I was blessed with my mom’s natural curls, but growing up, I thought of this more as a curse. In high school, I’d wake up extra early each morning to methodically straighten my locks into a Justin Bieber-esque swoop. I’d avoid pool parties or swimming altogether, knowing the second my hair gets wet, it would start spiraling. I hated it! But then again, who could blame me: My tricky texture falls somewhere between straight and super curly—it’s more of a wavy curl—and I simply had no idea how to work with them. Even throughout my 20s, blow-drying it straight into a side-parted pompadour style just seemed easier and more convenient.
However, something changed shortly before I turned 30. I suddenly became curious about embracing my curls. Call it a result of the pandemic—when, let’s face it, we all tried something new while being locked in our homes—but I felt the urge to experiment with a new hairstyle, and venturing into curly territory seemed both foreign and exciting. Plus, seeing Timothée Chalamet rock a perfectly-curly, messy heartthrob mop on the red carpets certainly pushed me to explore the idea further. His youthful style felt effortless, slick, and just downright cool.
After becoming obsessed with the idea of Chalamet hair, I quickly started an (embarrassing) Pinterest mood board page with all of his various hair moments. At the very top of the list? When Chalamet appeared on the October 2022 cover of British Vogue: His bouncy ringlets locks looked exceptionally healthy, and were styled by the masterful Guido Palau, no less.
Feeling inspired by the look—and needing tips from a pro after growing my hair to Chalamet’s length—I reached out to Palau for his advice on how to style my mane just like the star. It turns out he’s all for one embracing their natural pattern. “When you have a confidence in the way your hair is, it excludes confidence and playfulness,” says Palau. “I love [Chalamet’s hair] because it feels true to him.”
Below, Palau shares his five tips for achieving that perfect Chalamet hair. Spoiler alert: I tried out his strategic methods, and my curly mop has never looked better.
Perfect Your Shower Routine
To ensure your curls will form without frizz, Palau says a proper wash-and-condition treatment in the shower is key (many stylists also recommend limiting shampoos to once a week). Products specifically designed for curls are a must, says Palau. “Make sure you use a moisturizing shampoo, like the Curl Wow Hooked shampoo,” he says. “Then follow that with a conditioner, like the Curl Wow Coco-Motion Lubricating conditioner, to hydrate hair to maximize shine and bounce.”
Detangle and Apply Product
Post-shower, use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to softly detangle the hair. (Avoid rigorously brushing it, which can eliminate your natural curl patterns.) Afterward, apply a curl cream or gel, depending on personal preference; A cream will offer hydration to the hair, while a gel offers more hold. “Timothée’s natural hair is curly, but we damped it and used the Curl Wow Shook Mix + Fix Bundling Spray to bring out the curl,” says Palau.
Use the Right Heat Tools
Once hair is prepped with product, it’s time to dry it. One can certainly air dry, but if you’re crunched for time, a diffuser hairdryer—which evenly spreads airflow over a wide surface area—will help bring out one’s natural curls (it will definitely amp them up, too!). The key to diffusing is to lightly scrunch the hair while holding the diffuser close to the head. You can also use a curling iron to further set it. “I dried [Timothée’s hair] with a diffuser and then went in with a 3/4 inch curling iron to enhance the curls that were there,” says Palau. “Then, I arranged it in a Bob Dylan-esque way.”
Set It and Forget It
Once the hair is dried, it’s time to set them in place with a final round of products. To do so, Palau recommends adding a moisturizing cream, gloss, or oil to keep the curls bouncy and glossy throughout the day. “We finished the look using Oribe Supershine Light Moisture Cream to add shine and take away any frizz,” he says. Once lightly scrunched in, avoid touching and fussing too much with your locks afterward—it can undo all the hard work you’ve just done.
Lastly, rock it!
One can’t truly have Chalamet hair without rocking it like an A-list superstar. At least, that’s what Palau maintains as a finishing touch. “Follow the steps above,” he says, “and have some confidence with your curls like Timothée does!” As someone who’s finally embraced my curls and gotten my routine down pat (thanks, Palau), I would have to agree: Curls just give you a certain attitude. I might even be ready for a red carpet now. Watch out, Timmy!
