Hair we go

Desk to dance floor styling tips for wannabe mistletoe magnets

By Donna Chapman

The desk to dance floor transformation is becoming increasingly de rigueur with a hefty commute home incompatible with happy hour. Creating on trend, head-turning hair on the hop is easier than you think providing you follow the runway code and a few simple styling rules. Now is not the time to wing it - unless we're talking eyeliner that is!

Long distance

Long hair is a licence to thrill, with the tiniest effort elevating it to movie star territory. Clean, conditioned, with curls framing the face and a sleek crown spells sheer catwalk glamour: think Lily Cole.

  Lily Cole with face framing curls 
Get the look:

Get up an hour earlier, wash, condition and blow-dry hair smooth using a radial brush. Set on heated rollers or wave with large barrelled curling tongs for a classic Veronica Lake look. Stellar stylist Luke Hersheson who worked backstage at the shows comments, "A centre parting creates a younger more contemporary vibe, whereas with a side parting the overall effect is a bit more done."

Other tricks to try:

The bob is big news so simply loosen your ponytail to create a bob shape and then pin the ends under. It's a trick Eva Longoria has tried before with great success. Begin at the back and tuck hair under before securing with pins. Continue as you move towards the front, leaving loose strands for a casually undone finish.

Prep a porter:

~ TIGI Curls Rock Curl Booster, £11.35 www.tigi.co.uk - revive those curls at clocking off time with this lightweight anti-static spray

~ TRESemmé Mini Paddle Brush, £2.99 - little wonder for detangling and tidying longer styles

~ Chanel No.5 Hair Mist, £20 - channel the spirit of Keira and feel like a true leading lady from root to tip.

Plaits entertainment
  Sophisticated, modern plaits

The buzzword when it comes to braids is sophisticated. Avoid the alpine shepherdess style cliché particularly if you're a blonde. Instead subtly play around with size and positioning, options include a plaited section around the hairline, or a single skinny plait among a loose wavy style.

Get the look:

Dress hair into a side ponytail, divide it into two sections and plait into a herringbone, taking hair from the outside into the centre, before twisting it on itself and pinning into place.

Other tricks to try:

Random half plaits can look full on gorgeous - leave the ends free or curl them to add an interesting contrast in texture.

Prep a porter:

~ Blax Snag-Free Pony Elastics in clear, £2.65 for 8, www.hqhair.com - session stylists buy these in bulk

~ Kent 8T Tail Comb, £3.75 www.kentbrushes.com - a quality comb for dividing hair cleanly into identical sections without snagging

~ L'Oréal Professionnel play ball Soda Sparkler play spray, £10.50, 0845 6000 122 - mist all over hair or onto individual sections for a sparkling sensation.

Pony club

If you've naturally straight hair the strand perfect side ponytail is a look that can be easily achieved in ladies rooms across the land as you can totally see what you're doing in the mirror.

  A side-swept, silky pony

Get the look: 
Part hair low on the side and sweep it silkily across into a low-slung ponytail on the opposite side of the head. Secure at the nape of the neck using a snag-free band. Cover this by wrapping a 2-inch strand of hair securely around it and pinning the ends out of sight with a kirby grip.

Other tricks to try:

Backcombing the ends of a ponytail creates a designer-dishevelled effect. Alternatively go for the quintessential ‘60s Bardot by backcombing the roots at the crown area and piling hair into a half up.

Prep a porter

~ Avon Advance Techniques Teasing Comb 29371, £2 www.avon.uk.com - big it up with this two-in-one tool

~ James Brown London Serum, £5.99 - apply sparingly along the length of your ponytail and spread the love

~ TRESemmé Salon Multistylist, £25, Boots - for a party ponytail with a difference experiment with crimping or curling.

High society

Casual knots are cute and funky and allow you to make a statement without stressing out.

  Hair looped and coiled into a bun 

Get the look: 

Simplicity is the key, twist sections of hair and fashion them into loops and coils. Second day hair is easier to work with as it's less likely to slip and slide as you work it.

Other tricks to try:

If your locks are more wild than well-behaved, take the side ponytail option, but before getting to the last turn of the band only half pull the hair through to create a textured bun shape. Use some of the ends to wrap around the band. The rest of the ends can be pinned randomly to create an abstract masterpiece.

Prep a porter

~ Toni&Guy Model.Me Erin Quick Fix Dry Shampoo, £6.49 www.boots.com - spruce up second day hair super-model style

~ Schwarzkopf GLISS Shine Tonic, £2.09 - increases suppleness and shine in all hair types

~ Silvikrin Hydrostyle Hairspray, £1.39 - handbag sized hero hydrates and holds for up to 24 hours.

Short story
  Fashion forward crop from Agyness Deyn

Elfin crops are currently the coolest cuts in town thanks to model of the moment Agyness Deyn, so there's no need to wrack your brain and wreck your hair trying to outdo the office Rapunzels. If you want to ring the changes do it with a new colour or failing that hair accessories add cocktail hour chic instantly, don't go overboard and leave the hair quite natural with lots of movement.

Other tricks to try:

Slick your hair down and behind the ears for a ‘girl does boy' look. Wet hair with water, add a perfect side parting and use a wet look gel to hold hair firmly in place for the evening.

Prep a porter

~ Fudge Mini Hair Putty, £3.95 01282 683100 www.fudge.com - create come-hither hair with this thickening, volumising, controlling and texturising marvel

~ Guerlain Forever Gold Sublime Radiant Powder, £44, 01932 233 887 - add tiny gold sparkles to the hair with this multi-purpose luxury powder

~ Wella Shockwaves Strong Wet Look Gel, £2.49 - for a polished performance in the style of ‘Strictly's' Flavia.

Bob slay

Posh, Natalie Imbruglia and now Kylie have given contemporary kudos to the classic bob. They look their most cutting edge worn sleek and straight so allow time for a proper blow-dry before leaving for work or take your straighteners with you for later.

  Contemporary twist to the classic bob 

Other tricks to try:

Style guru Sally Brooks of Brooks & Brooks, London shares her favourite transformation technique, "Braid small sections of damp hair in the morning all over the head. Clamp the braids with straightening irons to set. When it's time to get ready for the party unpick the braids to reveal sexy, loose waves."

Prep a porter

~ Slikit, £89.50 www.hqhair.com - compact, ceramic, cordless and re-chargeable high-performance straightener

~ Trevor Sorbie Professional Straightening Addict To Go Protect, Flatten & Shine Spray, £1.79 - this little gem protects hair against damage from heat styling

~ Alterna Hemp Seed Spray Shine, £19.75, 0845 458 2825 - set a shining example with this cocktail of the finest conditioning ingredients.