I’m excited to introduce a new column today! Rubi Jones is author of The Art of Hair and is an Editorial Hairstylist based in NYC. She has collaborated with stylist Kendra Smoot to do a new party hair column inspired by runway shows for when you need special party hair.  xo Jordan

Hi! I’m Rubi and today I’m excited to start a new series of party-hair tutorials inspired by runway shows. I’m a freelance hairstylist in the fashion industry, and I’ve been fortunate to work backstage at hundreds of fashion shows in New York, London, and Paris. The Oh Happy Day team and I picked the most party-ready looks, and they all work with most hair textures – I hope you have fun trying them out!

Couture shows are the “crème de la crème” of all fashion shows. The term haute couture is protected by French law and represents the most exclusive and high end fashion – most of it is made by hand and designers can’t use the term unless they meet specific qualifications and are accepted into the French couture federation. It’s all pretty intense, Dior and I and Valentino The Last Emperor are a couple documentaries I love that show the inner workings of these collections. This hairstyle is from the Elie Saab FW 15 Couture collection. I love the hair because even though it’s simple, it compliments the gowns from the show beautifully. It could easily be dressed up for going out, or dressed down for everyday wear, too.

Materials needed: statement necklace (optional), elastic stretch cord, volumizing spray, hair oil, hairspray, blow dryer, large boar bristle round brush, mason pearson brush (here’s a decent knockoff), 1.5 inch curling iron, small sectioning clips, large sectioning clips

Step 1: Apply a volume spray on the roots of your hair and oil throughout the ends. Next, you’ll use a large boar bristle round brush to blow dry your hair smooth in sections.

Step 2: When blow drying, the high air and medium heat settings. First dry your roots and slowly work your way down to the ends. Try to always aim your blow dryers nozzle down which will prevent flyaways. Also try to avoid touching your brush with the blow dryer so you don’t burn the bristles.

Step 3:  Once your hair is completely dry, spray a lightweight hairspray all over your hair and use a Mason Pearson to brush your hair afterwards so it isn’t crunchy from the spray. I like spraying hairspray before curling hair so the curls last longer, are softer, and your hair has a protective barrier from the heat.

Step 4: Next, curl large, horizontal sections throughout your hair. Each section should be about 1 inch tall by 3 inches wide. Slide a small sectioning clip into each curl to hold it in place and continue throughout your head.

Step 5: Spray your curls with hairspray once again and wait until all of the curls cool off. While you’re letting your curls cool, take a large statement necklace and tie a piece of elastic between the two ends of it so it measures the circumference of your head. This will be your headband.

Step 6: Unclip your curls and brush them out with your Mason Pearson, they should smooth out and look like big soft waves. Finish it off with one more spritz of hairspray.

Art Direction by Kendra Smoot
Photos by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day