12 new, pretty, do-them-in-five-minutes ways to wear your hair this fall

Girls' Life, August-Sept, 2006

1 MESSY TIED-BACK HAIR

How to keep messy from looking sloppy? A chic center part and a luxurious pony holder. Comb your hair back with your fingers, and secure your hair low to one side. Let pieces at the front fall out to frame your face. TRY IT ON: Long hair.

Ponytail holders, $39 each, by CP Creative/jennifergrove.com

2 BRAIDED PIGTAILS

The best way to rock a newsboy cap? Pair it with girly pigtails. To keep your style looking more kickin' than kindergarten, start your pigtails behind your ears and let some pieces fall out around your face. TRY IT ON: Almost all hair types that are at least shoulder-length.

3 FLOWER CLIPS

Most girls fear flower pins will make them look like they're about to go Spanish dancing, not to study Spanish. The key? Wear your clip away from your face. No closer than three inches from your temple, por favor. TRY IT ON: Any hair length that has some waves, curls or volume. Straight hair? Add curls with an iron, or go for a smaller flower.

Flower clip, $4.50, by Claire's

4 SIMPLE TWISTS

Smooth hair with a paddle brush, and make a low ponytail. Secure with an elastic. Twist your hair, turning the ends under, and pin. TRY IT ON: Straight hair that's a little longer than shoulder-length.

5 HAIR COMBS

Combs are an old-fashioned hair y that now look modern when wear them in pairs. Keep them from slipping out of your 'do by first bending your head over and misting hair all over with hairspray. TRY IT ON: Any length medium-thick hair.

Combs, two for $5.50, Icing by Claire's

6 SPARKLY ACCESSORIES

What could be easier than pinning your hair back with a gorgeous gold, jeweled barrette? Make this classic look new by parting hair on the side, then clipping the lesser side. Let the fuller side fall in to highlight your face. TRY IT ON: Any hair type and length, even short 'dos!

Bouquet barrette in pink, $19, adiakibur.com

7

STRETCHY HEADBANDS

Sick of hair falling in your face? Hate headband headaches? This fall's wider, all-fabric headbands are the answer to your dual 'do dilemmas. To keep from looking like a desperate housewife, let shorter pieces fall across forehead. TRY IT ON: Short hair--looks sooo sassy.

Headband. $5. Revlon CVS stores

8 CHIC LOOPS

Need to took polished in a hurry? Shampoo hair, then work in leave-in conditioner. Slick hair back into a ponytail. Take a piece of the ponytail out, and wrap the base of the tail. Pin the remainder of the tail under. TRY IT ON: Straight or relaxed hair that falls just past your shoulders.

9 HIGH-AND LOW! PONYTAILS

The hottest trend for fall hair? The humble ponytail. Pulling a pony up to almost Pebbles-like heights looks young and fresh, while going low looks chic and understated. TRY IT ON: Straight or relaxed hair that's below your shoulders for high ponies. Shorter-haired girls should go for a low pony, letting layered pieces fall sweetly around your face.

Elastics, $4 for 32, Vidal Sassoon, Target

10 DOUBLE TWISTS

Have a little extra time? Try this super-pretty style. Part hair to the side, then divide each section in front of your ears into top and bottom strands. Twist each strand to the middle of the back of your head. Pin in place with pretty bobby pins. If your hair is straight, curl the remaining hair at the end of the twists and the hair you left loose. TRY IT ON: Longer straight, wavy, curly or coarse hair.

Hair pins, $10 per set, WallFlower by Faigie at faigie.com

11 EXTENSIONS

Wonder how celebs have masses of gorgeous waves? We know the secret: extensions! Got cash and a dance coming up? Buy a kit with different sizes that match your hair color. Follow kit instructions--wing it, and we guarantee you a spot in GL's embarrassing moments. TRY IT ON: Saturday night!

Hair U Wear Put On Pieces two-piece wavy system, $60, hairuwear.com

12 MESSY BUNS

Rake hair into a ponytail, and secure with elastic. Twist it into a bun, and bobby-pin ends under. Pieces coming out? Perfect. TRY IT ON. Past-the-shoulders wavy or curly hair.

Back to Basics Jasmine Curl Refreshing Shampoo, $10, backtobasics.com