Every year, we gather around our TVs in celebration of models, pink lingerie, and angel wings. The countrywide event is watched by women of all body shapes and demographics. Silky underwear aside, what keeps us captivated is the perfect blonde angel hair.
In advance of the fashion show’s air date December 2, we gave celebrity stylist Ryan Pearl a call. The Redken artist created country pop star Kelsea Ballerini’s ethereal blonde hair, ensuring she looked every bit the angel while performing on the catwalk.
While Ballerina has made her name as a bright blonde, Pearl customized her color to match her outgoing persona on stage.
“My inspiration for her look was to give her a color that would best suit her, as an extension of her personality,” he says.
In Pearl’s expert opinion, a lingerie model is only as good as her angelic hair color. Those lustrous locks and barrel curls bouncing down the runway have become an iconic part of American culture.
“To get the ‘angel blonde,’ you want to get a lot of brightness in all of the right places,” Pearl explains. “I added a pop through Kelsea’s ends and around her face while keeping some depth at her base to bring out her beautiful green eyes.”
Interestingly, Ballerini’s cool blonde is right on trend for 2018. This year, we’ve seen many women trade their champagne and honey colors for something a little icier. With the holidays rounding the corner, Pearl’s angel blonde is an excellent fit for medium and light skin tones.
If you’re looking for a similar shade, talk to your stylist about a natural-looking cool blonde with subtle highlights. Be warned, though: This is a shade that takes time, care, and maintenance. Those with naturally dark hair will have to have their manes pre-lightened with bleach, so expect the color to take several appointments to achieve.
Of course, any stylist will tell you that blonde hair is only as good as the at-home maintenance routine you rely on. Pearl is no different.
“To keep this looking fresh and bright, I would recommend alternating Redken Color Extend Magnetics Shampoo and Conditioner with Redken Color Extend Blondage Shampoo and Conditioner, “ he says.
Sold on Ballerini’s mane, but not so hot on the maintenance? Your stylist may be able to replicate Pearl’s angel blonde shade in highlights or an ombre, minimizing the amount of time you’ll spend in a salon chair.
