If your indecision prevented you from having your hair lopped off last season to achieve the then-trendiest bob or lob, you can rejoice at the hottest styles seen on the spring runways, all of which require lengthy tresses. The looks ranged from relaxed boho waves to severely elegant up-dos, so there’s something for everyone and every occasion.

Try an elegant up-do this spring–“sumo” or Spanish influenced (Photos: Imaxtree-left, Marcus Tondo-right)

Up-dos

Big buns were prominently featured on the catwalks. And these were not your typical buns. A Japanese influence could be seen at Carolina Herrera Described as “origami” or “sumo” buns, the latter refers the stylized top knot worn by sumo wrestlers. not the size of the buns. And Dolce and Gabana featured rose-embellished buns inspired by the Spanish rule of Sicily.

Intricate braids are currently all the rage (Photos: Imaxtree)

Braids

Who doesn’t like braids? They’re easy to create and can be dressed up or down. Braids can be part of an intricate up-do, or they can be loose and casually chic. This season, you can take your pick.

Time to high-tail it, so to speak (Photos: Imaxtree)

Ponytails

This spring is all about high-tailing it, at least in regards to one’s hair. Ponytails enjoyed an elevated status, as evidenced by the high, sleek looks on display at Oscar de Renta and J Mendel.

Relaxed waves are easy to style and easy to wear (Photos: Imaxtree)

Making Waves

For a casual, boho-glam look, undo your braids and brush out your hair to get perfectly relaxed waves — at least, that’s how I intend to do it. Personally, I love this ‘do. It’s easy to create and works with a multitude of outfits. The bohemian wave ruled the runways at Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Tory Burch and Marchesa. I must say, I’m quite happy that I resisted the urge to chop off my hair last season!

We’re in the dead of winter — the holidays are long over. But according to the groundhog’s forecast, we still have some bitter, cold weeks ahead of us. This is the low point of the year — when winter seems relentless and we long for the arrival of spring. But take heart, dear readers, for this week we’ve invited popular DMV beauty blogger Kara Manos, of  Politics of Pretty, to share some of her top polar vortex-defying tips.

Kara Manos of The Politics of Pretty (Photo: Katherine Anne Morris)

DC on Heels: What are your “can’t live without” products for keeping your skin, hair and nails looking good in the cold weather during the last weeks of winter? Are there any products that you use to lift your spirits during the depths of winter?

Kara Manos: I have a love/hate relationship with winter weather. On one hand, I love being able to wear a dark red lip in the cold winter months. On the other, frosty temps wreak havoc on my skin! That being said, I have quite a few go-to products to keep dry, itchy skin at bay. I moisturize religiously day and night to keep a hydrated and glowing complexion. During the day I use Olay Dew Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer (I love the scent) and at night I rely on Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream (it’s nothing fancy but works great for those with sensitive skin). I moisturize my body at night with Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion (a new drugstore favorite).

I’m super picky about shampoo and conditioner, so trust me when I say Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner is the bomb dot com! My hair smells so good and my hair has never felt so healthy. My tresses have always lacked in the volume department so I heavily rely on a few good volumizing products like Aveda Pure Abundance Style Prep (something I spritz on my damp hair before blow drying) and Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish (it helps my blowout last longer).

I used to do DIY manicures at home, but lately I’ve been splurging on salon manicures every couple of weeks. It’s definitely my guilty pleasure to help lift my spirits during the depths of winter.

DCOH: Can you share some of your other winter beauty secrets/tips?

Manos: Take care of your skin, especially at night! There’s no denying everyone loves takes a hot shower in the dead of winter, but hot water can cause excessive dryness. Limit your showers to 10-15 minutes and remember to moisturize immediately after. Also, before you go to bed, coat your lips with a trusty overnight lip balm so you can wake up to smooth, hydrated lips. Right now I use Aquaphor Lip Treatment, First Aid Beauty Lip Repair and Napoleon Perdis Overnight Lip Balm on a rotating basis.

DCOH: Which products do you keep in your handbag this time of year?

Manos: Let’s see … the beauty products in my handbag include two nail files (in case I lose or misplace one of them), three different lip balms (Glossier Balm Dotcom, Aerin Rose Lip Balm and Clinique Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Color Balm), and two lipsticks (NARS Lipstick in Jungle Red and MAC Lipstick in Crème Cup). I also keep L’Oreal Voluminous smoldering brown eyeliner in my bag (lately I haven’t been wearing much eyeliner, but this is easy to apply on the go and I love a good Kajal formula). NARS is my go-to for date night and MAC is my everyday lipstick, a soft sheer pink hue.

Fresh Black Tea Mask (Photo: Fresh)

DCOH: Are there any spa treatments that you rely on to boost your spirits and keep you looking great? Any DIY home spa treatments?

Manos: I live for a good DIY spa treatment, especially on Sundays. In the winter, I rely on hydrating and toning facial masks from Fresh (one of my favorite skincare lines). Their Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask is the real deal. I know it’s working its magic when my skin starts to feel a little tingly.

Spring’s perfect plum lip (Photo: Mark Leibowitz)

DCOH: And now that spring is right around the corner, what is on your spring “must-have” list? What are your favorite beauty trends for spring 2015? Which new products are you coveting?

Manos: I have quite a few spring beauty trends I’m excited about: plum eyeshadow (seen at Vera Wang and Derek Lame), undone tresses (think loose braids, buns and boho waves) and nearly naked nail polish. I’ve actually started wearing Deborah Lippmann’s new spring Whisper collection on my digits because I am SO ready for spring. Right now I’m coveting Stila Cosmetics Nouveau Natural Eye Shadow Palette (so many beautiful earthy, nude hues), r + Co Chiffon Styling Mousse (another voluminzing product to add to my hair product stash) and my GHD Curve Soft Curl Iron (it’s a 1.25” curling iron that’s quick to heat and easy to use).