My wedding hairstylist Kristen Gaby is great at putting together a topnotch (er topknot?) updo. But in a recent Facebook post, Kristen explains exactly how you can achieve a super cute ponytail style yourself–perfect for these scortchingly hot days we’ve been having! Here are some of Kristen’s top tips for how to take your basic ponytail and turn it into a sexy style.

Kristen Gaby’s Pony Tail Tips:

1. Get Centered - The days of putting a ponytail on the top of your head are over! Unless of course you want to look like you should be playing hopscotch. Fashionable ponytails need to be secured in the nape of the neck or in the center of the back of your head.
2. Loosen Up – All of your hair being slicked back away from your face is a little too intense and looks like your about to sweat it out at the gym. Side parts are beautiful with ponytails. However, if you have small features and pretty eyebrows, ala Kim Kardashian, then you can get away with slicking it all back.
3. Tease It - Adding a little volume and height can balance out a round face. I recommend lightly backcombing your crown before you pull it back.
4. Accessorize Your Pony - Since braids are very fashion forward, consider parting you hair to a side part and braiding both sides along your hairline and pull the rest back. If braiding is beyond your skills, go for a simple headband. Headbands are also super trendy and you can get them in a variety of colors. If you go for a headband then you can get away without a parting. Backcombing your crown and adding a headband is a very beautiful and polished look.
5. Day Two ‘Do - Ponytails are a great option for second day hair. Just spritz your hair with some dry shampoo and loosely curl all your hair with a 3/4″ iron. After curling, loosely backcomb the crown, pull it back into a pony, leaving out some pieces around your face to frame it.
6. Ponytail Brow Lift - Pulling your ponytail so tight that the skin around your eyes it pulled is a major DON’T in my book! You don’t want people offering you Excedrin when they see you!

Jennifer Aniston is a great example of how to rock a sleek, sophisticated ponytail with a side part. Note the volume at the crown and that her ponytail is secured about ear level. For that shiny look, flat iron your hair and mist a shine spray through your hair before putting it up. Finish with hairspray.

Jessica Biel is working a perfect example of the “Day Two Do” as mentioned above. I loved the loose curls and carefree texture. This is a great romantic look for a night out.

You can accessorize in a snap with a headband. Sandra Bullock is wearing her headband with a center part while the other two have it pulled straight back.

For more pictures and tips on how to achieve the hottest and easiest hairstyle of the summer, go to Kristen’s Facebook page. And to book an appointment with Kristen, email her at kristen.gaby@gmail.com. See you tomorrow, Kristen!

At the Donna Karan Resort show on Friday, the models’ hair was pulled back into sleek, sexy ponytails. Didier Malige for Cutler, who created the looks for the show, and she shares her tips on how to recreate this style at home.

1. Spray dry hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray, as well as Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray to add a base to the hair.
2. Using a Mason Pearson brush and a blow dryer, manipulate the product into the hair for added texture and volume.
3. Create a side part on the right side of the head, take 1” from the front section and tuck it behind the ear.
4. Flat iron hair section by section.
5. Take the top section, starting from the side part to the top of the crown, and pin it away, making sure the clip doesn’t kink the hair.
6. Gather a ponytail at the crown of the head, and secure with a bungee elastic. Lightly spritz with Redken Workforce 09 Flexible Volumizing Spray.
7. Connect the top section with the ponytail so it goes clockwise around the bungee elastic, and secure with french pins.

Kristen Stewart went with extensions again at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. Hmm. So maybe they’re not clip-ins? But wore them in the same style–pulled back into a ponytail. This time it was executed a little bit better than last time, but still not totally loving it. I still want to see how it looks when Kristen’s hair is down.

Also, I think it also goes without saying that I hate what she wore.

But all-in-all, it was a good night for KStew. She won “best girl in a teen flick” or something like that, but way more importantly, look who she sat next to!

Aw. That is cutex100000.

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Kristen’s long locks were pulled back into a sleek ponytail, with her telltale real hair peaking out the back. I’m guessing this look was achieved using clip-in extensions and not the real thing, well, the real fake thing. But I like this long haired look on Kristen. I would like to see it down, though.

What do you guys think?

Pop of Shine - Add a dose of sparkle to dress up any length of hair with a barrette or headband, like Elizabeth Banks did with her platinum and diamond headband by Fred Leighton. This is actually a great way to accessorize super short hair. Or toss in a glam clip on longer hair, like Amanda Seyfried did (imagine her hair is like 6 inches shorter for a minute!) To do this style, deeply part the hair to one side, curl with a large barrel curling iron, and pin back one side with pretty clip.

Go Sleek - A look I love with the mid-length bob, is to go super sleek, like Thandie Newton did. Style it like a traditional blunt-cut bob. Make a deep side part, blow-dry with a paddle brush, flat iron, and add gloss serum for extra shine. A polished blowout looks great (and appropriately dressy) on shorter styles with bangs too, as shown here on Katie Holmes. Remember stylish Katie?

Rock Your Texture  - Since it’s probably going to be hot (and depending on where you live, humid) in July, you might just want to go with your naturally wavy texture. To make this look a bit more fancy for a wedding just pump up the curls. Charlize Theron has a slightly more undone, beachy version of this look, achieved with curl enhancing mouse, air dry or diffuser, and a few twists of a curling iron. Break the curls apart and use hairspray for extra hold. Camilla Belle has a similar look, but it’s parted to the side and the curls are more “done” and classic. For this style, blow it out smooth first and then deliberately curl each section, leaving them in place. Again, spray with hairspray for hold.

More mid-length wedding hairstyle options after the break!

Retro Wave – A slightly more complicated, but super cool look for a dressy event is a retro hairstyle, like on Scarlett Johansson, who also pinned her hair up on one side and paired the look with red lipstick and dangling earrings.

Kate Bosworth also took her look in a super glam direction, with beautiful finger waves and a dramatic side part. Check out this video on how to get much easier sexy, retro waves from Berlin Hair Baby. But be sure to practice before the big event!

Accessorize - If you aren’t a big fan of doing your hair and trying finger waves seems totally overwhelming, you can always stick to something super simple and super chic! Just blow your hair out very straight, use a little gloss serum, and pull it back into a low ponytail with a nice ponytail tie or accessory. You can make it very tight and sleek or sort of loose, like on Camilla Belle here. Then throw on a gorgeous pair of earrings, like Camilla’s Cartier white gold, diamond and onyx earrings! Quick, easy, and absolutely gorgeous.

Good luck and have fun at the wedding!  :)

Oh, cuteness. Sienna Miller got bangs! She was out with sister Savannah and fashion designer Matthew Williamson at his new store opening party in London.

I love the blunt bangs… So cute.

I keep seeing all these amazing pictures of Kate Beckinsale at Cannes; she is on the judging panel for the Festival. She hasn’t missed a step, per usual. During a jury photocall, she wore this gorgeous Christian Dior Fall 2010 plum and rose dress.  Love her hair in this wavy ponytail with volume at the crown.

At the Robin Hood premiere, Kate wore an updo with major volume. She looks so regal with the dramatic earrings and one-shoulder dress. And I love that they never overdo her makeup.

Kate attending the IL Gattopardo premiere in this Oscar worthy dress. She reminds me of Angelina Jolie here! Gorgeous.

Kate Beckinsale at the Biutiful premiere. That dress is so amazing! She seriously looks like she’s ready for the Oscars every night… I wonder who Kate’s stylist is? She must have a good team because she looks fantastic all the time. Doesn’t hurt that she’s drop dead gorgeous, of course. Which hairstyle/look is your favorite?

Hair Knot – Diane Kruger’s braided hair knot is a great way to keep your hair in place and out of your face for a big event. I think this style would look so gorgeous at a beach wedding. And those drop earrings are just perfect. (I still need to figure out my jewelry + shoe situation!)

Side Braid – Obviously, if you’re reading this blog, you already know Zoe Saldana’s side braid is a major hair trend. This look is super cute, easy to do, and very summery. It would be great for a casual, outdoor wedding. However, you need to have a lot of hair to pull this style off. If you don’t come by it naturally, consider using clip-in extensions. You can get them dyed to match your natural hair color.

High Bun - Kate Bosworth is right on trend with this super high ballerina bun. If you’re not afraid of being bold & fashiony, this could be the wedding hairstyle for you. You know I love risk takers…

Bun With Blunt Bangs - I am dying to know how Nicole Richie wears her hair to her wedding. And what she wears! It’s going to be a big deal. Here she plays up her gorgeous eyes with this bun and blunt bangs combo. Simple and perfect.

Much more wedding hair inspiration from Jennifer Aniston, Lauren Conrad, Scarlett Johansson and many more, after the break!

Ponytail with Side Bangs - When done right, a ponytail can look super polished and dressed up. Adding side-swept fringe, like here on Jennifer Aniston, makes it even more flattering.

Soft Pony – A ponytail without bangs and a little volume at the crown instead, is a perfect choice with a simple, classic dress. Model Chanel Iman looks so fresh and lovely.

Textured Updo – Worried about your hair frizzing up in the summertime humidity? Do what Scarlett Johansson did–don’t fight it, embrace it. Let your natural texture do its thing and pin it up in a chic updo.

Side Pony – Side ponytails are always a cute and easy choice. This would be great on a bridesmaid, don’t you think? I like how Mila Kunis has a bit of wave to her ponytail and undone bits of hair around her face.

Faux Bob With Barrette - Lauren Conrad’s faux bob gives the illusion of short hair without the commitment. A fake hairstyle–what a perfect way to celebrate life’s ultimate commitment! Hee. Add a touch of sparkle with a vintage clip or barrette on one side.

Undone Chignon – This not-too-perfect version of the classic chignon would be perfect for a more casual affair. Pull out some pieces of hair around your face, like Olivia Wilde did, to soften the look.

Pumped-Up Updo – A simple updo with a little volume at the crown can look super elegant, just check out Hilary Duff’s chignon here. This is a timeless look that would work with any dress.

Slick Bun - Too truly showcase your face, slick back your hair into a “wet” bun like Heidi Klum. These type of updos were big on the spring 2010 runways at shows like Emanuel Ungaro and Zac Posen. Rock this high-fashion look and confuse your MIL.

Face-Framing Strands - A center part with face framing waves is romantic and sweet. How ironic that it’s favored by The City super bitch Olivia Palermo.

Side-Pinned Roll - Another romantic look is worn here by Lydia Hearst. A center part with sides rolled under and pinned into an almost old-fashioned style, yet paired with the right dress and makeup, it looks super cool and new.

For even more of the Best Summer Updos for 2010 and to get more great wedding hair inspiration, check out Elle.com.

Since December of last year, Victoria Beckham has been wearing her hair pulled back pretty much non-stop. (Aw, she’s just like us! Wearing her hair in a pony until it grows out.)

Here she is at the 2010 Vanity Fair Oscar Party back in March. Updo? Check.

But yesterday (May 8) she was snapped at Heathrow airport with her hair down in a “pob” a posh bob. Memories!

I have a well-documented love/hate relationship with Gwyneth Paltrow. The Iron Man 2 actress is the quintessential icy blonde. Too perfect to live, yet alive and blogging about how she can “do ridiculous things like be a 37-year-old mother of two and wear shorts.” Wow, so crazy of you, you old bag! When I think of G-dog’s hair, I immediately think of the immaculate mid-length blonde… But do you remember her Brad Pitt-era pixie? The brunette phase of the late ‘90s? The braided updo that was a big freakin’ deal at the 2002 Oscar Awards? Ah, memories. Let’s take a look back at Gwynie’s hits and misses. You be the judge which is which.

Gwyneth is an extraterrestrial a blonde through-and-through. But in 1999, she was briefly a mere mortal.

I’m so use to seeing Gwyneth with that just-past-her-shoulders length on the far right, but she wore a short style in ’97 and a super looong look in ‘07. Which is your fav?

Gwyneth wore her hair super straight, wavy, and curly–all in 2009. (While simultaniuously contracting her abdomen muscles + silently judging you.)

Gwyn looks like the lost Spice Girl with this high ponytail in ‘99 and a more elegant in a pony with volume in ‘04.

There is the Oscar dress of shame from 2002, a super cute bun from ‘06, and a chic French twist from ‘08.

For more of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hairstyles and to vote for your favorites, go to Elle.com.