How do you style your hair for a big night out? Curls, volume and easy updos rank high with our Beauty Panel
Pop quiz! You have a big event coming up. Do you spend more time thinking about what to wear or obsessing over how you’re going to do your hair? If you answered “hair,” welcome: the Beauty Panel has been waiting for you. While landmark occasions like prom, your best friend’s wedding or, say, attending the Oscars, might seem like the only times worthy of an elaborate hairstyle, there are plenty of reasons to upgrade your look, even if you’re not graduating or walking down the aisle. This week’s challenge is all about how to style your hair for a big night out.
Challenge 8: How do you style your hair for a big night out? See the answers now! »
Curls were the number one night-out style for our Beauty Panel, with both Michelle Mullins (of LipstickRules) and Ellie Somfelean (of My Beauty Box) sharing their techniques. For Michelle, a big night out is all about big hair. She uses volume to add more interest to her hair and is a fan of loose curls instead of tight ringlets. Ellie is also all about the volume, but she likes to play with texture when curling her hair and shares a unique twisting technique that adds some extra oomph to her style.
When it comes to updos, Jennifer Francis from Spiced Beauty is a fan of styles that look impressive but are simple to achieve. Her low, twisted bun is a going out go-to, thanks to how quickly she can pull it together. Of course, even with simple styles, the right products always help—and all our Beauty Panel members share some great suggestions.
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at [email protected]. Read on for the answers to this week’s challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jump to: ELLIE SOMFELEAN | JENNIFER FRANCIS | MICHELLE MULLINS
Ellie Somfelean
Montreal | My Beauty Box
My hair is dry, fine, damaged, wavy and frizzy. It’s very difficult to manage and I seem to have two left hands when it comes to styling it. If I know one thing, that’s volume. So whenever I got out, my main goal is to enhance and make due with the unruly curls nature gave me and make it as bouncy and voluminous as I can. I used a thickening hair tonic at the roots and a blob of styling cream to protect my tresses and help the style last longer. Blow dry upside down. Section hair and curl with straightening iron here and there in the direction of the curl. Then I twist the hair section while hot. This will help define the curl and give hair that choppy/piecy aspect. I love this technique as it helps camouflage my dry and split ends . At the end, I spray a bit of flexible hair spray and use some serum to tame those flyaways and add shine. Shake head lightly, breaking up the little twirls, your curls will fall and set really nicely while not compromising the volume. During the night or before taking pictures, just fluff and go to revive the style.
Products used: L’Oréal EverStrong Thickening Tonic, Bumble and Bumble Styling Crème, Elin Bianco Treatment Serum, Sebastien Reshaper Hairspray and Hair Treats Knots Out Brush
Jennifer Francis
Durham | Spiced Beauty
Easy to do styles sometimes have to be done really quick. I spend so much time on makeup that hair usually ends up on the back burner. That means no time for curling or straightening. I love doing a low side bun with some lose curls in the front. Twist your hair and then it roll it into a low bun. It’s always best to use elastic bands like the Goody Ouchless ones in case you decide to change your hairstyle throughout the night. Two products that will help you survive your night out are Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk for frizz and Tresemmé Keratin Smooth for heat protection.
Products used: Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protectant Shine Spray, Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk
Michelle Mullins
Toronto | LipstickRules
When it’s time for a big night out, I want big hair. Updos and such styles aren’t for me but I do love to tease my hair for volume, and also create big, bouncy, beachy waves. My hair is normally stick straight so the curl and the teasing help to add volume and more interest. I typically use a curling iron that is at least 1” in diameter so that the curl doesn’t end up looking too tight. I curl my hair in sections, pointing the curling iron downwards and the curl away from my face. This is an important step as it helps create loose curls, not ringlets. I tend to use a good amount of hairspray to hold the curl and also spritz a texturizing spray at the roots to add more volume. I then run my fingers through to further loosen the curl, and voila, I’m ready!
Products used: Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Glamour Queen Finishing Spray, Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Style Shifters Liquid Texturizing Spray
 and Ellie Somfelean (of My Beauty Box) sharing their techniques. For Michelle, a big night out is all about big hair. She uses volume to add more interest to her hair and is a fan of loose curls instead of tight ringlets. Ellie is also all about the volume, but she likes to play with texture when curling her hair and shares a unique twisting technique that adds some extra oomph to her style.
When it comes to updos, Jennifer Francis from Spiced Beauty is a fan of styles that look impressive but are simple to achieve. Her low, twisted bun is a going out go-to, thanks to how quickly she can pull it together. Of course, even with simple styles, the right products always help—and all our Beauty Panel members share some great suggestions.
Have a beauty question you want to see the panel answer? Send it our way at beautypanel@fashionmagazine.com. Read on for the answers to this week's challenge and for more goodness, get to know all contributors on our Beauty Panel hub page.
Jump to: ELLIE SOMFELEAN | JENNIFER FRANCIS | MICHELLE MULLINS
Ellie Somfelean
Montreal | My Beauty Box
My hair is dry, fine, damaged, wavy and frizzy. It’s very difficult to manage and I seem to have two left hands when it comes to styling it. If I know one thing, that’s volume. So whenever I got out, my main goal is to enhance and make due with the unruly curls nature gave me and make it as bouncy and voluminous as I can. I used a thickening hair tonic at the roots and a blob of styling cream to protect my tresses and help the style last longer. Blow dry upside down. Section hair and curl with straightening iron here and there in the direction of the curl. Then I twist the hair section while hot. This will help define the curl and give hair that choppy/piecy aspect. I love this technique as it helps camouflage my dry and split ends . At the end, I spray a bit of flexible hair spray and use some serum to tame those flyaways and add shine. Shake head lightly, breaking up the little twirls, your curls will fall and set really nicely while not compromising the volume. During the night or before taking pictures, just fluff and go to revive the style.
Products used: L'Oréal EverStrong Thickening Tonic, Bumble and Bumble Styling Crème, Elin Bianco Treatment Serum, Sebastien Reshaper Hairspray and Hair Treats Knots Out Brush
Jennifer Francis
Durham | Spiced Beauty
Easy to do styles sometimes have to be done really quick. I spend so much time on makeup that hair usually ends up on the back burner. That means no time for curling or straightening. I love doing a low side bun with some lose curls in the front. Twist your hair and then it roll it into a low bun. It's always best to use elastic bands like the Goody Ouchless ones in case you decide to change your hairstyle throughout the night. Two products that will help you survive your night out are Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk for frizz and Tresemmé Keratin Smooth for heat protection.
Products used: Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Heat Protectant Shine Spray, Garnier Anti-Humidity Smoothing Milk
Michelle Mullins
Toronto | LipstickRules
When it’s time for a big night out, I want big hair. Updos and such styles aren’t for me but I do love to tease my hair for volume, and also create big, bouncy, beachy waves. My hair is normally stick straight so the curl and the teasing help to add volume and more interest. I typically use a curling iron that is at least 1” in diameter so that the curl doesn’t end up looking too tight. I curl my hair in sections, pointing the curling iron downwards and the curl away from my face. This is an important step as it helps create loose curls, not ringlets. I tend to use a good amount of hairspray to hold the curl and also spritz a texturizing spray at the roots to add more volume. I then run my fingers through to further loosen the curl, and voila, I’m ready!
Products used: Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Glamour Queen Finishing Spray, Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Style Shifters Liquid Texturizing Spray
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