Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
Gisele Bündchen’s effortless waves have practically become their own aesthetic — the kind of glossy, undone texture that feels both beachy and impossibly effortless. And while her Brazilian roots certainly don’t hurt, her secret weapon is actually a hydrating hair oil that’s marked down for Cyber Monday.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, her stylist, David Von Cannon, used Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Gloss Hair Oil to craft her 2023 Met Gala waves. He chose it for a “light and airy” finish with “maximum shine,” which sounds especially appealing with winter dryness approaching. Plus, now that it’s marked down to 25% off a bottle, there’s truly no better time to buy!
Get the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Hair Oil for just $27 (originally $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
This hair oil delivers instant supermodel energy. Packed with patauá and pequi oils, it hydrates, smooths and brings that glossy, camera-ready shine Bündchen wears so naturally. It even helps repair damage and keeps frizz under control for a full 72 hours, which is necessary when your hair is part of your brand.
Beyond the near-perfect waves, if anything would win Bündchen over, it’s the Cheirosa ’62 scent. Warm, creamy and totally addictive, it leaves your hair with a dreamy smell that lingers long after styling. To top it off, the same product delivers 450° heat protection to keep every strand safe during the blowout process.
The 45-year-old fashion icon is definitely not the only one who’s into this Sol de Janeiro find. Shoppers have been quietly buying it by the thousands, leaving tons of glowing reviews. With more than 1,400 five-star ratings, it has buyers like this one saying they “feel like a celebrity” when they use it.
Another customer said the oil has them, their daughter and their mother “addicted,” thanks to its “long-lasting smell and hydration.” They also raved that it’s “just the best oil around,” noting that “the smell, the texture [and] the consistency” are “divine.” They even added that it “doesn’t leave the skin tight [or] dehydrated.”
If glossy, Gisele-inspired waves are calling your name, consider this your sign. This hair oil gives you shine, softness and that warm, beachy scent in one easy step. Don’t miss the chance to score it at 25% off — your hair will thank you all winter!
Get the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Glossy Hair Oil for just $27 (originally $36) at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication but are subject to change.
Looking for something else? Explore more from Sol de Janeiro here and more hair oils here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!
Kendall Jenner may jet around the world, but her shopping habits are surprisingly relatable. She recently admitted she bought a product on Amazon simply because it “looked cool” and had solid reviews. Little did she know this unexpected find would end up becoming one of her “favorite” beauty products. Jenner told Allure she’s been loving […]
Grande, 32, dyed her hair brunette after rocking blonde hair for her Wicked character, Glinda. The actress showed off her freshly dyed mane via Instagram on Wednesday, October 29. She posed in front of a mirror and donned a kissy face while debuting chocolate brown strands. Her tresses were parted to the side and styled in voluminous curls, which she tucked behind her ears.
Grande complemented her hair with a full beat, including filled-in brows, winged liner and extra-long lashes. She contoured her cheeks and completed her makeup with glossy lips.
“It’s good to see me, isn’t it? 🫧,” Grande captioned the post, referencing her famous Glinda line. She also tagged her hairstylist who created the look, Francesco De Chiara, and her makeup artist, Michael Anthony. Fans were quick to compliment her new look in the comments section.
“Ahhh brown hair is back!! 🤎😍,” one wrote, while another added, “looove this hair colour on you.” A third commented, “Brownie babyyyyyy😍,” as even more dropped brown heart emojis.
Grande previously had honey blonde locks, which she wore while playing Glinda in Wicked, and Wicked: For Good, which premieres on November 21.
The singer opened up about dyeing her hair blonde for Wicked, even though she was wearing wigs while filming. In September 2024, she told Vogue that she chose to lighten her mane to “deconstruct her pop persona” and bring Glinda to life.
Along with her bright mane, Grande bleached her brows, which she joked about in January while chatting with Variety.
Giles Keyte/NBC
“Glinda required a lot of vocal work for me,” she explained. “Certain things maybe won’t melt away. Some will, but I’m really grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever. What a beautiful thing to be left with, and to feel the ghost of every day.”
She added, “And, you know, I’m still looking for my eyebrows. I’ll let you know if I find them — I hope I don’t.”
Grande again joked about her brows in September 2023, while sharing her makeup routine in an episode of Vogue’s “Beauty Secrets” series.
“I’m gonna go a little out of order and start to fill in my eyebrows because I’m sure they’re driving you crazy too,” she said with a laugh. “I’m currently, like, half Glinda. I’ve been bleaching my eyebrows for a year now. I definitely need to touch them up.”
Ariana Grande is paying homage to her younger self in the upcoming film Wicked. Early screenings of the new musical, which hits theaters on November 22, have revealed that the pop star, 31, is listed in the film’s credits by her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera. During a recent interview with Australian reporter Justin Hill, Grande […]
Grande then went in with the MAC Eyebrow Styler in the shade Fling and filled her hairs in.
In November, she got candid about her glam while playing Glinda, sharing that she “loves” her character’s look. “Glinda’s makeup kinda made me transform my entire look and my entire relationship to makeup,” she said in an Instagram video at the time.
“There’s no thick eyeliner. There’s no, like, heavy crease. It’s just, like, really warm and open and pretty and the lashes are in cat shape, which still gives you the cat eye lift that I usually love.” Grande added, “It’s also just a more honest representation of what you look like.”
Sydney Sweeney switched up her signature look just in time for the red carpet!
Sweeney, 28, stepped out at the Saturday, October 25, AFI Fest premiere of her movie Christy in a pastel pink, lace halter Miu Miu gown with a full skirt that was cinched at the waist by a matching belt.
“Sydney was looking for a change and wanted to have a big hair moment for the red carpet to support her new movie, Christy,” colorist Jacob Schwartz told Vogue of the hair transformation. “It felt like the perfect time to do something bold.”
Sydney Sweeney loved transforming her body for her upcoming Christy Martin biopic. “I felt very strong and powerful,” Sweeney, 27, told Vanity Fair in an interview published on Thursday, September 4. “I loved it. Being able to lose myself to become a vessel for somebody else is my dream.” The actress gained between 30 and […]
According to Schwartz, the Euphoria actress went from a “dark suede blonde” to a more icy shade.
“The color really makes her eyes and features pop and complements the cut so well,” he explained to the outlet.
Sweeney plays boxing phenom Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic, undergoing a series of hair changes on screen — from a brunette mullet to a shaggy pixie to blonde box braids.
“This is a transformation,” her longtime hairstylist, Glen Coco, told Vogue on Saturday. “Christy has a lot of underlying tones of resilience, transformation and power.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
He continued, “Sydney herself transformed herself for this role, and I wanted to morph her into this updated version of herself in real life. Something new and fresh to close out the rest of the year.”
Sweeney didn’t just update her hair for Christy, but her entire body overall.
“I was blown away that her story wasn’t more known on a universal, global level because it’s just one of the most harrowing and inspiring women that I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Sweeney told Vanity Fair of 57-year-old Martin in September, revealing she gained 30 pounds for the role. “I felt very strong and powerful. I loved it. Being able to lose myself to become a vessel for somebody else is my dream.”
Sweeney also learned how to box before tackling the role.
“My stances and a lot of my technique is different than boxing,” she told the outlet. “You square up differently, and, of course, you don’t get brought to the ground — everything’s on your feet. … Every single fight you see [in the movie], we are actually punching each other. We are going full force.”
Sydney Sweeney fully committed to accurately portraying boxer Christy Martin in her upcoming biopic. Sweeney, 27, put her body transformation fully on display in the trailer for Christy, which dropped on Thursday, September 11. The actress portrays Martin, 57, a professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2012 and made history as the first female […]
The actress continued, “I always believed that you would not be able to make it feel real if it’s a stunt double or if it’s faking the hits.”
According to Sweeney, it took her three months to get in fighting shape.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“I loved it. I came onboard to play Christy, and I had about three and a half months of training. I started eating,” she recalled to W magazine in June. “I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kick-boxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour.”
Sweeney further revealed that her “body was completely different” after her fitness transformation.
“I didn’t fit in any of my clothes. I’m usually a size 23 in jeans, and I was wearing a size 27,” she said at the time. “My boobs got bigger. And my butt got huge. It was crazy! I was like, ‘Oh, my god.’ It was amazing. I was so strong, like crazy strong.”
Miss USA contestant Mary Sickler is proudly embracing her alopecia on the runway!
The current Miss Nevada, 22, boldly competed in the 2025 Miss USA preliminary round on Wednesday, October 22, without her wig during the evening wear portion of the competition.
Sickler initially came out for the swimsuit round in a long brunette wig, while rocking a red two-piece, per footage posted online. But when it came to the evening gown portion of the preliminaries, held in Reno, Nevada, Sickler made a bold statement by covering her head with a bejeweled silver headpiece, which matched her shimmering silver gown.
“I cannot believe I just walked THE Miss USA stage!!” Sickler wrote on Instagram after Wednesday’s preliminaries.
She continued, “This dream has been so many years in the making, and to finally step into this moment feels surreal. I never imagined I would walk that stage in this way, but I always hoped I would do it with confidence, authenticity, and grace. I am so proud to have achieved that goal, especially by being the first woman to walk the Miss USA stage without hair.”
“What makes this even more special is knowing it isn’t just about me. I am the first woman with alopecia universalis to compete at Miss USA,” Sickler wrote. “I am living proof that no trial can stand in the way of your wildest dream.”
“Tonight, I walked with gratitude — for Nevada, for my sisters, and for every step that brought me here,” she concluded.
In the comments section, many of Sickler’s friends and followers praised her for embracing her natural look on stage.
Courtesy of Mary Sickler/Instagram
“My Queen!! You add so much value to the world!!” wrote makeup artist Anna Cantu. “Thank you for trusting in me and all the hard work you have shown for the last 3 years !! You belong on a big stage!! You are already a ICON!! Love u so much.”
Another person wrote, “Literally brought tears to my eyes watching you live out your dream tonight, and in the most inspiring way! Your beauty was radiant! 🤍”
Sickler first opened up about her alopecia diagnosis in September. In an interview with People at the time, the pageant queen said she began losing her hair in December 2024. She was initially diagnosed with partial hair loss, before her doctor told her she had alopecia universalis, which causes complete hair loss.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“[The doctor] basically said, ‘I’ve tried everything I could,’ and that was like a dagger in my heart,” she said. “I remember coming home, and I looked in the mirror and I had never felt uglier. My hair was all in patches, my eyelashes were completely gone, I had no eyebrows, and I honestly couldn’t recognize myself anymore.”
After experimenting with wigs and regaining her confidence, in July, Sickler won the Miss Nevada competition and the right to compete in Miss USA.
“I lost all my hair, and I definitely didn’t think that I would be walking on the Miss USA stage without any hair, but I am,” the model said. “It took me a long time to finally be able to see myself as beautiful, and I think that’s the first step. I think if you see yourself as beautiful and you own it, then other people will too.”
‘Tis the season for a new look! Kourtney Kardashian showed off her hair transformation after pulling out the scissors for a fresh cut.
Kardashian, 46, flaunted her dramatic blunt bangs via Instagram Stories on Sunday, September 22, after hopping on the fringe bandwagon.
While snapping a mirror selfie, Kardashian flaunted her latest hairdo, with bangs that were cut slightly past her eyebrows, blown out over her forehead. The rest of her mane was worn down and straightened.
The TV personality teamed her freshly cropped locks with a rosy dress finished with a fitted bodice, long sleeves and a thigh-high slit on the floor-length skirt. She dressed the look up even more with a black belt with gold hardware and a matching purse.
The Kardashian-Jenner sisters seem to always have good hair days. Through the years, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner have blessed Us with a number of noteworthy hair moments, including colors, cuts and even stints with extensions and wigs. The reality stars never miss a moment to experiment with their […]
“P says pose,” Kardashian captioned the post.
The Poosh founder debuted her bangs on Instagram on Saturday, September 20, and her husband, Travis Barker, couldn’t get enough of her new look.
Courtesy of Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram
“Witchy season ✂️🖤,” Kardashian captioned the post, tagging her hairstylist, Justine Marjan.
She gave the camera a pout while posing in front of a makeup mirror and taking a pic. The mom of four — who shares son Rocky with the Blink 182 rocker in addition to Mason, 15, Penelope, 12, and Reign, 10, with ex Scott Disick — strategically tousled up her mane and wore her strands straight and down, showing off her wispy fringe.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Barker, 49, was one of the first to comment, dropping a “🥵” emoji. A fan added that the look would be “Stevie Nicks approved,” who also famously rocks bangs. More fans gushed that they were “obsessed” with her look.
Surprise! Kourtney Kardashian is a blonde. The reality star’s surprising hair transformation was revealed in a Friday, March 3, post shared by her husband, Travis Barker. The rocker, 47, took to Instagram to thank fans for well-wishes following his recent finger surgery and shared a video of Kardashian, 43, saying a prayer. “Thank you for […]
Kardashian teamed her chic with a makeup-free look, showing off her hydrated skin and juicy lips. She kept her off-duty look laid-back by wearing a white graphic T-shirt.
Kourtney isn’t the only Kardashian sister who has gotten a haircut as of late. Khloé Kardashian also turned to Marjan to get her bob touched up on Friday, September 19. She also posted pics of her trimmed hair via social media, which she styled in a half-up look.
Move over pumpkin spice lattes — Ashley Olsen is serving up the ultimate fall refresh.
The Row cofounder, 39, showed off a new ginger hair color while leaving a New York Fashion Week afterparty.
In usual Olsen fashion, she stepped out in style while hitting the streets of the Big Apple, wearing wide-leg blue jeans, a loose-fitting black long-sleeve blouse and a pair of her brand’s Ama Slides in black, which retail for about $620.
She completed her chic and casual ensemble with a brown leather bag, a green and beige scarf and oversized sunglasses in photos published by People.
Ashley OlsenRobin L Marshall/Getty Images
“If you were too nervous to try out cowgirl copper, this is a great way to introduce those warmer tones into your color,” Maxine Salon colorist Lauren Mildice told Glamour of the hair trend on September 16. “Soft ginger complements fair to medium brown skin the most.”
The former child star and her twin sister, Mary-Kate Olsen, have been spotted on more public appearances as of late.
“Being in the spotlight as little kids really seems to have impacted how Mary-Kate and Ashley live their adult lives,” one friend of the twins previously told Us Weekly.
Ashley Olsen is seen at the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships on September 3.XNY/Star Max/GC Images
The fashionista notably sported a balayage-hued mane with a mix of brunette and blonde while attending the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships on September 3.
Earlier this year, celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend spoke out about how he attains Ashley’s signature beachy waves, even without using heat.
“I set her hair with clips and let it air-dry and it turned out so perfect,” Townsend said on the “Gloss Angeles” podcast in March. “They have such different hair, I approach it completely different. Ashley’s hair is much curlier and much darker, but Mary-Kate’s is a little bit more coarse.”
Amanda Bynes was spotted out and about rocking a popular early 2000s hair trend — debuting a two-toned hair color in Los Angeles that gave major throwback vibes.
The former child star, 39, had a fresh platinum hue on the top section of her ‘do while the bottom was black in new photos published by Daily Mail on Friday, September 5.
Bynes opted for a casual ensemble, wearing a white oversized graphic T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga paired with grey sweatpants, a crossbody bag with a chain strap, black framed glasses and Nike sneakers.
A few weeks ago, the Nickelodeon alum gave fans a peek at her new fuller pout via her Instagram Story on August 22. She captioned the post, “Lip injections by @body.byem <3.”
Amanda BynesCourtesy of Amanda Bynes /instagram
Prior to that, she opened up about another jewelry addition. “What’s up, everybody? I just wanted to make a quick post that I just bought a new grill on IceGiants’ website,” Bynes said. “Their work is incredible.”
“I can’t wear tooth gems because I have veneers,” she continued. “They don’t stick on my teeth, so this is my way of having tooth gems.”
Earlier this year, Bynes also announced via her Instagram page that she would be launching an OnlyFans account to connect with her supporters.
“Disclaimer: I’m doing OnlyFans to chat with my fans through dm’s,” Bynes clarified in April. “I won’t be posting any sleazy content.”
Last year, she cohosted a Los Angeles art show and clothing pop-up in December 2024.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Bynes has continued to find new ways to express herself creatively after graduating from California’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in 2019, following her decision to leave behind Hollywood.
Courtesy of Amanda Bynes/Instagram Amanda Bynes is adding sneaker designer to her résumé. Bynes, 38, showed off new footwear designs via Instagram on Thursday, January 16. In her notebook, Bynes sketched a low-top platform sneaker featuring “LOVE U BRO” written on the outside of the shoe’s sole. “Designing shoes — will start production soon!” Bynes […]
She spoke to Paper magazine about the pressures of her acting career and how her appearance in 2010 film Easy A played a part in her choice to forge a new path in life.
“I literally couldn’t stand my appearance in that movie and I didn’t like my performance,” she told the publication in 2018. “I was absolutely convinced I needed to stop acting after seeing it.”
Rory McIlroy gave his honest assessment of Carlos Alcaraz’s dramatic new hairstyle, which has dominated conversation at the 2025 US Open.
McIlroy, 36, paid a visit to Alcaraz, 22, on the practice courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on Monday, August 25, before the Spanish tennis star’s first round match against American player Reilly Opelka.
The 2025 Masters champion rubbed Alcaraz’s newly buzzed head and asked, “Why this?”
“Just got a haircut that I struggled with,” Alcaraz explained to McIlroy. “I mean, I had to start fresh.”
Hours later, McIlroy was inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Alcaraz defeat Opelka in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.
After the match, Alcaraz provided more details about how his divisive new haircut came to be.
“I felt like my hair was really long,” he told reporters. “Before the tournament, I just really wanted to get a haircut. Suddenly, my brother misunderstood the machine. He just cut it and the only way to fix [was] to shave it off.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 25: Carlos Alcaraz reacts against Reilly Opelka of the United States during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 25, 2025.Elsa/Getty Images
Alcaraz added, “To be honest, it’s not that bad.”
Unfortunately for Alcaraz, not everybody felt the same way.
When American tennis star Frances Tiafoe was asked about Alcaraz’s buzz cut, he had no problem letting his opinion be known.
Tiafoe continued. “I don’t know who told him that it’s good. I don’t know who told him to do that, but it’s terrible. From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good haircuts, it’s horrendous. At the end of the day, it’s Carlos, and that’s my guy. But yeah, he needs to get with me. He needs to get with me for sure.”
While Tiafoe admittedly didn’t love the style, he joked that Alcaraz’s haircut will make him “more aerodynamic.”
Tiafoe revealed that Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, said the buzz cut had already improved Alcaraz’s game.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
“[Ferrero] was like, ‘Yeah, he’s faster than he already was,’” Tiafoe said. “I was like, ‘Well, that’s a problem.’”
Tiafoe was also victorious at the US Open on Monday, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. The win set up an all-American showdown in the second round against Martin Damm Jr. on Wednesday, August 27.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz and his new buzz cut will face Italian Matteo Bellucci in the second round on Wednesday.
Sydney Sweeney is ushering in a new and unexpected hair trend: the ridiculously low bun. The actress sported the no-effort-but-took-effort look at the Eden premiere during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7. The coiffure featured Sweeney’s blonde mane pulled back in a loose knot, decorated with a pearl accessory from Jennifer Behr. The ‘do felt delicate, chic, and extremely achievable.
The bun was brought to life by Celebrity hairstylist Glen Oropeza, whose client list also includes Brittany Snow and Ariana Greenblatt. Oropeza used Covet and Mane hair extensions, braiding the bottom part of Sweeney’s crown and pinning the braids up to “hide her short hair for a seamless blend,” the glam pro explained. Next, he added in The Cut-Point Weft hair extensions (from Covet and Mane) in shade Bali and Nissi. He used double sided wig tape to secure the pieces and used four packs of hair in total. To create texture, Oropeza used the Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System with alternating curl attachments “for a very soft bend throughout the hair.”
Afterward, he finger combed to “gather the hair in a low ponytail.” He left a few pieces out that perfectly framed Sweeney’s face. The beauty expert topped off the look with Kérastase Elixir hair oil and Kérastase Laque Extreme hairspray to add shine.
Kérastase Laque Extreme Hair Spray
Sweeney’s mane paired well with her bespoke Erdem gown. The dainty design featured a cropped collared cape over a strapless beige dress that fell into a billowing skirt that was adorned with 3-D flowers. Sweeney, who was styled by Molly Dickson, teamed the number with pink pointed-toe suede pumps.
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships. We receive compensation when you click on a link and make a purchase. Learn more!
Whatever Blake Lively is doing with her long silky locks is working like magic! And now she’s bringing the sorcery to the rest of Us with a new haircare line!
I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been obsessed with Lively’s hair ever since our eyes were glued to our screens watching her play Serena van der Woodsen in the hit show, Gossip Girl, in the early 2000s. Impressively long, lustrous and healthy, her mane has always been hair goals — and now we can finally get her dreamy hair too.
In partnership with Target, the It Ends With Us actress launched Blake Brown Beauty on August 4 in an Instagram post from Lively herself. The reason for launching was simple. She wanted to create “something that was more affordable but had the same salon [slash] red carpet performance” with scents that “felt like fragrances” she would “actually buy as high end perfume.” It’s also clean, vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without sulfates, silicones, parabens or synthetic dyes. It also comes in aesthetically pretty bronze, gold and wood-looking packaging.
For “decades,” Lively worked with the best people in the beauty industry and “silly amounts” of trial and error to come up with a system that has “worked wonders” on her hair — and now she’s bottled it up for the rest of Us. Starting 20 years ago, Lively started using a shampoo and mask only system — and that’s exactly what’s included in her line.
The line includes out-of-shower hair maintenance and styling products as well. There’s the Glam Mousse, which is a fantastic multitasker, giving the hair extra body and volume while also taming frizz and flyaways with its lightweight formula. To keep your hair fresh in between washes, Lively added in a dry shampoo, which is made with an amber vanille scent. And if you simply must have some conditioner as a part of your routine, the line also includes the All-In-Wonder Leave-In Potion, which detangles, improves the look of damage and primes hair for styling.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
If you want your hair to be the “single most identifiable” part about you like Lively, the actress’ new haircare line and system is bound to get you there. Shop the lineup at Target starting at just $19!
For the first time in a while it seems there is a nostalgic trend emerging and it’s not from the usual sources. Whereas winter’s mob wife and the much-adored clean-girl aesthetic was driven by social media, in particular TikTok, this latest one has been entirely different.
This time the revival of boho (many people’s signature look in the early-00s, that turned mere mortals into full-blown fashion icons), has been led by the catwalks and the reemergence of the style’s ultimate muse – Sienna Miller. Yes, as she makes a comeback on the red carpet so does her go-to look du jour. But before you grab your disc belt and dig out you long, floaty skirts, the 2024 boho style is much more whimsical than its previous cousins. Think fairy hippy and you’re on the right track.
One of the key elements for 2024 is boho hair, and this time around it is long, whimsical and almost Rapunzel-like. Think Kendall Jenner’s twists and flowing locks at the Met Gala, or Sienna herself at Cannes and you’re on the right track.
This style has always been a DIY favourite, as it doesn’t take a full glam squad to pull it off. It embraces natural texture and works for a variety of hair types and occasions – it has continued to always be popular with brides for good reason.
To help you pull off this trend at home we have spoken to two-times British Hairdresser of the Year and Creative Director at Toni & Guy Cos Sakkas for his take on the 2024 boho look.
Related:
What Is the 2024 Boho Wave?
“This trend lets you channel your inner bohemian,” Sakkas tells PS UK. “It’s the perfect cool, effortless look which is why it remains so popular.” Whereas in the past boho hair had lent heavily on the accessories this is all about creating a natural, textured wave that looks like you’ve spent minimal time on it – even if that is not quite the case. For 2024, any added extras will come in the form or twists or braids, rather than flower crowns and clips.
How Do You Style This New Boho Wave?
So what makes this look current? According to Sakkas it’s all in the direction of the waves. ” The key to getting this look is the irregularity in the waves. If you’re using a wand or iron, direct the sections in alternate directions – one section curl facing forward, the next section curl backwards,” he tells PS UK. “Boho waves always suit a centre parting.”
Worried your hair will look like a ball of fluffy mess? Sakkas recommends washing hair 24 hours before, “This is so your natural oil holds the waves and gives it a natural shine,” he explains.
Once you have tonged your hair, you want to move away from the perfectly curled or blown out finish to achieve a boho wave. “My top tip to make it current is to leave last two inches free when waving your hair,” says Sakkas. “This will ensure it has a modern, relaxed look and hair doesn’t look over-styled. Rake your fingers through to break up the waves for that cool-girl finish,” he adds.
To really add contrast and depth to your locks Sakkas recommends adding some highlights throughout to give it a sun-kissed, ‘spent long days in the sun, dancing at festivals’, free-loving hippy look.
Are There Any Specific Products You Need to Get Boho Waves?
To ensure you have waves, rather than frizz Sakkas recommends using a moisture-rich shampoo and conditioner. Don’t be scared to use hydrating or moisturising products if you have thin or fine hair, just avoid adding conditioner to the roots, instead start at the mid sections. “If you’re concerned your wave won’t hold or you have fine hair apply Label.M Volume Mousse (£24) before styling,” recommends Sakkas. “And a protection spray that offers heat protection.
To complete the look, finish with a good spritz of a texture spray or sea salt spray to add some texture and hold to your waves.
Does a Boho Wave Suit All Hair Types and Face Shapes?
The answer is a resounding yes. “There’s a reason boho waves are so popular with celebrities as the effortless look suits all hairstyles and face shapes,” says Sakkas. “It also looks great on shorter hair and is the perfect summer festival look for longer hair.”
Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years’ experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.
The look is true to the original version of the hairstyle – short at the front and sides, and long in the back. To add to the slight “grunge” factor that she has going on with the outfit, the mullet – which is likely a wig – is a salt-and-pepper shade, with some areas appearing lighter or darker and some ending up as a perfect blend of the two shades, creating a gorgeous grey hue.
The look is a big departure for the star, who can more readily be seen with her signature honey-blond curls and, more recently, a straight platinum look. Still, the bold transformation has delivered the desired effect: people worldwide are continuing to chatter about her beauty brand, Cécred. “It has always been a dream of mine to create top-of-the-line, luxury products,” Beyoncé told CR Fashion Book. “I wanted to combine the best scientific advancements with true rituals from different heritages. I’m interested in solving real problems. I want to break down myths and stereotypes when it comes to our hair.” As she enters a new chapter in her musical journey, the star seems to be in an era of total experimentation, which feels fitting.
Inspired yet? We thought so. Take a closer look at Beyoncé’s hair below, and remember – as excited as you’re feeling about your own potential mullet transformation right now, it’s always best to see a professional when deciding on a dramatic haircut. (You’ve been sufficiently warned.) CR Fashion Book Issue 24 will be available on newsstands on March 29.
Jennifer Aniston continues to provide hair inspiration when we least expect it. On Jan. 7, the actor attended the 2024 Golden Globes in Beverly Hills wearing a gorgeous strapless gown and a re-creation of the iconic “Rachel” haircut with which she’s become synonymous.
As she posed on the red carpet, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Aniston’s typically shoulder-blade-length hair just barely qualified as a lob, with the ends sweeping the tops of her clavicle. Choppy layers combined with her light brunette hair color had people immediately likening the new look to her famous hairstyle from the hit TV show “Friends.”
The ’90s have influenced current trends in myriad ways, but nowhere has it been more apparent than with hair. From the return of accessories like headbands to pixie cuts, the trendiest styles of today could fit into a high school yearbook from the early aughts and you would be none-the-wiser.
Aniston, who has leaned into her status as a hair icon by launching her brand LolaVie, has revisited the “Rachel” haircut a few times post-“Friends,” but this 2024 version feels almost identical to the original. If you ask us, it belongs in the beauty hall of fame. Take a closer look at Aniston’s new hair below.
To say Sasha Colby is well known for her mastery of drag is a vast understatement. Walking into the Werk Room for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15, her fellow queens were gooped and gagged at competing against drag royalty. Formerly Miss Continental 2012, the legend stood out with fierce confidence and beauty, coupled with tight, polished performances and the ability to make us all feel like she was Mother, warm yet in command. After snatching the RuPaul’s Drag Race crown, Colby became the fourth transgender queen to win, confirming her already solidified icon status across the globe.
So what’s next for America’s Reigning Drag Superstar? Sasha Colby Hair, a line of hair extensions embodying her iconic ponytail style, which, in Sasha’s words, allows anyone to “unleash and embrace their fierce inner diva.” Yas, queen! In collaboration with Salon Xtensions, the line is available in 10 exciting colors of 28-inch ponytails, each made of a unique fiber blend for a human hair look and feel at an accessible price point ($99). “Making this ponytail not only user friendly but affordable was really important to me,” Sasha tells StyleCaster over Zoom, explaining that developing an inclusive and accessible collection was of the utmost importance. An easy, affordable way to become an honorary member of the House of Colby? Add to cart!
Below, Sasha dishes on hair, the power of transformation, and feeling snatched.
Image: Preston Meneses
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
StyleCaster: You looking stunning.
Sasha Colby: Thank you! How are you? Nice to meet you.
StyleCaster: I’m great. Congratulations on the launch. It’s such a big deal!You’re launching with the pony, your signature style. Why is that the first product, and how did you come up with the idea?
Sasha Colby: My pony has always been my signature. It’s been my activation piece for myself to like, feel activated in drag. And I love how it makes me feel pulled up and snatched, like a little kitten with a whip. It’s gotten me through 20 years of great drag, and I just thought that it would be so fun. This is more a response to a lot of the fans and people who watch the show and love the ponytail. They want to know how to do it. They want a ponytail tutorial. So all of these people and fans asking really got me thinking about, how do I make this accessible to the masses?
StyleCaster: Do you have tips for people who are new to wigs or extensions or any sort of hair?
Sasha Colby: I mean, the hair journey is a fun journey. It’s a way to really express what you’re feeling. And especially nowadays, there are so many varieties and different venues of hair choices that you can really play and be so many different characters or alter egos, just to have a little more spice in your life.
StyleCaster: Totally. I always joke when I have my gay friends over, or even my straight friends, I always bust out the wigs and we just start playing around with them.
Sasha Colby: Oh, we do that all the time! I mean, especially when you have a wall of wigs and people come to your house.
StyleCaster: And the straight boys always want to try one.
Sasha Colby: They want the longest, like, diva hair.
StyleCaster: Do you have any thoughts on the power of transformation, or the power of drag in that regard? It’s like a superpower.
StyleCaster: Absolutely. The idea of having the ponytail is an extension of what drag is, which is being able to transform yourself into whatever you need. Actually, that’s the fun thing about drag, to transform yourself into whatever you may need at that point in your life. If you feel like you’re not very confident or a little shy, putting on drag, transforming yourself, and giving yourself the confidence that you feel is exterior actually brings out what is already inside you, which is beautiful.
My pony has always been my signature … I love how it makes me feel snatched and pulled, like a little kitten with a whip.
Sasha Colby
StyleCaster: The line is very reasonably and accessibly priced. Why was that important for you?
Sasha Colby: Making this ponytail not only user friendly but affordable was really important to me. I make my own ponies. My best friend and I, we’ve kind of came down to this formula, but we use human hair. We were buying bundles, and it’s great for drag and Drag Race, but not really feasible for everyday life or the traveling drag we need. So I really wanted to make sure that the hair quality was easy. Just pull it out, brush it, shake it out, and it’s brand new.
Whereas with human hair, you’re gonna have to be a little more careful with it and prep it more. So that saves time. And that helps with a lot of people who are maybe intimidated with using a lot of tools and all of that. This could just be for them. And those are the same people that I feel that watch Drag Race and that this particular price point fits for: the younger drag queens, maybe single moms, who knows! That’s the lovely thing about this ponytail, is it can cater to everyone and I really wanted that.
StyleCaster: It comes in a variety of colors. Do you have one that you gravitate towards or is a favorite?
Sasha Colby: For myself, I have Pele on right now. This is a pony that you will get when you order your Sasha Colby ponytail. It’s 28 inches long, and it’s a nice, full pony. I definitely have my tutorials up on my Instagram and my social media so you can always check that out. It’s really easy to do. This one just matches perfect for any ginger, but I do have a bluer tone that’s more for that auburn, darker red girl. Also, a bunch of blondes, a bunch of browns, just like the basic colors right now, 10, which is an amazing selection. But stay tuned because we definitely have more colors coming for you.
Image: Preston Meneses
StyleCaster: That was my next question: What else can hair fans expect?
Sasha Colby: We can expect a lot with this ponytail line. We’re working on new colors. We’re going to have a lot more variations of colors (fun colors also), and I’m working on ombrés. So if you have darker hair, and you want to be blonde that day, it’ll make sense with the ombré pony. And also, we’re gonna have a lot more textures we’re playing [with]. So even though this is heat-safe and you can style the straight one, we’re going to have a lot of different beach layers, beach curls, big round curls, and a lot of textures for our POC girls. So we’re really excited for that.
StyleCaster:You are obviously iconic for your hair and the pony. Do you have any other drag inspiration or celebrity inspirations that you look up to for hair?
Sasha Colby: Oh, celebrity hair-spirations… I love a ’90s model. I love a layered cut. That’s just like my go-to. I’m actually currently under this ponytail rocking the Rachel from Friends. Yesterday, I had my hair in a claw, half up, half down and I looked like Sarah from The Craft. So I think I’m in my ’90s era right now.
StyleCaster: You’re going on tour next year, so what can we expect?
Sasha Colby: Oh, yes, we will be going on tour. My one woman show called Stripped. We’ll be hitting 22 cities all over the continental U.S. (and Hawaii!), so I’m very excited to be performing at home. You can expect a really stripped down version of what I always show you. What Sasha Colby is. I like to say it’s a peek behind the inner workings of my mind. What inspires me, what I live for. And just sharing stories and getting to know the audience, which I think is really stripped down and what a lot of people are craving right now.
StyleCaster: Over the past few years on Drag Race, and in the drag world period, we’ve seen the boundaries being pushed—from inclusivity and identity to more avant garde performance. What is your hope for the future of drag?
Sasha Colby: That it just keeps on expanding everyone’s perceptions of what art, beauty, gender, and really, to be alive is. From being a safe haven for queer people that were kind of ostracized and we couldn’t be in everyday society, we found this, this thing called drag, to give us a sacred place. And it was very much for the queer community, but is now opening up and really expanding the perceptions of queer community and of art for cis people, straight people, heterosexual people. It’s like the new sports, you know?
StyleCaster: All my straight friends love it. My family loves it.
Sasha Colby: It’s a great a common denominator.
StyleCaster: I think we all crave having fun. And that’s what it is.
Sasha Colby: You cannot not feel like you want to be yourself or do something daring when you’re watching someone else dare.
StyleCaster: You took home the crown on your season. I was obviously rooting for you. What was it like watching your daughter, Kerri Colby, on the previous season when she competed?
Sasha Coby: Watching Kerri in Season 14 was so fun. I love her. It was so nice to watch the world fall in love with her and her personality and being like the narrator of the show. She’s just so fun to watch and so relaxing and such a star.
StyleCaster: You recently attended your first fashion week. Do you see yourself getting more involved in the world of high fashion?
Sasha Colby: I definitely feel inspired, since I was young, with high fashion and the fashion industry. Not just the beauty aspect or the models, but really fashion, the clothes. I just love learning about fashion through history. And I would love to be more in the fashion world, be a fashion girly. It’s a lot of fun. It’s like watching drag, really! When you go to these fashion weeks, everyone’s in their order. Everyone’s in their artifice. And they project who they want to be and are just these fantastical people.
StyleCaster: One final question. What else are you looking to accomplish in the future?
Sasha Colby: Oh, you know, just, sky’s the limit for me right now. I’m really excited to travel more, perform more, meet more fans, and make more connections. And also, just getting into telling more stories through my music and through acting.
Jessica Simpson made a major hair change to gain back confidence after her split from ex-husband Nick Lachey.
“I chopped it all off,” Simpson, 43, shared during a Tuesday, December 5, interview with Footwear News. “I was going through a divorce. I just wanted to wear something that was very me.”
The singer, who was taking a look back at some of her most iconic Y2K, revisited her short blonde bob and a purple dress from 2006, which she wore while promoting her album A Public Affair. She paired the ensemble with boots from her own shoewear brand.
“And then I wore a Jessica Simpson Collection boot,” she explained. “I just thought it was fun that you could fold them over, you know? Maybe that will come back one day, but it’s a little Renaissance or something.”
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey may have been loved by millions of viewers during their time on Newlyweds, but behind-the-scenes, their relationship was hardly wedded bliss. Simpson, who met Lachey when she was 18 years old, detailed the pair’s romance, reality TV days and divorce in her new memoir, Open Book, which was released on […]
Simpson began dating Lachey in 1999 when she was 18 years old. After an off-and-on romance, they tied the knot in October 2002. Their marriage was then chronicled on MTV’s Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, which ran for three seasons from August 2003 to March 2005. Nine months after the series finale, Simpson filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split.
In her February 2020 memoir, Open Book, Simpson detailed her life with Lachey and how it felt for her relationship in exist in the public eye. “The thing about falling in love with someone in a boyband is that you’re not alone,” she wrote about her early days of dating 98 Degrees singer. “There are a lot of girls out there who had already complied all the details on Nick Lachey.”
Simpson also opened up about how her desire to portray her relationship with Lachey as “perfect” while in front of the cameras.
Donato Sardella/WireImage
“I didn’t mind if I looked dumb, but I wanted people to see the fairy tale in Nick. In us,” Simpson explained. “I had the Instagram-girlfriend syndrome before it was a thing, and I wanted the world to see my husband in the best light because I was hopelessly in love with him.”
Simpson noted that after a while, filming Newlyweds became akin to playing a character. “We had become actors in our own lives, playing ourselves,” she continued. “Worse, we slowly started acting out our parts even when cameras weren’t rolling.”
By the time production picked up for season 3, Simpson said she was “sick of lying” about her marriage, adding that Lachey told the crew to “stop rolling” so often that the show’s final episode was nothing more than a montage of clips. “It was bizarre, and I never watched it,” she said. “We finished our run and fulfilled the contract.”
Happy birthday, Jessica Simpson! On Friday, July 10, the singer said goodbye to her 30s for good. The 40-year-old mom of three preemptively celebrated her big day by slipping into a pair of 14-year-old jeans. Goals! From pop princess to reality TV star to billion-dollar businesswoman, the mom of three has worn many hats over the […]
When asked in April 2022 if she would change anything about filming the reality series with her ex, Simpson said she had no regrets. “I mean, if anything, it was great TV. It was very real, and Nick and I actually had a lot of fun,” she added. “We got to do a lot of things we might not have done otherwise.”
After their divorce, Simpson moved on with Eric Johnson. The couple tied the knot in July 2014 and welcomed daughters Maxwell, and Birdie, in May 2012 and March 2019, respectively. Their son, Ace, arrived in June 2013. Lachey, for his part, wed Vanessa Lachey in July 2011 and the pair share three kids: Camden, 13, Brooklyn, 8, and Phoenix, 6.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
In November 2014, Lachey said he was happy he and Simpson didn’t have kids together before going their separate ways, calling it the “best thing that could have happened” to either of them.
All in the past. Vanessa and Nick Lachey have been married for over a decade, but they’re not afraid to reminisce about the beginning of their relationship — which began shortly after Nick’s divorce from Jessica Simpson. The NCIS: Hawai’i star and the 98 Degrees singer bumped into each other several times while they both […]
“Look, you’re always going to love your kids no matter how you feel about their other parent, but all things being equal, it was the best thing probably for both of us that we went on with our lives,” he told Jenny McCarthy while appearing on a November 2014 episode of her SiriusXM show. “She’s obviously happily married with two and I’m happily married and about to have two so it all worked out the way it was kind of meant to work out.”
The ’90s have made a huge comeback, and we’re soaking up every second of it, but there are certainly a few trends we’re loving more than others. Skinny eyebrows, for example, are one trend we’d prefer to leave in the past, while marinated makeup is one we’re excited to add back into our routines. When it comes to hair, not every retro beauty trend has made its return quite as strongly as the space-buns hairstyle. Space buns were a popular hairstyle in the ’90s, but they’ve recently gotten a makeover. The “elevated” space-bun hairstyle trend has been worn by countless celebrities like Marsai Martin, Charli D’Amelio, Olivia Rodrigo, Yara Shahidi, and many, many more – not to mention countless people on TikTok and Instagram alike.
The secret to this “Zenon”-inspired hairstyle is its versatility. The simplest version of it – two pigtails twisted into buns – can be created in a matter of minutes with just two hair ties, but as this trend has grown over the last year or so, we’ve seen different variations of the space-bun hairstyle hit our social media feeds, leading to the creation of the “elevated space-buns hairstyle.” Half-up, half-down; curled; and braided details make the style extra trendy and wearable outside of the original festival-type destinations that the look was produced from.
“I’ve been seriously loving space buns and have been seeing an increase in requests from my clients for that style,” celebrity hairstylist Laura Polko tells POPSUGAR. “It’s a universal style that looks great on any hair type and texture and lets your face truly shine through.”
Ahead, we break down a space buns tutorial and showcase some of the best space bun hairstyles you can check out for inspiration.
“Elevated” Space-Bun Hairstyle Tutorial
Step 1: The first step to creating the space-buns hairstyle is a smooth blowout. Polko likes to use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate the hair before rough drying it and using a round-brush attachment to achieve that blowout look. “I use the round brush attachment to turn ends under,” she says. “It’s important to do the ends on the whole head like this because if not, some ends will pop out and you want it really consistent within the space buns as well.”
Step 2: Part hair down the middle, and leave out two face-framing pieces in the front if you like that look.
Step 3: “Next, I section hair on one side of the part from the ear to the crown of the head and secure with the Scunci Clear Elastic ($6) – these are great because they don’t break,” she says. Then simply repeat the process on the other side.
Step 4: Once the two pigtails are secured, you can simply loop them into messy buns for the easy take on the space-buns hairstyle. However, if you want to put an elevated twist on the look, start on one side of the head and split the pigtail into two pieces. “Starting with the first piece, start twisting the hair until it begins to coil on top of itself, but leave the ends out (this is why it’s important to blow dry ends nicely),” Polko says. Once you’ve created the desired shape, use hair pins or bobby pins to hold it in place. Repeat that process with the other section of the pigtail, then move on to the other side of the head.
Here it is—the Angelstick Hair Smoothing Balm. It’s the first hairstyling product from the brand and is formulated to glide easily over the hair, smoothing texture and fly-aways. So, basically, it’s the perfect product one-and-done product to achieve a slicked-back look.
The best part is that it’s actually beneficial to the hair, unlike so many other styling products on the market. The formula contains hair-strengthening ingredients like castor seed oil, sunflower seed wax, murmuru butter, and vitamin E. Glide it over your hair, and not only will it style it, but it will moisturize and protect it too.
Leave it to Hailey Bieber to inspire us to buy yet another beauty product…
Instead of a traditional liquid or gel formula, Spears reportedly uses the plastic-free shampoo bars from Ethique. While we’re not sure exactly which one she uses, there are multiple scents and formulas to choose from—like this minty one that uses peppermint oil, Ghanaian cocoa butter, and organic creamed coconut butter to refresh, moisturize, and cleanse hair without weighing it down.
These shampoo bars are cruelty-free, plant-based, and made with sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients (oh, and there’s no palm oil either). What’s more is that each one is packaged in plastic-free, home-compostable cardboard. So yeah, they’re probably some of the most eco-friendly shampoos on the market.
The best part is that using them is easy and they last up to 80 washes. Simply wet your hair and the bar, massage the bar into your roots, and lather. That’s it. From there, just follow up with a conditioner. (I have some recommendations for you, but more on that in a minute.)
Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at PGE Narodowy on June 28, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland.Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
Look around at the crowd on mute whenever Beyoncésteps onto the red carpet.
Beyoncé, 42, sparkled at the world premiere screening of her Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé concert documentary in a custom silver Versace gown with matching gloves, per social media photos.
Beyoncé traded her signature ‘do for a new platinum-colored mane. She parted her long locks down the middle and wore her hair down.
Beyoncé’s hair evolution is undeniably flawless. The singer emerged herself into the spotlight when she became the lead singer in Destiny’s Child. At the time, she rocked multiple styles including box braids, voluminous curls, bangs, chunky highlights and more. Through the years, Beyoncé has mostly opted for blonde locks but occasionally dons her natural brunette […]
After the tour wrapped, Beyoncé went even lighter.
“The sun-washed color she donned during Renaissance was more for the stage,” Beyoncé’s longtime colorist, Rita Hazan, exclusively told Us Weekly in October. “The shade had to be stronger, more dramatic since she was going to be performing. This [new] look is more subtle.”
Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
Hazan, 49, added: “She lets me do whatever I want, and for me, that’s the most fun part. With her, I like to switch it up every time I do her hair. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes I add more blonde — or it’s about the placement and it depends on what she’s got going on.”
Post-Renaissance World Tour, Hazan chose a “toned-down” color that was perfect for fall. “I lightened up a little bit less and added more depth and didn’t put as many highlights as I did for Renaissance,” the hair guru explained to Us. “I call it a ‘Chantilly’ color because it was more of a creamy [blonde] with golden tones to it.”
Gabrielle Union, Halle Bailey and more stars absolutely slayed on the silver carpet for the world premiere of Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. The debut screening of Beyoncé’s concert documentary was held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater on Saturday, November 25, in Beverly Hills, where celebrities brought the glamour in black, white and silver looks. […]
To celebrate Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé, a number of Beyoncé’s famous friends turned up to the premiere, including Gabrielle Union, Lizzo, Halle Bailey, Tia Mowry and Tyler Perry. Saturday’s occasion also served as a special Destiny’s Child reunion.
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams both stunned in black on the red carpet, where they were joined by OG members LeToya Luckett and LaTavia Roberson. Rowland, 42, Williams, 44, Luckett, 42, and Roberson, 42, all previously attended concerts on Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. (Rowland and Williams joined Destiny’s Child in 2001 after Luckett and Roberson left the group. The band officially broke up in 2006.)
“We really did some pretty major songs, [we were] uplifting people,” Williams exclusively recalled to Us in May 2021 of her time in the girl group before teasing a future musical reunion. “Those moments just come organically and when it makes sense, you know, it makes sense.”
Perverse. Unhinged. Horrifying. Horny. Deliciously bad, but also perhaps the best movie of 2023. These are just a few ways in which critics – mostly people on X (formerly known as Twitter) – have described “Saltburn,” the new film from director Emerald Fennell. The eat-the-rich storyline is one everyone sort of expected. Back in August, months before they were graced with a full trailer, people were comparing it to movies like “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and “Brideshead Revisited.” But since its limited release earlier this month, there have been so – so! – many other details about this movie sparking discussion, little of which is the hair and makeup. But let’s not forget what really drew our attention when teasers for “Saltburn” hit the internet: an eyebrow piercing.
For years to come people will talk about how this film changed pop culture – the word guzzling will never be the same – but those subtle details (thatbygone piercing, the matching tattoos, and the peroxide roots) are a huge reason why this movie could sink its teeth so far into our necks. Without them, these British aristocrats might have felt like nothing more than flat tropes. Don’t believe us? Allow Siân Miller, the “Saltburn” hair and makeup designer, to explain.
Miller tells POPSUGAR she was instantly captivated reading the “Saltburn” script. “I’ve read a lot of scripts over the last three decades, and sometimes it’s a bit of a chore, but this wasn’t the case,” she says. “It was such a page-turner and completely laid in with reference and detail.”
Since this film takes place somewhere around 2006, it isn’t just a contemporary story, it’s a period piece. In order to prepare for the hair and makeup design, Miller revisited classic Y2K movies and TV shows, like “Mean Girls” and “The O.C.” for inspiration. There, she remembered just how striking the beauty from the early aughts was – sexy little barbell piercings and all. Ahead, Miller breaks down some of the key makeup and hair design elements that helped bring these characters to life.
Courtesy of MGM and Amazon Studios
Felix’s Eyebrow Piercing Is More Than a Sign of the Times
If you aren’t sure which time period “Saltburn” takes place in, Jacob Elordi‘s eyebrow piercing should be all the context you need. Most people may associate eyebrow piercings with the ’90s, but before boy band heartthrobs rocked the hardware, punks in the ’70s made it their own. It was counterculture. Elordi’s character Felix Catton, the carefree rich kid who takes Barry Keoghan’s Oliver Quick under his wing, might look like he belongs in J-14, but inside – at Oxford University and away from his family’s manor Saltburn, at least – he’s punk. Miller says although Felix is “a superstar upon arrival,” his facial jewelry is an attempt at trying to be cool. That tousled, unkempt, early-stage mullet makes Felix look like his IDGAF attitude is completely thrown together, and maybe it is, but the eyebrow piercing, despite its appeal, should make you think otherwise.
Then again, just about every trend in the early aughts was “naff,” as Miller says. Even the tattoos, which Felix also has. In addition to a “carpe diem” tattoo, he has a few others written in the same font as the Catton family crest. Seems ironically conformist for someone who seems to try hard to fight against the limitations that come along with being an aristocrat.
Courtesy of MGM and Amazon Studios
Oliver Is a Proletariat Shapeshifter
“Oliver is definitely a shapeshifter and that’s very clear from the start,” Miller says. In an interview with Rotten Tomatoes, Keoghan shared that he essentially plays five different characters in the film – five different versions of Oliver. When we first see him at Oxford, a middle-class scholarship kid, he’s got a geeky, blow-dried, “Zac Efron kind of hairdo.” He’s such a try-hard, and Miller made sure to show it.
Throughout the three acts of the film, the more time he spends ingratiated into the Cattons’ world – the more he becomes obsessed with it – we see him evolve and adapt to suit the company he keeps. While the Cattons may be aristocracy, they’re inherently disheveled. In fact, it was written into the script, the shabby chicness of it all, says Miller. So the longer Oliver is at Saltburn, the looser his look becomes. “He starts to imitate [Felix] a little bit,” she says. “He becomes a little bit less done. He gets more casual . . . he becomes a bit more tousled with the hairstyle.” By the end of the film, Oliver is the lord of Saltburn manor. Technically, he’s no longer the poor interloper, and his look had to say so. Miller says they made him very clean cut and groomed, like Cary Grant. The difference is that Grant probably never danced naked to “Murder on the Dancefloor.”
The Meaning Behind the Catton Siblings’ Tattoos
Venetia Catton may never be the Catton golden child, but that doesn’t seem to waver her relationship with her brother Felix – at least not by much. “It was very important for Emerald that there were elements of Venetia and Felix that mirrored each other and that’s how we played it with the tattoos,” Miller says. Whether it’s simply the placement of certain ink – Venetia has a tattoo on the inside of her arm where Oliver has “carpe diem” permanently etched – or the actual design – they share a cluster of stars on both of their hands – the siblings are physically linked one way or another throughout the film.
Venetia’s energy and aesthetic scream “rich girl who took a gap year to live in Bali,” so it’s not surprising that Miller didn’t want all of her tattoos to really mean anything at all. For example, Miller designed a tattoo for Venetia inspired by the mathematical number π. She also gave her a lightning bolt on her ankle and rose on her shoulder to finish the look.
Courtesy of MGM and Amazon Studios
Why Venetia’s Bleached Hair Is Perfectly Horrible
Alison Oliver, who plays Venetia, was game to bleach her hair to the point of breakage – just like any good socialite in 2006. While a wig was an option, Miller says that the actress was willing to push the limits of her hair health by having it bleached – and bleached and bleached – until it was just the right kind of brittle. Apparently, even Margot Robbie noticed. Miller says that the LuckyChap Entertainment producer paid a visit to the set not long after “Barbie” wrapped. “She came along to a screening and she sat behind me,” Miller says. “I could hear her saying, ‘Look at those brittle ends. They’re just perfect!.’”
