Four of New York’s most beloved designers, Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Nanette Lepore and Carolina Herrera, teamed Moroccanoil and their ingenious hair stylists to create looks for New York Fashion Week. Following the designers’ 1930’s, ‘40’s and ’50’s inspiration, Moroccanoil’s stylists modernized 1940’s pin curls and classic French braids into sleek, glamorous updos that perfectly complimented the collections.
Sophisticated, stylish and sexy, these looks would be perfect for any spring formal. Lucky for us, Moroccanoil and their team have shared the secrets to all four hairstyles! Below, each stylist explains step by step how to create their look and which Moroccanoil products are best for achieving them.
Vera Wang: Graceful, Romantic, Edgy
Styled and explained by Orlando Pita
I started by spraying Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray on the top, sides, back and underneath the hair. I could use this because it’s not sticky and gave the hair the substance that I needed before backcombing. It’s also easy to comb out, and I use it as a styling product as well as for finishing.
I then sprayed again with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray and blow-dried the hair. It’s interesting that blow-drying this hairspray helps make its hold stronger.
I pulled all the hair back and down, and back combed at the nape of the neck and above the collarbone. Only this area was teased with the rest of the hair left sleek with hair hanging down.
I wanted to slick back the front, and added more hairspray on top to give the hair extra shine and to show the difference in texture from the rest of the hair which was more matte.
I pulled back the hair and tied it in a loose low ponytail, several inches below the nape of the neck. I pushed the tied section of the ponytail up and over, and then crisscrossed two large bobby pins across the elastic band and pinned to the nape of the neck. This created a beautiful voluminous shape with long, flowing pieces extending down.
Badgley Mischka: Screen Siren Glamour
Styled and explained by Peter Gray
I made a low part on one side, from the temple to the nape and then smoothed the hair back on one side. I then rope-twisted it, following the hairline and back to the nape of the neck.
I then blow-tried the hair straight on the opposite side using Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream to give the hair a smooth, shiny texture and soft hold.
Next, I sprayed Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray closely on each section to help bring the ends together and reduce fluffiness. I then used a 1” curling iron to create a roller set, but I rolled the curls upward instead of down, to take the volume out of the hair. I then let the reverse rolls cool for a few minutes to better hold the shape.
After brushing the hair out, I started working on the roll. I first backcombed the hair and formed an asymmetric French twist, from the front temple all the way to the nape. I then pulled together and unified the hair on each side, fastened it together in a double ponytail, and rolled them into an asymmetric chignon.
Finally, I used Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray on the sleek side to emphasize a smooth, shiny and modern texture. To complete, I lightly brushed the surface hair of the full roll on the opposite side to free a few soft, disheveled strands and soften the look. Everything was kept in place by Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray.
Nanette Lepore Look I: Braid and Cascade
Styled and explained by James Pecis
I created small sections of hair and sprayed Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray into each, then blow-dried away from the face using a Moroccanoil I conic Ceramic Paddle Brush for speed and texture. I used an upward motion of the brush to give the hair lift, and the Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray to build up texture. This hairspray is a really cool product that doesn’t flake, looks soft and natural, and works really well with heat.
Next, I did a slight backcomb at the top of the head, teasing a bit more on the front hairline, and misted with more hairspray to give it lift.
I then wove a French Braid starting at the right temple, picking up more hair as I worked my way back around the head in an arc pattern, over to the left temple and then created another layer of braid as I worked back to the right temple again. I continued this pattern all the way to the occipital bone then took two bobby pins and cross-crossed them to hold the braid in place. I backcombed the remaining ponytail and blended it into the braided effect.
Finally, to free up the braid for a looser, softer look, I massaged the braid with my fingers to keep it from looking to hard or controlled. I finished with a light misting of Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray to give it lots of reflection. With a look like this, it’s very easy for the hair to start looking dry. All you need to do is to give it a quick spritz of Glimmer Shine Spray as a final touch.
Nanette Lepore Look II: Hot Crossed Buns
Styled and explained by James Pecis
I started by blow-drying the hair on sections sprayed by Moroccanoil Luminous Hair Spray.
Starting at the right temple, even though a French Braid is normally even on both sides, I made this braid so that it asymmetrically swayed to the left side, and so that most of the braid stayed on the top part of the head. I kept hair close to the sides of the head as I worked. The final effect was very free, very soft and very feminine.”
Carolina Herrera: Sleek and Chic
Styled and explained by Orlando Pita
To create the look, I blow dried the hair straight using Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream to create sleekness as well as add volume. The Moroccanoil Hydrating Styling Cream is great for that. It makes the hair shiny and smooth but still gives it the right amount of hold and substance for updos. Since the look of the hair itself was so important, for girls with dry, abused hair, I first applied a bit of Moroccanoil Treatment to restore condition. It absorbs right in and you can style, groom and treat with it at the same time.
After creating a low part, I pulled the hair back, letting one side sweep across the side of the face, making a small ponytail in the back. I let strands hang down, then lifted them up, through and down, and attached it with pins at the fold. It looks tucked in, almost like an envelope.
I finished the style with a light spray of Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray to polish off the look and control any flyaways. Moroccanoil’s spray is ideal for this kind of beautiful look because it has amazing hold and makes the hair look shiny but not stiff.
We hope these looks will inspire some high-fashion glamour at formals all spring long! For more inspiration and information on Moroccanoil products, check out their website HERE!