Get high on your hairstyle

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WHEN temperatures start to rise, so too should your hair. We don’t mean snipping all your locks off to a sticky-up, elfin crop a la supermodel Agyness Deyn. Pile your hair up instead.

Up-do hairstyles are the perfect solution to keeping your cool this summer, as well as pulling off the latest catwalk trends.

“Up-dos are great for keeping cool in the heat of the evening while still looking groomed, and only take minutes to achieve,” says Pantene style ambassador Sam McKnight.

“When you travel this summer, be sure to pack pins to pull off up-styles flawlessly.”

Whether you are at home or abroad, get your tresses tied up in a jiffy with expert advice from the UK’s top hairdressers on this season’s top trends. Hey, who knew dodging time-consuming blow-drys could be this easy?

CHIC CHIGNON

As seen at Balenciaga, Lanvin, Roberto Cavalli.

“This is particularly versatile as it can be worn with the front section in a side or centre parting and looks great on shoulder-length or long hair,” Sam says.

HOW TO DO: Shampoo and condition your hair with volumising products to add body. Twist your hair into a ponytail at the base of your neck and wrap the hair around the base of the ponytail. Using two Fardel pins (or similar), pin one to the left and one to the right to secure the up-do. To finish, spritz hairspray over the chignon.

TOP TIP: “If you want to add even more volume to your style, try backcombing your hair at the roots, concentrating at the crown to give the style a hint of Hollywood glamour and instant oomph,” says Sam.

PRODUCTS: Fudge Body Builder Shampoo and Conditioner, £9.95 each (01282 683100/www.fudge.com); Goody So Secure Bobby Pin, 79p (0844 4121182); Pantene Pro-V Extra Strong Hold Classic Hairspray, £1.79; (Boots); Elite Tail Comb, £2.25 (Superdrug).

PRETTY PLAITS

As seen at Margaret Howell, Prada, Giles.

“Plaits are one of this year’s hottest trends,” says celebrity hairdresser Mark Hill.

“From multiple bands of Grecian goddess-style braids showcased on spring/summer catwalks to unstructured beachy-looking fishtails, this is a trend that everyone can personalise and make their own.”

HOW TO DO: Best achieved on a smooth finish. Spray the hair with an anti-humidity spray and then run through with a sun-protection serum before plaiting.

TOP TIP: “For a modern interpretation, experiment with braiding two lengths of hair instead of three. The trick here is to continually twist both lengths as they are intertwined,” Mark advises.

PRODUCTS: Mark Hill Holiday Hair Anti-Humidity Spray, £3.49 (Boots); John Frieda Frizz-Ease UV Protection Serum, £5.98 (Boots); Superdrug elastic hair bands, £2.49; Toni & Guy Finishing Shine Spray, £6.99 (Boots).

PONYTAIL PERFECTION

As seen at Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Julien Macdonald.

“Simply the perfect style – a sleek ponytail complements all face shapes and adds chic simplicity to the elaborate, multi-layered fashions seen on the runway,” says Guido Palau, Redken creative consultant.

HOW TO DO: Get a super-sleek ponytail by prepping hair with a heat-protecting style spray and creating a high ponytail. Flat-iron the tail for ultra-straight results, then mist on quick-dry finishing spray to add shine and control.

TOP TIP: “Whether you choose a defined part or no part at all, it’s key to keep your ponytail free of stray hairs,” says Guido.

“A smoothing serum layered over instant-finish spray will keep fly-aways in check.”

PRODUCTS: Senscience Brilliant Defense Shine Spray, £10.95 (01282 683100); Fudge Limited Edition Titanium Straightening Iron, £99.95 (01282 683100/www.fudge.com); Goody Ouchless Gel Vent Brush, £8.49 (0844 4121182); Redken Glass 01 Smoothing Serum, £15.95 (0800 444880).

CLIP CAPERS

If your hair is too short to tie back into a style, don’t stress. Keep clips handy to pull your fringe off your forehead and keep unruly locks in place the fashionable way.

Accessorize has a great selection. Check out the colourful floral hair clips, £4 each, or make like Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw in the red, oversized flower clip, £6.

IF YOU believe all spa treatments are relaxing and comfortable, think again. For the Universal Contour Wrap, which guarantees instant inch loss, a therapist mummifies you in elasticated bandages that have been soaked in a warm, mineral-rich clay.

You are then transported into a silver “space suit” and left to relax for 45 minutes while the minerals get to work on detoxifying and rejuvenating. Not for the claustrophobic.

Treatment time is two hours (including measuring before and after) and costs around £55. Visit www.universalcontourwrap.com or call 0845 600 0203 to find your nearest salon.

FORGET “filling in” wrinkles with heavy creams. For brighter eyes with the bonus of diminished fine lines, look to Olay’s new Definity Eye Illuminator, £24.99. Ditch the heavy concealer and dark sunglasses and free your fresh and luminous-looking peepers. Available at Boots now.

OK, it might not count as part of your five-a-day, but Radox new Shower Smoothies are the next best thing to feasting on fruit. Packed with fruit and herbal goodness, the fragrant range is the perfect pick-me-up for summer mornings. Choose from Soul Soother, Energy Therapy or Natural Balance, £2.49 each (available nationwide).

EVER wanted to put beauty products to the test before they hit the shelves? The maker of RoC is inviting women to join its exclusive consumer panel to try out new or existing products and feed back the results. Ten women are selected each month. For your chance to sign up, visit the new website at www.rocskinclinic.co.uk