Hair ‘Idol’

If you haven’t memorized the names of all the “American Idol” singers yet, you surely know them by their hair choices.

The girl with the punk streaks is Gina Glocksen. The guy with the shaved head is Phil Stacey. The “Pillsbury ‘fro-boy” (nickname courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel) is Chris Sligh.

And, of course, the dude who’s worn it wavy, curly, straight and ponytail-plus-hat is Mr. Hair Excitement himself, Sanjaya Malakar.

It’s been a notable season for hairstyles on “Idol,” a show that’s always tweaking the physical image of its contestants as it nudges them toward pop-star perfection.

Judge Randy Jackson softened his slamming of Malakar’s version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by praising his lovely locks.

“You know what I look forward to, man, every week?” Jackson declared. “Dude, you’re throwing down some different ‘dos with the hair, man. … Dude, ‘Hair Idol,’ you’ve got it jumping off.”

Come to think of it, a follicle smackdown wouldn’t be a bad idea for a bunch of aspiring music superstars. Attention-grabbing hairdos have long been an ingredient of the Top-40 success formula, from the fashion-revolution moptops of the Beatles in the 1960s to the buzz-cut sexybackness of Justin Timberlake today.

Sometimes hair creates instant branding. Before they were squashed by a lip-syncing scandal, Milli Vanilli used their long braids as part of their marketing strategy. Crazy swoops of ‘80s hair helped define artists like Boy George and A Flock of Seagulls.

Big names, too, know the power of the comb and brush: Prince. Mick Jagger. Beyonce. John Mayer. There’s not a split end nor bad perm among them.

Why is cool hair so important to musicians? It’s all about conveying a chart-worthy style.

“In the entertainment world, people see you before they hear you,” says Indigo Zuri, owner of an image consulting firm in Ferndale, Mich. “If you’re trying to come across as a fabulous singer and you don’t have that look, then people won’t take you seriously.”

Each season, the “Idol” hopefuls arrive young, unpolished and ready to be groomed by the show’s stylists.

Some contestants have hair that’s already memorable. Season 1’s Justin Guarini boasted those sun-kissed curls. Jasmine Trias tucked a flower into her hair as her trademark on the third season. Last year’s winner, Taylor Hicks, made premature grayness hip for a while.

Other contenders require more help from products and flat irons. During Season 2, Clay Aiken’s hair was transformed from messy-geeky to artfully tufted. Nowadays, he’s evolved post-post-show into a much lengthier, lankier ‘do.

So far this season, the finalists have experienced some hair-raising changes.

When LaKisha Jones initially auditioned, her hair had a “really rigid, corporate look” that was stiff around her face, says Zuri. The style was more suited to the bank teller she was at the time than the star she’s working to become.

Recently, Jones’ tresses have gotten much softer and sexier.

“She’s diva-like, she’s glamorous. Her hair is now all about glamour. It flows, it’s freer,” says Zuri, who’d like to see her try a lighter shade.

Jordin Sparks has favored a youthful tumble of curls, but recently tried out a sleek mane of straight hair. She’s still in the process of defining her “Idol” style, musically and visually.

And last week, celebrity news site TMZ.com ran an item saying it seems as if Haley Scarnato is sporting the same hair extensions Katharine McPhee used last year.

“Unbeweavable!” the site joked.

As for the guys, their vocals aren’t standing up to those of the girls, but their hair is more distinctive.

Blake Lewis is opting for messy-but-controlled spikes in his quest to be fashion-forward.

“He has his own flavor going,” says Zuri. “It looks almost like a rooster in the front.”

Phil Stacey is sticking to a shaved head, to mixed reviews.

“I don’t like the bald look on him. He’s definitely no Chris Daughtry,” says Zuri, who thinks it puts too much focus on his ears and not enough on his eyes.

But Zuri does approve of Chris Sligh’s mass of curls: “If he were to relax those curls, he’d lose his whole vibe.”

Last but not least, there’s Sanjaya, whose changing styles have stirred the most hair-related discussions since Britney Spears went ballistic with a shaver.

Zuri wonders if Sanjaya, a 17-year-old in the national spotlight, is using his hair as a security blanket.

“I think he hides behind his hair,” she says. “He needs to show his face. He has a beautiful, beautiful face.

“Even though he can’t sing, he’s an American idol. The young girls are going crazy over him.”