We’re all the time so stunned with delight when a star makes an appearance with suddenly super-long hair. Yes, we all know don’t they’ve some magic potion that causes extreme growth between public appearances, but well-done extensions are their very own sort of magic, especially when styled in ever-so-chic ways, like how stylist Larry Sims just did with Gabrielle Union‘s hair.
On Friday, September 22, Union attended the Versace show during Milan Fashion Week and simply turned as many heads because the runway looks did. She topped off her form-fitting pastel-lime dress with a surprising ponytail that, while impressively long, can be impressively wide.
Sims gave Allure exclusive details on how he created such a sleek yet substantial look, starting with the muses: “The inspiration for this look was the ’90s supermodels — Naomi, Chrissy, Claudia, Cindy, and Linda,” he says.
After shampooing and conditioning Union’s hair, he used the actor’s own Flawless by Gabrielle Union Shine Enhancing Heat Protection Spray and 5 Butter Miracle Leave-In Conditioner (we’re big fans of the newly crowned Best of Beauty Award winner Redken All Soft Moisture Restore Leave-In Treatment) before giving her a blowout. And that is when it was revealed how this ponytail looks so ample: It’s not only a ponytail.
“I sectioned off half of her hair to prep for our half-up, half-down look,” Sims says. The post-extensions consequence is so seamless, it simply looks prefer it’s all one big ponytail. “I braided the back section of her natural hair to create the bottom of her extensions.” He then slicked the front and sides of her hair with edge control and secured it with an elastic.
After sewing a human-hair-textured half unit to the braided foundation in the back of her head, “I secured a human-hair wrap-around ponytail with the identical texture at the highest of her head,” Sim explains. “To smooth her texture, I flatironed her hair with The Grip Comb attachment. It’s a genius latest flatiron attachment that makes flatironing easier with an excellent smooth finish.” (And yes, it really works on any flatiron.)
“To finish off the look,” he says, “I applied five drops of the Restoring Exotic Oil Treatment to her hair for a luminous shine.” And it’s apparent that it doesn’t weigh hair down one bit. (We also love the brand new Best of Beauty honoree Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil.)
