| Back to school. Those three words can induce a feeling of fear whether you’re going into the first grade or the twelfth. But when you’re starting college? Now you’re meeting a whole new group of people, and you’re starting the next chapter of your life. Ready for a new look? Try our tips for foolproof college hair! Pull it Back So you’ve got an 8:00 class – and you want to look cute, but who wants to wake up at 6:30 on a Monday morning to fix her hair? Pulling it back in a chic ponytail, either at the nape of your neck or the crown, is a surefire way to banish that messy bedhead look while still looking good. Goody Girls Hair Hints Hair Elastics, $3.99 for a pack of about 30, come in an array of pastel colors and are guaranteed not to snag your hair. They’re tiny but they sure can stretch! (Available at Target and Wal-Mart stores.) You can also try some of the ponytail holders in the Rustic Sky Collection by Goody – our favorites are the Suede Flower Ponytailer, $3.99, and the Suede Ponyscarf, $3.99. (Both are available at Target stores.) If you’re willing to spend a bit more to look good, why not try a bit of haute couture? Go ultra stylin’ with Renée Rivera’s gorgeous jeweled purple star brooch attached to a hair elastic, $45 – you can remove the pin and wear it on its own to parties! Or pull your tendrils back with Renée Rivera’s patterned silk scarf headband, $50. (Both available at 800-797-7786.) Make the Cut You’ve always had long hair – but you’ve thought about cutting it all off. It’s not as scary as it sounds, trust us! If you do decide to make the transition, here are some great products to help you get that piecey, just-out-of-bed-but-I-still-look-fabulous look. And the best part? When your hair is short, it only takes five minutes to style! Redken Lush Whip Styling Cream It smells amazing, and adds instant definition to your locks. $14.95, www.redken.com for store info. L’Oreal Studio Line Out of Bed Whipped Gel You meant for your hair to be this messy, right? Right, if you used this product! $3.59 at drugstores and mass market retailers nationwide. Fantastic Sams Molding Mud You won’t believe the texture this thick paste-like product creates. And you’ll come to class with your hair smelling like you just stepped out of a salon! $12 at Fantastic Sams salons nationwide. Get Your Shine On All through high school, you wished for that Pantene Pro-V like shine. Now that you’re in college, you really want it! These products are guaranteed to do it even better. Joico Silk Result Instant Smoother Great for when you flat-iron your hair before hitting the clubs – we mean, class! $13.95 at fine salons, 800-242-WAVE for info. Matrix Biolage Smoothing Shine Milk Better than the milk you’ll drink at breakfast. And it leaves your hair looking shiny, not greasy – a definite plus. $12.95 at fine salons, www.matrix.com for info. Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum Like all Garnier products, it smells amazing – and it doesn’t weigh down your hair. Bonus. $5.99 at mass market retailers nationwide. Straighten Out You’ve always had curls, curls, curls – but now you want to see how your hair looks straight! These are sure to do the trick. ThermaSilk Straight & Smooth Leave-In Cream Apply and then flat-iron for instant smoothness. $3 at drugstores and mass market retailers nationwide. Dove Smooth & Soft Anti-Frizz Cream Perfect for those humid fall days in your un-air conditioned classes. $3.69 at drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. Alberto VO5 Straight Hair Straightening & Smoothing Gel It’s formulated specifically for curly hair. What could be better? $5.39 at drugstores and mass market retailers nationwide. The Finishing Touch Whether you’re styling your hair at the beginning or end of the day, you want it to look perfect for all your new college buddies. Umberto Beverly Hills Controller Detangler and Heat Protector Perfect for right after your shower – just spray it in and head to class! $8.99 at Target stores nationwide. Philip B Self Adjusting Hair Spray You’ve gotta hold that perfect style, girl! $20 at Barneys New York stores and www.philipb.com Aveda Elements Reviving Mist Use it before those late-night study sessions. And it comes in the coolest bottle! $21 at Aveda salons nationwide and www.aveda.com The bottom line? College is the time when you should have fun with your hair! So whether you’re tweaking your current style or trying something completely new, you can’t go wrong! - Jamie Sanders, Associate Editor |