Trend-Filled Thursdays: Huge Hair

Walking out the door without havin' your hair all did? Now this is a trend this beauty chick can get on board for! The Fall 2008 shows saw a resurgence of tresses that, rather than hanging limply at models' shoulders, literally rose to new heights. Designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Temperley London and Vera Wang kept it on the tamer side with waves and curls that evoked the sensual seductiveness of a boudoir, while at Luella, Chris Benz and Betsey Johnson, crimping was all the rage. Not to be outdone, Christian Dior and Alexander McQueen introduced a lot of drama into their looks with sky-high pigtails and bouffants. While some of these looks are definitely a lot for daytime -- or, yes, even for nighttime -- in moderation they can all be pulled off brilliantly. Read on to find out how to make the trend work for you!


Evoking The Sexy Provocativeness of Brigitte Bardot
Want that sultry, seductive look that Brigitte Bardot seemed to pull off so effortlessly? It's all in the hair. The key to this look is in the curls.
Start by spritzing hair with a volumizer like Phyto Phytovolume Actif Maximizing Volume Spray ($28), which will make even the finest, limpest locks plump right up.
Next, you'll want to wrap sections of your hair around a curling iron. Look for one with a wider barrel, which will create bigger curls and waves than if you pick one that's 1" or smaller (that will give you tight, Shirley Temple-style ringlets, which isn't quite the look you're going for here). Try one like Conair Infiniti Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron ($24.99), whose 1 1/2" barrel will create the bigger, sexier curls you need to make this style work.
Finish with a side part, which will make the look seem more voluminous. And voila! Sultry, seductive bedroom hair. Now you just need the bedroom eyes to go with it!
(Photos: Diane von Furstenberg, Temperley London and Vera Wang)


Bringing Back the 80's with Crimping
This beauty chick was huge into the crimped hair look back in the day, so I'm definitely excited that it's making a comeback! But gals attempting this style should definitely be careful if they don't want to wind up looking like they stepped right out of 1985. The easiest way to do it is to wet your hair, make it into tiny braids and wait until it dries (it's best to do this at night). When you unravel the braids, your hair will be transformed into tons of tiny crimped waves.
However, if you just can't live without styling products -- or you just don't have the time to set all those little braids -- never fear, you can still pull off the look! Start by washing and conditioning hair with volumizing shampoos like Frederic Fekkai Full Volume Shampoo and Full Volume Conditioner ($22 each), which add body and shine without weighing down your strands.
Then it's time to crimp! The Hot Tools Helix Adjustable Deep Waver, Crimping Iron and 3 Barrel Waver ($34.95) has 10 variable heat settings to really make that style set.
(Photos: Betsey Johnson, Chris Benz and Luella)


Not Just Your Normal Long Locks Anymore
So you don't necessarily want to go all out with your tresses ... but you still want a little extra body and wave. Variations on the runway ranged from hair that had been teased at the roots and parted in the center to locks that were straight at the roots and then waved, curled and texturized from about 6 inches below all the way down to the ends, a la Cynthia Rowley. Whichever you choose, these styles are perfect for summer -- because, let's face it, who wants to spend tons of time on their hair when it's just going to frizz in the 95 degree humidity?
Key to any of these looks is a good glossing cream or shine spray. John Frieda Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist ($4.49) will add glistening shine without making your hair greasy. Other than that, the best way to achieve this look is to stay away from blowdrying -- just wash and go, and you'll be left with glossily sleek hair that's got just the tiniest bit of wave!
If you do want the slightest amount of texture in your tresses, however, try Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair Beach Waves ($22) -- it will give the effect of tousled locks that just came from a day in the sand and surf!
(Photos: Wunderkind, Cynthia Rowley, Jean Paul Gaultier and Peter Jensen)


Taking Hair to New Heights
Volume, volume and more volume. Some designers couldn't get enough of the stuff. Is it any surprise that Christian Dior was among them? His bouffants definitely had a flair for the dramatic, as did the updos at Thakoon and Moschino. These styles take a bit more work to pull off, but they all have one thing in common -- boldness! These looks are not for the faint of heart.
To achieve an updo like those at Thakoon and Moschino, you'll need a whole lot of bobby pins. Scunci No-Slip Grip Bobby Pins ($3.29 for 48) will help hold styles in place. The great thing about these two styles is that neither is really too "done." Just twist, curl and pin -- the bigger and higher, the better!
Finish with a hairspray like Pantene Pro-V Classic Unforgettable Hairspray ($4.99), which will set the look in place.
The bouffants at Dior are actually not all that difficult to accomplish. It's really all in the styling products. You'll definitely need a good volumizing shampoo -- try Warren-Tricomi PureStrength Boosting Shampoo for Fine Hair ($22), which is formulated with wheat proteins and tons of vitamins to make your hair healthy and strong.
Then it's a matter of blowdrying and teasing! Flipping your hair over while you blowdry is a sure way to get that added volume you need for this style. Blowdry with the T3 Bespoke Evolution ($300), which not only keeps hair healthy but cuts drying time in half!
(Photos: Thakoon, Moschino and Christian Dior)