A day at the races is the ultimate opportunity to dress up and it is so important to style your hair in accordance with your outfit.
From gorgeous up do’s finished with a small hair accessory to a sleek blow dry with an eye grabbing fascinator, there are so many styles to choose from.
We have spoken with two award winning hairdressers, Andrew Collinge and Ross Charles, to help you create some of these classic glamorous race day hair looks at home.
Chignon from Andrew Collinge
The chignon is a classic race day hair style which has been popular for decades now, it’s a truly timeless look. From sleek chignons to side parts and slightly tousled looks, this is a favourite for many.
Preparation is key so begin by applying CO by Andrew Collinge Hair Moisturiser to towel dried hair. This leave-in product with extracts of Argan oil will hydrate and detangle the hair, preparing it perfectly for styling this classic up-do. First blow dry the hair for a smooth sleek finish, if the hair is soft and prone to flyways CO by Andrew Collinge Invisible Dry Shampoo is perfect to add body and make the hair more manageable for an up-do, Invisible Dry Shampoo is ideal on darker hair tones as its unique formulation will not leave any un-sightly residue!
To create the style, work a little CO by Andrew Collinge Definer throughout the hair, and then take all the hair in to one section and brush it in to a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with a band. Turn the ends of the hair back towards the band and grip into place.
To ensure the Chignon is kept in place use CO by Andrew Collinge Firm Hold Hairspray for extra hold. This look is perfect if you are wearing a fascinator or a hat and will have you feeling extra glamorous all day long.
Sleek Blow Dry from Andrew Collinge
For any race day hair look it is important to create a good base to work with, and for this a classic sleek blow dry is perfect. Start by applying CO by Andrew Collinge Blow Dry Lotion to towel dried hair. The light non sticky formulation of this styling product will result in a soft hold and added body to the hair without any heaviness. If the hair is dehydrated or slightly damaged then you can also add some CO by Andrew Collinge Hair Moisturser to detangle and smooth the ends.
Start by drying the roots of the hair, it is essential this area is completely dry before carrying on with the blow dry. A flat paddle brush will help smooth out frizz and stubborn kinks.
When the hair is approximately 70% dry, complete the blow dry section by section using a large round brush and allow each section to cool down to create a longer lasting wave or curl. Work a little CO by Andrew Collinge Definer into the palms of your hands and glide them gently over the finished style. This unique gel serum will calm down any flyways, control frizz and add great shine. For a longer lasting natural finish to the style use CO by Andrew Collinge Firm Hold Hairspray.
Tousled Side Ponytail from Ross Charles
The key to this look is preparation and getting curls perfect before fixing the hair into the ponytail. To start, section the hair into pieces around an inch wide and wrap them around the curling iron.
To achieve the tousled affect make sure to keep the hair slightly far apart when wrapping around the iron, if the hair is close together when curling the curls will be much tighter. Make sure to add a mist of hairspray to each section of hair as you go to ensure the curl is held.
When each section has been curled, run your fingers through the hair to loosen them and add some texture. Next part the hair to one side using the fine end of a comb and use your fingers to direct the hair into a low ponytail behind the ear with your fingers. To keep this look messy, don’t be too careful when fixing the hair into place.
To secure the hair you can add some hair pins if you feel any sections are slightly loose. I also like to arrange the curls and play with the hair until the finished look is perfect. For a glossy finish add a spritz of shine spray along with an extra veil of hairspray to make sure your hair will stay in place all day.
