Summer might be in full swing, but our diaries are still full of festivals. Concerts provide the perfect blank canvas to explore your creativity when it comes to fashion and beauty choices, and this extends to your hair.
According to international celebrity hairstylist, Peter Lux, who counts Florence Pugh, Dua Lipa and Bella and Gigi Hadid among his famous clients, this year, the festival aesthetic is governed by Y2K trends. "I can totally see how Y2K styles will stay relevant but still evolve into an endless array of styles influenced by modern-day pop culture, their subcultures, and trends in fashion," the hair guru explained.
American Express made sure nobody missed out on the fun at American Express Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park with their Noughties-themed Amex Experience in partnership with Peter Lux to ensure your hair also remains Y2K approved.
Here are some of the tips he swears by when it comes to Y2K-inspired festival hair...
1. Avoid using too much heat
We’ve all been guilty of putting our tresses through intense heat to get perfect curls or silky straight hair. While these styles may temporarily look flawless, they might cause permanent damage. However, festivals call for the best hairstyles and there is a way to take care of your mane without damaging them.
The secret is proper haircare. Peter suggests: “My top tip is to not use heat appliances more than necessary and ideally with a variety of heat settings to be able to select what is right for your hair, and of course using a heat protection spray is a must.”
2. Introduce scalp treatment into your regime
Your everyday shampoo and conditioning routine might not be enough for the stress your hair will be under during the summer. Peter strongly advises including scalp treatment in your routine by incorporating a scalp treatment product or oil.
3. Choose the right products
Painting the town red in the summer can involve a lot of heat and humidity. Humidity can turn your topknots into frizz which can be a downer for the day. It’s therefore imperative to use the right products and follow the right routine to suit your hair type while nourishing your tresses to stay flawless throughout the day. “Properly dry your hair after washing it and use a hair serum,” Peter said. “I like to finish using hairspray as a barrier after styling.”
Peter, who has styled Dua Lipa for her latest song for the Barbie movie, has also been the brain behind summer 2023’s hottest new hairstyles introduced at the American Express Noughties event. His Space Buns, Spiky Zig Zag, and Colourful Crimps looks are inspired by noughties icons Ally McBeal, Gwen Stefani, Destiny’s Child, and Christina Aguilera’s retro styles. However, Peter made sure to add his contemporary twist to make them feel “newstalgic.”
Cardmembers and their guests were able visit the Hair Bar in the Noughties-themed Amex Experience at American Express presents BST Hyde Park to get a Y2K hairstyle inspired by Peter Lux’s designs.
Peter Lux’s step-by-step tips for his top three Y2K festival looks
Space Buns
Step 1: Prep your Hair
Start by preparing your hair for styling.
Step 2: Section your Hair
Using a comb, create a horizontal parting across the back of your head, separating the hair you want to leave out from the rest.
Step 3: Create the Space Buns
Take the remaining hair, excluding the section you separated, and divide it into two equal parts. This will be used to create the space buns.
Step 4: Twist and Secure the Space Buns
Starting with one section, twist the hair clockwise until it begins to coil around itself. Continue twisting until the hair forms a bun shape.
Step 5: Merge with the Space Buns
Take a few strands of the remaining pieces of hair from each side of the section and wrap them around the base of each space bun.
Step 6: Final Touches
Check the overall look and make any adjustments to ensure symmetry and desired volume.
Colourful Crimps
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair Extensions
Start by preparing your clip-in hair extensions. Choose the colours that you want to incorporate into your hairstyle.
Step 2: Section Your Hair
Section your hair into two parts: the top section and the bottom section.
Step 3: Apply Clip-In Extensions
Starting with the bottom section of your hair, create a horizontal parting and secure the rest of the hair out of the way. Attach the clip-in extensions by sliding the clips onto the root of the hair and snapping them shut. Work your way up, gradually adding more extensions until you achieve the desired colourful effect.
Step 4: Crimp Random Sections
Take sections of hair from the bottom section, then using your hair crimper or crimping iron, clamp down the selected sections of hair somewhere along the section.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Once your hairstyle is complete, for extra hold and longevity, spritz some hairspray lightly over your hair.
DISCOVER: TikTok is going wild for this hair growth oil and I can confirm it's a game-changer
Spiky Zig Zag
Step 1: Prepare the Hair
Start by washing and conditioning your hair to ensure a clean and manageable base.
Step 2: Straighten the hair
Straighten your hair from roots to ends. Work in small sections for better control and smoother results.
Step 3: Create a Zig Zag parting
Section off a small triangular area at the front of your hairline, where you want your zig zag parting to start. Use a rattail comb or the end of a makeup brush to create the zig zag parting by making diagonal lines from one side of the triangular section to the other.
Step 4: Face-Framing Strands
Choose two to four skinny strands from the front section, close to the zig zag parting. These strands will frame your face. Gently pull them forward and separate them from the rest of the hair.
Step 5: Twisted Small Buns
Divide the remaining hair (leaving the front strands) into four equal sections. Twist each section tightly from the roots leaving about 2 inches of the ends untwisted and secure with a couple of grips leaving them sticking out and repeat.
Step 6: Styling the Face-Framing Strands
Untie or unclip the face-framing strands. Take each strand and braid it all the way to the ends and secure with a small elastic band.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
To add a pop of colour and style to your look, incorporate colourful clips or hair accessories.
Step 8: Set the Style
To ensure your hairstyle lasts throughout the day, lightly mist your hair with a strong hold hairspray. This will help hold the straightened hair, keep the twists and buns in place, and prevent frizz.