A Stylist's Guide to Red Carpet Hair

Onlookers get just a peek of Charlize Theron's braided bun at the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards.(photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images)

Hit your hair with cold air. That’s a major factor to get that shine.

— Steve David, owner of Los Angeles-based Steve David Salon

The red carpet is always a good place to look for inspiration for your next hairstyle — from sexy up 'dos to sleek tresses. While some of these creations seem difficult, two prominent Hollywood stylists have offered their guidance on how you may copy a few hairstyles that stars have worn to big-time events.

Drew Barrymore's hairstyle at a benefit dinner hosted by Chanel in June 2011 consists of loose, relaxed waves. (photo: David Livingston/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) Drew Barrymore’s quintessential relaxed style is enviable. More enviable is the way she translates her easy breezy style to red carpet glamour.

At Chanel's benefit dinner for the Natural Resources Defense Council's Ocean Initiative in June 2011, Barrymore wore tousled waves that were definitely worthy of the red carpet.

“That was '80s retro glam,” said its creator, stylist Byron Williams. “It reminded me of the perfume ads back in the '80s," said Williams, co-owner of Beverly Hills, California-based Byron & Tracey. It’s natural waves — full and messy. I wanted to create something that was reminiscent of that era. It’s not that hard to duplicate at home. If you have a natural wave, just part it in the middle. Intensify the wave with a curling iron. Just fluff it with the brush or tease it a bit to add the body.”

If you are not blessed with natural curls, Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist Steve David, whose clients include Evan Rachel Wood and Beth Behrs, suggests using a curling iron.

“Don’t use the clamp on the curling iron,” he said.“Instead, hold it vertical, so the nose is face toward the ground. You can start from the root or you can start midshaft to the ends for a more boho look. Use a setting lotion to hold the curl.”

Some women have hair that can't hold a curl. David suggests they pin the finished curls with the curling iron. Allow the curls to cool and set for as long as possible. Use a wide-tooth comb to rake out the tendrils, as brushing can wipe out the curl. A bit of sea salt spray can give the finished look additional appeal.

“I love this look because it has movement," David said, "and hair should move.”

Sandra Bullock wears a sleek, straight hairstyle at a late 2011 premiere of "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close." (photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) Super sleek and sexy is always a good look. Sandra Bullock wore this simple, chic style to the December 2011 New York premiere of her Oscar-nominated film "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close."

“If you want to wear your hair down, you can make it more elegant by making it very straight and shiny,” David said.“It just looks more polished to wear it sleek rather than allow a more natural texture.”

This look starts with a good blow-dry and brushing. A paddle brush or a round brush with a mixture of natural boar bristles and synthetic bristles is recommended. A plastic brush will not work because the plastic will cause static. Use a flat iron to get a super stick-straight look, then add serum to eliminate flyaways and give your hair an intense shine.

“Finally, hit your hair with cold air,” David said. “That’s a major factor to get that shine. Use your hands to pull hair down as you blast it with cold air.”

To finish the look, take some pomade and pinch the ends to define any layers around your face.

Much of Lea Michele's hair is swept from right to left at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards. (photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) To add femininity and demure sex appeal to loose locks, sweep them to one side like Lea Michele did at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards.

“This shows off the long silky hair, neck and earrings, if you decide to wear them,” Williams said. “This is a less-is-more look.”

This look is very easy to achieve. It goes best with dresses and gowns with a lot of detail to create an overall balance.

The first step, Williams said, is to blow-dry your hair. Use a bobby pin to hold it in place, then use hairspray and shine to add a touch of glean.

“You don’t have to worry about getting too much body or that it will go flat,” he said.

Reese Witherspoon's hair is pushed into a bun for a gala event in November 2011. (photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) Who knew a bun could look so elegant? Reese Witherspoon wore a beautiful, modern bun to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's inaugural Art + Film Gala in November 2011.

“This is really simple, youthful and modern,” Williams said. “It blends the ballerina bun with the '70s era. You can really wear this hairdo with anything. You can do this for a night out or with a gown.”

If you want a thick bun, tease the hair before pulling it into a ponytail at the top of your head. After the hair is secured, start working it around the ponytail and pin it in place.

“Once the hair is in a ponytail, work (a) product in to get rid of the frizz or baby hairs,” Williams said. “Hairspray, a light pomade or a glaze would work to get that sleek look.”

Charlize Theron turns to display her braids at the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards. (photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images) The start of the 2012 awards season brought out the braids. Mara Rooney, Kirsten Dunst and Charlize Theron were among those with hair twisted into braids. Theron looked stunning at the 17th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards, wearing braids that culminated in a bun behind her head rather than on top. While her look is complicated, David has some tips that may help you acquire it.

Blow-dry your hair to a nice, smooth finish, he advises, and then gather it to the side. Pull three or four sections of hair aside and use them to form the braids, then make a side chignon with the remainder of your hair. Apply a dab of pomade to the separated sections to help create smooth braids. Wrap the braids around the chignon and pin them into place.

“This hair is cool because there is no right or wrong turn,” David said. “It will always have great detail and look really cool.”

To make this look less traditional, swap out the braids for hair knots.

Photo Credit Christopher Polk/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images David Livingston/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Read Next:

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.