Emilia Clarke, renowned for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, is not only known for her stellar acting skills but also for her consistently perfect hair. Whether she’s on the red carpet, in an interview, or posting on Instagram, her hair is always impeccably styled. Here’s an in-depth look at Emilia Clarke’s haircare routine and tips for achieving her various iconic hairstyles.
The Foundation: Healthy Hair
1. Nutrition and Hydration
Emilia’s stylist emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, are crucial for healthy hair. Omega-3s are known to nourish hair follicles, encouraging healthy growth and giving hair a natural shine. Additionally, consuming foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and biotin, helps to maintain the strength and health of hair.
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also key to maintaining the shine and strength of her locks. Water is essential for overall health, and it plays a significant role in the health of hair, ensuring it stays hydrated and less prone to breakage.
2. Regular Trims
To keep her hair looking fresh and prevent split ends, Emilia gets her hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Regular trims remove damaged ends and promote healthier growth. This routine ensures that her hair stays healthy and avoids the common problem of split ends, which can make hair look frizzy and dull.
Daily Haircare Routine
1. Gentle Shampoo and Conditioner
Emilia uses a sulfate-free shampoo and a nourishing conditioner tailored to her hair type. Sulfate-free products help maintain the natural oils in her hair, keeping it hydrated and less prone to damage. These products are gentler on the hair and scalp, avoiding the stripping away of essential oils that keep hair looking vibrant.
2. Deep Conditioning Treatments
Once a week, Emilia indulges in a deep conditioning treatment. These treatments penetrate the hair shaft, providing intense moisture and repairing any damage. Her go-to products are rich in natural ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter. These ingredients are known for their moisturizing properties, helping to keep hair soft and manageable.
3. Heat Protection
Before using any heat styling tools, Emilia applies a heat protectant spray. This crucial step helps prevent damage from high temperatures, ensuring her hair remains smooth and shiny. Heat protectants form a barrier over the hair, reducing the risk of heat damage and keeping hair healthy despite frequent styling.
Styling Secrets
1. Blow-Drying Techniques
For a sleek, polished look, Emilia’s stylist uses a round brush and blow dryer. Starting at the roots and working down to the tips, this technique adds volume and smoothness. A cool blast at the end of the blow-drying session helps set the style and add extra shine. The round brush technique is particularly effective in creating volume at the roots while smoothing out the rest of the hair.
2. Curling and Straightening
Emilia’s hair often showcases beautiful waves or sleek straight styles. To achieve her signature waves, a curling iron with a medium-sized barrel is used. Each section of hair is wrapped around the barrel for a few seconds, then released to create loose, natural-looking curls. For straight styles, a high-quality flat iron is used, ensuring each section is smoothed down in a single pass to prevent excessive heat exposure. The key is to use the right tools and not overdo the heat, as this can cause long-term damage.
3. Hair Accessories and Extensions
For special events, Emilia’s stylist sometimes uses hair extensions to add volume and length. Hair accessories, such as delicate clips and headbands, are also employed to add a touch of elegance and complete the look. Extensions are matched perfectly to her hair color and texture, making them virtually undetectable and adding that extra bit of glamour for red carpet events.
Tips for Achieving Emilia Clarke’s Hairstyles at Home
1. Know Your Hair Type
Understanding your hair type is the first step to achieving styles like Emilia’s. Tailoring your haircare routine to your specific needs—whether you have fine, thick, curly, or straight hair—will make a significant difference. For instance, those with fine hair might focus on volumizing products, while those with thick or curly hair might prioritize moisture and frizz control.
2. Invest in Quality Products
Using high-quality hair products can transform your hair. Look for shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that cater to your hair’s needs and are free from harsh chemicals. Professional-grade products, while often more expensive, can provide better results and long-term benefits for hair health.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Achieving salon-quality styles at home takes practice. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. With patience and practice, you’ll improve your technique and find what works best for your hair. Watching tutorials and seeking advice from professional stylists can also help you hone your skills.
4. Consult with a Professional
Don’t hesitate to consult with a professional stylist. They can provide personalized advice and recommend products and techniques that will work best for your hair. Regular visits to a stylist can also keep your hair in top condition and give you insights into the latest hair trends and techniques.
Emilia Clarke’s Iconic Hairstyles
1. The Daenerys Targaryen Look
One of Emilia’s most iconic looks is the platinum blonde hair she sported as Daenerys Targaryen. Achieving this look requires not just dye but also meticulous care to maintain the color and health of the hair. Frequent touch-ups and treatments to prevent damage from the bleaching process are essential. For those looking to replicate this style, it’s important to work with a professional colorist to avoid damaging your hair.
2. Red Carpet Glam
Emilia often rocks glamorous waves or updos on the red carpet. For voluminous waves, using a large-barrel curling iron and brushing through the curls once they’ve cooled can create a soft, glamorous look. Updos often require a bit more skill, but with practice, styles like elegant buns or intricate braids can be achieved. Hair accessories can also elevate these styles, adding a touch of sophistication and glam.
3. Casual Chic
For more casual appearances, Emilia’s hair often appears effortlessly styled with loose waves or a simple straight look. Achieving this look involves minimal styling, focusing on enhancing the natural texture of the hair. Using a texturizing spray or a light mousse can add volume and movement without making the hair look overly styled.
The Role of Professional Stylists
1. Collaboration with Stylists
Emilia Clarke works closely with professional stylists to maintain her hair’s health and appearance. Stylists like Jenny Cho and Nicola Clarke have been instrumental in creating her signature looks. Their expertise ensures that Emilia’s hair is not only styled perfectly but also remains healthy and strong.
2. Advanced Techniques
Professional stylists use advanced techniques and tools that may not be available to everyone at home. From precision cutting to custom color blends, these professionals can tailor their services to meet the unique needs of each client. For those looking to achieve celebrity-level hair, investing in professional services can make a significant difference.
Maintaining Healthy Hair While Styling
1. Minimizing Heat Damage
One of the biggest challenges in maintaining healthy hair is minimizing heat damage. Emilia’s routine includes using heat protectant sprays and tools with adjustable temperature settings. Limiting the use of heat styling and allowing hair to air dry whenever possible can also help maintain its health.
2. Protecting Color-Treated Hair
Color-treated hair requires extra care to maintain its vibrancy and health. Using products specifically designed for color-treated hair, such as color-safe shampoos and conditioners, can prevent fading and damage. Regular conditioning treatments and minimizing exposure to harsh elements like chlorine and sun can also help.
The Importance of Scalp Health
1. Regular Scalp Treatments
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Regular scalp treatments can help maintain the health of the scalp, preventing issues like dandruff and itchiness. Emilia’s routine includes scalp massages and treatments that promote circulation and remove buildup.
2. Gentle Cleansing
Using gentle, sulfate-free shampoos helps maintain the scalp’s natural balance. Over-washing or using harsh products can strip the scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Finding a balance that keeps the scalp clean without over-drying is crucial for healthy hair.
Styling for Different Occasions
1. Everyday Looks
For everyday looks, simplicity is key. Emilia’s go-to styles include loose waves or a sleek ponytail. These styles are easy to achieve and maintain, making them perfect for daily wear. Using minimal products and allowing hair to air dry can also keep everyday styles low maintenance.
2. Special Events
For special events, more elaborate styles come into play. From intricate updos to voluminous curls, these styles often require more time and effort. Using tools like hot rollers or curling wands can help achieve these looks, along with the use of styling products to hold the style in place.
3. Workout and Active Styles
During workouts or active days, Emilia opts for practical styles like braids or high buns. These styles keep hair out of the face and minimize damage from sweat and movement. Using hair ties that don’t cause breakage and avoiding tight styles can also help maintain hair health during physical activity.
The Role of Genetics and Lifestyle
1. Genetic Factors
Genetics play a significant role in hair health and growth. While Emilia’s routine contributes greatly to the condition of her hair, genetic factors like hair type and growth rate also play a part. Understanding your genetic predispositions can help tailor your haircare routine to your specific needs.
2. Lifestyle Choices
Lifestyle choices, such as diet, stress levels, and sleep, also impact hair health. Emilia’s balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques all contribute to the health and appearance of her hair. Making positive lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on hair health.
Conclusion
Emilia Clarke’s perfectly styled hair is a result of diligent care, professional techniques, and high-quality products. By following her haircare routine and incorporating some of her styling tips, you can achieve similar stunning results. Remember, healthy hair is the foundation of any great hairstyle, so prioritize care and maintenance to keep your locks looking their best. With a combination of the right products, techniques, and lifestyle choices, anyone can achieve hair that’s worthy of the red carpet.
