Holiday hair: 6 easy looks

Glamorous Waves

Channel Rita Hayworth or Veronica Lake this holiday in gorgeous, sleek waves.

Prep your hair by applying shine serum to it when it's still wet. Start from the ends, then gradually work your way up to mid-lengths. Blow dry your hair until it's around 80% dry.

Create a deep centre part (left or right depending on your preference), and apply hair rollers following the direction of your centre part. 

^{Photo courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

Depending on your hair texture, leave the curlers in your hair for roughly 30 minutes to an hour. Gently remove the rollers, smoothing your wave and shaping it as you do so.

Comb out the waves using a paddle brush, then finish off with a light spritz of hairspray.

Alternative option: If this look is too "done" or high maintenance, follow these 8 simple steps to create a more wearable look:

^{Photo courtesy of The Beauty Department}

Step 1: Start by parting your hair on the side that you feel most comfortable with.

Step 2, 3, 4, 5: Section off your hair and curl your hair inwards with a large barrel iron. As you finish off each section, wrap it around your finger and secure it with a bobby pin or clip.

Step 6 and 7: Once you finish curling your hair, leave it to cool for roughly 15 minutes. Remove the clips and gently comb out the waves with a large paddle brush. Structure your waves with your fingers as you go along and finish off with hairspray.

Hello, classic beauty!

Bombshell Blowout

This Brigitte Bardot inspired look is simple and casual, with an understated sexiness. Perfect for a casual lunch or a night out on the town.

^{Photo courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

Amanda Seyfried was recently spotting with this pretty look at the premiere of her film, In Time:

^{Photo courtesy of Glamour}

1. To get the look, begin by applying a voluminizing mousse to your hair. Blow dry your hair smooth with a large round brush.

2. Once your hair is dry, place velcro rollers in your hair. Don't worry too much about rolling it up to the roots of your hair. The main focus is on the ends of the hair - smooth, with a slight wave.

3. Remove the rollers after 15-30 minutes and gently run your fingers through your hair. Lightly twist the ends around your finger to add more wave.

4. To add height to your crown, tease your hair with a tailcomb or a paddle brush.

5. Finish off with shine serum and a mist of hairspray. 

Simple side chignon

Soft and romantic, this simple side chignon is one of the easiest ways to change up your look for the night. Here are 6 simple steps to create this look: 

^{Photo courtesy of Image Prov}

Step 1: Give your hair a smooth blowout.

Step 2: Once your hair is dry, curl your hair using a large barrel iron. Take large sections of hair and remember to curl inwards and away from your face.

Step 3: Using a fine tooth comb, begin to tease your hair by backcombing the curled strands.

Step 4 : Gather your hair to the side. Take sections of your curled hair and loosely twist it towards the nape of your neck, pinning as you go along.

Step 5: Once you reach your ear, shape the remaning strands into curls.

^{Photo courtesy of Triple Maxtons}

Step 6, 7, and 8: Mist with hairspray et voilà! Optional: top it off with a classic red lip and you're picture perfect.

VO alternative: Got short hair? No worries. Here's a quick and easy way to style your hair into a chic chignon:

^{Photo courtesy of Flaunt me}

1. Slightly curl/wave the ends of your hair. This will prevent random strands from sticking out.

2. Place an elastic headband (something sparkly or fancy will do) 1-2 inches behind your hairline and secure it with bobby pins

3. Take small strands of hair, loosely twist them away from your face, and tuck them behind the headband. Continue all the way through, using headbands when necessary. 

Here's a visual look that demonstrates how to recreate this style. 

Figure Eight Side Ponytail

This simple and chic hairstyle worn by Taylor Swift at the AMAs looks just like a simple side ponytail, right?

^{Photo courtesy of Glamour}

Wrong. If you look up close, you can see that it's intricately looped into a figure eight braid:

^{Photo courtesy of Glamour}

This sweet look strikes the perfect balance between casual and (slightly) fancy, so it's perfect for any occasion.

1. Start with smooth, straight hair. Gather your hair to the side and separate it into two sections.

2. Take a strand of hair from your back section and begin looping it around in a figure eight motion over the front section.

3. Once you finish looping it around the front section, take the remaining strand and wrap it around the back section. (Make sure that your wrap it around tightly!) 

4. Follow the exact same figure eight motion and continue until you use the entire strand of hair.

5. Secure with a bobby pin(s).

Confused? Here's a video that shows you how to recreate this look.

Half and Half

Doesn't Dianna Agron look oh so pretty here?

^{Photo courtesy of Glamour}

Though this hairstyle is popular among many brides, it's also a great look for the holidays. Perhaps it's that hint of Brigitte Bardot evident with the tousled waves and bedroom-esque hair.

Here are a few simple steps to recreate this look: 

^{Photo courtesy of Triple Maxtons}

Step 1 and 2: Using a large barrel iron, create loose curls all around your hair. Once you finish, lightly brush your fingers through it.

Step 3 and 4: Spritz hairspray to the top half of your hair. Tease the roots of by backcombing it with a fine-toothed comb.

Step 5 and 6: Smooth out the teased part of your hair. Loosely push each side of your hair back, beginning just right above the ear and gather it halfway.

Steps 7 and 8: Secure the section with bobby pins. 

Simple and romantic, just imagine how great this style will look on a pretty red dress.

Bow Hairstyle

Don't worry, it's not as difficult as it looks. 

^{Photo courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue}

This ultra chic and girly hairstyle would be perfect for a black-tie gala. Achieve this look in 8 simple steps:

1. Gather your hair in a high ponytail, securing it with an elastic that matches your hair colour. Divide your hair into two equal sections. (If your hair is thick, divide it into four sections).

2. Place a hot roller underneath the sectioned hair and roll it towards the base of the ponytail. Repeat with the other section and secure it with a clip.

3. Leave the rollers in your hair for roughly five minutes or until it cools. (Curling/waving your hair makes it easier to style, so there aren't random strands sticking out).

4. Remove the rollers and run a paddle brush through your hair, smoothing out the curls. Once you finish, take a fine-toothed comb and tease each section. Mist with a hairspray.

5. After teasing the sections, brush out the top layer of each teased section. The lower part of the hair underneath needs to remain full as it provides the volume needed to create the bow.

6. Secure the ends of the two sections. This will create two ponytails within the existing ponytail that you have.

7. Take one section of your hair and loop it inwards, creating a large roll underneath and continue with the other section:

^{Photo courtesy of Refinery 29}

8. Secure your hair with bobby pins, adding it to the top and bottom of the bow. 

^{Photo courtesy of Refinery 29}

Remember to place it inside the bow. You want to maintain the shape and the volume. Don't forget to finish off with hairspray.

Styling your hair doesn't need to be difficult. From the adorable bow hair to the figure eight side ponytail, it doesn't get any easier than this.

^{Photo courtesy of The Beauty Department}

With these six simple hairstyles under your belt, there's no need to fret about how to style your locks for the evening. 

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