Ten Things to Do With Your Hair on a Casual Day
Casual style is an American hallmark. The relaxed appeal of blue jeans, athletic shoes and sweatsuits often steals the spotlight from more formal suiting, slacks or dresses. The emphasis on the casual extends to hairstyling as well. Is it any wonder that the scrunchie was patented in the United States? For casual days, hair style choices abound.
-
Classic Headband
-
Whether your hair is long or short, combing it straight back and slipping on a headband is a quick and easy path to casual style. Part your hair at center or side for definition, or push the headband forward to add volume at the hairline.
Ponytail
-
A ponytail spells casual in large lettering.
Sky View/Digital Vision/Getty Images
The ponytail screams casual and may be adopted for casual workdays, picnics, airline travel and beach outings. Brush your hair back to smooth and secure it at or near the scalp with a plain or decorative tie. Make the ponytail at the nape of the neck, the crown of the head, the center-back of the scalp or behind either ear.
Messy Up-Do
-
This style is anti-perfection. Pull your hair back loosely and twist the length to form a column. Secure the twisted column to the back of your head with pins, barrette or banana clip. Neglect wisps and strays that escape the 'do. Do not spray for hold.
Braids
-
Braids are simple and versatile. Braid one plait at the back of the head or behind either ear. For pigtails, part hair down the center and braid either side behind the ear. Start French braids at the hairline and end them just behind your ears. Or create small braids in evenly-spaced rows that can be styled into ponytails or up-dos.
Twists
-
Twists, or twisties, are two-strand versions of braid. Take two sections of hair and twist one over the other until you reach the ends of the strands. Create multiple rows of one-inch twists gather them up into a ponytail. Or make eight to 10 larger twists and add a wide headband for style definition.
Pigtails
-
Pigtails are not the sole province of children.
Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
Pigtails may seem to be the province of the very young, but a ponytail at either side of a part can make styling your hair a breeze. Create a center part at the back of the head and secure each side with a decorative, cloth-covered tie. Add a scarf or kerchief around the head for a rustic touch.
Bun
-
The trusty bun works well when hair is best left up and out of the way, such as in hot weather or on house moving day. Brush hair straight back and secure with a tie at the scalp. Wrap the length of the hair around the tie and secure it to the scalp with hairpins. Let stray hairs lie.
Puff
-
The puff is the casual updo for the woman with thick, textured hair. Comb hair toward the crown, using gel or mousse to smooth, if necessary. Secure with a nonbinding elastic tie, and you're done. Let the hair "puff" out from the elastic tie for perennially youthful appeal.
Half Updo
-
A go-to for longer-haired women, the half updo boasts down-to-earth appeal. Section the hair from the forehead to just above the ears and brush it back toward the crown. Secure with a decorative cloth tie. Brush the updo, as well as the remaining hair, to smooth. The half updo keeps hair off the face while it allows for a display of length.
Scarf
-
A hair scarf can be tied in many ways. Choose a scarf of casual cotton or polyester and of bold color for visual interest. Fold or crush it to a width of 2 to 3 inches and tie it about the head like a headband. Leave the ends out or tuck them in. Fold a scarf into a triangle and tie it at the hairline to tame or conceal the hair at the top of the head. Or bind up all your hair into a scarf that is knotted at the nape of the neck or behind either ear.
-
Related Searches
References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Digital Vision/Getty Images Sky View/Digital Vision/Getty Images Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
