Cut above

• CELEB ICONS Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, Kirsten Dunst.
• BEST FOR Straight or wavy hair. (Don't try this look if you've got extremely curly hair.)
• GET THE LOOK Start with a great cut. "Make sure that your stylist doesn't give you an '80s bob," says celebrity hairstylist Marc Anthony. "The layers should have more of a beach look." To style, apply a dime-size amount of a curl-defining lotion to wet hair, then blow-dry it with your fingers. "If you have time, use some large hot rollers or a large-barrelled curling iron to give it a little movement," says Anthony. Finish with a touch of texturizing balm: "Mess it up a bit."
• DO… Work with your hair's natural texture.
• DON'T… Give your hair a defined part - it won't look modern.

Splurge products:
FHI Heat Nano Weight Pro Turbo 1900 Dryer ($225)
Redken Fifth Avenue NYC Electric Wax 11 Shine Fused Texturizer ($22)

Save products:
Garnier Fructis Strength and Repair Deep Nourishing Masque ($5.49)
Conair Ceramic Ionic Instant Heat Hair Setter ($40 for a set of 12 jumbo-sized rollers)

Images courtesy of WireImage.com (celebrity) and Geoffrey Ross (products)