The New Dos

Byline: Christine Lennon

Modeling three of the season’s hottest hair looks, Alicia Silverstone shows how a few subtle tweaks can get you out of a rut

So much time and effort are spent searching for the perfect cut and color that once they’re found, many of us never want to let them go. But after six months or even six years, that once ideal style can start to seem, well, a little too familiar. The good news? You don’t need to lose those precious six inches or those spot-on buttery highlights to freshen your look. Just ask Stormbreaker star Alicia Silverstone, who took a crash course in routine-busting hair tricks, courtesy of stylist Robert Vetica. On the following pages she demonstrates how to wear a headband (or two), the new way to style waves (try an off-center part), and how strategically placed teasing can prevent even the smoothest styles from looking limp. “People really think of me with long, straight blond hair,” says Silverstone. Not anymore.

Curly

To put a new spin on high-volume curls, Vetica gave Silverstone an off-center part and kept volume near the ends. “It’s smooth at the crown, so all of the curl is lower on the head,” he says. “It’s halfway between polished and tousled.” To create the look, he spritzed two-inch sections of hair with Hotstyle Curling Iron Fix by Textureline ($14.50; 866-849-4095 for stores). Then, holding a 11/2-inch-barrel iron vertically, he took each section of hair and wrapped it around the barrel toward the back of her head, stopping three to four inches from her scalp. He held it for 10 to 15 seconds before loosening each curl with his fingers. Silverstone was thrilled with the result: “It’s very dramatic!”

Straight

Ironed-straight, scalp-hugging hair is a trend that died before the calendar switched over to double zeros. But that doesn’t mean that every smooth, straight style is last century’s news. “Volume at the crown and a little bend at the ends make straight hair look new,” says Vetica, who suggests using an old trick for extra lift: back-combing or teasing. Start by blow-drying hair straight, using an oval brush and pulling outward, section by section. “If you pull straight down on hair, you lose volume,” he says. Set hair in three-inch Velcro rollers for at least 15 minutes. Unwrap the rollers, run fingers through hair, and use a fine-tooth comb to lightly tease sections of hair around the crown, just under the top layer, starting two inches from the scalp. Gently smooth out the top with a flat brush.

Headband

When it comes to wearing headbands, Vetica believes the messier the look, the better. “Headbands always look more interesting, less preppy, on hair that’s not too neat and perfect,” he says. “Even a sweet bow can have attitude if it’s paired with a messy, unstructured style.” Think the style at left looks complicated? Think again: All it took was some artful teasing. After placing the headband about an inch back from Silverstone’s hairline, Vetica back-combed the rest of her hair lightly, from the crown to the ends. He then wrapped the hair into a loose bun and secured it with pins. Silverstone’s reaction? “It’s sweet but sort of vampy.”

Easy Ways to Make a Change

Barrettes

“I love to see a simple ponytail or bun with a decorative clip behind the ear,” says Vetica. Wear it low, near where the bun or ponytail is secured. “It adds intrigue to the back of your head. The best part is that you put it in and almost forget it’s there, but everyone else can see it.”

1 The Bond buckle, France Luxe, $28; 888-884-3653.

2 Swarovski crystal No. 15 clip, Luc Kieffer, $244; 212-633-0828.

3 Hand-strung crystal, Renee Rivera, $75; 800-797-7786.

4 Faux-snakeskin autoclasp, Goody Park Avenue, $5; at drugstores.

Decorative Elastics

Start by using no-metal elastics, like Goody Ouchless bands ($3; at drugstores), to anchor your ponytail, side ponytail or bun; they won’t damage your hair. Then add an elastic with an ornament like a bead or pom-pom over that; keep it low on the head so it doesn’t look too girlish. “High, swingy ponytails with baubles are better suited to a 4-year-old,” says Vetica.

1 Acetate-shell ponytail holder, Jane Tran for Fragments, $16; janetran.com.

2 Pearl-and-crystal holder, Colette Malouf, $48; colettemalouf.com for stores.

3 Small flower hair elastics, Viv & Ingrid, $21 each; vivandingrid.com.

4 Mink pom-pom holder, Jennifer Behr, $50; 212-940-2048.

Headbands

“Headbands are a great way to dress up your hair without doing much,” says Vetica, who advises wearing them with your hair up. “If you wear your hair down, it starts to feel like the old Hillary Clinton look from the early nineties.” If you have fine hair, choose a headband with teeth so it stays put. Elasticized fabric bands are better for thick, wavy hair, which requires more give because of its weight. To keep the look modern, place the headband close (one to two inches) to the hairline.

1 Faux tortoise, Scunci, $3; at drugstores.

2 Braided synthetic, Goody Folkadelic, $5; at drugstores.

3 Plastic Hollywood Links, France Luxe, $45; 888-884-3653.

4 Feather Phoenix band, Alex and Ani, $38; alexandani.com.

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“I don’t ever want to be stuck in a rut. I’m interested in little things I can do for a big change.”

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Watch it!

View exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Alicia Silverstone’s new looks at instyle.com/alicia.

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DONNA TROPE

Silverstone in one of the new fall styles, wearing headbands with a casual updo. Stacey Lapidus silk-and-crystal braided headbands in aqua and Creme, $99 each; 866-834-3324.

DONNA TROPE