8 Academy Awards Hair Looks from OLAPLEX

OLAPLEX was front and center at the Academy Awards and Vanity Fair afterparty. 

OLAPLEX Global Ambassadors and celebrity stylists used OLAPLEX products to create stunning hairstyles and rich hair color for celebrities at the events. 

To recreate the hair looks seen on the red carpet, follow the step-by-step tutorials below. 

Lupita Nyong’o

Celebrity hairstylist Vernon Francois (@vernonfrancois) worked with Lupita Nyong’o on a sparkly sculpted look.

“For Lupita's look at the Oscars, I designed an Afro fascinator that perfectly complements her dress. It's a unique blend of elegance and cultural homage, seamlessly integrating with her overall ensemble," Francois shares. “I meticulously sculpted and shaped the hair, allowing an organic flow and structure to emerge. To refine the look, I used my scissors, ensuring each snip contributed to the overall harmony and balance of the style. This approach isn't just about the physical transformation; it's also about how the style interacts with light, casting varying silhouettes and impressions from every angle.”

How-To: 

1. I began by applying OLAPLEX No.3 Hair Perfector to dry hair, a crucial step to rebuild hair strength. This treatment was left in the hair for 10 minutes before shampooing to ensure deep penetration and effectiveness.
2. Following the pre-treatment, I shampooed the hair using OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, which helps restore internal strength and moisture levels, adding incredible shine and manageability. After shampooing, I applied OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner to further repair hair damage and hydrate without weighing the hair down.
3. I massaged a small amount of OLAPLEX No. 7 Bonding Oil into the hair. This ultra-lightweight, reparative styling oil enhances shine and softness while providing heat protection. It was the perfect finish to ensure the hair looked radiant and healthy while protected from any styling heat. Each product was chosen for its targeted action and compatibility with the Olaplex system, ensuring the hair was not only styled to perfection but also treated and protected throughout the process.

“The shimmer was courtesy of the makeup artist's choice of fine glitter particles. We set it with hairspray, carefully sealing in the sparkle to ensure its lasting effect. Additionally, I enhanced the overall radiance by generously applying OLAPLEX No. 7 Bonding Oil, which amplified the shine and nourished the hair, bringing out its natural luster," adds Francois. “When attempting this look at home, it's important to remember that the OLAPLEX products are highly effective, so a little goes a long way. Depending on the thickness and texture of your hair, you'll want to use these products sparingly and work the products through your hair thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Your hair will feel revitalized and deeply nourished as a result. This careful application will not only achieve the desired look but also maintain the health and integrity of your hair.”

Michelle Yeoh

Celebrity hairstylist Robert Vetica (@robertvetica) worked with Michelle Yeoh on a simple yet stunning, sleek low ponytail.

“Sometimes, when something is so beautiful, less is more,” says Vetica. “The sleek low pony was inspired by her Balenciaga couture gown, which had amazing reflection and design. The hair needed to be chic and sleek, and OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil helped achieve this.”

How-To: 

1. Once I knew what the final look would be, I sectioned off the hair and sprayed on the OLAPLEX Volumizing Blow Dry Mist for added body and volume. I started in the back of the neck and went forward. I blew everything up and away from her face, directing everything back and away.
2. Then, I back-combed her hair at the root on the top and sides so that I would be sure to direct the hair and keep the shape that I desired.
3. Then, with a couple of dollops of OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil rubbed into my hand, I worked through Michelle’s hair to achieve incredible shine and luster.
4. Using a paddle brush, I shaped the hair into place collected at the back of her neck and did a soft ponytail.

“The foundation is super important when trying to achieve the simplest of looks. Often, something so simple can become so complicated for many hairdressers, so having the correct products and a fundamental understanding of how hair moves is crucial," shares Vetica. "In this case, it was very important to keep the direction of the hair back and away from her face, not dragging behind her ears or up too high, but directly back with some volume at the top. The OLAPLEX Volumizing Blow Dry Mist also came into play to give the hair texture and allow manageability to finalize the look with the OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil.”

Charlize Theron

Celebrity stylist Renato Campora (@renatocampora) worked with Charlize Theron on a sleek low bun that was minimal but still glamorous.

“Charlize’s gown was definitely an inspiration for tonight’s Oscars look. I took into account the lean silhouette of the dress and kept her hair minimal, polished and beautifully sleek. These attributes are essential to the final look.”

How-To: 

1. To start, Charlize washed her hair with the OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, which nourishes and replenishes the hair cuticle with moisture.
2. Once the hair was clean, I towel-dried it to remove excess water and added a few drops of OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil from the mid-ends. I recommend this product to everyone because it simply is the best. The hair was now ready to be blown out thanks to the incredible properties of this oil: hydrating, lightweight feel (which I love) and simultaneously a heat protectant!
3. Next, the hair was sectioned, sprayed with OLAPLEX Volumizing Blow Dry Mist and blown out using a round brush.
4. Then, I applied OLAPLEX No. 6 Bond Smoother (a leave-in conditioner that provides me with grip) and brushed the hair into a tight, snatched pony. I curled the tail of the pony under, and voila!
5. I finished the look with a little bit of OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum to smooth the baby hairs out.

“Charlize’s minimalist bun promotes healthy hair while radiating a Hollywood feel. Healthy hair is every hairstylist's dream," shares Campora. "Not only is this look clean, but it speaks to the rise in the importance of haircare. One can achieve a lot with a few drops of oil and some moisture. As I always say, the more shine, the better!”

Catherine O'Hara 

OLAPLEX Global Ambassador and celebrity stylist Halley Brisker (@halleybrisker) worked with Catherine O’Hara on a soft wave style that pays homage to classic Hollywood.

“The style is tailored just to gently complement Catherine and her outfit,” says Brisker. It’s a slight nod to classic Hollywood but with enough modernity to keep a youthfulness about Catherine—not too much, not too little. We’re moving into the healthy, happy, shiny and luxe era, and this speaks exactly to that.”

How-To: 

1. We prepared her hair with OLAPLEX Volumizing Blow Dry Mist and plenty of it to hold throughout the day! A side parting to suit the face shape was selected before using a medium round bristle brush for a volumizing blowout.
2. Once finished, a medium tong was used to wind in some relaxed curls, and each section was sprayed with a misting of OLAPLEX 4D Clean Volume Dry Shampoo before being allowed to cool. This just helps with plumpness, as it’s a fantastic texturizer, too!
3. Once finished with the tong and the hair has sufficiently cooled, I brushed through to work a soft and natural wave to finish, a wipe down with OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil and a good misting of hairspray of your choice!

‘With looks like this, make sure to wind your waves/curls away from the face! It's always the most flattering,” says Brisker.

Emma Stone 

OLAPLEX Global Ambassador and celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham (@traceycunningham1) worked with Emma Stone to refresh the Oscar-nominated star’s trademark red hair.

“She’s still keeping it red,” says Cunningham.

To keep a rich red hue like Emma’s, Cunningham adds, “A good maintenance routine is key, and having healthy hair will always result in better color results. So I recommend all my clients use OLAPLEX Nº.3 Hair Perfector, and when you shampoo and condition, don’t use such hot water.”

Carey Mulligan 

OLAPLEX Global Ambassador and celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham (@traceycunningham1) worked with Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan to touch up her stunning blonde.

“Carey uses OLAPLEX No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo at home. With all hair colors, I do think the only way to keep your color intact is by using OLAPLEX Nº.3 Hair Perfector before you shampoo. Call me crazy, I would do it every day if I bleached my hair,” says Cunningham.

Emily Ratajkowski

OLAPLEX Global Ambassador and celebrity colorist Jenna Perry (@jennaperryhair) worked with Emily Ratajkowski to maintain her gorgeous brown shade.

“Brunettes are the best right now!” says Perry. “We are maintaining her hair after she went red for the summer. The color is based on her natural tone.”

How-To: 

1. After glossing Emily’s hair, we did OLAPLEX Nº.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask to seal the deal.

"If you want to maintain a dark brunette hair color, gloss your hair regularly and wash with OLAPLEX No. 4 and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner," adds Perry. "I love the OLAPLEX Broad Spectrum Chelating Treatment before any color service to create a clean slate.”

Maude Apatow 

OLAPLEX Global Ambassador and celebrity stylist Halley Brisker (@halleybrisker) worked with Maude Apatow. 

“Chic and subtle which has been a key theme this season to complement the gowns,” said Brisker. “For Maude, the look was inspired by the elegance of her dress and its textured black finish. It was a classic bun, but we wanted to keep a coolness to the hair, so we kept the actual finish soft and textured.”

How-To: 

1. Begin with towel dried hair and work OLAPLEX No. 6 Bond Smoother through in a medium distribution and then create a soft blowout with a medium round bristle brush. Both a center and side parting work for this, so I advise to go with what suits your client's face shape best.
2. Once finished take 3 taps of OLAPLEX No. 7 Bonding Oil worked into your palms and spread evenly through to help separate and add shine.
3. For styling, allow hair to fall gently forwards before pulling back loosely into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with a hair elastic.
4. Finally, using bobby pins and grips, work into a small bun to finish.

“As this is designed to have a softness to the finish, you want to stay away from any heavy sprays and gels when pulling hair into a bun and instead only finish with a very light misting of light hairspray at the end to tame any flyaways," shares Brisker.