At a loss about what to do with your hair? Looking for pretty, timeless styles? Give the below a try. You’ll find easy hairstyle ideas, styling tips and product picks to help your tresses look their best.
1: Add some curls or waves.
Curls and waves look sexy and sultry, yet they’re soft, classic and feminine. No wonder curls and waves have been fave styles among stars and celebs for decades! Think of the waves and ringlets gracing the tresses of Hollywood’s most well-known icons.
How to do it:
You can get curls or waves using curling irons or rollers. In general, the bigger the curling iron barrel – or the larger the roller – the softer and looser your curls or waves will be. Smaller curling iron barrels and rollers will give you tighter, corkscrew or spiral curls.
The size of the hair section you grab makes a difference, too – for larger, softer curls and waves, grab bigger sections of hair. Taking smaller sections of hair will create tighter curls.
Teasing hair at the roots for a mega-mane is also popular, hairstylist Serge Normant tells Marie Claire. Twist the curling iron or rollers “away from your face”; then use your fingers to lightly comb your hair after it cools, according to Patrick Sandora on iVillage. Finally, add a light mist of hairspray for hold and shine serum for definition.
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2: Straighten your hair.
If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, change up your look by straightening it. Straight, sleek hair gives strands shine, because light reflects off straight hair easier than curly or wavy hair. And winter’s the perfect time to straighten strands, because the weather is cooler and drier than other seasons – “There’s less humidity that can frizz out your otherwise sleek tresses,” according to the Web site, Beauty Tips Online.
How to do it:
First, defend your hair against heat-styling damage by using a thermal protection spray. Then, work in sections. Straighten a small section at a time with a flat iron, starting at the roots and working downward.
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3: Pony up to a ponytail.
A ponytail is perfect for almost any occasion, whether you’re heading to work, a party or the store. Ponytails can look polished and put-together, casual and fun or even elegant. It just depends on how you style your ponytail and the accessories you use.
How to do it:
Ponytails are super-easy to do. Simply brush your hair back or pull it back using your hands and wrap an elastic around it. Use cloth hair elastics that contain no metal parts, as these can snag, pull or break your hair. Look for elastics that say “damage-free” or “metal-free.”
You can also pull out a few pieces of hair and wrap those around the elastic to hide it, and then pin them using bobby pins. Or upgrade from plain-old elastics to unique accessories. Use ribbons, barrettes, clips or elastics with flowers or jewels attached. And think outside the box. For example, try adding a jeweled pin or a brooch to your hair in place of a barrette. Or stick in some artificial (or real) flowers or feathers.
Also, play with the height of your ponytail. A high ponytail can look playful, while a lower one looks sophisticated and chic. Apply a finishing spritz of hairspray to seal the deal, preventing flyaway, wispy strands.
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4: Opt for an updo.
Nothing says elegance, glamour and class quite like an updo. There are so many variations, from chignons and buns to twists and pinned-up ringlets. Although updos are popular for formal occasions – like proms and weddings – you can also wear an updo for more casual events, especially if you make it a little messy with pieces hanging down. Plus, pulling your hair up is an ideal way to deal with dry, frizzy, winter hair. This way, hair isn’t in your face or hanging limply.
How to do it:
There are tons of ways to pull off this look. According to celebrity hairstylist Eva Scrivo on StyleList, gently tease along the roots to add height or volume, and have a few pieces around your face to soften the look.
Here’s a step-by-step how-to: First, apply root volumizer to build body, and blow dry your hair upside down. Or blow out your hair using a large round brush for volume. Add curls or ringlets if desired, using a curling iron, rollers or your fingers. Make a ponytail and then pull it up, twisting it and pinning it to the back of your head. If you’re creating a bun or chignon, pull a few pieces out of the back, too, and let the strands hang naturally.
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5: Part with your part.
Sure, the way you part your hair may seem trivial, but it’s such a simple change that can make a big difference! If you generally wear a side part, go for a center part, or vice versa. If you part your hair on the left, try changing it to the right.
How to do it:
Celebrity hairstylist Kim Vo suggests starting with damp hair. If you didn’t just wash it, then mist your hair with a bottle of plain water. Use a little bit of gel so you can easily work with the hair, and part it however you want it. Consider adding bobby pins to help hold strands tucked behind your ears.
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Tried-and-true hairstyles never go out of fashion with good reason. Classic styles look great on almost anyone and come with a variety of options. With the right techniques and products, you can effortlessly create and fine-tune a classic look for a modern, stunning update.
See also:
Easy Solutions for 5 Common Winter Hair Woes
6 Hair-Saving Tips for Damaged Locks
A DIY Guide to Dyeing Your Hair
Frédéric Fekkai Review: Say Hello to Healthy Hair