We always look forward to ramping up the styling appointments towards the end of the year when everyone is busy looking for the ultimate party hair ideas. It’s our speciality! In fact, Larry King has an entire back catalogue of amazing updo’s, embellished accessories, the perfect tousled or sleek texture tricks and showstopping braids, bobs and everything in between. It’s almost impossible to choose, but these are some of his favourite styles from Fashion Week shows that are perfectly party appropriate. Pick your favourite, maybe do a little practice run, and you’re good to go out-out. (Or stay in-in, either way, you’ll have the best hair this side of Christmas!)

SIMPLY SLEEK CHIC

This is sleek with a difference, because while the roots to midlengths are glossy, wet look perfection, the ends are dry and soft. It adds a touch of drama, keeps everything in place up top where you need it and the softness through the ends feels easy and cool. We love it!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair, from £12.00
• Issey Cooke - a stylist at our South Kensington salon - suggests to use the Redken Max Sculpting Gel, £15.00
• Tail Comb, bristle brush

WHAT YOU DO:

Prep damp, clean hair with a coin–size blob of Social Life and comb it through. This will give you some nice smoothness at the roots and hairline, and stop the ends being too fluffy too. 

Make a low, super neat side parting with your tail comb, and comb each side behind your ears.

Take a very small amount of Redken Max Sculpting Gel and smooth over the hair on either side of your parting. Stop at your ears, then brush over and down with your bristle brush.

 

THE SEXY TEXTURE

Tousled is King when it comes to ‘I don’t care’ party hair this season. If the occasion calls for dressing down a very fancy outfit, or your whole vibe is a bit more bohemian than all the bells-and-whistles, this one’s for you. The shape of the wave is important - you want nothing more than a gentle bend, and finish everything off with some roughening up and gentle hold. 

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Larry King My Nanna’s Mousse, from £15.00
• Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair, from £12.00
  
• Dyson Airwrap (or your preferred curling wand)

WHAT YOU DO:

The first bit of sexy texture is gonna come from My Nanna’s Mousse. Apply it to damp hair and rake through with your finger tips, then rough dry. You should have some nice base texture going on, but you want it to look a bit more ‘done’. Get your curling wand and, starting from the back, pick up small 1cm sections. Pull taught and wrap the middle of the length just once around the barrel, keeping the ends straight. When its done pull down on the section to straighten a little, then work through the rest. 

Finally shake it out with your fingertips, then rub some velvet clay between your palms and fingers. Pick out small sections and apply the product to add definition and long lasting sexy texture. 

 

UNDONE UP-DO

Our most requested style this time of year. It’s done but not too done! This versatile style will somehow look dressed up and dressed down all at the same time - the perfect party look! The key is to start with some airy volume and texture, then it’s up to you just how ‘undone’ you want the finished look to be.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Larry King Volumising Hair Mist, £35.00
• Hassan Sahin - a stylist from our Marylebone salon - reccomends to use the Redken Wax Spray, £21.42
• Kirby Grips

WHAT YOU DO:

Tip your head upside down, then spritz clean hair with some Volumising Hair Mist, it’ll give long-lasting body and flexible hold (plus it’ll leave a gorgeous fragrance which always helps!). Massage the roots, then flip your hair back over. Now, holding the can 20cm away, mist the wax spray all over. It’ll give amazing hold and a slightly matte texture. 

Gather your hair into a loose mid-ponytail and gently twist round to form a rough bun. Secure wit a hair elastic, then pull some bits loose around the hairline and from the bun. Now get pinning! You’ll want to keep the volume but make it look artfully undone, so pin the ends back into the base of your bun ensuring it’s not tight or neat! Leave some sections free at the front to frame your face.

ACCESSORISE ALL AREAS

There is definitely something about Big Bow Energy for your party look, but whatever kind of accessory you choose (sparkling is always a good idea) make it oversized for the wow factor. We love a big impactful statement as a contrast to a more traditional, sweet style, but it’l work with anything really. This ones easy!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Katie Freedman - a colourist from our Notting Hill Salon - suggests to use the Pureology Instant Levitation Mist, £31.00
• The most extra accessory you can find!

WHAT YOU DO:

Prep clean hair with your styling mist, then dry it to your chosen texture. We love a not-too-perfect texture to keep it cool, but whatever you’re going for, give it some volume. Take the top section of hair, and backcomb at the roots for some serious height, then gather into a half ponytail and secure with a small hair elastic. The bottom layer should be left loose, but if you want to give it some wave or definition use your preferred tools and finish with your post-style serum (It’ll hold and hydrate your finished style). Now for the piece de resistance! Get your Big Bow and pin in place covering the hair elastic. It’ll look totally showstopping, and really couldn’t be easier to do!