Elvis Presley famously crooned, "I'll have the hairdo I wanted, my own." Liz Taylor, his co-star in "Butterfield 8," was a woman who certainly had her own signature style, especially when it came to her iconic hairdos. From the classic bouffant to the elegant upsweep, let's delve into the fascinating world of Liz Taylor hairdos that continues to inspire and captivate.
Liz Taylor's acting prowess was only rivaled by her striking presence, with her hairdos often stealing the spotlight. Throughout her illustrious career, she sported a plethora of styles, each one as captivating as the next. Let's explore some of her most iconic hairstyles and the trends they set or influenced.
Liz Taylor's Ultimate Icon: The Bouffant
No discussion of Liz Taylor's hairdos would be complete without delving into the voluminous bouffant, a style that became synonymous with her on-screen persona and real-life glamour.
The bouffant, a style characterized by its fullness at the crown, was a staple of Liz Taylor's beauty repertoire in the 1960s. Often piled high and teased into submission, her bouffants were the epitome of opulence and drama. The style added height and depth to her features, balancing her striking eyes and creating a striking contrast with her slender neck.
The Bouffant Blowout
For a night on the town or a red-carpet event, Liz Taylor's hairdos often featured a bouffant blowout. The bouffant was typically paired with a deep side part and cascading waves that framed her face, softening the style's volume and adding movement. This look, often seen in her films like "Cleopatra," exuded the glamour and allure of old Hollywood.
To achieve this look, Liz's stylists would start by applying a heat protecting serum to damp hair. They would then blow-dry the hair in sections, using a round brush to enhance volume and create lift at the roots. Once dry, they would tease the hair at the crown, adding height and texture. Finally, they would smooth the top layer over the teased section and set the style using hairpins and a generous spray of hairspray.
The Bouffant Updo
For formal occasions, Liz Taylor often chose a bouffant updo. This style featured a high bouffant at the front, with the rest of the hair pulled back into a sleek bun or chignon. This look was all about elegance and sophistication, accentuating Liz's refined features and adding an air of regal poise.
To create this look, Liz's stylists would start by teasing the hair at the crown, creating a voluminous bouffant. They would then gather the rest of the hair into a low ponytail or bun, using hairpins to secure it into place. The bouffant would be smoothed and shaped, often using hairspray and a fine-toothed comb to ensure every hair was in place. Finally, the style would be set with hairspray, ensuring it stayed flawless throughout the night.
Liz Taylor's Off-Screen Styles: Casual yet Glamorous
Liz Taylor's on-screen hairdos were nothing short of fabulous, but her off-screen styles were equally as captivating. She often spotted a casual, yet glamorous look that was as inspiring as it was achievable.
Liz Taylor's off-screen style was all about embracing her natural texture and adding a touch of glamour to everyday looks. From beachy waves to loose updos, Liz's casual styles were proof that she was a woman of many hairdos.
The Beachy Wave
Off-screen, Liz Taylor was often seen with soft, beachy waves that framed her face and added a touch of laid-back glamour to her looks. This style, popularized by the '60s surf culture, was all about embracing natural texture and creating effortless, fluid movement.
To create this look, Liz's stylists would start by applying a texturizing spray to damp hair, scrunching it in to enhance natural waves. They would then rough-dry the hair, using their fingers to comb through the waves and enhance their natural movement. Finally, they would mist the hair with sea salt spray, scrunching it in to add beachy texture and hold.
The Loose Upsweep
When it came to elegance, Liz Taylor knew no bounds. Off-screen, she often chose a loose upsweep, a style that was simultaneously casual and chic, perfect for everyday wear yet still red carpet-ready.
To create this look, Liz's stylists would gather her hair into a mid-height ponytail, securing it with an elastic band. They would then pull small sections of hair from around her face, twisting them and pinning them back to frame her face. Finally, they would gently comb through the ponytail, breaking it up and setting it with finger waves or soft curls, depending on her mood.
Throughout her illustrious career, Liz Taylor's hairdos were always as iconic and unforgettable as she was. From the tousled beachy waves of her private life to the grandiose bouffant updos of her silver screen heyday, Liz Taylor's hairdos were more than just styles; they were a testament to her indomitable spirit and unbreakable bond with the camera.
Today, Liz Taylor's hairdos continue to inspire, setting trends and sparking new conversations about what it means to be a woman and a style icon. As we celebrate her life and legacy, let's take a cue from the ultimate style chameleon and embrace our hair's natural beauty and fluidity, knowing that we too can radiate the elegance and poise that Liz Taylor embodied in every stunning hairdo she sported.