Bored with your current state-of-a-hairs?  Want to transform your look without having to commit to a totally new haircut or drastic color change?  Rest assured – switching up your strands is simple and easy with a few style secrets.  Laura Boton, owner and head stylist at Sine Qua Non Salon, Chicago’s leader in fashionable hair and contemporary and artistic cuts and color, shared a few tips with us.  Here's how to temporarily transform your tresses when you can’t make it to the salon, or just can’t commit to a total ’do over.

Look the Part
Which way do you sway?  One of the easiest (and quickest) ways to change your look is to switch up your part.  “If you always part your hair to the left, try a middle part for a more dramatic look,” says Laura.  It’s a simple change, but can completely transform your look and bring out different features in your face that may have gone unnoticed!  Opt for a middle part if you’re looking for a fresh, girl-next-door look, or switch it to the side for a more high-fashion façade.

The Tuck-Up
Always wanted to try a shorter cut but too scared to take the plunge?  Fool everyone into thinking you’ve chopped your locks with a pinned back look that will completely change your look.  “This look is pulled off best when hair has a little texture in it,” recommends Laura.  Either let hair dry naturally with a little wave or curl strands with an iron to create a less obvious, blunt cut look.  Then, just tuck sections of hair under, securing at the nape of the neck with a bobby pin.  “The secret is to keep hair pinned relatively loosely to create the illusion of a shorter haircut,” adds Laura.

Out with a Bang
There’s no question a great set of bangs can drastically transform a look.  But don’t get stuck in a bang rut!  Switch up your look by pinning back behind your hair to open up your face or casually swipe to the side to create a softer look.  To pin back bangs, spritz a medium hold styling spray throughout damp hair and blow dry as usual, recommends Laura (she loves Bumble and bumble’s Styling Lotion, $24).  Then, just blow dry as usual, separating hair down the middle so bangs are equal length.  Tuck each section of bangs underneath your hair and secure with a bobby pin.  Want a softer, more side-swept look?  “They key is to get bangs to lay flat, not flip under,” notes Laura.  She recommends parting hair on the side, and brushing bangs downward with a flat brush as you blow dry.  “Point your dryer downwards and dry in the direction you want the bangs to sweep,” Laura adds.

Sine Qua Non Salon owner and stylist, Laura Boton, has been a hair designer for over 20 years. Laura specializes in advanced hair cutting. She has studied extensively with Bumble and bumble, developed the Sine Qua Non Salon Advanced Training Program, and has been a student of many other disciplines. An accomplished musician and songwriter, Laura stays in touch with current hair trends and fashion and is always seeking out education for herself and her staff.