Yahoo Lifestyle Get Party Perfect Hair
The Bouncy Blow-Dry
Where to wear: A black tie event.
How to get it: “Preparation is the most important element to achieving this breezy style,” explains Cain. Start by drying a generous amount of volumising mousse into damp strands to help boost body and give your look longevity. Next, divide your strands into sections and, using a round barrel brush, blow-dry them one by one – starting from the base of your neck and working upwards towards your crown. Be sure to direct your dryer down the hair shaft to keep it smooth and to promote shine. Once dry, use a tail comb to create a sleek side part. Take a curling tong and, holding it horizontally, wrap small sections of your hair around the wand “to create that beautiful ‘S’ bend, rather than a curl”, suggests Cain. Be sure to break up your waves with a soft-bristled brush to keep the look modern. And, finally, glam up your ’do with a spritz of gloss spray.
Pro tip: “To give your look extra body, gently push your hair [at the back of your head] back up on itself using a soft bristled brush,” recommends Cain.
Top picks: Achieve hold thanks to L’Oréal Professionnel Tec.ni Art Full Volume Extra Mousse, $25. Make subtle waves with the Cloud Nine Wand, $270. Loosen your look by brushing with Mason Pearson Large Extra Pure Bristle Brush, $299.
The Elegant Bun
Where to wear: A summer wedding.
How to get it: “The key to mastering this look lies in the matt texture and wispy fly-aways,” says Marie Cain, L’Oréal Professionnel’s session stylist from Head Studio, Perth. She adds that it’s a great alternative for second-day hair, or for freshly washed strands that are a little unruly. If you’ve decided to shampoo, apply a mousse through damp strands before roughly drying. For extra grip, Cain likes to add a layer of sea salt spray and dry it into the hair again. Then, using your fingers, rake your strands back into a ponytail, securing them at the nape of your neck and keeping the elastic loose to give the style its effortless look. Next, twist your lengths loosely around the elastic to form a bun and hold in place with fringe pins. Set your style with a light mist of hairspray.
Pro tip: “Accessories can take your style to the next level – giving it character and personality. But be sure to pair them with relaxed hair to keep the look cool, rather than prissy,” warns Cain.
Top picks: Boost body with Redken Full Effect 04 All-Over Nourishing Mousse, $29.95. Secure with Premium Pin Company 999 Fine Fringe Pins, $22.95 for 120g, and a spritz of L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray, $9.95.
The boho braid
Where to wear: A garden party.
How to get it: Eugene Souleiman, global creative director at Wella Professionals, suggests applying a sea salt spray to damp lengths before blasting them dry. Using a tail comb, create a centre part. Then, separate a small section of hair from behind your ear and plait it. “Don’t worry about perfection,” offers Souleiman. A few stray strands around the face only enhance this style. Secure the end of your braid with a small rubber elastic and then wrap it around the top of your head (where you would place a headband), stopping above your ear on the other side. Then tuck the end of the elastic back up underneath the braid to disguise the join.
Pro tip: To get a relaxed texture, “rather than flipping your head upside down to dry your hair, direct the nozzle of your hairdryer upwards at your cuticle to create more texture”, says Cain.
Top picks: Blast dry using the Parlux 3800 Eco Friendly Ionic & Ceramic Hairdryer, $189.95. Then, add movement with Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray, $15.99, and secure using Smoothies Snag-Free Ponytail Holders, from $6.50 for a pack of 24.
The twisted up-do
Where to wear: Poolside cocktails.
How to get it: For an easy at-home take on this Valentino style, begin by applying a texturising product or dry shampoo to dry strands. Using a tail comb, divide your hair into a strong centre part. Then, tuck your hair behind your ears and secure loosely at the nape of your neck. Next, take your ponytail lengths and tuck them in behind your elastic at least twice, so that the sides of your hair begin to form a roll. Then, wrap your remaining lengths into a messy bun and secure with some fringe pins. Finish with a light mist of shine spray to keep your style smooth.
Pro tip: “Prevent this style from looking severe by keeping it relaxed and loose,” recommends Souleiman.
Top picks: Create texture with Batiste Fresh Dry Shampoo, $9.95. Hold it in place using Lady Jayne Bobby Pins, $7.19 for a pack of 50. For a glossy finish, try ghd Style Final Shine Spray, $20.
The polished ponytail
Where to wear: Desk to dinner.
How to get it: Apply a styling oil or frizz-fighting serum to washed hair, from root to tip. Next, dry your strands by directing the nozzle of your hairdryer down the hair shaft to create smoothness. To create the perfect part line, Cain advises using the arch of your eyebrow as your starting point and taking your comb back from there. Then, rub a small amount of hair oil or serum between your hands and smooth over your roots to help prevent fly-aways and create a glossy result. Next, comb your hair back and secure firmly with an elastic band at the base of your neck. To complete the look, wrap a small piece of hair from the underside of your ponytail around the elastic.
Pro tip: For the most flattering height, Cain advises “keeping low ponytails in line with your jaw and using your cheekbones as a guide for high ponytails”.
Top picks: Create a sleek part line using BaByliss PRO Ceramic Styling Comb, from $4.95. Evo Mister Fantastic Hair Bungee, $8.95 for six, make tying ponytails a breeze. Add shimmer with John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist, $16.99.
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