Blake Lively’s beauty credentials are nothing short of iconic. Widely hailed as the unofficial poster girl of the Met Gala, the actress is well known for her show-stopping glamour - she's all luminous skin, feathery lashes and defined, pillowy lips. It’s her hair though - an artfully tousled mass of honey blonde curls- that remains a consistent feature on Pinterest boards the world over. Long, thick and gloriously lustrous, it came as no surprise when Lively launched of her own brand, Blake Brown, last year. Sadly, those on UK soil were left wanting, with the products debuting exclusively in the US. But alas! All hope is not lost. Taking to Instagram, Lively recently revealed one of the tools behind her enviable locks- and it’s one we can finally get our hands on.
In a candid hair tutorial, she demonstrated how she uses the BaByliss Thermo-Ceramic Rollers, £60, crediting the heated set as a key part of her styling routine. 'I’m an old school devotee to hot rollers and mousse like my mama,' her caption read. And the results? Well, they speak for themselves.
Shop: BaByliss Thermo-Ceramic Rollers
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What Babyliss says: Achieve voluminous curls and waves with the BaByliss Thermo-ceramic roller set. The salon-inspired hair styling kit features 20 ceramic-infused soft-touch rollers, equipped with an array of handy clips and pins for extra grip and comfort.'
What we know: Curls don't stay? These heated rollers could be just the ticket. While the colour-way favoured by Lively is only available in America, trust out when we say these are just as good. Promoting a long-lasting hold, the rollers create high-definition curls full of body and bounce - just look to Lively's hair for proof.
Rachael Martin, beauty director says: 'I’ve had a set of BaByliss rollers tucked away at home for the past year, and to be perfectly honest, they’ve mostly been gathering dust. Clearly, I’m not immune to the influence of Blake Lively’s impossibly bouncy hair so, inspired by her recent tutorial, I decided to bring mine out of retirement. And I’m so glad I did. After a rather chaotic start (working out which direction to roll each section is an art), I eventually found my rhythm. Ten minutes later- and after dousing with a generous spritz of hairspray- I removed the rollers. The big reveal? Far from a let down, I had gorgeously full-bodied curls with serious lift at the root. Genuinely, the levels of bounce and volume could genuinely rival a professional blow-dry. Consider me an official convert.'
Pros
- 20 rollers - great for thick hair
- 3 sizes, perfect for different finishes.
Cons
- Can be tricky to get used to initially
'There are two things going on here,' says Grazia's beauty panellist and global hairstylist Tom Smith. 'Firstly, there’s the broader trend of prioritising hair health more than ever. And secondly, Blake has pledged her loyalty to the return of that bombshell glamour.'
Heated rollers are making a comeback for good reason. 'They use a gentler, more diffused heat compared to straighteners or curling irons,' explains Smith. 'The warmth tends to disperse more gradually through the hair, making them a great option for those looking to minimise heat damage.' And the key to getting it just right? 'Make sure the rollers are warm when you put them in, and leave them in until your hair is completely cool. That’s what sets the shape and helps it last.' As for that elusive 'oomph'? 'It’s all about creating lift at the roots and a luxurious bounce. Once it’s all brushed through, you get that signature voluminous effect with a springiness that makes hair look and feel healthy.'
For maximum impact, Tom recommends applying the rollers in horizontal sections. 'This technique helps shrink the hair upwards and creates real root volume. You can even support the style with a light hair net on top while it sets- it helps keep everything in place without flattening the shape.'
Our verdict
Rachael Martin, beauty director says:
'I’ve had a set of BaByliss rollers tucked away at home for the past year, and to be perfectly honest, they’ve mostly been gathering dust. Clearly, I’m also not immune to the influence of Blake Lively’s impossibly bouncy hair so, inspired by her recent tutorial, I decided to bring mine out of retirement. And I’m so glad I did. After a rather chaotic start (working out which direction to roll each section is an art), I eventually found my rhythm after following Tom's advice to keep things horizontal. Ten minutes later- and, after dousing with a generous spritz of hairspray, removed the rollers. The big reveal? Far from a let down- I had gorgeously full-bodied curls with serious lift at the root. Genuinely, the levels of bounce and volume could genuinely rival a professional blow-dry. Consider me an official convert.'
If you’re after Lively-level bounce and body, it might just be time to revisit the not-so-humble heated roller.
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty Director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism
Image credit: Instagram @blakelively