Carl Bembridge has firmly established himself as a leading figure in the world of A-List celebrity hairdressing. With a 20-year career taking him around the world, he’s built a reputation for impeccable skill and a fresh, innovative approach to hair, becoming a go-to name within the industry. Over the past decade, Carl has specialised in celebrity work, collaborating with high-profile talent across red carpets, fashion weeks and editorial shoots, creating polished, camera-ready looks that move effortlessly from backstage to spotlight.
Instagram: @carlbembridgehair
Mel really suits wearing her hair with a natural, undone tousle, so I wanted to bring that same effortless texture into her iconic Sporty Spice ponytail. The result was a sleek, snatched high pony with a soft, beachy wave running through it – snatched but relaxed and full of movement. I secured the hair using Útiles Beauty hair ties for a strong yet hair-friendly hold, then waved the ponytail with the ghd Waver and finished with Color Wow Style on Steroids to shake out the waves and enhance that lived-in feel.
This look was created for Ariana while hosting. It was a modern take on the iconic ’90s Pamela Anderson updo, with our own contemporary twist. I blow-dried the hair using the ghd Helios dryer to build volume and bounce, then smoothed it with straighteners, adding a soft bend so the hair naturally fell into place when styled up. Before pinning, I prepped the hair with Color Wow Style on Steroids to add texture and grip, making it perfect for an updo. Pieces were coated with Pop & Lock, then lifted, tucked and flicked in different directions to create a deliberately undone finish that was glamorous, effortless and full of movement.
For the National Television Awards red carpet, I created a super sleek updo but with that extra detail. I snatched the hair up using Color Wow Cult Favorite Hairspray and Pop & Lock for shine and control. I moulded the details into hair art, and secured with Texas Hold ’Em for long-lasting hold. I finished with Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray to give a flawless, camera-ready gloss to complete the total look.
This look was created for a major event in Paris, where Kelly wanted voluminous, luscious hair with beautiful movement. Working with the layers she already had, I enhanced the shape by adding a few subtle clip-ins to create extra thickness and bounce. Using a 44mm tong, I achieved a smooth, blown-out curl that sat perfectly between smooth and curly for a soft, glamorous finish. I brushed the look through with my Carl Bembridge Pro Elite brush and set it with Color Wow Style on Steroids to give the style a little extra oomph without making it too stiff. Beautiful hair for a beautiful woman.
For this look, I created a super sleek yet softly feathered style – a modern evolution of the classic Cher straight glass-hair trend. Instead of a middle parting, we opted for a side part to give the look more movement and shape. On the heavier side around the face, I gently flicked the layers inward to frame her features while keeping the finish ultra smooth. I used the ghd Max Wide Plate styler to create a soft bend without losing shine, then finished with Color Wow Dream Coat for that flawless, glossy, glass-like effect. This product also combats humidity, keeping the hair waterproof and sleek all day.
