How to get the Sabrina Carpenter hair look
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is our favourite 'It' girl of the summer.
Not only has the American singer brought us the insanely catchy pop hits Espresso and Please Please Please, but she's also giving us serious hair inspo as well thanks to her fabulous golden locks.
"Sabrina has become so popular recently, which is amazing, and she's got great hair as well," says artistic director Steven Kamara, who loves the 25-year-old's beigey-blonde colour.
"Her hair is part of a wider trend," says stylist Tam Cluney. "Many celebrities and influencers have embraced similar haircuts. This look is both glamorous and effortless, combining volume with a touch of chic."
The former Disney Channel star releases her long-awaited sixth album Short n' Sweet on August 23, meaning the summer of Sabrina - and her iconic hair - is set to continue.
So what do you need to know if you're thinking of trying the sensational Sabrina Carpenter look? Here, the team talk through the cut, colour and how to style it…
THE CARPENTER CUT
This type of voluminous, feathered style is sometimes called the 'butterfly cut' because the centre-parted layers resemble the shape of butterfly wings.
"Sabrina's hair features long, layered waves with a stylish fringe that frames her face," Tam explains.
"Her long fringe is versatile, allowing for various styling options, from curtain bangs to side-swept looks."
If you've already got long hair, you could ask your hairdresser to cut in the layers and fringe, while if your hair is on the shorter side you'll need to grow it out or have extensions added to create length and volume.
But how can you tell if the butterfly cut will suit you?
"Sabrina's hair is quite versatile and can suit a variety of hair types, lengths, and face shapes," Tam says. "It's very adaptable and can look great on curly hair too, but may require more maintenance to style."
If in doubt, chat to your hairdresser to find out how the layers and fringe would look on you, Tam says: "Consulting with a stylist can help tailor it to your individual hair characteristics and face shape for the best result."
As for the colour, it doesn't have to be blonde, he adds: "This look complements any hair colour from blonde to brunette to red. The layers can add dimension and also highlight the colour."
THE SOFT BLONDE SHADE
The beauty of Sabrina's colour is that it looks so natural, even though the gorgeous golden shade is created with highlights.
"It's more of a beigey-blonde as opposed to a full-on creamy blonde," says Steven.
"Her base is quite dark so she's had a full set of highlights, then they've gone in with a 'root tap', which gives the illusion of a root, so it's not as harsh as all-over colour and creates a slightly worn-in look."
For anyone thinking of switching to blonde from a darker shade, there are several factors to consider.
"There are so many different shades of blondes," Steven says. "I think with her skin tone, Sabrina really can take most kinds of looks but not everyone can. What I would do is look at somebody's eye colour and skin tone."
It may be that a cooler or warmer tone will suit your features better, and the 'root tap' can help to soften the look: "It complements people's eyes a bit more. If you've got that full-on blonde you can kind of lose your features."
As lightening the hair requires bleach, it's important to assess the condition of your hair first.
"Part of the consultation would be seeing if the hair can take it," Steven says. "Not everybody's hair is strong enough to reach a certain shade of blonde without causing damage."
5 key questions to ask your colourist before a major colour change
To maintain that vivid golden hue, Steven recommends regular top-ups and the use of colour-protecting products at home.
"I always request my clients come in every five to six weeks to have a glaze, which is going to refresh the tone, especially in summer when people are swimming and out in the sun," he says.
"Product-wise, you need a shampoo that will prevent the toner from fading and keep the ultra-shine in there. I love the Shu Uemura Color Lustre range, especially the new Color Sealer Spray for heat protection."
STYLE IT LIKE SABRINA
So you've sashayed out of the salon with your Sabrina-inspired butterfly cut. Now how do you style it at home? It's all about the perfect bouncy blow-dry.
"To prep the hair, apply a heat protectant spray or cream to dampen hair, shield it from heat damage and tame frizz," Tam says.
"Hair Alchemy from Oribe is my favourite to protect the hair while strengthening using plant protein."
Next, take a round brush to blow dry the hair: "Lift at the roots for volume, then direct the hair back. For a curtain bangs effect, part the fringe slightly in the middle and sweep to the sides."
Tam continues: "Finish with a light texturising spray to enhance the waves and add a beachy texture throughout the hair."
Pop star perfection
As our experts explain, the Sabrina Carpenter layered look is super versatile and flattering for a wide range of hair types, colours and face shapes.
By adapting the length and shade you can find your perfect version of the pop star butterfly cut, and with a bit of practise you'll be able to do a bouncy blow-dry at home.
Tempted to try the Sabrina look this summer? Book your next appointment at Paul Edmonds London.