Bun

Kate Walsh arrived at Legion's Sundance Film Festival premiere looking enviably glam-casual, with understated makeup and a sweet, messy bun that looked easy and red carpet appropriate at the same time. I think this look would be absolutely perfect for Valentine's Day or a date night—some time you want to look sophisticated but romantic.

To begin, spray wet hair with a lightweight styling spray, like David Babaii Mise En Plise Light Styling Spray ($12.95). Then, blow dry at least semistraight, adding your flat iron if you need it. Once your hair is dry, separate the very front sections (from right above your ear forward) from the rest of your hair, and pin everything but those back into a simple bun at the nape of your neck. Take a large barrel curling iron (about one and a half inches) and lightly curl the front sections. If your hair is fine or doesn't take a curl well, spray on some hairspray, like Extra Hold Hair Spray by Nivea ($9.50), before you curl to help keep the look together. For everyone else, after you've curled, run your fingers through a couple of times to loosen the curls up, spritz on some hairspray if you'd like, and you're ready to go.

Jennifer Lopez provided lots of shock value donning that skintight sparkly bodysuit during her New Year's Eve performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Yesterday, she dazzled once again — but this time, it was in a more subtle way. At the Miami Dolphins game, Jennifer wore a classic, simple bun to complement her neutral makeup. A bun is a perfect way to dress up any style, and you don't need a license in hairdressing to accomplish this updo. Get my tips on recreating this look two ways when you read more.

For a Cinnamon-Bun Style:

• For control and to prevent flyaways, first apply a gel to your hair. Next, gather your locks back into a high-slung ponytail.
• Smooth out any bumps by lightly combing through and patting down with a comb.
• Twist the ponytail several times and then wrap it around the hair elastic to form a coil shape. Essentially, you want the shape to look like a cinnamon bun. Use two to three hairpins to secure.
• Simply spritz with hairspray to hold.

For a Donut-Hole Style:

• Make the donut-hole shape by using a sock as your template. (Yes, a sock.) Start by cutting out the toe portion of a thick sock. Now the sock will be open on both ends. Roll the remaining portion into a circular tube. It should resemble a donut shape when you're through.
• Gather hair into a ponytail, securing it with an elastic. Now, insert the ponytail through the rolled sock, just as you would do with a scrunchie.
• Spread the hair over the edges of the sock, around the donut shape, completely covering the sock.
• Secure the donut-shaped bun with another elastic band. Now, wind the remaining hair around the bun, tucking and pinning as you go.
• Finish off with hairspray to hold.