There’s a particular kind of optimism involved in washing your hair at 4 p.m. for a 6 p.m. dinner. Sometimes it pays off and you get the big, bouncy blowout you had in mind. Sometimes you remember you also have to get dressed, find the other earring, and leave the house.
That’s where a few good holiday hairstyles come in handy. Give yourself the full blowout when you have the time. Get another night out of it with dry shampoo and a French twist. And when the ends are feeling the effects of indoor heat and too many rounds with a hot tool, make wash day part of the plan. Here’s what to reach for in each case.
The Big, Bouncy Blowout
A blowout feels especially good in December, when half the time your hair has been tucked into a coat. For that soft bend through the ends, prep damp hair with Redken Quick Blowout, a lightweight blow-dry primer with heat protection. Rough-dry first, then use a round brush to lift at the roots and turn the ends under.
If you only have time to be particular about two sections, make them the ones around your face. Roll each section away from your face and let it cool before brushing it out. Those front pieces do a surprising amount of work when the rest of the blowout is a little more relaxed.
Shop: Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray
The Second-Day French Twist
A French twist is particularly forgiving when yesterday’s blowout has gone a bit flat. If the roots need a refresh, section dry hair and start with one spray of K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo per section. Massage it in, then brush through before putting your hair up. K18Hair
Gather your hair low, twist it upward, and tuck the ends into the fold. Slide in a few pins or secure the twist with a claw clip. I like this one with a side part and a soft piece left out at the front. It looks like you meant to wear it up all along, even if the decision happened five minutes before you left.
Shop: K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo
The Glossy Low Pony
A low ponytail earns its place in December when there’s a high neckline or a pair of earrings you actually want people to see. Make a clean part, smooth the hair back with a brush, and secure it at the nape. You can keep the tail straight or let the natural wave or curl come through.
Finish with a light veil of Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray over the surface and through the ponytail. It’s a fine finishing mist, and a little across the top is plenty to catch the light. If you prefer to keep the whole lineup Redken, Shine Flash is another option for a glossy finish.
Shop: Color Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray
Soft Waves When Your Ends Feel Dry
There’s a point in December when the ends tell on you. The curling iron, the scarf, the hotel hair dryer you knew better than to use. If they feel rough or keep catching when you brush through, start in the shower with Redken All Soft Heavy Cream. Work the rinse-out mask through the mid-lengths and ends after shampooing, leave it on for five minutes, then rinse.
For soft waves, give dry, heat-protected hair a loose bend through the middle and leave the tips out of the iron. If you’re working with natural waves or curls, let them set as usual. Once the hair is dry, warm a small amount of Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil between your palms and skim it over the ends. Start with less than you think, especially if your hair is fine.
Shop: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil
The Side Sweep That Shows Off Your Earrings
This is the quickest way to change the feel of hair that’s already down. Move your part a little farther to one side, tuck the smaller section behind your ear, and bring the rest forward over the opposite shoulder. It works with a blowout, brushed-out waves, or curls left intact. A slim barrette above the ear can do double duty if the shorter pieces keep slipping out.
Mist amika fluxus touchable hairspray over the tucked side and anywhere you want a little more hold. Leave the lengths free to move. It takes about as long as putting on the earrings, which is handy when someone’s already downstairs waiting for you.
Shop: amika fluxus touchable hairspray
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