This season, the perfect cut won’t cut it alone. Upgrade your styling techniques to grace every client’s holiday look with elegance and individuality.

Sleek, bendy, curly: there’s a modern interpretation for each, even for updos.

“Holiday time is the see-and-be-seen season,” says Patti Rullo, director of marketing for Conair Professional Products. “Give each client a look that reflects her personality and the event. From a dramatic statement or wet-look style to a sweep side wave or classic updo, there are so many hair options!”

Many of those options involve texture.

“Today, texture comes with volume,” observes Luis Alvarez, creative director at Aquage. “We’re also seeing longer lengths, no matter what the client’s age. That combination is what I describe as ‘Victoria’s Secret hair’— fluffy, with individual soft, loose strands that are curved but not curled.”

 “Whether it’s voluminous curls, the highest, messiest bun or the slickest updo, the right tools and products can help you create the perfect holiday look.”—Stephanie Kocielski, Paul Mitchell

Another direction for hair this season is the hippie glam vibe, says Schwarzkopf Creative Director Damien Carney.

“It’s an undone, relaxed look,” he says. “Create texture with a curling iron, and cut delicate bangs. A center part gives a youthful look, while sweeping a side parting makes it look more glamorous, more mysterious. You can springboard to braiding or a loose bun or ponytail at the nape. Use your fingers to rake and loosen up the texture, allowing a few pieces to fall. That looks incredibly modern to me. The rock chick shorter-hair look for holiday is more textured and layered. It’s tougher and has an edge, but it still has glamour.”

Braids, knots and twists create texture, too. “Experiment with loose braiding techniques in different sections of the head to create a point of interest,” suggests Farouk Global Artist Rocky Vitelli. “Clients love that organic feel.”

Stephanie Kocielski, vice president of education and shows for Paul Mitchell, uses hair pieces to deliver a whimsical look. “Or, take a simple half-up, half-down look and have fun teasing or crimping for an edgier feel,” she adds. “If you’re going slick, you can add height to a French twist or fold the hair like a beautifully wrapped gift.”

In retro trends, TIGI artist Christopher Catanese says “Brigitte Bardot” is the name he hears a lot. “These style requests are much more fun than the actual ’60s styles,” Catanese says. “As stylists, we can evolve these classic looks into our own.”