Oscars 2025 Hair Trends and How to Recreate Them with Clip‑In Extensions
The Oscars 2025 red carpet delivered major hair inspiration, with celebrities rocking everything from classic updos to chic short cuts. True to Academy Awards tradition, many stars leaned into timeless glamour - think Old Hollywood waves, elegant buns, and vintage accessories - giving us looks that are equal parts nostalgic and fresh. Ever wonder how these A-listers achieve such flawless styles? The secret is often seamless clip-in hair extensions, which celebrities rely on for instant transformations without any long-term commitment. The best part? You don’t need a personal glam squad to steal these styles. In this post, we’ll break down the top Oscar night hair trends and show how you can easily recreate them at home using clip-in extensions. Grab your bobby pins and let’s get into it!
Elegant Updos (Audrey Style with a Modern Twist)
Image Reference: Lupita Nyong’o stunned with a pearl-adorned updo at the 2025 Oscars, proving that classic glamour and creative accessories go hand in hand (allure.com).
On Hollywood’s biggest night, elegant updos were everywhere. Several leading ladies channeled Audrey Hepburn vibes with polished buns and French twists. Ariana Grande and Elle Fanning both showed up with stunning, sculptural updos reminiscent of 1950s Audrey style (bustle.com) - picture a sleek crown, subtle volume at the crown, and maybe even a dainty ribbon or bow accent (Elle actually paired hers with a cute black bow!). And talk about hair accessories: Lupita Nyong’o turned heads by weaving pearls throughout her bun for a sophisticated yet playful look, adding a bridal-esque sparkle. It’s official - glamorous updos with little twists (literally) are having a moment.
How to get the look: Don’t worry if your natural hair isn’t as thick or long as an Oscar nominee’s - that’s where seamless clip-in extensions save the day. In fact, celebrity stylists often use extensions to create red carpet updos with extra oomph. (Remember Vanessa Hudgens’ talked-about Oscars updo? Her stylist actually used clip-ins to give that chic bow bun more volume!) To DIY, start by clipping in a few wefts around the crown for fullness; seamless extensions lie flat, so they’ll be our little secret. For a high bun or top knot, try clipping the extensions in upside down at the back of your head - this way they’ll lay smoothly when you pull your hair upward. Gather your hair into a ponytail and twist it into a bun or chignon, shaping it to your liking. Secure with plenty of pins. If you’re feeling fancy, wrap a strand of hair (or a ribbon) around the base, or pin in some decorative accessories like pearl pins or sparkly barrettes for that Lupita-level glam. Finish with a mist of hairspray to lock everything in place. Voilà! You’ve got an Oscars-worthy updo that’s elegant, modern, and thanks to your extensions, nice and full. Pro Tip: Gently tease the clipped-in hair before styling to give the pins a better grip and create even more volume.
Bobs Are Back: Short, Chic, and Red Carpet-Ready
Image Reference: Selena Gomez wowed on the Oscars 2025 red carpet with a sleek side-parted bob, proving that short hair can be just as glamorous as any long locks (marieclaire.co.uk).
If one trend stole the show at the 2025 Oscars, it’s the resurgence of the bob. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again - 2025 truly is the year of the bob, and celebs are fully on board (marieclaire.co.uk). Case in point: Selena Gomez debuted a jaw-grazing, side-swept bob that was a masterclass in effortless precision. Her dark brunette bob, parted deep on one side, had a gentle flick at the ends - giving a nod to silver-screen sirens while still feeling fresh and young. She wasn’t alone in the short hair game: Halle Berry rocked a glossy flipped-out bob (yes, the retro “flippy bob” is still going strong (bustle.com)), and British singer Raye arrived with a chin-length voluminous bob, all bouncy curls and ‘90s supermodel vibes. Even Emma Stone traded her longer locks for a cropped cut - she styled her new pixie-bob hybrid in flapper-esque finger waves for a total Gatsby moment. Clearly, short hair can pack big glamour on the red carpet.
How to get the look: Tempted to join the bob brigade? Clip-in extensions might sound counterintuitive for short styles, but they’re actually game-changing. If you have a bob or lob already, you can use a few clip-in wefts (cut to match your hair length) to add volume, especially at the sides or back, for that full, swingy effect. For example, to mimic Selena’s ultra-smooth yet bouncy bob, you could clip one or two seamless extensions near the nape for extra thickness, then use a round brush and blow dryer to curl the ends outward. This gives you that perfect little “flick” and adds movement. (Selena’s stylist set her sleek bob with pin curls for extra polish (instyle.com), so feel free to pin the ends while they cool to maintain the flip.) Now, what if your hair is longer but you want to fake a bob for the night? You can actually create a faux bob by tucking and pinning your longer strands under, and here’s a hack: clip in a few extensions upside down near the front to act as shorter face-framing pieces. Style everything in loose waves or curls, then gather the length at the nape, roll it under and pin - the extensions on top will blend over and give the illusion of a real bob. It takes a little practice, but it’s totally doable (and a fun way to switch things up without committing to the scissors!). Finally, finish your bob style with a shine spray or serum to get that Oscar-worthy gloss. With the versatility of clip-ins, you can rock a short, chic look one day and go back to long hair the next - no drama, just fab hair.
Glamorous Waves & Mega-Length Locks
Image Reference: Lily-Rose Depp showing off her long, blonde glossy waves at the 2025 Oscars Red Carpet (marieclaire.co.uk).
The Oscars wouldn’t be the Oscars without some Old Hollywood-style waves and long, flowing manes on the red carpet. This year delivered on that front too, with a few stars serving Rapunzel realness mixed with vintage glam. Lily-Rose Depp, for example, gave a master class in classic Hollywood hair - her golden blonde locks were styled into soft ringlet waves that cascaded just below her jawline, bringing serious 1940s vibes. We also saw plenty of lustrous long hair: some celebs opted for waist-length tresses with lots of volume, reminiscent of the bombshell blowouts of past eras. (Throwback to last year’s Oscars: Billie Eilish arrived with an ultra-voluminous dark brunette blowout that reached halfway down her back - possibly the longest and fullest we’ve ever seen on her (glamour.com). (Talk about making a statement!) The takeaway: whether it’s chest-length retro curls or a modern “mermaid” blowout, glam waves never go out of style on the red carpet. It’s all about that lush, luxurious look.
How to get the look: To achieve these swoon-worthy waves and extra length, clip-in extensions are your BFF. Celebs love using them to amp up both length and density - it’s how they get that “where did all that hair come from?!” effect. For big Hollywood curls or loose bombshell waves, start by clipping in a set of seamless extensions throughout your hair (from around the mid-head down to the nape) to add thickness and a few extra inches of length. Be sure to match the extensions to your hair color as closely as possible for a natural blend - color matching is key to a flawless look where no one can tell where your real hair ends and the extensions begin. Once the wefts are in, curl your hair in sections. Use a large-barrel curling iron or wand and curl away from your face for that glamorous uniform wave pattern. Pro Tip: after curling each section, pin it up and let it cool to set the curl. Once all your hair (including the extensions) is curled and cooled, gently brush through with a paddle brush or a wide-tooth comb. This transforms the curls into those soft, uniform Old Hollywood waves that scream luxury. With the addition of extensions, you’ll notice the extra fullness and bounce right away - medium to thick clip-ins will give your waves dimension and movement, creating a true red carpet-ready finish. Finally, mist with a flexible hold hairspray and a bit of shine mist. You’ll be left with smooth, glossy waves that photograph beautifully and last through the night. Whether you’re channeling a vintage starlet or just living your best modern princess life, longer clip-in hair can seriously elevate your wave game with minimal effort.
Effortless Glam, Made Easy with Clip-Ins
By now it’s clear that seamless clip-in extensions are the not-so-secret weapon behind many celebrity hair looks. The reason? They’re incredibly easy to use, super versatile, and virtually undetectable - perfect for achieving dramatic hairstyles without the drama. In a matter of minutes, you can clip in a few wefts and completely change your look - add length for a cascading ponytail, volume for an updo, or even a pop of color or highlights without touching dye. Unlike permanent extensions, clip-ins let you experiment freely and you can take them out whenever you want. And modern seamless wefts are designed to lie flat against your scalp, so you don’t get that bulky or obvious “extension bump.” The result is a natural, Insta-worthy mane that moves and blends just like your own hair.
Conclusion: Get Red Carpet-Ready Hair with Barely Xtensions
Ready to channel your inner Oscars diva? You’ve got the trends and the tips - now all you need are the right extensions to make it happen. To do this, check out Barely Xtensions for gorgeous seamless clip-in hair. Our extensions are known for being lightweight, easy to clip in, and virtually invisible, so you can recreate any of these 2025 red carpet styles with confidence. Whether you’re aiming for a glamorous updo, a flirty bob, or va-va-voom waves, Barely Xtensions has you covered with high-quality strands that blend effortlessly with your hair. The best part is you don’t have to be a pro to use them - just clip, style, and get ready to turn heads! With the right extensions in your arsenal, those star-worthy hairstyles are totally within reach. So go ahead and have fun with your look - a little Hollywood magic (and a few well-placed extensions) can transform you into the belle of any ball. Here’s to fabulous hair and making every day feel like a red carpet moment!