Red carpet events are the ultimate testing ground for upcoming seasonal beauty trends, and last night’s National Television Awards (NTAs) proved to be no exception.
In this expert industry roundup, four leading hair authorities—Bruno Marc Giamattei (JOICO), Seung Ki Baek (RUSH), Bailey Snowden (Snowden Hair), and Tracey Ann Smith (MOOD)—break down the standout looks that defined the red carpet.
Bruno Marc Giamattei, JOICO EMEA Creative Director said:
“If sunshine was a hair colour – it would be Cat Deely’s Jam Blonde! This golden blonde hue is infused with orange and yellow ribbons which seamlessly blend throughout the lengths to add depth and dimension to the colour.
“At last night’s NTAs, Cat paired her jam blonde colour with loose curls – harmonising with her golden undertones and striking features. The placement of lighter pieces has been blended throughout the top of her hair and around her face for a multi-dimensional finish, framing her face beautifully.
“When styling this look, I’d recommend beginning with a heat protectant before using any heated styling tools to protect your hair from damage. Dream BlowOut Glass 72 hr Frizz Fighter by JOICO is my secret weapon to supermodel-ready hair.
“This product doubles as a heat protectant and a humidity blocker, helping to sealing in moisture and fighting frizz. This honey-infused shade is perfect for the colder months, giving the complexion an undeniable glow and complimenting the health of her hair. Jam Blonde will dominate blonde trends this winter as we take a step away from the icy, platinum blondes that we’re used to, and switch it up with brightening, warmer hues.”
Seung Ki Baek, Creative Colour Expert at RUSH said:
“One of my favourite hair looks from the NTAs was Ashley James. Ashley wore her hair slicked back in a beautiful low slung braided bun paired with a deep side parting.
“This is such an understated look that does not take long to create but when done right, looks chic, sophisticated and polished. When creating this look the hair products used are key, as you want the hair to have as much lustre as possible with no frizz or flyaways – the Kérastase Laque Noire Anti-Humidity Super Shield Fixing Hairspray is a must-have for re-creating this look.
“Ashely’s signature copper hue is perfect for the autumnal months. It’s a cocktail of golden, nectarine and copper ribbons which add a fiery undertone to the lighter base. It’s rooted warmth with an inviting feel, and when paired with her gorgeous copper hue, this look made a statement on the red carper, exuding understated elegance.”
Bailey Snowden, Barber and Founder of Snowden Hair said:
“Kavan Murphy’s soft and polished short curtain look was the perfect style for the red carpet. His flowing curtains were accompanied with a subtle side part and soft tapering towards the back, adding a touch of volume and dimension to his style.
“This sleek look is an elevated adaption to his everyday style, showing how versatile this can be. To re-create this look, I would use a point cutting technique to remove any bulk and achieve the soft tapering, alongside this a combination of styling products such as a lightweight styling mousse with my favourite Wahl Shine Serum for a frizz free finish, this would create the sleek volume and flowing finish. The result exudes confidence and sophistication, it was by far one of my favourite looks on the red carpet!”
Tracey Ann Smith, Creative Director at MOOD said:
“Olivia Attwood’s beautiful long golden blonde was such an iconic look. Her blonde locks were contrasted with a soft wispy fringe and face framing pieces, it was definitely a showstopper for me and was perfectly accompanied by a gorgeous pink satin dress.
“The Mood Highlift blondes can be used to achieve a similar golden light colour, but this isn’t all I love, Olivia’s blonde locks where loosely curled in a soft blowout to create texture and dimension for an effortlessly lived in look. The Mood Shield and Shine Spray is a favourite of mine when creating a similar lightweight look, it can be used on any hair types, making it the perfect styling product for achieving a healthy, airy blowout.”
Brian Leo McCallum, Creative Director at ROAR Hair and Beauty said:
“Rochelle Humes looks to have taken inspiration from the Odyssey premieres, wearing a stunning waist-length loose braid. The face-framing pieces make the look extra soft and feminine. To recreate this look, I recommend using a small barrel to curl the hair.
“The next step would be to pin the top half of the hair up, making sure to leave some strands loose by the face (this doesn’t need to be too precise). Then braid the remaining hair, taking time to gently pull some strands loose as you braid. Extensions would be needed if you’re looking to add a lot of length. Lastly, use a setting spray to secure this into place – the Goldwell Shaping & Finishing Spray is a great option. Rochelle looked gorgeous!”
Suzie McGill, International Artistic Director at Rainbow Room International said:
“The bold red colour looked amazing on Sheridan Smith. This was emphasised by the short cut and strong side part, giving an edge to the look. I recommend using a good mousse when recreating this look, such as the Schwarzkopf Power Mousse, to help give the hair height and long-lasting volume. It’s best to book a consultation with your stylist when deciding to go for a bold colour, as they can help decide the best colour and dyeing process for you, and it’s useful to bring a reference picture.”