Make an impact this holiday season with one of these fabulous hair styles

It’s party season, the weather is marvellous and we’re all getting ready for the end of year festivities, meaning it's time to focus on your hair. Have a go at these simple styles in a bid to mix things up this holiday season.

Day to night braid

Stylist at Sisters Beauty Lounge, The Dubai Mall, explain how to get Jenifer Morrison’s super-cute side braid with natural, soft curls.

• Post blowdry, apply Kerastase Elixir Ultime on the mid lengths of your hair.
• Section your hair into four and use a 2-inch curling iron to curl the mid lengths to ends of your hair.
• Once you've curled the hair, run your fingers through it to separate the curls and make them look more natural.
• Section your hair into the desired parting. Take a small section and start doing a normal French braid.

• Make sure you pick hair from both sides of the braid this will make it look thicker, stop once you are happy with the length.
• Clip into place. Finish by using Kerastase Gloss Appeal for extra shine.

Sister’s Beauty Lounge can create this style for you; prices start from Dhs290. 04 339 8500

The glamorous fishtail braid

• On dry hair separate the front half of the hair from the back with an ear to ear section
• Move the back section to the side and work in your fishtail braid and tie off with a very small hair tie, then use a powder (to help create texture) over the braid and use your fingers to pull out all the edges to make the braid fatter.
• Take your front section and tease a little at the root area and sprinkle some texture-building powder to add volume and help it hold.
• Using your hands move the front sections back and gently secure them with hairgrips ensuring you leave some softer strands around the face.

• Hide the remaining ends from the front sections underneath your fishtail braid and secure with a hair grip.
• Make sure you are happy with the shape you have created and spritz and use some hairspray to secure the total look.

Stop by the new Toni & Guy’s latest salon at Dukes Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah and let them create this or another equally beautiful style for you. Styling prices start from Dhs195.

The romantic up do

Nicola Day, hair technician at Maria Dowling explains how to get Zoe Saldana’s pretty, up do.

• Wash your hair the day before (if it is freshly washed it will be too soft). Divide the hair into sections and curl using Ritual M Curling Wand (Dhs375) or Ritual M Styler (Dhs440).
• Section the front of the hair to create a loose side fringe. You can work with this later.
• Pull the rest of the hair into a low side ponytail, tucking hair behind the ear. Secure with a rubber band, preferably the same colour as your hair.

• Using hairpins, randomly pin the curls around the band, leaving some pieces to fall out and create a soft, romantic look. The longer your hair, the more pins you will need.
• Take the remaining hair and join it into the chignon, leaving out some curls to frame the face.
• Lightly spray to hold in place with a good hairspray such as Redken Forceful 23 (Dhs90).

www.mariadowling.com