Gucci Mane

Story | Leslie Yip

The Gucci family may not be too fond of their namesake movie, but the hair and makeup styling in the film has certainly won the hearts of the Oscar Academy—it is shortlisted for a nomination in the category.

Hair stylist and master wigmaker Frederic Aspiras has worked with Lady Gaga since 2009, creating some of her most memorable hair looks. The latest in Aspiras’ iconic hair creations were for Gaga in her role as Patrizia Reggiani in the movie House of Gucci.

Should the film earn the nomination, Aspiras, who is of Vietnamese-Filipino descent, would be the second Asian-American to be nominated in the category. The only other Asian-American to have been nominated is Japanese-born American special make-up effects artist Kazuhiro Tsuji, who won for The Darkest Hour and Bombshell.

He shared his excitement on Instagram, saying: “This is more than me. It is with great responsibility and grace to shine light on my Asian heritage and community.

Gaga’s hairstyling turned out to be quite intricate. Aspiras explained: “It had to be as authentic as possible by using the exact techniques as a hairdresser of the 1970s—wet-set rolls, back-combing, French lacing, spiral perms… you name it. It was done exactly to a tee from that era.”

It was important to both him and Gaga that what came across on the screen was to “not see Lady Gaga,” but the character of Patrizia.

In order to bring the character to life, Aspiras created more than 55 unique hair looks and used 10 hero wigs. Along with utilizing the genuine hair techniques of the time, he used colour, care and styling products from Joico exclusively.

“I wanted the texture, I wanted the vibe, I wanted the feel, the way it moved… because it needed to transport you to that time,” he said.

Here are three key hair styles from the movie, and Aspiras’ tips on how you can replicate the looks at home.

STYLE 1: Young Patrizia with French lace waves

1. Wash hair with Joico Colorful Anti-Fade Shampoo & Conditioner.
2. Spray towel-blotted hair with K-PAK Color Therapy Luster Lock Multi-Perfector to detangle.
3. Using JoiGel Medium Styling Gel, wet-set the hair on rollers.
4. After hair has cooled, remove wet-set rollers. With a couple drops of ColorFul Glow Beyond Anti-Fade Serum, run fingers through the hair to break up hard roller partings.
5. Using a boar bristle brush, brush all the hair back, then upwards to blend the curls together and bring hair to the side.
6. Make a soft side parting.
7. Use a boar bristle brush to smooth out, “French lace” waves throughout.
8. Finish with JoiMist Firm Protective Finishing Spray.

 

STYLE 2: Shoulder-length layered bob with Spiral Perm

1. Wash hair with Joico Colorful Anti-Fade Shampoo & Conditioner.
2. Gently towel-blot curls without disturbing curl pattern. Spray hair throughout with K-Pak Color Therapy Luster
Lock Multi-Perfector Spray.
3. Apply drops of ColorFul Glow Beyond Anti-Fade Serum to palm and fingers. Begin to piece out individual strands of curls and twist around the finger, repeating all over the head.
4. Using JoiWhip Design Foam, hold can upside down and dispense into hand, distribute evenly onto damp hair.
5. Using a diffuser attachment, blow-dry with low heat and speed until hair is dry.
6. Use a hair pick to open up curls, creating even more volume (’80s style).
7. Finish with Joico Flip Turn Volumizing Hair Spray

 

STYLE 3: Power ’80s Blowout

1. Wash hair with Joico Colorful Anti-Fade Shampoo & Conditioner.
2. Apply Dream Blowout throughout towel-dried hair and blow-dry.
3. Using PowerWhip Whipped Foam, shake well, hold can upside down and dispense into hand, then distribute evenly onto damp hair.
4. Style hair with a one-inch barrel round brush. Blow-dry hair up and away from face and frame the sides.
5. Use a one-inch curling iron and Joico Heat Hero Glossing Thermal Protector to add barrel curls. Clip each curl down
and allow it to cool.
6. Apply Joico Rise Up Powder Spray directly at the roots and/or throughout hair for instant volume and light texture.
7. Brush hair out using a vented flat brush to create a feathered look.
8. Finish with Joico Flip Turn Volumizing Hair Spray.