Get ready for the most romantic day of the year. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you need a look that will knock your date’s socks off.

So how do you successfully create a look that’s drop-dead gorgeous without spending a fortune to get it or spending all day fussing over your hair?

The good news is that today’s style trends are all about casual, almost carefree, romance. Don’t worry about twisting each strand of hair into an obedient coil, the softer and more effortless the look, the better. Modern style has a practical approach that plays up your natural beauty.

We’ve come up with a few of our favorite looks that are spot-on with the trends you love and that inspire romance.

The slick and soft bun

While you may have mastered the messy bun for your regular look, it gets an elegant upgrade when you take a neat approach. Pulling all of your hair back into a soft bun puts the focus on your face and your neck.

There’s nothing quite as sexy as a bare neck. The trick here is to keep the bun soft, so it doesn’t look severe.

Bed head

No, not the way you really look when you wake up. Imagine instead what a soap opera star looks like when they get up from a midday tryst.

To get this look, we like to style with a curling wand. Leave the curls alone until you’ve finished your whole head and it’s all had a chance to cool. Then gently shake and loosen with your fingers.

Now you’re ready for the fun part! Flip upside down and sparingly spritz the underside of your hair with Hair La Vie's N° 77 Leave-In. This conditioner softens the curl just enough to give it a “lived-in” look.

Pulled-back wave

Softly pull the hair around your face back and secure it in place behind your head, then add wave to your hair. This retro look has Brigitte Bardot appeal with timeless grace.

It’s a soft style that focuses attention on your face while framing it in gentle movement.

Loose braids

Braids are back (or never left!) and, when paired with a prairie dress or blouse, they have an old-world charm. Play with your favorite braid style and then try to loosen it to create a unique look that’ll wow.

And don’t worry about those little pieces that escape, give them a touch of curl with your curling iron and let them play the role of romantic tendrils.

Complicated braids

If you’re not already a braid expert, this might be difficult to pull off on the big day. But if you’re a braid champ, it’s time to let your talent out of the bag.

Pair different types of braids together to create a fresh look that’s customized to your hair length and braiding abilities.

The updo

The updo is a staple for sexy style, and it’s mainly because it exposes your neck and has a vulnerable softness to it. Anything shoulder-length or longer can be swept up.

Braids around the hairline are a great start, they incorporate shorter hairs and create a framework around your face. Hair at the back and base of your crown can be pulled up and into a soft bun or chignon.

Use accessories

Accentuate your hair with accessories. Flowers are the ultimate in romantic charm, but a well-placed butterfly barrette, a pretty bow, and even a tiara can really take your look in a new direction.

The key to getting accessories right in today’s casual chic age is to keep them subtle and small.

Final thoughts

The overarching theme in modern romance is softness. Avoid over-styling and using so many products that your hair has an unnatural stiffness. Hair La Vie's N° 77 Leave-In is a perfect blend of natural ingredients that will add a layer of romantic softness to your hair without the build-up.

Try not to change your look too much or it will look unnatural and you won’t quite capture the feel you want. The goal is to look like yourself but a more romantic version.

While your hair is your crowning glory, your entire outfit is important, too. Try to match the style of your clothing with your hairstyle so there’s an overarching sense of symmetry and harmony.

Above all, create a style that you’re comfortable in and that makes you feel amazing. The last thing you want to do on date night is spend the entire time worrying about your hair or, even worse, having a hair catastrophe that you can’t quickly fix.