Whether you’ll be ringing in the New Year at a glitzy soiree or staying low key at a family reunion, upgrading your look during the holidays can seem like just one too many things to think about. However, there’s no need to blow hundreds of dollars on professional hands to channel your inner diva—with these simple tips, it’s possible to obtain red-carpet-ready ‘dos at home. So take your daily dose of hair-spiration and let’s get ready for party season!
RAINBOW COIFFURE
Although we thought it was a flash-in-the-pan trend, colored hair has become a staple for adventurous girls. Celebrities, models and the girl next door are all sporting bright strands—definitely a great idea if you want to stand out. Luckily, you don’t need to commit to permanent dyes or bleaching; there are tons of temporary hair dyes to choose from for under $12.
Streekers‘ Creative Consultant, Kristina Barricelli gives us the scoop on how to do it: “Teasing the hair before applying Streekers softens the line between your natural hair color and the bright hue. The transition from your color to the bright shade is gradual and looks professionally done.”
ACCESSORIES: GO BIG OR GO HOME
Big accessories made a statement during Fashion Week. Taking this trend to real life has never been easier—but you’ll need confidence to pull it off. If you go for silky wraps, exotic hair pieces or a single, one-toned headband, complement your look by keeping makeup, nails and clothes as neat as possible. You want to sport an elegant vibe, not a pointless trend.
Read Related: 10 Hair Myths Busted
Vintage scarves, turbans or retro bobby pins are a cheap way to add fun to your hair. Don’t do the thrift store thing? Then Goody Simple Styles Clips-In ($6) or Double Wear Headwrap + Necklace ($10) are still budget-friendly.
GET BUN-IFIED
Updos are still the best option for holiday parties. Why? Because they’re chic yet modern, and look good on almost everyone. Tight styles are out—your goal is to achieve a soft, loose bun or chignon with a little texture. To create it, spray dry shampoo, like got2b Rockin’ It Dry Shampoo ($5.99), all over your hair to make it heavy. Place hair into a ponytail and wrap it into a bun. Don’t forget to secure your ‘do with pins! Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin ($5.89) is a favorite among hair stylists.
THE CLASSIC PONYTAIL
We often associate ponytails with laziness. But the truth is a ponytail can be as fancy as you want—just dress it up with small details such as makeup, accessories and special clothes to look pulled together. The key is to style the ponytail first using a brush, light gel or pomade and slicking hair back. We’re trying to create a frizz-free zone, so use products according to your hair type.
Fancify your ponytail with a final touch: curl ends, wrap a section of your hair around the base, or spice things up with a shiny, trendy band. No scrunchies here, ladies! Our two cents? Clear hair elastics, bobby pins and Not Your Mother’s Rise & Shine ($6).
STRAIGHT & SMOOTH
Many women think all you need is a good flat iron to get pin-straight hair. Well, yes and no. A durable, perfect straight ‘do begins in the shower. Prep with a shampoo that delivers shine and moisture, like Philip B. Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo ($26). Nourish with a concentrated conditioner, like Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Cream Rinse ($19), especially at ends.
To style, you’ll need to find a lightweight cream that protects your hair from heat damage and, of course, helps to straighten, like Redken Sheer Straight 06 ($14). Then comes the fun part! Slightly blow dry, then separate the hair into sections and slowly pull down a flat iron, starting as close as you can from roots (be careful!) to tips. Finish with serum. One last tip: please, invest in a good quality straightener, such as Keratin Complex Stealth Iron ($139).
TEXTURIZED LOCKS
Texture is wild, texture is fresh, and texture is here to stay! So maybe we’re a wee overexcited but tousled hair is so easy to get and maintain, plus it can work for almost any hair length or type…yes, short-haired gals can pull it off as well! By using mousse, sea salt spray (you can make your own, too) or even light pomade, you’ll be able to create texturized strands—pay attention to the quantity of products you’re applying though. If you use too heavy a hand, your hair could look greasy or dirty.
Recommendations: Tresemme 24 Hour Body Foaming Mousse ($4) or Josie Maran Bohemian Waves Argan Hair Mist ($22). Goody Wave Creator ($30) is also affordable and does the job.
LADYLIKE STYLES
I still remember holidays in South America. Everybody, from little girls to older women, went to the salon to get their hair washed and blow-dried for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. For them, the biggest and most glamorous blow-out was always the best. Even now, a fancy blow-dry is a timeless hairdo that can have you looking polished in practically no time.
Besides patience and an exceptional blow drier, you need to rely on volumizing creams or mousses like Leonor Greyl Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice ($44). But the real trick? A medium sized hair brush like, John Frieda Medium Porcupine Round Brush ($15), that will help you to define ends. A quick note: hot rollers deliver the same results in less time!
