side bun

'Member when Lauren Conrad went all Old Hollywood on us at the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood party last month? I liked it. And she's rocking a similar vibe here at the VH1 Save the Music Gala in NYC last night. Pantene Expert Stylist Barney Martin, of Barney Martin Hairdressing in Surry Hills, gives us the lowdown on recreating this softly-styled side 'do:

STEP 1: Start by washing your hair with Pantene Always Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner ($7.99)

STEP 2: Apply a golf-ball sized amount of mousse — try Pantene Body Builder Mousse ($6.99) — and lightly rub in the palms of your hands before applying to the mid to end lengths of your hair.

STEP 3: Blow-dry straight and smooth with a large barrelled brush, making sure your hairdryer is blowing down your hair shaft to keep the cuticle laying flat—this encourages a shiny finish.

Keep reading . . .

Now I know what you're all thinking. This is probably the kind of style you sling your strands up into if you're taking a shower or hitting the gym, but did you know that it's actually wearable in Real Life too? Thought not. But it is. Your brief — as stylist Kevin Ryan told WWD — is this: “Princess Leia: Bad. Ballerina: Bad. It’s someplace in the middle.” And that place is pretty much a centre-parted low side-pony tucked up into a loose bun. It's messy-chic so 'tis fine to see through the loop. It all adds to the charm. Team with a glossy watermelon lip. Purrdy.