Poppy Delevingne Shows Us Why Messy Hair Works

Thu, 12 July 2012 4:12PM

There’s a time and place for all beauty looks. Sure, a sleek up ‘do and red lip combo always does the trick for any formal event, but when it comes to those who can perfect undone glamour on the red carpet, nobody does it like Poppy Delevingne. She frequently wins PRIMPED’s title of Ms I-just-woke-up-with-this-‘do-and-still-look-a-million-bucks. Alexa Chung usually comes in at a close second.

Speaking of, here she is recently at the 10th anniversary of Glamour Magazine in Spain …

There are a few key steps when it comes to nailing this particular style of hair, and this supremely chic, cool-girl finish in general. Namely that to the naked eye or from far away, it looks relatively undone. You could almost think that she simply woke up without brushing her hair, whisked a little sea salt spray or dry shampoo through the roots and/or ends and left the house.

But here’s the thing. This messy kind of style actually requires a lot more attention than you might think. Especially to have it crossing over to the glamorous side here like our pal Poppy.

Here’s why it works, and what you need to do to nab it, stat.

Dress the Part

• Messy hair and a complicated or intricate dress – and I’m making a generalised judgment here – is usually a no-no. Note how Poppy has wisely chosen this elegant white and champagne Jonathan Saunders number with it’s small and sweet collar. An overtly ruffled or heavy neckline not only detracts from the hairstyle itself, but makes it all too hard to look at. As though there’s too much going on. Try something similar to Poppy here, or if it’s an informal occasion, try a simple singlet or tee.

Walk the Line

• When it comes to messy hair, you generally think of an uneven or side part, or perhaps even brushed off your face. Poppy has an almost perfect centre part, which gives the look an anchor point. If you are going to take part (ha!) in this style, I find it best to use a bobby pin thin comb – I like ghd’s tail comb, $12, ghd – or a bobby pin while I’m out and about, and begin from the front of your hairline and work straight back.

Keep it Clean

• Traditionally you would think this style would work best on second day hair – you know, when it has just the right amount of texture to hold tousled strands like these in place. But if you look closely, Poppy’s hair actually appears to be clean from roots to tips with a hint of volume action at the crown. For clean, softer hair that is infused with volume, try a volumising shampoo and conditioner. Then, sprinkle a little bit of hair powder, only so it doesn’t look too gritty, and then add it to the crown and centre part and pinch on either side of your part together. Sounds silly, but it works to get a little bit of lift at the roots without the need to do too much back-combing, or none at all.

Contrast Textures

• When hair is tousled and powdered, it starts to look a little matte. So the best way to offset this is to ensure your face is dewy. Poppy has naturally gorgeous skin and more often than not embraces her freckles, which I love. If you don’t have them, and want them, you could always fake it, or opt for a sheer, tinted moisturiser or BB cream. Hourglass Cosmetics do an amazing Illusion Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15, $78, Mecca Cosmetica, which gives you a healthy, glowy sheen. Add a little concealer (if needed), a sweep of mascara and a smudge of lipstick, like Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple, $21.95, from pharmacies.

Add Structure

• Although we’ve type-casted this style as messy, Poppy’s mid-lengths and ends are remarkably neat and clean. Flyaways are present, yes, but they aren’t of the unruly or unkempt kind, and her hair is in good condition with the hair cuticles closed and split ends MIA. To achieve this kind of result, make sure you use a conditioning treatment at least once a week, especially during winter. Redken’s new Smooth Lock Buttersilk Intensive Rinse-Out Treatment, $35.50, 1300 650 170, is a protein treatment that gets in and sorts out any damaged areas and works an absolute treat.

• Then, when your hair is wet, add in a little volumising mousse and blow-dry, using your fingers to get more of a piecey texture. Once dry, add a little more hair powder or some sea salt spray to the mid-lengths and ends, using your fingers to separate the strands and roughen it up a little. But not too much. You still want it polished and pretty, after all.

What do you think Primpettes? Are you a fan of messy hair?

Do you ever work this kind of style?

Do you love Poppy’s style, too?

Hayley x

Posted by: Hayley Bennett

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Tags: featured, hair, hair tips, how to, it girl hair, messy hair, poppy delevingne, redken, volume