The return of the Farrah Fawcett Flounce
How to recreate the famously flattering Seventies look for yourself
It’s possible that there is no more famous head of hair in history than Farrah Fawcett’s. The star’s feathered blonde style turned her into the defining symbol of late-1970s glamour and sex appeal.
Fawcett’s journey to hair supremacy was unusual. It began with a degree in microbiology at the University of Austin, but her fellow students had other ideas about her career path, naming her one of the “top 10 most beautiful girls on campus”. Taking the hint, Fawcett packed up her heated curlers and moved to Los Angeles. Before too long the Texan had joined the cast of the TV series Charlie’s Angels, and was soon elevated to the status of international dream girl — a promotional image of her in a red swimsuit becoming one of the bestselling posters of all time. Today that very poster, along with the seminal bathing suit, resides in the Smithsonian collection in Washington.
At her peak Fawcett was everywhere: movies, television, lunch boxes, shampoo bottles and even, briefly, a series of mail-order faucet-themed necklaces (including handles that turn, and certain more high-end editions with a diamond water drop coming out of the spout). It was in this period that Fawcett’s hair became the stuff of legend. Most hair salons were prepared to offer “The Farrah” to all who sought it.
Today that legacy remains, Fawcett’s curtain bangs a siren call for all the world’s women. Even the recent viral “butterfly cut” is inspired by her hair’s gravity-defying volume. But how to achieve this look? We spoke to Jordan Garrett, a stylist at Hershesons in London whose famed fringe technique has made him the go-to man for anyone considering a Seventies-style cut. Garrett says that for best results a cut with layers through the front is ideal, though this look can be achieved on all types of hair.
What you’ll need:
• Hershesons Zhoosh Cream
• L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Pli
• L’Oréal Paris Elnett
• Hairdryer
• Hot brush or round brush
• Velcro rollers or hot rollers
• Wide-tooth comb
• Optional: curling tongs
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Step 1
On freshly washed, damp hair, apply Hershesons’ Zhoosh Cream from the mid-lengths to the ends to set a foundation for volume.
Step 2
Rough dry your hair to about 80%, before spraying it with L’Oréal’s Tecni.Art Pli, a setting lotion that will also help build volume.
Step 3
Split your hair off into sections (about three fingers per section), then run a hot brush or round brush and hairdryer through each section before curling it around a Velcro roller away from your face. (If using hot rollers, make sure hair is 100% dry before use.)
In the front you want three rollers going back from your forehead, and two rollers on either side of your head, five rollers in total, framing your face. “It should look like a horseshoe,” Garrett says. It’s key here that the rollers are twisted away from your face. The back is less important to the look, so you can alternate directions with your rollers depending on preference, while making sure to finish with all of your hair in rollers.
Step 4
As soon as the rollers are in, give your head a hearty spray with Elnett, and then go and do something else. Keep the rollers in for a minimum of 10-15 minutes, but the longer the better. So maybe do your make-up while you wait, or watch an episode of Charlie’s Angels.
Step 5
After waiting (we mean it!), gently unroll your hair from the rollers, twisting at the ends for extra bounce. Then, using a wide-tooth comb or any low-tension brush, brush out the curls.
Step 6
Using a pair of curling tongs, touch up any pieces you’d like to define, before spraying your hair once more with Elnett for extra good measure.
You are now ready for your mission.
