The 2021 return of the glamorous hairdo

Dig out your hair rollers: lush locks are back. “I’ve been using the jumbo size more and more on my clients to give that super-luxurious look,” says celebrity hairstylist Larry King. “People are enjoying being out and socializing again and glamorous hair plays into this optimism – it’s not just reserved for a special occasion anymore; it can be for any day now.” While ‘done’ hair never really goes out of fashion, this season’s revival puts the focus on hair health. “Whatever your natural texture, the trick is to overload it with shine to make it look super-sleek, glossy and healthy,” says top London-based stylist Belle Cannan. “It’s amped up Hollywood glam à la Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber.” Here, the experts share their top tips to creating this truly wearable hair trend…

“The glam factor here is all about letting your natural curls and kinks shine with added definition,” says Cannan. “Don’t try to over-style you hair. Let its innate movement and body do the work, but use products to add a luxurious, finished feel.” She suggests applying a leave-in conditioner on damp hair to help prevent frizz, as well as smoothing a hydrating serum over lengths and ends to protect and moisturize. “Since naturally curly hair doesn’t tend to reflect shine, adding a gloss that lifts the curls will make them look more defined, too.” If you want to style your curls, King advises waiting until they’re fully dry. “It’s super-easy to play around and manipulate them this way – I love curls loosely pinned up on top of the head, allowing tendrils to fall and frame the face.”

If your hair is fine or tends to lie flat, a major root-boost can make it look instantly polished. Start with a heavy helping of Larry King’s Volumizing Hair Mist applied to wet locks. Medium- to thick-hair types may benefit from the extra styling assistance of a mousse. “Blow-dry in sections using a round brush and wrap each section around a roller,” says King. “Allow it to set as long as possible and then brush it out gently once cool.” For a quick volume boost, Cannan suggests using large rollers on the top layers only and setting them with a blast of the hairdryer before leaving them to cool. “The bigger the roller, the more volume you’ll get,” she says. “Whatever style you’re going for – whether it’s a bouncy blow-dry or a tonged curl – the key to making OTT volume look modern is keeping the ends straight.”

Classic, beachy waves are giving way to a more polished finish this season. “The new wave is structured and best achieved with a straightening iron to create an ‘S’ shape,” says King. Prep hair with a styling spray or mousse for hold. “Next, take sections of hair through the straighteners to form an ‘S’-like wave. Start at the roots and keep opening and closing the iron as you go down the length to hold the shape.” For a foolproof approach, we love GHD’s Classic Wave Wand. Twist the hair in each section while wrapping it around the barrel for a softer but still structured wave. But, whichever technique you choose, don’t wrap the hair too tight. “It still needs a relaxed edge to keep it modern,” advises King.

“Super-straight hair with mirror-like shine is always sophisticated,” says King. But unless you’re blessed with naturally sleek tresses, this can be a high-maintenance style to achieve. “Straight hair looks its best when it’s well looked after, so get it trimmed regularly to maintain bounce, body and a healthy shine.” Once a week, use a hair mask or oil to keep lengths hydrated. If you do decide to straighten curly or wavy hair, blow-dry it straight first – this makes it easier to straighten with an iron and causes less potential heat damage. To help keep thick hair in place and frizz at bay, use a good finishing cream applied from root to tip.

According to Cannan, hair accessories are an easy way to up the glam factor. “From retro barrette clips to sparkly slides and chunky headbands, they each add an instant hit of glamour to any style with minimal effort.” Whether you’re sporting a crop, a pixie or a choppy bob, how you style short hair can really make a difference in how luxe it feels, too. “Try a deep side parting to change it up and create an old Hollywood feel,” says Cannan. “Add more definition with shorter layers to give the hair structure, and style it with a shine wax to add glossy texture.”