Elizabeth Banks - Short Hair Goddess!

Introduction

Elizabeth Banks - 03-21-06

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Elizabeth Maresal Mitchell Banks is a shorted hair beauty that was born in Pittsfield Massachusetts (February 10, 1974).

Although Elizabeth has been in the acting game since her role in Surrender Dorothy in 1998.  After appearing briefly in some small roles in TV shows like Third Watch, Sex And The City and Law & Order:  SVU, she snagged the small but notable role as Miss Brant in Spiderman I in 2002.  She also played Lucy in Catch Me If You Can that same year. 

In 2003 she reunited with Tobey McGuire for Seabiscuit.  She went on to reprise her Miss Brant role in Spiderman II and is currently filming Spiderman III. 

In 2006 she has been garnering fan attention in her alien slash fest, Slither, as Starla Grant.

Elizabeth Banks - 04-20-02

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Elizabeth is an interesting case study in hair transformations over the past 4 years as her acting career has slowly but surely taken root. 

When she was first photographed at the Spiderman I Premiere in April of 2002 her short bobbed hair was heavily highlighted.  She wore it pinned up in a faux updo with long feathery strands on either side of her face.  The look was heavily tousled and the light strands so close to her face stole attention away from her gorgeous eyes.

Catch Me If You Can

By December of 2002 Elizabeth was back on the red carpets at the Catch Me If You Can Movie Premiere.  Her look had changed dramatically.  Gone were the striped white blonde highlights.  Instead she had a luscious rich Merlot red hue that played well with her skin and eye coloring.  She still had a short bob but wore it completely swept off her face.  A whisper of waves appeared along the outer perimeters of her classy starlet hairstyle.

Continued below ↓

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Elizabeth Banks - 12-16-02

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From her work in Catch Me If you Can Elizabeth went to work on Seabiscuit as the inspirational Marcella (Jeff Bridges' second wife).  Her role in this film brought her work into the limelight.

When it was time for the movie's premieres, Elizabeth appeared with yet another completely different look. 

This time the beautiful actress traded in her dark cherry hue for strawberry blonde.  Although the length of her classic bob style was still a little past chin length, the whisper of waves gave way to a full blown explosion of old Hollywood style finger waves. 

Her Seabiscuit Red Carpet style consisted of lush side swept bangs that flowed from a well defined side part.  Her hair was sassy, sophisticated and stunning.  She made a big splash as she smiled her way through the paparazzi and the fans.

Elizabeth Banks - 07-22-03

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Elizabeth had a lot to smile about.  She was wearing a gorgeous gown, had won fan and media attention and her hair was gorgeous.  Even better, she was embarking on a brand new marriage in July of 2003.

From Seabiscuit Elizabeth finished Spiderman II and then had a starring role in 2004's Heights with Glenn Close.  After a series of other low key films, she went on to be the very enticing Beth in The 40 Year Old Virgin film.  A box office success, the film starring Steve Carell, Catherine Keener and Paul Rudd was a fan favorite.

In 2006 she filmed Slither and the yet to be released Invincible.  She is currently wrapping up her work in Spiderman III and H-Man Cometh.

Classic Short Bob Styles

Elizabeth Banks - 05-09-05

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Since 2000 Elizabeth has channelled a lot of different hair hues from blonde to dark chocolate, which she showed off recently at the Mean Magazine Launch Party on March 21st. (image at the top of the page).  For that appearance she wore her short bob slicked back off her face line.  Adding subtle height to the crown, she looked sleek and sassy.

Except for a brief appearance in 2002, Elizabeth has consistently worn her hair in a basic bob style that remained chin length or just slightly below.

In May of 2005 the short-haired stunner demonstrated how versatile hair can really be.  Walking the Red Carpet in Beverly Hills to celebrate Carier's 25th Anniversary, Elizabeth wore her strawberry blonde tresses in a sleek over the side faux chignon.  The left side of her hair was slicked back and all of her tresses were pulled to the right side.  The edges were softly curled and pinned covering the right ear to give the appearance of a loose messy chignon.  The crown had beautiful height and because the hair was carefully coiffed to one side, her tresses shimmered brilliantly.  It was a gorgeous classy star studded look.

Steal Elizabeth's Look

Elizabeth Banks - 03-09-06

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Elizabeth proves that less is more and that bobs can be absolutely beautiful.

Highlighting and low lighting create instant definition and focus throughout the interior and perimeter of Elizabeth's full and finished bob that she wore to the Slither Movie Premiere on March 9th.

Elizabeth's chin length bob has a hint of soft curl along the ends.  She seductively combines a soft sweep of bang hair with each side tucked behind her ears.

A side part directs attention to the fuller crown that is created with volume enhancing products. 

Depending on your face shape and hair texture and type, work with your stylist to select a similar bob style that is custom designed to maximize your best features as Elizabeth does.

Follow these steps to steal Elizabeth's gorgeous bob hairstyle:

Elizabeth Banks - 03-05-06

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1.  To duplicate Elizabeth's sleek finished bob, shampoo hair with a product designed to address your hair's special needs.  If you color, highlight or chemically treat your hair, select a shampoo that supports those treatments.  If you prefer, use a dilution formula or a conditioning only (CO) treatment.

Note: For extra volume, try PhytoVolume Shampoo or PhytoVolume Mousse Shampoo.

2.  Apply the appropriate rinse-out conditioners.  (Avoid if hair is super thin or fine).
3.  Finish with a cool/cold water rinse to close cuticles and encourage natural shine.
4.  Towel blot and apply cocktail of desired leave-in detangler, conditioner or styling products (mousse, gel, glaze).
5.  For extra volume along the crown, apply a volumizing product such as PhytoVolume Actif or similar.
6.  Using a blow dryer with a concentrator nozzle, blow dry tresses with a jumbo round boar's bristle brush.  Use fingers to lift targeted strands along the crown area and direct air flow up the hair shaft from the ends to the roots to build in movement and lift.
7.  When hair is completely dry, spray with a firm holding spray.  Use a large barrel curling iron or hot rollers to build in extra volume and movement. 
8.  Separate hair into individual 2 inch strands.  Roll in large hot rollers or use a large barrel curling iron to create big curls.  After creating each new curl, carefully pin against the scalp to allow it to completely curl.  Work from side to side focusing special attention on the root and crown areas.
9.  After hair is completely cool, spray the pinned curls with another spritz of hair spray.  Unpin all the curls.
10.  Use a boar's bristle brush to completely brush all the strands.
11.  Create a side part and direct the front of the crown over to one side of the head.
12.  Comb a desired side swept bang section along one side.
13.  Utilize a medium sized barrel curling iron to add perimeter curls along the edges of the style.  If you prefer, you can also use hot rollers.
14.  Use a finger to direct the hair from each side of the face lightly behind the ears on either side.
15.  Apply a spritz of shine spray or a few drops of shine drops to the palms of your hands.  Rub together completely .  Lightly brush over the top of the finished style.
16.  Add appropriate accessories such as earrings, necklaces and where desired, hair accessories.  Scale them to work with the length and size of the finished hairstyle.
17. Finish with a light styling spray like Phytolaque Soie and a light touch of shine product to add shimmer.

Elizabeth Banks - 03-05-06

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To mix up the style, you can opt to skip the curling iron and use your fingers to tousle the edges as Elizabeth did for the 2006 Vanity Party on March 5, 2006 (shown above).

Summary

Elizabeth Banks has gorgeous short strands that she wears in a basic bob.  The actress who can currently be seen as Starla Grant in the horror flick, Slither, has demonstrated that a bob can be incredibly versatile and fabulous. 

Although Elizabeth has had a relatively short acting career, she is already getting lots of notice for her winning smile, shimmering strands and Red Carpet sizzle.

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