Mark Townsend

You know that effortless topknot you love to wear to the grocery store or the gym? Last night, Rachel McAdams proved that you can play up that casual look for any occasion — even the red carpet. "I love a topknot, and I'm so happy this trend is sticking around; they're young, cool, and supermodern," said celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, who created the style.

To get this look at home, start by spritzing your roots with Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo ($5) for added texture. Pull your hair into a ponytail just in front of the crown and use Sally Hershberger Genius Spray Wax ($15) on the length of the pony. Next, twist hair around the base of the elastic, tucking in ends and securing with bobby pins. Townsend recommends crisscrossing the pins to secure and spraying them with dry shampoo. The starch in the product takes away the shine, making them less noticeable and also giving them a tighter grip. After pulling out a few flyaways and adding a satin ribbon, Rachel was set for an evening out. You'll never underestimate the glamour of a topknot again.

There has been a ton of buzz surrounding argan oil lately, and for good reason. Trumpeted in the natural hair community for years, this amber-tinged oil effectively nixes frizz and leaves hair feeling ridiculously silky and smooth. But if you aren't using your hair oil the correct way, it may actually dry out your strands. Learn all about the how and why of argan oil when you read on.

It's the most wonderful time of the year — and not just because the holidays are around the corner. It's the time to whip your hair back into seriously healthy shape. "Now is when you'll start to see the damage left behind from the Summer," says celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, who has worked with stars like Natalie Portman and Mariah Carey. No matter where you spend your Winter, there is one thing you should add to your hair care regimen: deep conditioning.

"Make sure you've got a good conditioner," Townsend says. Something that's deep penetrating with lots of moisture. Yes to Carrots Pampering Conditioner ($16) is a great option, especially if you also need to clarify.

The easiest way to deep condition is to just tend to your hair first in the shower. "Wash and then leave your conditioner in while you do everything else," Townsend explains. "Rinse the conditioner out with cold water and you're set." But if you want something a little more substantial, try a hot oil mask or pick up a deep conditioner. Molton Brown Mer-rouge Deep Conditioning Mask ($40) will easily get the job done.

Your strands take on a lot of stress all year round, but during the holidays, it can go to extremes. Between the hair spray, the updos, and the hot tools, hair can start to look and feel a little lackluster. But there are ways to help your hair make it through the holiday season sans the brittle effects. "Protecting your hair is something that's easy to do," celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, who has done hair for Natalie Portman and Christina Aguilera, says. And there's one absolute tip you need to know to keep it healthy.

Think about how you use your hot tools. Do you crank them up to the highest temperature possible, grab a huge chunk of your hair, and then run your straightener or curling iron over it again and again? If you are, then you're just asking for some serious damage. "If you use your iron like this, you're only getting the top and bottom layers of hair, which is why you're having to run your tool over it so many times," Townsend says. "This is going to damage your hair."

Instead, Townsend suggests working in two-inch sections, and keeping the heat on a lower setting; 350 degrees is plenty. Not only is this gentler on your strands, but also, hair will actually style more quickly with this method. And always use a thermal spray when you're working with hot tools. One that adds shine, like Oribe Foundation Mist ($22), will keep things silky and smooth.

Not all pins are created equal, especially when it comes to your updos. And while bobby pins are one of the more common hair helpers in the market, they aren't the only ones out there. Old-school hairpins are a definite must have for any woman who is serious about her hairstyles, whether it be a simple topknot or an elaborate updo. The secret is that both types of pins are necessary for your achieving your desired style. But how do you know the difference? It's actually quite simple. Just keep reading for more.

Formal events for short hair can be an uphill battle. Since updos are out of the question, how do ladies who have committed to the crop pull off hair that's party-ready? The answer is actually much easier than you think. "Formal hair for women with short hair is all about texture," says celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, who has done hair for Christina Aguilera and Natalie Portman. "Go for a style that's a little bit more than your natural hairstyle." Get some easy styling tips for your next formal event when you keep reading.

Bright colors and loads of glitter flood Christina Aguilera's video for her latest single, "Your Body," but what really stands out is her hair. From pin curls to pastel pink wigs, stylist Mark Townsend worked with Christina to get the look exactly right. "Christina is such an inspiration to work with," he said. "[She] showed me references she had collected and told me about the concept of the video and a character formed." That character just happens to be a rough-and-tough lady with a penchant for murdering men in a flurry of paint splatters.

The vintage feel of the hairstyles came from collaboration. "During my whole career I have gravitated toward the hairstyles from the '30s and 40s," Townsend said. "The tight curls in the purple wig on the bed and the 'set' her hair is in when she gets in the tanning bed are probably the most obvious nods to my favorite time periods." The most outrageous looks are the ones where Christina is rocking a pastel style, which she had been seen sporting in her everyday life. And how did he turn the pop princess's hair those electric shades? "I got these amazing blond wigs and used temporary spray-on color for the purple and lavender hues," he said. "I then set the hair in tight curls." To see these and more of the vintage-inspired looks, make sure to check out the video after the jump.

There's nothing subtle about platinum hair à la Christina Aguilera. But on last night's The Voice, the singer debuted a more toned-down version of bold blond than what we're used to seeing her wear. "I loved the color and silhouette of Christina's Roland Mouret dress so much," says celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend, who created the subtly waved look. "It was such a great fashion moment with a touch of sexiness, so I wanted her hair to have the same feeling," he adds.

There are a few key things to keep in mind before hitting the peroxide bottle, however. "Very light and platinum hair does require more attention and care than darker hair does," Townsend explains. To see his advice for getting flaxen strands as touchably soft as Christina's, along with steps for getting her exact style, just keep reading.

Lea Michele should be the poster girl for gorgeous, flowing hair because when it comes to silky strands, the actress never skips a beat. "It was all about modern glamour for Lea's look at the New Year's Eve premiere," explained Dove celebrity stylist Mark Townsend, who created the actress's look last night. "Her Valentino dress reminded me of old Hollywood, so we wanted to play off that with a young, modern version." For a step-by-step breakdown on how Townsend achieved Lea's captivating coiffure, just keep reading.