Celebrity Hairstylist Rena Calhoun Shares How She Created Mikey Madison’s Elegant Slicked-Back Bun for the 2025 Oscars

Mikey Madison, winner of this year’s Best Actress award at the 2025 Oscars for her performance in Sean Baker’s Anora, arrived at the award show in an elegant, timeless look. The actress hit the red carpet wearing a stunning Christian Dior dual-toned dress which featured a bow detail at the bodice, and rocked a high sleek-back hair bun.

Celebrity hairstylist, Rena Calhoun, says Madison’s hair look was supposed to feel effortlessly refined, “I wanted the bow detail to seamlessly integrate into the structure of the hair, sculpting the bun in a way that mimics the softness of a ribbon,” she said. 

Curious how this gorgeous hair look came together? Calhoun walked The Tease through the exact process of creating the detailed updo. Keep scrolling for all of the details: 

Get the Look: 

1. Starting with clean, damp hair, Calhoun applied Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer from mid-lengths to ends to detangle, hydrate, and reduce frizz. Using her Tange Teezer Ultimate Detangler brush, I worked the product through thoroughly while gently detangling.
2. With the Shark FlexStyle in hair dryer mode, Calhoun rough-dried the hair to remove excess moisture. Then, switching to the Wet or Dry Fusion Brush attachment, I created a smooth, polished blowout in 2-inch sections. She said “this tool makes styling incredibly efficient by eliminating the need for a separate round brush and blow dryer.”
3. Once fully dry, Calhoun applied a touch of Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil to the ends for a sleek, polished finish. 
4. To prep the hair for the updo, Calhoun sprayed Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray throughout to create grit and volume, giving me maximum control while styling.
5. She then refined the part with a tail comb, and began sculpting the hair into a ribbon-like updo, twisting and shaping it while misting Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode Flexible Hold Spray for workable hold. 
6. Working in sections, she continued to craft the structure, setting each piece as she went.
7. Once she was happy with the final look, she locked it in with one last mist of hairspray while simultaneously applying diffused heat with my Shark FlexStyle Curl Defining Diffuser, ensuring the style holds beautifully all night long!

If you recreate this look on yourself (or a client!), be sure to tag @readthetease on Instagram.