That ccc-rrrr-aaa-zzz-yyy time of year sure has come around fast…. I’m talking event season. Whether it’s a school formal, your end-of-year work “do”, a wedding, a fundraiser, or the races, chances are you’re soon going to have to do something special with your hair!

Must read: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDAL HAIR TRENDS FOR 2014/2015

If you’re a bit over the “low, messy side bun thing” and are after a fresher (and dare we say, more youthful-looking) up-do for your special occasion, then cast your eye over these three ideas instead. Perfect for formals (and when hiring a hairdresser is not an option), these three event hair styles can be achieved at home, and you don’t need 10 pairs of hands to construct them either!

We tapped the brain of Lizzie Liros Australian Bridal Hair Designer Of The Year to give us her top 3 special event hair styles for the 2014 season. 

GLAMOROUS HOLLYWOOD FINGER WAVES

Glamourous finger waves you can achieve at home. Via BWA’s Pinterest

STEP 1: Wash hair using your regular shampoo and conditioner and lightly towel dry. Hair needs to be a little bit wet to create this style

STEP 2:  Apply a non-sticky medium hold mousse to wet hair and blow dry smooth

TIP: Hair MUST be 100% dry to achieve this style

STEP 3: Using a tail comb create a straight deep part on desired side

STEP 4: Tie the bulk of your hair up, leaving a think section at the nape

STEP 5:  Take a super fine vertical section of hair  from the nape and using a small straightening iron wind hair very tightly from root to ends

TIP: The tighter hair is wound around the irons the better.

STEP 6: Hold for 5-7 seconds and release the curl. Follow the same technique for whole head working left to right, nape to crown and winding in all curls in the same direction

STEP 7: Once all hair is curled spray with a light hold hair spray and allows hair to cool for 15 minutes.

TIP: Hair MUST be 100% cool before brushing to create the desired finish.

STEP 8: Using a vent brush comb out the curls on a downward strong, taking long strokes from roots to tips. This will smooth out the curls to create the soft wave

STEP 9: Keep brushing until the soft waves are achieved

Voila!

SLEEK HIGH FASHION HIGH PONY

Sleek high ponytail is fresh and on point. (Coloured tips optional!) via BWA’s Pinterest

STEP 1:  Apply a volumising mouse on the top area of the hair (leaving side area) and blow dry to hair and blow-dry straight.

STEP 2:  Spray hair with a heat protecting spray and straighten dry hair with straightening irons. Allow hair to cool completely.

STEP 3: Take a triangle panel from temple area to top of crown and section off top section of hair. Clip away from rest of hair.

STEP 4:  Apply a light shaping wax to clean hair hair to help you mold sides and back of hair into a high ponytail.

STEP 5:  Take the top section of hair at the crown and tease to create volume. Lightly mold and smooth the top section back.

STEP 7:  Wrap a thin piece of hair around the base of the ponytail to hide any hair elastic.

STEP 8: Lightly smooth ponytail with finish gloss serum to add high shine to the finished style.

…And you’re done!

STYLISH HIGH TOP BUN

Reece Witherspoon looks effortlessly chic in her high bun. via BWA’s Pinterest

Step 1:  To start apply a volumizing hair mousse to the hair then loosely curl with a curling iron to form a soft textured wave.

Step 2:  Run your fingers through the hair to separate the curl then tie the hair into a high ponytail. Allow hair to fall out naturally at the nape of the neck if too short to pull up.

Step 3:  Use the end of a tail comb to lightly pull back hair to create an effortless look.

Step 4: Back-comb the hair to create s slightly messy texture and wrap the hair around the ponytail in a circular motion, ensuring all hair is wrapped in the same direction. 

Step 5:  Using bobby pins, pin the hair into place around the entire bun.

Step 6: Finish with a light finishing spray if desired.

TIP:  Use a clip in ponytail hairpiece to create length and volume for this glamorous bun if your hair is not naturally long enough to create the look.

Required reading: HOW TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR FACE SHAPE

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