The first thing you need to do in order to style a messy updo is to use a hair care product that is designed to add volume to your hair. Add this product to your towel dried hair. Then use a large paddle or barrel brush to pull your hair away from your head. You can use a little heat along the roots for maximum volume if you like. Alternatively, flip-drying, can be used. You can perform this action by bending over and drying your hair while it is flipped over the top of your head. A curly version of the messy updo can be achieved by using a curling iron on the ends of your hair. If you use this version please be certain that the hair product you used is a heat protecting one.

Now gather up your hair as though you intend to create a ponytail then secure the gathered hair with an elastic band. Wrap the hair around the elastic band then secure the mass with pins. The messy updo can be completed by pulling, or leaving a few hairs out while you smooth the gathered mass with your hands or a wide toothed comb.

Once your messy updo is completed you can add personal touches by spraying it with holding products to help provide an improved shine and shimmer. Similar actions include adding flyaways to the front in order to provide a cute, whimsical look and nice messy updo.

Time it took us: 2 minutes

Works on:
· Medium or long hair
· Unwashed, dry, slept-on hair

Stuff to have handy:
· 1-inch curling iron
· Shine spray
· Light-hold hairspray

Step 1
Flip hair over and lightly spritz hairspray on underside. Flip upright and spray on the top. Finger-tousle as it dries.
Step 2
Gather your bang-hair area and bobby-pin it out of the way so you can style the rest of your hair first.
Step 3
Curl 1-inch sections (away from your face). Start wrapping your hair around the iron at ear level, not above. And leave your ends out of the curling iron.
Step 4
Unpin the bang section and curl as you did the rest of your hair.
Step 5
Insert spread fingers into hair at the nape of your neck. Shake your hair (but do not run fingers through) to make the curls messy.
Step 6
Mist with shine spray.

The new season is spicing things up as far as hair color goes, so let your inhibitions go and revamp your look by opting for a color transformation that will make heads turn. There are various hair dye hues that will suit your needs as well as skin tone and personality but that doesn’t mean that all choices are in sync with the new trends. To make sure you choose right and make a style statement, take a peek at the following hair color trends for 2012 and draw inspiration for your new hot look.

From rich blondes to fierce reds, the new hair color trends will enchant your eyes and manage to compliment your fabulous complexion. For best results, turn towards the help of a hair colorist as to obtain a perfect hair color without any damage, a professional touch is needed.

One of the hues that compliment most skin tones and that can combine classic with elegance and modernism when it comes to hair color is brown. Rich, glossy brown shades simple or combined with subtle hair highlights are definitely the most popular choices in 2012. Because of the warmth and simplicity exuded, brown hair can make your complexion glow, but only if you choose the right shade to bring out your skin. From chestnut to chocolate browns, light or dark, anything goes, so keep your hair color simple and turn towards the help of subtle hair highlights randomly disposed throughout your hair to give your locks a little bit of a twist. If your skin tone can pull off a darker tone, opt for a simple cool and shiny brunette hue that will draw attention to your eyes and give you a more mysterious allure.

A wicked red hair color will definitely stop traffic, so if you have a powerful personality, plenty of confidence to go along with it and a cooler skin tone, a fierce red shade can be a great option to consider. Bright fire red tones as well as toned down reds or even orange toned and multi tonal red based hair hues will match the new hair color trends, but before you opt for this eye catching style, make sure your skin benefits from the color combo you choose and that you have the budget to maintain this pretentious hue. Red pigments will lose their intensity faster than other shades, so it will need special hair color protection products to keep your shade’s vividness and sheen.
Whether you opt for a simple red hair color or for flashes of other complimenting shades through your locks, your hair will surely grab a lot of attention.

Add a high amount of sexiness to your look by opting for a cool blonde hair color. There’s a great palette of blonde tones to choose from, but keep in mind that this is not a color for everyone. Add highlights to your base or lighten your locks all over depending on what style suits you best and how light you can go. From sun-kissed, dirty blonde shades and platinum blondes, there are a variety of amazing blonde shades to choose from, so take your pick and experience the power of blonde hair. If you’re all about edgy and unique styles, opt for contrasting panels incorporated through your hair or dip dye your blonde hair ends for a hippie chic vibe that will not go by unnoticed.

2. Rehydrate daily. In place of your regular conditioner, look for a product that’s made for after-sun use. These hydrating hair balms are often richer and more healing than traditional conditioners. Apply conditioner after you shampoo. “Rinse it out like conditioner if your hair is relatively healthy. Or, if hair is very damaged, don’t rinse and use as a leave-in.

3. Use the right shampoo. Shampoos made to wash out chlorine are great for days when you’re actually swimming. But if you already have chlorine damage, those shampoos don’t do much good. Instead, use a hydrating type, which adds moisture while it cleans.

4. Wash only when necessary. There’s nothing better for your hair than its own natural oils. But shampooing every day washes those oils away and doesn’t give them time to work their way down the hair shaft, nourishing as they go. Try to go at least a day between shampoos — two to three if your hair can handle it.

5. Brush away! Another way to let your hair’s natural oils repair damaged strands: regular brushing. It distributes the natural oils and encourages shine. I recommend my clients brush their hair every evening using a boar bristle brush.

Any woman with curly, wavy hair, heck even “straight” hair should know that to get hair super smooth, some heat styling is in order. It is slightly unfair, but true. If you have pretty straight hair already, you likely only need the assistance of a blow dryer to get a sleek look, but if your hair has texture and is thick or course, you’ll need the almighty flat iron to achieve stick straight strands. Fear not though, with the right hair care preparation, straightening tips, and responsible use, you don’t have to fry your hair for it to look fabulous.

Tip 1: Pick the right size flat iron

Flat irons are like clothes, they are not one-size fits all. The length and thickness of your hair should determine the size of your iron. The right size iron will be easier to maneuver, straighten your hair more efficiently, and decrease the risk of overheating and damaging hair.

For short, thick or fine hair: Use an iron with narrow plates ranging in size from half-an-inch to one-inch thick.

Tip 2: Select the right heat setting

Your hair texture and type should determine your heat setting. Most professionals use an iron with variable heat settings, but a drugstore iron (if you are on a tight budget) will work on some hair types as they are set to a higher, workable temperature and if the density of your hair is average, than you should be OK.  If you do have the ability to purchase an iron with a variable heat setting, then do so. The more your iron caters to your specific hair needs, the less likely you will be to damage your hair.

For fine or damaged hair: 250-300 degrees
For medium/average hair: 300-350 degrees
For thick or coarse hair: 350-400 degrees

Tip 2: Select the right flat iron

Look for flat irons that use ceramic, tourmaline or titanium metals. They will heat more evenly causing less heat damage to your hair. They are the “gentlest on the hair” because they release negative ions which work to tighten the hair’s cuticle. This produces a shinier, healthier, less frizzy look and feel. On the flip side, be weary of irons that are ceramic ‘coated’ or Teflon ‘coated as they will heat a little more unevenly, and tend to have a more drying effect.

Tip 3: Prep hair properly

Once you’ve found the best iron for your hair, the next crucial step to straightening your strands like a pro is preparing your hair for the heat it’s about to undergo.

Tip 4: Get a super straight look

Step 1: Start by clipping your blow dried hair into manageable sections — the thicker your hair, the more sections you should create. Starting on the bottom half of your head, near the nape of your neck, grab a half-an-inch to two-inch section of hair.

Step 2: Starting half-an-inch down from your roots (this will help your hair maintain some volume), quickly smooth the iron down the hair shaft, making sure to move at a steady pace. Continue this until you have straightened the bottom and mid-sections of your head.
Step 3: For the final sections near the crown of your head, lift hair off your scalp and get the iron as close to your roots as possible, pressing firmly while drawing the iron straight outward from your head to achieve a flat, smooth finish.
Step 4: Mist with shine spray.

Tip 5: Get a voluminous straight look

For a fuller, more voluminous look — like the one seen here on Jennifer Aniston, you will want to hold the iron a bit differently. Iron from the mid-shaft to ends, still moving the iron straight out to the sides, lifting from the scalp. As a rule, do not drag the iron down when working, because it tends to put creases in the [hair] if you are going against the growth pattern. For added flip, twist your wrist slightly away from your face once you’ve reached the end of a straightened section for a bit of bounce. Mist with a shine spray or flexible hold hairspray.

One of the easiest New Years looks simply includes styles that focus on big luscious curls and waves. Style your tresses with loads of volume and you’ve got the perfect New Years look. You can also wear styles such as the french twist, pompadours or a high ponytail. Hair trends such as ballerina buns, braided styles can be great as well. To get inspiration for your New Years style look below for more fun hair ideas.

Ballerina Buns

Big Curls & Waves

Pompadours

French Twists

Braids

High Ponytails

Side Swept

Blonde tresses have been for a long time considered to be sexy and attractive. Blonde hair seems to have a certain degree of alluring power which draws attention just like a magnet.
It seems that blonde tresses have helped some celebrities become the stars they are today. Marilyn Monroe, Pamela Anderson, Sharon Stone all have something in common: fame and blonde tresses.

Gorgeous celebrity blondes of the present are style icons for so many women. Celebrities have access to the best hairstylists thus receive the best haircuts and hair colors available. Their blonde hair attract so much attention and enhance their natural beauty, reason why they are admired by so many men and women.
Here are some gorgeous celebrity blondes which are greatly admired for their hair as well as beauty:

Sienna Miller
Sienna Miller is known for her natural beauty as well as her gorgeous blonde tresses. This celebrity blonde has managed to inspire so many young when it comes to hair color due to her beauty. Her blonde hair matches her complexion beautifully and enhances her eyes.

Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani remained a loyal fan of blonde hair for years now, and there is no question why. Her platinum blonde hair contributes to her gorgeous look, making her attract even more attention. She is a gorgeous celebrity blonde who knows how to enhance her style.

Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere is an American sweetheart admired for her beauty and gorgeous blonde hair. Her lovely blonde tresses enhance her flawless complexion and aid her natural beauty. Her blonde hair has inspired teenagers as well as women when it comes to blonde hair color.

Nicole Richie
Nicole has tried several hair colors until she decided for the one that suited her best, and that color was obviously blonde. Her blonde tresses match her complexion perfectly and bring out her gorgeous eyes. It is a hair color that has helped Nicole Richie attract even more attention and become the style icon she is today.

Moreover, our hair styling routine, as well as the shampoo and the care products we use can highly influence the health of our hair. Here are some tips for dry hair care that might help you recover the beauty of your hair.

Dry hair can be a serious problem. Hair dryness might appear when sebaceous glands don’t produce enough sebum. Besides this, different elements, such as our hair care routine, the styling products we use, hair dyeing and bleach, and other external factors, like sun or chlorine in water, can seriously damage the hair and make it look lifeless. If you are dealing with this problem, you should know that there are various saving solutions and tips for dry hair care.

First of all, make sure you avoid a too foamy shampooing as this alters the keratin, the main substance that maintain the resistance and softness of the hair, and hair becomes dry, with split ends, and it breaks easily. Therefore, it is important to realize that a too foamy shampooing can be really aggressive with your hair. The right shampoo foams easily with tap water and it can be rinsed out without too much effort.

When it comes to rinsing, it is essential to learn a few basic, essential things. First, forget about hot water and choose instead tepid water, even a little cold, to rinse your hair. Hot water has an abrasive and harsh effect and it removes the sebum that protects the hair. Then, you can add about 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar in half liter of water, and use this after shampooing. Vinegar acts just like a hard water neutralizer. Hard water can really damage the hair as it lays on its surface attacking the lipids of the cuticle, and causing dry hair. Remember that lemon is also and excellent anti hard water agent and it can successfully replace vinegar.

When dealing with dry hair one should pay a lot of attention to the products used. For example, all styling products, such as mousse, gel, or hairspray, should be avoided if you have dry hair. All these products contain alcohol, which is responsible for dissolving the fatty acids, causing hair dryness. The best thing you can do is to find styling products that are alcohol-free and are specially made for fragile or damaged hair.

It is well known the fact that hair dyeing makes hair even more fragile. Not to mention what happens in case the dye is preceded by bleaching, which accentuates even more hair dryness. This is why it is better and healthier for your hair to use temporary dyeing products. Choose those that are specially made for fragile hair. Try to stay away from ammonia that only dries the hair. You can also opt for a natural hair dyeing, such as henna. Perms can also dry your hair. If you still want to add some color, you can go for highlights or lowlights.