To celebrate last night's prom episode on Pretty Little Liars, the show's hair department head hairstylist, Kim M. Ferry, shares her styling tips for the big dance along with hair tips from season 6.
Prom Looks from “Last Dance” Episode #609
Says Kim, "At this point in our season, my Hair Department’s 'Top Hair Moment' is definitely the Prom Episode titled 'Last Dance.' We designed some great hairstyles, built, cut and added human hair extensions and intricate braids. I hired a jewelry designer, Mary Anne Brown (@energeticJewlry). She made me some beautiful custom hair accessories - all handmade for one special PLL. Interesting fact: Mary Anne picks stones that all have ‘energetic properties’ with the intention to bring joy to the wearer. I thought that was pretty cool to use on camera.
"I even custom-made some flower hairpins and a lovely hair braid I clipped into an updo for another PLL. We also established some fun hairstyles on our Rosewood High School background Prom guests as well. It was a big episode with loads of hair fun!"
Tricks for styling the shorter cuts like Aria and Hannah:
Says Kim, "Their shorter, textured hair lengths look so good on both of them. As for styling now, I still use a good setting spray, before I curl them like White Sands Liquid Texture Medium Hold Thermal Styling Spray. It can be used wet or dry. I usually spray each section I am going to curl. I like the softness of our 'beach wave' looks, and have loosened them even more on Hanna and Aria in Season 6. We have more youthful looks in the first 10 episodes of our show created by letting hair hang around their faces and drift onto their shoulders. By using a 1-inch wide hot curling iron, I wrap 1-inch hair sections vertically around the barrel, hold for 4-5 seconds and then gently pull down on the curl and let the hair fall into place to cool as it hangs. This angle helps to give the effect that they walked out of the ocean and let their hair dry in the sun. I don’t usually use hairspray on either of them, but I do add my preferred oil to their ends daily: White Sands Orchids Oil. Put a little on your fingertips and lightly add it to dry, tired ends and watch it smooth hair immediately. Orchids Oil really helps me with fly-aways, tangles and most notably it smells delicious too! (Yes, I use this oil at home in my hair too!)
"The PLL’s hair has evolved a lot in Season 4, 5 and now 6. We are heading new directions soon and have even more hair surprises coming in the second half of the season - be sure to tune in!"
For the longer haired ladies (Spencer and Emily), best techniques for their loose waves:
Says Kim, "The technique is really very close to that for the shorter hair I described above. To create larger waves, simply switch to a larger iron. I think a 1-inch hot iron works great with longer beach waves as well. Still use a good setting spray, and curl vertically instead of horizontally and be sure to pull the wave out as it cools."
Favorite Products:
- White Sands Orchids Oil
- White Sands Liquid Texture Medium Hold Thermal Styling Spray
- 1” CHI Flat Iron
- And of course, my Heat Mats; HairFerry Hot Spot Mats - My mats come in 10 colors!
Character Hair Personalities
"Our PLL characters personalities and their 'Hair Personalities' can change episode to episode," says Kim. "One day the girls could be at school, with long flowing hair in wonderful, shiny beach waves and then they can hop in a car and be up in 'Sleuth Mode' with ponytails or have messy buns because they are hunting down answers on a dark night or maybe they all have disheveled, dirty hair because 'A' has locked them all in a terrible place! The scenes unfold in our scripts and the writer’s descriptions often mold the look for every character on Pretty Little Liars. I take my direction and consult the producers and then the actors and create the best look for each moment we have on screen. I want everyone to be happy - producers, writers, actors and of course our amazing, loyal fans!
[Image credit: Eric McCandless/ABC Family Channel © 2015 Disney ABC Television Group]