Crazy Carl's Island Run!

Oh boy, oh boy, folks! Get ready for the most epic story of them all – Celebrity hair pro Carl Bembridge's insane journey to Fiji with over 70 lbs of hair products for season 8 of Love Island USA!

So, you know how reality TV stars like Ariana Madix need a whole lotta glam to slay their hosting duties? Well, enter Carl Bembridge, the mastermind behind those jaw-dropping looks. This dude's been working with Madix since she joined the Love Island universe in 2023 and has even collaborated on some pretty sick hairstyles for her.

Now, you might be thinking (heh heh), "What does it take to get that level of glam going?" Well, let me tell you – Carl Bembridge takes it up a notch every season. He's like a hair chameleon, always reinventing the wheel and conceptualizing new looks for Madix. It starts with marrying minds with her stylist Emily Men, who sources all her outfits. Then, he gets to work on envisioning the perfect hairdo – something that's always different from last time.

And let me tell you, this guy's got skills. He brought two large suitcases full of hair products and tools, a carry-on for back-up ponytails and extensions, and yes – over 70 lbs of hair (a record-breaking feat, folks!). Security even gave him the side-eye, like, "Dude, why do you have mountains of hair and a leaf blower for your vacation?" Heh heh, gotta love that one.

So far, Madix has been rocking some seriously stunning hairstyles – long mermaid waves with dreamy highlights, beachy updos, sleek ponytails, and even a beehive-like half-up style. But what's the secret to making all these looks happen? According to Bembridge, it's all about preparing for that pesky island humidity. He takes into account the wet conditions by prepping hair with Color Wow's Extra Strength Dream Coat and using a cordless straightening iron.

Behind the scenes, things get even more fun. Carl Bembridge, Madix, and her glam squad have created some amazing getting-ready rituals for themselves on set. It's like one long glam session, folks! And let me tell you – this guy loves it. He gets to show off his creativity and versatility, all within the same chapter of the season.

"It's just so nice because we have become like a little glam family after spending so much time together over the seasons," he tells us. "[Madix] is so easygoing and allows my creativity to shine. Other projects are mostly glam-and-go or one-day shoots, whereas here in Fiji, it's like one long glam session. I love it because it always allows me to show a lot of versatility and creativity, all within the same chapter of the season."

And when they're not busy making magic happen on set, they love to catch up on the juicy drama unfolding on screen. "We get so invested in the show," Bembridge says. "We allow three hours for glam, getting dressed, and [capturing] glam content. We have fun and we have it down to a tee now, so there is no rushing. It's just good energy."

So, that's Carl Bembridge's insane journey to Fiji in a nutshell – or rather, a hair-filled suitcase! Make sure to tune in for season 8 of Love Island USA to see what kind of glam magic he and Ariana Madix have in store for us.