Olsen twin air dry lore

When Jesus is the styling muse...

Uncovering the inner workings of the Olsen twins’ beauty routine is the editor equivalent of Pandora’s box. Imagine a ‘what’s in my bag’ only it’s Ashley with a Margaux pulling out her favourite lipstick… I would probably pass away.

Skin and makeup is one thing, but the category I’m most fascinated by is hair. Mary-Kate + Ashley are the air dry blueprint: unfussy, unkept, imperfect waves that are, by my definition, perfect. And you know it isn’t manufactured — they’re often photographed with wet hair — making it all the more desirable.

Genetically blessed they may be, but there’s also lots of crumbs on the Internet that speak to the routine. Their longtime stylist Marc Townsend has shared a bunch of secrets (products, methods) — actually this Substack was inspired by a recent episode of Gloss Angeles, where the hosts interviewed Marc. There’s Olsen lore but also a bunch of juicy celebrity stories. I rarely listen to beauty podcasts but it was a good one. Recommend.

I am deeply inspired by their approach to hair, so have dedicated this week’s issue to everything Olsen-coded (styling, their dry shampoo of choice — I bought it! — lots of mood boards and styling references, etc). I hope you love.

Olsen-approved styling products

Marc has been quoted more than once claiming that salt spray and dry shampoo are the only two products needed to create that Olsen-specific piece-y, wavy texture. The most-referenced is Dove Dry Shampoo (Townsend used to be an ambassador). Apparently it’s starchy and can be layered from roots to ends for a matte finish. I literally bought one from Woolworths the other morning and like it? This is it. I hate most dry shampoo formulas but he’s right in saying it’s matte but not chalky, gritty but not volumising (because Olsen hair is not about volume). It’s $5 right now, you can’t loose.

He also loves Bumble & Bumble Salt Spray.

Air drying — what we know

MK + A have been famous forever, so undoubtedly things have changed over the years, but based on what we know now, they air dry exclusively. They have a natural wave, but it’s probably enhanced by the colouring process, as well.

I honestly think they just wash and go. Wet hair in the morning, perfect waves by lunch. So effortless, it hurts. For red carpets etc, they probably go in with hot tools. But the air dry lays the foundations.

If you need help or want to enhance your own texture there’s a few things you can do:

Method 1 — scrunch in some product (probably salt spray, maybe a mousse) and literally let it dry.

Method 2 — after you apply your product, take small sections, twist them and clip near the ends. I always do this with the pieces around my face. Here is a little tutorial inspired by Dianna Cohen. Only shake it out when it’s 90% dry. You’ll get nice waves that are technically still air dried.

Method 3 — put your product in and then loosely braid. Mary-Kate allegedly used to do this, and would run over it with a flat iron once dry. Not technically air drying but a great method, especially for long or very straight hair.

Method 4 — twist and pin. So whenever I get my hair cut, my stylist takes little sections, twists them in on themselves (like a snail) and holds them on my scalp while he hovers above with a blow dryer. I admit there’s heat involved but it gives me this bendy texture that looks very ‘I woke up like this’.

Method 5 — Go to bed with wet hair, wake up and you’re done. My editor swears by this method and she’s probably the closest thing to an Olsen I’ve encountered in real life.

The cut

I can’t comment on the technical aspect of their respective cuts but I think we can assume that regular trims are in the bin. Olsen hair is all about being long and a little bit scraggly.

The 5 bobby pin rule

So they do love a chic up-do. But apparently, Mary-Kate isn’t into any style that demands more than five bobby pins. Noted.

You must have flyaways

There’s always an element of interest in everything the Olsen twins do, and I feel like flyaways are it for hair. Super sleek is boring. Frizz and loose pieces should be both welcomed and encouraged.

The Olsen Tuck

Apparently, Ashley was putting on her jacket before the Met Gala one year and decided she liked the look of her hair tucked in. Marc has mentioned in interviews that he decided to plait the lengths beneath the jacket to keep it secure.

The Olsen tuck is also chic in a turtle neck, or a scarf.

The DIY conditioner

I love a bit of kitchen sink beauty — Marc has shared that before a vacation, he’d mix up bottles of coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E for the girls to massage in pre-swim to preserve colour and condition. You know I am trying this.

Jesus = hair muse

In the aforementioned Gloss Angeles podcast, Marc said that for one Met Gala in particular, Jesus was Ashley’s wavy hair reference. Because really, who else?

*unsure of the actual refs, but great waves regardless….

Accessories > hair styles

My personal favourite thing about The Olsen twins’ is their use of jewellery. They wear incredible vintage pieces — jade, coloured gems, precious stones, layers… They also love an ear cuff. This + the hair tucked behind their ears = perfection.

The Row-coded hair care edit

Just for fun

Klorane Dry Shampoo, Yves Durif brush, Christophe Robin Baby Blond Toning Conditioner, Dries Van Noten comb, Davines Sea Salt Spray, Celine claw clip, Santa Maria Novella shampoo, Biologique Recherche Conditioning Treatment, Leonor Greyl Bi-phase Styling Mist

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

I am deeply, deeply obsessed with this CHANEL lipstick. Grown up princess makeup. It’s limited so don’t sleep on it.

Next week will be a very lengthy personal guide to post-pill acne. I’ve been working on it for a few weeks. If you want it to hit your inbox please subscribe below. As always thank you deeply for all the support x