The slicked-back bun is a red carpet staple, but anyone who has attempted the look knows its biggest flaw—keeping flyaways in check. No matter how much hairspray is applied or how diligently a boar bristle brush is used, stubborn baby hairs seem to have a mind of their own. Enter Mikey Madison at the 2025 Oscars, whose effortlessly refined updo, styled by Rena Calhoun, offered a game-changing solution to this age-old hairstyling challenge.
The Anora actress arrived at the Academy Awards with a sleek yet textured bun that embraced, rather than fought, baby hairs. “The baby hairs were very intentional,” Calhoun revealed in an exclusive phone interview as Madison walked the red carpet. “A brush can create too much smoothness, so I just use my hands and a little bit of hairspray while blow-drying them into place.”
The Styling Secrets Behind Madison’s Red Carpet Look
To achieve this balance of polish and movement, Calhoun relied on the Shark Beauty FlexFusion Styler for the initial rough dry, paired with the Shark Beauty Wet or Dry Fusion Brush. “Using the concentrated nozzle with a bit of texture spray creates just the right amount of grit,” she explained. Once Madison’s hair had the perfect foundation, it was pulled into a ponytail, secured into a bun, and meticulously refined with Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode. “I spray as I pull out pieces and adjust every detail,” Calhoun noted.
A Vintage-Inspired Look with a Modern Twist
While the hairstyle exuded contemporary elegance, its inspiration was deeply rooted in Hollywood’s Golden Age. “Mikey loves referencing vintage styles—classic starlets from the ‘50s,” Calhoun shared. “Her Dior dress was a recreation from that era, but we still wanted the hair to have a level of modernity.”
With a blend of old Hollywood glamour and innovative styling techniques, Madison’s Oscars look wasn’t just a standout of the night—it may have just redefined how we approach the classic slicked-back bun.
