Get the Hair You Want

Model Julia Stegner shows off an asymmetrical knot at Michael Kors

"I tried to create a look that complemented all of the hats in the show," says Orlando Pita, who styled the hair backstage at Michael Kors. "But it had to feel more finished than if the hair was down."

START WITH THE RIGHT TEXTURE
Shampoo and condition hair with products that rinse clean. Try Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner ($3.99 each). Next, blow-dry with a round boar-bristle brush to fight frizz and smooth out the hair at the crown.

PULL IT BACK
Using your round brush to keep the texture sleek, pull hair back into a tight, low ponytail with no part and use a ponytail holder to keep it in place. "In this case, we kept it very low to accommodate the hats," says Pita.

TWIST AND TIE IT
Next, twist the hair around the base of your ponytail and loop it through. "Basically, you're tying it in a knot and leaving the ends sticking out," Pita instructs. Hold the ends to one side, rather than straight up, while you fasten in place with bobby pins. To make the look last, finish with a strong-hold hair spray. Try L'Oréal Paris Studio Line Perfect Fix Ultra-Fine Spray Finishing Hairspray ($4.99).

Model Chanel Iman with wavy hair backstage at Behnaz Sarafpour

"We wanted the hair to be bouncy but not big," says stylist Ashley Javier, who made waves backstage at Behnaz Sarafpour. "Curling irons can result in hair that looks pageanty, so we straightened the curls out a bit and made them softer."

HYDRATE LONG LOCKS
Heat styling takes a toll on your hair, so before firing up your iron, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner like Nexxus Sleektress Shampoo ($8.50) and Hydra Sleek Conditioner ($15). If you have dry hair, run a bit of Herbal Essences None of Your Frizzness Leave-In Crème ($2.99) through ends.

MAKE WAVES
Moving from front to back and starting at about eye level, curl sections of hair using a 1- or 1 1/2- inch curling iron. Try the 1 1/2-inch FHI Heat Ceramic Curling Iron ($195).

STRETCH THE STYLE
To make the curls look longer and a little less 'done,' we took a flatiron on very low heat and ran it over them as a last step," says Javier. If your hair doesn't easily hold a style, finish with a misting of hair spray.

Anja Rubik with a sleek style backstage at Oscar de la Renta

START WITH THE RIGHT CUT
"For someone holding on to the long-hair trend, cutting your hair short or in a longer, Vidal Sassoon-inspired blunt bob can look great," says Pita. The most versatile cropped cuts are longer in the front and shorter in the back.

MAKE IT SLEEK
If you have thick hair, blend a few drops of a shine cream or serum through hair before drying. Try Logics Blow Design Cream ($18). "You want movement and shine without stiffness," says Pita. To achieve the texture seen here, blow-dry hair and apply T3 360 Boost Heat Seeking Liquid Iron Booster ($38). Then flatiron the ends as well as the pieces that fall around your face. "This will make it look controlled and edgy," says Pita.

"This is a romantic and sensual take on a bun," says Eugene Souleiman, who created the pulled-apart style at Dolce & Gabbana. "It's different from the tightly pulled back and old-fashioned bun," he says of the pretty updo.

GET THE WAVY TEXTURE
"First, rough dry your hair with your head upside down using your fingers instead of a brush," instructs Souleiman. For added texture, spray damp hair with Fekkai Coiff Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel ($23). Next, use a one-inch curling iron to curl just the front and sides. "Massage hair to lift the roots and pull apart the curls," he says.

SWEEP IT UP
Pull hair back with your fingers and fasten it into a ponytail at eye level. Then twist and wrap hair to make a bun, and pin in place. "To make the style even more voluminous, loose, and pretty, pull some of the pieces around the crown out slightly."

Backstage at Blumarine