Style Resolutions: 5 Ways to Style a Maxi Dress

How do you keep volume in thin hair?

With thin hair, you have to be aware that curls or other heat-based styles won't hold as long in your hair because of the fine texture. In order to get styles to last, you have to use volumizing products like a styling mist or a holding gel. Expert hair stylist, Renee Valerie, says that you should never hesitate to layer products to achieve the fullness and lasting style that fine hair requires.

Using sprays or gels will help create a long-lasting voluminous style, while also protecting the color and health of your hair. So don't be scared to try new products — and even test them out together!

Best Hairstyles For Thin Hair

Layers

To start, a good layered haircut will make all the difference with fine hair. When you get a haircut with lots of layers, this helps to create dimension in the hair which gives the illusion of volume, especially when styled right. This added texture makes styling so easy because it gives your hair way more life and movement.

Half Up Half Down

There's many ways you can go about this — and I'll definitely get into more options — but you can't go wrong with a classic half-up half-down. This is a great style when you're on the end of your hair wash cycle, and need to hide some of the grease. Add a touch of dry shampoo and throw it up in this style, and you're good to go! Plus, it gets even cuter when you style it with a scrunchie or a bow to add a fun touch to the look!

Blowout

A classic blowout is one of my favorite styles for my thin hair! I typically do this when my hair's freshly wet out of the shower. I'll soak it in a styling gel or voluminous mousse to help give it volume and allow the curls to hold. Then I'll either blow it dry or use my Dyson Airwrap for the curls. The trick is to add strengthening hairspray after for an even longer hold.

Claw Clip

I love using claw clip because I can tease the underside of my hair for some added volume and use the claw clip to push up my hair even more. This is another great way to add volume to otherwise flat hair — and it's super easy to do! You just need a teasing comb, a claw clip, and voila! You're out the door, and looking fab!

Beachy Waves

Beachy, textured waves are sure to bring life to your thin hair! I love doing this fun hairstyle when I want a more textured look. I'll either braid my hair the night before to get the waves, or individually curl my hair tightly to get these tighter peachy waves like above. Then, all you need to do is add a texture spray and scrunch your hair. These usually last 2-3 days for me!

Messy Bun

Ah, the messy bun. Quite easily the best and quickest way to deal with your thin hair, giving it the illusion of texture or volume. I also happen to love how my hair looks when I take it out of the messy bun — I get all these kinky waves that give life to your hair. Just throw it up in a bun without trying too hard, and pull out some face-framing pieces. You'll look like you have voluminous hair in no time!

Half-Up Half-Down Braid

This is a super fun hairstyle if you're looking for something intermediate or a little more complicated than our other styles! The easiest way I like to achieve this style is by taking two pieces from either side of your hair and braiding them individually. Then wrap them around your head, tucking them into each other to create and invisible braid like above. Take it a step further by adding in beads, accessories, or flowers into the braid. A very whimsical, bridal style — or every something flirty for everyday — if I say so myself!

Using Hot Rollers

For this style, I actually used hot rollers to achieve a bouncy looking blowout. Whenever I use hot rollers, my blowout lasts much, much longer — this is because when you clip them to your head, they cool off in the curled shape for better hold. This is perfect for thin, fine hair that normally doesn't hold curls too well. It's my go-to style when I need the curls to really last all day long.

The A&F Emerson Linen-Blend Puff Sleeve Mini Dress

You guys, I'm not even kidding when I say this is the best dress I own. As a broad shoulder girly, the neckline is SO flattering. Plus, the material is thick and durable, but still breathable for a hot summer day. I own this in black which allows me to dress it up for dinner or wear it to work, but this vibrant pink — and the several other colors and patterns — is so cute for the summer time. At $60 (was $80), this is a steal!

J.Crew Squareneck Midi Dress In Linen

I need to be wearing this dress with a spritz in my hand ASAP. This dress is a J.Crew best seller for a reason — it makes the perfect warm weather staple. This design is so simple, yet with the help of some fun accessories, this dress can be a hundred different outfits. You can shop this dress in white, red, or black for $178.

Zara Linen Blend Midi Dress

You can never go wrong with a little slit in the summer. This linen blend dress is simple, yet elegant — perfect for any vacay dinner or date night. Throw on some cute sandals and chunky earrings and hit the town in this little green number. Plus, the tie-up back gives you easy adjustment depending on your chest size. Make this your next summer dress for $36 (was $49).

Madewell Square-Neck Mini Dress in 100% Linen

Great, I'll take 10 of them! No seriously — this dress is fabulous, the square neckline is just perfection, and stretchy chest area make this dress fit anyone like a glove. You can get this dress in white for a classic summer look, or it's also available in a light blue. If you're a tall girl, this style shows off your beautiful long legs. You can also get it in a wide range of sizes for $93 (was $110).

The A&F Emerson Strapless Linen-Blend Maxi Dress

Oh my god, the color of this dress is everything! I also appreciate a strapless dress in the summertime to show off my tan lines — there's something so luxurious and indulgent about it. This piece is so simple, which means room for you to customize with accessories. Although it's true to size, always be careful about sizing with strapless! A perfect linen staple for $72 (was $120).

A&F Linen-Blend Shell Mini Dress

There's something about a dress with an open back that always gets me. It makes for a fun little surprise you wouldn't expect from looking at the front of the dress — and it's a great excuse for an updo. This piece would be perfect for any more professional setting like work, happy hour with your fave coworkers, or lunch with the in-laws. You could be its next prideful owner for $42 (was $70).

H&M Linen Slip Dress

I cannot think of anything more summer appropriate than a linen slip dress. It's lightweight, super comfortable, and you can dress it up for a fancy dinner, or literally use it as a bathing suit cover up. Everyone needs a slip dress as part of their summer capsule closet. Add this one from H&M to yours in white or black for $55!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!