Before there was Katniss Everdeen and The Hunger Games, there was actress Jennifer Lawrence. Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend (the Olsen twins, Jessica Biel, Cate Blanchett) first met her and her gorgeous hair on an up-and-comers photo shoot in LA.
He had only a couple of minutes with the 22-year-old, but fell in love and went straight to her publicist to ask to work with her full-time. She has since gone on to be the second-youngest girl to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, and was defined this month by Rolling Stone as the most talented young actress in America. Townsend has been there for it all, and was the genius behind the braid that dazzled on the red carpet at The Hunger Games premiere.
Shes really excited by whats going on around her, he shared. I love her because she and I will get together were both from the South and were both amazed. We get to fly on a private jet? What does this button do? Shes not jaded at all.
The effervescent Dove spokesperson, 39, was in town for a Breakfast Television event and sat down with WE at the Opus Hotel to talk hair trends for Spring/Summer 2012 and The Braid.
That was one of my favourites. I want to turn her into Bardot, I want her to be glamorous, the big blow-out all the time. But shes the girl wholl say to me,How come you dont do my hair like you do Mary-Kate and Ashleys? he explained with his beaming grin. The braided up-do for the premiere did not take me long at all. We didnt have much time, 90-minutes from arrival to on the carpet so it took me 20-25 minutes. I think braids take a messy bun and turn it into an elegant do. I thought about the jewelry inside of it and it really came from there.
STILL HOT: Braids.
Its such a huge trend for Spring/Summer because you can do a braid any way. The side braid is huge again. Two years ago Alexander Wang showed the side braid and it started the trend. Also, working the braid into an up-do or braid it along the (hairline) and leave it down.
COLD: Fishtail Braids.
You cant get great texture in a fishtail braid, but in a straightforward three, you really can.
HOT: Fringes.
I love bangs. It changes everything. I did Reese Witherspoon for the Golden Globes in 2007 and people are still talking about that hair. It was just a flat iron but I gave her bangs. My gosh that was a trend, and still staying. Fringes should stop between the brow and the eyelash. Its that really short, tiny space but I love it when they fall there.
HOT: Hair accessories.
I havent been seeing feathers so much, its really back to jewels. Bobby pins that have a jewel on the end or encrusted headbands. I love barrettes and combs right now. It gives a vintage feel but modern at the same time. I work a lot with jewelry designer Jennifer Behr. Im on her website () all the time looking for inspiration.
I did January Jones for the red carpet, it was the Golden Globes and it was pouring rain. So she was wearing a black long dress and umbrella. I was really inspired by all the French twists that year, but its a snooze-fest if you cant see it, so I literally grabbed the ribbon from the box the dress came in, just some black satin, and I tied it on. It completely changed the look and people reacted to it in such a great way. You can just go to the fabric store.
Im really inspired by the Chanel bobby-pins right now ($300 for three). Im not going to pay that kind of money, so I got out my hot glue gun and started gluing pearls on to bobby pins myself! Note: The Chanel store in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»is completely sold out.
COOLING: Ombre.
Colourwise, weve stepped away from the ombre. Im always a fan of a little bit of root, I like it two or three weeks after. Ive seen highlights getting chunkier again, but from underneath. I think its a continuation of the ombre. Especially if you braid it.
TO WATCH: For hair, any time Rachel McAdams hits that red carpet she starts trends. Shes an adventurous girl. When we got her ready for The Vow premiere, its such a romantic movie but she wanted to go the opposite way. I gave her super-heavy bangs, but they were clipped in. Within three days every beauty editor and barber was talking about her bangs and how she got them. I couldnt come out and say, Theyre not real. Not right away!
I think Christina Aguilera has changed quite a bit. Because of the haircut I did on Christina, Minka Kelly called me and asked me to cut her hair like that and tweeted it right away. Now I have another client who wants it. Note: Its probably the first time in her life that people have copied Christina Aguileras hair.
WEDDING/PROM TIPS: When I do the Oscars thats kind of like doing someones wedding. That picture is going to be around forever, so dont follow a trend. Find what you like. You dont want to be like, Clearly I got married in the 80s. Dont overdo it. I like hair thats soft and touchable; youll be on the dance floor. Also I love a side chignon. It got really trendy for a while and I think its coming back. Also, I love a top knot, right on top of the head. Its so cool and gives you extra height. Its a great way to bring in hair accessories as well.
FESTIVAL TIPS: No hats! All you have to do is use a serum. Ive been on this Dove Real Canadian Hair Challenge this week. Weve been to Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary and now Vancouver. Everyone of those cities has insanely different weather but in all four cities Im using one product [Dove Anti-Frizz Serum]. Its almond oil and coconut oil, which are so hydrating. All of my clients, if you looked in their bags, theyll have it. In dry air, reapply this at least every 30-45 minutes. If you take a nap before you sleep and again when you wake up. Its light and gets absorbed into the hair. ()
You can follow Kelsey Klassen on @kelseyklassen.
