parlour and loot: Messy Hair Don't Care

It’s time to get dirrrrrty.

Yep, just like Christina Aguilera circa 2002, ass-less chaps and all. I kid, I kid. I much prefer the ‘ole g-string and cowboy boots look. Ok stop, let’s be serious for a minute because I am of course talking about HAIR here people! Long, short, curly, wavy and poker-straight.

It’s time to put the gritty back into pretty.

Cara Delevinge

There’s something about the slightly unkempt, slept-in look that’s quintessentially model-esque. Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss and Sienna Miller are prime examples of this. However the trend has been around for years and years. Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s defined her image with sexy, bed-head blonde locks, distinguishing herself from the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe, who all sported exhaustively polished ’dos.

Sienna Miller

The early 2000s’ boho chic trend brought back the style once more, with the likes of Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie showing off their messy manes for the paparazzi.

Mary-Kate Olsen

The key to this look is don’t try too hard! Sounds obvious right? Teasing and too much product will leave one looking more like a bin lady come swamp-creature rather than the daughter of an 80s rock star/heiress.

Here are my tips and tricks for achieving the look effortlessly.

I’m ALLLL Natural Baby

Wash your locks in the PM, sans conditioner. One of the key attributes to this look is that the hair look “piecey” with the strands slightly “clumped” together. Give a quick blast of the hair dryer changing the direction frequently to create volume. Sleep with slightly damp hair, on a pure silk pillowcase (mine’s from www.slip.com.au in Caramel) to avoid any static. These are also great for eliminating those horrible crease marks on your face you wake up with. For those of you with really straight hair like moi, style it into a low, loose braid for extra texture. Use your fingers to comb through in morning and finish by flipping hair over and spritzing with a light-hold volumising hair spray. Hola Lara Bingle!

Me, freshly messed'

Customized Sea-Salt Spray

Sea salt causes the fibers of your hair to naturally separate and clump. Your hairdresser will never tell you this, but you don’t actually need to buy sea salt spray. You can make it at home, and even customize the recipe according to your hair type (oily, dry, etc.) making it more natural and cost effective oh la la!

Buy an empty 12-oz spray bottle from Chemist Warehouse, fill it with warm distilled water or actually sea water, and mix in these ingredients:

· 1 tsp of sea salt

· 2 tbsp of epsom salt (for more for extra texture and hold)

· 1 tsp of aloe vera gel

· A few drops of coconut, almond or jojoba oil (for moisture)

· A few drops of essential oils or a spritz of your favorite perfume (optional)

Shake it vigorously before spraying on shampooed hair. Scrunch up your hair as it dries. The spray can dry out your locks, so wash it off in the evening and apply conditioner to avoid hair damage.

If you’re a time-poor lass and can’t be assed with brewing your own, my favourite salon sea salt spray is Kevin Murphy Hair Resort Spray.