Project Runway All Stars, Episode 3: The Classic Cocktail Dress Cut Out and Slicked Back

Project Runway has long been a favorite reality show guilty pleasure of mine. While I have fallen behind on the past few seasons, this season's Project Runway All Stars has me back on track to feeling like I actually know what I'm talking about when criticizing a designer's stitching and hemline.

Another reason for my renewed interest in Project Runway, besides my favorites All Stars returning, is watching haircare brand Alterna create their own hairstyle designs for the models showing off the work of All Stars. Alterna Haircare will be sharing the steps to recreate their creative hair designs with us all season. Instructions for your next cocktail party hairstyle below.

This week's look: a sleek, slicked back elastic-less ponytail that played off of Viktor Luna's winning cocktail dress design. There is certainly a boldness to the "wet hair, don't care" and the strategically placed cut-outs on the dress. It's rare that I would call a cut-out dress elegant, but the design manages to be edgy with the hair and print, and something I would at least bring into the fitting room and take pictures with it on. Not sure if anyone wants to see me up close in cut-outs though, let's be honest.

Here's a step by step on how to get the look, created by lead stylist Michael Shaun Corby, Alterna Haircare Global Creative Director.

Prep: · Apply a penny-sized amount of Caviar CC Creamthroughout hair. Comb to distribute evenly and smooth hair. Style: · Apply Bamboo Style Freestyle Flexible Control Gel on dry hair and then comb and slick back into desired shape. · Add more gel until hair looks wet. · Clip ponytail into position using a clip or long hair pins so as not to leave a dent of any sort. · Position yourself on a chair so that your head hangs over the back and gravity is working for you while you completely dry the blow dry the ponytail using high heat, low air setting. · Smooth the look and finish with a combination of Bamboo Style Ultra Hold Hair Spray for all day hold, and then follow with Bamboo Shine Luminous Shine Mist.
Finish: · Remove clip or pins and secure look using Caviar Extra Hold Hair Spray