Celebrity hair stylist Andrew Fitzsimons reveals the £11.50 product he uses on all of his celeb clients
Mariah Carey's on repeat, your Ganni dress is freshly pressed and your glitter eyeshadow is on standby. The only thing left to sort? Festive party hair. If you're stuck in a style rut fear not, we tapped up celebrity Stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, who knows a thing or two about nailing festive party hair.
You'll have definitely saved some of his styles on your IG feed over years as this is the gent who's created iconic looks for Jennifer Lopez, Mariah, Megan Fox, Joan Smalls and the entire Kardashian Jenner clan.
I sat down with LA's most sought-after stylist who offered up his top 7 tips on how to create the ultimate festive party hair, showed me how to create the perfect blow dry and revealed the one product he uses on all his celebrity clients...
7 tips for nailing picture perfect party hair
1/ Attempt a big bouncy blow dry and you won't regret it
Forget the cali cool girl waves or slicked back high pony a la Ariana Grande, this winter there is one style to rule them all and it's the big bouncy blow dry, believes Fitzsimons.
'We’ve seen so many severe tight ponytails and up dos over the last few years, and there’s been a real departure from this kind of snatched look. Now it's all about that 90's touchable blow dry that was sported by the likes Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford. If you have a bob, you can also go for 1940s bouncy bob' he reveals.
'This time around though, the bob is all about volume and movement as opposed to a perfect wave or a perfect blow-dry, meaning that if you have very curly hair or Afro textured hair, you can get a really cool bouncy and almost frizzy kind of style,' he adds.
If you have fine hair, spritz a volume spray on to damp hair first. The Irish stylist also revealed his ultimate secret to achieving the perfect blow-dry at home. Revealing that you don't need to dry your hair upside down to create a voluminous style.
'A lot of people like to dry their hair upside but I don't really care for this tip because it can make the hair look really crazy. It's meant to give you root lift but actually, it just gives this almost palm tree effect. Instead dry the hair to 90 percent, then take each section and hold your hair by the mid lengths before holding the hairdryer under the roots and blow drying upwards. It's way easier to bend the hair upwards if you do it like this and by section by section.'
When it comes to the round brush, the bigger the surface area, the quicker the the drying time. Remember that, if you're in the market for a new one.
2/ Don't be scared of styling products
Don't be scared to use styling product liberally. ' Remember that a decent blow dry spray is the scaffolding of a good blow dry or any style that isn't super sleek and flat. If you blow dry your hair with nothing in it then your hair will just be hair! You need to give it a reason to get up in the morning!'
Look for products that have caffeine in them. 'This really stimulates the hair from the roots but and you can also use all over the hair and it will give hold in the roots, middle and ends. These are products are designed to make your hair style go the distance and last.'
It goes without saying but... 'if you have very fine hair then use a body volumising shampoo and conditioner as well,' advises Fitzsimons.
The one product Andrew uses on all his celebrity clients? His AF1. Perfect for all hair types, Andrew reveals he uses on it every single one of my clients, because 'it's got everything that I need to help create a hairstyle: de-frizzing, detangling, shine, heat protection, humidity protection.' The ultimate multitasker.
3/ Get your rollers at the ready
Not sure how to handle a round brush and hairdryer? Fear not, if you're short on time or worried about achieving the perfect blow dry at home, then you can can always reach for the rollers.
'Velcro rollers are a staple and so easy to use to create volume and movement, plus they don't use heat so are kinder to your hair.'
'Simply put them in the top of your hair and apply hair spray. Then leave them in [to set] while you do your make-up or get your outfit ready. Large heated rollers are also great for any hair texture to achieve volume and work really well if you have very curly hair or Afro textured hair,' says Fitzsimmons.
Gently brush out afterwards and you're good to go.
4/ Try this hack if you have a bob but want an updo
Nailing a chic updo can feel tricky when you have a bob, chiefly because all the short hairs at the nape of the neck can fall down.
Fitzsimmons says, 'take a little elastic band and tie up all the short bits of hair at the back into a little ponytail. Then, whatever up do style you're creating, you can clip it all up and know that the underneath [flyaway] section of hair will never fall down.'
5/ 6/ If ever in doubt reach for the hair accessories
If you're in a rush or perhaps aren't feeling confident at attempting a new style then there is a failsafe trick that Fitzsimmon's swear by. Hair accessories.
'To step up a ponytail, French twist or a bun you can get hair pins that are covered in gems and jam a load of them in your style. You'll find you have this very editorial look all of a sudden. My kit is full of pound shop accessories because it’s the easiest way to dress up a pretty regular hairstyle,' reveals Fitzsimons.
7/ Go hard on the conditioning treatments
Winter is not your hair's friend. I repeat, winter is not your hair's friend. This is why Fitzsimons is adamant that you need to up the ante when it comes to hair treatments.
'A no brainer is using a leave in conditioner. It will protect your hair from the elements but also with things like heat styling. You can also use conditioning products as styling products if your hair is really damaged. I would have clients who are brunette one day and then turn up with bleach blonde hair the next, meaning heated tools would then be a no-go as it would damage the hair further.'
'So, I'd recommend using a conditioning mask instead of a styling gel to create a really cool wet look. You can also use hair serums to create vinyl styles if you're swearing off heated tools. If you dry style for as little as a month, the condition of your hair will greatly improve,' he adds.
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