13 Great Hairstyles

A Tight Braid

Apply gel to your roots and use a brush to pull hair into a high ponytail. Then braid the tail, securing the ends with an elastic. It's good for a party, because it looks great with a cocktail dress.

SEXY WAVES

For this laid-back surfer-girl look, all you need if you have wavy hair is some beach spray and a diffuser.Saturate damp hair with a texturizing spray, such as Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray; then dry with a diffuser attached to your blow-dryer. For straight hair, twist dry four-inch chunks haphazardly around a big-barrel curling iron instead, then mist with the spray. (By the way, you can use actual salt water to create these waves—it really works!)

A BLUNT CUT

Long layers are unfailingly pretty—don't get us wrong—but updating your look with a more severe cut like this one is a quick way to add drama to straight hair. Here's what to ask your stylist for: A cut that's "blunt at the shoulders and has strong fringe.The sides and back are slightly layered to create the thatchy, wispy look." To style it, pull out pieces on the sides and mist all over with hair spray to hold the sharp, graphic shape.

A MINI POMPADOUR

Not all poufs are created equal—and this one is definitely more sophisticated, less Snooki. For this half-up style, grab the section of hair on the top of the head between the temples and tease it at the roots to create height. Smooth it out with your fingers and pin down the hair at the center of your crown; let the rest loose.

A HIGH BUN

The key to this roughed-up bun is in the texture. Blow-dry hair while tousling it with your hands, then use your fingers to rake it into a high ponytail at the top of your head. Tease the entire tail, twist it, and then wrap it into a loose bun, pinning it into place. Finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hair spray.

A SEXY SHAG

These layers add some attitude to shorter hair. To style them set two- to three-inch sections of the hair at your crown with Velcro rollers. Blast them with hot air from your blow-dryer, then let your hair down after it's cooled. Brush it with your fingers, then pull out pieces of hair and mist their ends with hair spray for a piecey, textured effect.

A SCARF WRAP

Big, soft waves give this style a really romantic feel. If you have straight hair, wrap sections in figure eights around a double-barrel curling iron. Make a center part and pull hair into a low ponytail; secure with an elastic. Brush out the hair in the tail, then tie a thick, colorful printed scarf—or even a piece of fabric—around the elastic.

ACCESSORIZED UPDO

A seemingly simple chignon is suddenly dressed up when you add a jeweled comb or barrette. Slide it in right above and behind the ear so you can't see it from the front. It's a good place for an accessory, especially if you're going to be wearing earrings.

ROUGHED UP

Sleek and shiny isn't the only way to play it straight; a slightly disheveled finish is irresistibly cool. Spritz roots with a volumizer, then blow-dry using a paddle brush. Don't dry it 100 percent, though. A little moisture left in the hair to air-dry will coax some frizz. Use your fingers to tousle your roots, too.

A MODERN FLIP

Want the glamour of a modern-day Betty Draper? Use jumbo hot rollers to secure two-inch sections of hair, making sure the ends are curved outward (this will give you that signature 1960s flip)Once hair is set, wait 15 minutes, then brush it out. Tease the front section at the crown, then pin it back.

A SIDE BRAID

This style has a pretty finishing touch. Pull back wavy hair and shift it over to one side of your neck, letting face-framing pieces fall free. Begin braiding at the nape,  then tie it. Wrap a small section of hair from the ends over the cord to hide it; use a small bobby pin to fasten.

VOLUMIZED BLOWOUT

To get loads of volume, run mousse through damp hair, then pick up your blow-dryer and round brush. Start blow-drying hair to the side immediately. Then wrap sections of hair around the brush, holding each in place for a few seconds so that you're using the brush as a Velcro roller, heating the hair on it instead of pulling it smooth. When you're finished drying, rub a dab of pomade over your fingers, then use them to tousle the ends.

A FISHTAIL BRAID

Love a side braid but want to make it a little more interesting? Make it a fishtail, which requires weaving two sections of hair instead of three. First divide the hair into two sections, then pull a few strands from the outside of one section and weave it over to the underside of the second section; repeat the same motion from the opposite side. Keep alternating until you reach the end, then secure with an elastic. To dress up the style, wrap a scarf around your head like a headband and tie it in a messy knot or bow.