Errol Douglas MBE Picks His Favourite MOBO Styles

Errol Douglas MBE picks his favourite hair looks from the MOBO Awards....

Sarah-Jane Crawford

Complete sophistication from this glamorous MOBO host. I love the length, shorter than usual and perfect to really show off Sarah-Jane’s stunning fresh complexion. The vintage loose pin curl/wave combo, the slightly lighter yet subtle hues hand painted through the hair and the high shine finish - I love everything about this.

Condition is everything! See a colourist that knows both hair type and skin undertones to get this right, and invest in a good hydrating routine that’s consistent inside and out. (Viviscal professional supplements and potent weekly masks – I like the Kerastase and Phyto options - and a good hydrating cream whilst wet).

Blow-dry in sections with good tension from roots to ends, pinning up and under as you go. Allow to cool for as long as possible (take out literally just before leaving), and rake through gently using your fingers. Place and join the sections to frame the face. Lightly tong ear to ends to really define the roll before walking into a mist of shine spray (Keracare and Moroccanoil both have great options), don’t spray onto the hair as it will weigh it down and potentially dilute the gloss in the finish.

Ella Eyre

It may be her signature look, but it lights up every red carpet she walks on, so it’s another pick from me!

Colour contrast drama in the perfectly tonged ringlets and a hint of a 70’s inspired flick instead of a fringe to frame the face - high maintenance but worth it. Treat yourself to a salon visit for this one.

FKA Twigs

What I love about this edgy lady’s look is that she wears it, it never wears her. The avant-garde element of my own work is very special to me, and I love it when a break out star takes it to the red carpet – an exciting but equally glamorous addition to an awards night.

This mix of dreads, twists, braids and loose hair, non-linear and different sized sections, give body, intricacy and softness, whilst the placement of the safety pinned beret offsets this to bring the edge. Not for everyone, but I love it.

Keeping to non-measured sections, make the side sweep first with a natural bristle paddle brush. After rough drying, prep the hair with a good conditioning and styling oil before the braiding and twisting. Lightly tong the loose sections from ear to ends. Place the beret slightly back from the point where the side sweep begins, and pin with hair coloured pins, secure the other side just back from the forehead so that additional accessories (go for it!) can be placed to suit.

Corinne Bailey Rae

Stunning! Local Leeds lady, Corinne, shows just how glamorous and dramatic natural hair can be. Beautifully cut for shape, volume and curl definition, hair has been hydrated to minimise frizz and perfectly placed to the side to build volume at the crown.

This is how you rock natural beauty. It’s also very easy to add pieces for volume and still maintain a natural look - choose texture wisely and nobody will know!

Rita Ora

Why not channel some of Madonna’s blonde ambition mixed with catwalk drama when you can own it like this?

As we head into the festive season, this is a great party look and the quality and variety of hair pieces available now means this can be executed seamlessly by matching hair colour and texture. I’m a big fan of Balmain Hair Couture pieces, such a good choice for all hair types.

Choose a long pony with enough to wrap around the join after prepping your own hair with a hydrating styling product and wet look gel. Use a wide tooth comb whilst the hair is still damp and scrape through and up to the crown as high as possible and slightly to the back, join your own hair with the hair piece and secure both in the high pony with a bungee. Use a little of the hair piece to wrap around the join (about an inch in width), along with a strong hold hairspray to finish (Vavoom by Matrix is great for this).