Just when you thought all ’80s fashion revivals had run their course, big hair is back.
Just look at Angelina Jolie on the cover of this month’s Vanity Fair and Sarah Jessica Parker in the “Sex and the City” movie poster to see that the chic set is turning up the volume.
We’re not talking the teased, sprayed locks of the Bangles, Bananarama and Dolly Parton. The modern version of big hair crosses the soft pouf of Krystle Carrington’s “Dynasty” coif with the cascading fullness of a Victoria’s Secret model’s waves — sexy, but with a touch of Aqua Net nostalgia.
Tease too much and you’ll end up looking as if you stuck your finger in a light socket, but master the technique and treat your tresses with the right product, and you’ll look like a Sophia Loren sex kitten.
The man who gives Jolie, Anne Hathaway and the Victoria’s Secret models their big, beautiful hair is celebrity stylist Ted Gibson.
Last week, he took a few moments at his New York salon to show us how to go over-the-top sexpot or just add a little Giselle to your summer look. His step-by-step process is less complicated than it may seem, but it requires a few key products: a blow-dryer, some hair spray — and remember hot rollers?
Start at the root: First, cleanly divide your hair into five even sections (hair can start wet or dry). Then apply a volumizing product to the scalp where each section is divided. Gibson favors his own product, called Build It.
Apply gel: Use a light, controlling gel all over the hair. Gibson uses two or three pumps of Aveda’s Phomollient styling foam, then combs through the hair with his trusty Mason Pearson brush.
Blow-dry: Dry hair until it’s about 80 percent dry.
Curl it under: Finish by pulling the ends under using a round brush. He uses a medium-size round barrel brush on Jolie, Hathaway and anyone with hair that hits from the chin to the clavicle. For shorter hair, use a small barrel.
Set it: Once the hair is completely dry, it’s time for the hot rollers, which should be really hot. Wrap 2-inch sections of hair around each roller until you look like a ’50s housewife.
Leave rollers in for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are completely cool. After taking the rollers out, the curls should be more like waves than ringlets.
Spritz it: Then spray a light hair spray all over the head. It should be a “working” hair spray, which means one that doesn’t get sticky or stiff, allowing you to keep working and building volume.
Upside-down move: Throw your head over and brush out. Do some back brushing. Just tease the hair a little at the crown, smooth down the top, and spray again.
Glossy finish: If you’re concerned about fly-aways because of humidity, use a shine serum after brushing.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
