New Year, New Hair: Tips for Trying Different Styles

Sunday through Thursday, you throw your hair up into a messy ponytail or put a baseball cap on for class. Thursday night through Saturday night, your hair is down, either straightened or curled. By the following Sunday, it’s back on top of your head and the cycle repeats.

There is nothing necessarily wrong with that hair cycle. In fact, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do it often myself. But, this is 2014. “New Year, New You” may be the most overused, cliché phrase in the book, but it holds some truth. Change is good. Trying a different hairstyle is nothing to be afraid of and might be just the right amount of change you are looking for this year.

Sleek Ponytail

A smooth, sleek ponytail looks great for a night out and couldn’t be easier. Start by simply straightening your hair. I recommend using Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist as you straighten for extra smoothness. Once your whole head is complete, brush all your hair back, erasing any existing part. Collect your hair in your hand at the back of your head, parallel with your eyes. When you have made sure there are no bumps, fasten the pontytail with a hair tie. Next, take a very small section of hair and wrap it around the hair tie. Secure the piece with a bobby pin, preferably underneath the ponytail. Spray lightly with your favorite hairspray and your sleek style is complete.

Sock Bun

The sock bun has become a more prominent trend, and it works perfectly for a Friday or Saturday night. First, put your hair into a high ponytail. Next, grab a below-the-ankle sock and cut off the toe section. Roll another hair tie into it, creating a donut shape. Put the sock on the base of your ponytail (around the hair tie already holding your hair up). Gently slide it up until your ponytail is sticking straight up and the rolled sock is surrounding the ends of your hair. Tuck the ends around and under the sock before you start rolling. Once the ends are secure, roll and tuck downward until you have reached your head, making sure hair is distributed evenly throughout the process. Pin any stray hairs and you’re ready to go.

Dressy, Messy Bun

This look, inspired by Lauren Conrad, is a more casual updo that would be great for a frat formal or birthday party. Using a curling iron, curl the bottom half of your hair, making the curls big and loose. Next, separate your hair into three sections, making the center section the largest. Put the larger center section into a loose bun at the center of where your head and neck meet. Next, take pieces of each of the two smaller side sections and loosely pin them into the bun one at a time. Leave any short tendrils around your face out of the bun, creating a soft frame. Add a light application of hairspray and the look is complete.

Girls don’t like wearing the same clothes every weekend, so why do it with your hair? Trying different, fun hairstyles can improve any outfit and make the idea of change in 2014 a little bit easier.