The Academy Awards are undoubtedly the hottest topic of the week, but aside from the designer fashion and coveted awards themselves, it was the hair styles rocked by the A-listers that really got our attention.
Jess Longhurst, the Salon Partner & Artistic Director at Oscar Oscar Salons on the Gold Coast, shares her tips and tricks for achieving celebrity glam at home with three hair how-to’s.
Rachel McAdams
Looking every part the picture of sophisticated Oscars royalty, Rachel McAdams stunned on the red carpet with a stylishly sleek up-do. Jess suggests:
Step 1: Prime wet hair with Shu Uemura’s Satin Design, focusing on the lengths and ends of hair.
Step 2: Working in sections, blow dry hair until straight before parting the hair on one side.
Step 3: Smooth down any fly-aways with a sculpting gel, then pull hair into a textured knot and securely hold in place with hair pins.
Step 4: Finish with holding spray to keep everything in place.
Saoirse Ronan
Achieve Irish beauty Saoirse Ronan’s effortlessly chic, textured waves in just a few simple steps. Jess suggests:
Step 1: Apply a volumising mousse to towel dried hair before blow drying tresses until hair is 80% dry.
Step 2: Using a medium sized round brush and working in sections, blow dry hair upwards while focusing on the roots to create maximum volume.
Step 3: Dividing the hair into two inch sections, use a GHD curling wand to curl all hair before gently brushing through with fingers to create a tousled look.
Step 4: Finish the look with a spritz of holding spray to the front section to hold the back comb in place.
Alicia Vikander
Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander took the basic top knot to a whole new level at this year’s Oscar’s ceremony, with her half-up, half-down style exuding grace, glamour and just a touch of princess-worthy charm. Jess suggests:
Step 1: Lock in hair’s moisture with a smoothing serum or spray on towel dried hair before blow drying hair with a medium-sized round brush to create body.
Step 2: Apply a volumising powder or mousse through the roots for instant root lift and workable texture before styling.
Step 3: Gather a section of hair from the top of head (drawing a line from ear to ear) and pull into a pony tail using a clear hair tie. Be sure to keep a middle part in the hair, rather than pulling it all straight back.
Step 4: Twist ponytail while wrapping it around the base of the hair tie to mould it into a bun and secure with hair pins, so it sits on the crown of the head. Alicia’s look is a little undone so don’t worry if it’s not perfectly neat.
Step 5: Using a GHD curling wand, loosely curl the rest of the hair, working in large sections to build volume in the lengths before applying a mist of smoothing spray.
Note: Oscar Oscar salons recommends using Shu Uemura styling products.