How to achieve the Jessica Rabbit hair trend for autumn (and Halloween)

We can always count on award season to bring us a bucket load of new hair inspiration, and although the red carpets were a little later than usual this year, they definitely didn't disappoint. 

But there’s one particular look that we haven’t been able to stop thinking about, and that’s Gigi Hadid’s show-stopping ponytail which combines super-long, Jessica Rabbit-esque red hair with a modern take on old-school Hollywood waves. We just can’t get enough.

It seems that she's onto something pretty major. Top hairstylists are in agreement: copper and red are the colours to consider if you're thinking of switching up your hair.

“With autumn creeping up on us, I'm finding that my clients are leaning more towards warmer tones, and coppers and reds always look beautiful,” says Samantha Cusick, hair stylist and founder of Samantha Cusick London. “After a summer of sun-bleached hair, adding more depth and vibrancy to your colour really brightens up the season.”

But Gigi's not the only one serving up delicious Jessica Rabbit hair inspo. Gorgeous garnet tones and tumbling waves are getting the appreciation they deserve. Makeup enthusiast and natural red-head, Samantha Harvey revealed she'd had endless requests for a voluminous Hollywood wave tutorial with people crushing on that root-lift she has going on. She showed followers how to recreate the style with tongs and rollers.

If you really want to go full Gigi, it's fairly simple to re-create those glamorous old school Hollywood waves. “It's just a case of curling all your hair in the same direction, and then brushing it out with a soft bristle brush,” says Cusick. “I always use a GHD Classic Curl Tong, £129 for this look because they create perfect curls that hold, and then I keep it in place with a medium hold hair spray so hair will still move and won't be too rigid.”

And, if you're committing to pretty reds and copper tones anyways, you might as well incorporate it into this year's Halloween look and fully commit to those Jesscia Rabbit vibes (the hashtag #jessicarabbit currently has over 170 million views on TikTok). The look has previously been a hit with celebs such as Ashley Graham, Heidi Klum, Maya Jama and Alessia Ambrosio.

But, if like us, you have bad memories of pillar-box red at-home dyes (is anybody else having vivid flashbacks of turning their mum’s pristine white bathroom a lovely shade of pink?), don’t worry – this specific shade is much more subdued, sophisticated and altogether more grown up.

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Zoë Irwin, Wella Professionals Colour Trend Expert, is calling it ‘renaissance red’, a shade she predicted the return of before Gigi's Met Gala moment happened. “This softened red, auburn colour isn’t hyper pigmented so it works really well with this season’s palette, it feels fresh and uplifting,” she says. “When the copper and red tones become more golden, they’re flattering on every skin tone and it becomes very wearable – and I love that it’s a shade that can be refreshed at home using Wella Professionals Color Fresh Mask, £15.70, in either red or copper.”

However, we hate to be the ones to break it to you, unless you're #blessed with beautiful auburn hair, this isn't the sort of colour you can achieve from the comfort of your own bathroom, especially if you want a multi-tonal finish. “The red and copper hues are best created with the help of your hairdresser to ensure the colour is vibrant and toned beautifully and naturally,” advises Adam Reed, UK editorial ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel. 

“In some ways, it's like finding that perfect shade of red lipstick,” says Cusick. “Some people need reds with orange undertones, while others will need blue.”

Anybody who’s gone down the red route before will know the upkeep can be more hassle than the initial dye job, and it’s no secret that maintaining the brightness isn’t always straightforward. “That’s why I always stress the importance of using a professional shampoo and conditioner at home to make sure the hair colour will always pop,” says Reed. 

Cusick agrees, saying: “Make sure the products you're using are sulphate-free and designed to protect the colour, otherwise you run the risk of stripping it. I always recommend Olaplex No4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £26, and Olaplex No5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, £26."

“Then it’s about keeping your hair in its best condition. I like to coat the hair in oil once a week, using it as a nourishing treatment that works to leave hair glossy while giving it a super high-shine finish,” adds Reed, who recommends L’Oreal Professionel Serie Expert Absolut Repair 10-in-1 Oil, £25.50 to get that HD effect while also maintaining hair health (a product that's also part of our hair routine that we love – and not just because it smells incredible).

Luckily, autumn evenings are the ideal time to next-level our self-care and haircare routine.

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