THE DIRECTORS’ CUT: HAIR TOOLS
Two beauty journalists, two very different approaches. ELLE’s beauty directors George Driver and Jennifer George give us the lowdown
One product, two very different approaches. ELLE’s beauty directors go head-to-head on their favourite smoothing, styling and perfecting hair tools
THE TREND HOPPER
George Driver
Hi, my name’s George and I don’t own a hairdryer. There, I said it. As per my usual approach to beauty, my relationship with hair tools is equal parts try-hard and totally lazy.
It’s either hours watching tutorials to recreate the perfect undone wave, or just me, my wet head and the air.
Whereas Jenn is renowned for her armfuls of hair with a new silky smooth split fringe that would make Jeanne Damas envious, what tops my head is more akin to ‘Eighties mum hair’ – fine but big; poufy but not shiny. It may have been OK 30 years ago, but now? It’s not exactly a vibe. But after years of dyeing, my tortured lengths can’t handle daily hairdrying. In an attempt to keep some shine and moisture, I air dry, only turning to tools if I feel like experimenting. The results are unpredictable, which is where my ghds come in. Temperature controlled for my hair’s sake, these straighteners have seen me through a Pinterest-load of cuts and dye jobs. And now, they’re cordless. For the times when making a coffee takes precedence over making myself look presentable, I can style my hair in a cab or, if I’m feeling bolder, on the Tube.
I’m yet to find an easier way to transform my fluffy bob. Simply rock them as you move down each section of hair (after spritzing with heat protector, of course) and you’ve got easy breezy waves minus the frizz. If I’m feeling fancy (and have a couple of spare hours), I’ll use my tongs to curl my way to old Hollywood waves. The key to getting it right when you don’t have much hair?
Use a medium barrel tong, curl in the same direction then leave to cool before brushing. Trust me, I don’t own a hairdryer and even I can manage hair like Zoey Deutch.
THE RESULTS SEEKER
Jennifer George
My dog, my phone and my hot brush. Those are the things I’d take to a desert island. My husband is a grown man, he can make his own way, but I can’t live without my hot brush. I rely on it so much that I have three, in case, God forbid, two break. It sounds dramatic, but my hair is my ‘thing’, my best asset. I’m not trying to brag – I’d rather my ‘thing’ be virtuoso cello – but here we are.
I have a good base: thick hair inherited from my Asian mother, dark chocolate brown and yet to be invaded by greys. And I can just about do a Lady Godiva impression, length-wise. However, the daily ’do that I’m known for – big, bouncy, shiny – is not something I wake up with.
To get it, I wash my hair Every. Damn. Day. Sometimes not on a Sunday, if I’m too hungover to stand. After product (oil to seal the ends, mousse to create volume) and a rough dry, I turn to my beloved hot brush. My weapon of choice is the Babyliss rotating brush. I’ve had a lot of practice, so I’ve nailed the technique and can style my whole head in seven minutes. Working on 80% dry hair, the tool seals and smooths, adding volume and a subtle flick.
Dyson’s new hairdryer attachment, a smoothing nozzle that directs the air flow down the hair shaft, is the icing on the cake, perfectly smoothing flyaways.
The result is ‘Have you just been for a blow-dry?’ hair, and I’m quoting from weekly comments, not a press release. It can be fiddly, as the rotating brush causes painful tangles if you spin it the wrong way. But take your time – it’s worth it for the volume (and ego) boost. I can’t imagine being without one. In fact, I might get a fourth. Just in case…