Blake Lively never fails to dazzle us with her iconic hairstyles, and her ’80s-inspired curls at the 2024 Super Bowl were no exception. With voluminous curls and a touch of retro flair, Blake’s hair stole the show and left us all wanting to recreate the look. If you’re eager to channel her glamorous style, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll break down the steps to achieve Blake Lively’s stunning ’80s-inspired curls from the 2024 Super Bowl, so you can rock this timeless look with confidence.
Step 1: Prep Your Hair
Before diving into creating Blake Lively’s ’80s-inspired curls, it’s crucial to lay the foundation with proper hair preparation. Follow these steps to ensure your hair is primed and ready for styling:
- Heat Protectant Spray: Begin by spritzing a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your hair. This step is essential for shielding your strands from the potential damage caused by heat styling tools. Heat protectant sprays create a barrier between your hair and the heat, minimizing the risk of dryness, breakage, and split ends.
- Volumizing Mousse or Foam: Next, reach for a volumizing mousse or foam to infuse your hair with body and texture. Apply a generous amount of the product to your hair, focusing on the roots and mid-lengths. Volumizing mousses are lightweight formulas that work to lift the hair at the roots and create lasting volume, while also providing hold for your curls.
- Even Distribution: To ensure thorough coverage and optimal results, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to distribute the heat protectant spray and volumizing mousse evenly from roots to ends. Take your time to massage the products into your hair, paying attention to any areas that may need extra volume or texture.
Step 2: Section Your Hair
Dividing your hair into sections is a crucial step in achieving flawless curls that are evenly styled and hold their shape throughout the day. Follow these detailed instructions to section your hair effectively for Blake Lively’s ’80s-inspired curls:
- Start from the Bottom: Begin by separating a small section of hair from the nape of your neck. Use your fingers or a tail comb to create a clean parting, ensuring that the section is neat and uniform in size. This bottom section will serve as the foundation for your curls.
- Clip or Tie Up: Once you’ve isolated the bottom section, clip or tie the remaining hair out of the way using hair clips or hair ties. This step prevents the rest of your hair from getting in the way while you curl the bottom section, ensuring that each section is styled evenly and efficiently.
- Divide into Subsections: Within the bottom section, further divide the hair into smaller subsections. The size of these subsections will depend on your hair thickness and the desired curl size. For voluminous ’80s-inspired curls like Blake Lively’s, opt for smaller subsections to achieve maximum volume and bounce.
- Secure with Clips: As you work through each subsection, use hair clips to keep the rest of the hair neatly separated and out of the way. This organization ensures that you can focus on curling one section at a time, preventing any confusion or overlap that may result in uneven curls.
- Work Your Way Up: Continue dividing your hair into sections and curling each subsection from the bottom up. Once you’ve finished curling the bottom section, release the next section of hair and repeat the process, gradually working your way up towards the crown of your head.
Step 3: Curl Your Hair
Now that your hair is properly sectioned and prepped, it’s time to start curling! Follow these step-by-step instructions to achieve Blake Lively’s signature ’80s-inspired curls:
- Select the Right Tool: For voluminous curls reminiscent of the ’80s era, opt for a large barrel curling iron or wand with a diameter of at least 1.5 inches. This barrel size will create loose, bouncy curls with plenty of body and volume, perfectly capturing Blake’s glamorous style.
- Heat Up the Curling Iron: Before you begin curling, make sure your curling iron or wand is heated to the appropriate temperature setting for your hair type. If your hair is fine or delicate, use a lower heat setting to prevent damage. Conversely, if your hair is thick or coarse, you may need to use a higher heat setting for optimal results.
- Divide and Conquer: Working one section at a time, take a small subsection of hair and wrap it around the barrel of the curling iron, starting from the mid-lengths or ends. For Blake Lively’s signature look, aim to curl the hair away from your face to create natural-looking waves that frame your features.
- Wrap and Hold: Carefully wrap the hair around the barrel of the curling iron, leaving the ends out for a more relaxed, beachy effect. Hold the hair in place for a few seconds—typically around 5 to 10 seconds, depending on your hair type and the heat setting of your curling iron—to allow the heat to penetrate the hair and set the curl.
- Release and Repeat: After holding the hair in place for the desired amount of time, gently release the curl from the curling iron and allow it to cool in your hand for a few seconds before letting it fall naturally. Continue curling small sections of hair in this manner, working your way around your head from bottom to top, until all of your hair is curled.
- Variation is Key: To achieve a natural-looking, ’80s-inspired curl pattern like Blake Lively’s, vary the direction of your curls as you work around your head. Alternate between curling sections towards your face and away from your face to create dimension and movement throughout your hair.
Step 4: Set Your Curls
Setting your curls is a crucial step in ensuring that they maintain their shape and longevity throughout the day. Follow these steps to effectively set your curls after curling each section:
- Release and Allow to Cool: After curling each section of hair with the curling iron, gently release the curl from the barrel and allow it to cool completely before moving on to the next section. Allowing the curls to cool while still intact helps to set the shape and lock in the curl pattern.
- Hands-Off Approach: Resist the temptation to touch or manipulate the curls while they are cooling. Handling the curls too soon can cause them to lose their shape and definition, resulting in frizz and less-than-perfect curls. Instead, let the curls cool undisturbed to ensure they set properly.
- Consider Hairspray: For added hold and longevity, consider spritzing each curl with a flexible hold hairspray before releasing it from the curling iron. Hold the hairspray bottle several inches away from your hair and lightly mist each curl to ensure even coverage without weighing down the hair or creating stiffness.
- Repeat the Process: Continue curling sections of hair and setting each curl as you go, working your way around your head until all of your hair is curled and set. Taking the time to set each curl individually ensures that your curls will hold their shape and last throughout the day, even in humid or windy conditions.
Step 5: Finger Comb and Style
After all of your hair is curled and set, it’s time to add the finishing touches to your ’80s-inspired curls. Follow these steps to finger comb and style your curls for a soft, natural look with added volume and dimension:
- Finger Comb: Start by gently running your fingers through your curls to loosen them and create a softer, more relaxed look. Use your fingertips to separate and fluff up the curls, allowing them to fall naturally and blend together for a seamless finish. Avoid using a brush or comb at this stage, as it may disrupt the curl pattern and cause frizz.
- Use a Wide-Tooth Comb or Paddle Brush (Optional): If you prefer a smoother, more polished look, you can use a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush to gently brush through your curls. This will help to soften the curls and create soft waves with added volume and bounce. Be sure to use a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush to prevent breakage and preserve the integrity of your curls.
- Style as Desired: Once your curls are finger-combed or brushed out to your liking, you can style your hair in various ways to complement your look. Consider leaving your hair down for a glamorous and voluminous style, or pinning back sections for a chic half-up, half-down look. You can also add accessories such as hair clips, barrettes, or headbands for extra flair and personality.
- Finish with Finishing Spray: To set your style and add extra hold, finish by spritzing your hair with a light-hold finishing spray. Hold the spray bottle 8-10 inches away from your hair and mist evenly to ensure all-over hold without weighing down your curls. This will help to keep your curls in place and maintain their shape throughout the day.
Step 6: Lock in the Look
To ensure that your ’80s-inspired curls last all day and night, it’s essential to lock in the style with a final spritz of hairspray. Follow these steps to keep your curls looking flawless and frizz-free:
- Choose the Right Hairspray: Select a lightweight hairspray with flexible hold to maintain the natural movement and bounce of your curls without weighing them down. Look for a hairspray specifically formulated for curly hair or one that offers humidity resistance to combat frizz and keep your curls looking sleek and defined.
- Hold the Hairspray Bottle at a Distance: Hold the hairspray bottle approximately 8-10 inches away from your head to ensure even distribution and avoid oversaturating your curls with product. This distance allows the hairspray to mist lightly over your hair, providing a fine layer of hold without creating stiffness or buildup.
- Spritz Evenly: Spritz the hairspray evenly over your curls, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where frizz tends to occur most. Use a sweeping motion as you spray to ensure that all of your curls are covered and protected. Avoid concentrating the hairspray on one area for too long to prevent overapplication and potential stiffness.
- Allow the Hairspray to Dry: After applying the hairspray, allow it to dry completely before touching your curls or moving onto any other styling steps. This will ensure that the hairspray sets properly and provides long-lasting hold without any stickiness or residue.
- Touch Up as Needed: Throughout the day or night, you may need to touch up your curls with a light mist of hairspray to maintain their shape and combat any frizz or flyaways that may occur. Keep a travel-sized hairspray bottle in your purse or bag for quick and easy touch-ups on the go.
With these simple steps, you can recreate Blake Lively’s stunning ’80s-inspired curls from the 2024 Super Bowl and channel her timeless glamour with ease. Whether you’re attending a special event or simply want to elevate your everyday look, these voluminous curls are sure to turn heads and leave you feeling red carpet-ready. So grab your curling iron and get ready to rock this iconic hairstyle with confidence and style!
