I recently sat down with celeb hairdresser to the stars (Sharon Stone is his fave, by the way), Charles Worthington, while he was in Australia to launch his hair care brand, Charles Worthington, and he shared some excellent hair care and styling tips with me. So here they are. Number one and two might just change the scary factor of those drastic hair changes forever.
#1 Test a bob before you chop
If you’ve ever contemplated cutting your hair into a bob but find the thought too daunting, Charles recommends trying out a faux bob first. This will give you an idea of how the length will look and feel without actually letting a pair of scissors near your hair. To create your faux bob, Charles suggests tying your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck (or lower, depending on how short or long you would like your bob to be – just make sure that your ears are covered), then tuck your hair underneath and pin into place. You can also check out this step-by-step.Those with hair that’s all one length will notice a more rounded bob shape, while those with layers will have a bob that’s a bit more textured.
# 2 Same deal for a fringe
Raise your emoji hand if you’ve cut a fringe only to realise that it doesn’t actually suit you? Or if you’ve avoided getting one because you think you’ll look ridiculous? Yep, we’ve all had fringe regrets and doubts, and this neat little trick will hopefully prevent both. Grab a section of hair from the side or back of your head and bring it towards your forehead, ensuring only the ends are sitting on your forehead. If you’re thinking of trying a wispy fringe, take a small section, but if you’d prefer something bolder and chunkier, grab a bigger section. You can also give this technique a go. Try your best to style the hair into a fringe position (you might need to fluff out some pieces) and clip it in place on the crown of your head. Sit with your faux fringe for a while, as this will help you to adjust (or not) to the look (so this is more of a staying-at-home-on-the-couch test rather than a heading-out-to-dinner-and-drinks test). Once you’ve removed your faux fringe, you’ll work out if you kinda liked how it looked having some hair there, or if you’re better off without it.
#3 The quickest dressed-up ‘do ever
If you have zero time to create a fancy hairstyle for a big event, Charles recommends a high messy bun like this one:
The trick to making a messy style look chic is using the Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Rootlift Backcomb Powder. Simply tie your hair into a ponytail (the higher, the better) and lightly sprinkle the powder into your hair, working it through. Your hair will start feeling a little gritty and will almost look like it’s expanding. Then, gently shape your hair into a bun, leaving air in the style (don’t tightly twist it around the base of your pony or try and make it look too combed and structured), and pin into place. Pair with winged liner and a bold lip and you’re done!
#4 Learning how to style your hair
Charles’ biggest tip for women – with both long and short hair – is to learn from their hairdresser how to style their hair, and to understand how different products can help to achieve different results. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about styling your ‘do!
#5 The crunch-free technique for mousse
When someone says mousse, most people think of that crunchy, spiral, 80s style. But that’s not how it has to be these days. To properly use mousse, spray a golf ball-sized amount in your hand and comb through your wet hair from your roots down to your tips using a wide-tooth comb (try: Lady Jayne Shower Comb). This will help to properly disperse the product so some areas aren’t mousse-heavy and others mousse-less. On top of that, these days, most mousses (like the Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Body Booster Mousse) have lighter and non-sticky formulas.
#6 Build a hair wardrobe
Sometimes a multi-tasker isn’t the best option, and Charles recommends building a hair care and styling tool ‘wardrobe’ to suit the different ways you want to style your hair. So if you want to have a curly-haired day, you’ve got the right products to make the most of the style. Or if you want a sleek and smooth ‘do, you can achieve just that. You’ve got a clothes wardrobe, a lipstick wardrobe and a perfume wardrobe, so why not a hair wardrobe, too?Do you own different products to achieve different hair looks?
