CHIC HAIR AT HOME
Celebrity stylist Bridget Brager shares secrets for getting that glam look
It’s no secret that there’s often an army of beauty pros behind a celebrity look.
But, according to Bridget Brager, a celebrity stylist and Herbal Essences ambassador, achieving a comparable level of glam, at home, doesn’t have to feel completely unattainable:
Q What made you want to team up with Herbal Essences rather than a more prestigious offering?
A I love that you asked that because, I had another option. And, as far as hairstylists go, it’s very well-known. But, I chose Herbal Essences because it’s where I started as a 14-year-old girl who was finally allowed to buy shampoo and conditioner that my brothers didn’t use. Yes, there are other brands out there that are more credible from a hairstylist’s point of view, or are maybe more fancy, but that’s not where we are starting. And that’s not where most people can get to. And, I want everybody to have the option of great hair, beautiful hair, healthy hair.
Q Why is it important to you to not only show people there are accessibly priced brands that allow them to get that level of celebrity self-care — but also show how much work, realistically, goes into making stars look so good?
A I have friends who work with the Kardashians, and — you guys — it’s incredible. It’s not really real ... And, I really want girls to feel like they can have whatever they want, and do it for themselves. Because, guess what, we can.
Q Celebrity hairstyles always look so sleek on the red carpet. What’s the secret?
A A lot of the time ... I’m adding hair extensions. Any time you take a photo, if your hair isn’t voluminous or beefed-up — whether it be products or extensions — it photographs skinny. It’s just something that happens within the lens of the camera. So, I have to be able to add in and cut to their current hair situation.
Q What should we look for in our shampoo and conditioner?
A Start with a fantastic shampoo and conditioner — one that’s going to cleanse your hair while giving it all the things it needs including vitamins. What I love about Herbal Essences, which is why I’m so passionate about them too, is that the new formula with the Bio Renewal is just so incredible. It has aloe and sea kelp and antioxidants.
Q What’s an easy style that looks chic we can all do ourselves — everyone from the teenage girl, to the tired new mom, to the recent retiree?
A It’s funny you say tired young mom because, my son just turned four, and I remember when the only thing I could do to get myself looking right was a low, tight chignon. It’s so easy, and people still question, like, ‘How did you do that?’
Q So, how do you do it?
A You just put your hair in a ponytail and back comb the ponytail. Then, brush it smooth so it looks voluminous, and you wrap the tail around the base of the ponytail. Finally, you secure it with pins. It’s a million-dollar look that never goes out of style.
Q The styles you’ve done on celebrities recently seem a bit undone and romantic. Is this a theme we can expect to see on repeat?
A What I’ve been doing lately has been really fun and easy. Especially with Diane Kruger ... She just wanted her hair to have natural texture and to be touched up with a curling iron. So, I’ve been putting mousse in the hair and diffusing the hair — really bringing out the natural texture of the hair right now. It’s good because it’s going against everything that we once thought we had to do such as stick-straight hair or lots of waves ... you can use your natural texture ... it’s a different vibe.
Q What other trends besides natural texture can we expect to see?
A I have friends who are getting perms ... And, a blunt shag, where the perimeter of your haircut is one length, but throughout has detached layers, which is where the shag comes in ... I think a shag is going to be huge for summer and on into fall.