From Homeland's Claire Danes to Spectre's Léa Seydoux, killer hair is the ultimate new accessory

These women may not have covetable lives but their hair is another matter
Claire Danes as Carrie Mathison in Homeland

Watching Homeland is a masterclass in many things - how to bond with your toddler while recovering from a career in the CIA, spotting car bombs and negotiating with suicide bombers.

Navigating this is Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) and she does it while having the best hair on TV - choppy layers and discreet highlights providing drama, movement and a gleaming, healthy effect (despite a previous white wine habit).

Another ambassador for hair under pressure is Bond Girl Dr Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux). She has a power mane that withstands shooting, epic train journeys and kidnapping.

These women may not have covetable lives but their hair is another matter. “There is so much demand for easy maintenance, minimal-effort styles,” says Matthew Soobroy, a stylist at the Charles Worthington salons. And the answer lies in channelling Homeland hair.

Léa Seydoux in the new Bond film, Spectre
Jonathan Olley/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The right haircut makes styling a breeze, says James Galvin, creative director at Daniel Galvin. “For curly or wavy hair I’d recommend long layers. They create natural movement while enhancing the curl and will allow the hair to have a nice shape to it - think dressy messy.

Straight hair can be cut one length with shape through the front, to create a softer look and to frame the face - these haircuts are easy to maintain and style, which will take away the pressure of bad hair when you’re in a rush.”

Once you have the foundations you can relax, as Agyness Deyn’s new look shows. The model-turned-actress is back after a break in California with the film Sunset Song. She was at the BFI this month, her signature crop replaced by relaxed caramel waves.

Agyness Deyn stars in Sunset Song
Jonathan Hordle/Rex

For this, Charles Worthington recommends feather lights. “It’s a great, non-coloured coloured look,” says Marc Trinder, Charles Worthington’s art team director. “It’s more subtle than the ombre trend - the colour blends from deep to light in feather-shaped sections.” Soobroy adds that “the deliberate root trend is great for busy people”. He recently gave the actress Claire Foy a cropped style designed “for her busy lifestyle being a new mum while currently filming for new series The Crown alongside Matt Smith”.

Salon founder Daniel Galvin says what he calls “dancing colour” helps with “looking glamorous under pressure”. “Go lighter on the hairline, with bolder lights throughout the hair and brighter, lighter tips. The tremendous movement created with this technique looks fantastic whichever way you style it - perfect if you’re in a rush or windswept.”

In Homeland, Mathison never seems to have time to have her roots done but Josh Wood, who has salons in West London and at Liberty, says the secret to her look is colour. “Carrie’s hair is lighter on the front, which gives the illusion of seeming uncomplicated, like they haven’t thought about it, which fits with her character. Her make-up is kept natural so all the focus is on the hair.”

If you do need to zhuzh it up - to meet a secret agent, for example - you will need serious styling. Sam McKnight, who styled Seydoux for a Bond-inspired shoot in Vogue, says: “Blow-dry, then set under with large Babyliss curling irons or a hot brush - not seen since the Eighties. This is enough to secure this look on medium- or shoulder-length hair. You may need to use a product like L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni Art Waves Fatales for curl definition and all-round extra oomph.”

Best hair volumizers - in pictures

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As this is a look for those under pressure, speed is key. Daniel Galvin’s Air Blow Dry is popular because it is fast. James Galvin says: “It looks natural and is easy to maintain — great for this time of year when the weather is windy and rainy.” For extra protection from the elements, he uses Kerastase Spray à Porter. “This gives hair a flexible hold, which will make it last, even if you’re rushing around and get caught out in bad weather.”

Here, the new Babyliss 3Q hairdryer is an essential part of your arsenal. It was used at Emilia Wickstead’s Spring/Summer 16 show, where stylist Syd Hayes said it reduced drying time, “delivering an expensive look, fast”. It promises 40 per cent greater air pressure and 20 per cent faster air speed. Pow. Take that, Mr Bond.

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