It’s easy to get stuck in a rut with your hair, especially when you are short on time in the mornings & don’t have a lot of time to put into your look. So, I decided to share some of my favorite styles (one for every day of the week!) and the products I use to achieve them. This is a somewhat lengthy post – but my hope is that you can Pin It or bookmark to pull up later when you want to try something new. These styles will work for nearly any hair texture & most lengths, even those of you with short, above-the-shoulder cuts like mine. Please share in the comments below if there’s a product you use & swear by or a technique you’ve found that works great – I’d love to hear about it!
Styling Tips: It’s best to start with hair that hasn’t been freshly washed since the style will hold better. Tip your head upside down & gather hair at the top of your head (I like to set mine back a little so it’s not right on top in the middle). Secure with a sturdy elastic (these are my favorite because they really grip & hold the hair in place). Thread your ponytail through the donut until it’s at the base & then fan out evenly around & tuck ends in. Use bobby pins to hold bun in place (as many as you need!). Finish with a light mist of strong hold hairspray.
Products to use: L’Oreal Elnett Unscented Hairspray // ASOS Small Hair Donut (large size here) // ELLE Bobby Pins
Styling Tips: If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, let it air-dry or if yours is straight, apply a wave-activating spray and scrunch all around before styling. Pull up a small section of hair at the crown & push slightly forward to create a little volume. Secure with a sturdy clip (for thick hair) or criss-crossed bobby pins (for thin/fine hair).
Products to use: Frederic Fekkai Wave Activating Spray // J. Crew Tortoise Barrette
Styling Tips: Apply a texturizing & de-frizzing cream throughout hair to start. Then create a deep part on one side & start french braiding a small section of hair back. Finish braid & secure with a clear elastic. Gather all your hair (including the braid) back into a low ponytail. Twist & wind into a loose bun, anchoring with 1 spin pin on each side.
Products to use: André Jourdan Wearable Treatment // Goody Spin Pins (comes in blonde or brunette)
Styling Tips: One of my favorite tricks is apply this dry shampoo to hair before bed – when you wake up in the morning, you have clean roots & tons of volume! Lightly tease hair to create volume at the crown. Then gather into a high pony & secure with an clear elastic or one that matches the color of your hair. Tease the top of the ponytail to give it a rounded shape & lightly mist with a flexible hold hairspray to tame any flyaways.
Products to use: Sephora Snag-Free Hair Elastics // Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray (travel size here)
Styling Tips: Take care when towel-drying your hair (no rubbing back & forth and no wrapping it up like a turban – this roughens up the cuticle & causes more frizz). Start with a rough blowdry, tipping your head upside down & using just your hands. Focusing on the roots first, use your fingers to pull the hair up and away from your scalp, creating lift. Once your hair is 80% dry using this method, clip off sections & blowdry the rest of the way with a round brush. Before hair cools, apply velcro rollers to the top sections & then remove after you’ve applied your makeup.
Products to use: Big Sexy Hair Root Pump Volumizing Mousse // Remington Voluminous Styling Tools
Styling Tips: Works equally well on curly hair or straight – work a volumizing product throughout hair & let dry. Then use brush to tease hair all around at the crown & lightly smooth over the top. Gather hair back loosely just above the nape of your neck & secure with elastic (extra points for a decorative cuff or leather tie). The more natural this looks, the better…so if a few face framing pieces fall out, let them be.
Products to use: KMS California Add Volume Root & Body Lift // Marilyn Teaser Brush // H&M Ponytail Cuff
Styling Tips: Before beginning, apply a thermal protecting spray to hair to guard against heat damage. Using 1-inch sections of hair, carefully wrap around the curling wand winding away from your face – the curls should start right around the top of the ear for the most natural look. If it looks too much like a ringlet once you’ve removed the wand, tug slightly on the bottom of the section to loosen. Once hair is cooled, run your fingers lightly through to break up the curls slightly and finish with a light-hold hairspray or shine serum.
Products to use: Biosilk Thermal Shield // Bed Heads Curlipops 1″ Curling Wand