New Hair Ideas for 2010

Time for a change? Nothing updates your look faster than a new hairstyle. Check out these ideas for the New Year.

Give Yourself a Smooth Blowout

Using a blow-dryer rather than an iron to straighten hair creates a softer, more natural look. First, blot excess water with a microfiber towel. Then remove the dryer's nozzle and sweep damp hair from side to side with your fingers while blasting it; do this until hair is almost dry. Reattach the nozzle and, working in three-inch sections, pull each one out to the side using a paddle brush—keep your thumb on top of the bristles to help tightly pull the hair smooth all the way through to the ends. Run the dryer up and down each section until dry.

Wear Hair Halfway Back

To make this style more grown-up, take the top section of your hair from temple to temple and lightly tease the underside with a paddle brush. Skim the brush over the surface of hair to smooth it, then secure at the back of the crown with a simple metal or tortoiseshell barrette.

Get Big, Bouncy Curls

Nothing says "bombshell" like a flowing heap of curls. (See style on the left.) Apply mousse throughout damp hair, followed by a little serum on the ends, then blow-dry without a brush. Use a one-inch curling iron to roll hair sections up, from the ends to the scalp, and hold each there for a second. After sliding out the iron, pin the curls to the head. When they've cooled, release the curls and fluff them with a brush.

Tie on a Colorful Scarf

It's the fastest solution to a bad hair day. Choose a square, printed scarf (solid colors tend to look like a bandage) and fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle. Tie it over the top of your hair and knot it in back. The front should rest no more than an inch down over your hairline (any lower, and you risk Axl Rose comparisons).

Create a Rounded Blowout

Think Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. With a slinky dress, this is still a seductive look for shoulder-length hair. Blow-dry hair straight with a round brush, then make a deep side part. Wind the ends around large hot rollers and leave them in until they've cooled. After taking out the curlers, gently brush through the ends, then rub a drop or two of shine serum between your palms and smooth them over your hair.

Do the Wave

The key to faking supermodel waves is to make the hair look as thick as possible and to keep the ends straight, which gives a more natural-looking finish. Spread mousse throughout damp hair to bulk it up, then blow-dry with a round brush. Next, roll large sections of hair up in a one-inch curling iron, but leave the ends out. When finished, break up the curls with your fingers—not a brush—to keep the volume intact.

Come Undone

A little dishevelment in the front keeps an updo from looking rigid. Gently tease your hair with a paddle brush before wrapping it up into a bun or twist. Then, use the pointed side of a rattail comb to loosen the front—slide it vertically into the side of the hair, then gently tug the hair away from the scalp ever so slightly. Use the point to lift out a few pieces at your hairline so they softly drape around your face.

Rise Up

A high ponytail never goes out of style. But to ensure that frizz and flyaways aren't part of the picture, work a pea-size drop of smoothing lotion into your roots and hairline before blow-drying. Brush the hair back and secure it just below your crown. To make the tail gleam, rub a drop of shine serum between your palms, them run them over the tail from base to ends.

Brighten Up

Part hair on the side, then slide a colorful bobby pin in on the opposite side at the spot that lines up above the end of your eyebrow. Then, slide another pin of a different color right above the first one.

Create Major Volume

Body building is a cinch with these steps:

1. Apply a volumizing mousse throughout damp hair.

2. Remove the nozzle from your dryer. Flip your head upside down, and blow-dry while running a vent brush through hair.

3. When hair is almost dry, flip your head up and finish drying with a medium-size round brush.

4. Working in small sections, lift your hair off your scalp with your fingers as you aim the dryer, set on cool, at your roots—this roughs up the cuticle to add volume. Do this all around your head, then lightly smooth hair with a brush.

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