Red carpet hairstyles: elle style awards 2011

The ELLE Style Awards 2011 attracted a stellar guestlist of fashionable stars, including Cheryl Cole, Blake Lively, and Emma Watson. Even though we're in the midst of award season, there was no let-up on the style with each star dolled up to the nines with an array of award-winning hairstyles.

Side ponytails offer a fun red carpet choice, and both Cheryl Cole and Sophie Ellis Bextor opted for the side-slung style. Skyler McDonald of Sean Hanna, London says: 

"Cheryl rarely strays from the voluminous styles. This particular look creates a truly elegant feminine feel and of course incorporates plenty of volume. Soft curls and a sweeping fringe compliment her outfit perfectly. Sophie's chosen look is classic and has a 40's feel. Although this look it understated and a timeless classic I think the graphic bob that Sophie once had created much more of a statement and went far better with her edgy style."

The beehive is a classic glam look, worn by many stars at the awards. Model of the Year Coco Rocha and musician Corrine Bailey Rae gave the style their own twist. Robert Masciave of Metropolis, London says:

"It's incredibly hard to pull off Coco's style. Luckily, as a supermodel, she can pretty much pull anything off and tis look really draws attention to her facial features. Those with oval faces should steer well clear of this style as the added height off the style will add length to your face. 

This is style is truly stunning on Corrine. The style accentuates her beautifull clear skin and dark brown eyes perfectly. Ultra feminine and ultra sophisticated."

And Courtney Love and Lisa Snowdon both opted for a glam updo too, with soft beehives loosened with face-framing tendrils. Skyler says:

"Courtney's feathered fringe really draws attention to her piercing blue eyes. This style has a slight 60s influence with the beehive and creates a truly, modern glamorous style with a hint of retro flair. Lisa's style creates an elegant look that fits in beautifully with her LBD. It's a soft style that creates the perfect contrast to her dramatic makeup."

Bringing their own quirky twist to the catwalk, both Ellie Goulding and Alice Dellal dared to be different with pastel-hued hair and an undercut. Lorenzo Comparelli of Kaizo, London says: 

"Although statement hair is in trend at the moment I think Ellie may have got it wrong at the Elle Awards with her fake tan. The pink shade would have looked much better if she had kept her natural fair skin tone. Alice Dellal looks in desperate need of her roots doing. The dark roots just make this particular style look careless and badly maintained. If she had matched her roots with her blonde hair she would have looked glamorous and extremely feminine."

Emilia Fox and Blake Lively both opted for loose, softly dishevelled updos. Yuka Ito of Kaizo, London says:

"Emilia's hair if matched with a long dress could have made for a truly feminine look however paired with a jumper this  look is a little on the tomboy side. Nevertheless this style really accentuates her natural beauty and creates an effortlessly gorgeous look. Blake's style is very girl next door. The simplicity of this style creates a really girly look that leaves plenty of room for her stunning dress to make its impact." 

Two of fashion's young stars are both rocking crops at the moment. Both Emma Watson and Pixie Geldof opted for slicked-back styles, albeit worn slightly differently. While Emma kept things simple with a chic gamine style, Pixie was her usual edgy self with a swept-back look.

Long and blonde is always a popular red carpet look, although Geri Halliwell and Fearne Cotton styled the curls very differently. Geri's loose waves had a beachy, boho-feel, while Fearne opted for pure retro glamour with polished kinky curls.

Helena Christensen and Jo Wiley both styled their mid-lengths with loose waves and a soft side-swept fringe. This is a really flattering look on both women, proving that being 40+ doesn't have to mean sacrificing on rock chick style.

The bun continues to be a red carpet favourite, with Jaime Winstone and Laura Bailey both wearing their hair high on the head. While the position of both buns is similar, Laura's ballerina style has a neat, smooth finish, whereas Jaime opts for a more scruffy-chic feel.

Long, natural styles were also a hit, with both Karen Gillan and Jameela Jamil wearing their hair long and loose with texture through the ends. Both stars have a high-shine finish to their looks, adding plenty of red carpet glamour.

Thandie Newton and Alexa Chung both showed off glossy chocolate box-hued locks, and while Thandie kept her look poker straight, Alexa was all about texture.