For the 2024 Emmy Awards, celebrity hairstylist Marc Mena used Great Lengths hair extensions and Sister Sky Haircare, on actress, and nominee, Lily Gladstone to create a “power ponytail.” The look, a sleek pony with added volume and length, allowed the copper chest plate by Agnes Seaweed Wisden to be the center of attention in the front, sitting atop her Rodarte gown, with the hair having its own moment in the back.
The Tease was able to connect with Mena, who generously dished on the inspiration for Gladstone’s ’24 Emmys hairstyle, the execution and way more.
The Tease: Tell us about the inspiration for the hair. What’s the mood? How does it compliment the overall look?
Marc Mena: When I saw Lily’s dress, the first thought that came to my mind was “powerful, super hero.”
Lily Gladstone has been outspoken about decolonizing gender and the importance of Indigenous representation — did this influence tonight’s hair?
Mena: Yes! When you are as powerful as Lily everything is intentional and a ponytail was the perfect way to go because it touches on both feminine and masculine side that we all have in us.
Talk to us about the tools and products you used tonight. Why are they your go-to?
Mena: The two brands I worked with was Sister Sky and Great Lengths. We used Sister Sky Haircare, which is a Native American, women owned small business. It is important to me to support these types of businesses and Great Lengths is ethically sourced and B-Corp certified.
Before she/they hit the red carpet, what were you thinking? How did you feel about the style?
Mena: Before Lily hit the red carpet I was thinking that we absolutely nailed the look. The look was made for us, we didn’t create it. Every time I’m with her, we have this synergy and things change quickly and it’s decided for us.
Get the Look:
- To give the ponytail some movement, Marc used a 1.25” curling iron to curl Great Lengths tape ins before applying them.
- Once the hair was set, he began applying the Great Lengths tapes from the nape all the way to the crown to create volume and thickness.
- Once the tapes were installed, he started with a middle part and started to brush the hair into a low pony with no worry about hiding the extensions
- Marc then secured the ponytail using an elastic and wrapped the hair around the elastic to keep it hidden with bobby pins.
- After, using a tiny brush and hairspray, he brushed down any hairs that were sticking up.
- Finally, he used a wide tooth comb to soften the ponytail and that created her “power ponytail”
Think you can take on this “power pony” for your next client, or for yourself? Tag @readthetease on Instagram or TikTok so we can see it.
