The girls of Blackpink—Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa—have long been looked to as leading trendsetters in the fashion and beauty worlds. Since their 2016 debut, every alteration to their look—from a new hair colour to their jewellery of choice—has proven to be worthy inspiration fodder. Now, almost a decade on, this shows no signs of slowing down.
Particularly in 2024, it’s been exciting to witness their evolving beauty signatures as each member embarks on a fully fledged solo career. Eager fans and beauty aficionados will have noted their inclinations towards casual, soft curls for solo appearances. While promoting their singles, both Jennie and Rosé have been fans of the scrunched hair trend, in line with more carefree images for their solo forays. From the tumbling, scrunched curls Jennie sported while performing ‘Mantra’ on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, to the elegant halo of jelly curls that Rosé sported at Paris Fashion Week, inspiration for changing up one’s hair texture has been endless.
With that in mind, we reached out to two of Singapore’s top hairdressers for their best advice on achieving—and maintaining—these hair looks, even in our island’s notoriously curl-averse, humid climate. Take in their professional pointers, below…
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Keeping curls in place
Oscar Lee, director of Chez Vous: Hideaway, points to two key factors in achieving and maintaining curls in our humid climate: firstly, boosting hair elasticity on a daily basis; and secondly, layering hairspray for long-lasting curls.
“Ever noticed how some [people’s] hair can hold curls for an extended period, while others’ loses their shape before even stepping out the door? The secret lies in the hair’s elasticity—though the styling method plays a part too,” Lee says.
“Hair with better elasticity often correlates to healthier hair bonds and a sufficient presence of amino acids. Unfortunately, frequent heat styling and chemical treatments tend to compromise these elements.”
To that end, Lee recommends incorporating reparative products into your routine, such as Epres Bond Repair Treatment, Advante Shampoo, K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask and Epres Healthy Hair Conditioner.
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Hairspray layering
Lee emphasises, “To ensure your curls last all day in Singapore’s notoriously hot and humid climate—even Taylor Swift’s styling team struggled here—layering hairspray is essential. Simply misting it as a finishing touch won’t do the job.”
Lee, who personally favours Oribe‘s spray products, relies on the following method: firstly, lightly spraying damp hair before fully blow-drying it; once dry, lightly spraying each individual section before and immediately after curling with a hot tool; and finishing with another light spray once all sections are curled.
“Yes, sandwiching each section is key to making your curls last,” Lee affirms.
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From elegant to casual
From a more ‘rough and ready’ look to elegant updos, the Blackpink girls have shown how adaptable curled hairstyles can be. How should we adjust our styling approach based on the finish we want?
Ted Kim, founder and managing director of Suchehwa by Ted, says, “To achieve different curl styles, such as Rosé’s polished jelly curls or Jennie’s casual, scrunched hair, it’s essential to adjust the curling technique, product usage and finishing touches.”
“For polished curls, use a smaller curling iron barrel and a smoothing serum. For a more relaxed, scrunched look, use a larger barrel and a texturising spray.”
Kim recommends using a lightweight curl activator such as the Oribe Hair Alchemy Heatless Styling Balm to enhance your natural texture, or a mousse like the Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse if you’re after tighter curls.
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Boosting your mane's condition
Amid the heat- and product-based styling that pulling off curled hair involves, it’s essential to take care of your mane’s condition to keep it in optimal health.
“We recommend using sulfate-free shampoos, deep conditioning treatments, and a hair mask once a week,” says Kim. “Additionally, use a heat protectant spray before styling with heat tools and avoid excessive heat styling.”
Lee agrees on the importance of investing in a good heat protectant spray. “Avoid creams, serums or oils as heat protectants—they are difficult to apply evenly from roots to ends without getting overly ‘heavy’ and sticky,” he advises. “Instead, opt for a weightless spray without a hold function. This allows for even and comprehensive protection when misted all over damp hair, and brushed through.”
