Messy In a Good Way

This might be a personal impediment so I won’t make a blanket statement, but is it just me or is the importance of a “hair do” sometimes overlooked when considering style or more acutely, actually getting dressed?

I discovered The Magic Hair Mix about two months ago after I started using a shampoo that is actually a cleansing cream and therefore does not generate soap suds. It left my hair softer than a baby’s cheeks and sleeker than its usual poodle-like frizz. I would hair iron it once it dried because intrinsically, I still live in the year 2002 and after that was done, I looked like I’d just left a salon that specializes in Japanese hair straightening.

So, without using products, I’d fold my hair into the most ambitious buns it could withstand hoping it might crease until I realized — earth to Leandra — that using a combination of Bumble and bumble’s surf spray (volume, waves, the whole enchilada) coupled with their new Cityswept Finish (stringy, flatter, the French way) after the ritual cleaning cream + hair ironing would find me at the intersection of jovial flocculence and cool much sooner than a temporary up-do would.

So then I got to thinking, what other product cocktails could I bind to make my hair do stuff? And with the help of one Bumble and bumble’s mixologist, we created three that, in my opinion, offer a real run for the alcohol content of any mixed drink. And what’s more? No hangover, boom!

I test-drove the hair + lewks during New York Fashion Week and surmised the following. In the first selection of images you will find my combover dilly-dallying against a deer print (but not skin!) Bambi, ankle length coat which is cloaking a black prairie-style dress and Prada sandals. Figure this the equivalent of something you might wear to an after-party in the event Amy Poehler’s Vortex isn’t obstructing your ability to not just dress, but walk.

The products used to strike this balance are first, Bumble and bumble’s thickening full form mousse for texture and shape then surf spray for waves and finally, the Cityswept Finish to cheat the appearance of lived-in curls.

For our next trick, we imagined a “day on the run” that would include the typical “editor garb” — with a houndstooth Stella McCartney jacket and meme-brand denim and plaid shirt underneath, plus a pair of vintage Levi’s jeans, black cap toe booties and a Paula Cademartori clutch that vaguely looks edible — and, of course, calls for an mid-do. Yeah, girl! You work that mid-do!

To get this look right, first, my hair was teased at the crown of my head, leaving the sides flat but creating volume where it counts. Then we used mousse to create a rough dry in effect and dryspun finish for texture. We pulled random strings of hair out of the pony tail to make it seem less contrived and then pinned that pony up into a bun Cityswept Finish is the last step and it makes your dejected strings of hair even piece-y-er. You are now practically French. Or a J. Crew model.

And finally, there’s the sleek, I-can’t-be-bothered-got-to-get-to-meetings lewk. I’m wearing a pinstriped jacket (Zara, folks) because why not with a silk wrap blouse by Max Mara and a Monica Sordo choker that temporarily impairs neck movement. The pants are high waist and by Mina+Olya and because I was French the last time around, I’ll evince the spirit on an English girl this time with my white sneakers and bowler hat by Borsalino.

I haven’t seen my hair this straight since I was in 7th grade but now I have to ask myself why. To get it broomstick straight, we first used Bb spray de mode which protects hair and then Cityswept Finish for separation. Finally, we imparted some semisumo to the tips and scalp to get rid of flyaways and have it appear slightly greasier.

Now, I don’t know how you do with deductive reasoning but the common denominator present in all three cocktails in the Cityswept Finish. Figure it the agave to any number of your tequila drinks. And in the name of looking forward to Monday, you should know that Man Repeller readers will have exclusive pre-sale access to Bumble and bumble‘s new Cityswept Finish so take a seat, have a drink and check back.

Part 1 of 1 in collaboration with Bumble and bumble.