The sleek rosette
Indie actress Brie Larson flaunts a cluster of strong and elegant front knots, says stylist John Nollet. “Putting the knot in front is a bit funny — there’s a sense of humor.”
Nollet’s tips:
1. Wet hair, then apply a strong gel.
2. Comb hair into a ponytail at the top of your head, toward the front and to just one side, and secure with an elastic band. Comb ponytail into three parts.
3. Tightly twist each section until it collapses onto itself, forming a rosette. Secure with bobby pins.
The bob knot
This Princess Leia-like faux-bob appeared on Lela Rose’s spring runway. “The idea was to take a simple technique and make it glamorous,” says stylist Ted Gibson.
Gibson’s tips:
1. Do a middle part and smooth hair nearest to the part with gel. Use a medium-barrel iron to curl hair below the ears.
2. Back-comb curls to create texture. Roll hair into itself up to the ears, creating an inverted bob, and secure with pins.
The soft side bun
No one does feminine quirk quite like Zooey Deschanel. “This look is soft and elegant and would be good for a night out to dinner or a cocktail party,” says Shelley Brien, the celeb hair wiz who gave Deschanel this Golden Globes ’do.
Brien’s tips:
1. While blow-drying your hair, use a heat protection spray and a large, round brush.
2. Set hair with a large-barrel curling iron, using a volumizer to create nice big waves, and lightly brush.
3. Back-comb and pull to the side into a low ponytail, secure with elastic, loosely twist hair and wrap around the band. Pin down.
The nape knot
Emma Watson’s chignon — a looser take on the conservative classic — works in almost any situation. “It’s chic and elegant, but actually quite simple,” says Rodney Cutler, the man who gave Watson her famous 2011 pixie.
Cutler’s tips:
1. Apply hair polish to dried hair.
2. Part hair low to one side. Secure in a ponytail at the nape.
3. Split the hair so two smaller ponytails are formed and you are holding one in each hand. Twist and wrap the right ponytail under the left ponytail and around the top of the original base. Take the left ponytail and wrap it up and over the right so it forms a twist. Tuck in the ends; secure with bobby pins.
The twisted topper
Try the top knot’s twisted cousin, seen at Kate Spade’s spring presentation. “[Spade] wanted the ‘off-duty model look,’ ” says Tommy Buckett, who created the look.
Buckett’s tips:
1. Flip hair upside down, brush and use spray wax all over.
2. Fasten a tight ponytail on top, then smooth hair next to scalp with additional wax.
3. Separate pony into two pieces. Twist each, and tie each with an elastic at the end. Twist twisted pieces to wrap around the base of the ponytail. Secure with pins.