Night-time hair doesn’t have to mean pristine perfection. We asked the experts to create six looks that are elevated for an evening out but still retain that cool-girl vibe.
Standout Curls
To celebrate Beatrys’ and Sadie’s natural curls, “we really worked with the natural texture of their hair,” says Sheree Knobel, leading colourist and ambassador for Redken. She allowed the hair to dry naturally, then enlisted a small-barrelled tong.
“It helped to get those beautiful ringlets and make the curls look full,” she said. The product isn’t strictly necessary for this look, but Knobel added shine spray at the end.
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo for $45, at Adore Beauty
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner for $45, at Oz Hair
Sleek and Straight
Start this look with a prepping product while hair is wet. Celebrity stylist Diane Gorgievski, who’s also an ambassador for Redken, used a leave-in treatment before blow-drying hair straight.
For the asymmetry, use a barrel tong on the top half of a front section of hair. Keep it all sleek with a finishing spray. “The shine spray helps finish the style and keeps it looking really elegant,” says Gorgievski.
Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Treatment for $45, at Adore Beauty
Redken Quick-Dry 18 Hairspray for $36, at Adore Beauty
Piecey Texture
“You want to lift and elevate the hair at the roots without curling the hair,” advises Gorgievski. To give hair grit and substance, she used a diffuser to blow-dry in Redken Fashion Waves 07 texturizing spray.
Then for the fringe, she worked in a few layers of dry texture spray (her choice was Redken’s new Pillow Proof), to add a cool matte finish.
Redken Fashion Waves 07 for $39, at Adore Beauty
Redken Invisible Dry Shampoo for $39, at Adore Beauty
Soft and Pretty
Start with a hydrating cream and a hit of volumising foam on damp hair before allowing it to dry naturally – or use a diffuser.
“We want to ensure the hair has a lot of moisture in it,” says Knobel. ‘“This means, when the hair forms its curls, it won’t go frizzy.” Add softness and separation to curls by spraying in a texturising spray and gently pulling ringlets apart with fingers.
Redken Guts 10 Volume Spray Foam for $39, a Adore Beauty
Redken Quick Tease 15 Backcombing Finishing Spray for $36 at Adore Beauty
Wet and Dry
Whether you celebrate your baby hairs by giving them a dose of shine, or add matte texture to your fringe for that cool-girl vibe, an S-bend will give your pulled-back hair look plenty of attitude.
“We wanted to play with wet and dry finishes so it was about scraping the hair back then pulling out those face-framing hairs around the hair line,” explains Gorgievski.
For the wet look, prep with a leave-in treatment then work hairs into place using a shine-inducing hairspray.
Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo for $39, at Adore Beauty
Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Treatment for $45, at Adore Beauty
Low Slug Ponytail
Low and tight, this glossy ponytail will elevate any look. Prep work is key. “We added Redken Guts 10 then blow-dried the hair super straight,” Gorgievski says.
“Then we added a hairspray for hold and shine.” To give it a twist, she used a crimper to create sections of micro waves, and then a fishtail comb to ease out wisps of hair at the hairline, which kept the look soft and sweet.