Red carpet hair styling hacks exposed as EGOT-worthy brand Giovanni dubbed 'go-to'
The Emmy Awards reminded fans just how hard it is to get the perfect hair look, but EGOT-worthy brand Giovanni makes it way simpler than many might believe.
Alex is an entertainment writer for the Mirror, covering music, TV, and beyond. She's social media obsessed and a gaming guru, devotedly following all the content creators, influencers, and streamers. Particularly, she has a knack for investigations and celebrity legal woes. Alex earned her BA in Political Science and Communications at Pace University and her MA in American Journalism at New York University.
Your favorite stars' looks of glam and perfect hair on the red carpet aren't as unobtainable as they might seem.
In fact, there's a brand that's been bolstering the celebrities' 'dos for years and it's on the market for all. Giovanni was chosen as the haircare brand of choice and was used by a celebrity stylist team led by Edward Morrison at the Emmy Awards. The stars on the carpet and on-stage were often using a range of products to keep them looking flawless all night long as the Hair Department was tasked with pre-event touchups and fix ups.
After all, award shows don't start with the event and don't end after the channel has turned. For the actors, the day starts early with outfit checks, makeup, and more. They then spend hours on the red carpet, soaking up all the harsh lights before heading into the ruckus of the ceremony. Afterwards, your favorite A-listers party the night away and they need products that can last through the entire adventure.
Giovanni was a no-brainer for those professionals. After all, the brand has now achieved EGOT status, being used at the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, and Tonys. Plus, stars are even using Giovanni at less prestigious, but equally as high-profile, events such as the MTV Video Music Awards.
How does this hair care, used even on the movie sets, actually hold up for the average person, though? Most of us won't be strolling under the Hollywood sign any time soon, so the question is: Will these type of products be overkill or are they the only surefire way to get through an all-nighter?
Personally, my hair is anything but compliant — long, thick, and refusing to conform to rules of straight versus curly. Keeping it wrangled for extended hours is... not easy. Giovanni, especially when stocking up for an award show, has an extensive selection that appeals to different hair types, so I was hoping one would work for me.
I decided to give each of the top Emmys products a bit of a try, immediately noticing just how heavy all of the products were. Even the ones meant for simple smoothing were definitely hefty in nature. While this made me hesitant at first, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The stand out product for myself was 2chic® Frizz Be Gone™ Taming Cream, which smooths flyaways and unmanageable hair. It immediately seemed like a perfect day-to-day, rather than a red carpet exclusive. The product felt tacky and heavy in my hands, but melted into my hair flawlessly. I feared it would create some sort of grease, but it luckily never showed.
I'm not alone in my praise of the taming cream. Dean Banowetz, an Emmy-nominated hair stylist, gushed that it was "perfect for both straight and curly hair."
However, not all of the products had the same affect. L.A. HOLD™ Styling Gel, meant for extra-strong control, definitely left me feeling a bit oily. This sort of product is definitely better meant for those big events. The oil didn't cause an immediate concern or shine, it was more so just too heavy for my own hair.
It's worth noting, it seemed better for other hair types than my own. What I loved the most about the Giovanni products was they aren't one size fits all. Instead, the red carpet stylists clearly had options available for everyone available on hand.
The perk, though, was it did wash out with no problems — a promise made by the product. Did it hold? Absolutely, scarily well, in fact. Does it make much sense for your average wear? Not really.
It was balanced by L.A. HOLD™ Hair Spritz, which was far less tacky in all the best ways. I'd definitely opt for a quick spray than the hefty feel of the gel itself if you're looking to hold some curls, but your hair isn't compatible with more oil-prone products.
The other products fell in between the two in range from a simple anti-frizz product (Ultra-Moist Super Potion Anti-Frizz & Binding Serum Oil) to something for a bit of volume (Mousse Air-Turbo Charged).
In the end, though, it's the simple things. Shine of the Times™ High Gloss Hair Mist is the refreshing conclusion to any hairstyle — celebrity red carpet glam or casual brunch with friends. The product is endorsed by Emmy-nominated hairstylist Flo Witherspoon, who said, "It gives incredible high gloss without weighing the hair down."
So, when I say there's something for everyone, I mean it. While it's clearly branded as a celebrity product, I'd argue it should be a "go-to" for all.