Maintaining a Hairstyle

Today’s lesson focused on creating a hairstyle fit to last. When creating a hairstyle for t.v and film, an occasion or performance, it is imperative to ensure the hair is secured with the intention for it to stay in place in different weather conditions or movements.

On set: hair and makeup is usually the first port of call and will be done before and during rehearsals. Actors may also have to have their makeup done early in the day but will not be required on camera for hours so it is important to secure and maintain the hair from dropping, being moved/ played with by the actor and weather conditions. Some hairstyles, such a ringlets, can be maintained before an actor is required on camera but attaching a hair net, to hold the curls in place and stop them from dropping. Rollers and hot sticks can be left in while an actor is rehearsing.  It is also imperative to be aware of an actor’s movements on camera and on set for continuity reasons, as different scenes get filmed in different sequences therefore; keeping the hair looking the same for different scenes requires script breakdowns and constantly checking the hair style during takes.

Occasion and performance: most hair styles created for an occasion, such as a wedding or a performance, such as a theatre production, require the hair to be secured to a very high standard, as there are not many (if any) chances to rectify the hair. The hair must be secured to withstand a high level of movement, perspiration and sometimes different weather conditions and costume changes. All of these elements must be taken into account before and during the creation of a hairstyle. Will the hair be able to withstand the high level of movement? Will the costume change affect the hairstyle?

Alongside fellow student, Charlotte Forrester, I created an intricate hairstyle on Molly, who has very long hair that struggles to hold into a style. Keeping this in mind, as well as making the hair secure, we back brushed the front sections of hair and incorporated crepe hair into the two front sections to create victory rolls. We then created a French pleat at the back of the head, incorporating more crepe hair and securing with grips. We cross gripped a many sections as possible for ample hold and applied hair spray to any stray hairs. Once we felt confident in the hairstyle, we went outside to see how the style held up in the windy weather, as well as Molly’s different movements.

Things to look out for

• Her coat hitting the hair along her neck
• Her own movements- touching her head/hair
• Wind/rain/sun (perspiration)
• Hair dropping overtime

Things to take with me

• Spare hair grips
• Pin tail comb
• Hair spray
• Hair net
• My own coat!

During the 20 minute hair test, we got out model, Molly to put on her coat, take a stroll outside and sit and have a coffee and a chat (all normal things that would happen on set) and took note of how these different things affected the hair. We noticed that the soft breeze managed to blow the stray airs by her ears out of place, which Molly then subconsciously played with while having a coffee. We noticed this and combed the stray hairs back in place and set with more hair spray. When she removed her coat, we also noticed that the back of the hair was not as it was before and rectified this with the comb and hair spray.

Overall, I think this was a valuable lesson in maintaining a hair style and really opened my eyes to how much thought goes into creating, setting and maintaining a hairstyle. I now feel more prepared for what is expected from me on set and what to look out for.