By Alison McGill
“Everyone is ready to get glammed up this party season,” shares Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist Briana Dunning. “I am seeing lots of sleek looks, as well as fun low ponies and twists with chunky ‘90s inspired pieces in front to bring the drama.”
Dunning—who is also the co-founder of Unsubscribe revolutionary no-rinse cleansing foam that refreshes and strengthens hair—says there are many ways you can easily dress your hair at home for a big night out. Hair accessories are a great place to start, specifically with a jeweled headband. “This is such an easy and beautiful go-to piece,” Dunning says. “Pull out a few face-framers, touch up your hair with an iron, spritz a little texture spray on the ends and you are ready to go.”
To create a chic, slick-backed wet look that Kim Kardashian has made so iconic, blow dry your hair away from your face, then generously apply gel to your dry hair. Use your fingers to pull hair back then clip it into place and use your blow dryer on low heat to set it. to hold it place. Use your blow dryer on low heat to set it.
The classic ponytail will take you from office to holiday party and is also a cinch to style. “Use a tail comb to make a perfect center parting, and gather the hair in a loose, low pony with a soft elastic,” Dunning explains. “Pull out two chunky bits from the hairline for more drama. Then use a flat iron to clamp some soft bends into those pieces. Use the iron to touch up and give movement to the pony. I love accessorizing with a big bow, a leather pony wrap, or a scarf to bring the major drama. I also love the simplicity of wrapping the base of your pony with your own hair, then affixing a few rhinestones or pearls with eyelash glue to make hair sparkle. You can easily remove these with conditioner post-party.”
If you need some celebrity inspo for your party hair, Dunning says look to British actor Lucy Boyton who always has fun with hair accessories and her signature bob cut. From this year’s Emmy Awards, she loved Squid Game star Jung Ho Yeon who wore a beautiful enamel flower pin in her hair on the red carpet, and Sheryl Lee Ralph who rocked an incredible rhinestone encrusted pony.
With 2023 mere weeks away, Dunning says for the year ahead in hair expect to see more stylized looks, moving forward from the undone styles of the past few years. “We are getting away from simple hair and long layers, and into more stylized looks. Bangs, both blunt and face-framing are trending as well as bobs and pixie cuts. Hair is getting fun again!”
5 Holiday Hair Product Essentials
Texture Spray
Work into your roots to amp up your hair volume without leaving hair feeling dry or sticky.
Amika Un.Done Volume and Matte Texture Spray, $35, loveamika.ca
Strong Hold Gel
This is the gold standard for high-shine, mega-hold gel. Perfect for all hair types and textures.
Bumble and Bumble Sumogel, $37, sephora.com
Flexible Hairspray
This delivers weightless hold that is easily brushed out. Also, it’s also one of the best smelling hairsprays EVER.
Aveda Air Control Light Hold Hairspray, $46, aveda.ca
Volumizing Mousse
This luxe mousse delivers a strong hold and will pump your strands to maximum level but still leave them with a touchable texture.
Kerastase Mousse Bouffante Hair Mousse, $49, kerastase.ca
Style Reviver
This foam is dry shampoo alterative packed with natural ingredients like green tea leaf and chamomile flower extracts to refresh hair between washes.
Unsubscribe No-Rinse Hair Wash, $26, theunsubscribe.com
