Beauty & the Brush: Curl up with the 70s

This season's top 70s hair looks for Spring 2011 reveal­ed.

Funky earrings, spunky hair, bold makeup, tights, legwarmers — we have all done the 80s flash dance this past year. Now, it’s time for yet another past decade to take center stage. If you caught the 2011 Golden Globes on television a few days ago, you may have noticed celebrities sporting 70s inspired dresses, makeup and hair. Indeed it’s true, we’re now re-entering the Farrah Fawcett years - hopefully this time without the feathering.

The beauty at this year’s awards ceremonies and movie premiers has been all about the tresses. And, the best news for us is, most of these looks are easily dupable. Here are our top 70s hair looks for Spring 2011:

Wavy bombshell hair

If you’re a regular of this column, you’re sure to have witnessed us constantly touting the merits of embracing your natural hair texture. This season boasts a more casual, toned down version of the  beach look. Imitate celebrities like Natalie Portman and Megan Fox by disowning side swept hair and embracing the center part reminiscent of the original Charlie’s Angels.

Recreate this look by applying a little mousse to damp tresses along with a root booster. Tease your hair slightly at the crown and part your hair down the middle. Then, let your mane air dry. You’ll love the low maintenance and the strong part that will draw attention to your facial features.

The half up-do

We remember sporting this style back in elementary school, but stars like Leighton Meester from “Gossip Girl” are making it cool again. Keep your tresses looking soft and bouncy with a little curl defining mousse, tease your hair slightly at the crown and pull back a few tendrils into a half ponytail.

A word of caution - half up, half down hair can look either romantic or extremely old-fashioned. Add a sparkly clip to the side of your mane or rock this look with some bangs to give it an updated vibe.

Heavy Bangs

Whether you loved or hated Sandra Bullock’s new hair do at the golden globes, one thing is for sure - the thick blunt fringe is back. While the first decade of the 2000s saw a burst of soft bangs with wavy beach hair, this look requires your tresses to stay straight and sleek.

Yes, ladies, as much as we hate to say it, you may now bring your flat iron out of storage. Ask your stylist to give you straight-edged bangs that skim your eyebrows while keeping the ends of your hair pointy and sharp. If you have a petite face, be warned - this look may swallow you whole, so hold off on it unless you have strong features that stand out.

The Sleek Ponytail

The concept behind this look is to keep your hair tightly slicked back into a high ponytail like Jennifer Lopez did at the Golden Globes. After blow drying and flat ironing your hair, pull back your hair off your face with the help of a little gel. The top of your head should look polished with nary a strand out of place while your long straight ponytail swings freely. It’s simple and easy, yet not for the faint hearted. This hair do will magnify your face as you won’t have your hair to hide behind.

70s tresses not your thing? Ditch your brush and purchase the high-waisted flare pants making a comeback on runways everywhere. We all love our skinny jeans, but we know we’ll never say no to pants that manage to make us look taller and thinner.

Maria Saadat is author of the popular desi beauty site Lipstick Masala.

QUESTION TIME

Do you have a question about make-up? Can’t figure out a hairstyle for an upcoming wedding? Do your attempts at smoky eye make-up leave you looking like a raccoon? Have no fear! E-mail your questions and issues to [e-mail] and Maria Saadat will respond to them in an upcoming column.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2011.