Beauty October 2009 By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on November 30, 2009 @ 09:43PM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage October 2009 01 of 24 Olivia Wilde's Smooth Center-Part Sara De Boer/Startraks THE STYLE A silky straight blow-out parted in the middle, and swept off to one side WHERE A screening of Precious in Hollywood WHY WE LOVE IT For starters, it's simple, refined, and yet somehow still completely eye-catching. Olivia Wilde's look is a gentle reminder that good hair doesn't need a single wave, curl, or bow. Also? The behind-the-ear tuck shows-off her adorable gold star studs. 02 of 24 Jaime Pressly's Sleek Style John Shearer/WireImage THE STYLE A neat, side-part with a subtle lift in front WHERE The Audi Diesel dinner in West Hollywood WHY WE LOVE IT Growing out your bangs? Try Jaime Pressly's chic fix. Keep your overgrown strands off your face and out of your eyes by brushing them up and back. Then, rather than plastering them down with hairspray, work a dab of gel into the root to keep them slightly lifted. No one will ever know you've got something to hide. 03 of 24 Lauren Conrad's Sparkly Barrette Evan Agostini/AP Photo, Dave Allocca/Startraks THE STYLE A classic Hollywood coif topped off with a shimmery clasp WHERE The Avon Foundation for Women benefit in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Charles Baker Strahan, the stylist who created the look, curled the entire head with an 3/4-inch iron, then arranged the tendrils into a low bun. "I left some volume at the bottom so it almost looked like a '20s bob," he said. As for the flash of bling? "Once Lauren put on her dress, I wanted to finish the look and she had some jewelry out. I picked it, she loved it, and the rest is history!" 04 of 24 Diane Kruger's Wavy Updo Andreas Branch/patrickmcmullan.com/Sipa THE STYLE A delicately mussed bun in back, accentuated by long wavy strands in front WHERE A preview she hosted of Jason Wu's Summer Collection at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills WHY WE LOVE IT "I wanted to give Diane a loose and pretty updo that wouldn't take away from the dress, but would balance it out," said TRESemme celebrity stylist Mara Roszak, who created the look. To get a similar style, curl the entire head with a flatiron, the pull the hair back into a low, twisted and messy knot. And be sure to leave out longish pieces around the face-they keep the look soft and natural. 05 of 24 Taraji's Super-Long Strands Sara De Boer/Startraks THE STYLE Sleek hair that's extra-long and straight WHERE The 13th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony in Beverly Hills WHY WE LOVE IT According to Taraji's hairstylist Dante Blandshaw, who put this long weave into the actress's hair a few days ago, she's been maintaining and styling it herself ever since. Which is exactly what we love about weaves-the hours (and hours and hours) in your stylist's chair yield effortlessly gorgeous looks for weeks. 06 of 24 Claire Danes's Bouncy Blond Curls Jason Kempin/Getty Images THE STYLE Below-the-shoulder blond hair with plenty of volume and curl WHERE The Gucci Icon-Temporary Flash Sneaker Store launch in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Back in the '90s, Claire Danes's stick-straight, bright red hair was the definition of cool-which is why it's always such a thrill to see her rocking an equally impressive (and totally different) style these days. For a similar look, dose your roots with volumizer before blowing out your hair, and use an extra-large iron for big, rounded curls. 07 of 24 Camilla Belle's Romantic Ponytail John M. Heller/Getty, Kathy Hutchin/Hutchins Photo THE STYLE A low, casual ponytail with a few strands twisted around the base WHERE The Rodeo Drive Walk of Style in Beverly Hills WHY WE LOVE IT The deep side part lends a sophisticated, elegant feel, while the back is flirty and undeniably girlish. To try Camilla's elastic-concealing trick, grab a 1/4-inch section from the underside of your ponytail, wrap it around the band, and secure the ends to the back of your head with a bobby pin. 08 of 24 Julianne Moore's Glossy Red Hair Matt Crossick/UK Press/Abaca THE STYLE Bouncy, shiny, and impossibly bright russet strands with plenty of depth WHERE The London Film Festival WHY WE LOVE IT Let's face it: when your color looks as stunning as Julianne Moore's, fancy 'dos are just a distraction. So what's her secret weapon? Regular visits to her colorist, Gina Gilbert at the Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in New York City. 09 of 24 Scarlett Johansson's Romantic Updo Junko Kimura/Getty THE STYLE A soft, sexy, asymmetrical updo WHERE A Moet & Chandon Tribute to Cinema event in Tokyo WHY WE LOVE IT "This was not a concept-driven style," says David Babaii, the stylist who created the look. "This was a 'I have 15 minutes, I want to do something loose and fun.'" After styling, he tucked in a bedazzled brooch for a hint of playfulness and sparkle. "I wanted to use a little piece of jewelry for some glamour, but I also wanted it to look like she'd had it done a week ago, and had slept on it." 10 of 24 Taylor Momsen's White Hot Curls Janet Maye /Splash News THE STYLE Beachy, spindly, platinum blond curls WHERE The Whitney Gala in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Taylor Momsen's look has a hint of undoneness-and that was on purpose. Hairstylist Charles Baker Strahan blew her hair partially dry, then created a low braid. After blasting it with hot air from the dryer, he took out the braid and added random curls throughout with a small iron. The final trick? "I dusted baby powder through her strands to brighten the blond," he said. 11 of 24 Christina Ricci's Sleek Crop Michael Germana/Globe Photo THE STYLE Short, straight and side-parted WHERE At Spike TV's Scream 2009 in Los Angeles WHY WE LOVE IT Christina Ricci is no stranger to short hair, but this latest rendition-a modern chop that's part page-boy, part pixie-is one of our favorites yet. To keep a short style like this from looking mom-ish, use a mini flatiron and some glossing serum to smooth away all the poufiness. 12 of 24 Paula Patton's Sky-High Lift Mehdi Taamallah/Abaca THE STYLE Sleek sides twisted in the back and a teased, voluminous top WHERE The Keep A Child Alive Black Ball in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT "On my way to do Paula's hair, it was pouring rain, so I wanted to do something up-she felt the same way," says hairstylist Ursula Stephens, who created the look. She spritzed the roots with lifting spray, then blew it dry in an upward direction for volume. After teasing the hair, she brushed it into a back twist held in place with pins, and shaped the top with heavy duty hairspray. 13 of 24 Minnie Driver's Tamed Tresses Erik Pendzich/Rex USA THE STYLE Soft, tumbling ringlets starting below the ears WHERE A screening of Motherhood in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT While we would have loved Minnie Driver loyally if Good Will Hunting were the only film she ever made, we've been a fan of hers for years-wild spirals, and all. To try her more subdued look, blow hair out straight, preserving a little natural wave, then go through the entire head with a medium-sized curling iron. How do you like them apples? 14 of 24 Eva's Luxurious Curls Paul Morigi/WireImage THE STYLE Long layers finished off with playfully curled ends WHEREA National Museum of the American Latino Commission press conference in Washington, DC WHY WE LOVE IT There's something to be said for hair that just looks like it's having fun. Use a large barrel curling iron to bend the ends of your strands, but hold it in place a few seconds longer than normal. The extra heat will give your tresses a lively jolt. 15 of 24 Uma Thurman's Loose, Wispy Cluster Soul Brother/FilmMagic, Ray Tamarra/Getty THE STYLE A piecey bunch of tendrils on the back of the head WHERE The Late Show with David Letterman in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Uma Thurman knows how to turn it out with sleek, intricately styled looks-but this airy, I-threw-it-together-in-five-minutes bun is a welcome departure. To try the style, let hair dry naturally, rub in a dab of texturing cream to accentuate your layers, and pin into a low, disheveled heap. 16 of 24 Katie Cassidy's Extra-Large Bun Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic THE STYLE An extra large, extra high, extra textured bun WHERE The 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards in Los Angeles WHY WE LOVE IT "My inspiration came from the dress and the styles of the '70s," said hairstylist Lea Journo, who created the look. She gathered a high ponytail, teased five sections, and curled them with a large-barrel iron. Bobby pins and a mist of hairspray kept the pieces locked in place at the base of the ponytail. 17 of 24 Kristin Davis's Glossy Curls Henry Lamb/Photowire/BEImages THE STYLE Big lustrous curls starting below the ears WHERE The Late Show with David Letterman in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Kristin Davis is usually our go-to example of the power of a pretty blowout, but we're equally enamored of this high-volume style. For curls this thick and round, set aside the iron and stick to rollers for the most impact. 18 of 24 Freida Pinto's Flowery Updo Juan Soliz/PacificCoastNews (2) THE STYLE An unfussy updo topped off with a gray blossom WHERE The Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week WHY WE LOVE IT Flowers in the hair can either be too hippy-ish or too childish, but not for the beauty-enlightened Freida Pinto. To get it right, pick an accessory in a neutral shade like gray, taupe or butter that coordinates-not clashes-with your hair color. 19 of 24 Malin Akerman's Platinum Curls David Longendyke/Globe Photos THE STYLE Bouncy blond shoulder-length hair with an off-center part WHERE The Couples Retreat premiere in Los Angeles WHY WE LOVE IT Curly, bright blond can be cheesy, but somehow Malin Akerman's take on the look was polished and classy. The key? Forehead sweeping pieces and loose ringlets that keep the style modern. 20 of 24 Maggie Gyllenhaal's Wavy Bob Landov THE STYLE A loose chin-length crop parted slightly off-center WHERE The premiere of An Education in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Don't get us wrong, we love the sharp graphic bobs we've been seeing all across Hollywood, but Maggie Gyllenhaal gave us a gentle reminder of the cut's softer, more romantic side. Work a bit of styling cream into wet hair and dry with a diffuser to lock in your natural texture. 21 of 24 Katrina Bowden's Shimmery Headband INF Photo THE STYLE An aptly positioned headband with plenty of sophisticated glitz WHERE Lo Bosworth's 23rd birthday party in Miami WHY WE LOVE IT Not all of us can rock the forehead grazing Pocahontas-style headbands, nor does everyone feel comfortable donning a glitzy tiara. But Katrina Bowden found a happy medium with this eye-catching band propped just so on her head. To try the look, use an elastic headband, and be sure it rests just above your hairline. 22 of 24 Kim Kardashian's Vintage Waves Luis Guerra/Ramey Photo THE STYLE Big, voluminous waves parted on the side and structured throughout WHERE The Late Show with David Letterman in New York City WHY WE LOVE IT Highly coiffed waves might only seem doable for your '40s-themed Halloween party, but Kim Kardashian made them day-appropriate. To follow her lead, keep curls in place with just a touch of hairspray-gumming them up with loads of product can make them look stiff. 23 of 24 Ciara's Silky Center Part Todd Williamson/WireImage THE STYLE Long hair parted in the middle with tapered ends WHERE The David Beckham and James Bond adidas Originals party in Los Angeles WHY WE LOVE IT Anyone who says that a center part is dowdy, think again. Ciara's simple, glossy style is one of the most glamorous down-dos we've seen in a while. To get the look, blow your hair pin-straight, and add glossing serum for that critical boost of luminosity. 24 of 24 Mariah Carey's Eye-Covering Waves Kevin Mazur/WireImage THE STYLE A bouncy blowout with plenty of bend on the ends WHERE At Macy's in New York City to promote her new fragrance, Forever WHY WE LOVE IT "This swooping, over-the-eye flip is one of Mariah's classic looks," said her hairstylist Roque Jimenez. To get a similar style, he advises blowing out the hair, then wrapping just the ends around the barrel of a large curling iron. "Clip the curls in place, let them cool, and then brush through them," he said. "And be sure to twist pieces in different directions for movement."