Hair secrets of the stars: Dido's look

Here's what makes her short and sassy locks sing

DidoWith pop sensations Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera stealing the spotlight - and the airwaves - these days, a performer like Dido is a true breath of fresh air. With her chic, choppy cut and naturally glowing skin, her style represents the more grown-up, yet fun-loving side of the music world. If you'd like your hair to be a hit like Dido's, follow these easy steps from celebrity stylist Anthony Barrow of the Arrojo Cutler Salon in New York.

STEP 1: Shampoo hair and apply a lightweight conditioner - just on the ends - to prevent hair from becoming limp.

STEP 2: Towel dry hair to remove excess moisture and rub a golf-ball-size amount of styling mousse between the palms of your hands. Then, work the mousse evenly through your hair from the roots to the ends.

STEP 3: Use your hands and a blow-dryer (not a brush) to begin styling your hair. Set your blow-dryer on low speed and high heat, and loosely dry the hair by working your fingers through it. Allow it to follow its own natural wave. Pay attention to where the hair naturally flips out or curls under. Once the hair is partially dry, use your hands to bend and curve sections as desired, using your fingers like a curling iron.

STEP 4: Once your hair is completely dry, spray a small amount of volumising tonic on the ends only. Use a small flat curling iron to give any of the ends a little extra flip or curl. Run the flat iron straight down your hair either curling up or under at the ends.

STEP 5: As a finishing touch, use styling wax on the 'key points', or parts of your hair you want to accentuate. Rub a little wax between your fingers and apply to the ends of the hair to reinforce the shape you've just created. The key is to keep this style looking loose with stay-in-place roots and more life at the ends.

Recommended Products
All products below are available at Aveda Salons and Spas. Ring 020 7410 1600 to find a stockist near you.

Aveda Pure-Fume Brilliant Shampoo (£8.50 for 250ml)
This gentle shampoo leaves your hair squeaky-clean without overstripping. Made with aloe, chamomile and black tea, this product prepares your hair for whatever styling you choose.

Aveda Pure-Fume Brilliant Conditioner (£15 for 250ml)
This conditioner hydrates you hair without making it go limp. Contains plant-derived emollients that give weightless moisture and shine.

Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam (£11 for 200ml)
Perfect for textured looks, Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam adds body, shine and volume to fine or limp hair.

Aveda Volumizing Tonic (£12.50 for 250ml)
Amino acids work to pump up flat hair and help build body, while natural plant-derived detanglers make combing easy.

Aveda Self Control Stick (£14 for 75g)
This product will never leave your locks looking dull or lifeless. The wax-free pomade gives you the same strong hold as hair wax with the added bonus of moisture and shine.