BAFTAS 2024: THE BEST CELEBRITY HAIR LOOKS FROM THE RED CARPET
The BAFTA Film Awards 2024 red carpet did not disappoint, with a host of A-listers treating us to incredible fashion and beauty looks at last night’s event.
Attending the star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall, leading ladies including Margot Robbie, Emma Stone and Florence Pugh donned designer gowns and had their tresses styled to perfection, with two main hair trends emerging.
“The hair seemed to fall into two camps this year,” says Paul Edmonds, who has worked on countless film and TV shoots throughout his career, and has been a member of BAFTA for the last seven years.
“There's the really undone look, the 'I haven't bothered, I just popped along wearing a nice frock' look. And then you have the glamorous, almost 40s kind of style that was going on with lots of nape chignons, French pleats, and side partings.”
If you’re looking for inspo for an upcoming event or your next cut, we’ve picked out the best celebrity-approved styles that work for different hair lengths and types.
Here, Paul talks us through his five favourite BAFTA Awards hair looks and how to recreate them at home or with the help of a stylist in the salon…
Margot Robbie: The soft chignon
“Margot Robbie always looks amazing,” Paul says. “She has that slightly undone but very elegant chignon with just one loose piece at the front which is good because it frames her face beautifully.”
To create the Barbie star’s centre-parted style, start by applying mousse to wet hair.
“Blow dry that into the hair to give shine and a lot of body, then lightly tong and place the hair into barrel curls,” Paul explains.
“That will give you some hold and some movement. When you're doing chignons or hair up it's always best to have it a little bit curlier because it gets the ends to fold in.”
Use a comb to craft a precise centre parting, leaving one tendril loose at the front.
Paul says: “The hair is then swept back and twisted into a soft chignon at the back, but left quite loose. The piece at the front should also be waved with a tong then left to fall softly down so it comes away from the face.”
Finish with a generous spritz of flexible hold hair spray to allow for movement while keeping the sleek shape.
Lily Collins: The Hollywood waves
“Lily Collins had a really full-on Old Hollywood kind of look,” Paul says, with the Emily in Paris star’s tresses teased into perfectly cascading waves.
“I'd say the hair was tonged using a barrel curling tool through the front section, keeping the back straight and then waving the ends.”
He says this is a tricky look to achieve at home unless you’re very confident with a barrel curler, but a stylist in salon will be able to create red carpet-ready waves in no time.
“You need to be able to section the hair off properly because you need to keep that front section separate,” Paul explains.
“Let it cool while you wave the back section then brush out the front to form the soft wave shape and finish off with hair spray.”
Sophie Wilde: The perfect pony
Australian actress Sophie Wilde, who was nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award, opted for a poker straight long ponytail.
“It was one of those where you go 'Wow!',” Paul says. “Sophie’s hair was slicked back into a high ponytail, leaving the front section out and pushing it into a kiss curl on her forehead.”
Gel is the one product you need to create the smooth, wet-look finish, will hair grips are essential for attaching a ponytail hair piece.
“The hair piece is attached then wrapped with hair to give it height. The hard bit with a high ponytail is to keep it up and not flopping,” Paul says.
Phoebe Dynevor: The sleek twist
Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor wore her shiny auburn locks pulled back into a neat chignon, the perfect complement to her minimalist white gown.
“The main thing is you need to start with a product that's going to give the hair some grip so it won't start springing out all over the place,” Paul says.
“I'd probably use mousse, blow drying the hair in sections then pulling it into a ponytail, making sure it’s really tight.”
To create the tidy chignon, he says: “Twist the ponytail and wrap it around itself then tuck it in and use pins to hold it in place - it's easier if you get someone else to help you with this. Finish with hair spray.”
Carey Mulligan: The blonde bob
Nominated in the best actress category, Carey Mulligan kept it classic with her chin-length locks blow-dried with vintage-style volume and a deep side parting.
“Her bob was done with a slightly 50s feel,” Paul says. “It wasn't dead straight, it had a little bit of a wave to it, which I think looks really good.”
Out of all the BAFTA hair looks, this is one of the easiest to do, starting with wet hair and a blow dry spray.
“Blow dry using a large round brush to create volume then use a smaller round brush through the front just to give your hair extra bend,” he explains.
“Put a clip in on one side for about 10 minutes after it's dry, then brush out into the waved shape and hold with hairspray.”
Get the BAFTA look
Feeling inspired by the stylish celebs at the BAFTA Film Awards? While they may have dedicated glam teams to prep for the red carpet, with a bit of practice you can achieve award-worthy hair at home.
With the right products, tools and techniques, you can sweep your locks into an elegant up do, create glossy waves or a beautiful bob.
Alternatively, take a photo of your favourite celeb look into the salon and we’ll help you get glam.
Got a glitzy event or party coming up? Book a luxurious blow-dry with one of the team at Paul Edmonds London.