head of the class
If there were an award for the most feminine beauty look this spring, hair accessories would be a definite shoo-in. Designers from Hermes to Louis Vuitton to Marc Jacobs decorated hair with simple metallic and leather headbands, theatrical crowns of flowers and bedazzled barrettes. To balance these details, the rest of the hair needs lots of texture and movement. "Romantic hair has to be easy, not fussy," says hairstylist Marilisa, who created these looks. "The goal is to have hair that others want to touch and feel." Here, she dampened the hair, applied a curl-enhancing spray to add body and blow-dried hair with a diffuser. Then she created a headband out of ribbon, using flowers and even a bracelet. "Headbands are a sojourn from hats, so take advantage of this freedom and have fun - just don't make them too 'matchy,'" she says.
chic cover-ups
Channel Jackie O with a regal hair scarf - as we saw at Missoni. Not just for yachting, a silk or chiffon scarf is a clean and pragmatic option because it keeps hair off your face and neck and is the perfect accent for a lazy day at the cottage or a daytime date. Pull your hair back into a tight bun at the nape of the neck and tie a scarf around it. Done!
lavender delight
A whisper of lilac on the eyelids - as we saw at Alberta Ferretti - is a dreamy detail for spring that complements most eye colours. To frame this delicate eye, makeup artist Jackie Shawn, who created these looks, brushed the brows but didn't fill them in. "The brows should have an airy feel to match the freshness of the eyes," says Shawn.
loosen up
Cascading waves toe the line between romantic and sexy, so you can play this look both ways. Tease the crown and add volume for more sex-kitten appeal, or just let the waves fall past your shoulders for a more chilled-out look. "Invest in a jumbo-barrel curling iron and concentrate the curls at the ends," says Marilisa. winners top, $180; garbo ring, $30
pin-up girl
Updos don't have to be structured and bridal; they can be lived-in and whimsical - as we saw at Rodarte. "To give upswept hair a modern shape, it has to be a bit asymmetrical," says Marilisa. "I like to think of this as hair that Audrey Hepburn would wear if she were alive today - it conveys romance and elegance with a little bit of cheekiness." Using your fingers, sweep your hair back and secure with bobby pins or an elastic band at the back of your head, halfway between the crown and the nape of your neck. "Don't worry if you miss a few strands - this works best untidy," says Marilisa. Next, randomly twist up small sections of your hair and secure with bobby pins. "This is more about shape than pattern, so don't worry about matching the size of each twist," she adds. Hold hair in place with hairspray.
peachy keen
When in doubt about updating your summer look, use monochromatic shades, like the omnipresent peach shown here. It's a real crowd-pleasing look because you can use the same product - like a cream blush - on your eyes, cheeks and lips. "Apricot shades look flattering on most skin tones," says Shawn. It's a laid-back, approachable beauty that says you're in the mood for love. Tousled hair maintains the look's laid-back feel.
high-voltage lips
Crimped hair and bold lips are a standout pairing. "Even though crimping is a bit of an edgier look, it can still look romantic and soft if you just crimp a few pieces around your face and the top layer of your hair," says Marilisa. "It will give you lots of texture and movement." The punchy lip is a secret weapon for playing the femme fatale.
