@AMANDLASTENBERG / Design by Michela Buttignol
A dramatic hair transformation takes serious guts.
Below, four professional hairstylists share the 27 best tips and styles they swear by.
Baby Braids
@stormreid/ Instagram
Over your decision to get curtain bangs?
@AMANDLASTENBERG / Design by Michela Buttignol
Weave all those graduated-lengths into a matching set of baby braids and no one needs to know.
Spiky Updo
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Battling with longer face-framing layers?
Perhaps there’s a reasonspiky updoshave made a comeback alongside generously layeredbutterfly cuts.
@sofiarichiegrainge/ Instagram
Apply a smidge of smoothing serum or pomade to the ends for a look that appears intentionally undone.
This can hide or make a feature of any shorter layers.
Enter: Space buns.
@stormreid/ Instagram
“Since it’s so lightweight, it’s less harsh on the scalp and root of the hair.
Brushed Back
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Here’s further proof that wet-look styles have no length prerequisites.
While Zendaya’s above mermaid waves are stunning on longer layers, this slicked-back pixie is oh-so sophisticated.
Emma McIntyre / Getty
Hydrated Heights
@lupitanyongo/ Instagram
Growing out and treating afro hair can be a whole different ballgame.
Integrate deep conditioning masks into your rotation to keep hair hydrated.
To avoid this, change your color,” suggests Northwood.
@loganlaurice/ Instagram
“A bit of color can stave off the boredom.”
Extensions
@arianagrande/ Instagram
Can’t wait for your hair to reach your desired length?
You don’t have to.
@justinemarjan/ Instagram
Defined Edges
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Tap into your creative side and experiment with edge designs.
Doing so is not only fun, but it really elevates any look.
Getting regular cuts helps maintain a stylish shape and prevents hair from looking too messy or undone.
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That said, you want to keep heat-styling to a minimum to avoid excess damage and breakage.
The answer: barrettes.
“Grips and barrettes are great for tucking away uncontrollable hair,” says Reed.
@lacyredway/ Instagram
We recommend using a heavy duty gel or pomade to keep spikes standing straight all day.
To add a sleek touch to the look, he suggests using John Frieda’s Secret Weapon Touch-up Creme.
@iamhalsey/ Instagram
@selenagomez/ Instagram
@traceeellisross/ Instagram
@zendaya/ Instagram
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@katyperry/ Instagram
@lupitanyongo/ Instagram
@keke/ Instagram
@arianagrande/ Instagram
Steve Granitz / WireImage
@laurenconrad/ Instagram
@kendalljenner/ Instagram
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@lizzobeeating/ Instagram
@chiaraferragni/ Instagram
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@imanogundeko/ Instagram
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