Curls are the new straight, and after attending a special session with kiwi hairdressing maestro Richard Kavanagh, I’m totally converted to the look (not that I needed much convincing, I’ve always lusted after curly locks).
Along with a couple of other media types, I got to head along to Richard’s amazing Auckland apartment and have my hair done by the man himself.
During the session, Richard demonstrated his fantastic range of curling tongs. These tools sure have come a long way from the pair I used to have as a teenager. I remember my mum spending hours curling my hair for the 7th form ball, but by the time I arrived my hair had gone back to flat – so not hot!
The Richard Kavanagh Digital Ceramic Hair Curling Tongs employ similar technology to hair straighteners, to deliver super smooth, super glossy curls, super quick!
They have advanced cuticle protection technology, which keeps the hair looking good, they heat up really fast, plus (my favourite feature) they have an auto shut off function so you don’t have that ‘did I remember to turn off my hair appliance this morning’ panic when you arrive at work (or is it just me that gets that?).
The tongs come in different barrel sizes depending on what degree of curl you’re after. Richard used them on the two other girls who came along to the session to demonstrate both a bed-head style curl (which literally took less than 10 minutes) and a super-glam night time curl (which didn’t take much longer). If you’re after a quick way to create curls, it’s definitely worth getting some of these in your styling arsenal. At $120rrp they’re pretty reasonable!
For my hair, however, curls like that weren’t going to work as well (damn having impractical, short hair!), but Richard wasn’t fazed by my lack of locks.
Instead he used straighteners to create curls, but not in that complicated way I’ve had it done before. Rather he did a modern twist on the old fashioned pin curl, giving me a very gorgeous 1920s look.
Here’s how to get these curls at home (although I’d suggest getting someone to help you, it’s a bit fiddly otherwise!). 1. Section off hair and start at the top front on one side 2. Take small a small section of hair and spray with Redken Fabricate 3. Starting from the end, coil it up (like a spiral pattern) keeping it flat. 4. Clamp the straightener over the coil (avoiding your fingers) 5. Pin the coil to the head with a clip or bobbie pin 6. Work your way around the head to the other side, keeping the coils even
When you’ve managed to do your whole head simply remove the pins and fluff out the curls. The Redken Fabricate gives great hold, but doesn’t leave the hair at all stiff so the curls look (and feel) really light and fluffy and last the night!
My new look was topped off with gorgeous 1920s inspired makeup done by one of the fantastic artists from Napoleon Perdis.
Considering I’d been having a “I-just-want-to-stay-in-bed-and-hide-from-the-world” day, it was fantastic to leave Richard’s place feeling like a whole new person. So much so that when I got home I insisted my boyfriend take me out so I could make the most of my makeover.
Don’t you wish you had professionals on hand all the time?
Gemma
Richard Kavanagh products are available from salons, head to www.richardkavanagh.com for stockists.
Curls are the new straight, and after attending a special session with kiwi hairdressing maestro Richard Kavanagh, I’m totally converted to the look (not that I needed much convincing, I’ve always lusted after curly locks).
The Richard Kavanagh Digital Ceramic Hair Curling Tongs employ similar technology to hair straighteners, to deliver super smooth, super glossy curls, super quick!