Big Hair and Big Confidence in '60's-Inspired Collection

Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch, Catherine Deneuve: These 1960s bombshell icons and their big bouffants served as inspiration for the latest collaboration between photographer Laretta Houston and Coty Senior Manager Prestige Education Christina McCarver. “Big hair is something that Laretta and I have always been drawn to,” says McCarver. “The look is iconic and it gives women confidence. It was powerful then, and still is today.” Although the look is retro, modern touches in makeup and wardrobe make the collection fresh and fun—and the looks are empowering as ever.

To create the voluminous looks on already dry hair, McCarver sprayed Sebastian Professional Texture Maker at the roots then blew out hair again. In a brick-lay pattern, she then curled the hair and finished with Sebastian Professional Shaper Plus and Sebastian Professional Re-Shaper.

“Our goal was to get really large, exaggerated volume in the hair,” McCarver says. Hair wefts were added and an insert was used, which she created that day. “I back-brushed the hair pieces into her own hair for a seamless look.”

“The look is iconic and it gives women confidence. It was powerful then, and still is today.”

“There’s something that’s so feminine about large hair,” says McCarver. “That look is always in. Most women want volume. So long as you start with a solid foundation and the proper products, you can create exaggerated volume and super sexy styles.”

Hair: Christina McCarver 
Photographer: Laretta Houston 
Makeup: Francie Tomalonis 
Model: Kate Wilson 
Wardrobe: photographer’s own