By Joie Goh
Stuck in a rut with your workout hairdo? Start the year on fleek with these easy heat-free styles!
Blooming Bun
All you need for this impressive-looking and deceptively elaborate do are several elastic bands, bobby pins and hairspray!
Start by brushing the hair free of tangles. Using your fingers, roughly separate a medium section of hair behind the right ear, taking care to avoid creating a visible parting along the scalp.
Tie off the section with an elastic band and create a loop by not pulling the ends through elastic.
Combine the ends of the first loop with the next section of hair.
Create the second loop with another elastic band, making sure that it is the same size as the first.
Repeat the earlier steps all the way across to the left ear, so you are left with 4-5 evenly-sized loops at the nape of your neck.
Create a final, tiny loop by tucking the ends of the final loop into its own elastic band.
Now the fun begins! Starting from the first loop, fluff each loop out and secure with bobby pins. There are no rules – just pull the loops apart, fluff, and pin until they resemble a large, blooming “flower” and all the elastic bands are hidden.
Once you are satisfied with how the bun looks, blast with hairspray to tame flyaways! Thanks to the many elastics and bobby pins, this style is securely enough to survive a gruelling WeBarre HIIT class!
Framed Ponytail
Upgrade your basic pony with crown-framing asymmetrical braids.
Using a rat-tailed comb, section off the hair from the very top of the head to right above the ear.
Twist the section and clip it out of the way. Repeat on the other side of the head.
For extra volume, tease hair at the crown. Alternatively, you can skip this step for a sleeker style.
Secure the rest of the hair into a smooth, low ponytail at the nape of the neck.
Unclip the front sections of the hair and start braiding! Begin at the parting with a simple three-strand braid, gathering more hair from along the hairline as you work your way down.
Once all the hair from along the hairline has been incorporated into the braid, continue to braid the section normally. Secure the ends with an elastic band.
Repeat on the other side. For the neatest result, braid along the direction of the ponytail so the braids lie flat against the head.
Cross the braids over the elastic holding the ponytail and wrap the ends around the elastic. Tuck the ends under the ponytail and secure with a bobby pin.
Tame flyaways with a spritz of hairspray, and you’re done!
