Hair, or lack thereof, has always had its place among the most important accessories in our American culture. And who to better represent style, brains and beauty other than the college youth of today?

What exactly is "in" this season for guys and gals? A. Meechie Pierce, hair sculptor and owner of Venus hair salon in Monterey, confesses color is the way to go this season. "For guys, a short unstructured cut with highlights, is the hot look now," says Pierce. With a bit of pomade you too can achieve the messy look in a matter of minutes.

Claudette Dulas, hairstylist for the newly revamped Bellagio in the Barnyard in Carmel, says the buzz is still the most requested cut for guys. "Boys are still keeping it short, if not buzzed with short gelled bangs pushed up."

And girls? "Since long hair has more versatility than shorter lengths, I see many women holding on to that style," says Dulas. But long doesn''t have to mean boring, says Pierce. "What makes the classic long hair look contemporary is the color and the layers you add. Chunk highlights are easier to maintain and a lot more fun. I use conditioning color and tones so if a client doesn''t want the commitment of permanent hair color, in six weeks, its gone. The important thing to remember is that hair grows, so have fun with whatever your mood dictates now."

But as we all well know, home dye jobs are more common for the younger generation since finding the time and money is another inconvenience between work, school, and what not. Neither Dulas nor Pierce recommend coloring at home, though. "Coloring at home is just not worth it if you have to come back to a stylist for color corrections," Pierce says. Another alternative is hair mascara. From streaks to molding, this colored gel comes in innumerable colors from several different companies and distributors, so you can find your favorite brand. Hair mascara is an ideal product for those who prefer highlights for just one day or night since it does wash out with shampoo.

Guys are becoming as much, if not more, hair obsessed than the ladies, agree both Pierce and Dulas. "Boys are finally coming into their own and becoming more stylish," says Dulas. "They''re turning to that short-on-bottom and tapered-on-top cut, a James Brolin style." More and more color is invigorating the dark-haired, with the ever so popular low-lights, which blend. On the other side of the spectrum are the brass lights where bright colors, such as bleach blonde or silver, are applied to the tips of short, spiked or gelled hair.

"More precision cuts are coming to life; no more soft stuff," says Dulas. "I like to see creativity with a sharp look. There is no mainstream college cut because the classics are spiced up and the contemporary just keep getting better." The standard cut is not so standard anymore, so a bob doesn''t have to be a certain shape or fit inside a helmet. "I would like to see more versatility," she says, "such as the long and short tapered bob on girls."

Of course, the most important factor to deciding on a hairstyle is lifestyle. Customizing your hair to fit your personality and patience can only be achieved with a great stylist, because it''s not how much you have, it''s how you use it. cw