Despite what the Oscars may suggest, a red carpet-worthy look does not require a glam squad.
To prove our point, we tapped into the styling talents of celebrity hair guru Nikki Lee. The Nine Zero One Salon co-owner stopped by the E! studios to give us an easy how-to on one of the most glamorous, seemingly intricate red carpet hair staples—the braided updo.
"The moment you get a braid in your hair, you instantly feel like a goddess," she said behind the scenes.
To start, she used Pantene Blowout Extend Dry Shampoo to add texture to the model's locks. This will help the hair hold in place.
Next, create a deep side-part to really emphasize the braid's movement across the hairline. On one side, do an inverted braid, which is just like the classic iteration except you add more hair to each section as you weave down. Once you reach the middle of the back of the head, do a classic braid down to the ends and tie with a hair band. Pull the hair apart for a little more width. Repeat this process on the other side.
Then take one braid and pin it up using a bobby pin. Take the other side and sweep it over the other braid and pin. It will look slightly like a knot. Don't forget to finish it off with some hairspray for extra hold. Didn't quite catch all that? Watch the tutorial above!
"The great thing about the braided updo is that it's a great look for festivals, weddings, special occasions and an easy transition from day to night," Nikki concluded.
It will literally top off any outfit.