Hair Tip - Christina Applegate:Tousled Curls

Introduction

Christina Applegate is an award winning actress with gorgeous all American good looks.  In some respects you can call her the Queen of Tousled because she is famous for wearing her California beach babe tresses in tousled curls and waves. 

Don't let 34 year old Christina's (born November 25, 1971) beauty fool you.  She's one of the most talented and hardest working actresses in the industry today with acting awards to prove it.  Her dedication to her craft was tested this year when she signed on to play Charity Hope Valentine in the Broadway Show "Sweet Charity". 

In March while on stage in Chicago where the show was preparing to go to Broadway, Christina broke a bone in her right foot.

Although the producers officially cancelled the production, Christina showed that she was a trouper and made her debut in the play on Monday, April 18th.

It ultimately opened on Broadway on May 4th.  Christina was nominated for a 2005 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in Sweet Charity.

For her onstage performance Christina wears her very thick, luscious, naturally wavy, slightly layered strands in a cascade of soft bouncy curls that ends right at her collarbone with a sweep of fringe off to the side.

Offstage, Christina may opt for a more windblown bed head look (see image at the top of the page) that allows her to simple tousle her layered with her fingers.

Both styles work beautifully with her face shape, gorgeous skin and stunning eyes.

Many of Christina's stunning Red Carpet hairstyles have sprung from her long time collaboration with Hollywood hair guru, Ken Paves, who also weaves magical hair motifs for the likes of JLo, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson, Carmen Electra, Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy, Lara Flynn Boyle and Marley Shelton to name just a few of his famous clients.

In the photo below, Christina was coiffed to show off Hollywood Glamour for the premiere of Surviving Christmas.  Ken created a "wet set" for Christina and rolled her hair in pin curls.  When her strands were completely dry, he used a brush to create gorgeous but soft waves.

Steal Christina's Curly Look

Keep in mind that Christina not only has "a lot of thick hair" according to Ken, but she has a well-formed "natural wave" that allows her hair to hold fabulous curls and waves. 

Step 1: Shampoo hair with a moisturizing product that is ideal for your hair's texture, type and current condition.

Christina has highlighted tresses and with her busy acting schedules, her strands take some styling abuse.  If your hair is colored, highlighted or dry, consider using a color enhancing shampoo formula or a product designed to counter dry or damaged hair.

(Shampoo products to try for dry or damaged strands:  Paves Professional - FLAWless No Sulfates Allowed Repairing Shine Shampoo For Dry Damaged Hair,  Phyto - Phytojoba Hydrating Shampoo, PHYTO - Dry Hair System, Phyto - PhytoBrush Shampoo)

Step 2: Follow with an appropriate rinse-out conditioner designed for your hair's type, texture and current needs.

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(Conditioning products to try for dry or damaged strands:  Paves Professional - FLAWless Un-Damaged Goods Deep Repairing Conditioning Cream For Dry Damaged Hair)

Step 3:  Rinse well with a cool water rinse which helps build natural volume and increase shine.

Step 4:  Towel blot strands.  Detangle strands from the ends to the roots.

Step 5:  Prep hair with styling cream or mousse. Distribute well.

(Styling Products To Try:  Paves Professional - FLAWless It's A Wrap Repairing Defining Finish Cream For Dry Damaged Hair,  Paves Professional - FLAWless Red Carpet Firm Hold Repairing Styling Mousse For Dry Damaged Hair)

If hair is naturally curly or excessively wavy, use a straightening balm to help prevent frizz and get strands straight.

(Straightening Balms To Try: Paves Professional - FLAWless Straight and Narrow Repairing Relaxing Balm For Dry Damaged Hair,

Step 6:  Use a medium sized round boar's head brush.  Working from side to side with small individual sections of hair (2 - 21/2"), blow dry strands completely straight. 

Step 7:   After each section is dry but still warm from the blow dryer heat, roll the bottom part of each section up in a small Velcro roller. Let each roller cool off in the hair for at least 20-30 minutes. Complete this step on all of the hair.

Step 8:   After the Velcro rollers have been allowed to cool off, start with the first curler rolled and remove one section at a time.  Continue to unwind all of the rollers until finished.

Step 9:  Use a boar's head brush to break up the newly formed curls into an array of saucy waves and tendrils.

Note:  If you prefer a messier look, do not brush but use fingers to tousle the curls into place.

Step 10:  Take a 2-inch section hair from above your right ear and divide it into three pieces: Hold two separate pieces in your right hand and one piece in your left.

Step 11:  Finish with a spritz of hairspray. For touchable waves and curls that move and bounce, choose a soft or flexible hold formulation that provides subtle support without the stiffness. 

(Hairsprays to try: Paves Professional - FLAWless Convertible-Proof Firm Hold Repairing Hair Spray for Dry Damaged Hair, PhytoPro - Instant Hold Spray #15 - 6.7 fl oz, Rene Furterer - Instant Hold Finishing Spray)

Step 12:  Apply a tiny drop of shine serum, drops or spray into the palms of your hands.  Lightly brush the palms over the top of your style and you are for the bright lights of Broadway.

(Shine products to try:  Paves Professional - FLAWless In The Spotlight Greaseless Essential Oil Shine Serum For Dry Damaged Hair, Phyto - PhytoLisse (Formerly Phytodefrisant RelaxSerum)

Optional Look:  Tousled & Windblown

If you prefer Christina's more casual hairstyle that showcases her natural waves, and you have a similar texture for your tresses, it's an easy style to recreate.  Shampoo, condition, rinse and blot hair dry.  Apply a good styling cream or mousse and then use fingers to tousle air dry.

If you prefer more definition and movement, use a long finger diffuser attachment with a blow dryer set on a medium to low heat and scrunch hair into the desired shape.  Apply hairspray and shine serum for a finished look.

Summary

Christina in her role in Sweet Charity has shown another side of her multi-talents.  The actress has also successfully  produced and co-wrote a now-famous song for the movie The Sweetest Thing.  So what's next for Christina?  Only time will tell, but the sky's the limit.

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Original Publication Date:  6/14/2005 - Revised Publication Date:  11/8/2005

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For additional hair care articles, tips and product information check out the following links:

• Hair Boutique Tips & Articles section.  Check out the over 10,000+ different hair care and styling tips at HairBoutique.comChristina Applegate - Emmy Award Style

• To see more of Christina's gorgeous hairstyles visit her Hairstyle Gallery at HairBoutique.com.

• Christina Applegate: Short Sassy HairDo For Samantha Who!

• Christina Applegate:  Stellar Cosmo Hair

• Phyto Selection Guide - Check out our Phyto selection guide to figure out which of these award winning products would work best for your hair type, texture and condition.