Are you as obsessed with the Met Gala 2018 hair looks as we are? The red carpet was dominated by chic hair slides and headbands, oversized hair bows and even an intricate braid interwoven with flowers and pearls. And while the Met Gala is all about dramatic red carpet fashion, this year it was the hairstyles that held centre stage.
RELATED: Margot Robbie is obsessed with this surprising hair accessory
RELATED: 7 of the best hair accessories from the 2000s
Celebrity hairstylist and founder of OUAI haircare Jen Atkin was responsible for three of the most show-stopping hair looks. Kendall Jenner’s sleek ponytail? That was Jen. Hailey Baldwin’s bubblegum pink textured lob? Yep, that was Jen too. She also created Bella Hadid’s polished updo, which serves as a masterclass in how to make hair accessories work for the red carpet.
Luckily for us, Jen decided to share on Instagram just how she created each of these lust-worthy hairstyles. Breaking down each amazing look, Ms Atkin has officially given us major hair inspiration for our next big event (or, in Kendall’s case, even just for the office!). Ready to try the look at home?
Kendall Jenner – XXL sleek pony
Step #1: Prep wet hair for styling with a heat protectant. Try Pump Haircare 300° Heat Protection, Redken Smooth Lock Heat Glide, OUAI Leave In Conditioner ($40, sephora.com.au).
Step #2: Dry the hair on low heat and low airflow using a hair dryer with a diffuser nozzle. Try ghd air™ diffuser, Remington AIR3D™ Hair Dryer, Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer ($499, harveynorman.com.au).
Step #3: Add hair extensions for volume and to give hair that super-long vibe. We love Headlines Hairpieces Volumisers and Lady Jayne Hair Extensions Volume & Length 30cm and 45cm.
Step #4: Use a curler to add movement through the hair, focusing on the lengths of the hair rather than the roots. Try Philips Conical Curler – HP8619/00, Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand ($221, sephora.com.au).
Step #5: Work a texturising product through the ends of the hair. We love Goldwell Style Sign Texturizer, Alfaparf Milano Style Stories Texturizing Gel, Aveda Texture Tonic.
Step #6: Use a black hair tie to secure a low ponytail. Once in place, wrap with black fabric (or a small section of hair) to cover the hair tie. Try Lady Jayne Hair Extension – Ponytail Covers, TONI&GUY Snagless Elastics, Scunci No Damage Elastics.
Step #7: Use a hair balm or hair oil to smooth the hair at the roots and tame flyaways. We love Fudge Light Hed-Ed Hair Oil, Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil.
Hailey Baldwin – Pink tousled waves
Step #1: Go pink! Use a wash-out dye that will still look pigmented. Hailey’s colourist Ryan Pearl told Cosmopolitan that he used a mix of Redken City Beats in the shades City Ballet Pink and Chelsea Coral, diluted with Redken’s Clear shade. For those less committed, try a colour spray – we love Schwarzkopf LIVE Colour Spray – Candy Pink, Colour Addict Coloured Spray Chalk Peach.
Step #2: Prep damp hair with a volumising hair product. Try bhave Volumising Foam, De Lorenzo Elements Amplify Volumising Spray, OUAI Volume Spray ($40, sephora.com.au).
Step #3: Blow dry the hair with a styling nozzle using medium heat and medium airflow. We love VS Sassoon Digital Sensor Hairdryer, TIGI Pro Hair Dryer.
Step #4: Brush through the hair with a bristle brush. Try Mason Pearson Handy Pure Bristle, Moroccanoil Boar Bristle Paddle Brush.
Step #5: Create a loose bend in the hair with a medium to thick curling iron. We love VS Sassoon Ceramic Curler 38mm – VS338A, muk Curl Stick.
Step #6: Use texturising spray throughout the hair. Try VO5 give me texture dry texturising spray, Garnier Full & Luscious Volume Booster Texturising Spray, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($63, adorebeauty.com.au), R+Co Trophy Shine + Texture Spray ($42, adorebeauty.com.au).
Step #7: Add clip in extensions for volume and body. We love Headlines Hairpieces Extended Hairpieces, Nin9ty Nin9 One Piece Clip In Synthetic Extensions ($99.95, hairhousewarehouse.com.au).
Step #8: Top it off with a flower crown. Don’t have one? Here’s how to make your own.
Bella Hadid – Adorned updo
Step #1: Prep damp hair with a heat protectant. Models Prefer Treat It Heat Protective Spray, TRESemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray.
Step #2: Blow dry hair with a styling concentrator nozzle on medium heat and medium air flow, using a round hair brush. We love ELEVEN Australia Large Round Brush, TONI&GUY Styling Brush, Freestyle Brush Collection Freestyle Finish.
Step #3: Mix a hair styling paste and hair oil together to give hair grit and hold without losing shine. Work through from roots to ends. Try ELEVEN Australia Matte Texture Styling Paste, Urbane Mess Defining Paste, OUAI Rose Hair & Body Oil ($50, sephora.com.au), Hask Hair Smoothing Shine Oil.
Step #4: Brush hair into a ponytail with a barbers brush an secure with a hair band. We love Mason Pearson Junior Bristle & Nylon Mix Military Style, Lady Jayne Foiled Flexi-Band.
Step #5: Twist the hair up into a bun on top of the head. Secure with large hair pins in random areas, pulling in sections of the bun for a rounded effect. Try Lady Jayne Hair Pins, Gliders Hair Accessories Bobby Pins 36pc.
Step #6: Secure with a strong hold hair spray. We love JUSTICE Professional Firm Hold Hairspray, KEVIN.MURPHY SESSION.SPRAY ($36.95, adorebeauty.com.au).
Step #7: If you’re wanting to copy Bella’s look exactly, you’ll need to sew a 10 pound veil into your hair. For most of us that’s not exactly practical, so luckily you can get the same effect with hair accessories. Try inserting cute slides and clips into the hair just above your ear for a similar look. Try Lady Jayne Embellished Barrette, KITSCH Arrow Hair Comb Gold ($21, mecca.com.au).
Which of Jen’s hairstyles for the Met Gala 2018 do you like best?
