9 Backstage Beauty Secrets from CW's 'Jane the Virgin'

Even in Hollywood, it takes more than good genetics to look that good on HDTV. But with the right products and gifted professionals, magic can happen.

In the case of The CW's critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe nominated, freshmen-comedy series, Jane the Virgin, on set stylists Michelle Rene Elam, department head hair, and Tena Parker Baker, key hair, are tasked with creating the cast's signature hairstyles. Here, they share their backstage beauty secretes for achieving the camera-ready looks:

Gina Rodriguez / Jane by Michelle Rene Elam

1. Gina’s character Jane is very natural, busy, no fuss and full of life. So we keep her style true to that essence; alive and fun. She works a lot so her hair undergoes a bit of stress. To keep it healthy and top shape I use heat protectants, mostly White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Thermal Styling Spray and then Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Neuro Unclipped 1.25" Styling Cone to set her whimsical locks. She has a copious amount of hair, so I often flat iron the roots with my T3 Singlepass styling iron to keep it snug to her head.

2. I keep Moroccanoil treatment oil and White Sands Orchids Oil close by to tame any wildness and give that extra sheen. Some days Oribe Supershine Light Moisturizing Crème is needed when her hair is extra tired. I seal her with Aerogel Styling Spray or Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Medium. When she wears a ponytail, I use a wooden dye brush with holding spray to tame down any strong little guys popping out. Her hair is very particular of shampoos so whether traveling or home she carries it with her, Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo & Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Argan Shampoo.

Yael Groblas / Petra by Michelle Rene Elam

3. Yael’s character is very kept, represents money and all that it can buy, even though this is not always the whole truth (stay tuned for some upcoming flashbacks). Her hair is tender but very healthy; she is a pro at keeping on top of all that her hair needs to maintain health, making my job smoother. I use Living Proof Restore Target Repair Cream on her ends, then mist her hair all over with White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Thermal Styling Spray to protect and smooth during the blow dry while using a T3 anti-gravity 2.5" Barrel Ceramic Brush to create smooth volume.

4. Her style is a specific mix of noir 1920’s & 21st Century mod glam. To create this style and help last all day, I set her using a 3/4 - 1” marcel iron angling it at 2:00/7:00 all the way around. A big bone comb and Mason Pearson brush keeps the flowing shape. On humid outdoor scenes I keep Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray handy and in heavy fog I even toss on a rain cap! Her flashbacks are fun as she gets to sport more natural shapes; longer and playful. We add real hair extensions or a halo design extension piece to help create these looks.

Andrea Navedo / Xo by Tena Parker Baker

5. Andrea's character is young at heart and just wants to have fun. Her hair likes to hug her beautiful face, however we want to see her jazzy eyes so there's a few tricks to achieve this. I use White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Thermal Styling Spray on wet hair. Using the T3 Tourmaline Hair Dryer, I aim the air around the hairline with a natural boar bristle brush and sweeping it away from her face. Then I continue smoothing her natural waves with the Anti-gravity 3" Barrel Ceramic Tourmaline Brush to keep her hair damage free and a glossy finish.

Bridget Regan / Rose by Tena Parker Baker

6. Bridget's character is the ultimate trophy wife, or so it seems; she's hiding behind many fascinating stories. Her natural red curly locks wow even us whom have seen it all. I spray each strand coating well with White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Thermal Styling Spray.During the round brush blow dry, I use T3 Body Waver to work volume into her heavy luxurious hair. Set is designed with 1.75" Professional Iron then I polish it off with White Sands Orchids Oil for shine and humidity protection. Bridget's style has to be brushed frequently so using Aerogel Styling Spray holds it perfectly yet allows free flowing looks from many strokes of the brush.

Justin Baldoni / Rafael by Michelle Rene Elam

7. Justin’s character is well groomed and debonair. His hair loves to maintain moisture, causing every product to appear wet. He prefers his character to have a very dry look, so to create dry yet stylized design, I blow-dry with Bumble & Bumble Sea Surf Spray & Prive Finishing Texture Spray. Then to finish the controlled dashing design I use a wax to piece through. We love the scenes he gets to have bed head or beach hair and I rough it up using more Texture Spray.

Jaime Camil / Rogelio by Michelle Rene Elam

8. Jaime’s hair is as robust as his character Rogelio; full of life, vibrant, and strong! I vary between 2 looks depending whether or not he is playing a scene as an actor or as his street character. I use EVO Gangsta Grip Bonding Gel to do both looks. When he is portraying an actor, I blow-dry his hair with Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protectant Spray using a wire vent brush and metal round brush to enforce the strong shape. When Rogelio is in his street character, I use extra Gangsta Grip and a small toothcomb to form the suave shape, then diffuse dry.

Brett Dier / Michael by Tena Parker Baker

9. Brett has wild crazy booming hair, which compliments his hilarious personality; however his character is a serious detective. I force his hair against its will into neatness beginning with Moroccanoil Mousse, a wire bristle brush, and the powerful T3 Featherweight 2 Hair Dryer. His style is then doped out, as he might say, with a wax.