It’s the most wonderfully hectic time of year. Clients are clamoring for styles that will make them sparkle during the holidays, and we’ve got your back. From products to create sleek looks to ones that make bold statements, we’ve rounded up everything you need to create the most in-demand holiday hairstyles.
Beautiful Braids
Braids are becoming more sought after, which means you need to be up on your braid game. In addition to learning new techniques, such as the four-strand plait, consider pancaking your braids to make them even more visually arresting.
“Pancaking braids, knots, twists and buns instantly makes them look bigger and more beautiful,” says Sam Villa, Global Artistic Ambassador for Redken. “It simply entails gently pulling out sections of the finished design to create more volume and texture. Shoot for imperfection to make a statement.”
Products to try:
Redken Braid Aid 03 adds smoothness and grip to make braiding and twisting hair easier and last longer.
redken.com
Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Pump Me Up delivers targeted volumizing and texturizing powder directly where you want it.
paulmitchell.com
Dress it up with:
Label.m Diamond Dust Luxurious Body Lotion, which includes actual micronized diamond dust, gives a truly radiant glow.
labelmusa.com
Photographer: Mitch Meyer
Hair: Sam Villa ArTeam
Makeup: Keri Hatfield
Wardrobe: Michelle Boucher
Assisted by: Carmen Nydegger
Elegant, Voluminous Ponytail
The irony of a ponytail is that although it’s considered one of the easiest hairstyles to achieve at home, truly crafting the perfect pony is actually hard work. Low ponytails are always elegant, but adding a little volume at the crown makes a dramatic statement. With soft curls at the end, the look is understated sophistication.
Products to try:
Oribe Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream protects hair from heat and makes blowouts easier while controlling frizz and flyaways.
oribe.com
Halocouture Balayage Halos, available in seven different shades, are designed to add volume, maximize length and enhance color.
halocouture.com
Pair it with:
A perfectly painted pout, thanks to long-wear Bodyography Lip Lava Liquid Lipstick in Strawberry Moon.
Photographer: Anthony Deeying
Creative Director: Janine Jarman
Lead Hairstylists: Luis Payne, Tara Angley
Hair Assistants: Sara Guarducci, Jesse Dippy
Makeup: Amber Amos
Accessorized Updo
A mussy, deconstructed updo is perfect for naturally curly ladies as well as those with straight hair. But what really makes the look stand out is the gorgeous hair accessory by Pink Pewter Hairjewelry (pinkpewter.com). Adding some bling to hair has been a major trend all year, and it shows no signs of going away. From something as simple as strategically placed pins to an all-out glamorous piece like this, which uses the “Miss Dunlap” style, dressing up your dressed down updos is sure to be a big hit this holiday season.
Products to try:
Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Styling Curl Defining Styling Butter is imbued with cocoa butter to help prevent frizz and maintain curl definition for up to 48 hours.
matrix.com
ColorProof Evolved Color Care Iron Master protects strands from heat, humidity and color loss while enhancing shine.
colorproof.com
Prep it with:
A super-nourishing hair mask, like Keune Care Vital Nutrition Mask, which will help deliver much-needed hydration to curls.
keune.com
Photographer: Missy Donovan, Johanna Delgado, Gaby Abbound
Hair: Cristina Villarreal
Makeup: Audrey Tunis
Wardrobe: Jeanna Laino Gattuso