beauty master class: Guido Palau
Guido Palau, ambassador for Redken, began his illustrious hairdressing career at the age of 21, in the creative hub of renowned stylist Vidal Sassoon’s salon in the UK. Right from the get-go, Palau was pushing the creative boundaries. “I was quite rebellious because I was young and Vidal Sassoon was renowned for being disciplined,” says Palau. “Plus, they used to make us wear brown overalls!” Palau is acclaimed for his fashion-forward styles on the catwalks of Marc Jacobs, Prada and Versace. “All of them push me and my work into different areas and present me with new challenges, which I value greatly.”
Hot hair
“I love Beth Ditto from punk band Gossip. She’s a big girl with attitude, so she can carry off anything. I also love the simplicity of Irish singer Róisín Murphy’s hair – her style seems so modern right now because it’s just so simple.”
Top tip
“Matte texture feels newer right now, especially when combined with a classic shape. We have seen so much shine for so long, I just wanted to rebel against that and make people question what beautiful hair really is.”
Trend spotting
“In New York, the emphasis for the working woman is all on wearability and utility. In London, it’s a lot more experimental, with so many amazing young designers like Christopher Kane and Gareth Pugh really pushing
boundaries. In Milan, it seems to be an excess of glamour, with designers like Dolce & Gabbana and Versace never being afraid to push femininity to its maximum. And in Paris, the whole thing comes together to show a refined and chic woman, a woman who would still wear heels to clean the bathroom,” says Palau. “Young people will always inspire me. Clubs such as BoomBox in London are a playground for young people experimenting and twisting ideas. I always look there for inspiration.”
Attitude
“Never be afraid to experiment and have fun with your hair. It really can be an extension of your personality.”
Texture
“I have always been a fan of hair that doesn’t look too overdone or forced. To get the best out of natural-looking hair, spritz it with a little Redken Spray Starch 15 Heat Memory Styler on damp hair and let it dry naturally.”
Shape
“I loved Mia Farrow’s hair in Rosemary’s Baby – she looked incredible! I like the fact that it still looks modern today, even though it would probably be a little more textured and messy. Regular cuts are obviously the best way to maintain hair, but you’d be surprised at how versatile a short cut can be. Try using Redken Urban Experiment 4 Grit Wax to play around with the shape.”
Colour
“I have so many different moments with colour. If I see a girl with brown hair who looks great and it works, then I love it and the same applies right across the spectrum. I often think colour is a tricky one to get right, but if a particular
colour works for a particular girl, then that’s great.”
Life motto
“Can I get a pin, please?”
Tools of the trade
• Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Spray, $23.50, by Redken, 1300 650 170. “I have been having fun with big shapes. This product helps me secure those looks without any sticky residue.”
• Glass 01 Smoothing Serum, $25, by Redken, 1300 650 170. “When I’m having trouble with fly-away hairs or hair that looks a little too dry, even the tiniest amount of this helps me out.”
• Spray Starch 15 Heat Memory Shaper, $24, by Redken, 1300 650 170. “This helped me create the matte texture at shows like Prada. It seems so much more modern to be going in this direction with hair products at the moment.”
• Brush, $185, by Mason Pearson, 03 9587 4700. “An essential part of my kit.”
• Bespoke Labs Hairdryer, $299, by T3, t3hairproducts.com.au. “Great for power-packed styling.”
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