Pony Up
This season's newest ponytail is slick, sleek and sophisticated
Mastered the messy braid? Now, change gears for a more polished, but equally trendy, look: a sleek ponytail. Celebrities galore—Beyoncé, Blake Lively, Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow, to name a few—have been spotted on the red carpet and around town sporting ponytails so sleek they almost appear wet.
Trend Alert: Urban Waves
This style is what happens when bed head and beachy waves collide
Equal parts casual and chic, the urban wave is actually achievable all by yourself (no stylist hiding in your closet) and has an effortlessness that looks natural and uncalculated. "It's sexy, soft and carefree," says Andy Bodine, U.S. artistic ambassador for the haircare line ghd. With the right tools, you can re-create the look in just five minutes," he says.
Why Your Hair Hates Sulfates
Sulfate-free shampoos are gentler and kinder to your do
Your delicate hair is not meant to be scrubbed as if it's in a drive-thru carwash. Which is why a gentler shampooing option, sulfate-free shampoo, is gaining in popularity as a healthier way to clean hair. Commonly found in many shampoos, sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate, are widely used because they're inexpensive and effective cleaning agents that soap and lather like detergent.
Luxurious (and Affordable!) Hair Treatments
From caviar masks to healthy oil treatments, take your hair from so-so to stunning right at home, no spa needed
Think of your hair as an impressionable young child. You can treat it with kindness, teach it how to follow the rules and send it out into the world with high hopes it will stay on the right path, but knowing the environment will have an impact.
Stay-Put Secret Weapons
Add a new hair product, or two, to your beauty arsenal to ensure your style has staying power
The right finishing products can help keep your 'do from quickly becoming a don't. Whether you want to define curls, keep that pony in place or maintain your perfect blowout a few mores days, we found the best products for keeping styles in place.
The Straight Story
Ceramic? Tourmaline? Titanium? Choosing the right flat iron is a hot topic
Talk about shopping for flat irons and questions start flying. Does it matter what it's made from? Will it be gentle on my hair? Which one should I choose?
Rock Your Locks
Amp up your new year with a head-turning new haircut, color or style
New Year's Eve is almost here and you've sworn to go into 2012 with a bang. Or a bob. Or maybe even a pixie cut. Start the year with a new hairstyle and you'll keep things exciting long after the noisemakers have quieted. Change doesn't need to be drastic to make an impact. A face-flattering snip here, a ripple of color there and you'll turn heads.
S Factor True Lasting Colour Hair Oil
Reg. $34
Rock N Roller Ceramic 2-in-1 Styling Iron
Reg. $34.99
Smooth Operator Hair Dryer
Reg. $69.99
Triple Action Ultrasonic Conditioning Straightener
Reg. $39.99
"Get instantly luscious locks with these sheer micro-shine oils that soothe and soften frizzies and smooth flyaways. It's one genius product with double appeal: Try it in damp hair before styling to protect color and keep hair looking healthy, or apply to your dry do to add just enough super shimmer. Join the shiny, happy people."
—Brooke Showell, a skincare and makeup maven who's written for Self and Martha Stewart Weddings
"Look like you live like a rock star by faking it! Faking bed head, we mean. This funky-shaped, bead-like barrel creates waves and curls and in-betweens to make your hair a totally sexy mane event."
—Jennifer Tzeses, a New York City-based writer who lends beauty and style savvy to magazines like Martha Stewart Living, Woman's Day and Everyday with Rachael Ray
"Here's one hair dryer you won't want to blow off. Just look at its cool, sleek shape. Beyond that, it has a knack for drying extra-quickly (thanks to a special air-flow director and dual hybrid fan) and hardly makes a whisper. Various speed and heat settings allow you to really nail your style. Yes, it's a keeper."
—Kelly Aiglon, a freelance editor at DailyCandy.com, lifestyle reporter and copywriter
"Unlike flat irons that can fry your hair, Revlon's model actually hydrates. With three possible settings, it can both penetrate leave-in conditioner into damp strands and straighten/smooth frizz via ceramic heat (yes, you can use it on wet hair!). And no need to shell out big bucks on pricey ceramic plates—this version is totally budget friendly."
—Brooke Showell, a skincare and makeup maven who's written for Self and Martha Stewart Weddings
