Hair's the Scoop

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Move over headbands! Though we did spot one banded beauty (Heather Lindt), updos (in the form of braids and textured power coifs) ruled the red carpet at the 2012 SAG Awards.

Some of my favorite looks included those of Dianna Agron and Kaley Cuoco (both with braids wrapped around the crown) and Amber Heard and Julie Bowen (who reached new heights with teased toppers).

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You bought the dress, borrowed the bag and bargained for the shoes. But what about your holiday hairstyle? Seems a shame to put all that effort into your ensemble and then make your mane an afterthought.

Take a cue from these style savvy celebs and work a hairstyle that’s big on drama but short on work.

Which one will you try?

Thanks to Nicole Richie, the Olsens and Jessica Alba, braids are all the rage right now. So much so that earlier this summer, the John Barrett Salon in New York opened up a braid bar, dedicated to creating plaited styles that you could never do yourself.

Some people initially balked at the $45 the salon was charging – not me. I can’t even blowdry my own hair so $45 seemed pretty reasonable. And that was before I went to check it out!

Kayley was my stylist and she was a pro – it only took her about 20 minutes (and about 40 bobby pins) to create a serious milkmaid style on me (see above).

The look lasted about three days…and I have two small children! Quite honestly, I could have gotten another day out of it, but my little angels were starting to stick pieces of LEGO and raisins in it so I thought it best to let it out.

But I plan on going back – again and again. I can already picture myself with a poncho and some riding boots on, walking through a pumpkin patch with a fab braided look. People will stare and point at me, asking each other – “who is that”? Ok, maybe not – but at least I won’t have to deal with washing my hair for a few days!

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Things got kinky at Douglas Hannant’s fashion show. His models all sported some version of a crimped hairstyle. Could crimping be the new braids? Will all the serial braiders like Nicole Richie and the Olsens switch over to this 80s look? Only time will tell.

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Braids aren’t exactly the new kid on the hair trend block but “Project Runway” winner Gretchen Jones took the look to a whole new level at her Spring 2012 fashion show. She refers to them as “hyper-braids” on her website but they can also be described as a double inside out French braid. Try saying that ten times fast.

Kind of cool, no?

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Nikki Reed models a romantic updo at Sunday's Teen Choice Awards in LA.

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Kendall Jenner models a uniquely-braided updo at the 2011 Teen Choice Awards in LA.

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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley rocks a braided chignon at the UK premiere of "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon."

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Blake Lively models a romantic, side-swept updo at the LA premiere of "The Green Lantern."