Sam McKnight's Statement Hair Spring Hair Trends by Sam McKnight

Spring Hair Trends by Sam McKnight - ELLE From sea-inspired chignons to cuckoo-chic bouffants, the imaginings of McKnight always impress. Here he dissects his favorite spring looks.

Chanel

To evoke Karl Lagerfeld's underwater theme, McKnight fashioned pearl-adorned chignons: "I wanted it to look as if the girl had just risen from the sea." McKnight, Pantene Pro-V's global stylist, combed a mix of mousse and conditioner into hair, gathering lengths at the nape, then twisted them into a bun and secured it with pins.

McKnight's Chanel Tool Kit: Pantene Medium-Thick Hair Solutions Flowing Body Mousse; Wella Professionals Enrich Moisturizing Treatment for Coarse Hair; Mason Pearson Rake Comb

Jaeger

"This look is rich and glamorous," says McKnight. After working a volumizing gel into hair, he dried strands and set them in hot rollers, twisting up halfway. After drawing a side part, he combed hair over the opposite ear and secured a low side ponytail. McKnight then brushed out the length, creating one smooth curl, and finished with hairspray.

McKnight's Jaeger Tool Kit: Sebastian Professional Halo Mist UV Filter Weightless Shine Spray; Pantene Fine Hair Solutions Weightless Body Building Gel; T3 Voluminous Hot Rollers

Fendi

"It's very mad mathematician," McKnight says of the deconstructed bouffant faux bob. After applying mousse, he blew hair dry with a round brush, concentrating heat on the roots for lift. Next, he back-combed to build gauzy texture, then brushed it all back to the center of the head, curling the ends under and fastening with bobby pins.

McKnight's Fendi Tool Kit: Pantene Fine Hair Solutions Professional Level Style Shaping Hairspray; Frédéric Fekkai Large Round Brush and Coiff Bouffant Lifting & Texturizing Spray Gel

DSquared2

Although this show was in Milan, McKnight drew inspiration from a fellow Brit—"It's Kate Moss at Glastonbury," he says. After applying a leave-in conditioner, McKnight blow-dried hair, roughing it up with his fingers for texture. He wrapped two-inch sections around a curling iron and worked in smoothing balm for separation.

McKnight's DSquared2 Tool Kit: Pantene Aqua Light Weightless Conditioning Shake; Sebastian Professional Potion 9 Wearable Styling Treatment; Cricket Friction Free Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron

Dare to Wear: Bold Beauties Tell All Bold Hair and Beauty Trends – Dramatic Makeup Ideas

Bold Hair and Beauty Trends – Dramatic Makeup Ideas - ELLE Die-hard devotees share their secrets on how to wear beauty's most outgoing looks

If crimson is your calling card, just one red lipstick won't do. Here, a cadre of cool girls share the secrets of their identity-defining looks—from the platinum dye-job maintenance kit to step-by-step nail art.

Platinum Strands

"I felt invisible until I went platinum," Marie Robinson says. Although Robinson tints the strands of A-list celebs at her namesake NYC salon, she struggled to find her perfect shade until she tried the near-white hue. "My own dark brown didn't give pop to my skin or eyes," she says. "Now I'm addicted to my color." NYC-based fashion stylist (and natural brunette) Kate Young has been fair-haired for 10 years—a look that was originally inspired by Madonna's "True Blue" era. "It's a part of my identity," Young says. "It brightens my whole face." To keep their drastically dyed hair from breaking, both avoid heat-styling, abiding by dry-and-go routines with weekly deep-conditioning masks. They also swear by the resolutely old-school Clairol Shimmer Lights shampoo, a purple-tinted formula that keeps cool, ashy tones vibrant.—J.J.O

Platinum Strands

"Grandma knows best!" says ELLE's own platinum style director, Kate Lanphear, of the shampoo also beloved by the Betty White set. Maja Ivarsson, lead singer of Swedish band the Sounds, modeled her signature look on Debbie Harry's mop. "I've bleached my hair since high school. I wouldn't feel like myself if I weren't platinum," she says. Ivarsson leaves her dye job to the pros. "I tried to go back to my natural, darker color once but freaked out and changed it right back," she says. "The result was orange. Never again!"—J.J.O

The platinum-obsessed alternate their daily shampoo with Clairol Shimmer Lights to prevent fading and brassiness; Young uses Kérastase Masquintense to condition and follows with Rodin by Recine Olio Lusso hair oil post-shower to avoid fried ends; Ivarsson stocks her tour bus with Sebastian Color Ignite Single Tone Shampoo—"On tour you don't know when you'll shower next," she says, "so this keeps my hair looking really good."

Nail Art

"I've been fanatical about nail art for a few years," says NYC-based DJ Harley Viera-Newton, who became "obsessed" with nail designs while perusing Japanese beauty blogs. "My makeup and clothes are pretty tame, so I go nuts with my nails," she says. Viera-Newton frequents the "incredibly skilled" technicians at NYC's Marie Nails in SoHo once a month, opting for a long-lasting gel manicure that can survive nightly scratching sessions. "I've done everything," she says. "Nautical with sequin anchors, cats, fruit...The sky is the limit."—J.J.O.

Nail Art

Jane Marie, of The Hairpin blog, prefers the DIY approach. Nightly she slathers her hands in cream to keep her skin and cuticles conditioned, then once a week she follows her painting ritual: a layer of OPI Nail Envy ("It fixes peeling or breaking") followed by a Seche Vite base coat. Then she gets creative. "I'll just think of anything—for example, a karate black belt, then imagine the color scheme that goes with it," she says. Marie favors drugstore-brand polish Milani and "cheapo glitter and jewels," which she seals with a final layer of Seche Vite top coat. Fellow DIYer makeup artist Julie Pope doesn't limit her tools to traditional items: She uses forks and bottle caps to carve textures and designs into her polish. "As a makeup artist, my hands are often in view," Pope says. "Why not make them fun to look at?"—J.J.O.

Nail Art

" Milani glitter polishes don't dry out," Marie says (shown: Red Sparkle, Blue Flash, and Purple Gleam); OPI Nail Envy contains protein and calcium to strengthen brittle nails: "I use it when my nails seem weak," she says.

Black Liner

Hairstylist Mika Fowler feels "completely naked" without kohl eyeliner. "It definitely gives me a feeling of power and confidence—black liner allows you to be sexy but strong," she says. Artist and illustrator Jane Kirby adds dimension to her heavily carbon-lined lids with a golden or pearlescent shadow base, such as M.A.C Eyeshadow in Dazzlelight. "I like when my makeup has worn a bit and naturally smudges—I want my eyes to look like the girls' smoky eyes in Peter Lindbergh photos," says Kirby, who advises first applying a line along lashes with a light brown eye shadow or liner for precision, then tracing with darker black shades for an intensified effect (try a disposable shadow applicator to smear lines with control).—A.F.

Black Liner

After lining, Kirby lightly spritzes her lids with Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray for staying power, but she still relishes some imperfections. Fowler, too, favors a worn-in look. "I prefer a softened effect, so I blend a matching M.A.C shadow over the liner," she says. Since proper removal is key—"I've ruined some of my favorite white Pratesi pillowcases by not getting all my makeup off"—Kirby carefully wipes away her liner then applies Dr. Perricone HP Eye Lift before bed to brighten.—A.F.

Black Liner

Fowler is "addicted" to the creamy finish and built-in smudging sponge included with Valerie Beverly Hills Eyeliner in Midnight; M.A.C Fluidline in Blacktrack is the obsessed's favorite gel formula; Kirby stocks up on drugstore makeup removers, such as L'Oréal Clean Artiste.

Red Lip

Classy, sexy, and timeless describe red lipstick and the women who won't leave home without it. Makeup artist Poppy King, who perfected the form with her own Lipstick Queen collection of crimsons, compares the shade to "a superhero cape—you feel able to take on anything in your red lipstick." King streamlines her routine by forgoing lipliner, an easy approach for newbies: "Dab lipstick on your index finger and apply for a stained, been-eating-berries look," she says. NYC-based photo agent and girl-about-town Jen Brill also loves the ease and surprising versatility of crimson. "Red lips go with everything at any time," she says. Rouge aficionados all agree lip prep is key. Makeup artist Ana Marie—"Without my red lips, I just feel tired," she says—uses Fresh Exfoliator Lip Polish and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment before bed every night, the perfect prep for her A.M. application of Nars Lipstick in Red Lizard. "Never use a lip gloss over red lipstick," Marie warns. "It will change the color and bleed."—A.F.

Red Lip

Michelle Harper, NYC socialite and avant-garde trendsetter, has a four-step regimen for a perfect tangerine-red: Exfoliate lips with a soft-bristle baby toothbrush, swipe on moisturizing In Fiore Veloutée Balm, apply Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil in Bright Orange, and finish with M.A.C Lipstick in Lady Danger. "I like to mix different products for various looks," Harper says. "Makeup is theater. It's important to play."—A.F.

Red Lip

Marie seals her application of Nars Semi-matte Lipstick in Red Lizard with an ice cube to "prevent bleeding and feathering"; in a pinch, Harper uses M.A.C lip pencil in Cherry "in place of lipstick over a priming balm"; Brill rotates an application of Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Crème Lip Colour in Paris; when wearing a bright red such as M.A.C Lipstick in Ruby Woo, King advises "mascara and a little eyeliner, to look fresh rather than overdone."

Curly Hair

"I never got compliments on my hair until I wore it curly," says former music publicist Adesina Dowers. She spent her adolescence dependent on chemical relaxers, but during a stint abroad she let her natural texture grow. "It fits my personality." NYC hairstylist Jessie James has a similar story. "I fought my curls every step of the way," she says, "but now I love their character." Makeup artist Alice Lane agrees. "I've made many hair mistakes—I even shaved my head," she says. "At 23, I realized that natural is the only way to go." Curl fanatics all have one thing in common: a very specific cut and cocktail of products. "A great cut is the most important rule for curly hair," James says.—J.J.O.

Curly Hair

Some employ layers to reduce bulk; others, such as Lane, embrace their natural fullness. "I like it all one length so it looks like a big, fluffy triangle," says Lane. James follows a careful post-shampoo ritual. "I immediately wrap a towel around to absorb the moisture. And I never comb my curls when wet, or they'll separate." She follows with cream scrunched into strands, and a low-set diffuser. Lane prefers a little oil for shine, then she lets her hair air-dry, while Dowers relies on a homemade mix of Palmer's coconut hair milk, Weleda rosemary hair oil, and a dab of leave-in conditioner. "It's really moisturizing but light," she says. "There's nothing worse than crunchy curls."—J.J.O.

Curly Hair

James applies Aveda Be Curly "throughout my hair in large sections, scrunching lightly"; Lane swears by sulfate-free Deva Curl No-Poo shampoo; Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner doubles as Dower's moisturizing treatment and styling secret—"My hair looks the best when I don't rinse all the conditioner out," she says; a few drops of Shu Uemura Essence Absolue on wet hair leaves Lane's curls "nice and shiny."

Blunt Bangs

Fringed fashion designer Erin Fetherston says the Louise Brooks–inspired bob she recently adopted "works well with bangs that fall just above my eyebrows"—and she's not afraid to take up the scissors to ensure they stay just so; Fetherston carefully trims her bangs at home once a week. NYC-based designer Wendy Nichol is also unrecognizable without her bangs, which enhance her long-length blunt cut. "I think the combination is a pulled-together balance of feminine and cool," Nichol says. She follows each shampoo (favoring Philip B Russian Amber) with a shot of icy water for shine and then a blast from the blow-dryer while smoothing with a brush for bangs with a sleek finish. "I keep the rest of my hair a little wild and just scrunch the ends with a tiny drop of Moroccanoil," she says.—A.F.

Blunt Bangs

Makeup artist Kristin Gallegos (a rising star who has trained under Dick Page and Lisa Butler) also contrasts rounded bangs with long hair—but opts for beachy waves. "The piecey texture of my long hair goes well with my severe, straight bangs," she says. Gallegos washes just her bangs daily, skipping a few days for the rest to build texture. Meanwhile, M.A.C makeup artist Keri B.'s variation is thoroughly rock 'n' roll: raven-black color and a razor-edged cut. "I have a large forehead; wearing bangs longer gives the illusion that my face is more balanced," says Keri B., who urges anyone considering bangs to be "ready for the commitment."—A.F.

Blunt Bangs

Kérastase Double Force Hairspray has a fine mist that lines up Fetherston's bangs for a precise trim; Keri B. applies Rahua Finishing Treatment to damp hair—"It has a delicious smell and gives soft shine"; shea butter and orange-extract-infused Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo is delicate enough for daily use; to tame her thick strands, Nichol blow-dries with the all-smoothing Mason Pearson Boar Bristle Brush.

Hair Makeover Challenge Hair Makeover - Hairstyle Photos

Hair Makeover - Hairstyle Photos - ELLE Determined to break out of her wash-dry-curl routine, ELLE associate editor Julie Vadnal goes on a 21-day style bender

Day 1

I like my everyday style—first I comb in mousse, then blow-dry upside down (for volume), set in hot rollers, and hairspray—but after two years, it's time to break out of my lost-Kardashian-sister rut.

Time:  30 minutes*

Tools:   John Frieda Luxurious Volume Thickening Mousse, Conair 1-inch hot roller s, Paul Mitchell Hold Me Tight finishing spray

*Washing and drying time not included.

Day 2

I take a 180 from my loose-wave comfort zone with a visit to NYC's hair hot spot, the John Barrett Braid Bar at Bergdorf Goodman. I ask for a boho-chic updo, and this Nicole-Richie-goes-to-Williamsburg look makes it through a Grouplove concert and the after-party.

Time:  20 minutes

Tools:  Stylist Isabel Guillen, Shu Uemura Essence Absolue oil, 15 bobby pins

Day 3

In high school, I earned the nickname "bird's nest" for my messy updos (shouldn't Catholic school students, of all people, support the "higher the hair, the closer to God" theory?), but today coworkers compliment my ceiling-grazing topknot, which I've stealthily amplified with clip-in extensions.

Time:  15 minutes

Tools:   HairDo Wrap-Around Pony, Goody spin pins

Day 4

I thought an exaggerated side part and flat-ironed hair would feel modern and sleek, but instead I look like I'm ready for my first day of kindergarten. Which, now that I think about it, wouldn't be so bad—they still get nap time and juice boxes, right?

Time:  25 minutes

Tools:  Fine-tooth comb, Chi straightening iron, Scünci zigzag bobby pins

Day 5

It takes a few tries for me to perfect this '40s-style scarf knot (tip: iron the scarf first so it doesn't slip), so I air-dry my waves to make my morning meeting.

Time: 8 minutes

Tools:   Marni scarf

Day 6

"Wet" hair, thanks to gobs of gel, may be cool on the Alex Wang catwalk, but I just look like I slept through my alarm.

Time:  5 minutes

Tools:   Pantene Total Control gel

Day 7

Already experiencing styling fatigue (and it's only been a week!), I opt for an easy bun and secure flyaways with five bright rubber headbands. My hair's so tightly slicked back, I could swear it makes me more aerodynamic (hair-odynamic?) during my Saturday morning run.

Time: 4 minutes

Tools: Scünci No-Slip Grip headbands, 2 Goody spin pins

Day 8

At Peter Som's spring 2012 runway show, models wore rose-gold streaks in the comb-overs of their deep side parts. For my version, I flat-iron fuchsia extensions, clip them an inch below my part, and decide that 26 is the perfect age to unleash my inner Avril Lavigne. Thankfully, it's not "Complicated" and is only temporary.

Time:  10 minutes

Tools:  Pop 16-inch color strips, a bobby pin

Day 9

Gently wrapping sections of hair around the barrel of my curling iron, I sculpt romantic mermaid waves that catch the attention of a very cute guy at my bagel shop—I kid you not, he stopped me mid-order and paid for my breakfast. This hair works, ladies!

Time:  25 minutes

Tools:   Conair 1-inch curling iron, Oribe Après Beach Wave and Shine spray, bobby pins

Day 10

Channeling pop star Ke$ha (who once sent me a confetti-filled thank-you note for a story I wrote), I jazz up air-dried curls by layering on two feathered headbands. But instead of feeling "like P. Diddy," I'm getting a Zen hippie vibe. Something tells me the whiskey-guzzling "Tik Tok" singer would disapprove.

Time:  30 seconds

Tools:   Dauphines of New York headbands

Day 11

Going for '20s-era glamour, I start with a side part and create twists along my hairline until both sides meet into a ponytail, which I then braid and twist into a bun. I immediately want to blow off all my deadlines and audition for Boardwalk Empire.

Time:  15 minutes

Day 12

My attempt at Brooklyn twee—Zooey Deschanel's bangs—leaves legit hipsters unimpressed. Shocking.

Time:  10 seconds

Tools:   HairDo Clip-In Bangs

Day 13

Side-swept curls, seen at Jill Stuart's spring 2012 show, are a chic air-dried solution to rainy-day frizz.

Time:  10 minutes

Tools:   Bumble & bumble Surf Spray, bobby pin

Day 14

I tuck my ends under, using an elastic headband, for a faux bob that makes me feel 10 years younger.

Time: 10 minutes

Tools: J.Crew headband, bobby pins

Day 15

A slick, high pony amped up with extensions is really fun to whip back and forth à la Willow Smith.

Time:  5 minutes

Tools:   HairDo Wrap-Around Pony

Day 16

Buh-bye boring brown, hello honey blond. My colorist gives me the new ombré—instead of champagne-white ends, I get subtle, summer-at-the-beach highlights and a brown glaze. The results spur rapid-fire texts to my editor: Obsessed and I love my hair.

Time: 3 hours

Tools: Wella master colorist and stylist Alexandra Matiz at NYC's Patrick Melville Salon

Day 17

Friends have told me I resemble Grammy-winner Adele, so I crib the soul goddess's signature bouffant—my arms are still sore from all the teasing!—and curly pony. When I walk to my desk, coworkers do a double take.

Time:  40 minutes

Tools:   Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, fine-tooth comb, hair band, Conair 1-inch
curling iron

Day 18

Cheat day: Pigtails, even sleek ones, feel too juvenile for dinner with a friend, so I take them out on the cab ride over.

Time: 10 minutes

Tools: Clear plastic rubber bands

Day 19

This rub-on purple powder—it's like pressing a blush compact into my hair—gets all over my fave white tee.

Time:  35 minutes

Tools:   Kevin Murphy Color Bug

Day 20

Many a celeb rock a loose, sexy fishtail braid, but mine's too tight to be red-carpet appropriate.

Time:  20 minutes

Tools: Frédéric Fekkai Coiff spray gel, hair band

Day 21

I go out on a high note—literally. I'm positive this frizz fest is why crimping never made a comeback. Meet me at The Max?

Time:  40 minutes

Tools:   Tigi crimper

Julie's Tool Kit

Clockwise from left: A dollop of Wella Velvet Amplifier on wet hair controls frizz for smooth styling, and a dab on dry strands nixes flyaways; Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray is perfection: all-day hold (sans crunchiness) and a perfume-quality scent; Chi 1-inch Turbo Digital curling iron heats up superfast for loose waves in a flash.

2011 Celebrity Makeovers Celebrity Makeovers 2011 – Hollywood Beauty

Celebrity Makeovers 2011 – Hollywood Beauty - ELLE From hairstyle overhauls and makeup shakeups to extreme weight loss, the most dramatic morphs of the year.

Even though her hair is usually blond (see this year's Oscar's hairstyle), Scarlett Johansson is no stranger to the dark side—but the auburn color she debuted last spring was especially fiery! Designed for her reprisal of Black Widow in The Avengers, the hue was redder than the role's original look. For now, Johansson is back to blond: she attended this month's We Bought a Zoo premiere wearing a flaxen updo.
 

Two Mildred Pierce events, two different looks!  At the New York premiere in March, Evan Rachel Wood wore platinum-blond locks and ruby lipstick; by the film's Venice Film Festival debut in September, she was retro-chic with a golden pixie and '60s-inspired eye makeup.

After photos leaked of Eva Mendes wearing a beehive and winged-out eyeliner, rumors swirled that she was starring in an Amy Winehouse biopic. Not true! It turns out her transformation was for Holly Motors, a film costarring Kylie Minogue.
 

Glee star Dianna Agron kicked off 2011 sweet, attending the Oscars with old-Hollywood tresses and classic makeup—but she's ending the year spicy! Since shedding her cheerleader image for a shaggy bob, the actress has experimented with pink hair color and pumped-up, textured tresses (not to mention some smoking-hot eye makeup). Rock on!

We love Jonah Hill no matter what size he is. But one thing is for certain: the cuddly goofball from Superbad has slimmed down to a super-stud! After a pep talk from Brad Pitt on the set of Moneyball, Hill became motivated to shed the pounds. Combine a newly svelte physique with a haircut, eye contacts, and new wardrobe, and Hill has leading-man written all over him.

Lindsay Lohan caused a stir on gossip websites after being photographed with alarmingly discolored teeth in October—soon after, she was treated to a professional Zoom whitening by celebrity dentist Bill Dorfman, DDS. Besides a more luminous smile, the troubled star's life is looking brighter too: after a few bumps in the road, her recent court-ordered progress review was a success. Add this to her red-hot Marilyn Monroe-inspired Playboy cover, and 2012 just might be Lohan's year to shine.

Drew Barrymore began the year with ombré hair, and she'll end it with the dip-dyed color too! Always a beauty chameleon, however, Barrymore had a redheaded stint in between.

It seems like just yesterday that Abigail Breslin was Little Miss Sunshine! But it's apparent from this month's New Year's Eve premiere that the teen is all grown up. Though Breslin used to wear her hair dark and loose, she's now golden and glamorous; her softened makeup complements the look.

When ELLE fitness guru Brooklyn Decker got a bob, it was the chop heard around the blogosphere. But after the initial shock, it's clear that Decker's layered cut is the perfect fit!

Beyoncé has added bumpalicious to her impressive portfolio—since announcing her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards in August, she continues to flaunt her fierce fashion sense with ease.

Once upon a time, Ginnifer Goodwin had long hair, but she opted for a super-short pixie for most of 2011. At the CMA Awards in November, however, she sported grown-out locks in the form of a textured bob.
 

When it comes to hair and makeup, Katy Perry is quite the adventuress (remember her out-of-this-world alien look in E.T.?). After starting the year with rainbow eye makeup and her signature black tresses, Perry had a pink-hair phase for a few months. But just when everyone got used to the color, the shock pop-rocker debuted a silver-streaked blond look.

Never say never? Ben Affleck typically wears his hair closely cropped—so when he was spotted with a longer shag over the summer, people wondered if he was a Belieber. But alas, it was just for his role in Argo.

Like her Gossip Girl character, Blair Waldorf, Leighton Meester has a flair for the dramatic—at least in the beauty department. Whether it's wearing a bold smoky eye or purple lipstick, Meester has done it all. But blunt bangs might be the one thing she hasn't tried yet. Until now! After rocking highlights over the summer, Meester went with dark hair and fringe for fall.
 

Meester's fellow Gossip Girl, Blake Lively, also tried something different with her hair in 2011. Though her perfect blond highlights are lust-worthy, Lively traded them in for reddish locks in April (she thought they were more appropriate for her character in Hick). After filming wrapped, however, Lively went back to her longtime color.

Taylor Swift had blunt bangs on the April 2010 cover of ELLE—and now she has the look again! Fringe or not, this country songstress has seriously enviable tresses.