February 2010

THE STYLE Piecey beach waves with the bleached-out tips to match

WHERE l.e.i.’s First Model Citizen event in Westwood, CA

WHY WE LOVE IT It could be the easy way Shenae Grimes has let her sun-kissed highlights grow out-or maybe it's the way her roughed-up texture screams of sand and salt water. Either way, this breezy style left us lusting for summer (and the name of her stylist.)

THE STYLE A big voluminous ponytail tucked back with a sparkly headband

WHERE The Love Ball in London

WHY WE LOVE IT Maybe it's because we never got over Elizabeth Hurley in Austin Powers, but we were thrilled to see the star rock this throwback look. The high, textured ponytail feels sexy and free-spirited; the bejeweled headband adds a touch of girly glamour.

THE STYLE A low, untidy cluster with flirty face-framing tendrils

WHERE The Cop Out premiere in New York City

INSIDE SCOOP Stylist Creighton Bowman gave Michelle Trachtenberg a "classic style with a modern twist." He gathered the hair into a low ponytail, pulled up the strands around the crown for a touch of lift, and twisted the length into a bun, pinning in place as he went. "I used a double-pronged styling tool to give the pieces around her face a bit of edge," said Bowman, who also finished with a mist of hairspray.

THE STYLE Rumpled, breezy spirals and a neat center-part

WHERE The 2010 British Academy of Film Awards in London

WHY WE LOVE IT With her flawless ivory skin, peony lips and honey blond hair Kate Winslet looked every bit the film icon she's become. Plus, the contrast of her bleached-out strands and deep bold brows is undeniably striking.

THE STYLE Extra-straight strands parted slightly off center

WHERE The Fall 2010 Calvin Klein show in New York City

WHY WE LOVE IT Kate Bosworth is a master of edgy, versatile looks, but this surprisingly simple one was perfect to preview Calvin Klein's understated collection. If going for an uber-straight style, a blast of shine spray will keep your strands from looking dull or lifeless.

THE STYLE Long side-parted hair with flipped ends

WHERE The W Lounge at Fall 2010 New York Fashion Week

INSIDE SCOOP "When Molly Sims showed me the dress, it was all about the shape of her body and simplicity. We decided on an easy blowout for polish," said her hairstylist Charles Baker Strahan. He blew the hair dry with a medium round brush, taking care to "flick out" the ends. "When the hair was dry I added dry shampoo and hairspray, which roughs it up and gives body, volume and a lived-in texture," he said. To finish, Baker Strahan parted the hair deep to the side and snuck a bobby pin by the ear to hold everything in place.

THE STYLE A loose and wispy bun secured at the crown of the head

WHERE The Rodarte Fall 2010 fashion show in New York City

WHY WE LOVE IT Kirsten Dunst's gently mussed bun is undeniably romantic. The piecey strands around her face give the style a free-spirited vibe, while the high twist has a prim, tucked-in appeal.

THE STYLE A textured and untidy updo finishing in a low side bun

WHERE The 82nd Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon in Beverly Hills

WHY WE LOVE IT Up in the Air star and Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick may be a newcomer to the Hollywood scene, but her adorable updo was fit for a pro. Rather than stressing over a tight, too-perfect look, play with texture and shape by twisting, curling, or loosely braiding sections before pulling the hair back. Trust us-updos look best when they're unfussy and unexpected.

THE STYLE A low, textured ponytail at the nape of the neck

WHERE The Shutter Island premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival

WHY WE LOVE IT Michelle Williams's low ponytail had a gentle, feminine appeal. If you have face-framing layers, pull back your hair and don't worry about the pieces that fall forward. Instead, wrap them around a curling iron for a breezy, flirty touch.

THE STYLE A bright blond bob with darkish roots and delicately tapered ends

WHERE The premiere of Tuan Yuan in Berlin

WHY WE LOVE IT Gone are the days of dark roots being a bad thing. Renee Zellweger's slightly brunette part adds bold dimension to an understated cut. The diagonal side part and piecey, razored ends give the classic style an instantly modern feel.

THE STYLE Glossy tendrils piled on one shoulder

WHERE The amfAR New York Gala co-sponsored by MAC Cosmetics

WHY WE LOVE IT Brooke Shields's subtle auburn highlights break up her brunette strands-which reads glossier and more reflective to the eyes. For even more shine, try misting on a serum with natural oils like jojoba or avocado.

THE STYLE A feathered hair piece and a tidy twisted bun

WHERE The premiere of The Wolfman in Los Angeles

INSIDE SCOOP "The idea for Emily Blunt's look came from my recent trip to Paris, where we saw a Parisian lady wearing a feather in her hair. We wentshopping along the Left Bank to find the perfect peacock feather for the custom head piece," said hairstylist Laini Reeves, owner and creative director of Essensuals London. Reeves put the headband in place, then twisted the hair up and around the band, gathering it into a messy bun at the nape of the neck. "Emily was thrilled. It gave her look a dramatic twist," said Reeves.

THE STYLE Full, textured waves with gentle sideswept bangs

WHERE The Valentine's Day premiere in Hollywood

INSIDE SCOOP "The idea was to give Jennifer Garner soft sideswept bangs with a sexy head of waves that moved, bounced and framed the face," said Frédéric Fekkai stylist Adir Abergel. After loosely drying the hair and adding wave with a curling iron, he finished with a blend of wave spray and grooming cream for a tousled look.

THE STYLE A curvy, chin-length cut with chunky sideswept bangs

WHERE A Superbowl XLIV party at the W Hotel in Miami

WHY WE LOVE IT Jessica Alba's new look frames her face and shows off her adorable chestnut eyes. The bold layer of thick fringe is vaguely retro, while the tapered chin-length ends are entirely modern.

THE STYLE Neat, smooth curls styled in a dramatic side-part

WHERE A GUESS by Marciano event to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation in New York City

WHY WE LOVE IT As much as we've been loving the comeback of structured '40s waves, Eliza Dushku's soft spirals were a welcome change. The finish is touchable, the part is modern, and the overall result is undeniably sexy.

THE STYLE An extra-long ponytail with bouncy bent ends

WHERE A launch for her new book, Sweet Little Lies, in New York City

WHY WE LOVE IT Lauren Conrad rarely steps outside without a gorgeous hairstyle, but this simple ponytail gave us inspiration. On days when you don't have time for a complicated style, opt for a low ponytail. Just be sure to curl the ends with a large barrel iron for a flirty, polished kick.

THE STYLE Roughly textured spirals in a muted auburn shade

WHERE A presentation of Elle Macphearson Intimates in Paris

WHY WE LOVE IT Why is it that models (or former models) always have the most amazing strands? Elle Macphearson showed off the perfect tousled bedhead-and we have a funny feeling it didn't take hours to create. Either way, it's inspiration for us all to embrace our natural texture.

THE STYLE A tight and high '70s-inspired ponytail

WHERE The 2010 Pre-Grammys Gala in Beverly Hills

INSIDE SCOOP "I call Gabrielle Union's look a smooth upsweep," said hairstylist Larry Sims, who created it. "After her hair was blown-out, I brushed it to the crown of her head and gathered it with a hook elastic for extra tightness and security." He then flat-ironed the length of the ponytail, wrapped a piece of hair around the base, and finished with hair polisher for luminous shine.

THE STYLE A perfectly lived-in French twist

WHERE The 62nd Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards in Century City, CA

INSIDE SCOOP "My inspiration for Christina Hendricks's style was actually an Ellen Barkin photograph. It was a throwback to the '60s with a modern twist," said hairstylist Jen Atkin, who created the look. "I set the mohawk section for good volume, then teased her hair and threw it into a French twist." She pulled out thin sections to keep it messy, and finished with sheer hairspray.