxine salon in Chicago, shares that gold is going to be one hot hair shade this season. “Gold gives you a beautiful summer glow and goes great with the hint of sun you’ve been waiting for all winter,” shares the hair pro. “Soft golden and amber hues reflect the light and give off a shiny, healthy appearance.”

Josh recommends booking an appointment with a colorist who excels in the balayage technique (where color is hand-painted onto hair). Ask for soft, golden beige and amber-toned highlights. “One thing that I love to do is what I call ‘the Sarah Jessica’,” says Josh. “I paint softer, warm golden hues around the back, slightly off the root, then brighten the color around the face.”

What are you waiting for? Take your place at the podium and grab your gold!

While the new champ of American Idol was recently crowned, Sophisticate’s is checking in with a finalist from last season: Lauren Alaina. The Southern gal is touring to promote her debut album, Wildflower, and stopped in California for an exclusive photo shoot with our crew.

While we had Matrix Artistic Designer Dan Csicsai on the set to create Lauren’s high-volume tress look, we might have been able to hand the brush to the star herself. “I’ve always been pretty good at doing hair,” shares Lauren. “If I wasn’t a singer, I might be a hairstylist!”

Be sure to check out our August issue of Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide, on sale now, to see the whole photo shoot and read the exclusive interview.

Glee had their season finale last night and the seniors have graduated. Yipee! But wait! Does that mean some of the stars won’t be back next season? There are rumors that Dianna Agron, who plays Quinn Fabray, might not be back for another round of mash-ups. Oh, no!

So, just in case we’re going to miss seeing our weekly dose of Dianna/Quinn daintily belting out a number while looking gorgeous, we thought we’d get an extra fill of some of the actresses’ cool coif looks… Join us!

THE BOB

THE STRAIGHT

THE CURLS

THE GLAMOUROUS

THE COLOR

We. Love. All. Of. It. We hope it’s not goodbye, Dianna!

American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart is ready to take her place in the spotlight! The Illinois native’s debut CD Listen Up! comes out today, and we’re completely excited.

Of course, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide got together with Haley for a full-on beauty interview. One of our favorite quotes from the singer? “When my hair starts to lose volume, I just flip it over and shake it out. That’s kind of my thing. I’m a hair flipper. Everybody knows I love to flip over and shake it out!”

As for her album… “I’m really excited about it—I wrote 99 percent of the songs. It’s a really big treat for me to debut an album made with the kind of creativity I’ve always wanted to contribute.”

Be on the lookout for more of Haley in Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide magazine!

Did you tune in to last night’s Billboard Music Awards on ABC? We did—and we saw tons of great tress looks we just have to share with you. Join Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide as we tour the red carpet!

The CW officially announced their new television season today and we spy a few new shows we’re curious about. We’ll have to wait until January to see one of the hottest—The Carrie Diaries will be a mid-season show. Here’s the official description for  all you curious fashionistas out there… (P.S. Doesn’t AnnaSophia have gorgeous hair in this photo?!)

It’s 1984, and life isn’t easy for 16-year-old Carrie Bradshaw. Since their mother passed away, Carrie’s younger sister Dorritt is more rebellious than ever, and their father Tom is overwhelmed with the responsibility of suddenly having to care for two teenage girls on his own.  Carrie’s friends – sweet, geeky Mouse, sarcastic and self-assured Maggie and sensitive Walt – make life bearable, but a suburban life in Connecticut isn’t doing much to take her mind off her troubles. And even though the arrival of a sexy new transfer student named Sebastian brings some excitement to Carrie’s world, she is struggling to move on from her grief. So when Tom offers Carrie the chance to intern at a law firm in Manhattan, she leaps at the chance. Carrie’s eyes are opened wide at the glamour and grit of New York City – and when she meets Larissa, the style editor for Interview magazine, she’s inspired by the club culture and unique individuals that make up Larissa’s world. Carrie’s friends and family may have a big place in her heart, but she’s fallen in love for the first time with the most important man in her life – Manhattan.

The series stars AnnaSophia Robb as Carrie Bradshaw, Austin Butler as Sebastian Kydd, Ellen Wong as Mouse, Katie Findlay as Maggie Landers, Stefania Owen as Dorrit Bradshaw, Brendan Dooling as Walt Reynolds, Chloe Bridges as Donna LaDonna, Freema Agyeman as Larissa Loughton and Matt Letscher as Tom Bradshaw. Based on the novels “The Carrie Diaries” and “Summer and the City” by Candace Bushnell.

We. Can. Hardly. Wait.

Talk about a coif chameleon! In the last year, musician and X-Factor judge Demi Lovato has debuted deliciously diverse brunette and red mane shades, but now the Give Your Heart a Break singer is rocking a stunning blonde hue (just in time to announce her new gig, of course!). Here, Demi’s stylist, Amber Maynard of Nine Zero One Salon in Beverly Hills, shares all the inside info on her client’s new color…

Tell us about Demi’s new color.

Demi’s hair is a champagne blonde. She looks like a glass of bubbly. She’s brighter around her face—her bangs pop out—and we went with deeper hues at the crown. She’s got bright platinum pieces to really beautiful muted gold pieces. It’s really cool because it’s not exactly ombré, but we’ve kept her root natural. I wanted to use her natural haircolor because in-between traveling and touring, I try to make it as easy for her as possible to go a little longer between color appointments.

How can we get Demi’s beautiful shade?

It’s a matter of when and how you can go lighter. Depending on the client’s hair, it could take seven hours or three months to go blonde. If you want to be beautiful, have the patience to get there?

John Paul DeJoria & Maria Osmond

Each year, students and staff from Paul Mitchell Schools’ nationwide network of 100 cosmetology schools spend three months raising money for selected charities. Raising $5­–10 at a time with grassroots activities like cut-a-thons, hair shows, car washes, and casual days, the schools topped the $2.5 million mark this year, bringing their nine-year total to more than $8.5 million!

Angus Mitchell & Winn Claybaugh

Celebrating their hard work with the FUNraising Gala, this year’s event was hosted by Paul Mitchell Schools Dean and Cofounder Winn Claybaugh and singer/performer Marie Osmond, with Paul Mitchell Co-owners John Paul DeJoria and Angus Mitchell. The gala also included a galaxy of superstars representing their charities.

Betty White

Along with the schools’ nonprofit Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, this year’s partners included Betty White (Morris Animal Foundation), Marie Osmond (Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals), Fran Drescher (Cancer Schmancer), comedian and motivational speaker Kathy Buckley (No Limits), actress Kristin Bauer (Best Friends Animal Society), and Paul Mitchell Chairman and Cofounder John Paul DeJoria (Food 4 Africa).

Fran Drescher

The Gary Sinise Foundation and Magic Johnson Foundation were also selected, with Gary Sinise recording a special video for the schools, and Magic Johnson paying a surprise visit to the schools’ two-day Las Vegas Caper event in February, where he thanked the audience of 2,500 students for their support. Even rapper and recording artist Snoop Dogg loaned his support to the campaign, recording a special message of encouragement for students and staff.

Natasha Bedingfield

“Not one celebrity was paid to be here,” said Claybaugh, “including Natasha Bedingfield.” The Grammy nominee performed at the Gala, courtesy of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “And, thanks to sponsors and ticket sales, the Gala itself was a FUNraiser, generating an additional $27,000 for the charities.

“Chances are, none of our students will ever meet the people they’re helping globally, but they do it because they care, and because in their hearts they know they’re making the world a better place, and that’s the future of this planet,” John Paul DeJoria said. “All they asked in return was to help make the world a better place to live.”

If you were thinking, “Eva Longoria!” you were thinking right! Last night’s series finale of ABC’s Desperate Housewives had us saying goodbye to the women of Wisteria Lane. And while we’ll miss all the drama (and laughter) Eva’s character Gaby brought us each week, we’re thrilled to learn this gorgeous star is still going strong, appearing in several movies like For Greater Glory (in theaters June 1!), The Baytown Disco, Long Time Gone and The Truth.

But before we move forward, we’re looking for your favorite mane memory of Gaby (aka Eva) on Desperate Housewives…sound off below!

Vidal Sassoon

1928-2012

In 2014, Angelina Jolie will be starring in the Disney film, Maleficent. It’s the story of Sleeping Beauty, as told through the princess’ evil nemesis, Maleficent. Angelina plays the adult version of the villain.

Evidently, the movie also shows a younger Maleficent, so it was up to Hollywood to cast an actress who could pass for a young Angelina Jolie. Hmmm…..

If you’re a fan of The Secret Life of The American Teenager, you’re probably not surprised to find out that actress is none other than India Eisley (who plays Ashley on Secret). We definitely see the resemblance!

And we can’t wait to see this movie!