Four Party Hair Looks That Will Win The Holidays
There are two schools of thought when it comes to holiday hairstyles. The first is to throw as much glitter in the hair as possible, whether that's in the form of a rhinestone pin, metallic clip, or actual real-life glitter. Festive? Yes. Chic? Not always. And then there's the second type of holiday hair: stiff, shellacked styles like French twists and updos that, while classic, can use a little modern twist. With the help of hairstylist Matt Fugate, we dreamed up fresh holiday hairstyles that blend together the best of both worlds.
When a ponytail can look this epic, why would you ever use just one elastic again? A segmented ponytail is one of the only red carpet-worthy hairstyles that is insanely easy to do yourself. But keep in mind: when done in a sleek finish, it can look a bit too sporty. Here, Fugate pumped up the volume and texture to make each section into a statement-making bubble. It's just begging to be worn with equally fabulous hoop earrings.
Jennifer Fisher Interlocking Smooth Circle Earring, $315, JenniferFisherJewelry.com; Alix Baxter Body Black, $220, PlanDeVilleNYC.com.
You'll want to start this style on hair that has been curled and fluffed. A good volumizing mousse, applied to hair before dried and styled, will give your hair the right amount of hold. Before you start sectioning, use a mist like the Serge Normant Dream Big Instant Volumizing Spray over the entire length of your hair. It adds weightless volume and even more rumpled texture. Then part hair into three horizontal sections, securing each with an elastic that matches your hair color. Pull apart and fluff each bubble to add lift and volume-it doesn't have to be perfect. Then secure the rest of your ponytail length in equidistant sections, pulling apart each one to create those graphic shapes. A quick blast of hairspray will ensure this style lasts through any holiday party-and through the next day, should your night take such a turn.
Instead of glitter, this style gets its shine factor from hair-softening oil with a slick finish. Think of this twisted double-bun as the new updo: it gets your hair off your face so you have the perfect canvas for statement earrings. But it does so in a way that creates a statement of its own from the back. After all, beauty and hair should be a 360-degree experience.
Eddie Borgo Apollo Rose Gold Earring Climbers, $228, EddieBorgo.com; Fox Unlimited Imperial Red Silver Fox Jacket, $1,715, FoxUnlimited.com.
Start this style by parting hair off-center and sweeping it into two low ponytails side-by-side at the base of your neck. The flatter, straighter, and shinier your hair-the better (so break out your flat iron if need be). Then work some lightweight styling cream through the end of each ponytail to get that high-shine finish. Begin twisting and twisting a section of one ponytail in the same direction until it begins to coil, then pin, pin, and pin. Repeat as necessary. If a couple of your ends stick out of the buns-leave them. This look becomes too stuffy if everything looks flawless. Once you're happy with the coily buns, mist a lightweight oil spray all-over your head to add a noticeable sheen (Fugate likes Kérastase Elixir Ultime Bi-Phase Spray Oil).
This half-up style is the perfect blend of soft texture with an edgy allure. But the best part about it is that the texture is calling for a two-day-old blowout (and you can't say that about every style out there). Think of the metallic pins as statement earrings of sorts-and forget about adding any more jewelry. Just throw on a sparkly outfit or furry stole (you probably were going to anyway), and be on your way.
Houghton Flame Bodysuit, $2,900, HoughtonNYC.com; PDVx GIACOBBE Large Silver Stole, $1,990.00, PlanDeVilleNYC.com.
All this style takes is some expert pinning and teasing at the crown; you want to achieve a sort of rumpled, messy volume. A sprinkle of hair powder like Bumble & Bumble Prêt-à-Powder will not only absorb excess oil, but it will add grip and height to hair that tends to fall flat. Working in a few sections, twist and pin the hair up behind the crown until it's the right shape and balance. Then, to add a little edge to the style, pick-up three metallic bobby pins and position them right behind the ear in a fanned-out formation.
If you wake up everyday with curls this bouncy, go ahead and pick one of the previous three looks instead (and for the record, we're super jealous). But there's no hairstyle as iconically party-ready as a cloud of big, fluffy, disco-inspired curls. A style this bold calls for a study in minimalism in regards to the rest of your ensemble (you don't want to look like an extra from Goldmember's club). Try a metallic choker and off-the-shoulder neckline to add in modern and clean graphic lines.
Eddie Borgo Pavé Safety Chain Choker Gold, $750, EddieBorgo.com; Wolford Viscose Lace Bodysuit, $400, SaksFifthAvenue.com.
Even if your hair is naturally wavy, you're going to need a curling iron with a teeny barrel to get this kind of tightly-wound curl (try Hot Tools Gold Curling Iron 3/4 In). Curl small sections of hair all around your head, and then pin each in place to allow them to cool. Then, release each springy coil and brush, comb, and tease through them with a paddle brush. "This isn't a look for the girl afraid to brush out her curls," says Fugate. A flexible hairspray, like Kérastase Laque Dentelle, will keep the end result in tact without leaving behind a crunchy finish.
Photography/Video by Tyler Joe; Hair by Matt Fugate using Kérastase Paris for Exclusive Artists; Makeup by Nina Soriano at Bernstein & Andriulli; Modeled by Manuela Frey at The Society Management and Cindy Mello at Ford Models.
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