Romantic Upstyle Training with Pauline McCabe

During this lockdown period we had the privilege of learning from one of the greats, Pauline McCabe.

A part of our culture here at Chumba is the constant craving for hair education.

A constant drive to learn new skills and techniques to use in the salon, from the best in the industry.

Pauline McCabe of Rock, Paper, Scissors in Fremantle, demonstrated a couple of gorgeous looks for us, from her work in New York and London Fashion Week shows.

With spring racing and other events just around the corner, it has been the perfect time to get our hands into some new upstyling techniques.

 

 

Pauline McCabe is a hair educator, art director and owner of South Fremantle’s Rock Paper Scissors Hair Studio in Fremantle.

In 2017 and 2018, Pauline won the title of Hair Expo WA Hairdresser of the Year and Australian Hair and Fashion Award WA Hairdresser of the year in 2017.

Pauline has also been personally invited to work as a stylist on many shows for world-renowned Fashion Weeks in Paris, London, New York, and Milan, working on shows from designers like Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Valentino, to name a few.

One of the looks we learned from Pauline was a beautiful updo from 2018 runway show in New York from the designer Brock.

 

 

The Brock 2018 Fall Collection can be described in one word, romantic.

The clothing was vintage inspired, and It featured a soft, antique feel. Brock normally appeals to younger women with its whimsical and flirty feel however with this collection, it aimed towards a more mature and polished look.

It was described as “cinematic,” being inspired by Sabrina and other vintage films, focusing on the sense of occasion in the clothes, and the grand, sweeping romantic gestures. The hair styling reflected that.

 

 

The Look demonstrated to us by Pauline reflected the vintage style and antique feel while keeping it youthful, romantic, and whimsical.

From the wispy fly aways and lived in, almost fluffy texture, to the strong, elegant shape. The word that Pauline kept using to describe the look was “airy.”

It was perfectly windswept like the model had been running around outside in the wind- in a good way.

 

 

The look was deceivingly simple, the main components being three braids all wrapped and arranged together at the back of the head.

Most of the work being in the prepping of the hair.

Pauline began with blow drying the hair all back with lots of sea salt/texture spray. The more texture in the hair the better.

The next step was adding movement to the hair by using a large barrel tong to create a soft, natural wave.

Then, with LOTS of texture spray, the hair was raked back off the face into three plaits. The plaits were then pulled apart, roughed up and folded and placed atop each other to create a distinct square shape.

To finish, once again, more texture spray was used to create more volume and “airiness” to the top.

 

 

This look would be perfect for the races paired with a lacy fascinator, or perfect for a whimsy boho bridesmaid or bridal hairstyle.

Or even dressed down it could be beautifully worn to a party or even just to a nice brunch with the girls.

Despite its impact on the runway, the simplicity and effortlessness of this look make it entirely translatable and wearable in real life.

 

Below are some images of my recreation of the look at home:

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Jessie Riches, Senior Stylist @ Chumba's Windsor Salon

 

JESSICA RICHES