Here, Marcus reveals the secrets of creating a stunning up-do for a fabulous evening look, and insists that anyone can replicate a salon style at home with his guide to Perfect Party Hair.
Marcus Allen, Manager of Hair Services at the Urban Retreat in Harrods is a true British beauty expert and hair guru. Styling the tresses of hundreds of glamorous clients and high-profile ladies, anything Marcus doesn’t know about hair simply isn’t worth knowing.
Think about your outfit. A high drama gown might suit a more pared down, elegant hairstyle to play up the details of the dress, whilst a strapless number could carry off a bigger style. If the outfit has to be pulled over your head, make sure you put it on before you start work on your ‘do or end up looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards to get to the ball.
The easiest way to get a great result is to get a picture of the look you would like to copy in front of you as you work so you can’t lose yourself.
Every stylist’s secret is preparation. You need to inject a little texture into your tresses before you can expect them to work with you. Day-old hair will hold a curve or bend better than freshly washed hair, and a few hours set in hot rollers, or at the very least some volumising product worked through, will make it more pliable. Kerastase’s Resistance Mousse Volumactive will do the job.
Your masterpiece doesn’t have to be fashioned with an elegant flick of the wrist in one unified piece. Arm yourself with pins and work around the head pinning individual pieces in turn. Doing anything for the first time involves going slowly and hair styling is no different. Also if you make a mistake with one pin, it won’t be a disaster if you have to take the last one out.
Backcomb backcomb backcomb as you go, and stock up on a strong hold hairspray like Unite’s Session-Max spray to lacquer it solid!
Cheat with a sparkly headpiece or feathered band. The shops are awash with hair accessories at the moment and are an easy way to make your look stand out with the minimum effort of a few glamorous flicks or a little curl around your chosen piece.
If you just don’t have the time or inclination to create your own look, pop in to see the professionals at Urban Retreat and let them work their magic on your dream hairstyle.