The Academy Awards are one of the most exciting nights in fashion, entertainment, and style. As viewers, we can’t help but ogle over the pure glam that graces the red carpet before us, judging what’s hot and what’s not from our couches (in our sweatpants). But it doesn’t hurt to have an opinion! Every move that goes into each actor’s unique look is intentional, with a call to the fashion icons of the past or a hint of future trends to come. The stylists who conceptualize and craft each detail are the best in their fields, and definitely know how to make each star shine.
As experts in hair, we are here to of course talk about the main event: The manes! There was no shortage of drama at The Oscars this year, and hair was no exception. We are going to reveal some of our favorite looks, and give you some tips on how to create them yourself!
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas have proven unstoppable over the last handful of years. This year, they took home the Oscar for Best Original Song in the latest installment of the James Bond franchise. Billie Eilish is now the youngest artist to win an Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe, for the same song. She is the future! And here, perhaps, is a bit of the past. Her hair is serving some serious ‘50s attitude, giving off Bettie Page energy.
Our favorite tool for this style is the Platform Blowout Brush. Not only will this achieve effortless volume while alsosmoothing via negative ion technology, but it also allows you to curve out the ends in true ‘50s fashion! That’s because this brush is a 4-in-1 tool: Dry, volumize, smooth, and curl. You don’t need to balance holding a comb, round brush, and dryer in your hands as this tool takes care of everything!
Here is a woman who never misses! Zoë Kravitz showed up on the red carpet for the 2022 Oscars in a pink strapless number by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent. It was a departure from the skintight look we saw her in as the star of The Batman. Paired with her Old Hollywood Audrey Hepburn hair, the powerhouse talent looks demure, elegant, and regal.
It’s official, baby bangs are a thing again. If you’ve got them and you’re looking to replicate this style, we’d suggest starting off with getting your locks as pin-straight as possible. A titanium styler will flatten and smooth your hair with the power to make that look last. Once you get your look styled, use Total Control Hair Styling Gel to lock the look in. You can also use it to manipulate your bangs so that they appear swept to the side.
Speaking of Old Hollywood, Jessica Chastain stunned us in this mermaid-style sparkling Gucci gown. The 2022 winner of Best Actress knows how to work her angles, with her famous red locks flowing seamlessly into the colors of her dress. While the gown is an ode to the past, her hair is far more new school and a bit punk!
Her hair feels very Blake Lively circa Gossip Girl. While it might appear like an effortless high ponytail, there are some important factors that go into making it look manicured and not sloppy. We suggest trying the “double ponytail” technique. This is when you gather the hair at the top into one pony, the hair at the bottom into another, and then fuse them at the end. Tease the hair around your crown to get it “messy,” and then use a very light hairspray to keep it in place without bogging it down.
Timothée Chalamet is no stranger to bold choices, on and off the screen. Here, he can be seen with his chest exposed in Louis Vuitton womenswear from the spring/summer 2022 collection. While we could spend days talking about his devilish good looks or his incredible jacket, we are here to discuss that gorgeous head of hair.
Sure, it takes having a majestic mane to begin with before attempting something like this. But if you’ve got the goods, it’s not too challenging to pull off! You’ll need three tools: A dryer that produces negative ions (the negative ions will help create hair that is fluffy and moisturized as it doesn’t dry out your strands while you use it!), a diffuser, and a ceramic curler. Dry with the diffuser attachment and use the curler to add bounce to the ends once dry!
Lupita Nyong'o was dazzling as she stood in head-to-toe gold Prada. She’s currently going viral for her reaction during the infamous Will Smith slap. Honestly, we’re not sure what we’d do if we were sitting right next to him either! Always poised and radiant, it’s only natural that her hair would be as sophisticated as her fashion sense. She worked with her longtime hairstylist, Vernon François to elevate sisterlocks.
"The overall look was partly inspired by African figures in classical Greek art," François says. "It is a sisterlocks updo with a soft, graceful, glamorous feel.” François created the look with extensions. The trick is to hand-twist and build the hair to blend into those extensions. He says that a leave-in conditioner is essential for the harmony of the look.
Kristen Stewart is the talented actress who has forever marched to the beat of her own drum. Even at the Oscars, she wrestles the line between fashion-forward and fashion faux-pas by wearing short shorts on the red carpet. We have to say, she looks stunning in the Chanel get up. The Best Actress nominee also made a daring choice with her hair. It’s giving Debbie Harry with a modern twist.
The idea is to create the illusion that you could simply wake up this flawless and roll onto a red carpet. But, of course, Kristen Stewart did not wake up like this. To get the seamless side-sweep, you are going to want to start with Pump It Up Express Serum before drying. With body-building properties and a lightweight texture, this serum creates fullness in the hair. We suggest drying with a handle-less dryer and diffuser for optimal control and using light layers of Total Control Hair Styling Gel and finisher to cement the style.
Taking a break doesn't mean taking a step back from your styling game. Whether it's a seaside retreat or a city escape, maintaining impeccable hair is essential. After all, you never know when a travel encounter might turn into a networking opportunity.
But packing for spring travel is the worst, especially when you want to maintain your professional edge. As a hairstylist, your own hair is your best ad, right? So we've curated a selection of compact, travel-friendly hair care tools and products for you to bring with you on your next adventure!
