It’s party time – and you need an up-do style for your short hair. Unless your stylist is a miracle worker, or you spend a fortune on extensions, the reality is, you are not going to be able to get an up-do if your hair is pixie short. But don’t be alarmed! There are ways that you can style your cropped cut to make it extra special for a night out on the town. Just keep reading to find out how.
Keep it simple, silly. If your dress is ornate, your hair doesn’t need to be. In fact, it’s better to keep your hairstyle simple if your dress is fancy. Let the dress take center stage, and complement it with a neat, “extra good” version of your regular hair style. And simple, complementary earrings and necklace should rule when a dress is crying out for the spotlight. In this case, less is definitely more!
Itty bitty curling irons make itty bitty curls. Flowing curls are a girl’s best friend when it comes to updos, but beautiful curls look great in short hair, too. If your hair is very short, you may need to use a specialized curling iron with a very thin barrel. Make sure to start out with some kind of heat-protectant spray to avoid damaging your hair. Curl small sections of your hair at a time, and allow curls to cool completely before styling. You can then comb through the curls to make them smoother, or spray them as they are and just go through and separate them a bit to make them look piecy and fun. Keep in mind that curls will give you lots of volume in your hair. Set your curls with a light spray, but be careful not to hold the can of hairspray too close or the dampness may collapse your curls.
Snag some hair swag. And proceed with caution. Beautiful hair accessories can make you look gorgeous and sophisticated, or they can make you look like a little girl with gaudy baubles in her hair. Try a simple barrette with some sparkly jewels, or a thin headband with a few strategically placed gems. Remember that you want your hair accessory to complement your hair, not steal the show. The fancier the hair accessory, the simpler your other jewelry should be. Stay away from wearing a tiara, unless its New Years Eve. Opt for barrettes or even bobby pins with a few gemstones instead.
Smooth operator. Surprisingly, the slicked back look is always in style. This is my least favorite of the short, fancy styles, but a confidant woman with straight hair can really pull it off. Use a firm hold hair gel, and while hair is still wet, comb it all back and away from your face, but allow the ends at the nape of your neck to flip up a bit. Allow to air day. Your hair may still look like it is wet, but if you brush through it you will lose the hold you need to keep your look in place. Finish with a bit of firm hold hair spray to keep your hair from flying away.
Tease me, please. Short hair cuts cry out for volume for special occasions. Pair them up with a hair dryer and as large of a round brush as possible to make the hair nice and full. With a special teasing comb or brush, carefully tease the hair section by section into the shape that you want it. Gently pull the hair pieces where you want them, but don’t comb out the ‘tease’ that you worked so hard to put in. Naturally, finish with a firm hold hair spray to keep your look from fading away during your night out on the town.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways that you could style your hair for your night out. These are just a few to get your brain thinking. Talk to your stylist, who can help steer you towards the look and style that suits you the best.
Read more from this contributor:
The Best Bangs for Your Face
Top Ten Tips for Taking Great Care of Your Hair at Home
Top Ten Makeup Tips that Never Go Out of Style
