How-To: Perfect Beach-Babe Hair

Vogue Paris, Andreea Diaconu, June/July 2013
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Vogue Paris, Andreea Diaconu, June/July 2013

Vogue Paris' June/July 2013 issue hit stands on Friday with Romanian beauty Andreea Diaconu— the petroleum jelly aficionado— beached and sanded-up on the cover. Intrigued, we emailed James Pecis, the hairstyling wunderkind and the man behind Diaconu's 'do, and asked him how to achieve a similar look, even if you don’t find yourself in the Caribbean on the reg:

For texture : “The best is usually achieved by doing as little as possible. Before bed, take a shower and wash your hair. Towel dry and spray a 'surf spray' [Pecis recommends Tigi Catwalk Sea Salt or Bumble and bumble Surf Spray] into damp hair and brush through. Then, loosely twist your hair away from your face on both sides and pin up—but don’t twist the ends too tight. Then go to sleep! In the morning, undo the hair, shake out, and break up with your fingers. If you’re finding the waves are too tight, lightly spritz water or more product over the top and then let air dry.”

For color, option 1 : “Squeeze out some lemons and put into a spray bottle (yes, this really works). Spray on just the mids to ends of your hair and comb through. Try to keep it off your scalp because it can burn. Then go sit in the sun and have a margarita. The lemon will be very drying to the hair and does minor damage, which is not always a bad thing. Beautiful, beachy hair is slightly damaged by sun, salt water, and rolling in the sand, and that’s what makes it so beautiful…So, don’t be afraid to rough up your hair a bit.”

For color, option 2 : “A gentler method to slightly lighten the hair is with chamomile. Make a cup with four tea bags and let it soak. After it cools, put it in a spray bottle and follow the same instructions as before. This version is very subtle and will take multiple attempts and time in the sun before achieving lightening.”

So, there you have it—from his lips to your ears eyes. Happy Memorial Day and enjoy the day off (if you’re here in the USA)! If nothing else, take our pal James’ advice and go sit outside and celebrate with a margarita.

Andreea Diaconu photographed by Mario Sorrenti for Vogue Paris June/July 2013, Issue No. 938 in St. Barth—subscribe to Vogue Paris to see more.