4 Hot Hair Looks To Try Tonight

Rock'n'Roll Waves

Unassumingly sexy, a strong centre part teamed with textured lengths offers a relaxed feel that's still elegant enough for evening. And while preparation is paramount to achieving this breezy style, it's all about making a statement without looking like you've tried too hard, says Di Biase. Prepare your hair with a sea-salt spray before roughly drying. Next, create a part down the centre with a fine-tooth comb before loosely tonging the mid-lengths and ends of your hair at random. Mist your strands again with sea-salt spray and then blast them with a hairdryer, using your fingers to separate the curls to get that edgy, mussed-up look. And for extra body or length in an instant, try adding some temporary clip-in extensions to add impact to this glamorous 'do.
Products to try: VS Sassoon Ultimate Salon Dryer, $72.95; L'Oréal Professionnel Play Ball Beach Fizz, $29; BaBylissPRO Tail Comb, $4.95.

Turn Up the Volume

Make a head-turning statement with this high-glamour style. "It's a luxurious look that has a sexy sophistication about it," explains Caterina Di Biase, from Heading Out Hair & Beauty salons, Victoria. Get the look by applying a blow-dry lotion to damp strands, then blast your hair dry, using your hands to add lift at the roots. Finish blow-drying with a round brush to smooth and curl your ends under. To re-create Leighton Meester's cascading curls, Di Biase recommends wrapping small sections of hair around a curling tong and holding for five seconds before letting go. But make sure you break up the waves with your fingers to help loosen the look. Finally, glam up your 'do with a spritz of gloss spray to add a subtle shimmer to your strands.
Products to try: Remington Perfect Curls Curling Tong, $43.95; Bumble and bumble Shine Spray, $72; Brushworx Tourmaline Boar Bristle Radial Brush, $20.95.

The New Up-do

After seasons of ladylike chignons, topknots have taken over as the season's style du jour, offering a rebellious twist on the traditional ballerina bun. "It's a perfect style for yesterday’s hair, or for freshly washed hair that's still a little unruly," suggests Di Biase. If you've decided to shampoo, first apply a texture mousse or spray through damp strands before roughly drying. Then re-create Meester's effortless look by using your fingers to rake your hair back into a high ponytail. Secure at your crown with an elastic, then plait the lengths before winding them around the elastic. Fasten with fringe pins and finish with a spritz of hairspray to set your look.
Products to try: Scünci Beautiful Blends Hair Elastics, $7.95 for a pack of 18; Lady Jayne Bobby Pins, $7.19 for a pack of 84; Clairol Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Mousse, $6.99.

Tucked Up

Meester's retro-chic style owes its appeal to hair that's pinned up as loosely as possible, appearing as though it could tumble down at any moment. To keep it fresh looking and modern, Di Biase recommends applying a generous amount of mousse and hairspray before blow-drying to give your lengths grip and a matt texture. Next, part your hair in the centre and pull it back into a low and very loose ponytail that sits below the nape of your neck. Fasten with an elastic, tuck the lengths up underneath to make a "bob" shape, and secure with bobby pins on the underside. To soften the style, Di Biase suggests gently pulling out pieces around your face to ensure it doesn’t look too "done". Finish with a spritz of flexible-hold hairspray.
Products to try: Pantene Pro-V Style Stay Smooth Hairspray, $6.99; ghd Root Lift Spray, $22; Hair FX Fringe Pins, $4 for a pack of 100.