beyond-easy hairstyles to wear for the holidays and beyond...

personally, i'm always wearing some sort of variation of a "hair down" style; sometimes i add a braid on the side or tiny twists at my temples, but i often have to talk myself into wearing my hair up, even if only half up {strange it may seem, yes, but we're all guilty of keeping to our safe, comfortable, i-feel-better-wearing-my-hair-like-this style...c'mon, admit it! *wink}.

typically, it's at certain times of year {holidays, awards season, summer} that i am most inspired to change it up. celeb hairstylist and Redken artist Nelson Vercher, who has worked with many stars including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Palermo and Kelly Rowland, has shared 3 fabulous hairstyles that are not only great, chic options for this time of year, but also easy, perfect for incorporating them year-round...


1) off the face ponytail or high buns: don't let your hair come in the way of your new year's kiss. many celebs have been spotted with a pony tail for a natural, softer look. with a smoky eye shadow and great accessories this hair do would be great for all your holiday festivities.

2) a loose french fish tail or classic plait middle braid: this is an easy, sexy and fun look. don't let the wind stop you from getting creative. you can add some hair accessories to it!

3) half up, half down: this is great for the holidays because the front of the hair is back off the face and the back is left down; curls can be added for a glamorous look.


Nelson says: "i think it is always best to do something off the face...a lot of times up and off the collar because people wear lots of high collars, scarves and very layered clothes this time of year, particularly new years eve!"

so easy, right? plus, with some creativity, you'll be able create these styles and make them look completely fresh for any occasion.

Total Beauty: What Does Your Hairstyle Say About You?

another fun hair quiz!

my results said "your hairstyle says you're youthful and romantic"-- true! product recommendations were those that promote strength and keep tresses healthy: Nexxus Keraphix Restorative Strengthening Conditioner and Nexxus Emergencee Strengthening Polymeric Reconstructor. will have to give those a try!

take the quiz yourself:

Hairstyle Personality Test

Consider this the Myers-Briggs test for hair and discover what your hairstyle says about you

This is a TotalBeauty.com hairstyles article Wanna know what your 'do says about you? Find out by taking this quiz -- then see which hairstyling products you should use. Take quiz

what were your results?

xo

Oribe Gives Scarlett Johansson a New, Modern Bob

celeb hair guru, Oribe, recently worked with actress Scarlett Johansson to create for her a fabulous new hairstyle. the end result: a lighter-feeling, more modern bob.

Oribe says, "this haircut has a lot of versatility. it's very modern-- a medium-length to longer bob, cut in a really jagged line at the bottom. we kept the good parts of Scarlett's longer hair-- the softer ends-- and took length off the back. the cut isn't super-angled, and it isn't incredibly severe-- it's softer and more wearable. there are a million directions you can take with this haircut-- it's not your typical bob. Scarlett's hair was photographed in more of a natural state, but you can do so much with this style."

want to know more details about ScarJo's new cut? head over to DailyMakeover.com!

xo
source: DailyMakeover.com; images: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Emily Blunt at Wolfman Premiere

Laini Reeves, owner and creative director of Essensuals London, made actress Emily Blunt look fabulous at the premiere of the new movie, Wolfman. taking inspiration from Emily's vintage style, Reeves created a new take on the traditional 1920's updo.

by making a custom flapper style accessory-- a peacock feather fashioned to an elastic headband (love it!)-- Reeves created the mood for the hairstyle she had in mind.

here's the step-by-step to help you recreate this look for your next soiree.

1: start with hair that is smooth and glossy. Reeves has been using Shu Uemura Essence Absolue while on tour with Emily; apply this prior to blow drying.

2: gently scrunch dry hair to encourage a natural wave and boost texture.

3: secure the headband (if you don't have one, i pretty clip will work just as well) and twist hair up and over around a hair band, to back of head with messy bun at nape of neck.

4: loosen a few strands to create a more modern, soft, tousled look.

5: finish with a light holding spray.

so simple, right?

xo
image: Photo Agency via Zimbio.com

2010 Grammy Awards Beauty: Katy Perry

newly engaged Katy Perry was an eclectic mix of old-school glam a la Bettie Page and indian elegance when she attended the 2010 Grammy awards last night.

as a compliment to an amazing makeup job (i loved her lush lashes and pink lips), celeb stylist Danilo created the the look for the Waking Up in Vegas singer. it was his desire to create a "hipper" retro pin-up girl style by keeping the hair from looking too perfect.

here's how the style was achieved:

Danilo first combed through the Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Split End Prevention Leave-in Cream to condition and ready hair for styling. while blow-drying individual sections of hair, he sprayed the Pantene Pro-V Volume Root Lifter Gel for extra lift and definition.

he then spiral set her curls with a medium curling iron for contemporary waves, tousling Katy's hair with the Pantene Pro-V Texture Hairspray to finish the look.

Danilo described her bangs as "bumper perfection" after using the Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Extra Strength Serum on damp hair before drying straight and creating a smooth curvature across the brow.


tell me: what did you think of Katy's look?

xo
pics: Getty Images

Jessica Alba's Undone Updo

Jessica Alba was at Sundance last week to attend the premiere of her film, The Killer Inside Me, and Fekkai stylist Renato Campora made sure she looked fabulous for her night out.

i have to say i love Jessica Alba's hair all pulled out of her face. it's a gorgeous one! plus with the heavy collar of her coat and sweater, it would have been too much to have left her hair down, in my opinion.

here's how Campora styled Jessica's hair:

before blowing her hair dry, Campora used Fekkai Coiff Strong Hold Volume Mousse on hair while it was damp. for the blow dry, he only used his fingers in order to create texture.

next, he wrapped hair around a hair stick to the back of the head and locked it into place. after diffusing the hair at the roots and letting it set for 10 minutes, he took the stick out and applied Fekkai Au Naturel Dry Shampoo. again using his fingers, Campora created more texture at the roots by tousling the hair.

finally, he created a messy bun and secured it using bobby pins and added an elastic headband to give a fresh, defined look. to finish the look, he sprayed Fekkai Sheer Hold Hairspray to set the style.

Fekkai products can be found online and in Sephora stores as well as fekkai.com

tell me: what do you think of Jessica with this hairstyle?

xo

2010 Golden Globes Beauty: Sofia Vergara

Modern Family star Sofia Vergara was gorgeous at the Golden Globes, dressed in a gown by Carolina Herrera. her hairstyle (created to evoke a Greek goddess with natural ethereal waves ) was created by the one and only celebrity stylist, Oscar Blandi, and i have the scoop on how it was done.



Oscar primed Sofia's wet hair with Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray then blow-dried it, pinning pieces around the crown of her head and the nape of her neck. using a medium barrel curling iron, Oscar created soft waves and finished the look with Oscar Blandi Lacca Hairspray.

simple, huh? i love it! you can find Oscar Blandi products at sephora.com

xo
images: Getty Images

Behind the Scenes at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Runway Show

hosted by Frederic Fekkai, Lisa Love and Sally Singer, the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund held its annual runway show featuring 10 finalists competing for the chance to receive a year of mentorship and support in launching their careers.

discover the inspiration for the hairstyles-- created by Frederic Fekkai-- along with the fashion fund finalist inspiration for their collections in the info and video below.


look #1: the wet look



the first look is a sculptural, edgy ponytail inspired by some of the graphic trends shown in the collections. described as modern, young and sexy, the texture tells a story through the wet and twisted hard hair. to add an effortless look, pieces are left out in front.

to achieve this look:

*use your hands as styling tools to create this piecey look.

*apply Fekkai COIFF Extra Control Styling Gel to damp hair and comb through with fingers, no blow dry required.

*pull hair into textured sections before twisting together into a low ponytail just above the nape of the neck.

*secure the twist with bobby pins, letting shorter pieces fall to the side.

*shape the hair into a long sleek ponytail.

look #2: the dry look



the second look is a modern, angelic take on a tousled, bohemian style. the hair is full and voluminous with an airy soft texture that allows for movement; it's dramatic, yet romantic and very wearable. pieces are left in front to frame the face and accentuate the jewelry shown in the collections.

to achieve this look:

*apply Fekkai COIFF Strong Hold Mousse to damp hair and scrunch with fingers as you blow dry completely to create the wild texture.

*wrap hair in big sections around twist-ties (fabric curling rods) to create volume at the roots and soft curl for movement.

*tease hair at the roots using a fine comb, and apply Fekkai Au Naturel Powder Clean Dry Shampoo to add thickness and extra structure, but without added weight.

*pin the sides to the back of the head and secure with bobby pins.

*to secure height at the crown, finish with a fine mist of Fekkai Full Blown Volume Lifting Hairspray.

find Fekkai products at Sephora (in store and online), Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue and other fine retailers. to find a retailer near you, visit Fekkai.com


xo
first image: wireimage.com
hair images provided by Full Picture PR

hair therapy: Victoria Beckham's New 'Do

Victoria Beckham wore her hair a bit different at the Lakers game over the weekend. the Telegraph UK describes it as short, sweet and just a little shaggy and undeniably feminine-- i concur. this hew style definitely softens her up. she looks amazing...

agree? disagree??

let me know!

xo
source: Telegraph UK via NY Mag's The Cut
photo: Getty Images

Hair Trend Alert: Long Braids

one huge trend, seen both on the runways and red carpet, is long braids. celebrities Blake Lively, Diane Kruger, and Jennifer Lopez have all donned this glamorous look.





at the Cannes Film Festival, Diane Kruger donned a romantic, chic braid at the photo call for Inglourious Basterds...




at the VMA's Jennifer Lopez stepped out in a slick braid that fell into a loose ponytail...




at the Emmys, Blake Lively looked ultra glamorous in her glossy, long braid stemming from a tight ponytail...




and at the Alexander Wang spring 2010 collection, models sported long and loose side braids (also shown in the first photo).


"these long braids are a modern take on an effortless goddess look," says Renato Campora (pictured below) for Frederic Fekkai. "they are for a woman who wants to be chic but still having a little bit of fun."



xo

Blake Lively at the 2009 Emmy Awards

Blake Lively was a stand-out on the Emmy red carpet in my book. her fabulous red Versace gown and goddess style updo really made for a memorable look.




hairstylist Renato Campora created her hairstyle by applying Fekkai Coiff Strong Hold Volume Mousse onto her wet hair.



next, he blow-dried her hair smooth and applied the Fekkai Coiff Extra Hold Styling Gel to prep the hair.

after teasing all the hair, he pulled it up into a high ponytail. by adding some hair extensions to the ponytail, he created extra length for a more dramatic look.



to finish the style, he braided the entire ponytail and fastened at the end then applied Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra Light Finishing Creme throughout the entire look for a smooth and sleek effect.

Fekkai is sold at Sephora, Nordstrom and online at Fekkai.com

xo
images: JustJared.com and TenGossip.com