Backstage hair hacks to use in everyday life

It’s no surprise backstage is where you’ll find some of the best hair hacks around. With so much prep before a big show, it’s little wonder the professional hair and make-up teams have to turn around the looks so quickly before it’s lights up. So finding quick and easy shortcuts become imperative to a smooth-running backstage experience - because after all, the show must go on.  

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Here are seven of their best kept secrets - you never know when these might come in handy… 

Get decked

Want to know the key to creating smooth, sleek styles? It seems the professionals have a little magic trick up their sleeve. Playing cards are a valuable hairstyling tool that works brilliantly to prevent unwanted bumps, ridges and creases left behind by metal clips. So the next time you’re waiting for your hair to set like Chrissy Teigen, place a playing card between a metal clip and your hair to prevent stubborn pieces from separating for a smoother than smooth finish that will ace your style, every single time. 

 

Trick from @jrugg8! Use playing cards so your hair stays in place and remains crease-free from the clippies booooooom

A photo posted by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) on

Oct 16, 2015 at 3:41pm PDT

Apply hairspray… but not as you know it

It’s every beauty girl’s best friend before a big night out on the town, but it might shock you to know you haven’t been finishing the job when it comes to using your hairspray. “We use the cans to smooth down fly aways by spraying then rolling the can over the sections, which reduces the chances of moving the hair”, reveals Katy Reeve, National Creative Director of TONI&GUY. 

bh loves: ELEVEN Australia Give Me Hold Strong Hairspray, TONI&GUY Hair Care Flexible Hold Hairspray, Kevin.Murphy DOO.OVER

Tuck it right, tuck it tight

Can’t keep your hair tucked behind your ears? There’s an easy fix! Bob Recine for Moroccanoil says all it takes is a little know-how. Pull back the hair at your temples into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck, beneath the rest of your hair. Use a boar bristle brush that’s spritzed with a touch of hairspray to make those sections sleek before tying it off. This is a sure-fire way to nix any fly aways that come with humid weather or static in those chillier mornings. 

bh loves: Cloud Nine Radial Boar-Bristle Blow-Dry Brush, Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray, Scunci Blonde Polybands

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Curl power!

Even girls with the straightest of hair can achieve glorious waves - promise. The trick? Grab a small section of hair, then weave it in and out of a U-shaped bobby pin before clamping your straightener over the style to set it in place. 

bh loves: ghd Platinum Hair Styler, Philips MoistureProtect Straightener, VS Sassoon Goddess Ultimate

Made a boo-boo?

Redken Global Creative Director Guido Palau says there’s no such thing as a good style gone bad. If you put too much product in your hair by mistake, soak up any excess product with a powder form of dry shampoo or baby powder. Problem solved!

bh loves: Fudge Urban Dry Shampoo, Oribe Dry Texturising Spray, VO5 Refresh Me Quick Dry Shampoo, Batiste Eden Dry Shampoo, De Lorenzo Absorb Dry Shampoo

Take your wig prep seriously

If you love playing around with different looks without actually making a commitment, don a wig - just make sure you do it right. To prep your hair, section your locks into circular thirds, tying the center third at the crown into a tight ponytail, then clip to one side. Wrap the middle section tightly around the head using a firm-hold hairspray. Next, repeat with the top section, reducing the bulk of the hair. Lastly, take the bottom section and spray it liberally with hairspray. Pull it tightly over the rest of your hair into a high ponytail, and fold the ends to lie flat against the head. 

Set your strands

Hairdresser Barney Martin loves hairspray. Loooves it. And his best kept secret: after blow-drying spritz a little hairspray onto a folded tissue and use it to smooth away frizz and fly aways. Martin swears it will keep locks in check and static-free all day! 

bh loves: VS Sassoon 3Q High Performance Dryer, Cedel Firm Hairspray

Do you know any sneaky hair hacks like these? Tell us in the comments below!