“Superman” and “The Last of Us” star Isabela Merced hit the 2025 Governors Awards red carpet looking every bit a gothy vision in a hooded black gown. Her spidery lashes by makeup artist Janice Daoud and just-so fringe by celebrity hairstylist Rena Calhoun seemed to mirror each other, playfully even.
It turns out that Calhoun and team were aiming for exactly that level of cohesion. She tells The Tease, “The fringe frames the face beautifully beneath the hood, and the individual spikes echo the dimension and separation in the lashes.”
And of the inspiration? Calhoun spills, “The look is a graphic, spiky fringe — think Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz, but a little softer and more wearable for a carpet. It feels refined while still maintaining a natural finish.”
Read on for a detailed how-to directly from Calhoun featuring the exact products she used for Merced.
Get the Look:
- “I started by prepping the hair with Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Hair Cream and blow-drying it smooth with a flat brush. I focused on keeping the volume to a minimum, as I wanted the hair underneath to sit quite small and tight to the head.
- Once the hair was dry, I refined the fringe first. Using a small flat iron, I smoothed the bangs with a subtle bevel at the ends. I worked a tiny amount of Bumble and bumble. Texture Styling Cream through the fringe to clump and spike the ends. I love this product because it’s sticky yet has a dry, matte finish.
- I used my small flat iron to flick out some of the hair tucked behind the ear to bring the softness forward as well.
- Finally, I locked everything in place with Oribe Superfine Strong Hair Spray.”
If you get inspired to recreate this red carpet hairstyle for your next client, or for yourself, tag @readthetease on Instagram and TikTok.
