How many times have you sat in the hairdresser’s chair before a big event and complained about your ‘terrible’ hair?
In the 50 years I’ve been in the business, with clients including Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Naomi Campbell, and seven years as Princess Diana’s private hair stylist, I’ve lost count (and yes, even the famous ones do it).
But I’ve got news for you: there’s no such thing as ‘terrible’ hair. You’re just not doing the right things with it.
Sometimes, it is as simple as finding products that work for you, making small adjustments to your signature style or trying a new cut, shape or colour, but there is so much you can do to ‘hack’ your hair.
Looking good for a New Year’s Eve party – no matter how frazzled and thoroughly Decembered your hair feels right now – is entirely within your grasp.
Whether it’s recreating Kate Moss’s ‘cool girl’ look or the secrets to supermodel shine, here you will find my comprehensive guide to getting A-list hair.
FAKE A VOLUMINOUS SALON BLOW DRY
This party season, the big, bouncy blowout is back – and it’s now easier than ever thanks to foolproof volumisers and Velcro rollers.
Celebrity hair stylist Sam McKnight believes looking good for a New Year’s Eve party – no matter how frazzled and thoroughly Decembered your hair feels right now – is entirely within your grasp (stock image)
Use a volumising foam, a root volumiser or both to prep your hair for volume that lasts.
For those big, bouncy waves, you can use a hot brush – Shark and BaByliss both do one, and the new Dyson Airwrap is amazing – or invest in a set of Velcro rollers.
These really are the best thing for faking a blow-dry. You don’t even need to put them all over. When your hair is dry, pop four rollers at the crown of your head, add a little hairspray and leave them in for as long as you can.
A bit of subtle backcombing around the crown doesn’t go amiss, either.
ADD AN UP-DO IN JUST FIVE MINUTES
Backstage at the London Olympics in 2012, I had to style 12 supermodels – including Naomi Campbell, Georgia May Jagger and Lily Cole – in a ridiculously tight time frame, just a couple of hours.
But all you really need to nail a quick, easy up-do for a party is five minutes.
Start by using a texturiser (such as my Easy Up-Do Texture Spray) all over to give your hair grip.
Use a normal elastic hair tie to hold your locks in place, then twist the ponytail up and around itself, securing it with hair grips, and loosening a few pieces around the top and sides so it looks natural. Keep it simple, don’t overthink it.
TRY THE KATE MOSS ‘UNDONE’ LOOK
Kate Moss’s hair never looks perfect – and that’s deliberate. My long-term work with Kate maintains her easy, natural, ‘cool girl’ look. Her hair moves, it’s fun, it’s not too overdone.
The look, which is great if you want to give fine hair volume, is all down to texture. I use my Cool Girl Texture Mist, which creates a sexy, tousled style.
Don’t just spray it over the top. Spritz it evenly – into the roots, mid-lengths and ends – using your fingers to tease the hair into shape.
Sam McKnight pictured with one of his celebrity clients, Kate Moss. Sam also does models Cara Delevingne and Naomi Campbell’s hair, and was Princess Diana’s private hair stylist for seven years
STYLE YOUR FRINGE OUT SEAMLESSLY
If you are growing out a fringe, there’s no need to tuck it away or clip it back.
Instead, style it out: turn it into curtain bangs with a middle parting or make it a side-sweeping fringe with a deep side parting.
You can also use heat and a styling brush to flick it out to the side if you want a more glamorous finish.
Another tip is to incorporate your fringe into your hair. While wet, part it and comb your fringe into place with the rest of your locks, before blow-drying it all together so it blends in seamlessly.
FREELY USE A HAIRSPRAY THAT MOVES FREELY
Hairspray is the product I use most. It makes your hair shine, gives it volume and locks in a finish that lasts.
However, make sure you choose one that is flexible or ‘brushable’: you want to be able to run a hairbrush through it, rather than it giving you an old-fashioned rigid hold.
For bouncy waves, I use my Modern Hairspray Multi-Tasking Mist. Spray on each section of hair before wrapping it in a roller or curling tong for long-lasting results.
ACCESORISE FOR EASY GLAMOUR
Not everyone likes to style their hair at home – or is any good at it. As a failsafe back-up, put your hair half up and half down, give the ends a bit of volume or a curl and stick a velvet bow in the back.
You could also accessorise with a scarf or dainty hair clip. Avoid anything too sparkly – think classy, not glittery – and you’re good to go.
TAME FLYAWAYS WITH A TOOTHBRUSH
If you’re cursed with fine, stray flyaways – often a symptom of pregnancy, postpartum hair loss or the menopause – there’s an easy way to restore sleekness to your look.
Mist a few sprays of hairspray or a small squirt of gel on to a soft-bristled toothbrush and run it over your hair to magically banish them.
