How to Recreate Carrie Bradshaw’s Iconic Curly Hair At Home and What to Ask For at the Salon to Get Her Cut
You can even channel her bouncy curls without using heat
There are few shows as iconic as the late 90s-early 2000s classic, Sex and the City. In case you haven’t seen it (which if so, you need to add it to your watch list ASAP), the show follows the fictional Carrie Bradshaw, a writer living in New York City in her 30s with a column on sex and relationships based on her love life — and sometimes her friends’ love lives. Her friends are the three other main characters: Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York. Each character is very different from the next, making them all beloved for different reasons. While Charlotte is loved for her optimistic, hopeless romantic personality, Carrie is loved for her great sense of style and relatable imperfections. Another quality Carrie is known and adored for? Her classic curly, blonde hair, the signature look she rarely swayed from throughout the entire series. If you’re wondering how to recreate the iconic Carrie Bradshaw hair style, fear not: We got all the scoop from a pro hairstylist on the best techniques, products and even what to ask for at the salon to get those gorgeous curls.
What is the Carrie Bradshaw hair style?
In three words, Carrie’s hair can be described as curly, layered and free-spirited. It’s been said that Sarah Jessica Parker, who played the role of Carrie Bradshaw, has naturally wavy hair rather than curly, so hot tools were often involved in creating the look. However, it has a very care-free, relaxed look to it that makes it look like no irons were used.
“Carrie Bradshaw’s hair in the 90s was pretty iconic,” agrees Sheila Guillermo, hairstylist at NYC THE TEAM Salon in New York City. “Her mid-length center part with blonde hair made her signature curls look bouncy, full and dimensional. Her curls were absolutely very trendy in the 90s.”
What was Carrie Bradshaw’s hair cut?
Carrie Bradshaw had layers throughout her hair which helped her curls look defined and voluminous. For most of the series, her hair was medium length, hitting a little past her shoulders.
If you want to get Carrie’s hair cut, Guillermo says to head to the salon and “ask for a mid-length cut with layers. The amount of layers you get will depend on the thickness and density you have.”
A word of caution, though: “Make sure you can still wear it straight; sometimes curly hair cuts can tend to over layer leaving you with an unwanted mullet,” Guillermo advises.
Why was Carrie Bradshaw’s hair so popular?
Carrie Bradshaw was one of the OG “it girls”, and her hair was, and still is, an “it” hairstyle.
“I think Carrie’s curls were so popular because they set her apart from other TV characters,” explains Guillermo. “Her sexy and flirty hair made wearing your hair natural more acceptable and beautiful.”
Even more, Guillermo says she believes “curls soften people’s facial features,” which can be a benefit to trying out Carrie Bradshaw’s hair style.
How to get your hair like Carrie Bradshaw: Recreate the look at home
So, how can you get Carrie Bradshaw’s hair style the DIY way? Guillermo is here to walk you through the look step-by-step.
1. Detangle
The first step to Guillermo’s Carrie Bradshaw hair tutorial is to rid hair of any knots by combing your conditioner through strands in the shower with a wide-tooth comb. This will make it easier for curls to form/turn out nice and bouncy.
2. Dry hair
Next, Guillermo says to dry hair using a microfiber towel or T-shirt, which will make for a much gentler drying process that prevents frizz. However, you don’t want hair completely dry, but rather damp. If you’re starting with dry hair, Guillermo says to spritz a little water in before adding product in the next step.
3. Apply product
Curl products can make all the difference in defining and smoothing curls. “Using mousse, gel or curl cream, start by applying to ends and work your way up,” says Guillermo. Once applied, “Flip your head and scrunch to set product and get a tighter curl.”
For mousse, Guillermo likes Shu Uemura Kaze Wave Curl and Wave Defining Hair Mousse and for curl creams, she suggests trying out IGK, Ouai or R+Co. “Look for something with a little tackiness similar to a pomade but not too sticky!”
4. Air-dry or blow-dry with a diffuser
If you want to let curls now air-dry, that totally works. However, if you need hair to dry quickly and be ready to go for an event, work, etc., you can blow-dry curls using a diffuser. Guillermo advises opting for the latter if you want tighter, more voluminous curls, and the former if you want more relaxed curls.
5. Set with spray
For more volume and density, finish off the look with a texturizing spray, and to keep curls intact all day, do a light mist of hair spray. Guillermo recommends the Shu Uemura Wata Wave Texture Spray.
6. Touch up with a curling iron
If you don’t have naturally curly hair, you can still follow these steps, says Guillermo, it just will probably create more of a soft wave than curls. “To make it curlier, just take a 1-inch curling iron or smaller, depending on the tightness desired, and wrap small strands of hair around the barrel,” she suggests. “You can do this to some or all of your hair depending on how curly you want it.”
You can also get the Carrie Bradshaw hair by using a heatless curling rod. “Start by washing and blow drying. Set the rods in your hair, add some hairspray and the next morning, voila!” says Guillermo.
For more hair tips and tricks, click through these stories:
U Shaped Haircut: The Style That Flatters Women Over 40 and Makes Hair Look Two Times Thicker
The Best Post-Swimming, Post-Beach Hair Care Routine to Restore Moisture, Shine and More
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