Beauty experts reveal behind the scenes prep of Ladies Day

• Ladies Day is back at Aintree, with racegoers stepping out to parade their looks
• READ MORE: Supercomputer predicts the 2024 Grand National winner

Bright colours, cut-out dresses, and daring headwear can only mean one thing – Ladies Day is back at Aintree.

Donning their finest ensembles, racegoers put their best feet forward and stepped out during the brisk early morning weather to parade their outfits ahead of the second day of events on Friday.

While the Liverpool festival is all about horse racing, today is the day fans will take part in a competition to win the coveted cash prize after being crowned best dressed. But getting glam for the yearly event is a costly affair, with hair salons and tanning shops full to the brim since the early hours of this morning.

A hair extensions technician who works during the Grand National revealed that fashion fans will spend upwards of £500 on their hair – and ‘thousands’ on finding the perfect outfit.

Michelle, who works at Dianne Marshall Hair Extensions in Liverpool, told LBC News that demand is ‘very, very high’ and the preparation often begins months in advance.

Donning their finest ensembles, racegoers put their best feet forward and stepped out during the brisk early morning weather to parade their outfits ahead of the second day of events

Style Awards winner Ainsley Briscoe on Ladies day at Aintree Racecourse today

Style Awards joint winner Claire Illingworth on Ladies day at Aintree Racecourse

She revealed that the lead-up involves: ‘Making sure that the girls are in, ready for the day so they can go back, get their makeup done and then start the day on Ladies Day.’

The extensionist explained: ‘Depending on what they go for, extensions can start anywhere from £300 up to £500, and that’s just the hair.

‘Then obviously there’s the outfits. People will spend anything from £200 up to the thousands for outfits.’

Meanwhile, Hannah, the owner of House of Darlins, Liverpool’s largest beauty salon, told the radio station: ‘You are getting everything done – your nails, your hair, your tan, your makeup, and your new dress.

‘I just think it’s Liverpool’s one day of the year where you can go as extra as you want to go and you can push the boat out as much as you want to – and it’s fine, no one can say anything because it’s the races!’

The beauty expert revealed to her Instagram followers that she had set her alarm for 3:50am, writing: ‘Aintree races but you work in the beauty industry’.

And it’s not just makeup and hair – Madison, who owns The Tanning Girl salon, said: ‘I do my clients one layer. I’m not all about the orange. I think that is a big stereotype.

‘No one is orange anymore. The tans have come into fashion again and the formulas are different. Everyone just loves a nice, natural, golden brown colour.’

Getting glam for the yearly event is a costly affair, with hair salons and tanning shops full to the brim since the early hours of this morning

A hair extensions technician who works during the Grand National revealed that fashion fans will spend upwards of £500 on their hair, and thousands on finding the perfect outfit

While the Liverpool festival is all about horse racing, today is the day racing fans will take part in a competition to win the coveted cash prize after being crowned best dressed

One reveller wanted to stand out and went for a hot pink and yellow ensemble with  a matching clutch bag

Dressed in an impressive floral mesh matching trouser suit, a racegoer is pictured typing on her phone

While Cheltenham is all about the tweedy country looks, Aintree is its more glamorous cousin – and the outfits did not disappoint, with many opting for Barbie-inspired looks for the big day out.

The earliest arrivals at the racecourse brought bright shades and fabulous headwear, but they had to clutch onto their large fascinators as they battled blustery winds in Liverpool.

As well as enjoying the racing, revellers will no doubt get into the party spirit with plenty of champagne to go around.

The Grand National on Saturday, known as the People’s Race, draws national attention in a way that perhaps no other horse race is able to do.

Every year, millions of people gather at Aintree for the steeplechases, which spans 4 miles, 7 furlongs and 74 yards, making it the longest horse race in Britain even though it used to be around one and a half furlongs longer.

Style Awards winner in the Sustainable Category – Sally Ann Morgan on Ladies day at Aintree Racecourse

Racegoers dancing on day two of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse

The Grand National on Saturday, known as the People’s Race, draws national attention in a way that perhaps no other horse race is able to do

Every year, millions of people gather at Aintree for the steeplechases, which spans 4 miles, 7 furlongs and 74 yards, making it the longest horse race in Britain

Racegoers on day two of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse

While Cheltenham is all about the tweedy country looks, Aintree is its more glamorous cousin

Racegoers at the end of day two of the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse

The decision to shorten the race slightly was done to move the start line away from the grandstands in order to help prevent false starts and make the first jump safer as jockeys and horses would reach it slower.

It comes just after the second day of the Cheltenham Festival was renamed ‘Style Wednesday’ and instead involved a fashion competition for both men and women.

Day two of the prestigious four-day event is known for attracting a host of royals and celebrities alike as they show off their sartorial prowess while enjoying a day out at the races in Gloucestershire.

Some excited racegoers even start planning their outfits for the popular occasion six or so months in advance.

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