You know those baby hairs around your forehead? Here’s how to play them up—or (if you must) tame them into submission

When it comes to wearing your hair back—whether it’s in a bun or a ponytail or a braid or a top knot—I have a pretty strong point of view. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: 99 percent of the population looks better when their hair is slightly disheveled and messy, as opposed to super-tight and super-slicked.

Why? Because those soft little baby hairs around the hairline (as well as a looser, slightly texturey ‘do) are MUCH kinder on our features. I mean, the idea of ballerina hair is all very well and good, but in reality, scraping and/or slicking your hair back like that basically shines a great big spotlight on the state of your skin, how well you’ve applied your foundation and blush, the size of your nose and how much your ears stick out. For starters. This is why it’s usually best left to models and celebrities.

That said, reader Aja, whose question was the inspiration for this post, would still like to know about “any good hair products to slick back those damn baby hairs that always poke about when I put my hair up.” So for those of you who still love that look (or should I say, can pull it off!), I’m gonna share a great little trick on how to tame them baby hairs. And for the rest of us, who need the softness around our faces, I want to tell you about an easy method to get that cool fuzzy halo.

Once again: I’m all about options.

First, a couple of visual examples to make sure you know exactly what I’m talkin’ about here.

This is our friend Doutzen Kroes (check out my video with her here) demonstrating the fuzzy baby hair look:

Yes, she’s gorgeous enough to pull off ANY hairstyle (and even this sort of terrible yellow eyeshadow), but I totally dig the texture here.

Maybe a better example of a non-supermodel person is SJP:

Because she has fairly strong features, I think the fuzz gives her face some much-needed softness. I also happen to love the baby hair on Alexa Chung:

Just compare and contrast with something like this:

Kirsten Dunst is a very attractive woman (and Girl Hot too!), but I just don’t think this looks good. Compared to the effortlessness, the coolness of the “halo hair,” this just Tries Way Too Hard… and fails. For more examples, check out my how-to post from last year on top knots.

Now for the tips!

HOW TO COAX YOUR BABY HAIRS INTO THE SOFT ‘N SEXY “HALO” EFFECT

Depending on your natural hair texture, you might not really even need to do much coaxing! So this is primarily for those of us with hair that’s on the fine, straight, flat side. (Sob.)

Lately, I like to use this product:

Or this one is also fab (I talked about it in this video):

Regular dry shampoos are not what you want here—you need a hair powder that morphs into a clear texturizing product once you rub it in your hair or between your fingers. Aveda makes one too. Anyway, just sprinkle it around the top of your head (a little goes a long way but you can do it in sections underneath your part), and then start to work it in, pushing up from the roots. Pretty quickly, you should notice that it’s giving your hair some bulk and volume, as well as the beginnings of that fuzzy halo. Kevin Murphy has a great video here demonstrating how to use his product.

Then—to REALLY bring out those cute baby hairs, take your wrist (not your palm), and move it in a circular motion all across your hairline. It’s basically a twist on the backcomb method of teasing, and will instantly give you that halo we’re after. SOOPER EASY, right?

A few more things:

• Only do this on DRY hair.
• Skip the hairspray or any other prodz after you finish—they’ll ruin the effect.
• If your hair is pulled back in an elastic, placing both hands at the back of your head on either side of it, and gently pulling forward will make your ‘do just ever so slightly looser. (Read: cooler.)
• Don’t try to pull out large chunky tendrils at the front, because then you’ll risk looking a bit dated. Whitney Port showcases this Beauty Don’t:

Yowza.

HOW TO TAME YOUR BABY HAIRS… IF THEY BUG YOU

I actually love this trick, even though I’m a pro-baby hair type of person. Here’s the secret: it’s actually not the product that matters so much, but the tool that you use… which is this!

That’s right. Grab a (new, clean) soft-bristled toothbrush and spray it with hairspray. This one is most hairdressers’ fave:

Or you could use a smoothing serum or shine serum. The Frizz Ease one would work great.

Then, just comb down the sections you want to tame, and you’re done!

Now tell me:

Do you love the soft ‘n fuzzy baby hair halo effect?
Or are you on Team Super-Sleek?
Do you have a favourite hair trick?