Ibrahim Ali Khan is making his much-anticipated debut opposite Khushi Kapoor in Nadaaniyan, soon to be released on Netflix. The actor is busy promoting his movie and is seen sporting some drool-worthy hair looks that define his features while making him look like the boy next door. We spoke to Darshan Yewalekar, Celebrity Hairstylist who is working with Ibrahim on the current project, to break down the actor's new look, share his hair care routine and share tips with us that make it work for a regular man who doesn’t have an army of products and time to style his hair every day.

What is Ibrahim’s typical hair care routine like? 

Regular shampooing and conditioning are a must in his day-to-day routine, which we adjust based on the weather conditions and hair length. Sometimes, we schedule hair spa treatments during shoot breaks to keep the hair intact and maintain its quality and texture. 

What are some special hair care tips you had for Ibrahim to maintain healthy hair? 

We ensure that hair oiling is done regularly, as it keeps both the hair and scalp healthy. We also make sure that the hair products we use have thermal protection since heat is often applied during the drying process. Therefore, all the pre-styling products we use provide thermal protection for the hair. 

How did you collaborate with Ibrahim to create specific hairstyles for his promotions? What was the initial concept or vision for his hair during these events? 

For the promotional event, we were fortunate to have a spacious open ground, allowing us to arrange styling sessions for his hair as desired. The concept and vision usually originate from the nature of the event and the costume he wears. The styling approach, whether to keep it soft, more textured, or solid, depends on these factors.

Can you take us through the process of creating one of Ibrahim's signature looks, from the initial concept to the final styling? 

Creating a signature look for him was based on the shape of his face and the length of his hair. Once the right texture was determined, which we got right on the second attempt, it became easier to experiment with multiple styles. The right length and styling depend on the mood board, and texturising the hair helps achieve the desired silhouette for the final look. 

What are the key steps or techniques for someone looking to achieve a similar hairstyle to Ibrahim? 

I would recommend ensuring your face shape is similar to his because every hairstyle is designed based on face shape and hair texture. 

If you have straight hair, you won’t need to use dryer as much, just enough to create volume. Simply blast dry, apply hair mousse, blast dry again, and finish with some wax to achieve the same style. But if you have curly hair, you might need a small flat iron to smooth it out and create a soft texture similar to Ibrahim's look.

What styling tools are essential, according to you, to achieve a celeb-inspired hairstyle? 

You will need a blow dryer, hair mousse, a thermal protection spray, a round brush, and either dry clay or wet clay for finishing, depending on the weather, especially if it's an outdoor setting. Sometimes, you can also use a shine spray. 

What types of hair products are best suited for achieving for any hairstyle?

When finishing the hair with clay, we normally use dry clay. The key trick is to slightly dilute it with water before application. This helps emulsify the product, making it easier to work into the hair without tugging or pulling. Once it dries, it provides a strong hold while maintaining a natural, flowy texture. Diluting the clay also ensures even distribution, making the styling process smoother. Yeah, that’s the secret! 

Is there any hack that you think helped you while working on this project and can benefit people? 

Mixing clay with water also helps create the right separation in the hair, adding texture in the front while maintaining a soft, natural flow. This technique prevents the hair from looking stiff or flat, instead giving it a controlled yet smooth movement.