The heat is on, and it’s not easy to keep hair looking good as the temperatures rise. Even the dependable bob can wilt in summer, which is why we need to credit Hannah Waddingham for the simple new way she’s keeping hers looking chic.
The Ted Lasso actress, 51, kept her cool at this weekend’s scorching British Grand Prix, transitioning her ice-blonde bob into a casual yet effortlessly stylish updo. The front was swept up into a soft quiff, while the back was tied into a mini ponytail. And any potentially sticky neck strands that aren’t quite long enough to tie back? All neatly pinned and tamed.
It’s a timely demonstration of just how versatile a bob can be, explains leading hairdresser and Osmo Ambassador Carol Ritchie. ‘A lot of people think once you’ve gone shorter, you lose the option of wearing your hair up, but Hannah shows that’s not true,’ she says.
‘By leaving softness around the front and lifting the hair away from the neck, she’s created a look that’s not trying too hard. It’s a style I love in the summer months because it keeps you cool while looking cool!’
Hannah’s Grand Prix look works so beautifully because it gives the impression of not trying too hard, says Carol. ‘She’s left a little movement through the front for that cooler finish rather than a tightly scraped-back style.’
That makes it ‘far more flattering’, says Carol, and especially for midlife women like Hannah. ‘If a few wispy pieces fall out during the day, even better. It gives the style a relaxed finish and that’s exactly what we’re seeing more of now with midlife women. Who has time to be perfect?’
With the warm weather set to continue over the coming days and weeks, it’s a great style to bookmark. ‘It’s a very practical hairstyle to wear during the heatwave that we’re going to have again this week,’ she says.
‘Getting hair off your neck makes you feel cooler, but because there’s still shape around her face, you don’t lose that softness that can come from an updo. I also like the volume with her fringe and how she’s got the height with a swept-away finish. When our hands get hot and sweaty, not having to keep brushing the fringe out of your face is a good thing!’
To get this look at home, Carol recommends prepping the hair with Osmo Wonder 10 Leave-In Treatment before blow-drying to help control frizz and protect against heat.
‘Once the hair is dry, I’d use a dry shampoo (Osmo Day Two Styler Dry Shampoo is fab) through the roots, even on freshly washed hair, because it gives the hair grip and texture, making shorter styles much easier to pin.’
‘I’d then lightly backcomb through the crown for a little lift before loosely twisting and pinning the back into place. Finish with a light mist of Osmo Extreme Volume Hairspray to keep everything in place through the day.’
