Raye's Timeless Glamour: The Hair Secrets Behind Her British Vogue Cover

For her British Vogue cover story, musician Raye opted for her signature Hollywood glamour hairstyle, a look meticulously crafted by hair stylist Alex Price. Price, who has been working with Raye for some time, highlights the artist's affinity for beauty aesthetics from the 1950s and 1960s, drawing inspiration from iconic figures such as Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot. This collaboration has cemented a tried-and-true method for achieving Raye's voluminous, retro curls, involving a blend of classic techniques and modern hair care products to ensure lasting perfection and natural movement for both static shoots and dynamic performances.

The creation of Raye's distinct pin-up inspired hairstyle for her British Vogue cover, photographed by Malick Bodian, was a collaborative effort rooted in a shared appreciation for vintage elegance. Hairstylist Alex Price recalls a pivotal moment at the GQ Men of the Year awards where the effectiveness of rollers in Raye's hair was undeniable, leading to its adoption as a staple look. This technique, reminiscent of a favorite from the 1990s, involves the precise use of heated rollers to sculpt her hair into the desired shape, reflecting a blend of old-school charm with contemporary execution.

To commence the styling process, Raye's hair is initially blow-dried to prepare it for subsequent treatments. A crucial step involves the liberal application of Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray. This product is vital for ensuring the hair remains exceptionally smooth and lustrous throughout the day. Price emphasizes the significant role anti-humidity sprays play in preserving the integrity of retro curls, explaining that moisture can alter hair's shape, making these sprays indispensable for maintaining pin-perfect bounciness and definition.

For enhanced hold and volume, Price incorporates the Color Wow Xtra Large Bombshell Volumizer mousse into Raye's hair. Following this, she applies L'Oréal Tecni Art Flex Pli heat protectant spray, a product she describes as a long-standing essential. Price's introduction to this particular spray dates back to her experiences working backstage at fashion shows in the 1990s, and she regards it as one of the most effective products available for curling hair. The final step in setting Raye's curls involves BaByliss heat rollers, a brand Price strongly endorses for this technique. She particularly notes the importance of 'old school' roller patterns, such as the swirling 'S' curls, which are a current favorite for Raye and contribute significantly to the overall vintage aesthetic.

The meticulous process culminates with a finishing touch designed to ensure the style’s flexibility and natural allure. Price delicately mists Raye’s hair with Bed Head By TIGI Masterpiece Shiny Hairspray, followed by Sam McKnight’s Easy Up-Do Texture Spray. This combination is specifically chosen to avoid any rigid or 'frozen' appearance, allowing the hair to possess a gentle sway and dynamic movement. This is particularly crucial given Raye’s active stage performances, where her hair needs to move gracefully in sync with her. Raye herself expressed her deep affection for this aesthetic, stating in her cover interview with Laura Snapes, 'I'm obsessed with my Hollywood glamour feeling. I don't think I’m ever going to get rid of my bob.'