I’ve been in LA to work with Battlestar Gallactica’s leading lady, Tricia Helfer, where I did her hair for the Emmy’s. I used Tara Smith Basecoat Serum throughout the hair and blow dried it out. It’s important to do this with a big round brush with holes that hold heat, so the hair has lots of root lift and volume. I added in velcro rollers as I was going up the hair, as this keeps the volume in while make up is being done. Afterwards, I removed the rollers and brushed it out with a wide vent brush (you can also use a paddle brush as long as the needles aren’t tight together) and pulled back down into the corner to the nape of the neck, so you can see the hair when she looks straight on. To keep it soft I didn’t pull it too tight to the head, but pinned it back gently and released the front, spritzing with Tara Smith Top Coat Glosser for shine. For the afterparty, the back was kept soft and teased with a comb to give the hair a little support, then spritzed with hairspray, and I curled the end into kicks with a round brush.

Next it was off to New York where I styled Marisa Tomei for the premiere of her new film, The Wrestler. I’m working with Marisa for the promotions of the film over the next few months which I’m really looking forward too. In between this, I’ll be styling Natalie Imbruglia for some charity events that she’s doing for Virgin Unite and I always like to support charities where I can.

I also styled Neve Campbell for the red carpet at Virgin Unite and the Scream Awards. Neve’s had an organic perm in London (www.karinejackson.co.uk / 020 7836 0300) so I applied hard hold gel and diffuser dried, then around the top section and the face I picked up a few sections and curled them with half an inch and 1 inch sized curling irons.

Speaking of charities ­ you can catch me on TV in November during Children In Need when I’ll be judging the grand final of Celebrity Scissorhands.

I’ll also be at the Clothes Show Live in December so get your ticket booked!

Love and light,

Tara Smith