Anissa Salazar, a true multi hyphenate brand founder, hair department head and celebrity groomer, pays attention to the smallest of details. Take her work with Macaulay Culkin for the 2025 Academy Museum Gala red carpet. Salazar opted to give Culkin a side part with textured softness to complement his velvet suit styled by Jordan Grossman.
A frequent collaborator of Culkin, who she calls “Mack,” Salazar tells The Tease it’s “Always a good time getting [him] ready.” “This year for the Academy Museum Gala we went with a left part. ‘Mack’ always jokes with me I part his hair opposite of how he does it. But he also gives me full control and creative to any look we do,” says Salazar.
The two decided to do a deep burgundy customized manicure with Essie nail polish “last minute,” so Salazar knew she wanted Culkin’s hair “to be on the messy side of handsome.” Scroll to see how she struck that balance with the below how-to.
Get the Look:
- “Since we went with a right part and a more sleek and polished look last year, we decided to do something more playful — yet still handsome. We did a low taper fade using Andis Master Clippers, clean cheeks and beard line up to set the canvas.
- We created a left parted, textured look using Tecuane Esperanza Scalp Tonic as our base, Evian, OWAY Sea Salt Spray for grit, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, and Kevin Murphy NIGHT.RIDER to add texture and softness.
- I started by blow drying the scalp tonic and Evian into the scalp for deep moisture absorption, along with a light scalp massage.
- Next, I added a few light sprays of OWAY’s Sea Salt Spray, blow drying in the opposite direction to achieve slight volume, while using a small Mason Pearson brush.
- Using a small 1″ flat iron to the hairline, add slight wave and shape. I added a light mist of Oribe texture spray for volume, and a pea size of NIGHT.RIDER into the edges of the hair using the Mason Pearson brush to refine all along the outer perimeter.
- Lastly, I added Oribe’s Superfine Hair Spray to lock in the look. Setting a proper foundation in a hairstyle is always crucial so it gives long lasting style throughout the evening.”
If you make use of any of these tips, whether for your next client or yourself, we want to know about it and see it! Be sure to tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.
