All a Flutter

beauty EDITED BY

DELPHINE LAMANDÉ-FREARSON

A L L A FLUTTER

Your party look starts here,

DYLAN EGAN SAMUELS with seductive eyes and easy hairdos PHOTOGRAPH BY “This look is all about easy insouciance,” says James Rowe, hairstylist for L’Oréal Paris Studio Line. “You don’t want it to seem like you’ve tried too hard.” Gather your hair into a bunch on the top of your head and tie into place with a hairband. “Don’t worry if you don’t get a smooth finish – the idea is to have wispy bits falling out around the side,” he adds. Loosely twist the tail around the base of the pony and fix with a couple of grips. Finish with an all-over spritz of L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray (£ 3.79; available nationwide) to ensure it stays in place all night long. MAKE-UP NOTE The top knot can look super-girlie, so add a vampy edge with a glossy, deep-plum lip.

1 . S I M P L E T O P K N O T G L A M

Superquick hairdos to take T O you from desk to dance oor. Actress Katie McGrath models postwork party GO looks you’ll love PHOTOGRAPHS BY

NAOMI YANG

STYLING BY ROBYN KOTZE

WORDS AND BEAUTY STYLING BY JESSICA TIBBITS

2 . B R A I D E D U P D O

Plaits are huge this winter – just look at Valentino and Fendi – and transforming them into a pretty party look couldn’t be simpler. “Split hair into a centre parting and braid into two plaits, then fix each one to the opposite side of your head with grips,” says Rowe. “Make sure you tuck the ends under so they’re hidden.” The key to this look is the tousled finish. “For the best result, create this updo on one-day- old hair so it has hold and texture. Slightly pull the plaits apart before you pin them up, then pull a few strands out of the finished do for a messy feel,” he suggests. FRAGRANCE NOTE When it comes to partying, scent is as important as hair and make-up. Go for fragrances with heavy base notes, like amber, vanilla and sandalwood, and dab generously on your neck and behind your ears to make a lasting impression. 173

3 . B O U N D P O N Y

Strict and severe, wear this high pony with your tiniest LBD for serious sex appeal. Pull your hair up into a tight ponytail at the crown of your head using a bristle brush to ensure a bump-free finish. “Fix with a tight band that won’t budge, then wrap a piece of tape or patent leather around it to add a tough edge,” says Rowe. Poker-straight hair is a must for this look, so prep with L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Heat Protect Styling Spray Straight (£ 5.99; available nationwide) before straightening. Short on time? “Just straighten the tail after you have created the pony,” suggests Rowe. MAKE-UP NOTE A graphic eye is the perfect complement to this structured pony. Line the top and bottom inside rim of your eye with black kohl and smudge slightly along the lash line for a grungy effect.

NAOMI YANG 174 4 . S EMI- S L I C K E D B A C K

Wearing your hair down doesn’t have to be boring: ensure it shouts “party” by taking inspiration from the a/w 2013 Balmain and Etro catwalk shows. “Slicked-back hair is still big news and can look super-glamorous when it’s done right,” says Rowe. “First, comb hair back from your face so you have no visible parting. Then comb a little L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Style Architect Styling Wax (£3.69; available nationwide) into the roots, adding more gradually until your hair stays in place.” Keep the lengths of your hair straight and dry to create contrast. MAKE-UP NOTE This requires statement make-up. A smoky eye + a fuchsia pout = an unforgettable party look.

Inspired by the elegant, sculptured ponytails at the Ports 1961 show, this look is all about maximum impact with minimum effort. “This is the definition of easy party hair – striking, yet so easy to achieve,” says Rowe. Gather a third of your hair at the top of one ear. Twist it down towards the bottom of the opposite ear, gathering hair along the nape of your neck into the roll as you go, to create a low, side ponytail. Fix it in place with a clear elastic band and secure with grips. “This look is most dramatic with a sleek finish, so run some serum through your pony to add gloss and smooth flyaways,” says Rowe. MAKE-UP NOTE Let this style do the talking – a slick of mascara and soft lips are all you need.

5 . S I D E T W I ST k atie McGrath has broken the cardinal rule of being a celebrity – she’s 15 minutes early. Walking into a north London studio with her ebony hair hidden under a knitted beanie, in a plain black tee, jeans and Ray-Bans, she looks so inconspicuous it takes me a while to realise who she is. But the second the shades are lowered, and you’re confronted with those Y USING L’ORÉAL PARIS huge jade-green eyes and heart-shaped Victorian heroine face, you can see in an instant why directors have been falling over themselves to cast her in fantasy fairy-tale

roles. Best known for playing Morgana in : SATIN TOP, £520, PORTS 1961 (PORTS1961.COM);

BBC’s Merlin (“I owe everything to that : WOOL AND SILK CRÊPE COAT, £1,850, ROLAND MOURET

role,” she says), Katie is just about to grace FROM LEFT our TV screens in a new production of FROM LEFT Dracula . Based on Bram Stoker’s original gothic horror novel and set in Victorian D SPREAD, London, it’s bound to appeal to the vampire- OS. OPENING SPREAD, MAKI TANAKA. MAKE-UP BY LIZ MARTINS AT FRANK AGENC obsessed Twilight generation. “It’s a spectacle like only a British period backed by American money can be,” she says – “lush, fantastical, wonderful, dark and gritty all rolled into one.” Does she channel the gothic vibe off screen too? “How would I describe my style? Lazy!” she says. “I love clothes, but when you dress up for a living and you’re so perfectly put together on set, you feel like you’re never having a play with make-up always makes me feel better.

going to live up to that in real life. So it’s big sunglasses, But it never felt like a permanent career – nothing did until CRÊPE DRESS, £1,165, MOSCHINO (MOSCHINO.COM). SECON NA ELLIOTT. SHOT ANDAT, WITH THANKS TO, LOFT STUDI all in black, easy – I’m the least girlie girl ever.” That’s I got into acting,” she says. AGEMENT USING L’ORÉAL PARIS STUDIO LINE. ASSISTED BY surprising, given her enthusiasm at our shoot today. An accidental career move, she was working as a wardrobe “I’m not actually the world’s biggest fan of photo shoots, assistant on The Tudors when she was encouraged by but I fake confidence until I feel it, and having a top the show’s producers to approach agents about acting. stylist like James [Rowe] do my hair was great – he’s so “I realised I’d found my calling,” she says. “It’s crazy, because chilled and relaxed. My favourite look was the braids – I was crew on The Tudors , where Jonathan Rhys Meyers was so perfect for a party – and it makes a nice change to my the lead and, six years later, I’m acting opposite him in everyday hair. It’s permanently tied up away from my Dracula !” Is he as dark and brooding as he looks? “He’s face!” Does she enjoy getting made up? “I was a become a good friend,” she says. “We were lucky on Dracula ; make-up artist for over a year, and I still do all my there were lots of Irish actors – me, Jonny and Vic [Smurfit] mates’ make-up when we go out. If I’m a bit low, then – so there’s a nice sense of being home when you’re far away.” HER KANE FOR ATELIER SWAROVSKI (GIFTLAB.COM). WOOL E AT LMC WORLDWIDE USING ESSIE. FASHION ASSISTANT AN “Home” is County Wicklow in Ireland, “the most ATOR: ELLIOTT WILCOX. HAIR BY JAMES ROWE AT D+V MAN beautiful place on the planet” according to Katie. Does she miss it? “I’ve learned that wherever I am in the world, I have to make it my home,” she says. “I take stacks of photos with me. Photos and Barry’s Tea – the best tea ever; you can only get it in Ireland – and I can feel at home anywhere.” So what does Ireland’s hottest new export have planned for the future? “The character I’d most love to play is Catherine the Great of Russia. She started life as a minor German princess and ended up ruling the largest nation on earth. It just goes to show you should never underestimate anybody.” No chance of that, Katie. CRYSTAL-EMBELLISHED CHROME NECKLACE, £420, CHRISTOP NUDE MAGIQUE AND COLOR RICHE. NAILS BY SABRINA GAYL PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTED BY FRASER TYRIE. DIGITAL OPER 178

79.50 Get A Grip hair Bristle brush, £ , grips, £ 6 for 75 , Mason Pearson Hershesons (amazon.co.uk) (selfridges. Super Skinny Serum, £ 23.95 , Paul Mitchell com) (lookfantastic.com) Nail Polish in Dive Bar, £ 7.99 , Essie (boots.com)

Marvellous Moxie Lipstick in Never Say Never, £ 16 , Bare Minerals (asos.com)

V Gold Classic Styler, £ 125 , GHD (ghdhair. com)

Volume Effet Faux Cils Elnett Satin Babydoll 24.50 Heat Protect Mascara, £ , Styling Spray YSL Beauté Straight, £ 5.99 , (feelunique.com) L’Oréal Paris (available nationwide) nail notes

Kajal Eye Liner in “Dark nail polish is a winter favourite as Onyx, £ 12 , Stila (stila.co.uk) it’s elegant and universally flattering,” says nail pro Sabrina Gayle, who used Essie nail colour on our shoot. “Choose Studio Line Style Architect Styling a polish with a subtle metallic shimmer 3.69 Wax, £ , L’Oréal Studio Line for a fun party twist.” Dark shades Paris (available #TXT Wave should be worn on short, round nails “to nationwide) Creating Spray, 3.79 keep the look chic” and Sabrina £ , L’Oréal Paris (available recommends finishing with two layers nationwide) of top coat for a high-gloss finish.

Studio Line #TXT Volume SHOP ALL THE HOTTEST STYLE BUYS AT Supersizing Spray, £ 3.79 , instyle.co.uk/fashion/editors-picks L’Oréal Paris (available nationwide) 180