December 23rd 2024.
Sabrina Carpenter is known for her impeccable style and effortless ability to pull off any look. But can the average person achieve the same level of perfection? Enter Tom Smith, the hair whisperer and trend predictor extraordinaire. In his seasonal trend reports, Tom has declared that ‘the set’ is back, taking inspiration from none other than Sabrina Carpenter herself. This revelation has left the team at Metro eager to try out this new trend as soon as possible.
For many of us in the Gen-X generation, the idea of getting a ‘set’ brings back memories of our grandmothers' weekly trips to the hairdresser. Wet hair would be rolled up in colorful rollers, doused in setting lotion, and then placed under a hooded dryer while they read their favorite magazines. But for the younger generations like Gen Z, the concept of a ‘set’ might be a bit foreign. As 23-year-old Metro reporter Lucia Botfield puts it, it's "a big, blowout similar to how my grandmother’s 1960s hairstyle would look with hairspray, hairspray, and more hairspray."
With Lucia's long hair and my shorter cut, not to mention our different interpretations of a set, we decided to put this trend to the test at Billi Currie’s salon in Marylebone where Tom works as an International Artist. I was curious to see how this look would work on both of us, and Tom was more than happy to show us the ropes.
The first thing Tom made clear is that this modern version of ‘the set’ is not the same as our grandmothers' version. "I’ve modified the technique to make hair look healthy and full of movement while still maintaining its shape," Tom explains. "It's also great for thinning hair." This already had me intrigued, as someone with fine hair.
Gone are the days of setting lotion, hooded dryers, and wet hair – this modern technique involves using dry hair and creating ‘invisible’ rollers with a heated curler. These are then secured with tiny clips and left for about thirty minutes. The result? Bouncy, voluminous curls without the stiffness of traditional rollers.
Tom also points out the difference between a set and a blow-dry. "With a blow-dry, I start with wet hair and dry it in the direction of the natural movement of your hair," he explains. "But with a set, I use dry hair and take it from hot to cool, allowing the hair to set in its desired shape."
As someone with shorter hair, I was eager to see if this modern set could work for me. I told Tom that I was aiming for a Marilyn Monroe-esque look, inspired by the current Marilyn The Exhibition. However, Tom warned me that my hair was too short for that and that I might end up looking more like Mrs. Thatcher. But with my trust in Tom and his skills, I let him work his magic.
Using a GHD Curve Classic Curl Wand, Tom created ‘invisible’ rollers with my hair, which were held in place by small clips. This process only took about 15 minutes, and my hair was then sprayed with Evo Builders Paradise Working Hairspray to set. Next up, it was Lucia's turn.
With her long, red-violet hair, Lucia was excited to see how the set would look on her. She normally straightens her hair, so this was a completely new experience for her. As Tom used a GHD Curve Soft Curl on her hair, I couldn't help but notice how modern and glamorous her curls looked. A blast of Olaplex Volumising Blow Dry Mist was used to set her hair, and then it was time to see the final results.
As I was ‘unpinned’ and my curls were brushed out, I couldn't help but feel like a 1920s flapper. But as Tom continued to brush out my hair, I started to worry that I might end up looking like Margaret Thatcher. Thankfully, Tom was able to bring out the curls and waves, and I was left feeling more like Marilyn Monroe than ever before.
Lucia, on the other hand, had gone from Gen X to Gen Z with her bouncy, voluminous curls. "I strutted back to the office with a spring in my step," she later told me. "And the style brought in a few Jessica Rabbit comparisons – which I wasn't complaining about."
As for the longevity of this style, Lucia's hair lasted through a night of partying and even into the next day. Mine lasted for a whole three days, which is impressive considering I didn't have a late night of partying to test it out. However, the amount of hairspray used did make me think about how my grandmother's hair must have felt with all that product. But the end result was worth it – a brand new, winning hairstyle that left us both feeling fabulous.
When I asked Tom why this trend had become popular again, he explained that it ties into the larger trend of "health and wealth signaling" in the beauty industry. It's a style that is harder and more expensive to achieve, making it a status symbol.
Overall, we both loved our new set hairstyles and would definitely try it again for a special occasion. Tom's expertise and the modern twist on this classic technique made for a stunning, glamorous look that lasted for days. So if you're looking for a new, unique hairstyle to try, why not give the modern set a go? Trust us, you won't be disappointed.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
