Whether on Instagram, at award shows, or in TV and movies, we often look to celebrities for style inspiration. When playing dress-up is a part of your job, you’re bound to slay some of the most stunning hairstyles around. Which is why when we’re looking for major hairstyle inspiration, celebrities are some of the first people we turn to. Hoping to start the new year with a hairstyle worthy of the red carpet? Take a look back at some of the most stunning celebrity hairstyles of 2021.
From glam beach waves to bouncy blowouts, keep scrolling for everything you need to know to achieve these hairstyles at home.
Lorde’s Natural Textured Hair, Styled By Cameron Rains
For Lorde’s 2021 Met Gala look, stylist Cameron Rain emphasized the singer’s natural hair texture.
“We went with a very mystical nymph-like look...We wanted it to be romantic and flirty but also have a little bit of a witch vibe,” Rain explains. “She is wearing a crown, so we wanted the hair to compliment it as well...Hair health and preparation were key elements in her look.”
Get The Look:
To prep her hair for fashion’s most anticipated night of the year, Lorde used the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo the night before. She then applied the Matrix A Curl Can Dream Rich Mask to hydrate her mane and create a strong foundation for her Met Gala look. After rinsing out the hair mask, twist the hair and put it in a chunky braid and leave it in overnight.
The next day, undo the braid and apply Matrix A Curl Can Dream Lightweight Oil throughout the hair. This will add shine and tame any flyaways. To finish, apply a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results High Amplify Flexible Hold Hairspray, which contains an anti-frizz, ultra-fine mist that leaves hair static-free, shiny, and manageable.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Long Luscious Waves, Styled By Clayton Hawkins
Olivia Rodrigo may have took home the Song Of The Year award at the 2021 Video Music Awards, but we’re also crowning her with the best hairstyle of the night. Hairstylist Clayton Hawkins partnered with Matrix to give the singer shiny, red carpet-worthy waves.
Get The Look:
Starting with damp hair, apply Matrix A Curl Can Dream Lightweight Oil throughout your hair and blow out during a boar bristle brush. Use a 1-inch curling iron to create waves. Lock in your waves using a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results High Amplify Flexible Hold Hairspray. Next, use a tiny drop of Matrix StyleLink Over Achiever 3-In-1 Cream Paste Wax to smooth the hair around your hairline. Secure your hair behind your ears with bobby pins.
Lizzo’s Sleek And Pin Straight Strands, Styled By Shelby Swain
On one of the most celebrated nights in music, artist and award presenter Lizzo stunned the red carpet with pin straight, shiny strands created by celebrity hairstylist Shelby Swain.
Get The Look:
Begin by cleansing and conditioning with Matrix Total Results Dark Envy Shampoo and Conditioner, a green, color-depositing system that enriches dark bases and neutralizes red undertones. Then, use ghd’s Helios Professional Hair Dryer to achieve an airy blowout. After the hair is fully dried, use Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment to nourish, boost shine, and smooth the hair.
Use the ghd Max Styler to smooth the hair for a sleek finish. Complete your look using the ghd Narrow Dressing Brush and a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray to set flyaways with a light, flexible hold.
Lizzo’s Glam Waves, Styled By Shelby Swain
After walking the red carpet, stylist Shelby Swain transformed Lizzo’s sleek locks into loose glam waves.
Get The Look:
Brush through your hair and apply Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment. This formula protects against heat damage from styling tools. Use the ghd Curve Classic Wave Wand to create deep waves throughout your hair. Apply a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Finishing Spray throughout the hair to create a light, flexible hold. Give your look a fun twist by stacking oversized hair clips on either side of your part.
Susan Kelechi Watson’s Natural Blowout, Styled By Vernon Francois
Presenter Susan Kelechi Watson slayed with a natural hair blowout, created by stylist Vernon Francois. Francois transformed Kelechi Watson’s long mane into a sleek bob for the event.
“Susan has been wanting to change her hairstyle, and now is the perfect time to explore that,” Francois says.
Get The Look:
Start by cleansing and conditioning with the Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner. Pro tip: Leave the conditioner on for 10 minutes or so before rinsing. Apply Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner throughout your mane to strengthen and protect against heat. Create a deep side part. Then, blow dry the hair in sections using a round brush.
Apply a few spritzes of Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo throughout the mid lengths and ends of the hair to give it a soft, fluffy feel before you continue styling. Use a large-barrel curling iron to create subtle bends throughout the length of the hair. Then, apply Redken Shine Flash Hair Spray throughout for a high-gloss finish. Complete the look with an all-over spritz of Redken Triple Take 32 High-Hold Hairspray.
“This has become one of my number one favorite products. I love and use this all the time. It’s very flexible with a high-hold finish,” Francois says.
Cynthia Nixon’s Textured Pixie, Styled By Peter Butler
Stylist Peter Butler created actress and nominee Cynthia Nixon’s textured pixie with an ‘80s-inspired twist.
“I was deeply inspired by Madonna’s “True Blue” album for Cynthia’s hair tonight,” Butler says. “I gave her a volumized, textured look with Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray and Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo. These key products gave me the perfect volume and attitude for her look!”
Get The Look:
Begin by cleansing and conditioning with Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo and Conditioner. Then, apply a dime-sized amount of Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner throughout your mid-lengths and ends. Blow dry your hair using a vented brush to help create volume. Once your hair is completely dry, apply a few spritzes of Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray and tousle your strands with your fingertips to create soft texture and body.
Using a 1-inch curling iron, curl 1-inch sections of hair at a time. Allow hair to cool before combing through it. Pro tip: As you comb, apply spritzes of Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo for additional texture. Use Redken Shine Flash Hair Spray to give the hair a high-shine finish before locking in the look with Redken Triple Pure 32 Neutral Fragrance Hairspray.
Amy Poehler’s Red Carpet Blonde, Colored By Tracey Cunningham
When it comes to award show hair color, we always have our eye on Redken celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham, who was responsible for co-host Amy Poehler’s gorgeous blonde hue for the event. For any red carpet hair color, she swears by Redken’s Shades EQ hair glosses.
“A Redken Shades EQ Gloss service keeps your color, looking fresh, bright, and packed with fabulous shine and is a must before hitting the red carpet,” Cunningham says.
Renée Zellweger’s Textured Waves, Styled By Richard Marin
Actress and award presenter Renée Zellweger went classic on the red carpet wearing textured waves styled by Richard Marin.
Get The Look:
Starting with freshly washed hair, prep your mane with Matrix Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Treatment. This formula boasts 20 benefits that help nourish the hair, boost shine, add moisture, and provide heat protection. Next, apply Matrix High Amplify Foam Volumizer Mousse throughout the hair before blow drying. Pro tip: Blow dry the hair upside down to achieve maximum volume. Complete the look with a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Texturizing Spray to prolong volume and add light hold.
Shira Haas Sleek Updo, Styled By Mara Roszak
Actress and nominee Shira Haas wore a sleek updo with a (literal) twist. Celebrity stylist Mara Roszak created the classic, sophisticated look.
Get The Look:
Beginning with clean, damp hair, create a side part. Blow dry hair smooth with a medium natural-bristle round brush. After blow drying, use the Matrix Total Results High Amplify Dry Shampoo to give the hair light texture. Pull your hair into a ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic, leaving the face-framing pieces out. Then, take the hair from each side of your head and wrap it around the elastic. Secure the hair in place with bobby pins.
Apply a few spritzes of Matrix Total Results Miss Mess Dry Texturizing Spray to smooth the hair. Then, gently twist the loose strands from the ponytail into a bun, allowing pieces to fall out for an imperfect, textured look. Use a few more sprizes of Matrix Total Results High Amplify Dry Shampoo to add hold. Complete the look by using Matrix StyleLink Shape Switcher Molding Paste to tame flyaways.
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