Hair Icon: Penelope Cruz

Every month we unveil our handbag.com hair icon, with top styling tips from the UK's finest hairdressers on how you can recreate her day and night looks yourself...

Penélope may have missed out on an Oscar, but one place she's always is a winner is on the red carpet. This senorita's sultry mane of wild waves always looks effortlessly hot, and whatever her hair secret is – we what to know! Luckily, Jerome - Director of bespoke and totally chic salon Hair and Jerome is here to show us mere mortals how to steal Penélope's lavish look for ourselves. Gorgeously glossy, full and úber-long without being trashy, Penélope Cruz – we salute your locks.

  Penelope Cruz does dayPenélope by day...
If the current season's catwalks and red carpets are anything to go by – and they are – halo hair is huge right now, as Jerome points out 'This “gamine-feel” style is ideal for the up and coming season - a simple yet fresh look for daytime chic.' Fun and feminine without being too showy, an 'undone' braided look is the perfect summer's day 'do and, according to the lovely Jerome, relatively easy to recreate. 'Her hair has been layered quite heavily to add bounce at the roots, whilst the warm, milk chocolate colour compliments her skin tone and gives her a natural, radiant feel. '

'To get the look begin by creating an off centre zigzag parting with a tailed comb and then braid both sides,' advises Jerome. 'Once braided secure to the back or the hair with grips, then create a loose bun at the back. Avoid pinning the hair tight, the looser the better and natural looking.'

Penélope's dark name of hair always shines like a raven's wing. For a similarly glossy finish, Jerome suggests 'a fine mist of OSiS Sparkler Shine Spray for a natural, shimmery shine.'

Short of hair? No problem, many 'a salon supply hair pieces to match your natural hair, helping any cropped and bobbed ladies achieve this úber-desirable 'halo' look.

Penélope by night...
  Penelope Cruz by night
'This look is super sexy and very Brigitte Bardot!' says Jerome, 'Penélope has opted for a sexy, loose curly style, which is half clipped-up for a natural retro 60's style.'

Any hair and beauty fashionista worth her salt will know that '60s chic is busy having its fashion moment this season, with 'body' being the buzzword on everybody's lips. 'To achieve the look, begin by placing the hair in a middle parting, then apply a heat protection spray, like OsiS Flatliner, before blow drying. This will protect the hair and keep it looking well-conditioned like Penelope's,' instructs Jerome.

Once dry, Jerome suggests straightening irons to create the loose curls shown in this glamorous shot of Pen. 'Simply wrap sections of the hair around the straightener and hold for a few seconds before releasing.'

Now, on to body. To pump up the volume like Penelope, backcomb the top to add oomph and then lightly smooth before clipping it at the back. 'Leave two pieces loose at the front for a more relaxed feel and finish with a quick burst of hairspray and shine spray for hold and added gloss.'

Couldn't be simpler! So go, bring a little sultry senorita stylings to your 'do this season.

Hair and Jerome - 5 Artillery Passage, London E1 7LJ, For Appointments: 020 7375 0044 or hairandjerome@yahoo.co.uk