Last spring I got rid of an old curling tong that was acquired in the 1980s. It had a huge barrel and it was said to have been modeled on Coca-Cola cans.

It was then that people began looking for tutorials to recreate the sultry, blond look of Cindy Crawford in 1990s. We’re talking glorious, glossy, gigantic dos, with serious supermodel attitude — leaving wannabes grappling with arm ache and scorched scalps.

Adele was stunningly blond and confirmed that the long-haired, big-haired hairstyle is back. Then, last week, the Duchess of Cambridge beamed down with a torrent of Rita Hayworth curls and the world cried: ‘Magnificent! Miraculous! Make us look like this now!’

The big, shiny, and bouncy hairstyle was a constant companion for some people.

The summer was hot and I decided to throw a bouffant party despite my friend the hairdresser begging me not to. Instead, I chose the unstructured, cool bendiness that George Northwood, Alexa Chung’s poster girl, made popular by. ‘Oh, God, Hannah, no! You look like Shirley Temple,’ he whined, as I bounded lustrously by.

Hannah Betts shares advice for embracing the big bouncy blowdry trend seen on Adele (pictured)

Hannah Betts offers advice on how to embrace the big, bouncy hairstyle seen in Adele’s photo (pictured).

But I’m not cool. I’m 50, and the heart wants what the heart wants. Springy, sumptuous styles are a sign of health and energy. They can make me feel slack if I ask them. I prefer the lift only an expert can provide.

My expert of choice is Magda Liliana Chelinho, who operates out of Cila Hairdressing, a small salon near London’s Victoria station (cilahairdressing.com).

It isn’t showy to claim that I can probably get a blow-dry for free at all the snippers. Magda, however, is my favorite.

Not only is her styling magnificent, it is a bobby bargain (£25 for mid-lengths), takes 20 minutes and lasts a week.

She is constantly in my mind, and I fear her being teleported by some super-rich tyrant. He wants me to look after him on a yacht while he draws away any lottery tickets so this wealthy bitch can become mine.

Magda was the first salon I had been to. I enjoyed having my hair done by some of the most respected names in the industry, but I preferred my hair tangled up. I didn’t like the majority of blow-dries, and I prefer my hair wet. These were just too straight for my taste, too dull, and not newsworthy enough. It was not what I needed.

It was my go-getter look that I sought: glamorous, glamorous and a rule-the world guise. Not for nothing do we associate it with the 1940s and the 1980s — eras when women headbutted their way through the glass ceiling, emerging with not a lock out of place.

First off, Magda favours L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Shampoo (£9.35, lookfantastic.com). Remove thoroughly afterwards and don’t over-condition (middle and ends only), or hair will be too soft and go limp.

A root booster is a good idea. Again, the Magda pick is L’Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Root Spray (£10.15). To ensure that roots are properly erect, flip your head upside-down.

Roots should be almost 100% dry. Even those using the BaByliss Big Hair Care Hot Air Styler (£70, reduced to £34.99, amazon.com) or Dyson Airwrap (£449.99, dyson.com) need to bear this in mind, or their locks won’t have lift-off.

Hannah (pictured) said her expert of choice is Magda Liliana Chelinho, if she wants a blowdry

Hannah (pictured) said her expert of choice is Magda Liliana Chelinho, if she wants a blowdry

Magda’s beloved brushes are the ultra-prickly Termix Evolution series (from £7.68, coolblades.co.uk): the fatter the barrel, the bigger the curl.

The dryer she insists upon is the Parlux 3200, with a slim nozzle (£94.95, amazon.com): compact, fast and hot.

Wrap strands around the barrel, making sure they are smooth against the spines, ends included, otherwise they’ll stick out at an angle. Pull hair straight up from the roots by holding it in your hands.

I’m fond of a 1940s take, with hair on my face, so Magda only creates curls one way — up and out. You can however style the hair either way for an 80s feel.

Once done, Magda deploys a final blast of heat to ‘let the hair free’. I’m a fan: hair should look like hair, however expertly coiffed. A spritz of L’Oréal Professionnel Infinium Pure 6 Hairspray (£8.45, allbeauty.com) from underneath and you’re off to headbutt the patriarchy.

RACE TO IT

FaceGym has added two pieces to its arsenal of equipment. I’m too scared to try its Electric Microneedling Device. 

facegym.com 

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However, I’m going to give the Medi Lift Eye Rejuvenating Electric Muscle Stimulation Masque a try.

facegym.com 

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MY ICON DU MONDAY

SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR 

Sophie-Ellis Bextor (pictured) relishes bright make-up and Barry M nails, as she aims to look like a good version of her age

Sophie-Ellis Bextor (pictured) relishes bright make-up and Barry M nails, as she aims to look like a good version of her age

The 42-year-old mother of five — who last week did a 24-hour danceathon for BBC Children In Need, raising more than £1 million — has declared: ‘I don’t want to look younger, I just want to look like a good version of my age.’ She relishes bright make-up and Barry M nails, saying: ‘It’s amazing how much it can change your mood.’ Plus, Lancôme Hypnôse Artliner Precision Liquid Eyeliner and Mac’s pinky-orange Vegas Volt for lips.

COSMETIC CRAVING

One doesn’t exactly crave dental hygiene, but with the snogging and socialising season upon us, Hello Activated Charcoal Freshening Mouthwash — an all-new, all-natural rinse — is a gift to the middle-aged mouth.

This eliminates unpleasant odours without destroying your oral microbiome, which can lead to an increase in the severity of the problem.

At the same time, bad breath is a particular issue when your mouth dries out, so Hello’s mouthwash includes coconut oil to moisturise it.

Face mask mouth, begone!

superdrug.com

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A 1-MINUTE MANICURES 

One-coat miracle with a quick drying time of 60 seconds

superdrug.com

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This is why lacquer enthusiasts love these haute couture colours.

dior.com

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A powerful purple with up to ten days’ wear.

boots.com

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Less ‘Lawn Green’ than Christmas tree.

kiko.cosmetics.com

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This blend of silicones makes every varnish touch-dry within seconds.

leightondenny.com

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