Only day two, and I've already got my absolute favorite look so far -- hands down. It's super easy to do, and wrapping the hair around the base of the pony makes it look extremely sleek and polished. I don't have to touch it up at all during the day, and it even lasts through happy hour.
Step 1: I straighten the bottom half of my hair with a flat iron and set aside a 1-inch section of hair near the nape of my neck. When you want to wrap a section of hair around your elastic later, it's easier to take out that piece of hair before you tie it into a ponytail, says stylist Kiersten O'Neil.
Step 2: I brush the rest of my hair into a low ponytail using a paddle brush and secure it with an elastic. I like to let my hair cover my ears, but you can also tuck it behind your ears.
Step 3: Next, I take the section of hair I left out, and wrap it around the elastic to hide it. Then I pin the ends underneath the pony to hide them.
Step 4: I finish by rubbing some shine serum between my hands (I use MoroccanOil Oil Light, $35), and run them over the pony to smooth down any stray hairs.
Photo 4/8
Day 3: Braiding pays off
This is pretty much just a one-sided French braid, and then I tie all my hair into a bun. So while it may seem complicated, it's a lot easier than it looks (and definitely worth trying). I don't typically braid my hair, so I really enjoy all the compliments I get from my co-workers today.
Step 1: You can start with either a middle or side part for this look (I go with a slightly off-center part -- my attempt to be unique).
Step 2: I rub some styling mousse between my fingers before I start braiding (try Pureology Colour Stylist Silk Bodifier Volumizing Mousse, $24). When you're working with your natural hair texture, this helps you grip your hair better, says O'Neil.
Step 3: I then French-braid my hair from the part all the way back down one side, angling it toward the back of my neck. I secure the bottom of the braid to my head using bobby pins (since I have to let go of the braid to finish the hairstyle).
Step 4: Lastly, I comb the remaining hair (including the end of the French braid) to the nape of my neck, and wrap it all into a chignon. You can center this, or you can tie it slightly to one side (go the opposite direction of your part).
Photo 5/8
Day 4: Three minutes to chic
I'm so psyched with this look because if I blow dry my hair the night before, this hairstyle only takes about three minutes to create. If I'm ever in a time crunch, I know I'll be trying this look again. And again. And again.
Step 1: For this look to work, I need plenty of volume at my crown, says O'Neil. So I start by backcombing the top of my hair with a teasing comb. Then I (very gently) use a boar bristle brush to smooth over the top layer of my hair.
Step 2: I comb my hair into a half updo with my fingers and hold it in my hand. Then I twist my hair to the right until it feels nice and tight. I push it up slightly to create volume, and secure it in place by criss-crossing two bobby pins at the base.
Step 3: I brush my bangs to the side for a romantic touch, and mist the finished look with a flexible-hold hairspray.
Photo 6/8
Day 5: Sleep (and snooze button) overdose
I have absolutely no time this morning (damn snooze button), so I come up with this look on the fly. I don't normally slick my hair back, but with the amount of time I save, this might actually become my new go-to hairstyle.
Step 1: According to Dunton, "sleek buns are easiest to get on wet hair." Since I don't have enough time to shower, I just wet my hair and use a towel to blot out some of the water. Then, I create a deep side part using the tail end of a comb.
Step 2: I apply a generous dollop of styling gel to my hair, and use a comb to distribute it from root to ends. While it is still damp, I brush all of my hair into a low ponytail, and tie it with an elastic.
Step 3: Starting at the elastic, I twist the ponytail all the way to the ends, and wrap the twist around the base to create a tight bun. I tuck the ends under and slide bobby pins into the bun at different points all around until I'm sure it won't fall down at my desk.
Photo 7/8
Day 6: Going out with a bang
Finally, the grind of the workweek is over and the weekend is here. I have a party to go to tonight so I want to do something special. So I invite a friend -- OK, a hairstylist friend -- to come over and help me create this look, which I found while scanning some runway pics. Cheating? Maybe a little. But I think I'll be able to pull this off on my own again. Here's how we do it.
Step 1: I follow this trick from hairstylist Natasha Sunshine-Antonioni to get a bump-free side pony: Wet your hair and lean your head to one side. Then brush all of your hair into a ponytail while keeping your head angled, and secure it tightly with an elastic.
Step 2: Next, I split my ponytail into two sections. My friend helps me twist the two sections in opposite directions (one to the left, and the other to the right).
Step 3: She then takes both twists and twists those together. I bring the whole twist over my head towards my other ear, and secure the ends with bobby pins.
Step 3: I finish by misting all over with a strong-hold hairspray (one to try: Pureology Colour Stylist Strengthening Control Hairspray, $19).
It's amazing that a tiny button can have such a profound impact on your life.
Don't press it and you get extra time to eat your Kellogg's and blow dry your hair. Press it and you get 15 minutes' worth of semi-tortured sleep and have to run out of the house with hair that's still wet.
Of course, we are talking about the almighty Snooze Button -- the temptress keeping your head on the pillow and your hairstyles uninspired.
We don't know about you, but we're sick of having to sacrifice some winks for a decent 'do. We are women of the millennium after all, multi-taskers of the century. We have babies and bring home the bacon. Surely we can master some go-to gorgeous hairstyles that don't take all morning to pull off, right?
Well, we put one woman to the test to find out. We asked the hairstylists at Byu-Ti Salon in Santa Monica, Calif., to teach her how to transform her self-proclaimed "boring" hair quickly. Then we challenged her to recreate a new look every morning for a week. The catch? She was given no more than ten minutes a day to create seven unique and inspiring hairstyles.
Read her story, learn how to do the looks yourself, and go ahead and press that snooze button, baby -- you earned it.
