After a whirlwind week that saw us celebrating the VMAs and the Met Gala — aka music’s biggest night and fashion’s biggest night respectively, it was nice to show TV’s biggest stars and series some love with the arrival of the 73rd annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, this year’s show marked a return to an in-person ceremony after last year being forced to go virtual due to the pandemic.
To celebrate the very best of television, our favorite stars came dressed to the nines, donning gorgeous gowns and jewels. But, it was all of the incredible red carpet hairstyles that truly left us speechless. From polished updos to elegant waves, the old-school, Hollywood glamour that we’ve often come to associate with the award show was in abundance when it came to all things hair.
Ahead, we rounded up a few of the best hair moments from the 2021 Emmys.
Aidy Bryant
Aidy Bryant totally stunned on the red carpet with some natural waves styled by hairstylist Rebecca Grice. Grice accessorized the look with a red embellished custom Simone Rocha headband that was fit for a queen.
Issa Rae
Issa Rae wowed us all with this intricate slicked-back braided updo styled by hairstylist Felicia Leatherwood.
Amy Poehler
It was hard not to love Amy Poehler’s soft textured waves and sleek center part styled by hairstylist Kylee Heath. To create this look, Heath started out on damp hair, spritzing a volume spray throughout. She then created a super straight center part and used the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer to dry Poehler’s hair. While drying, she also used the Olivia Garden ThermoVent Round Brush in size 2” to create volume and softness.
Once the hair was dry, Heath used the Olivia Garden Titanium + Ion Flat Iron to create small waves all throughout her hair. Next, she teased the crown of Poehler’s head with the Olivia Garden CarboSilk Comb to add extra volume so that the look wasn’t too flat. To finish, she sprayed a generous amount of hairspray throughout to ensure the waves would hold.
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett looked oh-so-chic sporting a textured twisted updo styled by hairstylist Nikki Nelms. If you look closely, you can see that the star accessorized the hairstyle with a sparkly pin that says “MKW” in tribute to her Lovecraft Country co-star Michael K. Williams.
Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn looked cool as ever rocking her signature messy waves styled by hairstylist Marilee Albin.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy looked absolutely breathtaking with this super polished curled updo that came courtesy of hairstylist Gregory Russell.
MJ Rodriguez
These waist-grazing mermaid waves that hairstylist Tym Wallace created for MJ Rodriguez are EVERYTHING. How stunning does she look?
Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel’s powerful acceptance speech for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie left us all feeling totally inspired, as did her equally powerful hair look. Coel sported her trademark shaved head, this time updated with a slit down the side by her hairstylist Coree Moreno.
Meg Statler
We all couldn’t stop staring at Meg Statler’s super shiny locks and her incredible half up style created by hairstylist Clayton Hawkins.
Angela Bassett
Angela Bassett had all her gorgeous curls on display with this epic voluminous ponytail styled by hairstylist Randy Stodghill. To create this look, Stodghill began by brushing through Angela’s hair using the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Turbo Vent Brush to detangle and define Bassett’s natural curl. Next, he used the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer along with the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Snap-on Finger Diffuser to blow dry the hair while adding volume throughout.
Stodghill then used the Olivia Garden Titanium + Ion 1” Curling Iron to gently straighten pieces around Bassett’s hairline while leaving some natural waves. Next, he slightly pulled both sides of the hair back and secured it at the back of her head, before going back in with the Olivia Garden Titanium + Ion 1” Curling Iron and starting to curl the ends of Bassett’s hair. To finish, he used the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Snap-on Finger Diffuser to ensure the look would hold for the night.
Samira Wiley
Samira Wiley brought some serious edge to the red carpet with her cool undercut and side-swept natural curls that were styled by hairstylist Johnny Wright.
Awkwafina
Hairstylist Kylee Heath took Awkwafina’s classic ponytail to the next level by adding some pretty waves and face-framing pieces. To create this look, Heath prepped the star’s damp hair with a styling mousse and then rough dried the hair until it was 50 percent dry using the Olivia Garden Ceramic + Ion Hair Dryer. After center parting the hair, she used the Olivia Garden ThermoVent Round Brush in size 2” to set the part and smooth out the hair cuticle in the front pieces. Next, she went in with the 3” size of the Olivia Garden ThermoVent Round Brush to blow out the rest of the hair smooth.
Once Awkwafina’s hair was dry, Heath sectioned away the front pieces and pulled the back into a ponytail securing it with an elastic. Then, she created some texture using the Olivia Garden Titanium + Ion Flat Iron. To finish, she sprayed her roots with a texturizing spray to give the pony a messy feel and teased pieces using the Olivia Garden CarboSilk Comb.
Nicole Byer
Nicole Byer looked flawless as ever sporting a curly tousled beehive styled by her hairstylist Moira “Fingaz” Frazier, that took inspiration from Brigette Bardot’s iconic updo.
Elizabeth Olsen
All eyes were on Elizabeth Olsen and her new wavy, deeply parted bob that was styled by hairstylist Adir Abergel.
Kaley Cuoco
We are totally here for this effortless pony that hairstylist Christine Symonds styled for Kaley Cuoco. To create this soft and easy hairstyle, Symonds first prepped Cuoco’s hair with Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights Thermal Shine Spray and the Clairol Professional’s Shimmer Lights Leave-In Styling Treatment.
Then, she blow dried the hair and set with clips to create volume and movement. Next, she installed one row of Hidden Crown Seamless Hair Clip-in Light Ash Blonde and pulled the hair back into a ponytail. To finish, Symonds pulled out a few pieces around the face to soften the look and frame her face with some of her fringe.
Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi looked elegant as ever sporting a sleek, twisted updo styled by hairstylist Lacy Redway, who used Nexxus’s Ultra-Fine Hairspray ($10) to tame her flyways.
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore stunned us all with her soft wavy pony and new shaggy bangs that came courtesy of hairstylist Ashley Streicher.
Taraji P. Henson
We are living for this fierce top knot that hairstylist Tym Wallace created for Taraji P. Henson.
Which Emmys hairstyle was your favorite? Share with us below!
