16 Game-Changing Hair Hacks We Learnt From a Celebrity Stylist

What do you do when you get the chance to chat with a celebrity hair stylist? You listen.

London-based hair stylist Larry King has been perfecting the art of hair - and winning awards while doing so - for more than 22 years.

From working his magic for fashion shoots in glossy magazines like Vanity Fair and VOGUE, to opening not one, but two high-profile London salons, Larry King has done it all.

Oh, and his celebrity clientele are what you'd find on an exclusive Hollywood party guest list:

Gigi Hadid, Poppy and Cara Delevingne, Jared Leto, Tom Holland, Kristen Bell, Karlie Kloss, Suki Waterhouse, Pixie Lott, Winnie Harlow, Niall Horan, David Gandy, and even Chris Hemsworth!

After years of making custom formulas for celeb clients and styling hair for red carpets and photoshoots, Larry's wife thought it'd be great idea if the everyday person could access the same kind of hair care at home...

Larry King Hair Care was born, and the rest is good hair history!

Larry's eponymous haircare line is all about multitasking hair heroes anyone can use to get a salon look at home.

The haircare and styling products are sustainable, never tested on animals, come in recyclable packaging, and look and smell beautiful.

But importantly, they also work. Adore's founder Kate Morris thinks so too, she's been trialling the range at home!

Hair Tips From a Celebrity Hair Stylist.

Larry King Hair Care is now available at Adore Beauty!

To celebrate the launch, the AB team had access to Larry King himself, along with owner and colour director of QUE Colour salon in Sydney, Monique McMahon.

Larry was also a guest on our Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast, you can listen to the full interview below.

It would have been rude of us not to ask Larry and Monique for some hair tips.

Here's what they shared...

1. When choosing a shampoo and conditioner, Larry’s advice is to start by thinking about your hair type and concerns, then choose two or three different products that could work together in tandem.

E.g. Those who have finer hair might be better suited to Larry King City Life Shampoo whereas those with curly or coily hair should try Larry King Good Life Shampoo for extra nourishment.

2. Do you use the same shampoo every single time you wash your hair? It could be why your hair is looking a bit meh.

"If one person uses the one shampoo on their hair all the time, they won’t be able to give their hair [what it needs] to get the best life to your hair," Larry says.

Switch it up and rotate through a few different shampoos so your hair can reap the benefits.

3. Just like you change your skin care depending on the time of year, Larry suggests doing the same for your hair. Try subbing in different shampoos seasonally (winter vs summer) to look after your scalp health accordingly.

4. Use strategic styling products to restyle your hair and give it a new look, without having to wash it again.

I road-tested this tip by using the Larry King Volumizing Hair Mist on my dirty, second-day hair.

After going over it with my hair dryer to give it a little oomph, I noticed shine but didn't see an immediate volume boost.

So I played around, flipped my hair over then flipped it back and the volume was definitely there!

Also, I am 100% a fragrance and scent gal, so I really enjoyed the sexy, woody and amber smell it gave my hair!

5. To add volume to fine or flat hair, use a root lift spray like the Larry King Volumizing Hair Mist on dry hair, then take a hot air brush and set the volume in by wrapping top layers of hair around the tool.

6. Need to wash your hair, but want a lived-in look? Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair is great for creating grit and texture.

7. If you want your blow dry to last longer, make sure you use a styling cream with some hold as well as your heat protectant before drying. This will give the hair structure.

8. Use the Larry King Wash Cycle refills bundle to rotate your different shampoos and conditioners during the week to achieve salon-styled hair at home. 

9. Rather than expecting a single product to do everything, layer different styling products.

E.g. For those with super thick hair who want volume (but not in a Hagrid Hair kind of way), Larry suggests adding the a smoothing cream to wet hair, as well as a volume mist for body before blow drying.

10. Heard of multi-masking? Try the same with your hair products to get different results in different areas of the hair.

E.g. If you have greasy roots or dirty hair at the top, but the bottom of your hair is dry and bulking out, apply your volume mist at the roots, and your smoothing cream just on the ends.

11. More product doesn't usually mean better hair. Take the Larry King Social Life styling finishing cream. Make sure you start with a pea-sized amount first, as you can always build on this until you get a nice texture you’re happy with.

12. QUE Colour salon owner Monique McMahon also gives us her hair tips for curly hair: 

“It all starts in the shower. To prep those perfect curls, start with the Larry King Good Life Shampoo to nourish and hydrate the hair strands, and finish with Larry King Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner to lock in moisture and manage tangles."

"Towel dry with a push of the towel into the curls. Then apply a little of the Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair  to the hair. Take small-ish sections and using two fingers, twist the hair to enhance the curl and let it air dry or use a defuser hair dryer attachment."

13. Hair clays or pomades aren't just for men's hair.

"I love using the Larry King Velvet Texture Clay just on the ends and lengths to finish hair," Larry says.

14. You've probably heard about the toothbrush hack for getting a sleek bun. How about a smoothing toothbrush hair kit?

I tried using the Larry King Flyaway With Me Set to tame my baby hairs in a low bun.

Here is my before and after, not bad eh?

15. Larry King Liquid Hairbrush Conditioner is great for smoothing down hair cuticles and giving it shine.

16. Wanna know how to get that perfect lived-in, beachy wave?

Larry says, “If someone has styled waves in their hair [with a hot tool], the next day, spray a bit of volumising hair mist."

"Then take a diffuser attachment to it, and it will give you that beachier, more separated look. It will also reinvigorate the blow dry you’ve done the day before."

Larry King Hair Care Reviews.

You've heard his hair styling tips, but what are Larry King's products like?

Larry started with launching three hero products first:

A volumising hair mist for that extra oomph, a satin finishing cream for all hair types and a texture clay to add second-day body to unruly hair.

The idea behind these hero styling hair products is to make them multi-functional, so you can layer them or use them for different styles and variations, to touch up second day hair or to refresh your limp tresses throughout the day.

Here are our reviews of these hero Larry King Hair Care products!

1. Larry King Social Life, $43.

What: Larry King A Social Life For Your Hair

• A styling/finishing product that adds gloss, controls frizz and can be used for touch ups throughout the day or to achieve a wet look.

• Has a satin finish, and is available in a 180ml refill pouch.

• Promises to smooth, define, add shine, texture or tame all hair types.

What Adore Beauty reviewers say:

“This tube of magic has so quickly become my favourite leave in product for frizziness + flyaways, especially in Sydney humidity right now. Super cool packaging, non-greasy and silicone-free, which is a must for me. Plus, you can use a little on dry hair and it doesn't look oily!" - Billie.

2. Larry King Volumizing Hair Mist, $52.

What: Larry King Volumizing Hair Mist

• A lightweight, fragranced hair mist that leaves hair feeling soft.

• Adds body to even the finest of hair, and lifts the roots and crown of the hair while keeping the ends soft.

• Can be used on damp hair before styling, or to refresh dry hair throughout the day. 

• Scented with notes of rosemary, pine needles, lavender, jasmine and violet to keep hair smelling fresh.

• Is best for fine, limp or straight hair. 

What Adore Beauty reviewers say:

"Herby, a bit woody and gently jasmine-y, this volumising mist is the product I didn't realise I needed. Apart from its distinctive and luxe smell, this product does double duties - adding much-needed body and swishy-ness to my fine, layered lob. So excited to see this London brand finally available in Australia." - KJP.

3. Larry King Velvet Texture Clay, $39.95.

What: Larry King Velvet Texture Clay

• A matte-finish styling clay that promises all-day hold, without crunchiness.

• Adds second-day body, definition, texture and hold to hair that needs some taming.

• A great product for shorter hair to create an edgy style, or to add to mid-lengths of longer hair for a grittier, grunge look.

• Comes in a wildflower seed-infused cardboard box for sustainable recycling (or flowers for the garden!).

What Adore Beauty reviewers say:

"I love this texturing clay I've used! It's easily mouldable, giving your hair that classic "bedhead" look. Just don't use too much, it can look clumpy. Love it though!" - Coco.

Want some more great hair styling articles? Check out these great stories below:

• This Magical ‘Air Dry’ Balm Legit Saved My Frizzy Holiday Hair

• Why This Multi-Use Pomade Stick Is the Unsung Hero of My Beauty Routine

• Every Single Product Our Beauty Editor Uses to Wash and Style Her Hair