Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 5:35 PM

We will frock you! Behind the scenes at X Factor

By Emma Cox

Last updated at 12:02 AM on 4th December 2011

The X Factor is as much about the hairstyles, fake lashes and spangly dresses as it is about hitting the high notes. YOU dodges the glitter guns and crimpers backstage in the frantic run-up to Saturday’s live show to find out how the X Factor preen team make the magic happen

On stage (from left) Amelia Lily, Marcus Collins

In dingy corridor in an anonymous-looking TV studio in West London, Kelly Rowland is pleading for ‘more sequins’ to be sewn on to Misha B’s corset.

Meanwhile, Amelia Lily is being told she looks ‘too cupcake’ in her pink dress, and the style team are plucking up the courage to ask Gary Barlow if Marcus can wear a pink suit. It is less than three hours before the show is due to go live, yet changes are still being made left, right and centre.

The X Factor's super-stylists Laury Smith, Jamie Stevens and Natalya Nair

For the remaining X Factor finalists, image is everything. Each week they get scrutinised by judges and fans alike, not just for their singing but for their hair, make-up and outfits. Contestant Sophie Habibis was voted off after a frumpy dress led to comparisons with Carol Vorderman. Her lesson? Get the outfit wrong, and you’re in trouble. So how are the contestants’ looks put together? YOU heads behind the scenes just a few short hours before the Saturday-night curtain call to meet the finalists and watch the X Factor team, led by stylist Laury Smith, hairdresser Jamie Stevens and make-up artist Natalya Nair, in action.

Little Mix

The group’s monochrome look was picked so the girls could show off their voices without distraction. The style team, seen working their magic below, admit it has been a challenge to make sure the girls have a cohesive look as they are all so individual. Hairdresser Jamie says, ‘I’ve taken inspiration from the androgyny on the catwalk, but it’s a more polished, shiny version.’

‘We look a little bit sexy, but not in an obvious way,’ says Little Mix’s Jade. ‘We want boys to fancy us, but we don’t want girls to think we’re going to steal their boyfriends!’

Little Mix, from left: Perrie Edwards, 18, Jesy Nelson, 20, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 19, and Jade Thirlwall, 18. Their look was inspired by an outfit Kelly Rowland wore the previous week

From left: Stylist Laury nips and tucks Leigh-Anne's outfit; Perrie powers through Little Mix’s version of ‘Don’t let go’

Jesy, who says she has grown in confidence since the first week, shows off her nail chains

Marcus Collins

There is much excitement in the studio when Gary Barlow agrees to let Marcus wear a shocking-pink suit from Versace’s range for H&M. ‘I wasn’t sure if Gary would go for it as he has a more classic style,’ admits stylist Laury. ‘We thought the shoes [below] might have been a step too far, but we got away with it and Marcus looks great!’ The 23-year-old was a hairdresser in his previous life and says he can’t resist trying to style every passer-by he can get his hands on.

Marcus in the pink jacket Gary voted yes to

More pink - shoes to match

Janet Devlin

Although the flame-haired Irish singer is the first to admit she has no interest in fashion, her overall bohemian look is stylist Laury’s favourite of the night. Janet, 16, says, ‘I wouldn’t know how to describe my style. If I like it, I’ll wear it, basically. I’ve been wearing a lot of burgundy and bottle green since they dyed my hair redder. I like basic make-up and I’m not a glittery kind of girl. I think vocals are the most important thing but everybody else disagrees with me.’

Looking every inch a boho babe, Janet sings ‘Kiss me’; (right and below) getting her hair and make-up done

Misha B

Soulful Misha, 19, has every outfit customised or made from scratch. Hair stylist Jamie, below right, loves the challenge of changing her look every week: she has never had the same hairstyle. But her styling causes headaches for head costume maker Lee Benjamin, who has just hours to sew together her white gown complete with feathered shoulder pads and studded leather corset, (pictured).

Lee says, ‘I’ve got a day’s work to do in an hour! I look calm but I’m like a swan with the feet going underneath.’ Misha is delighted with her diva dress, which matches her Whitney Houston
song, ‘I Have Nothing.’

Misha says costume maker Lee, left, who transformed her simple, flowing gown into a showstopper

Misha performing ‘I have nothing’; she says costume maker Lee, left, who transformed her simple, flowing gown into a showstopper, is ‘a magician’

Relaxing in the wardrobe in a comfy 'onesie' and turban

Amelia Lily

Amelia has the most dramatic night in wardrobe after the style team decide to change her outfit a
nail-biting two hours before the show goes live. Stylist Laury decides Amelia’s original Topshop sequined dress is ‘too cupcake’ after watching her dress rehearsal and realising the outfit doesn’t match her attitude-filled performance. So the 17-year-old changes into a standby frock teamed with
a leather jacket for a more ‘rock chick’ look. Stylist Ollie Picton Jones says, ‘She’s Gwen Stefani meets Pink meets Desperately Seeking Susan.’