It’s the most wonderful time of the year - finally after months of spending Saturday nights cuddled up on the sofa watching Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor the party season is here!
Every girl knows a fabulous party frock deserves a fabulous do to match. This season sees the return of 1940s Hollywood starlet glamour, so Jed Hamill of Graham Webb International is here to let you know how to set your inner femme fatale free.
Making waves
From the catwalks to the land of celeb, everybody is celebrating their natural waves. As sported by The Hills beauty Lauren Conrad and One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush, waves are a hot look this Christmas, so ditch the straighteners.
This look is so easy to achieve even if you don’t have naturally wavy hair, for the perfect 1940s look invest in a waver.
Before you apply heat to your hair you should always make sure it is well protected, use smooth flatter iron spray (£9.50 300ml) from Clynol’s Style range.
Getting your waves right when using a waver isn’t always an easy task but here’s a trick to keep yours in check. Instead of sectioning your hair horizontally and working from the bottom upwards, section your hair vertically, working from the front to the back of the head. This way you’ll be able to line your waves up more easily.
But, remember, to create this look you’ll need to comb each section through and keep it taut with a comb while applying the waver to get rid of any kinks and leave a smooth lasting effect.
For the classic look start your wave no higher than the top of your ear. Spritz with Lustrous final shine spray (£9.20 100ml) from Clynol’s Look at Me range for a little extra sparkle to an already timeless look.
Braids and bangles
This is a very lustful and romantic look this season, as spotted on Cheryl Cole on The X Factor. Plaits are making a comeback and there are several variations to choose from.
An elegant look that has been seen on hair icon Jennifer Aniston is to plait your fringe. This is such an easy style to achieve, take a section at parting measuring about an inch and plait towards your ear, as you plait pick up a piece of hair each time until you reach your ear. To finish, secure with grips or a poly band hidden below the rest of the hair.
This style looks fabulous worn with waves, curls or straight hair so take your pick at which smoulderingly sexy style you want.
For long-haired lovelies why not copy everyone’s favourite X Factor judge Cheryl Cole and go for a classic, feminine loose plait worn to the side - it’s the new chignon.
Simply pull the hair to the side over your shoulder and create a loose plait. Carry on to the end of the hair and secure using a poly band, keep in place with move free flow hairspray (£7.15 500ml) from Clynol and you’re ready to go - gorgeous!
Wear it high
It’s not about volume, it’s all about height this Christmas, as the high ponytail makes a comeback and the stars are already thinking tall when it comes to their hair.
The high ponytail has made a comeback, after a decade of being a fond memory associated with the Spice Girls. This look is back with an iconic twist as Strictly Come Dancing judge Alisha Dixon has been spotted wearing it high and proud.
The key is to keep it sleek and shiny to make the most of your ponytail. Pull the hair up onto the crown of your head and secure it as tightly as possible, use a comb to reduce any bumps. Secure with a band and add a glossy shine by applying a little of Clynol’s new smooth silky frizz free shine serum (£9.50 150ml) from their style range.
Then it’s completely up to you how your wish to wear your ponytail, waves and cascading curls are a huge hit for this look so experiment freely until you find the right look for you.
To add that little extra Christmas sparkle to your hair why not clip in a couple of diamante accessories?
If you don’t fancy going back to your youth then why not try the half beehive? Don’t worry, we are not trying to urge you to go all Amy Winehouse, think more Ugly Betty star America Ferrera’s classic style.
Soft is the key for this look as you want it to look feminine and chic. Leave the fringe section at the front of your hair to frame your face and add detail to your style, now split the top half of your hair into three sections leaving the rest down. Pull the two side sections towards the back of your head and secure with a band or pin into place. Now take the middle section you have left and backcomb the underneath to add lift to your style, spray with a little hairspray to keep the height and pin back with the other sections of hair and spray with fix uphold strong spray (£7.15 500ml).
Short-haired ladies, do not fret, for you too can wear it high with the best of them. Just look at Rihanna and La Roux, they are both sporting the punk quiff which is a hot look for crops right now.
Get the look by sculpting your hair upwards using a strong hold gel like Clynol’s texture pearl strong hold gel (£8.25 250ml). Don’t be afraid, think big and look fabulous!
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