The party season is upon us and the key trend is sophisticated yet understated. Hair is big on style investment – well maintained, lustrous and super shiny it’s ultra-styled but looks organic and naturally glamorous, not severe or contrived.

Long and lustrous
As worn by: Giselle Bunden, Elle McPherson

Red Carpet glamour is more sophisticated and understated again – chic and well-groomed, this is expertly achieved, investment styling. Movement is for mid-lengths and ends only – think Mermaid waves – or go for ultra -sleek , sultry chic. Subtly accessorise with crystal combs, pearls and grips; couture or on-off pieces for ultra chic. Achieve the look by incorporating extra length extensions into the nape to look natural and organic – subtlety is key.

The new layered cut – Triangular layers. Forget square cut layers which create definition and movement around the base and have been the foundation of so many cuts for the last decade, these layers are conical. Heavily graduated and retro inspired, they’re cut quite short and choppy at the crown and angled long to marry to the base hairline to create a crescendo and cascade of volume and movement.
3 steps to Get the Look:

1. Spritz in some of my Richard Ward Volume Boost & Hold Double Action Spritz (www.richardwardshop.com) through roots. Blow dry in sections and set on Velcro rollers, setting nape downwards and interior vertically (from crown to fringe).
2. Leave to cool then shake out, raking through with fingers. Then, with styling irons, curl random sections (as if curling the ribbon on a present), leaving the finished look tousled and free.
3. Finish with a mist of Elnett – spray and walk into the spray for ultra-fine holding power. Keep some of my Richard Ward Style Revive Smoothing Polish compact in your handbag to re-gloss curls and keep defined during the night!

Soft Hair-Up
As worn by: Vanessa Hudgens, Miley Cyrus

A key look for winter Red Carpets is the disconnected chignon. Classic, vintage chignons are worn classily and sleek at the nape, with the front worn loose and flowing to make hair look less severe – the result is a soft, effortlessly groomed look which works perfectly on any age and a style juxtaposition to look low key or high glamour.
3 Steps to Get the Look

1. Best on day-old hair (not freshly washed). Take a section from crown to nape and twist into a low slung chignon (where it sits will depend on the length of the bottom layer). Secure.
2. Scrunch front, sides and crown and texture into place with some Tecni Art Clay.
3. Tuck behind ears then loosen some tendrils each side and sculpt into place.

Plaited glamour
As worn by; Jennifer Anniston, Rachel McAdams


Plaits are still a hot look and make a quick and easy way of transforming any length hair. Their enduring popularity on the red carpet makes them a perennial hit, as they strike the right note between casual, girly glamour and sophisticated siren. Their versatility gives an effortlessly ultra glam look without looking like you’re trying too hard.
3 Steps to Get the Look

1. After styling hair loosely and casually, take a section across the front and plait from side to side. Don’t over-coat with product, use something ultra light like my Richard Ward One More Day Hair Reviver to tame stragglers but not look sticky.
2. Tuck ends into the hair or hide with an accessory, flower or clip, neatly pinning above the ear and leaving remaining hair natural and beachy.
3. Experiment by taking two or three sections further back towards the crown, too.

Quick Tips and Fixes – From Desk to Dancefloor

• The office loo handryer could be your hair salvation! Give hair a josh and blast with this ready-made hairdryer (keep a brush in your desk drawer at all times!)
• Create and alternative look on short hair by spritizing with some volume boost or styling mousse (Volume Architect by L’Oreal TecniArt is a favourite) and insert some Velcro rollers. Nip into the loo and set under the hand-dryer, shaping curls as you remove the rollers for maximum impact.
• For medium/long hair, use a serum with hold factor (my Richard Ward Shine & Define Serum is best) and sculpt hair into natural waves, haphazardly pinning and clipping with some grips and accessories.
• Normal hairgrips structured together or crisscrossed make great hair accessories and can look funky without being too glittery.
• Denman Fine Hair Banana Jaw Clips are amazing at creating quick chignons, even on jaw-length hair, and hold fantastically. £5, available from www.richardwardshop.com.