Your Best Hair Ever - Brief Article

Marie Claire, Dec, 2001 by Lisa Kovalovich

Simple, sexy, star-inspired holiday styles

IF YOUR HAIR IS... SHORT

* Work straightening balm into damp hair. Blowdry hair straight in small sections, then spread gel from roots to ends for texture, advises salon owner Rodolfo Valentin of Cedarhurst, NY. Tuck one side behind your ear, like Reese Witherspoon, or secure it with a comb.

* MC RECOMMENDS: Charles Worthington Results Straightening Balm, Aquage Molding Megagel, Eve Reid pearl comb

MEDIUM - LENGTH

* Apply volumizer to damp roots. Distribute texturizing spray and mousse throughout the rest of your hair. Blowdry, then smooth ends with a brush. Last, create a side part, like Sarah Michelle Gellar. * MC RECOMMENDS: Matrix Amplify Root Lifter, d:fi Beach Bum Texturizing Spray, Physique Amplifying Foam

LONG

* Spray volumizer onto damp roots, then blowdry with a round brush. Pull hair into a high ponytail. Separate a thin section of hair from the tail and make a loop; secure it to your scalp with a bobby pin. Repeat with all remaining hair in ponytail, like Catherine Zeta-Jones. Set with hairspray. * MC RECOMMENDS: Clinique Extra Body Volumizing Spray, Beautique brush, lso Multiplicity Upshoot Styling Spritz

4SECRETS TO A LASTING DO

1 Layer several styling aids--such as gel shine serum, and hairspray--to give your look staying power, says: Elizabeth Stenstrom of the L Salon and Color Group in San Mateo, CA

2 So hair doesn't fall flat, apply volumizer twice; the first time to damp roots, and the second time to dry roots (after you've styled your do). Try Tommy's Auto Body Volumizing Spray.

3 Keep face-framing tendrils in place by spraying your fingers with hairspray, then running them down the length of these shorter strands.

4 The real key to making any look last Hairspray. But rather than just spraying it on the top layers of your hair, spray it into your roots, too.