You may recognize Brittany O’Grady from HBO’s hit series White Lotus, in which she plays the deeply concerned and secretive Paula opposite Sydney Sweeney. While on screen, she has a cold and passive appearance, the 26-year-old actress is completely the opposite. She is warm, bubbly and constantly smiling when we see her Bumble and bumble Meatpacking’s flagship store to celebrate her partnership with the brand. She is the face of bumble’s Latest campaign promote Hairdresser’s invisible oil primer. Although she looks completely different from Paula, O’Grady has one thing in common with her White Lotus character: her beautiful tight curls bounce every time she giggles or turns her head.
O’Grady said learn to treat her curly hair has been a journey. Her mother used to style her and her siblings’ hair every day as a child. Over the years, the actress has learned to capture her curls, learning tips and tricks from the curlers and stylists on set. Here, O’Grady shares more of her hairdressing journey, tips and tricks for styling curly hair, and certain must-have products from Bumble and bumble.
What is it like to grow up with curly hair and how has your experience with it evolved as you get older?
Growing up, me and my siblings had very curly hair. As I started to get older and watch TV shows, magazines, and certain eras favoring specific hairstyles, I had a bit of an internal struggle with holding my hair. I think we all always want something that we can’t have.
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As I got older and started working in the business, I took more care of my hair, working with professionals and people who saw its uniqueness. I’m starting to see more representation of biracial curly hair and more representation of dark hair and different textures. That’s what I’m really excited about. So it’s resisting those urges to straighten or conform to what I thought was a beauty standard growing up. I feel like it’s planted the seeds, and I’m just starting to accept who I am and my hair.
People often have distinct memories of their parents doing their hair. Do you remember any products or techniques your mother used when she did your hair?
We’ll use a little soft brush, and when I go to audition, she’ll do half up and half down. All I remember is the brush and the smell of the spray she was going to use.
What does the spray smell like?
It has a fruity smell; it smells super fruity. It is very nostalgic. I miss L’Oréal No Tears shampoo.
A classic!
YES! We don’t really know how to style our rings. It’s usually just brushed into a bushy ponytail, and we’ll go to school. Now it’s fun to be an adult; My siblings and I find the right products and hug our hair for long life and avoid frizz when we want it. It’s a journey to start taking control of your identity and hair compared to your childhood.
Is there anything you’ve learned since being on set, whether it’s a product or a technique?
Protect your hair against heat. We struggle a lot with the heat in the industry. Wearing a wig can be really important to protect your hair and have a great stylist who understands your hair. Especially for women of color and black women, it’s really important that we have someone who understands and nurtures our hair and makes sure we feel as beautiful and empowered as we are. its characters. I think the industry still has a long way to go, but an amazing change is happening. I am so lucky to work with amazing stylists who understand my hair texture and protect it. I feel very spoiled that way.
How do you prepare your hair for a day on set?
With Bumble and bumble, their products leave me feeling like I’ve got all the dirt, oil, shampoo, and conditioner out of my hair, but not to the point where my scalp is super dry, which makes it so become an easy pattern when I go to work. I like to have such a preparation process.
How did you protect your hair from the heat and the elements in Hawaii while filming White Lotus?
Lots of products moisturize my hair, and we don’t use heat on my hair. It was probably the first job where I never used heat. I even thought I was going to get my hair straightened. I envisioned Paula’s character in a certain way, but they said, “no, we want to keep her curly, especially with the environment.” I’m glad we went in the curly direction because it was almost impossible to keep it straight.
What does your hair care routine look like today?
I really love Bumble and bumble. In the shower, I would wash my hair, apply conditioner, brush it, and then rinse it out. It is very moisturizing and cleansing. When I get out of the bathroom, I’ll put Light curling cream in my hair and gel Hold the curls together. I would diffuse it or let it air dry. Sometimes I will apply a little oil to my hair to ensure moisture and keep it super soft. If I’m in a hurry and my curls don’t define the front as much as I’d like, I use Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer and curl up the front pieces and go.
O’Grady’s Habitual Shopping
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & Bumble Protective Primer
Bumble and bumble Light Defining Curl Cream
Bumble and bumble Curl . Moisturizing Gel Oil
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Emily Burns is assistant beauty editor at ELLE Magazine. When she’s not writing, she’s probably drinking an Aperol spritz and cuddling her cat on Wednesdays… .or plotting a date with Pete Davidson.
