Celebrity hairstylist Jay Birmingham shows how you can achieve the two looks he created for Maya Jama for her Love Island opener
A key date in every calendar, Maya Jama graced our screens once again as the 2024 Love Island returned for the summer. Celebrity stylist Jay Birmingham styled the locks once again for host Maya.
Working in the glorious sunshine on the island of Majorca, Jay styled two different looks for Maya for this year’s opener: a sleek and sophisticated style and a gorgeous Hollywood wave-inspired look. Here, we chat to Jay about each look, his inspiration, and how to recreate it.
Look One – Sleek and Sophisticated
Wearing a beautiful hand-crafted dress by London-based designer Genevieve Devine, I wanted the hair to partner perfectly and give a level of balance. The dress is an incredible statement piece, so we opted for a much more subtle hairstyle – straight and sleek!
To recreate
1. Prep the hair using Jay B Haircare Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner. Hydration is key when working in hotter climates. Before you finish, give the hair a final rinse with cool water to lock in the follicles and hydration.
2. Pat the hair dry, and apply a leave-in treatment that will keep the hair from losing hydration as the warm weather heats up. I always recommend the TRESemme Biotin Repair 1 Minute WOW Treatment—it’s incredible and will give hair extra protection and much-needed nutrients.
3. Next up, time to dry! Using a large barrel brush, ensure you use the nozzle on the dryer and focus this down when drying the hair. Lift the hair slightly at the root then dry the hair straight down.
4. Once the hair is dry, you want to apply Beautyworks 22-inch Double Hair Set Clip-in Extensions—Maya Jama X. We use these clip-ins for added length—they are amazing!
5. Once styled, run the straighteners over to create a final, seamless blend between the extensions and natural hair. Finish the Love Island look with a professional shine spray.
Look Two – Old Hollywood Waves
Old Hollywood waves are the most glamorous and eye-catching looks of 2024 and we knew we wanted to create a statement for the opener of the new season! Heating up the feel for the new series, I knew instantly as soon as I saw the Korlekie dress – the statement applied to every aspect of the look!
To recreate
1. To get Maya’s Love Island Hollywood Waves, first prep the hair using a volume-enhancing shampoo and conditioner. Start from the foundation and build the volume up.
2. Next, you want to encourage as much volume as possible. I recommend using the TRESemme Body & Volume Shampoo and Conditioner—this will help create long-lasting volume while leaving hair full of life and shine! Work the shampoo into the roots, and with the conditioner, use from the mid-lengths to the ends.
3. Once hair is dry, again, we would use the Beauty Works 22-inch Clip Ins to add length and work it into the hair to create a seamless blend.
4. Next, it’s time to style! You want to section off the hair and work in sections around 5-6cm wide (to create large waves). Use a large barrel tong and curl the hair from the ends to just above the mid-length. Loosen the tongs, then pin them to cool. Continue this pattern around the hair and leave the hair pinned.
5. Once the hair is cool you want to unpin, and then use a soft bristle brush to brush out the waves. Lightly spray a flex hold hairspray and finish the loop with a professional shine spray.
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