I’m a celebrity hairdresser – six easy but chic styles to do at home that will look amazing for your Christmas parties
CELEB hair stylist Michael Douglas, partner to Davina McCall, reveals how to dazzle in party season.
From the Golden Wonder and Party Pleat to Vintage Chic and the Christmas Corkscrew – we show you the DIY steps for a fresh hairdo.
GOLDEN WONDER
STEP ONE: Brush hair with a vented brush which has less bristles, to get a loose ponytail.
Use a gold ponytail cuff (Michael’s was from Claire’s Accessories) and pull into a slightly off-centre ponytail at the crown of the head.
STEP TWO: Wrap the pony tail cuff band around the hair twice but on the third turn, loop the hair through and stop, instead of pulling it all the way through.
STEP THREE: Secure the gold cuff at the front of the pony-loop.
STEP FOUR: Pull the excess ‘tail’ of the ponytail around the head and sculpt it into a curved shape, secured with pearl clips.
TOP TIP: Using a ‘vent brush’ with fewer bristles will give a looser, more natural ponytail shape.
PARTY PLEAT
STEP ONE: Prep hair as before then brush it through and twist into a loose French pleat, keeping the top of the hair at the crown loose.
STEP TWO: Secure with hairpins (not grips) which are wider, to hold the pleat in place.
STEP THREE: Backcomb or use texturising spray on the crown to create height and add decorative hair slides.
STEP FOUR: Leave some hair loose in tendrils by the ears for softness.
TOP TIP: Have plenty of hairpins to hand – no hairbands needed.
VINTAGE CHIC
STEP ONE: To tame unruly locks, spritz damp, freshly washed hair with a blow-dry spray.
Michael used Sam McKnight’s Save The Do spray.
Comb through, then blow-dry in sections, lifting the hair away from the head with a round brush for both height and body.
STEP TWO: Create a low braid at the back of the head and secure it with a band.
STEP THREE: Curl the braid under, rolling it around your finger and tuck under your hair, securing with pins at the neck.
STEP FOUR: To finish the look, style with a decorative slide on one side.
TOP TIP: Leave some hair tendrils around the face to soften the look.
ALL WRAPPED UP
STEP ONE: First, prep hair – Michael used Umberto Giannini’s Curl Jelly Shine leave-in conditioner.
Then, using a high heat but low speed, diffuse the hair.
STEP TWO: Pull the hair into a loose, high ponytail.
STEP THREE: Tie a ribbon around the hair by wrapping around the head once, knotting, then pulling around again and securing in a knot at the back of the head.
TOP TIP: For added glamour, use a sparkly fabric belt from a dress instead of a ribbon.
VICTORY IS YOURS
STEP ONE: Diffuse the hair as before then prep.
Michael used Umberto Giannini’s Dry Texturising Mist.
STEP TWO: Starting on the left, begin to twist the hair clockwise into a 1940s-style “victory curl” from left to right, pinning the hair as you roll.
STEP THREE: Leave some hair at the front for a cascading quiff on one side.
STEP FOUR: Pin the roll with decorated gem or pearl slides and spray to fix.
TOP TIP: Use a texturising mist on curly hair before rolling it.
CHRISTMAS CORKSCREW
STEP ONE: Prep hair as before, then comb through.
Spray a little water on to one side of the hair to make it easier to plait, then create a tiny Dutch plait at one side of the head above the ear, adding a little extra hair to the plait each time before securing with a hairpin.
STEP TWO: Add decorative gold hair pins above and below the Dutch plait.
STEP THREE: Spray with volumising texture spray to finish.
TOP TIP: Use a “chopstick tong” to create ringlet curls below the plait to create drama.