By Paul Meekin

At Partners, we love any excuse to play around with new hairstyles and colours, and the new year certainly offers the perfect 'new you' opportunity.

I'm very excited about the year ahead - the trends that started to go mainstream last year, such as rockabilly hair, will really take-off in 2012. And after last year's crazy colours, as seen on the likes of Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj, I predict colour will continue to be innovative, fun and most definitely OTT.

But first, how do you fancy a FREE hair colour? Yep, we're starting 2012 the way we mean to go on, with lots of great bargains and offers for our clients, old and new.

The TIGI Academy Belfast - one of only a handful of TIGI academies in the world - located in Partners, requires hair colour models for courses and we're looking for women of all ages and hair types (we even need some men, as long as you lads have a fair amount of hair for us to work with). All work will be carried out by our experienced stylists.

The TIGI Academy crew needs a pool of hair colour models - all models will each receive free colour services and a complimentary TIGI Colour Home Care Kit. All you have to do to be included in our pool of colour models is to telephone us on 02890 200505 and register.

With a new hair colour you might be inspired to try a new look this year too.

The hot cuts and shapes that I'm really excited about for 2012 include:

The bouncy blow-dry - as seen on Kate Middleton. Princess Catherine has inspired serious hair envy in many women and it's easy to see why. Her hair is shiny, full of life and boasts serious bounce. The bouncy blow-dry is perfect for giving long hair a groomed finish with a hint of 1970s revival about it. A good blow-dry will last you for a good few days too, so get into the habit of getting a blow-dry once a week and you may attract your own Prince Charming!

Rockabilly hair - as seen on Katy Perry and Gwen Stefani. We've been doing more and more vintage styles in Partners this past year and the rockabilly look is one that's really popular. At its most simple, all that's required is a long sleek ponytail and a big round, inward-curled, fringe. The look combines the best elements of both vintage and punk styling, with a nod to kitsch Americana.

The Brigitte Bardot beehive - as seen on Adele and Cheryl Cole. This is a look that has been rocked ever since French sex kitten BB first took to the big screen. And the reason that it has endured is that is simply oozes sex appeal. Loosen it up for a sexy 'just got out of bed' look and, for an extra twist to this tried-and-tested look, once you have your hair piled high on the crown, let the rest of your hair hang loose over your shoulders or leave just a few strands dangling down.

What else we're loving this month:

Our new GEL FX two week manicure, which is on special to Sugahfix readers for just £20, plus our new Dermalogica facials which are also at the bargain rate of £20 to Sugafix readers. The long dark days of winter really dampen our mood so we need something to cheer us up, and these two special offers will really do the trick.

The fifth season of Mad Men - it's set to reach Sky Atlantic in the UK in late March. Don Draper, Betty, Peggy and Joan back for another series, we can hardly wait.

Our all-over gloss colour and cut special offer - just £50 with selected stylists. It's an offer that many of our clients are finding hard to pass up, such is the demand so far. So go on, put that 'new year, new you' resolution into practice.

Oscar season - the best films come out at this time of year, in time for Academy Award season in February. We're currently loving The Artist, The Iron Lady and J Edgar.

Partners Hair and Beauty, Castlereagh Street, Belfast

For more information, visit the website, and to book an appointment call 028 90 455444.