An evening at the Opéra, Beaulieu or Vidy: the right blow-dry
Curls that hold until the curtain calls.
By Manel, M BRUSH5 min read
N° 02
Lausanne
The essentials
For an evening at the Opéra de Lausanne, Beaulieu or Vidy, brush curls are an elegant and safe choice: their soft curls withstand the back of the seat and relax into waves as the evening goes on. Have them done the same day and avoid a tight scarf or a hood on the way.
An evening at the theatre raises a particular question: the hair has to look beautiful on arrival, but it then spends two or three hours resting against the back of a seat.
Brush curls meet that challenge well. The curls are created during the blow-dry, without an iron, and they age gracefully right through to the final curtain.
Three hours seated
We think about the outfit, the shoes, rarely about the back of our head. Yet that is where the evening is decided.
The back of a theatre seat crushes the nape, the coat resting on the shoulders rubs the ends, and the warmth of a full house gently weighs down the roots.
Three habits limit the damage:
- Sit slightly forward during the first act, while the style settles.
- Bring the lengths over one shoulder if the seat back is high: they won't be caught between your back and the seat.
- Rest your coat on your lap rather than over the seat back, so the collar doesn't rub your nape.
Opéra, Beaulieu, Vidy, Métropole: four venues
Lausanne offers very different stages, and each calls for a different look.
The Opéra de Lausanne
On avenue du Théâtre, the Opéra opened its 2026-2027 season on 4 October with "Mireille", and the programme runs until 17 June 2027. It is the dressed-up evening par excellence: a styled head of hair naturally finds its place there.
The Théâtre de Beaulieu
Beaulieu hosts major dance events. Béjart Ballet Lausanne performs "Lux Æterna, Mozart Tangos" there from 18 to 23 December 2026.
The Prix de Lausanne takes place there from 31 January to 7 February 2027, with the "Rising Stars" show on Sunday 7 February in the afternoon. For a matinee, a slightly lighter finish works very well too.
The Théâtre de Vidy
Vidy announces a season of fifty shows, the first part running from September 2026 to February 2027. The audience there is more relaxed: brush curls, loosened by hand, keep their style without looking overdone.
The Métropole hall
In the Bel-Air tower, the Métropole hall seats 1,200, or 2,000 standing, for concerts, theatre and comedy. Standing, the constraint changes: you move, you get warm, and the hair has to withstand movement more than a seat back.
For other dates that deserve a polished style, see our article on Lausanne moments that deserve a blow-dry.
Why brush curls
The brush curl blow-dry is done entirely with a round brush and a hairdryer. Each section is rolled, heated from root to tip, then cooled in its shape before being released and loosened by hand.
What makes it a finish for the theatre:
- It relaxes gently. At the interval, the curls are still defined. On the way out, they have become soft waves. The style changes, but it stays in the same spirit.
- It withstands the seat back. A slightly flattened curl can be put back in place with a flick of the fingers, which is not the case with a sleek finish marked by the seat.
- It pairs with evening wear, without looking too done for a contemporary play.
If you want sharper curls that last longer, for a gala or a very dressed-up premiere, iron curls are the other option. The difference between the two is explained in detail in our article brush or iron curls.
Before the curtain rises
The journey matters as much as the evening.
- No hood or tight hat. In cold weather, a large silk scarf draped loosely protects without flattening.
- An umbrella rather than a dash. A few drops are enough to make the roots swell. If the sky is uncertain, plan for it.
- A flat clip in your bag, to lift the lengths while you put on or take off your coat.
A theatre hairstyle should look beautiful in the first act and still right in the last.
Matching your hair to your outfit
A few simple pointers:
- Bare shoulders or a low back: curls falling on the shoulders frame the silhouette beautifully.
- A high collar or a structured jacket: soft curls soften the line without contradicting it.
- Large earrings: tuck a section behind the ear, on the side where you want to show them.
Booking before the premiere
Ideally, have your blow-dry done the same day. The two curled finishes take a little longer than the others: allow for it when choosing your slot, so you don't arrive in a rush.
Booking is done online: your length, your finish, a free slot. Nothing is paid online, and no deposit is required. Come with clean hair and no product. The address: Avenue d'Yverdon 4, 1004 Lausanne.
Do you have your tickets? Book your brush curls and arrive at the theatre with curls that will hold until the curtain calls.
Frequently asked questions
- What hairstyle should you wear to the opera?
- A polished but comfortable style that can withstand being seated for a long time. Soft curls or waves, worn loose on the shoulders, suit most evening outfits.
- Is there a dress code at the Opéra de Lausanne?
- The simplest is to check the Opéra website for the performance you have chosen. As for hair, a polished finish works just as well with everyday clothes as with a long dress.
- How do you stop your hair flattening against the seat back?
- Sit slightly forward at the start, bring the lengths over one shoulder and revive the roots with your fingertips at the interval, without a brush.
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