Oscars red carpet hair: The best celebrity cut, colour and up-do looks
It was all about Old Hollywood glamour at the 2025 Academy Awards.
Posing on the red carpet, many A-list attendees donned classic column dresses and full-skirted gowns in in nude, metallic or muted tones rather than the avant-garde creations we often see during awards season.
“It was really much more glamorous than the other awards ceremonies this year,” says Paul Edmonds.
“At the Baftas people seemed to play it very safe but the Oscars gave us full-on glamour which I loved. I think it’s a reaction to this period in time where the news is all so bleak. It’s uplifting and gives us a bit of escapism.”
The hair was similarly sophisticated, with celebrities choosing elegant up-do’s and glossy waves to complement their outfits, plus there were some gorgeous colour choices, meaning lots of inspiration for us.
Here, Paul talks through his favourite hair cut, colour and up-do styles from the 2025 Oscars red carpet and what you need to know to get the look…
Miley Cyrus’s brunette balayage
Wearing a high-necked black Alexander McQueen, pop star Miley Cyrus left her tresses loose to showcase her chic balayage colour.
“I thought her hair looked amazing,” says Paul. “It was a cool mocha colour with soft balayage placed throughout, especially around the front hairline. The placement of the highlights is very good because it isn't too heavy.”
To create those glossy waves, he recommends starting with Davines Alchemic Shampoo and Conditioner in Chocolate: “The brown pigment keeps the hair from looking more ashy, not too golden. Then you need rollers to set the hair, using lots of mousse to hold the curls.”
Selena Gomez’s dramatic bob
Multi-talented actor and singer Selena Gomez was pretty in pink, donning a rose hued gown with a bejewelled overlay by Ralph Lauren which she styled with a side-parted bob.
“Her hair reminded me of Sophia Loren, another nod to Old Hollywood, and her rich brown colour was beautiful,” Paul says.
“The deep side parting was why this look worked so well, because it was very full-on on one side and then the other side was kept sleeker.”
To create the high-shine wave, he recommends a pair of styling products: “Davines mousse will give enough body while still keeping the shine, and you can use a shine spray on top of it as well.”
Margaret Qualley’s elevated up-do
American actress Margaret Qualley, who starred alongside Demi Moore in The Substance, was one of several celebrities who opted for a sleek statement up-do.
“One thing I noticed about all the hair-ups at the Oscars is that in previous years they tended to be positioned at the nape, but now they’re much higher, either just behind the crown or on the crown, which I thought looked really good,” Paul says.
How do Hollywood hair stylists create such height and volume? “You can get that by using foam fillers inside the hair. You build the hair around it so it doesn't end up being too heavy.”
It also takes plenty of product to keep such an elaborate up-do in place.
“Start with Shu Uemura Tsuki Shape spray before blow drying, then when you're putting it up a texture spray such as Easy Up Do by Sam McKnight is brilliant for adding grip,” Paul recommends.
“To get rid of the little wispy bits something like Oribe Flash Form is great, it’s a light spray wax, then finish off with Shu Uemura Kumo Hold hair spray.”
For a truly red carpet-worthy up-do, head into the salon, where our styling team have got the expertise (and arsenal of products) to create stunning hair-up looks for special occasions.
Zoe Saldaña’s understated ombre
Winner of the best supporting actress award for her role in Emilia Perez, Zoe Saldaña complemented her deep red tiered Saint Laurent gown with loose ombre waves.
“This looks like a dark tint with ombre balayage in a deep auburn shade through the ends to lighten it up and give it some definition,” Paul explains.
For a lightly waved blow-dry like this he says: “I’d probably use something like Oribe Straight Away which smooths hair and gives it gloss, then I’d tong it to give it that bit of wave, and then Shu Uemura Kumo Hold hair spray to finish it off.”
Lily-Rose Depp’s cool caramel
A stunning example of the naturalised blonde colour trend, Lily-Rose Depp’s soft caramel locks cascaded beautifully over her black lace Chanel gown.
“Previously her hair was a bit darker but she’s changed it recently and gone for that ashy caramel look,” Paul says.
“It's a dark blonde tint with highlights. She’s kept it cool toned which works really well for her, but it's not completely flat, there are still some golden flecks to it and lots of shine, which is really important.”
He recommends Oribe Gel Sérum to get that red carpet gloss: “It's been blow dried and tonged, then it will have been put into pin curls for quite a long time so it sets firmly in place before being brushed out to soften the waves.”
Glamour from head to toe
The 2025 Oscars brought us some dazzling hair looks, from beautiful balayage and on-trend bobs to cascading waves and intricate up-do’s.
If you’re looking for hair-up inspiration for a fancy event or thinking about switching up your colour, chat to your hairdresser or colourist about how these celebrity styles could be tailored to suit you.
Fancy an award-worthy up-do or the perfect Hollywood waves? Book a blowout or hair-up appointment at Paul Edmonds London.
FURTHER READING
Baftas red carpet: 5 celebrity hair looks we love and how to style them
Hair tools 101: Your guide to hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs