The Emo phenom was just starting out when I was in high school.  You can debate that Emo really started with The Cure or with AFI's first record, but the style movement and terminology was still fairly new as I was turning 18.  At that age I was breaking up with my boyfriend and slicing my own asymmetrical bangs was in fact indicative of my mindset.  Nowadays though, the Emo look is as much about being sexy as it is about being sad.

"Emo" girls are typically seen with heavy, often winged eyeliner and hair teased up to the max on top and long, straight and feminine on the bottom.  Bangs swoop from one side, originally as long as possible for shy sad girls to hide behind.  Now, I prefer bangs that just graze the eyebrows - or a touch longer to disguise unkempt brows on lazy days!  Emo hair is often peppered with natural and synthetic colors in large, dramatic chunks.

Although the short top, long bottom look is probably the most popular Emo look (You can hardly throw a rock in Portland without hitting one), there are other variations using the same choppy layers and razoring.

Here is an edgier, more masculine cut.  I love this hair, but the makeup is a miss.  I'd recommend warmer makeup colors for a fresh, approchable face to balance the severity of the cut.  Trying to look like a zombie really makes you look young - in a bad way - so layer on some blush/bronzer.

Then there's Selma Blair's new 'do...

I adore Selma Blair (seriously, in The Sweetest Thing, there is nothing cuter) but this cut is a major miss in my opinion.  Props for trying something new, but I really think this could be cleaned up into something much better than it is here.  I'd like to see razored steps on the sides rather than the abrupt bowl cut.

I'm not trying to pretend like I'm 19 again, but I find that a good sideways bang and sort of 'scene mullet' can look sophisticated.  Keep the makeup low-key - eyeliner is fine (a must for me), but ditch the raccoon eye.  A dark lip instead of a dark eye can instantly grow up a look.  Work more grown-up fashion as well.  Band tees and hooded sweatshirts should be kept to a minimum, and replace the daily Chuck Taylors with chic pumps.  There is nothing worse than a grown woman trying to look like a high schooler.  Need help?  Turn on TLC and watch a few episodes of What Not to Wear -  Seriously.

You can see some cute understated emo girl cuts here.  If you want some (kind of overly serious and humorous, but detailed) tips on getting your perfect emo style, visit EmoHairStyle.blogspot.com.