GORGEOUS PARTY HAIRSTYLES

Party season means it's time to try a stunning new style. Here, your instant-chic cheat sheet.

WHAT LOOKS MODERN: The best blowouts right now are about full hair that moves, with volume at the crown — not the flat, curtainlike locks of seasons past. "You want pretty, straight hair — not flatironed hair from roots to ends," says Jennifer Aniston's mane man, Chris McMillan.

HOW TO: Begin with a smoothing product like Matrix Design Pulse Thermo Glide Express Blowout Crème ($14) on wet hair, and blow-dry with a round brush. To get Naomi Watts's sleek look, iron only the last few inches of your hair after drying so you still have volume at the top. If you want Jessica Biel's movement, use a small round brush and skip the flatiron. Finish with Fekkai Advanced Brilliant Glossing Sheer Shine Mist ($23).

WHAT LOOKS MODERN: Hair that is smooth on top and textured on the bottom, for an effect that's elegant and controlled, not messy or beachy. "This wave is attractive because the hair moves and looks effortless," says hairstylist Harry Josh, who works regularly with celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Gwyneth Paltrow.

HOW TO: Got thick, unruly curls? Use a smoothing defrizzer like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum ($17.99) and blow-dry with a round brush to create a polished surface. If your hair is straight and fine, boost body with a volumizing mousse — we like Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Solutions Triple Action Volume Mousse ($3.99) before blow-drying — or try starting off with day-old hair, which can hold a wave better than squeaky-clean locks, says hairstylist Louise O'Connor, owner of the OC61 Salon & Spa in New York City.

Once hair is dry, lightly spritz on a heat protector like Tresemmé Thermal Creations Curl Activator Spray ($4.49) and begin wrapping random sections of hair around your curling iron, starting at your cheekbones, leaving your roots and the first four to five inches flat. Finish with a holding spray like Sally Hershberger Smooth Fix ($24).

WHAT LOOKS MODERN: A twist on the feminine '40s look, with more movement, less structure, and hair tucked behind one ear. "Old-Hollywood waves are such a great style because it looks like a lot of effort has been made, but it doesn't take a lot of effort to get," says hairstylist Mark Townsend, who coifs stars like Maggie Gyllenhaal. 

- Once they're removed, spray Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper Brushable Humidity-Resistant Strong Hold Hairspray ($16.95) onto a flat brush and completely comb through the curls so they fall into loose ridges. Finish by tucking one side behind your ear. "This is perfect evening hair since it's so shiny and polished," says hairstylist Valery Joseph of the Valery Joseph salons in New York City.

EXPERT TRICK: "I always recommend going a little tighter with the curls because they will drop by the time you leave to go out," says McMillan. Try Hot Tools 20-Piece Hot Roller Hairsetter ($17), which includes small, medium, and large rollers. (The smaller the roller, the tighter the curl.)

WHAT LOOKS MODERN: Flirty '50s tails set high on the crown with lots of bounce. "Adding pouf to your pony always makes it a little bit dressier and gives it something extra," says Joseph.

HOW TO: Start by blow-drying your hair with mousse like Phyto Professional Intense Volume Mousse ($22) and a round brush, and set it with Velcro rollers for about 10 minutes once hair is dry. Section off the front area around the crown, and tease it with a rat-tail comb. Gather your remaining hair into a ponytail, getting the height where you want it. Once it's secured, pull back the leftover teased section, gently smooth the surface layer with a flat brush, and wrap the ends around the elastic, using bobby pins to hold them. (If your strands aren't long enough to wrap around the elastic, pin them at the crown.)