Spring hair style trend: The ponytail, the chignon, and the bed-head

How to master a ladylike chignon

The look: Chignons are perennially chic, so it's not surprising that, much as with the ponytail, there were many different takes on the runways this season. At Oscar De La Renta, models had enormous chignons that were double the size of a doughnut, while at Diane Von Furstenberg, the smaller, knotted updos were wispy and worn near the nape of the neck.

The inspiration: Grace Kelly; young debutantes.

Modern spin: "A chignon is classic," says Alain Larivee, John Freida Canadian creative consultant. Keep it modern by experimenting with your accessories. At shows like Carolina Herrera and Cynthia Rowley, hairstylists clipped wide barrettes over chignons. Larivee's pick? He likes to punch up the look with a repurposed brooch, sourced from eBay or a vintage store.

Soft touch: Go easy on the hairspray, or this updo will quickly look dated, warns Larivee. Stick with soft, pliable styling products such as creams and mousses - they will hold your hair in place while keeping your natural texture.

Stylist secret: Bungee elastics have hooks on both ends, allowing you to have more control over the size of your ponytail, which is the foundation for your chignon. If you don't have one handy, Larivee says you can make your own with an elastic band and two bobby pins. Just hook the pins on either side of the band. Insert one pin in hair and wrap the elastic around to create a ponytail, securing the second pin over the first so they make an X-shape.

Tool kit

Prep your hair with a moisture-rich shampoo.
Kiehl's Superbly Smoothing Argan Shampoo, $26.

A touch of texturizer helps hold clean hair in place.
Bumble and Bumble BB. Texture Hair (Un)dressing creme, $33.

Wrap it up with this pro tool.
Smoothies bungee bands, $6

Add some shine to your finished style.
John Freida Frizz-Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist, $11

How to make a perfect ponytail

The look: The ponytail isn't new, but the big story on runways this season was how all the designers mixed it up. From loose and casual at Doo.Ri to tight and chic at Chanel, the catwalks proved how versatile the tried-and-true style really is. Bonus: It takes only a few minutes, and it's flattering on everyone. "A woman with her hair pulled back in a high-glam ponytail looks confident," says Tony Masciangelo, consulting stylist for Nexxus. 

The inspiration: Off-duty models; I Dream of Jeannie's Barbara Eden.

The best part: Should you do a centre part, a side part or no part at all? It all depends on the shape of your face, says Masciangelo. a centre part can add fullness to a very long or petite face, but if your visage is rounder, a deep side part pushes some of the hair across your forehead at a sleek, slimming angle.

Day to night: "You can go from the office to a party - no problem," says Masciangelo. During the day, keep it loose and natural, with lots of texture around the hairline and minimal styling products. For evening, you want to dial up the glamour, so apply a gel or hairspray to add shine for a more polished look.

Finishing touch: Take a piece of hair from the bottom of the ponytail, spritz it with hairspray and then wrap it around the elastic, using a bobby pin to secure it underneath.

Tool kit

For a polished ponytail, flat-iron hair before pulling it back.
I Catch flat-iron, $125.

Secure your hair with a stylish band.
Goody elastics, $4/10

A mix of synthetic and boar bristles makes this brush a hairstylists' staple.
Mason Pearson brush, $168.

Add shine and hold (minus the helmet head) with a flexible hairspray.
Nexxus Maximum Super Hold styling and finishing mist, $13

How to create a bed-head updo look

The look: Frayed updos that looked more like birds' nests than beehives were seen at Proenza Schouler and Michael Kors. A word of warning to perfectionists: The look is supposed to be messy. "Don't worry if the hair sticks out here and there," says Justin German, consulting stylist for Pantene Pro-V. "That's what adds to the undone look."

The inspiration: A Hitchcock heroine with bed-head.

Texture tips: If you have wavy hair, let it air-dry to bring out the natural body -- blow-drying it with a brush will make it too smooth. If your hair is straight, create movement and texture by taking sections and twisting pieces of hair as you blow-dry.

Hold it: Drag hair back and secure it in a low, loose ponytail that is slightly off-centre. Now create your shape by pinning hair randomly.

Stylish secret: Doing a little backcombing with a flat paddle brush (not a teasing comb) produces a fluffy effect that also helps hair stay in place after you pin it up, says German.

Finishing touch: "There's a dryness to this look," explains German. "It's not smooth or shiny." Mist some dry shampoo to give hair a matte texture, and avoid any shine-enhancing silicone-based products, which can make looks fall flat.

Tool kit

Apply a root spray before blow-drying hair to add body.
Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions root lifter spray gel, $6.

A spritz of dry shampoo adds texture to fine hair.
Tresemme Fresh Start dry shampoo, $7.

Create a matte finish with a de-shining hair powder.
Shwarzkopf Professional Osis Dust-It mattifying powder, $24.

Hold it all in place with pins that match your hair colour.
Goody Brunette bobby pins, $4/26