India Miller's style tips for fine festive hair

YOU'VE nailed the necessary wardrobe for the many Christmas parties you must attend this season and you've updated your beauty bag with festive sparkly make-up must-haves.

Now it's time to tackle your crowning glory.

Colour, cut and even style have had an overhaul for winter this year and Christmas is the perfect opportunity to show off a new look.

Colour

According to India Miller, international creative and artistic director for Edinburgh hairdresser Charlie Miller, blondes are going luxurious this winter. Colour is opulent and rich, with vibrant tones.

"For blondes, the big fashion tones for this winter are nude and caramel," explains India.

"The key to this look is its condition and gloss. Chloe's runway show has great examples of luxe blonde highlights - fine and lots of them so all the tones merge beautifully."

Brunettes have also had a high-tech update too. "It's all about rich caramel and chocolate, with a dip-dye effect," says the Edinburgh hair expert.

"This technique is where we highlight slightly lighter in mid-head sections to break up deep colours and stop them from looking solid. It gives the illusion of incredible gloss and the overall effect is very luxurious."

Cuts

Like the lady-like glamour that is dominating the catwalks, hair is following the same trend.

Texture, volume and condition are key, according to India.

"The key for long hair is stunning colour and condition. We are leaving edges chunkier with long sexy layers to create a great lady-like effect. Volume is kept either smooth with a wave or with huge curls."

And for those of us with shorter tresses? "Edgier texture rules," advises India. "Especially with bobs. Think muzzled up but still girly."

Style

And then there is the style. Just as you accessorise an outfit, this season you can accessorise your hair by styling it up in a variety of ways. Voluminous ponytails, edgy quiffs, and contrasting textures will all become major style stories.

"Signature trends are doing a lot of colouring and styling this way and this season's autumn/winter looks reflect the runway," explains India. "We are noticing clients want to be "lady-like" with stunning blow drys. Then there's up-dos which have a '40s vibe, as seen for Fendi and YSL.

"Pleats and pony tails are also big but more textured in appearance as seen by Dior."

Messy ponytails are the easiest way to update a look, and with the pleat don't forget to take a comb to the look to tease out the hair for that relaxed vibe.

India Miller is international creative director of Charlie Miller, www.charliemiller.com