Medina Azaldin: the new wave
IF YOU CAME OF AGE IN THE 2000S AS I DID, YOU’RE MOST LIKELY as enamoured by the ‘bombshell’ locks of the Victoria’s Secret Angels. Tumbling waves as shiny as the diamond-encrusted bras Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima wore on the runway, flashing their best Hollywood smiles in towering stilettos. It was the hair of my dreams; there wasn’t a ‘VS model hair tutorial’ I didn’t click on.
My approach to beauty has evolved to be a little more relaxed. I now long for something undone – still in keeping with my penchant for the romantic – but a tad cooler. My new hair inspiration comes by way of Chanel, specifically the wavy locks on Dutch model Olivia Vinten at the SS24 show. Part Woodstock, part Botticelli, the loose undulating curls – also spotted at Altuzarra and Roberto Cavalli – have all the romance of a Renaissance painting but with an insouciant 1970s feel.
I’ve spent the better half of 2023 growing my hair, so the look is fairly easy; three braids on damp hair at bedtime and I’m there by sunrise. Three-pronged wavers are excellent, too: clamp them down the lengths rather than wrapping the hair around a tong. For fine hair, it’s about the prep, says hairstylist and education director of Arkive, Andrew Plester. He uses a generous amount of mousse spread evenly on the strands, followed by Tecni.Art Pli, which is heat-activated and delivers impressive hold with no stiffness. A tiny amount of hair oil adds extra shine for a finishing touch. Swishy waves just entered a fresh new era.
A tiny amount of hair oil adds extra shine