There is nothing quite like the Oscars night when it comes to seeing the best of hair, makeup and fashion. This year had some stunning and unexpected moments, from a bear suit to an unexpected song from Lady Gaga. It was the Red Carpet however where we found some of our favorite hair looks for Spring/Summer 2023 and tell YOU how you can steal it!
Jessica Chastain’s Coppery Mermaid Locs
Jessica Chastain, most recently seen in “the Good Nurse” stepped out in style in a beautiful black velvet and glittering glam Gucci dress. Her hair truly owned the Red Carpet, done by celebrity hairdresser Renato Campora, coppery red mermaid length hair tumbling down in old Hollywood waves.
Steal the Style
Using our Wavy Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions in Golden Brown #6, clip-in the extensions and get ready to werk it like a Hollywood starlet. Use a curling iron to create those soft, sultry waves that Jessica rocked on the red carpet. Don't forget to part your hair to the side for that extra touch of glamour.
Sofia Carson’s Side Swept Bangs
Sometimes some of the most elegant looks are the most simple. American actress and singer
Sofia Carson stepped out in a Cinderella-like dress created by Giambattista Valli. When it came to her hair, a sideswept updo was the perfect crown to the look, her hair swept up in the back and bangs side parted, sleeked and fastened behind the ear. Requiring little more than a whole lot of shine, this look dazzles for any occasion!
Steal the Style
To recreate her look, clip in the bangs in Chocolate Brown #3 and sweep them to the side just like Sofia did. Section and sweep the hair into a chignon in the back of the head. Attached the Clip-In Bangs and sweep them in the same direction as the hair movement. Apply a leave-in conditioner and shine serum, finishing with a firm holding hairspray to keep the look in place.
Laverne Cox’s Rooted Blonde Chignon
Best known for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series, “Orange Is the New Black”, American actress Lavernse Cox dazzled in a black and aquamarine dress with a trailing train and silky gauntlets. When it came to her hair, the look was simple but oh so trendy: dark rooted blonde pulled back into an intricately braided chignon hairstyle.
Steal the Style
To recreate Laverne's look, take a set of Perfect Locks Straight Seamless Clip-In Hair Extensions in Rooted Golden Blonde #4/22. After installing a full set of clip-ins, section the hair with a clean center part, forming two pleats in the back. Apply a shine enhancing serum and work through the lengths and ends. Clip and separate each plait forming ponytail braids in the back before weaving and tucking all plaits together into a cinnamon bun shaped chignon. Pin in place.
Eva Longoria’s Slick Back ‘Do
One of the hottest hair trends of the night was one synonymous with summer: the wet hair look. A visit to celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves later and Eva Longoria stepped out unto the Red Carpet in a stunning sheer diamond encrusted dress with slicked back wet-look hair. Creating a look that looks like she just stepped out of the pool or the water of Monte Carlo, it’s one of the easiest looks to replicate with the right product (and lots of hair).
Steal the Style
The wet hair mermaid look is very easy to style and really can work for any haircolor. To get the right celebrity look however, you want LOTS of hair to work with, so a Wavy U-Part Wig in Natural Black #1B will give you the kind of instant full, dense hair that celebrities themselves often wear for special occasions. If you’d prefer something a little simpler our Wavy Perfect Crown in Natural Black #1B also work as a second choice and go on in less than 60 seconds. To style it, apply a cocktail of Leave-In Conditioner and Argan Oil, emulsifying the two in your hands and working through. Slick your hair up and back and done!
How to Recreate Oscar-Worthy Hair at Home
Red carpet hair looks intimidating but most of the techniques are achievable at home - especially with the volume and length that extensions provide. Here's how to approach the most wearable looks from awards season.
"The difference between red carpet hair and everyday hair is usually volume and finish, not complexity. Most of the looks you see on the Oscars red carpet are achievable at home with the right foundation. Extensions create that foundation - they give you the mass that makes big styles possible and the length that makes sleek styles dramatic."
- Priyanka Swamy, Founder of Perfect Locks
The Most Wearable Oscar Hair Trends
The sleek low bun: A perennial red carpet staple because it photographs beautifully and works with almost any face shape. The key is the smoothness - not a single strand out of place. Clip-in extensions add the density that makes a low bun look full and intentional rather than wispy. Apply a strong smoothing serum before gathering, and use a fine-tooth comb to eliminate any texture from the surface.
Old Hollywood waves: The deep, structured wave pattern associated with 1940s glamour recurs on red carpets regularly because it's universally flattering. Set with a 1-inch curling iron by curling all sections in the same direction, pinning each wave while it cools, then releasing and combing through with fingers only. Extensions add the length and volume that make waves look voluminous rather than flat.
The high drama ponytail: Long, sleek, pulled back to the crown with wrapped base. Extensions are nearly essential for this look - a thin natural ponytail at crown height looks very different from a full, weighty one. Use the double-ponytail technique for maximum volume.
Textured, natural waves: The lived-in, effortless wave look that appears on many younger attendees photographs beautifully because it has movement. Large-barrel curling iron or overnight heatless curls both achieve this. Works beautifully with extensions that add the density making the waves look full throughout.
The Extension Styling Approach for Events
For any event where you want red carpet-level hair, the process starts the day before. Wash and blow dry your extensions the night before. Style them the morning of. This gives the style time to settle and reduces the risk of that just-styled look that can read as too perfect. Heat-style with proper protection, let everything cool completely, and finish with a light-hold spray rather than heavy lacquer that looks stiff on camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do celebrities get such voluminous hair on the red carpet?
Extensions are standard practice in the entertainment industry - both clip-ins for events and semi-permanent methods for ongoing wear. Beyond extensions, celebrity stylists use strategic placement of multiple wefts, backcombing underneath for structure, and professional-grade products designed for camera and high-definition lighting. The combination of added hair mass and skilled technique creates the volume that appears on red carpets.
What hairstyles look best on camera?
Styles with definition and structure photograph better than very soft or flat styles. Defined waves, sleek updos, and high-volume blowouts all read clearly on camera. Very fine or flat hair can disappear in photos - extensions add the density that registers visually. Shine also photographs well, so a light serum finish improves the camera-readiness of any style.
Author and Founder of Perfect Locks LLC
Priyanka Swamy, the visionary founder of Perfect Locks LLC, is a passionate advocate for empowering women and promoting cultural diversity. With an unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and quality craftsmanship, she redefined the hair extension market and created a supportive community that celebrates individuality.
Priyanka's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility continues to inspire positive change within the industry. Her journey with Perfect Locks remains an inspiration, unlocking the true potential and confidence of countless individuals worldwide.
