I told you on Friday of my trials to find a hairdresser who actually knew who Gossip Girl star Blake Lively was, but finally, I found the man for the job: Billy Orr of Kazumi on Dublin's Molesworth Street. He had the gen, and here it is.
While her shiny, expertly-highlighted tresses look effortlessly boho-luxe, appearances can be deceiving though, because this 'do actually takes quite a lot of work. “Her look is all about being a bit lived in and not too polished, but if you don't have natural movement or a bit of a wave in your hair then you'll have to try and get some in, ” Billy says, recommending Sebastian's Thickefy Foam, €25.90, at salons, as a first step to add volume. Then scrunch and squeeze hair when it's wet so you can get some texture, and allow to air dry for a slightly messy finish.
You can use heat on dry hair too. “Use a curling tongs like BabyLiss Pro's large barrel tongs. Take a few sections around the face, and wind the ends around the barrel of the tongs to create bends in the hair. Then shake out and hold that movement in place with Schwarzkopf's Osis Dust It Mattifying Powder, €14.10. “Apply it by throwing your head upside down and putting it on the roots,” Billy advises. “This'll give you a back combed effect as well as volume and lift.”
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In the first instance though, Lively's lovely locks are carefully layered. “There is prep involved with cut and colour,” he advises, and says she's had long long layers cut in around her face to add texture and to soften ends. Then there's the colour. “She's a natural blonde,” he confirms, but she's definitely got some sun-kissed highlights going on. “The great thing about bleach is that it'll change the texture of the hair slightly, and make it a bit more matte, which is great for this look, so ladies, don't be scared,” he laughs.
Maintaining that shade is important, too. “She'd definitely be using colour-care shampoos and conditioners,” he reckons, recommending John Frieda's inexpensive options as ones to try. "They're brilliant, really cheap and you can pick them up in the supermarket."
Whaddya reckon? Gonna give this a try?
