Michelle Williams is no stranger to a major red carpet hair moment. We’ve seen her with all manner of lengths and levels of blonde — and she looks incredible each time. For last night’s 2026 Actor Awards, Williams opted for a more classic hairstyle, working with friend and longtime collaborator Chris McMillan.
McMillan created, what he calls a “real hairdo,” using products from his eponymous line. He tells The Tease, “Her dress was Prada, and it looked like if Grace Kelly were here today. It was so Grace Kelly-inspired. A little bit Babe Paley. Very elevated.”
The look was all about the shape, and McMillan relied on the Glossy Smooth Blowdry Spray and copious amounts of Major Hairspray, layering it throughout the styling process, literally sculpting. Keep reading for the exact techniques McMillan used on the “Dying For Sex” star.
Get the Look:
- “Of course, I blow-dried her hair with heat protection and Glossy Smooth Blow Dry Spray ($36.00). You need that glossy, smooth foundation before you start building something this specific.
- I set her hair in rollers first to establish that classic Hollywood shape. After it cooled, I brought it down and started sculpting.
- There was a lot of teasing. You have to build it up internally so it has that Grace Kelly silhouette. This wasn’t loose. It was intentional.
- We used The Major Hairspray ($36.00) and honestly, it was half a can of hairspray. Roller set, hairspray. Bring it down, hairspray. Tease, hairspray. Layer it down, hairspray. You build it in stages so it holds all night but still looks elevated.
- This hairstyle was so specific, so I’m always on a tail comb. I spray The Major Hairspray directly onto the tail of the comb instead of spraying it everywhere. That way I can really work. It’s really detailed and lets me sculpt exactly where I need it.”
If you plan to recreate this stunning red carpet style for your next client, let us know about it. Tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.
