Long HAIRDO Venus Shell
Brand Name: Aquage Hair: Ann Bray for Aquage Color: Tausha Ostrander for Aquage Makeup: Wanda Alvarez Photo: Luis Alvarez for Aquage Fashion Stylist: Patric Chauvez;
Dress: Alexander McQueen
Step 1. Begin with a weft of human hair that's 18 to 20 inches wide and at least 12 inches long. Fold the weft in half across the seam.
Step 2. Create a ponytail by rolling the weft across the seam to form a spiral base.
Step 3. Secure the base of the ponytail with a clear elastic band, placing it as close to the base as possible to maintain length.
Step 4. Cut across the base to remove the seam of the weft.
Step 5. Using a hot glue gun, secure the ends at the base.
Step 6. Secure the base of the ponytail on a foam core board that's covered with plastic material to keep the hair from sticking to the surface when dry. Apply a dollop of Aquage Molding Megagel and spread evenly throughout the surface of the hair, both top and bottom.
Step 7. Mold the ponytail into a shape that gradually becomes wide in the middle and then narrows into a point. Separate into thinner individual sections to allow the hair to radiate into the widest shape possible. Dry section under hood dryer.
Step 8. After the section is completely dry, comb through in a circular direction until the hair feels soft and smooth.
Step 9. Lightly and delicately backcomb the underneath of the ponytail with the Aquage Detailing Brush, which is specifically designed for structural backcombing.
Step 10. Using only the tips of the Detailing Brush, carefully and lightly form the shell, making it widest in the middle and then gradually narrowing the shape as you move toward the ends.
Step 11. Lightly spray with Aquage Finishing Spray, directing the spray pattern toward the ends to set the shape. Tuck ends under shell before product dries.
Step 12. To add more depth and dimension, lift the center of the shell and set the shape with Aquage Finishing Spray.
Step 13. When finished, the shell should gradually fan and spread out, becoming widest in the center and narrowest at the ends.
Step 14. Use foam fillers to create a base. Fillers are made with a very light mesh material that allows you to easily insert hairpins and secure the shells. You can create virtually any shape and size for your base by pinning several fillers together.
Step 15. When creating a vertical shape like the one in this image, pin your first shell at the top of the base to conceal the foam filler.
Step 16. Continue adding previously made shells, slightly overlapping and staggering each subsequent addition.
Step 17. Place shells so they are facing in opposite directions to create overall balance and even weight distribution.
Step 18. After all of your shells are pinned to the underlying structure, delicately adjust each piece as necessary. Lightly spray with Finishing Spray to lock in the final placement of the shells. For brilliant luster, apply a finishing touch of Aquage Beyond Shine over the entire shape.
