Easy holiday hair: how can I get party hair with little effort? - BeautyQ+A

Shape, Dec, 2003 by Kate Williams

Q What simple seasonal hairstyles can I do myself?

A There are plenty of options for all hair lengths, says Mario Russo, owner of two eponymous salons in Boston. One thing Russo recommends, no matter what length your hair: Skip washing the day of the party. Hair will be easier to manage if it hasn't been washed for a day. If you can't stand the thought of going without your daily cleansing--or if your locks look limp without sudsing--cleanse hair as usual, then work a small dollop of texturizing product into damp hair from the roots to the ends; dry, style and finish with a light spritzing of hair spray. (We like Mario Russo Miracle Styling Creme, $24.50; mariorusso.com; and ThermaSilk Flexible Hold Hair spray, $4; at drugstores.)

* If you have short hair, add movement. For greater fullness and texture, apply a dime-sized amount of wax or gel to ends of hair, such as Aveda Light Elements Defining Whip ($20; aveda.com) or Matrix Tuftrix ($15; matrix.com). Then style with your fingers. Crystal-studded clips, barrettes and pins are a quick way to dress up hair. Try the Star Barrette by Frederic Fekkai ($50; 212-583-3350), below.

* If you have medium-length hair, blow it straight. First, attach the angled nozzle to your blow-dryer (we love the Remington SuperSonic Ionic hair dryer, $30; 800-REMINGTON). Then use a boar-bristle flat paddle or round brush to blow out tresses. "A paddle brush will help you make them straighter, while a round brush will help you create volume," explains Kim Lepine, owner of the Lepine New York salon in New York City. To finish, use a ceramic flat iron to smooth out any kinks (try the Revlon Ceramic Flat Iron, $25; at drugstores).

* If you have long locks, go for an easy updo. Pull your hair into a ponytail on top of your head and twist it around to cover the elastic (like a bun). Use decorative pins to secure it, leaving the ends free. If you have bangs, allow them to softly frame the face.

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