As the office holiday party lurks closer on your calendar, be sure to leave behind that tired old hairstyle that you’ve rocked since your first summer after graduating college. Below Hairroin Salon owner and Shear Genius alum Janine Jarman offers her step-by-step secrets for a few chic do’s that are easy to recreate, yet look like they cost all the cash that you received with grandma’s holiday card.

This holiday has shifted away from the more structured styles that we saw last year. According to Janine this year’s holiday hairstyles are “…a little less contrived than what we were seeing last holiday season. Last holiday it was all about the glamour girl curls. This definitely is a little more bohemian. More undone.” Here she shows us how to create a Bohemian Chignon and a 60′s throwback look (with or without a twist).

Bohemian Chignon

 The chignon is a classic, sophisticated style, though does not usually signal a youthful playfulness. This simple update on the classic hairstyle exudes effortless elegance with a loosely pulled back French braid and loose wisps of fallen strands.

You’ll need:
Bobby pins
Hairspray
Headband (optional)

Step 1: Begin a French braid on the side of head working down and around past the ear, toward the nape of the neck.

Step 2: Keep the braid going all the way around, stopping at the portion of the scalp located in back of the opposite ear.

Step 3: Finish braiding the loose hair.

Step 4: Twist braid and gather into chignon off-center behind the ear where the braid ended, securing with bobby pins.

Step 5: Gently tug at smaller ½ inch sections at the root for uneven, small lift at the top of head for Janine’s “intentionally undone” look.

Step 6: Lightly spray with hairspray.

Step 7: If desired, finish the look with a slim, shiny headband to enhance your festive appearance.

*Keep in Mind: Janine recognizes that many people feel the French braid is one of the most difficult hairstyles to master. She insists that practice makes perfect and if at first you don’t succeed– you’ll get it on the eighth or ninth try. 

60’s Throwback: With or Without a Twist

Channel your inner Bridget Bardot with this full-bodied and fun interpretation of a classic hairstyle. The hair is big, though not obnoxious, and will transform the most timid wallflower into a sultry, festive merrymaker.

You’ll need:
Rubber band to match hair color
Bobby pins
Comb
Hair Spray
Hair clips (to divide hair into sections while styling)
Holiday hair accessories or ornaments (optional)

Step 1: Comb hair back from top of hairline and separate into two sections. Be certain to leave enough hair in the bottom section. Janine recommends leaving enough hair in the bottom portion to keep it full and pretty.

Step 2: Divide top portion into two sections, securing the bottom of this portion with a hair clip.

Step 3: Spray top section at the root with hairspray and back-comb toward the root. Ensure that the teeth of the comb reach through the hair before pulling back.

Step 4: Spray the bottom half of the top section at the root with hairspray and back-comb, repeating Step 3.

Step 5: Gather the portions of this top section and secure into a ponytail with rubber band. Don’t tighten the ponytail down to the root. A sign that you are tightening too much is that you will meet the resistance from the body created by the back-comb.

Step 6: Using a bobby pin, anchor the rubber band at the crown of your head, which will push up the hair framing your forehead, creating some height. Be sure that the hair looks symmetrical in the front, lightly pulling to correct any pieces that are uneven.

Step 7: Comb out the bottom portion of the hair and lightly back-comb underneath for more body.

Add holiday accessories or ornaments, if desired. Have fun and use your creativity!

If you desire a half-up, half-down look, your work is done. If you crave a style with a higher chic factor, continue on and follow these additional steps:

Step 8: Gather the bottom portion of hair.

Step 9: Twist up and secure bobby pins in center of head under the ponytail created from the top section.

Article written by Dorothy Crouch for Moxy Magazine, December 2011. Stylist Janine Jarman. Model Heather Taylor. Images courtesy of Dorothy Crouch.