| Hair Relaxers |
| Karen Marie Shelton |
| Date: 2/28/2004 |
Introduction At the Oscars (Sunday, February 29, 2004 on ABCTV), the gown you wear and how your hair is coiffed may be just as important as whether you were nominated or if you even won. OK, well winning might be nice, but looking fabulous is the very best reward of all.
(Image of Kim Cattrall & Cynthia Nixon at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards - all rights reserved). Photos from appearances at the Oscars can be like Prom or Wedding photos for average folks. They can hang around to haunt the celebrities forever. Just think about some of the horrible outfits and hairstyles worn by such big names as Barbra Streisand and Cher. Not only are they remembered for shockingly bad outfits, but bad hair as well. And who will ever forget the Bjork swan motif of the past?
Fluffing & Puffing I asked Celebrity Stylist Robert Hallowell if he had ever done hair behind the scenes at the Oscar Ceremony. Robert, who is famous for creating gorgeous coifs for the likes of The Dixie Chicks, Lucy Liu and Heather Locklear, explained that hairdressers, makeup artists and the stylists don't generally follow their famous clients backstage. Robert said that "there are so many people backstage at any one time that if all of the presenters and the various stars all brought their hair and makeup people, there were would literally no room to move". Robert explained that when celebrities are scheduled to present on stage that they have access to the hairdressers, and makeup artists who actually work for the Oscar Show. As the celebrities prepare to go onstage they are treated to a last minute "buff and puff" to make sure that every hair is in place and the makeup is perfect.
At Home Hairstyling Robert, like most celebrity hairdressers visit their stars at their home and do their hair after they have on their gown. Often the celebrity hairdressers and makeup artists work together like Ken Paves and Karan Mitchell. When Ken and Karan work on their clients, they work in tandem. Not only does this save time but the hair and makeup work well together. Although some of the stars will take their stylists with them to the Oscars, most of the hairdressers do that one last touch-up as they are getting into the limo.
Lots Of Advance Beauty Planning  Robert, as well as celebrity stylist Ken Paves, work with their celebrity clients way in advance as the countdown to Oscar begins.
(Image of Halle Berry at the 2002 Golden Globe Awards - all rights reserved). After all, Oscar is Hollywood's most spectacular annual event. Any celebrity worth their golden statues understand that they have to round up the best gowns, jewels, makeup and hair experts months before the event actually happens. If they don't they could find themselves with leftover couture and minor league stylists. While some of the celebrity hairdressers and makeup artists try to service as many as their famous clients possible, Ken has learned over the years that "it is insane to try to do more than one or two heads in one night". Ken should know, when he first started doing celebrity hair for the Oscars he tried to squeeze in 5 stars in a short period of time. With each passing year Ken has trimmed down his commitments until now he is only willing "to book one celebrity". How does Ken decide whose hair he will do when faced with the likes of Kim Cattrall, Jessica Simpson, JLo, Carmen Electra, Celine Dion and Pam Anderson (to name just a few of his clients)? Ken has confessed that "he does the hair of the celebrity that books him first". Ken confirmed that the Oscars is a throwback to the early days of Tinseltown and any hair he does has to be glamourous and a wonderful compliment to the rest of the star's overall look.
Tress Rehearsals?  With every major red carpet event, Ken and Robert plan the celebrity's tresses around the gown and other accessories. (JLo at 2002 Academy Awards).
Depending on the circumstances, the celebrity and their styling team will have a full dress rehearsal to make sure that everything works well together. This rehearsal includes trying out hairstyles and makeup looks. Ken Paves always makes it a point, when possible, to see his client's gowns in advance so he can create his magic, crafting a magnificent hairstyle. Ken coiffed Kim Cattrall's hair for the recent Golden Globes. Since Kim did not find her dress until the night before the show, Ken did not have the opportunity to plan in advance for Kim's ultimate curly do. However, Ken has worked with Kim for years and "knows her hair so well", it was relatively easy for him to create a beautiful style "on the fly" when Kim finally found the perfect gown.
Hair Predictions For 2004 Oscars Many celebrity hairdressers are expecting the 2004 Academy Awards to be awash in glamour taking the glam que from the recent Golden Globes one step further. Hairstylist Enzo Angileri will be working with Oscar favorite Charlize Theron. Enzo recently told The Toronto Sun that "I expect this year to be a feast of glamour," Angileri reported that his creative collaboration with Theron will be "glamour but in a simple way, because Charlize is tall and looks good with things not too ... complicated." Top Tinseltown stylist, Frederic Fekkai was quoted by the Sun as saying "the 2004 Oscars will see "big, bold and beautiful hair, reminiscent of the '20s and '30s for the red carpet. Waves and finger curls that have been revamped and updated, combining rock and roll and retro in a feminine soft way." Fekkai was quoted by SunTimes.com as "planning to adorn stars with sexy hair, full of shape, wispy influences, body and bounce". Celebrity stylist Luke O'Connor proclaimed "big hair and extensions are out. The only extra hair might be the new clip-on bangs or strands of hair to offer volume".
SunTimes.com quoted O'Connor, owner of Lukaro Salon in Beverly Hills, as reporting that "three looks will crown attendees". O'Connor believes that the hair tresses will run the gamet of: 1. Sleek, sophisticated and sculpted (Charlize Theron)
2. Retro glam (Liv Tyler)
3. Textured and loosely curled (Renee Zellweger). O'Connor also suggested that Holly Hunter, nominated for best supporting actress, would accentuate her curly hair to give it the appearance of "bed head".
Summary One thing is certain, whether the celebrities have big hair, retro glam hair, 30s hair, or something in between, it will be the result of a lot of planning, time and hard work by their dedicated Oscar beauty A teams. | 
