model hair secrets: health
Hair trends come and go, but we will still hanker for classic ad-hair locks. Here, the experts behind hair beauty shoots reveal their insider tips and tricks (wind machine not included).
It’s healthy
“Of course models have healthy hair,” laughs Brad Ngata, artistic director for KMS. “Most of them are 18 and haven’t even started colouring!” Nevertheless, despite illusions, models do grow up – and work hard to maintain their locks.
“It’s competitive out there,” says Anthony Nader, über stylist. “The models who get the campaigns are super-healthy. They eat protein-rich nuts, which are fantastic for hair, and generally have a great diet.”
Stylist Michael Brennan agrees: “I know many models who swear by fish oil. They have salon treatments every few weeks and use conditioning masks a couple of times a week.”
“Models have the benefit of working with professional stylists, so they get regular trims, which is such an important part of healthy hair,” adds Jayne Wild, ambassador for ghd.
A great base cut is also crucial, says Damien Carney, artistic director for Joico. “Have a hairstyle that will work for your texture. The less you have to fight nature, the better.”
Just look at any natural-haired model on an off-duty day and it becomes clear why you need to give your hair days off too, says Dale Dorning, Delta Goodrem’s personal stylist. “It’s not only celebrities whose hair suffers from heat-styling. As often as possible, use a leave-in moisturiser, diffuse-dry hair to 60 per cent and let the rest air-dry to bring out natural texture.”
But sometimes not so healthy …
“We don’t always get to cast the models and sometimes clients choose girls with damaged hair,” sighs Renya Xydis, whose work has graced many advertising campaigns and magazine covers. “We’re expected to perform miracles.”
Nader has also found himself in this situation. “You hope the client just wants a slick ponytail,” he says. “But if not, your kit has to become a salon. I have all sorts of protein and moisture sprays I can apply before even getting to the styling products.”
Stylists have numerous techniques for tricking hair into looking healthier than it actually is. Dario Cotroneo, for one, mists shine spray on to blow-dried hair before straightening it with his ghd Styler. “This infuses the gloss into every strand, resulting in your hair appearing as if it just had a gloss treatment in the salon,” he says.
Heat-styling hair to look like it has not been overly heat-styled is, of course, a temporary solution. “It’s a double-edged sword,” says Joh Bailey, TRESemmé hair expert on Project Runway. “In the long-term, damaged hair will only become more damaged through excessive ironing or blow-drying. I prefer to mask bad hair with a semi-permanent colour, which isn’t damaging and creates a beautiful, lustrous finish.” Bailey, however, is quick to add that not all hair can be saved; “If you have over-processed, over-exposed hair, cut it off and start again.”
Related Articles
Model hair secrets: style
Model hair secrets: dirty hair
Model hair secrets: length
Model hair secrets: colour
Model hair secrets: shine
|