If anyone knows a great party hairstyle, it’s celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. A regular in the Kardashians’ glam squads, Fitzsimons also tends to the locks of Jennifer Lopez, Megan Fox and Alessandra Ambrosio. Charlotte Mensah, meanwhile, is behind the party looks of models Jourdan Dunn and Adut Akech, to name just two. Vogue asked them to share their tried-and-tested party season hair hacks, just in time for the end-of-the-year social whirlwind.
Don’t neglect protection
This time of year often means switching up your hairstyles more often, but with more styling comes more damage. If you’re flitting between more casual styles that don’t require the use of heated tools then you don’t need to worry, but if you are turning up the heat – say, to take you from a super slick ponytail to long, loose waves and back again – then defending your strands against heat-induced damage is a must. “Whenever you are using heat to achieve a look, it is imperative you use a heat protectant,” confirms Fitzsimons. “This will prevent the hair from becoming dry and damaged, which often leads to breakage.”
Do consider your structure
Despite having slightly old-fashioned connotations, bobby pins are something you’ll find in every stylist’s kit, including Fitzsimons’s. “If I am doing an up-do, bobby pins are a critical part of the look and I always recommend having [them] on hand to easily put your hair up – or to fix any last-minute mishaps,” he says. It’s not as simple as buying any old box of bobby pins though, according to Fitzsimons: having the right shade for your hair is essential for seamless styling – as is being cautious about how you use them. “My best advice when it comes to using pins is to be mindful of how much hair you are tucking in. If you open the pin up to put more hair in than it can handle it won’t work.” He also has a tip if you are good at slotting your pins into place but end up frustrated when they ultimately slide out. “Apply hairspray before and after, and your bobby pins will stay in place!”
