Whether you want to rock the ever-popular dolly bun, a summer appropriate plait or a fashion- forward ponytail, ELLEs guide (with the help of the A-list) shows you six alternative ways to wear each trend
Chloe Sevigney, Los Angeles, January 2009
The dolly bun has become the go-to hairstyle usurping the chignon at red carpet occasions and the off-duty down-do. It screams effortless cool. Chloe wears hers right above her forehead, which for low-key days out makes a big impact. You don’t need tonnes of product or stylist know-how, just pull your hair up to the front of your head and tie into a messy knot.
Jessica Hart, Australian Grand Prix Party in Melbourne, March 2011Jessica’s dolly bun is in the exact place Charles Worthington intended it to be worn – this is the closest look to the catwalk version, she’s even paired it with red lips too. Although the show was back in 2009, this hairstyle still looks fresh and modern. Charles Worthington says, 'prep hair using mousse before blow drying, then backcomb the hair before pinning it up to give a youthful, fresh look to the dolly bun. Dishevel slightly by pulling out random sections’.
Laura Bailey at The ELLE Style Awards in London, February 2011Alexa Chung complimented Laura Bailey at this year’s ELLE Style Awards by saying she had the best hair on the night; Laura was, of course, flaunting a dolly bun. The bun is large thanks to Laura’s long hair, if yours isn’t as lengthy, pop your hair into a ponytail and pin your hair over a donut to fake it. To get the hairstyle looking wispy Laura’s stylist (she loves James Brown) rubs a balloon over the hair to create static and frizz, if you don’t have a balloon at hand rub the palms of your hands gently over the finished hairstyle.
Sienna Miller, leaving Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, March 2011Ms Miller proves you don’t need to overly preen your hair before a night out. Her mantra? ‘Less is more’. She has loosely pulled her hair into a ponytail before securing it into a bun. Simply use a little serum followed by a spritz of hairspray to prevent and tame any flyaways; go gently, you just want to neaten, not slick the hair.
Whitney Port, Coachella, April 2011At Coachella Whitney moved the Dolly Bun on with this kooky hairstyle. Topshop Unique sent its models down the autumn winter 11 catwalk with hair just like this, so get practising now; it will work just as well for festivals this summer, as it will next season.
Emily Blunt, Gnomeo & Juliet Premiere in Los Angeles, January 2011Emily’s half halo braid has a hint of the Erdem spring summer 11 show about it and is perfect wedding hair. If you’re nifty with a French plait then this should be a doddle, simply side part the hair and French plait on each side until you reach the nape, keep plaiting the hair to the end, secure with elastic, twist and pin the two plaits in place at the nape. If you find braiding your hair an impossible task, head to your hairdresser. Or if you want the real deal book in at Charles Worthington (the team who created the Erdem look), they will be able to create this look for you, from £47, stress free.
Jessica Alba, The BAFTAS in London, February 2011This double scalp braid is a tricky one to recreate exactly at home but persevere, it looks gorgeous. If your hair is long leave one section of hair loose behind each ear, put the rest of the hair up into a chignon. Next, plait each loose section, wrap around the head and pin on the opposite side. If your hair is shorter pop you hair up in a chignon and use a couple of plaited faux hair bands to get the look, just remember to get the fake hair matched exactly to your natural hair. Hershesons sell great braided headbands, £32 each. Perfect for parties and festivals.
Diane Kruger, Green Auction at Christie’s in New York, March 2011Diane’s dishevelled plait plays down her LBD and gold earrings perfectly, proving less really is more. Leave your hair to dry naturally with a spritz of salt spray to add texture, try Catwalk by Tigi Session Series Salt Spray. Once dry, roughly tong random sections then plait (or fishtail) the hair to the front making sure you’re not too neat, and secure with an elastic. Look in the mirror and pull at the ponytail to make it fatter and tease any flyaways and tendrils until you achieve your desired look.
Rihanna, MET Ball in New York, May 2011 To recreate Rihanna’s hair verbatim you would need a whole lot of dye, hair extensions and expert assistance! If your hair is long enough and you want to get a similar look with your natural hair, French plait a section on either side starting just above your temples. Make sure to wind the plait on the opposite side diagonally across to the opposite ear, then join the two plaits into one and braid over your shoulder so it sits on your décolleté.
Hailee Steinfeld, The Hollywood Reporter Big 10 Party in Los Angeles, February 2011This is a twist, rather than a plait. Part your hair, splitting into two sections, then twist around each other and secure with an elastic (which you can disguise with a decorative clip like Hailee). Be sure to spritz the twist with hairspray to ensure it holds, try Elnett Extra Strength Hairspray, £6.02.
Tinsley Mortimer, New York City, April 2011A really pretty and whimsical style, this is perfect for weekends. Tinsley has woven ribbon through the braid just like the models’ hair at Erin Fetherston’s autumn winter 11 show, where gold braid was used. You can use any ribbon; simply tie it to the top and weave through the hair either twisted or as the third strand in a plait. Pin to the head as you go, secure with an elastic and leave the ends to fall loose like the rest of the hair.
Blake Lively, Diet Pepsi Style Studio in America, February 2011Sam McKnight created one of Team ELLE’s favourite ponytails at the Jaeger autumn winter 11 show and it looks like Blake was taking notes too. Blake’s hair looks super healthy and gorgeous with a sporty feel just like the models at the show. Sam prepped hair with Pantene Sheer Volume Mousse , £3.36, and Colour Protect Conditioning Spray, £4.07, before blow drying. Simply pull back into a band and dishevel the front my pulling the crown forward slightly with your fingers.
Crystal Renn, New York City, April 2011Crystal’s hair is super sleek, but with the side parting it is more flattering than if her hair had been scraped back off the forehead. The key to this look is to straighten the hair before pulling it into a ponytail. You’ll also need tonnes of shine spray to create that glazed look; ELLE loves Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray, £18.65.
Reese Witherspoon, The Oscars, February 2011This is a very 1960s hairstyle with the height at the crown and the bouncy ponytail. To get Reese’s look you will need to wash, blow-dry and then set the hair using heated rollers. Once the rollers have cooled release the hair, spritz with a weightless hairspray like Serge Normant Meta Luxe Hairspray, £24, and brush through gently using a soft bristle brush (Mason Pearson is best). Backcomb the hair at the crown and smooth over gathering the hair into a high ponytail. If you find backcombing tricky, use VO5 Instant Oomph Powder, £4.08, to get volume at the roots.
Nicole Richie, Nordstrom in San Francisco, May 2011 Super dishevelled Nicole proves you don’t need to spend hours perfecting your hair before a big night out. This ponytail wouldn’t look out of place at the gym or on a supermarket run, but here it plays down Nicole’s bold red dress for a cool party look.
Cheryl Cole, Cannes Film Festival, May 2011Cheryl chose a ponytail for her first red carpet outing at Cannes and it is the look for next season. It’s not overly shiny or super sleek; instead there is a little lift at the crown and a hint of body in the ponytail itself. If you’re attempting this look at home make sure you smooth down flyaways using Tigi Bed Head’s Wax Stick, £12.95 and wrap a section of the ponytail around the elastic to conceal. The devil’s in the detail, you know.
Lauren Conrad, Barnes & Noble in New York, February 2010Where Blake’s ponytail is sporty, Reese’s is sixties inspired and Crystal’s is modern, Lauren’s side ponytail is girly and pretty. The curve in the pony and the softly sleeked front section is really flattering – a style that would work just as well for weddings as it would the office.
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