Make heads turn at this year’s holiday party

By Rebecca Clifford-Cruz

Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 | 2 a.m.

Up, down, sleek or tousled?

With the holidays fast approaching, you don’t need to pull your hair out worrying about how to create a festive hairstyle that complements your party wear. This season’s trendy and nontraditional styles can be put together at home, by yourself or with a little help from a friend.

Low ponytail

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ponytails are among the most versatile hairstyles. The key to this year’s version is a low profile. Whether you like it tight or keep it loose, it should be secured at the nape of the neck or lower, as seen on red carpets and in fall fashion shows.

Instructions:

1. Part hair in the middle or on one side.

2. Brush hair across the top of the head until smooth. Run your fingers along front hairline, tucking hair behind the ears.

3. Pull hair together with your hands, and if necessary, a brush. Secure the ponytail at the nape of the neck with a hair tie.

4. Grab a small portion of hair from the ponytail and wrap it around the base to cover the hair tie, then secure the ends with a bobby pin.

5. Use an aerosol finishing hairspray over the entire head.

Sleek Spanish bun

Prep time: 10 minutes

The elegant, dramatic Spanish bun made a comeback in 2013 in and out of Hollywood. If you’re planning to wear a tailored dress or gown, consider this style. It is surprisingly simple with the proper supplies and technique.

Instructions:

1. Part hair deeply on one side.

2. Gather the hair in a low-profile ponytail at the backside of the head, opposite to the part. Keep the hair sleek and close to the head. Secure with a hair tie.

3. Wrap a Hair Stylers Mesh Chignon — these can be bought at Sally’s Beauty Supply in three colors for less than $4 each — around the hair tie by slipping the ponytail through the center. Spread and fan the hair out and around the mesh circle.

4. Use a second hair tie to secure the hair wrapped around the mesh.

5. Twist any remaining loose hair around the base of the bun, securing with bobby pins around the circular formation.

6. Use an aerosol finishing hairspray over entire head.

Messy updo

Prep time: 15-30 minutes

A carefree and flirty yet stylish hairdo, the messy updo can be worn in many variations. The point is to look effortlessly pretty.

Instructions:

1. Tease and backcomb entire head of hair to create volume.

2. Rake fingers through the front and sides of hair, then pull it back in a ponytail near the occipital bone, the bump on the back of the head.

3. Spray lightly with aerosol medium-hold or flexible hairspray.

4. Curl the ends of the ponytail in 1-inch sections.

5. Once all the ends are curled, grab different-sized sections of the ponytail, twisting from bottom to top, and pin them up using bobby pins. Use additional bobby pins to hold the style in place or to add texture.

6. Use an aerosol finishing hairspray over entire head.

Loose waves or structured curls

Prep time: Varies depending on thickness of hair

If hair is your most valued accessory, you’ll want to keep it down and untamed for your special event. Whether you sport short, medium or long locks, this style will work. Wear curls tight and bouncy or wavy like the ocean.

Instructions:

1. Wash hair. Add a fast-forming cream gel to dampen hair, then comb thoroughly to spread the product from roots to ends.

2. Blow-dry hair while combing through with fingers or a paddle brush. Be sure hair is completely dry, then spray with a heat protectant.

3. Tie up the top section of hair. Working in 1– to 2-inch sections, wrap hair around a barrel-curling wand (available at any beauty supply), curling away from face.

4. For face-framing sections of hair, wand in smaller sections. Let down the middle and top sections of hair, and repeat until the entire head is curled.

5. For more volume, dip head upside down and spray with a medium hold hairspray. Let the hairspray dry completely before flipping your head back up.

Alternate method for curling: If you’ve got a little money to burn, consider investing in a professional curl machine such as the Babyliss Pro Miracurl. It’s fast, easy to operate and creates consistent curls. It sells for about $130 and up.

Rebecca Clifford-Cruz was a licensed cosmetologist in Utah and Nevada.