It's not every week you want to go the whole hog and properly pin up your hair. But now that party season is in full swing, doesn't a red carpet-worthy updo sound appealing, the finishing touch for your festive outfit?

It doesn't have to be difficult, either. We've got step-by-step guides to a trio of styles that you can try at home.

The Textured Twist is an easy-peasy chignon that looks great no matter how messy you make it, while the Topsy-Turvy is an Eighties-inspired updo that you can definitely DIY.

The Halo Braid might take a bit of practice, or a helping hand from a pal, but the angelic end result is definitely worth the effort.

So, it's over to the pros for your hairspiration how-to...

THE TEXTURED TWIST

Make like a model on the Calvin Klein spring/summer 2015 catwalk with this artfully undone updo, recreated by Unite stylist Daniel Jordan.

1. Start by using Unite Boosta volume spray to add weightless body. Use sparingly from roots to ends, then add Unite Texturiza spray through the lengths and ends, to create instant body and movement.

2. Using your fingers, bring the hair to the back of the head and secure in a pony at the crown or nape of your neck.

3. Once secured, start to wrap, twist and pin sections of the ponytail into a loose chignon. Play around with it until you find the shape you're happy with, then spray Unite Tricky Spray (£20.50, www.urbanretreat.co.uk), as this will add texture and hold. Pull tendrils of hair loose around the face for a bohemian twist.

:: Unite Boosta Spray, £16.60 (www.urbanretreat.co.uk)

:: Unite Texturiza Spray, £23 (www.urbanretreat.co.uk)

THE TOPSY-TURVY UPDO

Remember the Topsy Tail, the Eighties hair tool that had its own infomercial? Here, Raf Manay, a stylist from Regis Salon's artistic team The Edge, takes this Topsy technique and combines it with a grown-up twist to create an elegant updo.

1. Start with day-old, unwashed hair if possible. If you have just washed your hair, spritz some hairspray, like Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity, onto your fingers and run through hair to create texture for extra hold.

2. Brush through the hair and run through a small amount of oil or serum to reduce flyaways. Section a triangle from the front to the crown, backcombing at the roots before pinning out of the way at the front.

3. Bring the top section of hair into a ponytail. Loosen the ponytail slightly, create a hole in the space above the elastic and bring it through the top - similar to the Topsy Tail style.

4. Repeat the above steps with the remaining hair, creating three ponytails as you move down the head.

5. Plait the remaining hair and twist into a bun at the nape of the neck, securing tightly with grips.

6. Take the top triangle section (the one that was pinned out of the way) back to give the style some height, and pin into place above the first twist. Pin hair into place to hide hair elastic. Finish with a light hold hairspray, or Wella SP Light Oil Spray, for extra shine.

:: Sebastian Shaper Zero Gravity, £16.50 (www.regissalons.co.uk)

:: Wella SP Luxe Light Oil Spray, £13.50 (www.lookfantastic.com)

THE HALO BRAID

Originally created for the Erdem catwalk by Charles Worthington, the Halo Braid can be worn loose with lots of flyaways to create the halo effect, or taut and tame for a sleeker feel.

1. Prep the hair using Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Body Booster Mousse, working it through the hair and paying particular attention to the hairline. Blow dry hair upside down, creating a slight flick at the ends, as this will help when plaiting the hair, then gently brush through.

2. Start with a classic French plait from the nape of the neck just above the left ear, and then work your way around the hairline from left to right (you are braiding from ear to ear), and ensure that you bring the hair up to the front of the head as you braid.

3. Continue to braid around the head in a circular motion, clockwise. When you reach the opposite point, start to pull in the isolated section of hair to continue where you started. Once you get to the end, finish the lengths and ends with a normal plait and secure with a clear hair band.

4. If you have any excess hair, fold this back on itself and tuck under the original plait to disguise where the plait starts and ends. Then hold in place with a couple of grips to secure the style.

5. Finish the look with a fine mist of Charles Worthington Style Setter Long Lasting Max Hold Spray, and use your fingers to buff the front of the hairline to break up the plait and create a soft, fluffy halo effect.

:: Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Body Booster Mousse, £5.99 (www.boots.com)

:: Charles Worthington Style Setter Long Lasting Max Hold Spray, £5.99 (www.boots.com)

TRIED AND TESTED

:: Sam Wylie-Harris takes the short-cut to an updo with the Spotlight Bun.

For the ultimate DIY up-do, a ballerina's bun that's designed to take all the effort out of sweeping your hair into a perfect mould can be achieved with the Spotlight hairpiece - but you will need time and patience.

Available in five shades, Cream Caramel was the perfect colour match for my blonde tresses; all I had to do was sweep my hair into a ponytail and pin it in a circle. Spotlight does all the work for you, with a net inside the hairpiece and a drawstring to pull the bun tight over your own hair, along with two small combs to help secure it into place.

The tricky bit is keeping the bun in place, and this is where a generous handful of long kirby grips (use the longest you can find) come into play. Because the bun is so lifelike, it's heavy and needs a circle of grips to stop it sliding.

In an ideal world, your own personal stylist, to check the bun is perfectly balanced and pins are concealed before you head into the spotlight, would be an advantage - but I'm impressed by the results.

4/5

:: Easilocks Spotlight Bun, £29.99 (www.easilocks.com)

BUY IT NOW

They always have the best collaborations, and MAC's latest is truly a thing of beauty. The make-up masters have paired with New York Fashion Week favourite Prabal Gurung on a decidedly luxurious collection that's perfectly timed for present-buying season. Take, for example, the Creme Colour Base, £50, which comes in a heavy golden compact, add to it the Tinted Lipglass in Carmine Rouge, £19, and pop into a glitzy gift bag - or on your own Christmas wish list (www.maccosmetics.co.uk).

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: Pretty presents

Is lipstick top of your dream gift list this Christmas? According to a survey by subscription service Glossybox, beauty and cosmetic products are the most desired items for 77% of women, while 72% will be buying beauty gifts for their loved ones. Most respondents (88%) said they carefully plan their purchases, but a naughty 12% admit their approach is more slap-dash, with some even resorting to a last-minute 'petrol station pit stop'. Tsk!

:: RECESSIONISTA ALERT

It's one of the priciest liquids you can buy, so it makes sense to stock up on perfume when the sales are on. The Fragrance Shop sale runs from December 26 to January 22, offering big savings on big name brands, like Vera Wang Princess, half price at £20. Shop online or find your nearest store at www.thefragranceshop.co.uk