Party Season Prep

Prep, Style and Set Your Hair for Party Season

Good party hair rarely comes down to the night itself. It starts a few days earlier with some prep, then a blow-dry that gives your style something to hold onto.

This edit covers everything from the first spray of heat protection to the last mist of hairspray, with brands including ghd and KEVIN.MURPHY. You'll also find clutch-sized minis for touch-ups once you're out.

10% off when you purchase one product, 15% when you purchase two and 20% when you purchase 3 or more. No minimum spend.

Filter 250 products
Maria Nila Coils & Curls Luscious Curl Definer 125ml
Maria Nila Coils & Curls Luscious Curl Definer 125ml

£21.00
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Anti Frizz Treatment 200ml
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Anti Frizz Treatment 200ml

£32.00
O&M PS Balm 100gO&M PS Balm 100g
O&M PS Balm 100g

£35.54 £39.50 10% offsaving
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Recon Mask 200mlAlfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Recon Mask 200ml
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Recon Mask 200ml

£15.74 £23.50 33% offsaving
Balmain Moisturizing Styling Cream 150ml Balmain Moisturizing Styling Cream 150ml
Balmain Moisturizing Styling Cream 150ml

£25.49 £30.00 15% offsaving
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture 150mlBumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture 150ml
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture 150ml

£24.79 £31.00 20% offsaving
Davroe Ends Repair Leave-In Treatment 150mlDavroe Ends Repair Leave-In Treatment 150ml
Davroe Ends Repair Leave-In Treatment 150ml

£22.90 £26.95 15% offsaving
Milk_Shake Bodifying Cream 125mlMilk_Shake Bodifying Cream 125ml
Milk_Shake Bodifying Cream 125ml

£19.95
L'Oreal Professionnel Volume Root LiftL'Oreal Professionnel Volume Root Lift
L'Oreal Professionnel Volume Root Lift

£18.00
Color Wow Dreamcoat for Curly Hair 200ml
Color Wow Dreamcoat for Curly Hair 200ml

£27.00
GHD ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray 120ml
ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray 120ml

£25.00
Nine Yards Hair Down - Anti-Frizz Cream tubeNine Yards Hair Down - Anti-Frizz Cream
Nine Yards Hair Down - Anti-Frizz Cream

This smoothing anti-frizz cream tames flyaway hair and helps to keep your hair straight with an added natural shine.

£20.95
White spray bottle with pink nozzle on a white backgroundMilk_Shake Smoothing Miracle Shield 200ml
Milk_Shake Smoothing Miracle Shield 200ml

£26.25
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Shaping Foam 200ml
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Shaping Foam 200ml

£19.15
Nine Yards Hands-On Texturizing SprayNine Yards Hands-On Texturizing Spray
Nine Yards Hands-On Texturizing Spray

This matte texturizing spray creates volume and provides a light hold for all lengths and hair types.

£20.95
Maria Nila Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner Mini Duo
Maria Nila Pure Volume Mini Duo

£18.69 £22.00 15% offsaving
L'Oreal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Smooth Transformer 200mlL'Oreal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Smooth Transformer 200ml
L'Oreal Professionnel Keratin Alpha Sleek Smooth Transformer 200ml

£31.50
Color Wow Dream Cocktail Carb Infused Leave In Volumising 200ml
Color Wow Dream Cocktail Carb Infused Leave In Volumising 200ml

£25.00
KEVIN.MURPHY POWDER PUFF 14g
KEVIN.MURPHY POWDER PUFF 14g

£28.00
Milk_Shake Curl Passion Curl Perfectionist Styling Cream 200mlMilk_Shake Curl Passion Curl Perfectionist Styling Cream 200ml
Milk_Shake Curl Passion Curl Perfectionist Styling Cream 200ml

£24.95
Balmain Moisturizing Repair Mask 200ml
Balmain Moisturizing Repair Mask 200ml

£38.24 £45.00 15% offsaving
ghd Chronos Curved Classic 26mm Tongghd Chronos Curve Classic 26mm Tong
ghd Chronos Curve Classic 26mm Tong

£189.00
Nine Yards Go Large - Volume MousseNine Yards Go Large - Volume Mousse
Nine Yards Go Large - Volume Mousse

This volume boosting styling mousse boasts flexible fullness and leaves the hair natural yet controlled for styles packed with volume.

£20.95
Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray 218ml Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray 218ml
Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Spray 218ml

£26.00
Davroe Body Volume Texture 200mlDavroe Body Volume Texture 200ml
Davroe Body Volume Texture 200ml

£20.35 £23.95 15% offsaving
Balmain Texturizing Volume Spray 200ml
Balmain Texturizing Volume Spray 200ml

£31.87 £42.50 25% offsaving
Davroe CURLiCUE Hydrating Hair Oil 50mlDavroe CURLiCUE Hydrating Hair Oil 50ml
Davroe CURLiCUE Hydrating Hair Oil 50ml

£25.45 £29.95 15% offsaving
KEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift SetKEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift Set
KEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift Set

£88.00
O&M Rootalicious Root Lift 300mlO&M Rootalicious Root Lift 300ml
O&M Rootalicious Root Lift 300ml

£25.64 £28.50 10% offsaving
Aveda Nutriplenish Curl Gelee 200ml Aveda Moisturising Nutriplenish™ Curl Gelee 200ml
Aveda Moisturising Nutriplenish™ Curl Gelee 200ml

£24.79 £31.00 20% offsaving
mika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask 250mlAmika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask 250ml
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask 250ml

£33.00
Milk_Shake Glistening Argan Oil 50ml
Milk_Shake Glistening Argan Oil 50ml

£30.85
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Smoothing Cream 150ml
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Smoothing Cream 150ml

£19.95
Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Building Styling Cream 150ml Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Building Styling Cream 150ml
Aveda Botanical Repair Bond-Building Styling Cream 150ml

£23.99 £30.00 20% offsaving
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Smooth Oil 100mlAlfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Smooth Oil 100ml
Alfaparf Milano Semi di Lino Smooth Oil 100ml

£16.74 £25.00 33% offsaving
Aveda Be Curly Advanced Curl Perfecting Primer 200ml
Aveda Be Curly Advanced™ for Curly Hair Curl Perfecting Primer 200ml

£27.19 £34.00 20% offsaving
GHD ghd Curve Creative Curl Wand Gift Set

About Party Season Prep

About Party Season Hair

Find Your Party-Ready Routine

Whether your hair drops flat by nine o'clock or frizzes the second you step outside, the fix usually comes down to what you use before you style. Start with the concern that sounds most like yours. Most people only need a couple of products, not a whole new routine.

Personalised Advice From Our Team

Not sure where to start? Our team knows these brands inside out and can point you towards what suits your hair. You can contact us for tailored recommendations, or read our Haircare Journal for more party hair guides.

Expert Tip for Party Season Hair

"Most party hair problems start long before the night itself. Get your trim booked a week or two ahead, so the ends have settled by the time you're styling. If you're wearing it up, work with day-old hair, because freshly washed hair is often too slippery for pins to grip. And heat protect every time, even for a quick touch-up with the straighteners."

- Kimberley, Clinic and Customer Experience Manager.

Your Party Hair Routine, Decoded

The days before matter more than the hour before. A repair treatment early in the week and a gloss mask closer to the night give your blow-dry a smoother base to work from. Your last spray then decides how your hair looks at midnight, so match the hold to the style.

Your 7-Day Party Hair Plan

Leave everything to the night and you're relying on luck. Spread it across the week and the night itself gets a lot easier.

7 days to go: Start with a repair treatment. It does its best work with a few days' head start. K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask 15ml.

3 days to go: Add a gloss mask for shine, early enough that your hair isn't too slippery to style on the night. Moroccanoil High Shine Gloss Mask 200ml.

The day before: Wash, smooth and blow-dry. Day-old hair often holds a style better than freshly washed. Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Anti Frizz Treatment 200ml.

On the day: Heat protect, style, and let it cool and set fully before the hairspray goes on. ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray 120ml, KEVIN.MURPHY SESSION.SPRAY 400ml.

On the night: A flyaway wand and a mini dry shampoo in your bag. That's your touch-up kit sorted. Kerasilk Flyaway Wand, Davines More Inside This Is An Invisible Dry Shampoo 100ml.

The Secret to a Salon-Worthy Blow-Dry

A good blow-dry is mostly about what goes on before the dryer. A primer or blow-dry spray helps the shape hold once it's set, and some of these speed up drying too, which helps when you're getting ready against the clock. The right round brush does the rest.

Read the blow-dry guide

How to Build Volume That Lasts

Flat by nine o'clock? Volume gets built at the root while your hair is still damp. A root lift spray or a light mousse does that job, and a pinch of texture powder brings it back mid-evening.

Frizz, Flyaways and Static: Your Party Hair SOS

Central heating and a damp walk home are hard work for smooth hair. Anti-frizz treatments go on before you style. On the night, a flyaway wand or a drop of serum sorts out the odd stray strand without flattening everything else.

Sleek & Slicked Back

A sleek look is all about control, and it starts with smooth, completely dry hair. Straighten first if you need to, then comb a gel or pomade back from the hairline. A pomade stick keeps baby hairs in place, and a mist of shine spray finishes it off.

Shop the sleek edit

Curls That Last

When curls drop early, it's usually because hair was too soft to hold the shape or the curl never had time to cool. Prep with a texturising spray, then let each section cool in your hand before you let it go. It sounds fussy. It's also the step most people skip.

Heat Protection 101

If you're styling with heat more than usual this month, this is the step to keep. Spray it through damp hair before the dryer goes on, rather than only before the straighteners. ghd Bodyguard comes in versions for fine and coloured hair, so you can match it to yours.

The Stylist's Edit

If you only pick up a few things this month, our stylists have narrowed it down. These are the products that earn a permanent place in a working kit, and why.

Party-Ready Gift Sets

Buying for someone with a busy December? These sets cover a styling routine in one box, and several are worth more than you pay, including our own Smooth, Set, Jet Goody Bag.
Smooth, Set, Jet Goody Bag (Worth £85)Luxurious Look Exclusive Smooth, Set, Jet Goody Bag (Worth £85)
Luxurious Look Exclusive Smooth, Set, Jet Goody Bag (Worth £85)

£68.00 £85.00 20% offsaving
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Goody Bag (Worth £48)Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Goody Bag (Worth £48)
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Goody Bag (Worth £48)

£38.39 £48.00 20% offsaving
KEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift SetKEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift Set
KEVIN.MURPHY VA-VA-VOLUME Gift Set

£88.00
KEVIN.MURPHY ETERNAL CURLS Gift SetKEVIN.MURPHY ETERNAL CURLS Gift Set
KEVIN.MURPHY ETERNAL CURLS Gift Set

£99.00
Moroccanoil Good-To-Glow Duo Light (Worth £71.50)Moroccanoil Good-To-Glow Duo Light (Worth £71.50)
Moroccanoil Good-To-Glow Duo Light (Worth £71.50)

£47.00 £71.50 34% offsaving
Moroccanoil Discovery Kit, Extra VolumeMoroccanoil Discovery Kit, Extra Volume (Worth £41.35)
Moroccanoil Discovery Kit, Extra Volume (Worth £41.35)

£34.50
R+Co Cassette Curl Trio
R+Co Cassette Curl Trio

£72.44 £80.50 10% offsaving
Innersense Holiday Kit-Sleek StylersInnersense Holiday Kit-Sleek Stylers
Innersense Holiday Kit-Sleek Stylers

£37.00
Maria Nila Pure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner Mini Duo
Maria Nila Pure Volume Mini Duo

£18.69 £22.00 15% offsaving
ghd Gold Professional Curling Iron set with a black hairbrush, black travel case, and black retail box on a white background.ghd Gold Hair Straightener Festive Gift Set in Black (worth £261)
ghd Gold Hair Straightener Festive Gift Set in Black (worth £261)

£209.00 £261.00 20% offsaving

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I start prepping my hair for a party?

A week is plenty. Use a repair treatment around seven days before and a gloss mask a few days out. If you need a trim, book it a week or two ahead so the ends have time to settle.

Should I wash my hair on the day of the party?

It depends on the style. A sleek blow-dry works well on freshly washed hair. For an up-do, day-old hair is usually easier, because clean hair can be too slippery for pins to grip.

Do I need a heat protector if I'm only using a hairdryer?

Yes. A hairdryer and round brush still put a lot of heat through your hair, especially if you're going over the same section several times. Apply it to damp hair before you start.

How do I stop my curls dropping?

Prep with a texturising spray rather than working on silky, just-washed hair. Let each curl cool before you release it, then finish with a flexible hairspray.

What's the quickest fix for flyaways on the night?

A flyaway wand smooths stray hairs without flattening the rest. A tiny drop of serum rubbed between your palms works too, as long as you keep it away from the roots.

How do I keep volume going all evening?

Build it at the roots while your hair is damp, using a root lift spray or mousse. If it starts to drop, a little texture powder at the crown brings it back.

How do I get a slicked-back look that stays put?

Start with completely dry, smooth hair, and straighten it first if it has any kink. Work a gel or pomade back from the hairline a section at a time, then use a pomade stick along the hairline for baby hairs. Finish with a mist of hairspray.

What should I keep in my bag for touch-ups?

A mini dry shampoo and a flyaway wand cover most things. Add a small hairspray if you're wearing your hair up.