Editor’s Picks: 10 Hair Looks From The 2023 Oscars
Insider Secrets From The Celebrity Stylists Behind The Oscars 2023
The 95th Annual Oscar Red Carpet blew our Editors away. From chic updos to shining cornrows, tousled texture and voluminous waves—we grabbed the insider details and products used by the celebrity hairdressers behind the creations!
Scroll through our list of hits with must-know tips from the stylists that make star-studded events shine. PS—Check out all the products used and make room at your station for some A-lister-worthy must-tries.
1. Lady Gaga’s Clean French Braid by @fredericaspiras
The french braided updo was the perfect style choice for Gaga’s grown-out platinum blonde. Although this may look classic, Frederic shares his pro styling tips to take an average braid into an elevated red carpet look.
Frederic’s hair prep for Lady Gaga:
- “Start by washing with Joico Defy Damage Shampoo,” he explains.
- Once the shampoo is rinsed, apply Defy Damage Protective Mask to damp hair and let sit for five minutes.
- After rinsing, comb through the hair (don’t blow-dry yet!)
Clean french braid styling:
- “To create grip and hold for braiding, I applied Joico JoiWhip Foam before blow-drying,” said Frederic.
- Blow out the hair in the direction you will braid the hair.
- Then, add a slight bend using a curling iron also going in the direction of the braid. “The waves of the hair will bend into the braid, preventing any hair from sticking out,” says Frederic.
- For added control, Frederic applies Joico JoiGel Firm while cross-weaving each section into the braid.
- To secure flyaways with a finishing polish, spray a small toothbrush (or edge brush) with Joico Power Spray for a secure hold.
- Pro Tip: For fine hair, Frederic recommends applying Joico Hair Shake Texturizing Spray to add extra volume to fill out the braid.
2. Michelle Yeoh’s Soft Waves by @mararoszak
If you haven’t already heard that side parts are back, Michelle Yeoh certainly set the tone on the red carpet. Celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak (@mararoszak) is known on our red-carpet lists for her natural-looking glam on A-listers.
Michelle’s soft wave step-by-step:
1. Apply root lifting spray before blow-drying with Bio Ionic® SMART-X™ High Efficiency Dryer using a boar bristle brush.
2. Secure pin curls around the entire head, using flexible hold hairspray to set the style in place.
3. Once the curls are set, remove all pins and curl hair for a long-lasting finish using Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron 1.25″.
4. To create movement and break up the wave pattern, apply a texturizing spray for volume and definition.
5. To finish, backcomb the crown for added volume and shaping and seal the look with a finishing spray.
Styling products used:
- Fekkai Clean Stylers Root Lift Volume Spray
- Clean Stylers Flexi-Hold Hairspray
- Full Blown Volume Dry Texturizing Spray
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3. Angela Bassett’s Timeless Curls by @randyhairjunkie
The epitome of Hollywood glam hit the carpet when Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) floated down the aisle with classic, voluminous curls by Randy Stodghill (@randyhairjunkie) using Olivia Garden® heat tools and styling brushes.
Every tool Randy used to achieve Angela’s red carpet-worthy curls:
- Detangling the base: Olivia Garden® Ceramic + Ion XL Pro Paddle Brush
- Initial blow-dry: Super HP Hair Dryer
- Voluminous blowout: NanoThermal Power Grip 1 3/4 Brush
- Curls: Titanium + Ion 1.25″ Curling Iron
- Brush out curls: Ceramic + Ion Supreme & Styler
- Diffuser to finish: Super HP Hair Dryer
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4. Janelle Monáe’s Metallic Cornrows by @nikkinelms
Coming in at one of our FAVE looks of the evening is “Glass Onion” star Janelle Monáe (@janellemonae) created by celebrity hairstylist Nikki Nelms (@nikkinelms).
“Three cornrows with metallic strings attached,” is how Nikki describes the eye-catching look. “I used a few of my favorite Bumble and bumble. products like Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer, Invisible Oil and Semisumo Light Hold Cream for high shine and to secure the cornrows.”
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5. Lily James’ “Sharp Glamour” Bun
Celebrity stylist Halley Brisker (@halleybrisker) created what he describes as a “sharp glamour” look for actress Lily James (@lilyjamesofficial) for Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party. This sleek, trendy look took several hair pins but only two products…
Products Halley used for Lily’s upstyle:
- Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother
- No.7 Bonding Oil
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6. Ariana DeBose’s Side Part & Low Bun by @takishahair
The side part is showing up and showing out this season! This beautiful low bun look was created for actress Ariana DeBose (@arianadebose) by LA-based stylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew (@takishahair).
Check out the products and tips Takisha used to create Ariana’s red carpet look:
- Base prep: Takisha used Matrix Instacure Shampoo and Conditioner to soften and smooth Ariana’s hair before styling.
- “To achieve the gorgeous wet look, I used Matrix Fixer Spray,” explains Takisha. “I used it all over but especially at the top and anywhere she had a lot of flyaways.”
- To shape and hold Ariana’s ponytail, Takisha used Matrix Builder Wax Spray.
- Finishing step: Create a cocktail of Fixer Spray and Builder Wax Spray to smooth and set every strand into place for the evening.
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7. Pedro Pascal’s Tousled Waves by @cocoullrich
*Queue the swoon.* “Argentina, 1985″ star Pedro Pascal (@pascalispunk) turned heads on the Oscar carpet with his effortlessly chic look from longtime hairstylist Coco Ullrich-Mooney (@cocoullrich).
Grab these Bumble and bumble. products that Coco used for your next Men’s appointment:
- Bumble and bumble. Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse
- Semisumo and Sumotech Pomade (Coco mixed these to define Pedro’s curls!)
- Does It All Hairspray
8. Elizabeth Banks’ Triple French Twist by @claytonhawkins
Elizabeth Banks (@elizabethbanks) showed up to one of Hollywood’s biggest nights in a timeless, tousled updo by celebrity stylist Clayton Hawkins (@claytonhawkins).
To achieve the sought-after look (PSA: bridal stylists, keep this on hand for the upcoming summer clientele!) Clayton gave us a peek into his step-by-step process and the products used.
How to achieve Elizabeth’s timeless updo:
1. On damp hair, Clayton applied SexyHair® Root Pump Plus Volumizing Spray Mousse focusing the product at the roots.
2. Next, use a round brush to blow out the hair to create tons of volume. Once completely dry, curl the entire head using a .75″ curling iron.
3. “After the hair was curled, I spray a generous amount of SexyHair Fun Raiser Volumizing Dry Texture Spray to build grit and body without weighing the hair down,” Clayton explains.
4. To create the updo, Clayton pulled the hair back into three sections, twisting it into connecting knots for a modern spin on the French twist.
5. To keep the look in place, finish with SexyHair Spray & Stay Intense Hold Hairspray.
9. Ke Huy Quan’s Handsome Grooming by @anissaemily
“Everything Everywhere All At Once” star Ke Huy Quan landed on everyone’s “Best of” list this year for his dapper look on the Oscar carpet.
Celebrity hairstylist Anissa Salazar (@anissaemily) shares her behind-the-chair look with the tools she used to create the timeless look.
Anissa’s must-have tools from Andis®:
- Andis® reSURGE Shaver
- reVITE Clipper
- beSPOKE Trimmer
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10. Salma Hayek’s Red Carpet Waves by @jennifer_yepez
No red carpet is complete without the classic soft wave that EVERYONE screenshots. Renowned celebrity stylist Jennifer Yepez (@jennifer_yepez) shares what products she used to create these gorgeous waves on the one and only, Salma Hayek (@salmahayek).
Jennifer says the goal was, “A cool, rock and roll-inspired feel to go with Salma’s dress. I wanted to achieve a more undone, natural look with lots of texture.”
Grab these Verb® products to try to recreate Salma’s waves:
1. Verb® Glossy Shine Spray With Heat Protection
2. Ghost Oil (Jennifer used this on Salma’s natural hair and extensions)
3. Volume Dry Texture Spray
4. Ghost Hairspray
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