Ladies and Gents Melbourne Cup is upon us! The day when around the nation we frock-up, get suited and hang together watching multimillion dollar horses gallop around a paddock topped with multi coloured jockeys. Makes me feel like I'm in the old country and of the elegance and tradition of Royal Ascot in June each year!
While there are many other races during the Spring racing carnival, it's Melbourne Cup that stops the nation and is beamed around the world. While Victorians will be enjoying a public holiday in the name of a race, how come we don't get a public holiday in NSW when the Swannies win? (although traditionally hairdressers take the day day off to party so im not complaining) Most of you will either be trotting off to work to perhaps enjoy some cheap bubbles in a paper cup at around 3pm, or the lucky ones will be skiving off to enjoy a special lunch. Wherever you will be, you will most likely be dressing up and the crowing glory of any race-day outfit would have to be what is worn atop: your hair and your hat or fascinator of choice. That's all very well but how do you style your hair to ensure your head-wear looks the best and stays put through a day of drinking bubbles and edging on your favourite filly! Here's my top tips!
Glamour waves
If you have some length to your hair and a Fascinator or small hat like appears above, this is a glamorous and romantic look. Start by spraying the shaft of your hair with some O&M Atonic, to protect it from heat and add body and shine, Wrap even sections of hair (2-3 cm pieces) around a medium-barrel curling iron like H2D for 30 to 45 seconds and hold the tips to keep it curled around the barrel. Repeat this around the entire head. Run your fingers through the curls to create waves and finish with a little O&M Original Queenie to keep your waves looking good through the day. Add your Fascinator or Hat and you're ready to go!
Sleek Side-part Low bun
The Stunning Aussie Nicole Kidman appeared as part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Derby Day (Saturday 3 November) in Melbourne wearing the customary black and white, a tradition for Derby Day and channelling English lass Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady. It was an immaculate hair style topped off by a striking hat. If you want to take inspiration from your Nic, here's how: You will need at least shoulder length hair for this style and a hair band and a number of bobby pins, matched to your hair colour. Part your hair deeply to one side and pull your hair firmly around to the nape of your neck. Secure with a hair band. Twist around the ponytail on itself to create bun and secure with as many bobby pins as needed. Smooth through some O&M Fizzy Logic to smooth any flyaway hairs and to add shine. A fine spray of O&M Original Queenie will fix the bun before adding your fabulous hat!
Short Hair Styles
For everyday, short hair can look striking and polished with not too much work, but what if you want to wear a hat or fascinator for a race day event? First you could go smooth and no fuss and make the hat or fasinator the real star, like the woman in the middle below! Her hair is there to provide a base to the height and colourful arrangement on her head!
Another way to wear your short hair with a hat or fascinator, is to smooth and slick your hair close to your hair, like Carey Mulligan below:
This could be achieved by adding some O&M Rootalicious to your roots, blow-drying your hair back with a paddle brush, adding a little O&M Frizzy Logic to smooth it out and finish with some O&M Original Queenie to keep the style in place and help your hat or fascinator stay on. I reckon a simple hat perched on an angle or a simple feathery fascinator would top this style off perfectly!
Best of luck on Melbourne Cup Day and please send me your tips!!
Stevie