Your hair is literally your crowning glory and on your night of nights – your formal - you want it to be cover girl hot!. So, the Bellaboo Crew enlisted the help of two hair experts – Kevin Murphy (who even has his own product line!) and 2007 Hairdresser of the year, Caterina DiBiase, for their insider expert tips on getting red carpet ready hot hair looks!
By Annabelle Overton

Any style goes at the formal – it is a great chance to get creative and to choose a style that suits your dress and your personality. Great inspirations for formal hair can be found anywhere – from looking at hairdressing magazines to simply looking at a photo of your fave celeb on the red carpet.

BOHO GIRL
“Girls getting ready for formals are really liking the soft messy unstructured curl feel,” says Catherine.

“Curl one, leave one." You can leave hair down or pull it back and put it up softly, achieving that Brigitte Bardot, classic bombshell effect.

“You need to apply lots of root lift mousse and lots of volume mousse onto dry hair, not on wet hair as water tends to dilute the product. Use four times the amount you would normally use and dry it in thoroughly.”

The modern ambassador for this technique of hair-styling is Mary-Kate Olsen – she nails this look, managing to appear immaculate yet natural.

BB Crew Boho must-haves:

Pantene Pro-v Style Body Builder Mousse ($6.99) The best thing about this mousse is that it doesn’t clump in your hair. I’ve used dozens of different mousses and never been quite satisfied until Pantene Body Building Mousse - it really holds up to its expectations. Gives hair a great full body effect that lasts.”
Lizzi rating: 4/5

Kevin Murphy Motion.Lotion – Curl Defining Lotion ($29.95) A great product to prep hair with for this looks is Kevin Murphy Motion.Lotion – Curl Defining Lotion ($29.95) “This lotion is fantastic! It enhances curls and eliminates unwanted frizz. Your curls will now look soft and luscious. For people with straighter hair, they can scrunch into the ends and mid-lengths to create a beach wave look.”
Jess rating: 5/5

ROCK CHICK QUIFF
Another popular, more rock-chick look is the quiff. Promoted initially by the unofficial Queen of Cool, Gwen Stefani, the quiff is a perennial choice of both fashionistas and starlets alike. It gives the illusion of added volume to fine hair, yet still LLL.

According to Kevin Murphy, you can achieve a picture-perfect quiff by using a setting lotion on wet hair, and drying roughly. Once hair is dry, pull the sides back and secure with a clip, then take the top section, starting at the crown and tease the roots of the top of the hair, section by section, working your way to the front.

Once you have finished, let the sides of your hair down and use a bristle brush to brush over the top layer of the hair repeatedly until the surface is smooth. Apply a little hair spray and smooth over using the palms of your hand. Pull the sides of your hair straight back and secure with a decorative clip.

BB Crew rock chick rave:

Pantene Pro V Stay Smooth Hairspray ($6.99) “This, without a doubt, has to be the best hairspray I have ever used and I’m a big user of hairspray! I don’t know about you guys, but every time I use hairspray I always get clumps of it in my hair, which makes it go all crunchy. Pantene Stay Smooth Hairspray has conquered the crunchiness, leaving hair as smooth as it was before you used it yet managing to give you the volume and hold for hot hair creations.”
Lizzi rating: Big thumbs up from me! 5/5

SEX BOMB
Another glam, tousled look is the extremely voluminous, teased look, recently favored by Delta Goodrem. Kevin Murphy affectionately named this look the “Sex Bomb”.

To achieve this look, use a setting product, such as Kevin Murphy Anti-Gravity, on the mid-lengths and ends of hair. Section the hair, starting at the nape, roll the hair onto the hot rollers using big sections. Under at the back; down at the sides; and back at the top and front. You should aim for about 5 or 6 sections all over the head.

Leave the rollers in for about 10-15 mins. Take out the rollers and brush out thoroughly. Flip your head over and gently tease all your hair using a brush, such as the Denman Bristle brush. Make sure that you tease gently and mainly at the roots. Leave for 5 minutes and lightly spray with a strong hold hairspray. Then, take your hairdryer, tip your head upside down and blow out the teasing with the hot air until the hair looks shiny and soft.

Then quickly put on a shower cap loosely until the hair cools - this will give you the messy soft texture that looks like you haven’t tried. After about 5 mins under the cap remove it and shake.

BB Crew sex bomb tools!

Kevin Murphy Anti.gravity Oil-free Volumiser, $29.95 “Now this stuff is brilliant! Most after shower hair volumisers leave your hair looking oily and stringy but not this one! This really does defy gravity leaving your hair looking oil free and fabulous!”
Lizzi rating: 5/5

Styleplus Thermal Metal Round Brush, $24.95 “This is just like the ones the hairdressers use when they blow-dry your hair all preeetty! Tt's friction-free so you don’t get static hair that sticks up, which is not a good look!
Lucy rating: 5/5

Hair Raves for Formal Finesse

* Use a volumising shampoo and styling product to attain that full, healthy, shiny hair effect.

* In the weeks leading up to your formal, use intensive hair masks to rejuvenate the hair and prevent any damage from the intensive styling your hair may endure on formal night.

BB Crew love John Frieda Collection Frizz-ease Hair Serum Thermal Protection, $14.99 “This product really saves my hair. It restores shine, smoothness, prolongs colour in hair and eliminates unwanted frizz. Styling damage from blow dryers and straighteners will be a thing of the past.”
Jess rating: 5/5

* Try to minimise any unnecessary coloring/bleaching – it is hard, but your hair will thank you for it! * Get a trim at a pampering hair salon a few weeks before the formal – your hairdresser can remove any split ends and your hair will be restored to top condition, and you will feel like a million dollars!

* To tame frizz and transform unruly hair into a sleek and smooth ‘do, Kevin Murphy recommends blow-waving the hair with a large round brush, then smoothing the lengths of the hair with a GHD or high-quality ceramic straightener (this also adds shine).

BB Crew love Kevin Murphy Personal Body.Guard, $32.95 . “This is intensely moisturising and works to protect hair against damage from drying and styling + helps prevent hair breakage and gives you super glossy locks.”
Lucy rating: 5/5

John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon, $16.95. “Apply this finishing creme to dry hair to nourish dry, tired ends and leave your hair silky soft with a new natural shine that is ultra- healthy and ultra-shiny- it’s that easy girls!”
Lucy rating: 5/5

* Caterina DiBiase sings the praises of using extra-hot styling tools – it prolongs the life of the curl, allowing you to party all night without worrying about your hair style.

* After your hair has been styled and is looking gorgeous, pop a small comb and a bottle of shine serum or a small can of hairspray in your bag for bathroom touch-ups (and as an excuse for gossip sessions with your mates!).