Inspiration
The day was full of gold inspired beauty and fashion behind the scenes with Harper’s Bazaar Magazine US. Former deputy beauty director Anne-Marie Guarnieri expressed that the look that she wanted was molten gold hair. So I went full drip with the custom gold hair paint on supermodel Lais Riberio for this beauty editorial.
It’s not everyday that the hairstyle my clients request is such an exciting look! Harper’s Bazaar‘s Style Director, Joanna Hillman, requested that I design the first molten gold look with a more minimal approach to perfectly compliment the outfit. Which was what had to be the most amazing jumpsuit I have ever seen, designed by Atelier Versace covered in mesmerizing gold sequins.
The look I wanted to create was inspired by the texture of the hair I’ve seen on gold statues of angels in Paris. Thick, luscious, chunky, three-dimensional bends is what I wanted to achieve in this hairstyle.
Watch our Behind The Scenes Beauty photoshoot video
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The Gold Paint Hairstyle Guide
step 1
Shiny and sleek cool girl updo
I began this editorial hair look by creating a minimalistic, cool, and sleek updo impacted with high shine.
The sleek shine and wet look was achieved by generously applying Life-Flo Sunflower Seed Oil from roots to ends. I love that this is a super healthy way to achieve a wet look because of the deep conditioning treatment effects of the oil. It also was a great choice compared to a locked in place hair gel for a photoshoot, so that I have the ability to change the look drastically throughout the day if need be.
I combed the hair back and away from the face, leaving behind a trace of comb teeth marks in the hairstyle for a cool texture. I gathered the hair very low at the nape of the neck for this updo — I love how it feels like a very cool girl placement for the knot. I used an elastic band to secure the hair into a ponytail and created the sleek knot by looping the ponytail up and to the right, and pulling the ends through the loop. Next, I pressed the knot flat and tight to the head to minimize volume and secured it with several bobby pins, leaving the tail of the knot sticking out to create a more interesting and intricate design.
step 2
Gold hair paint custom blend recipe
The dramatic transformation from brunette to molten gold on supermodel Lais Riberio felt like an artistic escape during the creation process. The first look was a face frame minimalist detail. Later in the day for look 2, we went in for the closeup and took the look to full dramatics by painting every last inch of Lais’s dark hair gold.
Here are the gold hair paint recipes that I custom created on set at our photoshoot, but you can make it more simple by mixing a hair styling gel and some loose metallic powder makeup together for your own personal DIY look.
Channel your inner artist and have fun playing with mediums, ratios and painterly brush strokes.
What you’ll need
Choose a blend
I experimented with two paint mediums using recipes that are quite easy. The two custom product blends I used included a thicker formula and the other a thinner drippy solution to play with. I choose to work with an oil option as well so that I can change the hair into different looks easily if needed throughout the day for our photoshoot, since a gel could become a bit harder to change into different looks throughout the day.
Fine oil blend
Thick gel blend
Directions
Once the shoot wrapped at Milk Studios in NYC, we were thankful that they had a nice shower, so Lais did not have to walk outside literally dripping in gold—not the most realistic hairstyle to wear out as the paint does rub off! Lais mentioned that it took a long time to wash out and few good shampoos, since oil and water do not mix well. She was really such a great sport being the subject of the messy look… she’s such a professional and nice person! So many laughs were shared and I can’t wait to work with that beauty again!
Grateful to say… this molten gold hair look is one of my favorite editorial looks I’ve ever created and was captured so beautifully! If you know me, you know I have a thing for gold!
Try the look at home or for a photo! TAKE A SELFIE to complete and tag us! @documentarybeauty / #documentarybeauty We LOVE seeing these looks come to life out in the world.
Team Credits
Harper’s Bazaar Magazine Article Featuring the Documentary Beauty Magazine Collaboration Model: Lais Riberio; Photographer: Kenneth Willardt; Hair: Kayla MiChele; Makeup: Erin Parsons; Hair Assistant: Sonny Molina; Makeup Assistant: Christian Briceno; Manicurist: Sunshine Outing; DOCUMENTARY BEAUTY Editor-In-Chief: Kayla MiChele; Contributing Video Editor: Luis Marciliano; Original Music: Timo Ellis; HARPER’S BAZAAR TEAM Deputy Beauty Director: Anne-Marie Guarnieri; Style Director: Joanna Hillman; Senior Photo Editor: Lauren Hechel; Assistant Photo Editor: Ignacio Murillo; Location: Milk Studios.
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