Secrets from celebrity hair stylist Andy LeCompte

The Spa at Ballantyne is joining with Wella Professionals and OK! magazine to present an evening of tips on how to get a red-carpet ready look. It's from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at the Spa at 10000 Ballanytne Commons Parkway. Guests will receive complimentary hair touch-ups and learn celebrity secrets for looking your best. Plus there are refreshments and goodie bags. 


It's free, but you must RSVP to ballantyne@okmagazine.com. 


OK!'s beauty director, Cheryl Krammer Kaye, told me that the celebrities setting hair trends right now are Rihanna, Nicole Richie and Thandie Newton because they don't stick to one style and they like to experiment with new looks. 


Although he won't be at the event, Wella Professionals celebrity hair stylist Andy LeCompte - who is on tour right now with Madonna and is best friends with Nicole Richie - sent me his general styling tips that will help you look like a star. 

·         Start with healthy hair: The most on-trend style starts with healthy hair. People will notice if your hair looks unhealthy, and even the greatest style won’t get the recognition it deserves. I recommend treating your hair once a week with a deep conditioner to help bring your hair back to a healthier state. I also recommend prepping wet hair with Wella Professionals Velvet Amplifier before blow-drying because it primes the hair by smoothing out the cuticle so hair looks healthy and not frizzy. 

·         Styling Tip: When styling my celebrity clients, I like to promote healthy hair by working with their natural texture. I only blow out the hair shaft until it’s about 80% dry, then finger style. Use a straightener over the hair in large sections, just to tame any wild kinks. 

·         Summer Trend Forecast : For the remainder of the summer, I see there being an increase in masculine, strong styles - so shorter and strong looks will be present. We will see more medium/shoulder length hair with a fringe. We’ll still see the emphasis on old-Hollywood glam but the cuts will be shorter, more pristine and more polished.

·         Day to Evening: My favorite way to go from a daytime look to an evening look fast is to dab a bit of Wella Professionals Pearl Styler in your palms and brush your hair into a sleek ponytail or ballerina bun. It’s clean, chic and super easy.