Big Night! Big...Hair?

 By LiLi Tan

 

In the '80s and '90s, hair styles that were flammable and big were better. Today, simplicity is best. Less is so much more. "Don't be something that you aren't, and don't try to force your hair to do something it can't do," says Po, who only goes by his first name, and is a renowned stylist in New York City. "Instead, work with what you have and do something to fit your hair texture." Here, five great styles from Po that work for the nights that feel big but shouldn't look big.  

Straight, Naturally
Straight hair can be formal when it complements an outfit that is anything but simple. A busy-patterned dress requires simple, classic hair.

How to Get the Look: Towel-dry hair after shampooing. Before drying, apply straightening balm throughout the hair. With your hair dryer and a 1- to 2-inch round brush, dry hair, pulling from roots to end with the brush underneath. Finish with a light holding spray.  There, you are so elegant and chic!

Style Sessions Tip: Don't use a flat iron on the ends. This naturally straight look isn't the stick-straight hair from 2000.

Super Sleek Ponytail
This celebrity-inspired sleek pony might seem informal but if you do it sleek-style, it draws attention to the face and opens up pretty features. "It's chic and trendy," Po says, "and definitely not too old-fashioned."

How to get the look: As with the "Straight, Naturally" style above, towel-dry hair. Next, apply a small amount of pomade. Take a paddle brush, smooth the hair back into a tight and low ponytail with a short middle part (an inch or two at most). Use a band that matches your hair color or go with classic black. You can also back-comb the crown of the head to create height.

Do The Wavy
Wavy is classic and feminine. "If you have straight hair, don't go for full-on loose ringlets," Po advises.

How to get the look: Towel-dry freshly washed hair, then apply an anti-frizz serum. To achieve a slight wave, scrunch hair while drying hair with a diffuser. To get loose ringlets, blow hair until it is completely dry.  Then use a 1- to 2-inch curling iron. Start from the bottom and hold the curling iron almost vertically while moving from the bottom of the shaft to the top. Use a shine spray and then a light hair spray to set the waves.

Half Up, Half Down, All Pretty
This style looks formal and informal at the same time. You can either start with your hair "Straight, Naturally" or "Wavy."

How to get the look: Start with dry hair. Simply run your thumbs right above your ears and pull the hair back. Use hair pins to secure the strands. Keep a few face-framing layers in front for a romantic look. Finish with a light holding spray.

Easy Up 'Do
This look is similar to "Half Up, Half Down" in that you can start with your hair straight or wavy. The goal is to make it imperfectly perfect -- not every strand needs to be plastered into place.

How to get the look: First, use a texturizing spray to give your hair more body. Grab all your hair and make a ponytail (loosely band it together if you have long hair). Take sections of hair between your fingers, fold the hair in toward the pony, and pin it loosely to cover the holder.

Style Sessions Tip: No matter what 'do you choose for your special event, you'll feel more beautiful if your look is more natural. You'll be more comfortable, and your look will say you're elegant and appropriate, not formally stiff.