ELLE BEAUTY
It’s time to quit playing it straight – bouncy curls have never been hotter
If the runways are to be believed (and they usually are), a hair revolution is brewing. Backstage at the world’s best fashion shows, from New York to Paris, traditional uniformity in model grooming has been disappearing. In its place, individual looks and (shock, horror!) natural texture are being celebrated. Curly-locked models, who have typically had their strands hotironed into a perfectly coordinated, coiffed line, are now being booked on the merit of their waves alone. Sometimes they’re even doing their own hair.
Australian model Roberta Pecoraro (right) felt like she needed a change, so after a career spent straightening her own strands, this year she campaigned to her agency to wear her curls natural. They acquiesced, she cut a fringe, started letting it air-dry, then walked 13 Mercedes-benz Fashion Week Australia shows (opening three of them), sporting her own signature curly bounce. Salons around the country are now being handed pictures of her and her beautiful, naturally curly mane by clients wanting to cut and copy.
“CURLS MAKE YOU LOOK YOUNGER, MORE PLAYFUL AND FULL OF LIFE”
“Fashion has been heading towards the ’90s again, so hair has become less considered,” says hairstylist Syd Hayes, who crafted the curls on this ELLE shoot. “I like that curls feel a little more reckless, undone and effortless. It’s nice to see people finally less worried about that perfect blow-out look.”
If you’ve got curly locks but need a little more convincing to go au naturel, cruise the bevy of selfie-centric inspo right there at your fingertips. There are some 12.8 million pics, and counting, filed under #curlyhair on Instagram (compared with the significantly lower four-or-so million you’ll find if you search #straighthair).
The explosion of curls on the runways, street and your social-media feed means that haircare companies are following suit. Curly product formulations are more refined than ever before and a long way from the crunchy mousses of old. There’s never been a better time to drop the iron and let your kinky flag fly. “Curls make you look younger, more playful and full of life,” says hairstylist Renya Xydis. That’s one hell of a triple threat.
WET HAIR, DON’T CARE
Curl success is less about what you do, and more about what you don’t do. “Rough drying causes friction and upsets the curl forming, so curls are at their best when they’re not too towel-dried after washing,” explains Hayes. Resist the urge to tame the mane and let nature do (at least some of) the work. “Blot, never rub your hair dry,” agrees hairstylist Anthony Nader. “Cold water is key, too – wash with the coldest water you can handle. It’s vital for giving maximum shine and manageability, which is crucial with curls.”
KEEP YOUR COOL
If you don’t have time for the atmosphere to do the drying for you, tread carefully with the heat. Too much of it can dehydrate the hair and cause curls to lose their shape. So find a hairdryer and diffuser pairing that lets you tweak the temperature.
INNER STRENGTH
For curls that have optimal bounciness, you may need to plan your attack from the inside, too. A supplement designed to boost hair health and protect from freeradical damage will mean your naturally dried waves will better hold their shape.
COILS NEED OILS
“Oils are essential for protecting and repairing the keratin levels in the hair – they keep the hair strong and not prone to breaking,” says Xydis. Nader advocates prioritising moisture over protein if you want your curls to be in top condition. “For curly hair to look its most beautiful, you need to beat frizz and brittleness,” he says. New sophisticated formulas mean you can find enough moisture for curl definition without weighing the hair down.
WAVE THE WAND
Whether you have them thanks to genetics or not, the right hot tool can create curl magic. Xydis favours the narrow Micro Wand by Cloud Nine. “The diameter decreases down the length, so it’s versatile enough to do everything from tight to loose curls. And it lets you emphasise and define curls, which in turn decreases the appearance of frizz,” she explains. If you’re faking waves in naturally straight hair, make sure you leave the ends out. “It’s so much more lived-in and natural. Curling all the way to the ends can result in your curls looking like a wig,” warns Nader. “And the more haphazard and irregular you are when you section the hair to tong, the better the curls will sit.”