It seems like 2018 has been the year of the power earring. Every brand, from Topshop to Oscar de la Renta, has got on board with the trend - and we’re big fans. That’s why we asked Jonny Long, co-founder of Chelsea-based salon Lockonego, to show us the best up-dos to show them off. Here are the looks he created…

There’s nothing quite like a gravity-defying ponytail to instill a total sense of sass. “What makes this pony special is the ultra-fluid smoothness that comes with blow-drying the hair poker straight using a blow-dry prep spray, then slicking flyaways down with a boar bristle brush,” Long says. The final touch? Wrapping elastic around the base until it resembles a ringmaster’s whip. We did not come to play.

Step 1: Apply some Redken Pillow Proof Blow-Dry Express Primer, £18.50 to protect hair against heat. 

Step 2: Use a Mason Pearson brush, £65 to blow-dry hair until it’s completely sleek. 

Step 3: Gather hair to the crown and secure with an elastic tie.

Step 4: Wrap a roll of black elastic cord around the ponytail until it has formed a two-inch-long band around the base. 

Step 5: Mist with Redken Control Addict 28 Extra High-Hold Hairspray, £13.50 to ward off unwanted frizz.

If Princess Leia were in our galaxy today, she’d wear her hair like this. Split hair into a deep side parting, tousle with texture spray, then gather into two asymmetric low ponytails. “There’s really no formula to the actual buns,” explains Long. “Wrap pieces of hair around your fingers, then pin into place as desired. Don’t try too hard, or you’ll overcomplicate it and it won’t look effortless.”

Step 1: Rub Redken Velvet Gelatine 07 Cushioning Blow-Dry Gel, £12 into lengths for bounce and texture. 

Step 2: Use a tail end comb to split hair into a deep side parting, using your eyebrow arch as a starting point.

 Step 3: Form two low pigtails that are slightly out of line with each other, and secure with Asos Design’s No More Snags Hair Ties, £3. 

Step 4: Wrap chunks of hair around your fingers and pin into the bases of the pigtails. 

Step 5: Lightly spritz with Redken Triple Take 32 Extreme High-Hold Hairspray, £13.5 so hair can still move freely.

Show us the Forties victory roll and we’ll put a 2018 spin on it. “Gather the top third of hair, rub some thickening cream into it, then brush it all forwards,” says Long. The next bit is fiddly, but don’t be intimidated. “With your hand against your hairline, wrap your hair around your fingers and hold the end with your thumb. Secure the underside of the roll to your hairline with pins and fix with a strong hairspray.”

Step 1: Isolate the top third of your hair, and gather the rest into a topknot. 

Step 2: Brush leftover hair towards your face and add Redken Aerate All-Over Bodifying Cream Mousse, £18.50 to lock in the style.

 Step 3: Wrap hair around your flat palm, tucking the ends under with your thumb.

 Step 4: Pin into place on the underside of the roll using Superdrug’s Waved Hairpins, £1.79. 

Step 5: Set with Redken Triple Take 32 Extreme High-Hold Hairspray, £13.50.

Give your usual bun a sleek upgrade by tying in the wet look trend. Pick a side to show off, then slide that earring in. “Prep damp hair with a blow-dry gel, then use a fine-toothed comb to slick it around and back into a low side bun,” Long advises. 

Step 1: Prep damp hair with Redken Outshine 01 Anti-Frizz Polishing Milk, £16.50 to nourish and add shine.

Step 2: Comb the product through from roots to ends, shaping everything to one side.

 Step 3: Pull all the hair back into a low side ponytail before twisting into a knot. 

Step 4: Tame flyways with Denman’s Edge Tamer brush, £12.

Step 5: Finish with Redken Shine Flash 02 Glistening Mist, £12 to complete the wet look.

Match your bun to your ear candy for a 360° polished look. “This style looks intricate, but it’s pretty foolproof,” says Long. Split hair with a messy middle parting, then guide it into as high a ponytail as you can without disturbing the line. “Smooth the lengths out with a bristle brush and gel, then wrap them around three of your fingers. Ensure everything’s super sleek, then slip your fingers out and secure the roll into place with pins.”

Step 1: Spray Colab’s Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo, £4.49 into roots for texture. 

Step 2: Divide hair into a messy middle parting and run Velvet Gelatine 07 Cushioning Blow-Dry Gel, £12 through ends for hold. 

Step 3: Pull into a high ponytail, ensuring not to disturb the parting.

Step 4: Secure with a clear elastic tie then wrap lengths around your hand to form a loop. 

Step 5: Pin into place, then tame flyaways with Redken Fashion Work 12 Versatile Hairspray, £13

Photography: Betina Du Toit