Celebrity hairstylist Alexander Armand used Olivia Garden products to style actress Quinta Brunson for the 2023 Critic’s Choice Awards.
The Inspiration
“For Quinta’s stunning Critics Choice Awards look, we wanted to go with a classy, chic, yet edgy bun," said Armand. "I wanted to play off her dress, mimicking the fabric with her bun by creating height and flare.”
The Technique
Here Armand explains how he achieved the look:
1. I prepped the hair by washing and conditioning Quinta’s hair with the Maui Moisture Strength & Length + Castor & Neem Oil Shampoo & Conditioner to infuse strength, hydration, and smoothness—the perfect foundation for the look.
2. Next, I used the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer with the Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Large Paddle Brush to blow out Quinta’s hair with speed and efficiency.
3. Then I went in with the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion High-Performance Professional Flat Iron at 455 degrees to achieve a super sleek finish.
4. Once the hair was straightened, I applied the Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel throughout for strong, yet flexible hold and brushed the hair up into a sleek ponytail with the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Supreme Boar Bristle Brush.
5. With the ponytail established, I twisted the hair into a sculptural bun, leaving a few pieces out. For these pieces, I used the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion 5/8” Professional Travel Flat Iron to create a wispy, fanned-out shape that mimicked her dress and gave the final look an edgier feel.
6. To finish, I applied a few light sprays of the Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil for maximum shine and moisture.
Products
Maui Moisture Strength & Length + Castor & Neem Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer
Olivia Garden NanoThermic Ceramic + Ion Large Paddle Brush
Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion High Performance Professional Flat Iron
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Ultra-Hold Gel
Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion 5/8" Professional Travel Flat Iron
Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil