Perfecting Raye’s Signature Pin-Up Bob For Her British Vogue Cover

When it came to Raye’s hair look for her British Vogue cover story, hairstylist Alex Price knew Hollywood glamour was the order of the day. “It just really works on her, she loves beauty references from the ’50s and ’60s, such as Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot – as well as romantic images from the past,” says Price. “Once, I put rollers in her hair at the GQ Men of the Year awards – that was it, we stuck with it ever since!”

Price tends to use an old ’90s favourite, heated rollers, to achieve Raye’s preferred pin-up-inspired look. When it came to her cover story, captured by Malick Bodian, it was a case of returning to their tried-and-tested approach.

After blow drying Raye’s hair to begin with, Price then spritzes it with a generous helping of Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, to ensure that her tresses stay smooth and glossy throughout the day. “Moisture alters the shape of your hair, so anti-humidity sprays are crucially important to keep retro curls pin-perfect and bouncy.”

To add hold, “I use the Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer mousse,” Price shares, “followed by the L’Oréal Tecni Art Flex Pli heat protectant spray, which has always been a staple. I learned about this product from working backstage at fashion shows back in the ’90s, and it’s one of the best products you can ever use to curl hair.” Finally, Price sets Raye’s hair with BaByliss heat rollers – a brand that she swears by when it comes to this technique. The hairstylist notes that “old school” roller patterns are central to the look, such as swirly “S” curls, which are a current Raye favourite.

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To finish, Price mists Raye’s hair with Bed Head By TIGI Masterpiece Shiny Hairspray, and Sam McKnight’s Easy Up-Do Texture Spray. “We don’t want the hair to appear to be overly rigid or frozen – it needs to gently sway and have movement – especially when Raye is dancing and performing on stage.”

“I’m obsessed with my Hollywood glamour feeling,” Raye tells Laura Snapes in her cover interview. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get rid of my bob.”