It was Hollywood's biggest night, the 83rd annual Academy Awards, which meant glam squads everywhere jumped into action to find fabulous gowns, create flawless makeup and, of course, sculpt some beautiful hair. A few standout trends from this year's red carpet included undone tresses, tightly pulled-back updos and lengthy, smooth strands.
Scarlett Johansson, Marisa Tomei and Natalie Portman wear tousled tresses at the 2011 Oscars. Photos: Jason Merritt, Getty Images (2) | Kevin Mazur, WireImage
Undone Tresses
Going for a more natural, relaxed hair look, many actresses opted for undone, tousled tresses that were perfectly imperfect. Scarlett Johansson's short strands looked like they had been gently tossed around after a relaxing day at the beach, with lots of loose texture that fell just above her shoulders. Marisa Tomei's undone look was a bit more sculpted with large waves that were tucked behind one ear on the lesser side of her part. Natalie Portman embraced the look as well, opting for messy, easy-looking waves that she also tucked behind one ear.
Funnily enough it’s not that easy to make “done” hair look “undone” but a very simple trick of the trade is to style your hair as usual, then when you have finished BLAST it with a cool hairdyer!!! I mean really blast it all over, it’s a bit scary when you have spent ages getting your look, to go and freak it out with a hairdryer, but I promise you it loosens the effect and makes your hair “tousled” to perfection. If you are putting your hair up or tying it back, then do the same create the up look you’re going for, then blast your hairdryer over it all…only for about 10 seconds though!!!! Otherwise you will overkill and the look will resemble something similar to when you just got up!!!! Not quite what we had in mind!! Scarlett Johansson looks a little windswept…… wonder how she did that then?
Alternatively pop in some Salon Confidential Volume Wave clip in hair extensions which automatically give the soft curl at the bottom, leaving a natural looking volume and you too can tuck the sides behind your ears!
Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank and Mandy Moore with tight updos at the 2011 Oscars. Photos: Jason Merritt, Getty Images | Kevin Mazur, WireImage | Steve Granitz, WireImage
Tight Updos
Actresses put their own twist on tightly pulled-back updos, even infusing a little bit of our blow dry texture into them like Sandra Bullock, who stunned with a low chignon. Bullock's hairstylist, David Babali, started with clean, towel-dried hair. He applied Couture Colour Pequi Oil Treatment using a wide-tooth comb. Bullock's hair was then blown out with a round brush for a smooth finish, given an additional dose of pequi oil and brushed straight back.
With the IT&LY Hairfashion Digital Styling Iron, Babali took random half-inch sections starting at the front and twisted the hair for texture. When complete, he added additional pequi oil to his hands to finger-comb the hair back into a ponytail above the nape area. The stylist then wrapped her hair around the band and secured with bobby pins, allowing any loose hairs to fall naturally.
Mandy Moore's updo was more traditionally slicked back, with a center part that made way for a tight bun at the center of the back of her head. Hilary Swank accessorized her sleek low chignon with a sparkly clip just above the knot, however she was indeed the hottest hair colour on the catwalk red being the “in” colour right now!
The trick with up hair this season, is keep it simple and not too “done”!
Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow and Penélope Cruz show off smooth strands at the 2011 Oscars. Photos: Jason Merritt, Getty Images
Smooth Strands
High glamour doesn't have to mean a precariously placed updo, and several actresses showed off lengthy manes. Gwyneth Paltrow rocked straight, sleek strands that beautifully complemented her slim-fitting gown. I love the less is more style of Gwyneth, unfussy and simple class.
Blow out her hair with a round boar-bristle brush, straightening each section at a time. Next, go over each piece with a comb and a flatiron, ensuring every hair stayed sleek. Part on the side, comb down all stray hairs and flyaways. If your hair is short then clip in some super sleep Salon Confidential Silky Straight hair extensions and you will have the desired effect!
Best Actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence loves wearing her hair down and she did so with smooth strands that held gorgeous volume and a hint of curl. Add a hint of styling gel and set it in hot rollers to create the soft curl, or use Salon Confidential Volume Wave extensions!
And last, but certainly not least, Penélope Cruz, who was on hand to support Oscar-nominated hubby Javier Bardem, kept her locks simple and loose, but straight and shiny!! I like her hair straight for a change as she has a lovely natural wave in her hair we most often see it with movement, just goes to show the celebs are much like us! If we have curly hair we want it straight, if we have straight hair we want it curly!!!! Life! Mind you with a cleavage like that who exactly is looking at her hair!!!!?? How perfect can one woman be?
