Hair's the Scoop

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Some of the most modern, fashion-forward looks are actually the easiest to achieve— it's all in the technique.

Take the twisted chignon. It's fun, chic, and can easily take you from day to night. To get-the-look, I've asked Lawrence Martinez— senior stylist at Butterfly Studio Salon— to share his 3-step method:

Step One: Don't be afraid to be a little dirty.
Star with hair that’s not too clean. Hair should be smooth and polished. If its too clean, “dirty” hair with some pomade or hairspray.

Step Two: Pony up.
Comb hair to the top of the crown and tie in a high ponytail. When hair is secured in place, twist hair like a rope to the ends and wrap around the base of the ponytail and secure with a bobby pin.

Step Three: Work it out.
Pull the bun loosely until you achieve your desired shape.

...Voilà! Runway-worthy hair in a matter of minutes.

Will you be getting "knotty" this season?

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Andy LeCompte— the A-list stylist behind Madonna's smooth, shiny waves— swears by this Revlon innovation, which creates S-shaped waves better and faster than a traditional curling iron.

The 3-Barrel Jumbo Waver may seem complicated to use, but it's really just an oversized crimper. You simply place a small section of your hair between the heated plates and press down. That's it!

Revlon 3-Barrel Jumbo Waver, $24.95. Available at Amazon.com.

Jose Perez/Splash News, PPNY/GSNY/Splash News, Steffman/Curd/Splash News

Did last night's episode of "Gossip Girl" leave you craving the girls' signature, tousled style?

If so...

Stop wishing and start styling! Riding the wave is a lot easier than it may seem.

CLICK HERE for a step-by-step guide to achieving this ageless look.

Source: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Jason Merritt/Getty Images, Steve Granitz/WireImage

We've gone straight to the source— celebrity stylist David Babaii— for the secrets to achieving Angelina Jolie's Oscars half-updo:

To create this romantic cascade of curls, David first sprayed Angelina's entire head with David Babaii for WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray and scrunched it into the hair. This provides just the right texture and hold.

Next, he dried her hair by dividing it into three sections: top, sides and back, leaving the nape area free. Taking small sections starting at the nape, he used the David Babaii for WildAid Blow Dryer (with the nozzle attachment) and finished the drying process with a large round brush to smooth Angelina's hair straight.

David then sprayed his Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier at the crown area and down the hair shaft. Next, he dried each section with a jumbo round brush to add lift and volume. Once dry, David sectioned the hair again using the same sectioning process as her did for blow drying. Then, using the David Babaii for WildAid Styling Iron, he created "ribbon curls" by taking small "V" shaped sections.To achieve, wrap the hair around and inside the styling iron close to the scalp area and pull the iron down (similar to curling ribbon). After curling the entire head, David smoothed some of the curls with a brush while leaving some intact. At the crown area, he back-brushed the hair (at the scalp area only), applied some additional Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier and gently smoothed the surface.

Next, to create her half-up, half down look, David brushed the sides up and back and secured the hair with pins. To complete the back, he ran his fingers up several of the curls to create volume and variations in texture. For a long but natural lasting hold, he finished the look with David Babaii for WildAid Mise en Plis Light Styling Spray.

And that's it!

Will you be trying Angelina's latest look at home?

Source: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Wish you could recreate Taylor Swift's romantic updo from Sunday's Grammy Awards? We've gone straight to the source and asked her stylist, Enzo Angileri, to share his steps for achieving this look:

First, Enzo used a medium-sized curling iron throughout the hair to create volume at the roots for added lift.

Next, he used Moroccanoil Intense Curl Cream on the ends of Taylor's hair to hydrate and define her locks.

Enzo then asked Taylor to lift her chin all the way up, gathered all of the hair together in one, quick movement, twirled it around, and held everything in place.

Next, he misted Taylor's hair with Moroccanoil Gold Glimmer Shine Spray, from a distance of 10-12 inches, for added shine.

Finally, Taylor's tresses were pinned in place with 4-5 strategically placed bobby pins.

Seems simple enough! Will you be trying Taylor's latest look?

Source: Biasion Studio/WireImage

I adore classic hairstyles with a modern flair, and the French twist is one that's made a serious comeback on both the runway and the red carpet. The latest version of this look is a little more tousled and touchable than it's former incarnations, but extremely elegant nonetheless.

To ensure we ace this trendy updo, I've enlisted the help of stylist Daniel Martinez of the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in Los Angeles:

Step One: Prime Your Roots
Begin by applying John Frieda Luxurious Volume Bountiful Body Mousse at the roots of your damp hair. Divide your hair into four main sections and blow-dry two-inch subsections with a round brush beginning at the nape and working up to the top of the head.

Step Two: Tease Your Tresses
Now begin back-combing the two-inch horizontal sections of hair, working from the nape to the top of the head. As you hold each section of hair in your hand, use a fine-tooth comb and lightly tease the roots with four strokes per section. This technique should be applied to the entire head.

Step Three: Get Twisted
Using your hands, loosely begin to direct the sides, top, and back of your hair as though you were to create a ponytail. (Note: Leaving your long fringe/bangs out will encourage the tossed, hassle-free effect of this modern twist.) As you begin to position the base of this style to sit just below the crown of your head, secure one side of the twist using bobby pins by anchoring the pins onto the head in a criss-cross method.

Now that one side of the style is stable, take the remaining hair into your hands and lightly twist the hair in your hand to create a ropelike effect. This hair can now be directed and rolled over the secured side of the style.

Step Four: Pin It Perfect
Using hair pins, begin to mold and loosely anchor this style taut enough for you to feel comfortable all night.

Step Five: Make It Last
Lastly, pull out a few strands of hair from the temple areas and the lower back of your head to give a romantic effect to this modern-day twist. Finish the look by spraying John Frieda Luxurious Volume All-Out Hold Hairspray to the entire head to give you hours of glamour and style.

... And that's it!

Will you be trying this runway look in real life?

Source: Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Michelle Obama (pleasantly) surprised many of us with her decision against a traditional updo for last night's inaugural gala. Instead, our fashion-forward first lady opted for a sleek, straight style that was both elegant and approachable.

To help recreate this timeless look, we've asked celebrity hairstylist Yusef Williams, who has styled Mrs. Obama on numerous occasions, for his expert advice:

Step 1:
The
right shampoo and conditioner are key components for achieving this
look. “I like to use a shampoo and conditioner that are lightweight,
but still help to lock in hair’s moisture,” says Yusef. To get the
look, try a weightless shampoo and conditioner such as Motions Weightless Shampoo and Motions Weightless After-Shampoo Conditioner.

Step 2:
Blow-dry hair to create volume and lift at the roots. Next, go over the
lengths of the hair with a flat iron to get a smooth finish. To
protect hair from heat appliances, use a protecting spray, such as Motions Heat Seeker Protecting Spray.

Step 3:
Add
a sleek and elegant swooping side bang to give hair movement. To keep
the look in place, rub a bit of light, non-greasy pomade, such as Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade, for style control whether you’re on the campaign trail or at the Inaugural Ball.

Source: Mathew Imaging/WireImage, Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

I adore each and every hairstyle that Heidi Klum modeled at the Primetime Emmys, so I’ve asked Helena Faccenda (the celebrity stylist behind it all) to share her inspiration and walk us through what it takes achieve these glamorous hairstyles.

Experiment with
each of these looks for a different occasion, or use Helena's tips and
techniques to create a single style that can take you from day to
night:

Look One: Heidi on the Red Carpet
“I really felt like the dress was very late ’60s-early ’70s inspired,” says Helena. “I wanted to give Heidi a Bridgette Bardot–inspired ponytail with an elegant edge.”

How Helena Achieved This Look:
Little to no product is needed to create this look, other than a few drops of serum to help reduce frizz. First, Helena blew Heidi’s hair out with a blow-dryer. Once dry, she used a wide (1.5-inch) barrel iron to curl her hair. Then, once the curls were set, Helena blew about 60 to 70 percent of the curl out of Heidi’s hair to create a soft wave. She then pulled Heidi’s hair back into a low, loose ponytail. Taking hair underneath the nape of Heidi’s neck, Helena pulled the pieces so the top crown of her head had volume. Finally, she wrapped a small section of hair around the elastic, pinning the top of the ponytail and the hair covering the elastic to Heidi’s head, securing the bump and creating an elegant, easy-to-do look.

Look Two: The Tuxedo
“I wanted the hair to look clean and elegant, like a hair commercial. The hair was very inspired by Veronica Lake."

How Helena Achieved This Look:
When Heidi came in from the red carpet, Helena brushed out the low ponytail and put it into an extremely loose, simple ponytail. She wanted it really loose so Heidi could pull the elastic easily with one finger and transition from the tuxedo look to the glamorous sequin romper she was wearing underneath.

Look Three: The Dior Buttercream Dress
“We went back to the Bardot ponytail, because the structure and beauty of the top of the dress required little to no hair framing the face,” advises Helena.

Look Four: The Black & White Dress
“This dress was very modern, so I wanted something very clean, structured and elegant.”

How Helena Achieved This Look:
Since there was little time between outfit changes, Helena decided to create a tight bun by taking Heidi’s ponytail from the previous look, wrapping it around her hair elastic and pinning tightly to Heidi’s head. “It only took two minutes!” exclaimed Helena.

Look Five: The Leopard Chiffon Gown

How Helena Achieved This Look:
Unpinning Heidi’s sleek bun, Helena vigorously brushed Heidi’s hair in an upward direction to bring more volume to the wave of her hair. Taking two sections above Heidi’s ears, Helena rolled the sections of hair from front to back of her head. The two sections were then secured with tiny clear elastics at the back of her head, and the look was completed with a bit of Victoria’s Secret Shine Spray.

Look Six (Final Change): Michael Kors Blue Dress

How Helena Achieved This Look:
First, Helena took out the two sections of hair she rolled back. She then went over Heidi’s hair with a blow-dryer and round brush, smoothing the hair into a Veronica Lake–inspired look. Creating a side part, Helena pulled the front bang loosely behind the ear, pinning it to secure the look. For a more modernized feel, Helena suggests making the side bang lie flat against your head.

... And voila, that’s it!
Curious about any other celebrity hairstyles from the red carpet? Just drop us a line at hair@mylifetime.com.

Source: MyLifetime.com

This video is a great step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect ponytail, whether you're looking for a low, sleek look or a sexy, teased style.

My favorite products to get this look:

To Volumize: Phyto Phytovolume Actif
This maximizing spray instantly lifts your hair at the roots and adds long-lasting body and bounce. $28.

For Hold: Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold Hair Spray
The most natural-looking and flexible hairspray I’ve come across. $11-28.

To Gloss: Citre Shine Shine Mist
This anti-frizz glossing spray works to protect your hair, tame flyaways, and treat split ends. $4.49.

What are your favorite ponytail prep products? Do share!