Lucie Ducrot
Expert French Hair Designer at Julien Farel Salon
At the age of 14, Lucie’s dreams of being a hair designer were quite literally at her fingertips. She had entered in several competitions of which she won, and was swept into her dream-career of high fashion hairstyling on exclusive worldwide tours. Several years later, she took her experience and channeled this energy into new opportunities in New York City. Her third language quickly became English, her second being French, and her first being hair, of course. For this special interview, I had the opportunity to sit down with Lucie at Julien Farel Salon and to try her choice selection of summer hair styles.
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Lucie’s Summer Hairstyles
Lucie picked these three looks to go from a beach getaway to an evening out with friends!
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Braids (Wet look)
- Start with wet hair or dampen dry hair with a moisturizing spray
- Part hair down the middle, creating two large sections.
- Begin braiding from the hairline at the top of the forehead to the sides of the head just behind the ears.
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Beachy Waves
After you remove your toes from the sand, your hair naturally dried from the sun, you can remove your braids to discover natural waves which only need a quick touchup for an effortless beachy look that lasts.
- Separate hair into small sections.
- Leaving the ends out, curl just the middle of the section around a round curling iron.
- Repeat for entire head.
- Use a small amount of Julien Farel Smooth Crème and pull fingers through the hair to loosen curl. Do not comb it!
- Add a little Julien Farel Flexible Paste texturizing product for extra tousled waves.
Think soft, romantic evening with a tropical breeze!
Try styling with ombre highlights for extra body and dimension.
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Half Up, Half Down
For a slightly more dressed-up vacation style, you can touch up a few of the beach waves from before with a curling iron, and use the natural cut of your hair to sculpt a partial updo using hairpins! (This will also improve the texture of your waves if you decide to let it all down again!)
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Romantic Summer Updo
- Part hair down the middle and begin a tight braid from the center of the top of the head.
- Gather the hairs around the face into the braid, pulling towards the back.
- Finally, gather the ends of the braids, which should crown your head, with pins into a low sculptural buns.
Tip: Let flyaways be flyaways! This adds to the softness and summery vibe of the style.
To strike the perfect balance between bohemian casual and summer romance, let any pieces that fall naturally be!
Lucie encourages you to experiment with all four summer looks, and don’t be afraid to combine styles. Summer is about taking care of yourself and relaxing!
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How you started your career
I started my career when I was 14 years old. After I participated in many hair competitions and won, it gave me access to the ”french haute coiffure” and the fashion world. Then, I started doing hair shows and fashion shows in Paris with Intercoiffure (Palais Brognard, Palais des Congres). I was the French head of Foundation Guillaume. I worked all over France, and also did shows in Rio, Brazil. At 21, I moved to New York to work with Julien Farel and started all over again.
Your motto
I always call myself a hair designer. I help curate my client’s style and give them the look they want.
Your inspirations being a hair designer
What I love about my job is creating a complete style. I don’t just trim the hair. If you come to see me, I want to see the final image and work together with my client. As I always say, when you are naked, the last fashion you wear is your haircut.
Tips for summer hair and favorite products
Use accessories as much as possible. Hairbands, hats, and scarves are all great options. It is critically important to protect your hair from the very strong sun. Braids are also great. Use conditioner each time you shampoo, and you can use the Julien Farel Restore once a week for a complete treatment. To keep the wet look, use a flexible gel (Julien Farel Gel).
My summer morning routine
I wake up around 6 and either go to the swimming pool or the tennis court next to my house. Then I come home, take my shower, get ready, and read the news while I am having my breakfast. It is very important for me to know what’s going on before I start my day at work. Then, I go to work either with my bicycle or with my Vespa. I like to be out as much as I can!
Tips to stay active
I run three times a week and I use my bike as much as I can. It is a very fast way to move around the city.
My favorite summer skin care products are
La Solution 10 by Chanel, which I use every day as a moisturizer for sensitive skin. For my body, I use Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia body Crème every morning.
Make up during summer
Mascara and Lipstick. For lipstick, I always use Chanel because they have beautiful reds. For mascara, I love the basic Sephora one! Long lashes assured.
Summer hairstyles
I like hair half-up half-down, braids, bangs, beachy waves, or a high ponytail.
Special hair care routine?
What is important for your hair during the summer is to use a great conditioner with each shampoo treatment. When you go to the swimming pool and there is too much chlorine, it is excellent to occasionally combine white vinegar with your shampoo. Apply white vinegar to your hair, massaging in order to let the product work. Then use your regular shampoo and conditioner.
Taylor is a recent honors graduate of Rhode Island School of Design’s Painting and Art History Department. A dual-citizen in Belgium and the U.S. with frequent wanderlust, a passion for editorial, and an affinity for sketching, she is now exploring the connection between art and beauty.
