You’ve got your dress ready to go, your favorite shade of lipstick applied, and visions of festive frivolity dancing in your head.

The only thing left between you and the perfect holiday ensemble? A new look for your locks. So we deferred to our in-house stylist, Rachael, for the best way to update one of this year’s most-utilized styles: the top knot. Here’s how to make it holiday-ready.

Step #1: Section off a significant amount of hair in front and clip to secure.

Step #2: With a brush (Rachael recommends a Mason Pearson boar bristle brush), fasten the rest of your hair into a high ponytail.

Step #3: Use a curing iron with a 1-inch barrel to curl the front section of hair to create a pouf for added height.

Step #4: After you’ve finished curling, tease the front section forward and gauge the volume of the pouf. Using bobby pins that match your hair shade, pin into place.

Step #5: Tease out individual layers of your ponytail to create additional volume. Use hairspray after you’ve finished teasing to smooth the top layer and any flyaway strands.

Step #6: Use pins to secure the wrapped layers around the base of your ponytail.

By Lauryn Paiva, Staff Writer

What holiday hairstyles will you be rocking this season? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Truth be told, I’m not someone who tries too hard when it comes to hair. Let’s just say I appreciate “I-just rolled-out-of-bed” waves. I’d rather take five extra minutes of snoozing than brush out my mass of hair, but this new style has been an AM lifesaver. Not only does it battle heat and humidity, it takes a mere 60 seconds.  To get the look that’s been spotted on off-duty models everywhere, follow these instructions:

1. Start with a sock, or (if you’re like me and admittedly lazy) grab a hair donut in a shade that matches the color of your hair. For the sock method, simply cut the toe and roll it into a similar donut shape.
2. Gather your hair into a high ponytail – experimenting has led me to love both a messy and sleek approach.
3. Pull your ponytail through the hole in the donut and bring it up to within an inch of the ends of your hair.
4. Pull your ends around the donut shape and tuck them underneath. It doesn’t have to be perfect. (If you have shorter hair, simply spread out the ends to cover the donut, pin, and stop here).
5. Start rolling the donut down the ponytail.
6. If you have a boatload of thick, luscious hair (which I do not), you may want to secure with a few pins at the base. Otherwise, you’re good to go.

Bonus: Try this before bed with slightly damp hair – it’s comfy to sleep on – and when you take it out in the morning, those bedhead waves (which I just advocated) are more polished and sleek than tangled strands.

By Samantha Dulac, Senior Staff Writer

Make your own hair masterpieces and tag us on Instagram @ruelala or tweet us @ruelala.

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