How-to: too-stressed-to-style hairdos

Do you often wake up in the morning and feel as though grooming may be as difficult as climbing Mount Everest? Like the thought of making yourself look even slightly stylish is enough to send you into quite the stressful spin?

Let me guess; braids are far too fiddly, straight strands too straining and bad hair days seem to be coming around much too often for you to deal with? You sound just like most girls who find themselves rushing through life - but I'm here to tell you that achieving a divinely delicious 'do isn't nearly as difficult or time-consuming as you may think.   

If its quick, easy and totally stress-free styles you want, I'm happy to say I've got the remedy. Check it. Three of the best chic and simple styles even the busiest of babes can pull off without a hitch.

Sleek side knot a la Nina Dobrev
If you dig the chic vibe of Nina Dobrev's scrumptious side knot then no doubt you'd like to  know how simple it is to achieve.
- Begin with sleek, straightened hair.
- If your hair seems a little too poker straight, feel free to use a curling tong or straightener to flick the ends of your hair outwards so that your hair is easier to style.
- Use a tail comb to create a clean side part, make it as deep down towards your ear as you like. Remember, the deeper the side part the more dramatic the style will look. We like Scunci Grooming Tail Comb.
- Next, scoop your hair into a side ponytail on the opposite side of the side parting.
- The knot part of this style is open to interpretation. You can scrunch your hair around the elastic that sits at the base of the ponytail and then secure it with another tight elastic, or you can choose to braid the ponytail and then loosely wrap it around the elastic and secure with bobby pins. The key is to make it look less sleek, more sassy.

Pretty Pollyanna a la Ashley Tisdale
This minxy 'do is the perfect Saturday night style. It's got everything; height, glamour - and no nonsense steps.
- Begin by spritzing some texturizing spray into your freshly washed and straightened hair to provide a little 'grit'. If it’s been a few days since your last hair wash you won't need to spray as much - or any at all. We love Garnier Fructis Curl Control Thermo-Active Texturising Spray.
- Take a curling tong to the lengths of hair by holding thin pieces around the base of the tong for about five seconds, starting with the bottom layer of your hair and working your way up until all of your hair (minus your fringe pieces) have been curled.
- Use a boar bristle brush to gently brush out the curls so that they create subtle waves. Why not try Lady Jayne's Wooden Pad 100% Boar Bristles Brush?
- Including your fringe pieces, grab the front pieces of hair on either side of your face and sweep them past either side of your head until they meet at the back. Bobby pin the pieces  together in place at the back of your head just above the nape of your neck.
- Using a tail comb, slide the tail part of these pieces under the hair at the crown of your head and pull up in order to create height.
- To create a more casual look, loosen the fringe pieces on either side of your face.

Playful side plait a la Amanda Seyfried
If you're after a sweet and simple 'do that can take you from day to night with ease then this side plait is definitely one to learn.
- Begin by using a curling tong or straightener to create loose waves throughout the lengths of your hair. Keep them interesting by curling different-sized pieces. We recommend using Jilbère de Paris Euro 2500 25mm Ceramic Curler.
- Once you have a head full of ringlets spritz your head with hairspray and then brush out the curls with a comb. The waves will help to keep your plait interesting.
- Pull your hair over to one shoulder and secure with a clear elastic behind your ear.
- Begin plaiting your hair until you get 3/4 of the way down and secure with another clear elastic.

- Start pulling at the pieces of your plait so they become loose and a little dishevelled-looking.

- Keep pulling at your plait until you're happy with the size and shape and then cut the clear elastic near your ear. 'Fluff' out the hair above your plait by inserting your fingers and moving them around, creating volume and minimising any kinks left by the hair elastic.

Which of the styles above is your favourite? What are your tips for getting great hair in a flash?

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