Floating to the top of our BAFTA beauty watch list has to be none other than Dame Mary Berry. The veteran TV star, food author and chef arrived at the awards with a shimmery, delicate, beautifully-rounded hairstyle; aka the ‘soap bubble bob’.
Dame Mary’s silver hair was looking particularly polished, with its glossy finish and full, soft shape. The pretty, floaty feel of her style was cleverly complemented by her dress, with its iridescent chiffon sleeves.
Dame Merry Berry looked incredible at the BAFTAs
Celebrity hairdresser Jason Collier is similarly entranced by Mary’s ageless beauty style at 91. ‘Mary glossy silver bob is the perfect example of how grey hair can look incredibly modern and polished,’ says Jason, founder of Studio23 and key opinion leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.
‘The ‘soap bubble bob’ is all about softness and shine with a rounded, airy shape that gives the hair movement and body, while the luminous silver tone reflects the light beautifully, almost like the surface of a soap bubble.’
What makes this look so flattering on Mary is the combination of volume and brightness, he tells us. ‘As we get older, hair can naturally become finer and lose some of its density, so a full, softly curved bob instantly creates the illusion of thicker, healthier hair.
The bubble shape makes fine hair look thicker
‘The silvery tone also brightens the complexion and looks fresh and sophisticated. It’s the complete opposite of the dated blue rinse. This is chic, glossy and incredibly contemporary.’
Jason explains that this style is especially flattering for older women: ‘It lifts the face,’ he says. ‘The rounded shape frames the jawline and cheekbones, while the soft volume at the crown creates a youthful effect. It’s elegant, easy to maintain and works beautifully with natural grey or white hair.’
To recreate Mary’s look at home, the key is achieving what he calls ‘a clean, sparkling silver tone with plenty of shine’. He adds, ‘If your hair is naturally grey but has started to look dull or yellow, a silver toner will instantly refresh it and restore that bright, healthy-looking finish. If you’re transitioning to silver or lightening your hair, you may need to pre-lighten first before toning.’
It’s a style that’s particularly flattering on mature women
For an affordable way to achieve the look at home, he advises starting with Jerome Russell Bblonde Ultra Protect Blonding Kit if your hair needs lifting. ‘Follow with Jerome Russell Bblonde Brighten & Repair Toner in Ice White to neutralise brassiness and create that beautiful cool silver finish,’ he says. ‘To maintain the colour and keep it looking glossy, use Jerome Russell Bblonde Silverising Shampoo once or twice a week.’
Jerome Russell Bblonde Ultra Protect Blonding Kit
Jerome Russell Jr Bblonde Brighten & Repair Toner Ice White
Jerome Russell Bblonde Silverising Shampoo
The final polished touch comes via styling, Jason tells us. ‘Blow-dry with a round brush to create that signature rounded shape, tucking the ends slightly under to give the bob a soft, bouncy finish. The result is timeless, elegant and proof that silver hair can look every bit as fashionable as any salon blonde.’