‘Tis the season for festive soirees, whether it be your office holiday party or your neighbor’s New Year’s Eve celebration. But when our days are packed with gift-wrapping, cooking, cleaning and decorating, who has time to get party-ready, let alone fashion an intricate updo that will stay put all night? That’s why we turned to celebrity hairstylists for the elegant yet effortless styles you can easily re-create at home—in no time!
Short hair: Try a soft sweep
This is a style that’s simple, not fussy and doesn’t require much effort, but looks chic, making it a great choice for the holidays, says Petula Skeete, the Emmy Award–winning hairstylist who created this effortless look for Robin Roberts. The contrasting smooth and wavy sides create visual interest and frame the face so short hair looks modern and stylish.
STEP 1: Create loose curls by using a 1¼” curling iron, such as the Beachwaver B1.25 (Beachwaver.com), on 1″ sections of hair.
STEP 2: Make a side part, then back-comb hair at the roots to add lift up top and prevent short strands from lying flat against the head.
STEP 3: Mist hair with hair spray, then use fingers to rake hair back. Finish by lightly misting hair spray on a toothbrush and brushing on stray hairs to keep the style looking smooth.
Medium-length hair: Try a buoyant bob
“A voluminous style helps fine, shoulder-length hair appear full and dynamic,” says hairstylist Robin Emtage, who’s worked with Diana Ross and Susan Lucci. “The bouncy waves prevent medium-length hair from looking flat.”
