5 Celebrities Who Proved Tiny Hair Tweaks Can Make a Big Difference

Stuck in a winter hair rut but don’t want to chop it all off? You don’t have to! Take it from these five celebrities, who proved that making even a subtle hair tweak can go a long way toward freshening up your look.

‘Lift’ Cheekbones With a Swept-Back Style Like Emma Thompson

“Locks styled haphazardly make hair look lifeless and direct the eye down, dragging features, [such as your cheeks, down] with it,” says celebrity hairstylist Frank Friscioni. Simply getting strands up and off of the face draws attention upward, so your cheekbones will look youthful and lifted.

To get the look: Rub a dollop of mousse ($38, Sephora) into damp hair, then blow-dry while brushing your strands back with a paddle brush. Once dry, tease the top layer of hair at the roots and at the back of the crown, then smooth back.

Mask Sparse Spots With Side-Swept Fringe Like Glenn Close

A hairstyle sans bangs can shine a spotlight on areas of the scalp with thinner tresses, like your hairline and temples. A speedy solution? Snipping in some fringe will allow hair to sweep over the forehead, instantly concealing thinning, says celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland. What’s more, wispy side bangs will give locks added depth, creating the illusion of a thicker, fuller head of hair.

To get the look: Ask your stylist for soft side bangs that skim the brow and have stacked layers. When styling, use a small round brush ($11.99, Amazon) to dry 1-inch sections of hair, pointing your blow-dryer’s nozzle up at your roots to ensure strands look lifted, not flat. Finish with hairspray ($23, ULTA).

Slim the Face With a Textured Side Part Like Taraji P. Henson 

Hair parted down the middle pulls the eye out in opposite directions, which emphasizes the heaviest part of the cheek and visually widens even the most thin faces. Instead, try a deep side part. Its diagonal nature allows the eye to “cut” across the face, so it appears longer and leaner, explains Friscioni. “And adding in [a] loose, wavy texture helps locks curve in at the cheeks and jaw to further counteract fullness.”

To get the look: Create a deep side part that aligns with the arch of your brow. Then, take 1-inch sections through a flat-iron ($80, Target), pulling hair in toward the face from mid-length to ends for a pretty, subtle curve.

Soften Harsh Features With Subtle Waves Like Julianne Moore

Straight strands tend to put the focus on the face, causing any fine lines and wrinkles to come into focus. Luckily, Friscioni says that infusing hair with wavy texture can work as well as Botox! “The depth and softness from waves optically blur lines so skin looks ageless.”

To get the look: Wrap various 2-inch sections around the barrel of a 2-inch curling iron ($45.59, Amazon), starting at ear level and holding each curl for 20 seconds. Once finished, gently tousle with your fingertips. Spritz tresses with hairspray ($23, ULTA) to lock in waves.

Energize Your Look With a Layered Crop Like Katie Couric

A one-length bob can look heavy, showcasing signs of aging, such as hollows and crow’s-feet around the eyes that can leave us looking more spent than sensational. The easy fix? Opt for a jawline-skimming layered crop. Says Cleveland, “Removing some length and adding layers gives movement and life back to hair for a more energized and younger look overall.”

To get the look: Ask your stylist for a jaw-length cut with side bangs and blended layers.

This story originally appeared in our print magazine.