{"id":73648,"date":"2024-05-07T13:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T18:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetease.com\/?p=73648"},"modified":"2024-05-07T13:07:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T18:07:48","slug":"vernon-francois-shares-how-he-and-willow-smith-emulated-african-royalty-for-the-2024-met-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetease.com\/vernon-francois-shares-how-he-and-willow-smith-emulated-african-royalty-for-the-2024-met-gala\/","title":{"rendered":"Vernon Fran\u00e7ois Shares How He and Willow Smith Emulated ‘African Royalty’ for the 2024 Met Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For singer Willow Smith’s<\/a> 2024 Met Gala hairstyle, celebrity hairstylist Vernon Fran\u00e7ois<\/a> was inspired by beauty of the Mangbetu tribe from Central Africa. Fran\u00e7ois wrote on Instagram, “I was completely captivated by the traditional craftsmanship of binding raffia, banana fiber, or hair around the head, and weaving natural hair into rattan frames. This inspired me to extend Willow\u2019s structures while honoring this rich cultural tradition.” The effect was nothing short of regal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tease<\/em> connected with Fran\u00e7ois about the look and he generously shared insights including the intention behind the final hairstyle as well as the styling techniques, including the OLAPLEX products<\/a> which were essential. \u201cWhen crafting this look, I didn’t adhere strictly to transient trends. Instead, I focused on accentuating specific features to ensure a timeless appeal while infusing an element of allure and sophistication. The intention was to evoke a sense of tradition intertwined with seduction, ultimately embodying elegance and romance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Image courtesy of Vernon Francois via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How Vernon Prepped with OLAPLEX<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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  1. OLAPLEX N\u00ba.3 Hair Perfector:<\/a> Applied as a pre-treatment to strengthen and repair the hair. Fran\u00e7ois said, “I love this product. It\u2019s a staple in my kit.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. OLAPLEX N\u00ba.6 Bond Smoother:<\/a> Applied to damp hair to provide moisture and protect against heat damage. Fran\u00e7ois added, “I genuinely use this on most of my clients. It\u2019s a great preset.”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. OLAPLEX N\u00ba.7 Bonding Oil:<\/a> This product serves multiple purposes: besides massaging it into the scalp, it acts as a finishing touch, enhancing shine and smoothing where necessary, all while offering protection against environmental damage. He said, “Keep this close to you!”<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. OLAPLEX N\u00ba.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo:<\/a> As a personal touch, I love applying dry shampoo at the end of the styling process. It not only refreshes the hair but also adds a subtle, natural finish. Fran\u00e7ois said, “I particularly enjoy using it on hair extensions, especially curly ones, to tone down any excessive shine. This technique works wonders for red carpet looks and special events, giving the style that perfect finishing touch.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    A post shared by Vernon Fran\u00e7ois (@vernonfrancois)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>